Dante knew, as his father continued explaining, that all of this extra information was meant to help him advance through the academy more quickly. To move into the second year ahead of schedule, a student needed to meet certain requirements in academics, skill level, and combat experience.
Those requirements, however, were judged on a case-by-case basis.
If you couldn't keep up with the standards expected of your year, you would simply be held back. Each student was also given a limited number of years to graduate.
Entering Midvest Academy without a prestigious family background was, realistically speaking, almost impossible. Unless you were an exceptionally gifted genius who had risen through your own efforts, you simply wouldn't have the opportunity.
Even so, the system wasn't completely unfair. If someone displayed extraordinary talent despite their background, the academy—or even one of its instructors—would eventually take notice and recruit them.
After all, the purpose of institutions like Midvest Academy was to cultivate genuine experts.
At least...
That was the official reason.
Dante wasn't entirely convinced. The longer he listened to his father, the more something felt off.
'Why would people whose lifespans can practically stretch into eternity care so much about constantly creating more experts?'
As usual, he abandoned the thought almost as quickly as it appeared. One reason was sitting right in front of him.
His father.
Although Justin had undoubtedly lived for countless thousands of years, he hadn't lost his passion for life. If anything, he seemed to cherish it more with each passing day—whether that meant ruling an empire, spending time with his women, or simply doting on his children.
'Maybe it really isn't that deep,' Dante thought.
'Perhaps some people simply enjoy living. Not everyone pursues strength because of some grand ambition.'
At the end of the day, he knew it was impossible to understand the minds of people who had lived for tens or even hundreds of thousands of years. Time itself shaped a person's values, morals, and outlook on life.
Besides...
He simply didn't care enough to waste brainpower thinking about it. Curiosity alone wasn't enough motivation, even with the System helping him.
After some time, Dante learned another reason his parents had delayed sending him to Midvest Academy. Apparently, for the past few years, the academy had effectively been closed. Only a handful of students and staff had remained. In fact, it wasn't just Midvest Academy.
Every major organization across the world had been affected. When Dante asked why, Justin casually explained that they had all received a summons from some powerful individual's. Every major power had been required to attend.
The matter had been so important that academy admissions across the entire world had been postponed. Midvest Academy was no exception.
Its instructors, administrators, and many of the powerful figures backing the academy had all left. Dante inwardly cursed.
'Something huge is happening... and I'm still too weak to even know what it is.'
At the same time, however, relief washed over him. At least he had an absurdly powerful family standing behind him if everything went to hell.
Apparently, the only reason Justin himself hadn't attended was because his standing among the world's highest powers was great enough that he could simply send representatives in his place.
Dante nearly coughed up blood when he heard who those representatives were. Justin casually replied,
"Two Mystical Beings and one Sovereign."
Dante almost wanted to cry. At the same time, he quietly buried any remaining thoughts of catching up to his father anytime soon.
The more he learned...
The more he realized the man sitting before him wasn't simply an emperor. He was an ancient monster disguised as an affectionate, somewhat foolish father.
Still, Dante finally understood why he himself hadn't entered the academy at thirteen as originally planned. His older sister still hadn't graduated. Neither had his eldest brother's. By all accounts, they should have finished years ago.
Now he finally understood why.
Whatever meeting had taken place...
Whatever ancient existence had issued that summons...
It possessed enough authority to pull even monsters like Sovereigns away from their own empires.
And whatever had been discussed there...
Was knowledge Dante wouldn't be qualified to learn for a very long time.
Hence, after getting all the information he needed from his parents, what followed was a simple discussion about the things he needed to prepare before leaving, the key to the Royal Library, and, naturally, a family cuddle session.
Aurora outright refused to accept that she would soon be separated from her child and clung to him with visible sadness. Dante merely ignored his parents' childish, doting behavior and left them have their moment of doting him.
On his way to the training room, he spoke to the System.
"System, what do you think about everything we've heard?"
[In what regard, Master? Rather... what do you mean?]
"My plans. Do you think anything we've learned today changes them?"
[Based on the information we obtained... unlikely. We simply learned that there are far more powerful individuals in this world than we initially estimated. However, it would still take an extraordinary set of circumstances before your life would truly be in danger. I also believe your mother may be close to advancing into the Sovereign realm.]
Dante nodded.
He had reached a similar conclusion. Still, judging by how difficult it was to level even a single Mythical-tier skill, he assumed it would take his mother a significant amount of time before reaching that point.
What he didn't understand, however, was...
[It likely depends on the individual. Regardless, I do not believe Master needs to concern himself with such matters. Your plans have always operated under the assumption that this life—and everything you wish to accomplish—would require us to be in it for the long run.]
Dante smiled faintly as his thoughts drifted toward his siblings.
"Mhmm... My older brother is most likely a pure Mythical Being by now. I'm curious how he managed it. I'll ask him when I see him again."
With both hands tucked into his pockets, Dante eventually arrived outside his underground training room. Without slowing his pace, he phased directly through the closed door, leaving the surrounding space distorted for a few seconds before allowing it to seal behind him.
Rather than entering immediately, he remained hidden between layers of space, quietly observing his subordinates' training session.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His gaze shifted toward an empty corner of the room. Space silently distorted. Someone stepped through.
Remaining concealed within the same spatial layer, Dante spoke casually. "So, Emerald... how are they?"
Silence answered him. A moment later, a delicate young woman's voice echoed through the room. Although youthful, there was a quiet firmness and maturity behind every word.
"Vexion is strong." A brief pause. "Probably as strong as Second Older Sister."
Dante chuckled before turning toward the source of the voice.
Standing there was a beautiful young elf girl dressed in elegant light-pink robes, embroided in royalty and gems. Her long black hair framed a delicate face with soft rosy cheeks and gentle light-brown eyes. Although her robes hugged her figure just enough to accentuate her elegance, they remained loose enough to resemble a blend between royal attire and martial robes. A pair of black boots completed the outfit, adding a subtle contrast that made her stand out even more.
She calmly met her brother's gaze.
The youngest member of the Sandrian Royal Family.
Only one year younger than Dante.
Emerald Sandrian.