Dante walked out of the hall alongside the seemingly endless stream of students.
There were no established friend groups yet. Everyone was still cautiously observing one another, measuring potential allies and future rivals. That left Dante walking alone.
Not that he minded.
It also didn't stop him from receiving more than his fair share of curious looks. He was undeniably handsome, so the attention hardly surprised him.
Of course...
That wasn't the only reason.
Dante was, in his own words, "politely" admiring every attractive woman who passed by.
Nor did he bother keeping those thoughts to himself.
"Five out of ten."
"Three."
"Four."
"Oh... seven. Nice ass."
...
His eyes eventually landed on a red-skinned beauty walking toward him.
"...Eight out of ten."
He paused.
"...Ah."
"Yo, Aisha."
The Demoness couldn't help wondering whether she had made a terrible mistake when choosing Dante as a potential ally.
The man was simply impossible to understand.
"Dante...why are you so... stupid?" Dante scratched his cheek. "You don't think you're an eight? I'm stupid for thinking that?"
A vein twitched across Aishwani's forehead. "Your behaviour, you fool!" Her voice echoed loudly enough to draw even more curious glances from nearby students.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, wondering for perhaps the hundredth time how she was supposed to deal with this man.
Dante merely shook his head. "It's rather unladylike to yell. Even more so to insult someone for complimenting you." Aishwani closed her eyes before releasing a long, exhausted sigh. Dante, meanwhile, remained completely indifferent.
His eyes, however...Continued wandering over her figure. She noticed. She simply couldn't be bothered addressing it anymore. A chuckle sounded from behind them.
Jurian approached, his golden eyes filled with amusement. "Aishwani...I'm more surprised you still aren't used to him." Aishwani shook her head before turning toward Jurian with a polite smile.
Naturally...That also gave Dante a much clearer view of her backside. He tilted his head. "Aisha...If I asked politely, would you let me grab your ass?"
This time...Aishwani's mouth literally fell open. Jurian nearly burst out laughing before pretending he hadn't heard a thing after receiving an icy glare.
Instead, he turned toward Dante. "Waiting for your subordinates?" Dante nodded. "Vexion was incredibly upset we got separated. I'll probably have to console her." Aishwani folded her arms beneath her chest.
"I'm honestly curious. How exactly did you convince someone as beautiful as her to pay attention to you? Unless you're threatening her...Or controlling her with some skill. But she doesn't seem to be under one."
Jurian chuckled. Dante frowned. "I do have some dignity, you know." He shrugged. "Besides...If you slept with me...You'd probably figure it out yourself."
Aishwani snorted. "Sometimes...I genuinely wonder what goes on inside that head of yours." Dante answered without even pausing to think.
"Vexion. Her ass. Her boobs. Blowjobs. Food. Sleep. Entertainment." He tilted his head.
"I used to look at Lexa's too, but you know times change so mostly Vexion though."
Aishwani simply stared at him for several long seconds before silently giving up. She turned toward Jurian instead. "What did you think about today's orientation?"
Jurian, finally recovering from Dante's latest remarks, folded his arms. "The academy is far harsher than I expected. But honestly...The thing bothering me most..."
"The size."
Dante interrupted before he could continue.
"The size."
Their expressions were almost identical.
Aishwani was once again reminded that, despite how ridiculous Dante appeared... He wasn't actually an idiot. Not even close.
She looked toward him. "So? What's your next move?" Dante shrugged. "We find the Fairy and Gorgan."
"We've already formed an alliance. We may as well make use of it. You three are the strongest Mythical Beings I've met so far. I'd rather we focus on one thing...and do it properly."
He raised a finger. "Information. We need to find out everything we can about the Final Selection. If we fail that..."
He didn't bother finishing. Aishwani understood immediately. Breaking the contract early would become far more troublesome.
She nodded. "Agreed." Dante glanced around. "You seen the big guy?" Jurian shook his head. "I saw him in the hall. But I lost track of him."
Aishwani nodded. "Same." Dante shrugged. "When either of you finds him...Pass on the message. In one week... We meet."
"Everyone brings whatever information they've gathered. After that...We head to the Northern Combat Territory."
Jurian raised an eyebrow. "For training?" Dante nodded. "I'll fight all 2 of you, and have Lexa and V deal with the other two, I need to know exactly what I'm dealing with."
Aishwani looked at him for several seconds. "You know...That level of confidence borders on disrespect." Dante shrugged. "I don't mind one-on-one fights either. I just can't be bothered fighting everyone separately."
Jurian laughed. "Cocky...But I suppose we'll find out."
Dante smiled. Soft warmth suddenly wrapped around his back. Two familiar arms embraced him. A gentle kiss landed against his cheek.
Lexa stood calmly nearby, offering Jurian and Aishwani a respectful nod. Both instinctively returned it. The same thought crossed their minds.
'She's so polite...How did someone like her end up serving someone like Dante...?'
Dante merely turned his head slightly. "You see anyone interesting?"
Vexion lingered for another moment, quietly enjoying his warmth before finally letting go. Only then did she greet Jurian and Aishwani.
Afterward, her expression immediately brightened again. She looked back at Dante.
"Lexa noticed someone." Dante shoved both hands into his pockets. "What'd he look like?" Lexa answered almost immediately. "Rather ordinary. But...He wore an exceptionally refined outfit. It reminded me of yours. A tailored suit...Without the jacket."
The System quietly spoke.
[It appears Lady Lexa noticed the same individual we observed, Master.]
Dante nodded inwardly. 'Lucky...' If Lexa had noticed him... Then whatever that man possessed...It wasn't ordinary.