Dante never explained his relationship with Vexion any further. There was no need to. In both his eyes and Vexion's, her role as a subordinate simply included serving him as a woman. That was all there was to it.
Lexa wanted to say she didn't understand that, but she knew both of their personalities well enough to realize they were two sides of the same dangerous blade. Even Vexion had reasons for admiring Dante and viewing him the way she did. If he ever lost the qualities she admired most, even her unwavering loyalty would begin to falter.
The only problem with that thought was that Dante could never lose those qualities. hey were simply who he was. He wasn't pretending.
Lexa turned to look at Dante as he stood, casually motioning for them to follow. His indifferent expression wasn't an act either. That was simply his normal state. He genuinely didn't care about most things.
And Vexion...As Lexa glanced at her, she realized Vexion loved that about him.
His power, wealth, mindset, values, shamelessness, confidence—everything that made Dante who he was, Vexion loved without reservation. As they walked through the corridor, Dante finally spoke.
"The reason I wanted to know about this place is simple. The people staying in the highest class." Vexion looked at him curiously.
"You're searching for someone?"
Yeah."
Lexa looked between the two. "Someone you already know?" Dante shook his head.
"The amount we paid seemed small to us—"
Lexa immediately cut him off.
"The amount I paid. And it definitely wasn't small."
Dante waved a dismissive hand. "Don't sweat the details." Lexa's eye twitched.
"But anyway," he continued, completely ignoring her expression, "if even for you—a princess of an empire—forty gold is considered expensive, then only the really wealthy or really powerful would stay here. Which, most of the time, is the same thing."
Vexion chuckled quietly at Lexa's annoyed face. Dante really did move entirely at his own pace.
Lexa slowly nodded. "So you're looking for someone here who's worth recruiting? Exactly."
Vexion thought for a moment before adding, "A subordinate suited for gathering information? Espionage? Preferably strong as well? If I remember correctly?"
Dante nodded. "Yeah. And think about where we're headed."
"The academy..."
"So there'll be talented students there too."
They eventually arrived at a spacious common area.
People from countless races occupied the lounge. Some drank while chatting. Others played games around polished tables. One group gathered around something that reminded Dante of pool, while another openly gambled.
A few glanced toward the trio before quietly returning to what they were doing.
Dante found an empty couch and sat down while Lexa and Vexion remained standing behind him, admiring the enormous glass wall overlooking the endless sky outside.
He spoke inwardly. "Miss Quietness. You've been awfully silent lately."
[Yes, Master. You have not required my assistance. There has been no need for me to intervene.]
"Fair enough."
He rested his chin on one hand.
"Review."
[Understood, Master.
Name: Dante
Origin: Sandrian Empire, Northeast Continent
Age: 18 years old
Race: Elf
Moral Alignment: Evil, Vile, Heinous, Unstable, Malevolent, … (etc.)
MEP (Mastery Experience Points):
Loyal Skill Bestowal – Legendary Tier: Lvl 20 (10%)
Martial Apex – Legendary Tier: Lvl 23 (21%)
Mental Domination – Mystical Tier: Lvl 1 (97%)
Spatial Body – Mystical Tier: Lvl 1 (96%)
Second Mind – Legendary Tier: Lvl 24 (99%)
Abyss Veil – Legendary Tier: Lvl 23 (3%)
Name: Vexion
Age: 21 years old
Origin: Sandrian Empire
Race: Half-elf (Half-demon, Half-elf mother; Half-beastkind, Half-human father)
Moral Alignment: Evil, Heinous, Destructive
MEP (Mastery Experience):Malevolent Reign – Legendary Tier: Lvl 21 [90 %]
Name: Lexa
Age: 20 years old
Origin: Josten Empire
Race: Elf (Dark elf)
Moral Alignment: "Vicious, Unkind, Morally Corrupt"
MEP (Mastery Experience):
Blood Razor Dominion Legendary Tier: Lvl 19 [90 %]
Loyal Subordinate Bestowal (Legendary, 1 Slot)Abilities:
Skill Owner: Dantalian
Current Subordinates: 1/3- 2/5 (Limit increased) Vexion, Lexa (Limit increases with growth)
Loyalty Points: 42,600 (Used for Enhancing & Granting Skills)
Master Skill Points: 4,260 (Used for Managing & Upgrading the Skill)
Status Overview Panel Subordinate List:
Name: Vexion | Loyalty: 200(absolute max)%Skills Bestowed: Malevolent Reign (Phantom Tyrant)
Status: First Subordinate, Lover
Name: Lexa | Loyalty: 90%Skills Bestowed: None
Status: Second Subordinate,
Skill Recommendation: Skill will function more efficiently if Paired and Managed by Legendary Tier skill: Second Mind. ]
Dante barely skimmed over the familiar information before dismissing it.]
His attention shifted back toward everyone in the room. Nothing Not a single person stood out. Even the System's appraisal failed to find anyone particularly noteworthy. After several quiet minutes, Dante sighed.
There should be someone here.
This was practically an event common in novels. If nobody interesting revealed themselves...then he'd simply create the opportunity himself.
He turned slightly.
"V."
Vexion smiled immediately. "My Lord?"
"Aura."
She tilted her head. "How much?"
"Thirty percent."
She nodded once. The instant her skill activated, an overwhelming aura flooded the room. It was cold, violent and oppressive.
The atmosphere became heavy enough that conversations stopped almost instantly. Faces turned toward Vexion as an invisible pressure settled over everyone present.
Even breathing suddenly felt uncomfortable. A moment later, she withdrew it just as quickly. The room collectively exhaled.
One man, who had been casually playing pool, laughed. Setting his cue aside, he walked over before taking a seat opposite Dante. "The Central Continent really is a gathering place for monsters."
He grinned. "To think I'd meet another Sage." He glanced between Vexion and Lexa.
"If they're your subordinates..." ..his eyes settled on Dante.
"Then you must be a True Sage. Maybe even an Enlightened Sage?" Dante smiled. "Sure." He shrugged. "Let's go with that." Within another minute, several more people approached. Three women accompanied by attendants.
One young man. Along with the man already seated before him. There were certainly more Legendary skill holders aboard this floor. Most simply weren't interested in getting involved, while others clearly hadn't reached the level of a Sage.
That suited Dante just fine. He wasn't here to make friends. He wanted information. More importantly...
He wanted someone worth recruiting. Unfortunately, things didn't unfold the way he'd expected. His attention shifted toward one of the women who had approached.
A demoness. Her curved horns, graceful figure and composed smile made her heritage obvious at a glance. He couldn't appraise a single thing about her. Nor could he appraise the two attendants standing behind her. Interesting.
She returned his smile before glancing around. "It seems we're the only Mythical Beings here." Vexion immediately felt her stomach tighten Beautiful, powerful.
A Mythical Being.
Every one of her insecurities threatened to resurface. Before she could think any further, Dante answered. "There are two more. They're just not interested." He looked at her for another second before casually adding,
"To be honest, I'm not particularly interested in you either." The woman covered her mouth with one hand and laughed softly. "My, what a blunt person. It's not every day someone meets another Mythical Being."
Dante snorted.
"Right? That's exactly how it's supposed to be." He leaned back against the couch. "I unfortunately grew up surrounded by monsters every damn day." Vexion couldn't help laughing at his annoyed tone.
She understood exactly what he meant. The empire he had been born into was absurd. Everyone was simply too strong. There had never been anyone for Dante to bully.