Soon enough, Dante and his five new allies shook hands before parting ways. The plan was simple—they would meet again once the academy announced any examinations or events that required students to form groups.
After wandering around the ship for a while and finding nothing that particularly interested him, Dante returned to his room.
As usual, he threw himself onto the bed, lying flat on his back. Vexion and Lexa each occupied one of the chairs nearby.
Lexa leaned back with a sigh. "My Lord... you're going to betray them eventually, aren't you?"
Dante turned his head toward her, wearing an expression of complete defeat. "Does everyone seriously think I'm a monster?"
Vexion giggled. "We just know you, Master." Dante yawned before answering. "I'm not betraying them... at least not for the time being." He folded one arm behind his head.
"They gave me useful information. Besides..." He opened one eye, staring lazily at the ceiling. "They could be useful in the future." After a brief pause, he continued. "They're strong. Jurian especially... and that Fairy as well."
Lexa's eyes widened slightly. "Master sensed it?" Vexion chuckled. "She's a kindred spirit."
...
Several rooms away—
Elisophere collapsed onto one knee the moment she shut her bedroom door. Blood escaped her lips. She hurriedly retrieved several healing pills from her spatial ring before swallowing them without hesitation.
Even then, the pain refused to subside. Staggering into the bathroom, she leaned over the basin before another mouthful of blood spilled out. Her breathing became ragged as a splitting headache threatened to tear her consciousness apart.
Only after forcing down more healing medicine with a glass of water did her condition slowly stabilize. Several long minutes later, she managed to crawl back onto her bed.
She lay there silently, staring at the ceiling while waiting for the lingering pain to fade. "...To think he would choose such a restrained method." A faint smile appeared on her face. "At least he allowed me to preserve my dignity in front of everyone else."
She slowly closed her eyes. Just one simple attempt left me like this... Her curiosity had gotten the better of her. She had tried to probe Dante's strength. Normally, she would never dare, but he was simply too interesting.
Someone so young with Sage-level subordinates. Perhaps they belonged to his family... Yet the beautiful half-elf beside him clearly looked at him with far more than simple respect. So she had only intended to peek.
Just a tiny glimpse.
Just enough to see where his horizon lay.
Instead...
It had felt as though she stared directly into a setting sun. The moment she drew close enough to perceive it... Everything disappeared darkness. An endless, silent darkness.
She found herself standing within an empty world devoid of sound, light, and even direction.
Then... Something moved. A presence. It slowly circled around her Invisible. Indescribable.
She couldn't see it. She couldn't hear footsteps. Yet every instinct screamed at her that something unimaginably dangerous was leisurely walking around her.
The pressure alone nearly suffocated her. Her senses became dull and even breathing felt impossible. Then a calm female voiceit sounded mechanical yet alive at the same time as it echoed throughout the darkness.
[To think someone would still try to test Master... Who pokes a lion and believes they'll walk away unharmed? Fool.]
The next instant—She was sitting back in the lounge as though nothing had happened. The conversation continued uninterrupted. No one noticed. Not even Dante acknowledged what she had attempted.
It was almost as if he hadn't cared enough to respond personally. Yet whatever had spoken...Had remembered. The backlash merely waited. Only after she had safely returned to her room did it finally erupt inside her body all at once.
"Dante..." She smiled despite herself. Perhaps that thing had spared her because violence aboard the ship was forbidden. Or perhaps... It simply hadn't considered her worth killing. Either way—She had never met someone like him.
And now...She wanted to know more.
...
Back in Dante's room, he turned toward his two subordinates. "When we arrive at the academy, your objectives are simple." Both women gave him their full attention. "Find the people we're looking for."
He glanced toward Vexion.
"My priority remains the same. Someone suited for information gathering, espionage, and combat." Both women nodded.
"Another subordinate?" Vexion asked. Dante thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Not immediately. There is already one person that interests me... but I need to figure out a few things first."
Vexion accepted the answer before tilting her head again. "Then, Master... will you be granting Lexa a Skill soon?" Dante paused before looking toward Lexa. She returned his gaze curiously. From Vexion, she already knew his Skill could bestow abilities upon others. Even Vexion's own Skill had become something entirely different after Dante modified it.
Naturally...She was curious.
Dante nodded. "Actually... both of you." Vexion blinked. "Why both of us?" Dante took another bite of his burger-like meal before attempting to answer with his mouth full.
Vexion immediately shot him a glare. He sighed dramatically before chewing properly.
After swallowing, he continued. "Hierarchy." Both women listened quietly.
"The top subordinates need a clear hierarchy." He pointed between the two of them. "That hierarchy should be determined by two things."
"Loyalty and strength. The more loyal someone is, the more strength I'll reward them with... naturally within my limits."
Lexa and Vexion exchanged a glance before nodding. Dante continued. "The Skills will both be Legendary Tier, but before I decide anything, I need to know what each of you actually lacks."
He pointed at Vexion. "I already know you can comfortably fight opponents ten to thirteen levels above your own. You're only Level 24, yet I wouldn't be surprised if you defeated an ordinary Enlightened Sage."
"If they're poor fighters..." He shrugged. "You'd probably win without much difficulty." Then he looked toward Lexa. "But you...You haven't fought anyone outside my immediate circle. So I don't know where your weaknesses actually lie."
"It's difficult to judge either of you."
He lazily scratched his cheek. "We're not exactly... normal compared to everyone else."
Lexa nodded. "Then let's postpone it until after we enter the academy." Vexion agreed. "I'm in no rush either."
For her...There was only one thing she truly wanted right now. Her Master.