Lexa remained seated as the final lecture of the day came to an end. She quietly gathered her notes before standing.
The class itself hadn't been particularly useful. It had focused almost entirely on commerce, governance, diplomacy, and the responsibilities of rulers.
Knowledge she had received since childhood. After all...She had once been a princess. If this lecture had taken place several months ago, she would have listened with great interest.
Now...Her path had changed. She was no longer preparing to rule a kingdom.
She was preparing to follow Dante. Naturally, her priorities had shifted as well. Leaving the lecture hall, her golden eyes scanned the stream of students walking through the academy.
She wasn't simply wandering. She was searching. Eventually...She found him.
A towering figure walked calmly through the corridor, his massive war hammer strapped across his back as though it weighed nothing at all.
Gorgon.
Lexa quickened her pace before lightly tapping his shoulder. "Gorgon."
The large man stopped. Turning around, he looked down at her before giving a polite nod. "Greetings. Lexa, correct?"
She smiled. "That's right." He shifted slightly so they could continue walking together.
"What can I help you with?"
Lexa folded her hands behind her back."My Lord asked me to pass along a message."
"Mythical Being Dante?"
Gorgon scratched the side of his face. "...Of course it's him." Lexa nearly laughed. 'That really is the appropriate reaction.' She composed herself. "Yes. He wants everyone who signed that Fairy's Elisophere I think it was, contract to meet."
Gorgon's expression became more serious. "When?"
"In one week's time."
He looked surprised. "I assumed we'd only meet shortly before the entrance examination."
"So did I." Lexa nodded.
"But he changed his mind. He believes waiting until then would be irresponsible."
Gorgon remained silent, allowing her to continue. "The contract lasts five years. If even one of us fails the academy's qualifying examination...The value of that contract decreases. And Dante dislikes making poor investments."
Gorgon let out a small laugh. "That certainly sounds like him. He doesn't intend to carry anyone."
Lexa nodded. "Exactly. He wants to know what each of us is capable of, our strengths, weaknesses. Our habits in combat. He said that if we're going to become allies... then he refuses to work with people too weak to survive."
Gorgon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So this isn't merely training. It's an evaluation."
"Exactly."
"And if he finds someone lacking?" Lexa shrugged.
"Knowing him...He'll make sure they improve. Whether they enjoy the process is another matter entirely."
Gorgon laughed. "I somehow doubt his training methods are gentle."
Lexa's face twitched. Several rather unpleasant memories resurfaced. "...Gentle is probably the last word I'd use." She shuddered slightly.
"They're effective. Very effective. But I'd never voluntarily experience them again."
Gorgon noticed the subtle fear in her eyes. That alone told him more than her words ever could.
"So...When and where?"
"Six days from now. We'll meet outside the lecture halls. From there we'll head to the Transport District before traveling to the Combat Mountains, the district "
Gorgon's brows rose. "The Combat Mountains?"
Lexa nodded. "My Lord intends to inspect everyone's combat abilities personally."
"Not just observe. Inspect. He wants to know exactly what each of us can do. And where each of us falls short."
Gorgon remained quiet for several moments. Then he nodded. "For someone who appears lazy...he plans surprisingly far ahead."
Lexa couldn't help smiling. "He's many things. Lazy, annoying shameless, rude."
She paused. "Incredibly difficult to deal with, but..." Her expression became unusually serious. "He's frighteningly intelligent and even now...I don't believe I've seen the limits of his strength." Gorgon committed every word to memory.
Despite his enormous frame, he wasn't some simple-minded brute. He listened carefully He analyzed and made sound judgements. If Lexa—someone who fought beside Dante daily—spoke so highly of him...Then there was likely far more hidden beneath the surface. "I'll be there."
Lexa smiled. "I expected nothing less." The two continued walking in comfortable silence. Then...
BOOM.
An invisible pressure swept through the area. It wasn't loud. It wasn't explosive. Yet every instinct screamed. The surrounding air became unnaturally heavy. Students froze mid-step. Conversations stopped. Even the ambient mana throughout the corridor seemed to grow sluggish beneath the overwhelming pressure.
Gorgon's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. His pupils narrowed instinctively. 'A killing intent...? No...This is different.'
His hand unconsciously drifted toward the handle of the enormous war hammer on his back. Every battle-hardened instinct told him exactly one thing.
Danger.
Beside him...Lexa simply sighed. She slowly raised a hand before slapping her forehead. "...What did that idiot do this time?"
She knew that aura. There was absolutely no mistaking it. Cold, sharp and oppressive. She had been trained and beaten horrendously but that aura. It was the unmistakable aura of someone whose patience had finally snapped.
Following the pressure, they rounded the corner.
There...Standing in the middle of the corridor...
Was Vexion.
Her arms were folded beneath her chest. Her crimson eyes were devoid of warmth. Around her, the temperature itself seemed to have fallen several degrees.
Students instinctively kept their distance, not daring to breathe too loudly. Standing opposite her... Was a young man whose face had already a colour of surprise and apprehension .
Vexion looked down at him with complete indifference. When she finally spoke... Her voice was colder than ice. "You..."
A pause.
"...dared to flirt with me?"
The young man's face frowned his body feeling the desire to bend as he tried to keep his expression from faltering, unfortunately, blood burst from his lips and nose. Lexa closed her eyes.
Yep...
That's definitely something Dante would somehow end up causing...