Aishwani's eyebrows lifted slightly. 'So this is what a High Human looks like'. She had heard of them before — very few people from that race ever left their territories.
Meanwhile, Dante remained surprisingly calm.
"The evolved version of humans?"
Jurian shrugged.
"That's the common theory. No one has ever been able to confirm it."
Dante nodded.
"What are the differences?"
"The biggest ones?" Jurian leaned back comfortably. "There are mainly two. First, almost every High Human is born possessing an Epic-tier skill, unlike ordinary humans, it's incredibly rare for one of us to be born skillless. Second, our bodies — we're physically superior in almost every aspect. Greater natural strength. Greater durability. Longer lifespans."
Dante looked at him 'skilless, not without a slot?'.
"Interesting."
Jurian smiled before turning toward Aishwani.
"Surprised?"
She nodded honestly.
"A little. I'm assuming the Nameless One belongs to your race as well?"
Jurian nodded.
"He does. Though he's from the Northern Empires. We're not related. Not even remotely."
Aishwani nodded in understanding.
"So High Humans are more widespread than I thought."
"They're still rare. Just scattered."
Dante leaned back into his seat, silently absorbing the information. 'Interesting. Another naturally gifted race. The world really doesn't make becoming the strongest particularly convenient.'
She nodded. Dante then turned back toward Jurian. Curiosity had already gotten the better of him.
"So—" he asked casually. "—why and how long are you going to pretending you don't know Aishwani?"
Jurian nearly choked. Aishwani herself blinked before slowly turning toward him.
"...You know me?"
Jurian felt an odd wave of embarrassment wash over him. 'This guy. Why can't he just stay a shameless idiot? Why does he also have to notice everything?'
He cleared his throat before looking at Dante.
"...What gave it away?"
Dante shrugged.
"You never bothered attending the first gathering on the void ship."
Jurian frowned.
"You only appeared after seeing Aishwani take a seat."
He continued matter-of-factly.
"After that you kept stealing glances at her. During the meeting. When we split up. When we met again. When everyone was talking, basically everytime she was in the room"
He tilted his head.
"You also stare at her every now and then whenever you think nobody notices."
Jurian froze, yet Dante simply continued, a little hungry.
"And every time I look at her ass, you look more annoyed than everyone else."
Silence. Absolute silence.
Jurian finally understood. 'This bastard wasn't just observing, but he was testing me.' To Jurina His reaction alone had confirmed everything.
Aishwani slowly looked toward Jurian.
"...Is that true?"
Jurian rubbed his forehead.
"This guy — all he did was make assumptions. And my reaction confirmed them."
Dante nodded.
"Correct."
Jurian gave him an exhausted look before sighing.
"...Fine. I know of Lady Aishwani. I've heard stories, the Third Princess of the Kaldreian Empire. Most people know your reputation. Not only because of your strength, but because your beauty has spread almost as far."
Aishwani remained quiet. Jurian continued.
"I also happened to see you once. It was near one of the empires bordering the Viking Empire. You were returning from a Labyrinth."
Aishwani thought for a moment before giving a small nod. That made sense. She had visited those regions several times while exploring Labyrinths.
Coincidentally, that was also where she first heard about someone called Jurian — the mysterious genius who had once defeated Qwarian. Beyond that, she had never looked into him.
There were countless geniuses throughout the world. Learning every one of their stories simply wasn't worth the effort.
She simply nodded before returning her gaze toward the scenery outside.
Unfortunately, Dante wasn't finished.
"So—" He looked between the two of them. "—why don't you just tell her you're in love with her?"
Jurian almost wanted to throw himself off the void ship. 'Why? Why does this man have absolutely no shame?'
He forced out an awkward cough.
"Dante, I don't believe this is the time or place to discuss something like that."
Dante looked genuinely confused.
"...Someone else could steal her."
Jurian's eyelid twitched. Aishwani slowly turned toward Dante with a tired expression.
"Dante, can you please try being normal?"
He immediately shook his head.
"I am. I'm trying to be a good friend. I found you a handsome, talented swordsman. I'm practically doing all the work, you can call me... ehh what's that guy or baby with the diper and bow and arrow? Jupiter ? right?"
Aiswhani shot him a look of absolute exhaustion. "Jupiter is a said to be a planet , the word your looking for is Cupid"
He snapped his fingers in agreement "Yes that's it , I'm helping you two here, sometimes I feel like you guys don't appreciate me enough."
Jurian burst into laughter despite himself.
"Just ignore him. He genuinely believes he's helping."
Aishwani couldn't help smiling. Her eyes drifted toward Jurian for several quiet seconds.
"...Is what he said true?"
Jurian sighed.
"...Do we really have to continue this conversation?"
She smiled faintly.
"So it is."
Dante nodded 'proudly. And people call me evil. I'm a phenomenal wingman.'
Jurian looked at Aishwani for a long moment before speaking honestly.
"I won't pretend otherwise. But I also won't exaggerate. I know almost nothing about you. You're beautiful. You're talented. And you're powerful. Beyond that, I don't know enough about you to claim my feelings are anything deeper. It would be unfair to you if I did."
Aishwani quietly studied him. No boasting, no exaggerated declarations. No desperate attempts to impress her, just simple honesty. She found herself smiling.
'In another life, one where I wasn't a princess already promised to another, perhaps I would've let myself experience what a first love felt like.'
Dante noticed the brief softness in her expression. He raised an eyebrow. 'Ah, there it is. He mentioned she was a princess. How cliché seems she cant return the love, political marriage probably. Heh World really likes overused plots.'
Satisfied that his matchmaking had reached its natural conclusion for now, Dante leaned back in his seat and simply watched the endless void beyond the windows.
The remainder of the journey passed without incident.