Two Days Ago...…
Dante sat in the seat of a vast hall, one more grand than his own mansion. Opposite him rested a man in his early sixties, his silver hair neatly combed back, eyes sharp with authority. The weight of his presence pressed against the room, demanding both silence and respect from the people surrounding him.
This man is none other than the Magister of Deltaheim continent of Vaeltris— Magister Mikhail Crook. He is an early Terra Dominion realm Resonant. With the base strength of his alone he can destroy the continents.
Dante's crimson eyes locked onto Mikhail's. Though the Magister released no deliberate pressure, his sheer presence was suffocating. The resonance of his Psion wavered, disturbed by the natural resonance of Mikahil. He knew, this is not person he could challenge even after becoming Stage 10— not yet.
Dante steadied himself from the pressure and glared at the Magister.
"So, you have finally crossed the threshold for Stage 10. It is earlier than I expected.", Crook said with an authoritative voice.
"Yes, Magister. Due to some good fortune I became Stage 10, earlier than expected.", Dante said calmly.
Crook leaned slightly to the front, supporting his head with his both hands.
"If you do not mind, could you tell me the reason?", Crook said while smiling.
As Dante heard this, he knew the rat was out of the hole. He could not keep the secret even if he wants. Though what Crook said could be took as a request but he knew this cunning old man. It is not a request per se, it is an order. But he is not helpless, as he already found a suitable excuses.
"It is nothing large, Magister. It is just that during Diving I met an mutated Stage 9. It had the same path as mine. So, at the time of resonating with its core, the special attribute of mine got mutated as well as purity of mine increased. That's why I became Stage 10 earlier than expected.", Dante explained the well crafted lie he had prepared.
"Hmm... that's checks out but what about the new mutated special attribute of yours?", Mikhail pressed Dante again.
He knew this old Crook will definitely try to fish as much information as information about him. Because the Magister is also following the same path as him— the path of Zephyr. But it seems like, he had reached the bottleneck of his path when he attained the Terra Dominion Realm. So he was now trying to get the secret that allowed Dante to reach this level and Psion purity in a blackwater planet like this, with the ERs and resources far inferior than his.
"Sorry Magister, that I can't tell you.", Dante replied to Mikhail.
As these words left from the mouth of his, Dante could see a subtle twitch on the face of Mikhail.
Mikhail collected himself instantly and said with a smile.
"It is alright, Dante. No pressure."
Dante slightly nodded at those words of Mikhail and about to open his mouth to reply, but Mikhail interjected.
"But I have an excellent proposal for you, Dante."
As Dante heard it, his back was straightened. Because he knew this cunning magister is planning something again behind the scene again.
"What it could be, Magister?", Dante asked.
"I want you to come under the banner of Crook Family.", Mikhail said, his voice calm almost casual.
"With your talent, the Family will nurture you with the resources many times greater. And maybe, if fortune favor as favoring till now, you will achieve greater power— the realm above Terra Dominion.", Mikhail said with some hidden intent behind.
As Dante heard this a faint crease formed his eye brows, but smoothen away quickly. His finger stilled on the armrest of the chair. Dante took a slow breath.
The silenced between him and Mikhail stretched away, long enough to seem as thoughtful rather than dismissive. Then Dante opened his mouth to break the silence and give a reply to Magister.
"It is an honor, Magister. Truly. But I do not wish to come under the banner of any family. I already chose my path... it lies in the military."
Dante dismissed the offer of Magister respectfully; he is not enough suicidal enough to behave disrespectfully to a person who could destroy a continent easily.
Mikhail didn't show any reaction to the Dante's rejection to his proposal. Though he felt slightly disrespected, a refusal from a mere Stage 10 from a Tier 4 Planet. But he let it slide because of only one reason— The Solaria Empire.
It is the overlord of this side of human faction as well as a founding member of IGHF— Inter-Galactic Human Federation, the representative body of human race in the universe.
Solaria Family, against which even tier 1 family could not challenge openly. If they find out he is trying to sway or worse sabotaging a talented recruit, he could not imagine his fate in the future.
"The Military, is it? Then perhaps I should congratulate you, it is road filled with perils but as rewarding."
Mikhail chuckled outwardly, betraying the quiet irritation inside.
"Remember, Dante Grimwold, the door once closed may open again. Even the mighty Solaria Empire may not protect you from each storm you will face in the future."
"Thank you, Magister. I will keep your advice in mind.", Dante said, his voice steady but respectful.
"Now you may leave, also came to the council of Magisters in a week for to depart from the planet.", Mikhail said one last time before rising from his seat leaving towards the door of the grand hall.
Dante stood there for brief moment as the Mikhail exited from the hall, then he also left the room.
Present Day...
The plane landed in the airport of Nileson city. From the cockpit Dante steps out and slowly landed on the ground from his levitation, perk of Stage 10.
In front him a large and luxurious hovercar was parked, to ride him back to the Grimwold Mansion. The chauffeur who stood beside the hover-car, bowed slightly.
"Master Dante, your ride is ready."
"No need, I will go myself. You can return yourself.", Dante said, waving his hand dismissively.
Before chauffeur could utter anything, Dante lift above the ground and soared towards the sky, leaving the chauffeur flabbergasted.
In the sky Dante is feeling the freedom from the shackle of gravity, the cool breeze is clashing against his face and fluttering his suit, his hair is wavering backwards.
After sometime he approached the Grimwold Mansion. As he entered, he saw that Lyra and Kaios is having lunch chattering between themselves as always. He smiled as he saw this scene and shook his head.
"It seems both of you having lunch without me, huh…."
Lyra turned towards Dante, who is drawing near her and chuckled,
"You are late, Dante."
"Yes dad, you are late, so we started the lunch without you, hhehe…", Kaios spoke while laughing.
"Yeah, something other came up.", Dante said as he sits on his chair in the dining table.
"Dad, what about your meeting with the Magister?", Kaios asked.
"Yes, Dante... what about it?", Lyra also wondered same as Kaios.
"It went well; we only have five days' worth time to prepare for our depart.", Dante said while hiding about the offer of Magister.
"Damn, it is much sooner than I thought.", Kaios muttered.
Lyra picked up that and scolded, "No cursing, Kaios."
"Sorry Mom.", Kaios said apologetically.
"Hmm… Dante it is much sooner as Kaios said.", Lyra also thought same as Kaios.
"Nothing can do, it is the order of Magister.", Dante said shaking his head.
At that time maids brought the lunch for Dante to his front, he started his eating. After sometime three of them finished and left for their rooms.