Dante walked through the Academy grounds with both hands tucked comfortably into his pockets. His pace was leisurely, almost lazy, his gaze wandering across the students moving throughout the enormous campus.
Occasionally he would be looked , rather a lot of the time he would end being looked.
Curiosity. Admiration. Caution. Jealousy.
Then there were the women. Some looked at him because of his appearance. Others because of his strength. Some because of both.
He had become surprisingly adept at distinguishing between the subtle differences in their expressions. Romantic interest felt different from simple physical desire, and although he rarely cared enough to dwell on it, it occasionally amused him.
Every now and then, he would casually smile at one of them. Watching a young woman suddenly blush before hurriedly looking away was entertaining. Watching the man walking beside her notice... was even more entertaining.
A few immediately wrapped an arm possessively around their girlfriends. Others glared at him with poorly concealed hostility. One or two simply looked wary, instinctively sensing that the smiling young man wasn't someone they wanted to provoke.
Dante couldn't help but chuckle.
Humans really do make life entertaining.
Eventually, his eyes landed upon a familiar group waiting near the Void Ship terminal.
Gorgon. The towering barbarian whose physique resembled a walking fortress more than a human being.
Jurian. The handsome Human swordsman whose calm demeanor hid frightening strength.
Aishwani—or rather, "Aishwa." A nickname she had all but forced Dante to use after repeatedly telling him not to shorten her name to simply "Aisha."
Eliosphere. The fairy whose graceful appearance did little to hide the cruel amusement lurking beneath her elegant smile.
Dante approached them with his usual relaxed expression.
"Morning."
The group returned the greeting. Aishwani folded her arms beneath her chest before looking at him with faint surprise.
"I'm honestly impressed."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"By?"
"You actually managed to wake up on time."
He smiled.
"You always assume the worst of me."
Jurian immediately nodded.
"Because that genuinely sounds like something you'd do."
Dante looked mildly offended.
"I've noticed something."
"What?"
"You people have remarkably little faith in me."
Jurian answered without hesitation. "Because you've given us remarkably little reason to."
"...Fair."
Dante turned toward Gorgon instead. "What about you, big guy?"
The enormous barbarian met Dante's gaze calmly. Unlike Jurian or Aishwani, Gorgon never appeared irritated by Dante's antics. If anything... he simply seemed cautious. Of everyone within their faction, Dante was the person Gorgon understood the least.
After a brief pause, he answered honestly. "I'm merely glad Mythical Being Dante arrived on time."
Dante laughed. "You know... I think you're becoming my favorite."
Gorgon blinked once.
"I don't know whether that's a compliment."
"It is."
"...Then thank you."
Jurian looked between the two before shaking his head.
"I swear... the two of you somehow make conversations feel exhausting."
Dante simply grinned before turning toward Eliosphere. She was staring at him with an unmistakable expression of annoyance.
He frowned.
"Why are you angry?"
She stared back in disbelief.
"...You seriously don't know?"
Dante genuinely thought about it. He replayed yesterday's conversation. The restaurant. The coffee. The jokes. The...
He slowly shook his head.
"No. Not really."
Eliosphere closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"My Lord... can we just leave already?"
Dante shrugged.
"If that's what you want."
Turning toward the others, he clapped his hands together.
"So. Which one of my wonderful faction members would like the honor of purchasing my ticket?"
Silence. Everyone looked at him.
Jurian narrowed his eyes.
"...Don't tell me."
"...You've already run out of Academy Points."
Dante smiled brightly.
"I have."
"...One week."
"Correct."
"How?"
"I had expenses."
"What expenses?"
"I don't actually remember."
Jurian sighed deeply.
"I somehow believe that."
Aishwani looked as though she wanted to ask several more questions before ultimately giving up.
"...Forget it."
She reached into her storage ring before purchasing Dante's ticket herself.
"Someone else is paying for the return trip."
Dante smiled cheerfully.
"Thank you."
"You aren't even embarrassed."
"I don't see why I should be."
"You've just made me spend my Academy Points."
"And?"
"...You're impossible."
Dante simply waved dismissively as he began walking toward the boarding platform.
"Come now, Aishwa. No need to worry over such insignificant details."
She looked toward Jurian.
"Can I kill him?"
Jurian answered immediately.
"No. Unfortunately."
Even Eliosphere nodded.
"I support the request."
Dante ignored them completely. While everyone else purchased their own tickets, he stood nearby with his hands inside his pockets, casually observing the surroundings.
Or... at least that was what it appeared he was doing.
Every now and then, his eyes drifted toward Aishwani. More specifically... toward her swaying hips.
Jurian noticed. Gorgon noticed. Eliosphere noticed. Even Aishwani noticed.
Her eye twitched slightly.
Ignore him. Just ignore him. Responding will only encourage him.
She had already learned that lesson. Trying to shame Dante only resulted in Dante shamelessly doubling down. Sometimes... triple.
The best solution was pretending he didn't exist.
Dante eventually nodded to himself.
Excellent. Self-control. She's improving.
Not long afterward, everyone boarded the Void Ship.
The seating arrangement ended up rather naturally. Dante sat beside Jurian. Directly across from them sat Aishwani. Gorgon occupied the seat beside her while Eliosphere claimed the remaining one.
As the enormous vessel slowly rose into the sky before accelerating across the Academy, Dante suddenly turned toward Jurian.
"Jurian."
He looked over. "Yes?"
Dante quietly observed him for several moments. Long enough for Jurian to become slightly uncomfortable.
"...Why are you staring at me?"
Dante finally spoke. "Are you human?"
The question caused Aishwani to look over with curiosity as well. Although both originated from the Western Continent, their empires were separated by months of travel. She knew very little regarding Jurian's homeland.
Jurian chuckled. "Not exactly. I'm what's known as a High Human."