The entire group straightened. Lexa. Vexion. Amber. Elric. Even Eliosphere. Their eyes shone with anticipation.
Finally, they would witness the strength of the man who had gathered them all beneath him.
To Dante's mild surprise, even Jurian and Aishwani stepped forward with serious expressions.
He chuckled to himself. 'Good. Let's see where I actually stand.'
The first thing Lexa and Vexion understood above all else was that they would never truly comprehend everything that was about to happen.
The difference between Legendary and Mythical Tier wasn't simply one of power. It was a difference in understanding.
Apart from the three about to fight, everyone present possessed Legendary Tier skills. Even they knew that once Mythical Beings began fighting seriously, much of what happened would exceed their comprehension.
That didn't bother them. They simply intended to observe whatever they could and learn from it.
Aishwani slowly walked over to Jurian, folding her arms.
"What do you think?"
Jurian glanced at her.
"About?"
She looked toward Dante, who stood with his hands buried lazily inside his pockets, wearing the same carefree smile as always.
"Should we preserve our pride and challenge him one at a time?" She paused. "We're Mythical Beings too. The gap between us shouldn't be... that large."
Jurian let out a small laugh.
"We both know that's probably not true."
He sighed before continuing.
"Unless you've secretly been hiding an artifact capable of anchoring space."
She shook her head.
"No."
"Then there's no point."
Jurian rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"If we fight individually, how exactly are we supposed to stop him from separating us? He could simply create different spatial layers, isolate us, and fight each of us one at a time. Or teleport one of us hundreds of kilometers away."
Aishwani released a bitter chuckle.
"So you reached the same conclusion."
Jurian nodded.
"I hate admitting it... but opponents who can hit you while remaining completely untouchable themselves are among the worst enemies imaginable."
Aishwani nodded slowly.
"I also heard rumors..." She glanced sideways. "They say you can move at the speed of light."
Jurian laughed.
"Rumors spread far too quickly. Those stories from my homeland are exaggerated. It isn't light speed. I simply manipulate light around me to move incredibly fast. That's all."
She nodded thoughtfully. After several seconds of silence she spoke again.
"I still don't like the idea of refusing a one-on-one challenge. It feels insulting to the title of Mythical Being."
Jurian agreed.
"So here's what I'm thinking. We fight together. We don't ask him to handicap himself. He goes all out."
Aishwani grimaced.
"If we lose even after teaming up... that'll leave an even worse taste in my mouth."
Jurian chuckled.
"Then let's treat it as an opportunity. We're going to become faction members. When the Academy's faction wars begin, understanding each other's abilities will only help."
Aishwani suddenly froze. Her eyes widened slightly.
"...Wait."
She looked at Dante again.
"Do you think that's why he made us train the entire faction?"
Jurian blinked. Then slowly nodded.
"...Probably."
He couldn't help smiling.
"That shameless bastard behaves like an idiot half the time... but I don't think he's ever careless. He personally trained his own subordinates. He made all of us observe one another. He forced us into a faction before most students even know what they're doing."
His expression slowly became thoughtful.
"Every single thing he's done has benefited the faction."
Aishwani quietly stared at Dante.
"...And he's only eighteen."
Jurian nearly stumbled over a loose stone.
"...Who?"
She pointed directly at Dante.
"Him."
Jurian looked at her finger... then at Dante... then back at her.
"...He's eighteen?"
Aishwani laughed.
"That was my reaction too."
Jurian continued staring.
"...Seriously?"
She nodded.
"Eighteen."
He looked Dante up and down several times.
"...Impossible. He looks young... but..." He frowned. "...No. He really does look eighteen."
Aishwani smiled.
"Exactly."
Jurian rubbed his forehead.
"...That actually explains quite a lot."
Dante looked over.
"What does?"
Jurian answered honestly.
"Your immature personality."
Dante frowned.
"I'm not immature." He scratched his cheek. "I actually think all of you are."
Everyone stared at him.
Dante continued without hesitation.
"Tell me. Between the person who can confidently admire a woman's ass... talk about breasts... say words like pussy and dick without getting embarrassed... and the people who can't even say basic adult words... who's actually more mature?"
Silence.
Jurian felt every ounce of energy leave his body.
Aishwani pinched the bridge of her nose.
"It's called decency. We know those words. We simply choose not to shout them in public. And normal people don't stare at a woman's backside every ten seconds."
Dante looked genuinely confused.
"So... self-restraint?"
"Exactly."
"I have that."
"No. You don't."
"I absolutely do."
Lexa watched the exchange from the side before sighing. She had almost forgotten. Trying to have a normal conversation with Dante was impossible.
Normal conversations required both people to operate from similar assumptions. Dante didn't. To him... his perspective was simply reality. If everyone disagreed with him... then everyone else was wrong. No amount of logic would convince him otherwise.
Jurian eventually sighed.
"So that's really just your personality."
Aishwani nodded.
"He's legally an adult by every kingdom's standards. So calling him childish doesn't even fit."
Jurian looked toward Dante again.
"No... he isn't childish. He's simply..." He searched for the correct word. "...exceptionally irritating."
Aishwani nodded immediately.
"And somehow talented at exhausting everyone around him."
Dante smiled proudly.
"Thank you."
"...That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it as one."
Jurian sighed again.