Jurian nodded thoughtfully.
"That's sensible."
Aishwani smiled.
"I honestly didn't think you'd consider the older students."
Dante shrugged.
"They know the academy better than we do. Loopholes. Hidden rules. Which courses matter. How Academy Points are really earned. How to exploit the system."
He rested his chin on Vexion's shoulder.
"I'd rather steal years of experience than spend years learning it myself."
Jurian folded his arms.
"So — you want us to approach the failed first-years? We can ignore the second-years."
Aishwani immediately shook her head.
"I don't think so." She frowned. "Doesn't anyone find it strange?"
She looked around the group.
"This academy feels like a den filled with monsters, yet we've experienced almost no resistance."
Lexa nodded.
"I've been thinking the same thing. We're viewing the academy from different perspectives." She glanced between Jurian and Dante. "You three are Mythical Beings. Most of us are only Legendary. The problems we face won't necessarily be the same."
Gorgon quietly nodded in agreement.
Dante absentmindedly squeezed Vexion's thigh. As his hand slowly moved higher, the tension in her body visibly melted away. A small smile spread across her face.
Dante finally spoke.
"Simple."
He looked toward Vexion.
"You."
Then Lexa.
"You."
Finally Elric.
"And you. You three handle Legendary-tier matters. I'll interfere if necessary. But until I understand this academy, I'd rather not."
Vexion nodded immediately.
"As long as it doesn't require me to leave you, I don't mind."
She paused before adding with complete seriousness,
"Master. I'm serious."
Dante laughed.
"I know. If I have to send you somewhere, it won't be longer than a few hours. I promise."
Vexion lowered her head.
"...Alright."
Although she accepted it, her small pout made it painfully obvious she still wasn't happy.
Everyone except Lexa found themselves staring. How? How is this the same woman who stomped Elisophere into the ground? She's adorable. Even Aishwani couldn't reconcile the two images. One moment a terrifying psychopath. The next a lovestruck young woman pouting because she might be separated from the man she loved.
Dante casually gave her backside a light squeeze. Almost immediately the pout disappeared. Vexion's smile returned.
Dante chuckled.
"If you don't want to do something, you can always send Lexa. Amber. Or Elric. As long as they're capable."
Vexion's eyes lit up. She immediately hugged him.
"Thank you, Master."
Across the circle, Lexa slowly turned toward Amber and Elric. Both had gone noticeably pale. They understood exactly what Dante meant. As long as they're capable. If they weren't, Vexion would simply have Lexa train them until they were.
Amber leaned toward Elric.
"We — we just need to become stronger before she decides we're too weak."
Elric swallowed. Unlike Amber, he had already overheard Vexion discussing this very topic with Dante. As the faction's intelligence officer, he wasn't allowed to be slow. Or inflexible. Failure simply wasn't an option.
Amber, meanwhile, had reached a different conclusion. Five skills, maybe even more. If I can master all of them, maybe I can become an all-rounder like Master.
Aishwani cleared her throat, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
"That arrangement works."
She looked toward Vexion.
"No one here truly understands how strong she is. But after today's fight, I think it's safe to say she's comfortably above the average Legendary-tier student."
She glanced toward Lexa.
"The same applies to you."
Then she turned toward Gorgon and Elisophere.
"Any objections?"
Both immediately shook their heads. Neither had any desire to argue. If Lexa alone could probably defeat them, then Vexion wasn't even worth discussing.
Jurian leaned back.
"So — what about Mythical-tier matters?"
Dante answered without hesitation.
"I'm the last resort. Don't ask me unless absolutely necessary."
Jurian laughed.
"So you finally admitted you're lazy."
"I've never hidden it." Dante replied without the slightest embarrassment.
Aishwani smiled.
"In that case, I don't mind acting as the faction's temporary leader. Negotiations. Diplomacy. Managing people." She looked directly at Dante. "Those aren't exactly your strengths."
Dante nodded without argument.
"Correct. I'll handle fights. You handle people. Seems fair."
Jurian chuckled.
"I never thought I'd hear someone willingly admit that."
Dante ignored him.
"That said—" His expression became noticeably more serious. "—we need information. Particularly on the students likely to interfere during the selection examinations."
Jurian nodded.
"I only know rumors."
"Same." Aishwani added. "But there are two names I've heard repeatedly. Zephir. And a dwarf named Bullshar."
Dante frowned.
"I've never heard either."
Jurian shook his head.
"Neither have I."
Dante leaned back.
"A dwarf. I actually haven't seen one."
Jurian smiled.
"You probably have. They look like teenagers. Short. Young. Some are well over twenty. They just don't age the way humans do. You usually recognize them by their ears, and by the ridiculous amount of physical strength they possess."
Dante nodded thoughtfully.
"Huh. I always imagined dwarves would be shorter. Really stocky. Covered in beards."
Aishwani blinked.
"...Why?"