Dante remained where he was.
He didn't bother giving chase. The Mythical Being had already disappeared beyond the horizon, and Dante had no particular interest in pursuing him.
"System."
"Explain."
[I believe he belongs to one of the Special Races, Master.]
[Among the records obtained from Midvest Academy's library was information regarding a relatively young race that appeared approximately four hundred thousand years ago, relative to the current era.]
[They are commonly known as Wizards and Warlocks.]
[The older records, however, refer to them collectively as the Spellborn.]
Dante listened quietly.
[Unlike ordinary individuals, they do not possess a conventional skill.]
[Instead, their primary skill manifests as a magical tome known as a Grimoire.]
[Rather than containing a single ability, the Grimoire functions as a collection of independent spells.]
[Each spell behaves almost identically to an individual skill.]
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"So they're walking around with multiple skills."
[Essentially, yes.]
[However, balance remains.]
[Each spell must be cultivated independently.]
[The Grimoire itself must also be leveled.]
[If a Grimoire contains nine spells, every one of those spells possesses its own growth requirements.]
[Unless they abandon most of them and specialize, their overall progression becomes significantly slower than that of ordinary individuals.]
Dante nodded.
"Makes sense."
"This world really doesn't like handing out free advantages."
His attention shifted toward Lexa and Vexion. The two had instinctively stopped fighting, while even Hexes had forgotten about escaping. Both sides had been completely drawn in by the clash between Dante and Lazarus.
Dante snapped his fingers.
Space folded.
Lexa and Vexion instantly disappeared, reappearing several kilometers away.
Vexion released a quiet sigh. She understood. Today wasn't the day she'd finish taking revenge.
Strangely, rather than feeling disappointed, her heart warmed. Just like Lexa, she understood exactly why Dante had moved them.
As shameless as he was, as lazy, as infuriating, he genuinely valued the people around him.
That much had never changed.
Dante asked internally, "So..."
"The downside is having to level everything separately."
[Correct, Master.]
[The Spellborn possess exceptional versatility.]
[However, versatility comes at the cost of specialization.]
[Without extraordinary talent, attempting to master every spell becomes inefficient.]
Dante nodded.
"I figured."
He looked back toward Lazarus.
"So..."
"Do we really have to fight?"
He scratched his cheek.
"I can't lie... I've spent the whole day flying around looking for V. I'd really like to go home."
He paused.
"...Preferably alone."
Another pause.
"...Well."
He glanced toward where Vexion had been teleported.
"...Not alone ofcourse"
Lazarus smiled.
Unfortunately, the smile never reached his eyes.
'This man...He's truly strange ,but...Qwarian wasn't lying. I'm already Level Two. Yet he ignored Bolt, escaped Dimensional Lock...And physically overpowered me.'
Impossible.
Even among Mythical Beings... that's absurd. He quietly healed the bruising across his jaw with a simple spell.
Dante noticed. 'Instant healing...Interesting. Might be worth stealing someday.'
Lazarus exhaled.
"You're an extraordinarily crude individual."
"But....you're correct."
He straightened his robes.
"We have twenty days. I can kill you later."
Dante waved a hand dismissively.
"Good. Now leave."
Lazarus felt another vein twitch across his forehead. Still, he forced himself to smile.
"We'll meet again. I need to recover my brother's body first."
He adjusted his sleeve before continuing.
"And next time...I certainly won't be al—"
He stopped.
Silence.
His eyes slowly lifted.
"..."
"...Where?"
The mountain breeze answered him. Dante had already disappeared. Lazarus stared at the empty battlefield for several seconds. Finally, he muttered,
"...That bastard."
Several kilometers away...
"You two okay?"
Vexion and Lexa immediately bowed.
"Yes, Master."
Dante nodded.
"Good."
"How are the objectives coming along?"
Vexion immediately projected her bracelet.
Candidate: Vexion
Tier: Legendary
Time Remaining: 20 Days, 3 Hours
Core Objectives
Exploration — Required: 300 / 500 | Extra: +0
Meet Students — Required: 250 / 1,200 | Extra: +120
Defeat Monsters — Required: 400 / 1,500 | Extra: +100
Take Points — Required: 100 / 1,000 | Extra: +30
Survive — Required: 100 / 800 | Extra: +0
Required Points: 1,150 / 5,000
Additional Points: +250
Total Academy Points: 1,400
Core Objectives Completed: 0 / 5
Phase Status: In Progress
Dante couldn't help feeling slightly jealous. He wasn't far behind, but these two really were monsters.
He wondered when the academy would finally reveal the rankings.
After thinking about it, he chuckled.
Of course Vexion's score had exploded. She'd spent the entire day trying to create enough destruction that he'd notice her.
Turning toward Lexa, he asked, "And you?"
Lexa projected her own status.
Candidate: Lexa
Tier: Legendary
Time Remaining: 20 Days, 3 Hours
Core Objectives
Exploration — Required: 400 / 500 | Extra: +200
Meet Students — Required: 150 / 1,200 | Extra: +120
Defeat Monsters — Required: 400 / 1,500 | Extra: +100
Take Points — Required: 200 / 1,000 | Extra: +30
Survive — Required: 50 / 800 | Extra: +0
Required Points: 1,200 / 5,000
Additional Points: +350
Total Academy Points: 1,550
Core Objectives Completed: 0 / 5
Phase Status: In Progress
Dante smiled.
Without hesitation, he reached over and ruffled Lexa's hair.
"Nicely done."
Lexa instinctively leaned into the touch. Only after a second did she realize she'd done it.
She let out a defeated sigh.
"...Thank you, Master."
Vexion immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"Master..."
"What about me?"
Dante looked at her.
"...Later."
She blinked.
Then her cheeks slowly turned crimson.
"...Ah."
She immediately understood.
Lexa watched the entire exchange before shaking her head with an amused smile.
"You two really have your own language now."
Dante finally projected his own bracelet.
Candidate: Dante
Tier: Legendary
Time Remaining: 20 Days, 3 Hours
Core Objectives
Exploration — Required: 500 / 500 | Extra: +0
Meet Students — Required: 400 / 1,200 | Extra: +120
Defeat Monsters — Required: 500 / 1,500 | Extra: +500
Take Points — Required: 100 / 1,000 | Extra: +30
Survive — Required: 100 / 800 | Extra: +0
Required Points: 1,600 / 5,000
Additional Points: +650
Total Academy Points: 2,250
Core Objectives Completed: 1 / 5
Phase Status: In Progress
Lexa couldn't help chuckling.
"As expected from someone who can teleport."
"I am curious why the academy never restricted spatial movement."
Vexion smiled proudly.
"Master wasn't lazy today."
Dante looked offended.
"...Excuse me?"
Lexa nodded with complete seriousness.
"A historic occasion."
"I believe we should record it."
Dante folded his arms.
"I'd appreciate it if neither of you spread malicious rumours."
Neither woman looked remotely convinced.