South Central Continent
The Midvest Empire
Dante, Vexion, and Lexa appeared within what could only be described as an extraordinary marketplace. Calling it a market almost felt insulting.
The entire structure resembled the interior of a magnificent castle, its halls stretching endlessly in every direction. Elegant shops lined both sides of the polished walkways, selling everything imaginable. Nobles, merchants, adventurers, and scholars moved through the building, giving it the atmosphere of a bustling city rather than a simple trading district.
While Vexion and Lexa looked around with unconcealed curiosity, Dante could hardly bring himself to care. Whatever was being sold here wasn't likely to interest a Mythical Being. If it couldn't impress his father, it certainly wasn't going to impress him.
Turning toward Vexion, who had paused to admire several stores, Dante asked, "Interested?" Vexion glanced back at him before gently shaking her head. "Not really. I'm simply amazed by how enormous this place is." Dante looked toward Lexa.
She gave a similar answer.
"The same goes for me. Living as subordinates to a royal prince who has Sovereigns as parents..." she smiled wryly, "...there really isn't anything I can compare that to. The building is impressive, but that's about it."
Dante wanted to argue. Instead, he simply sighed. The more he learned from his father...
...the more helpless he felt. Ryan had already made one thing perfectly clear. Under absolutely no circumstances should Dante compare Justin to the other powerhouses of the world.
Apparently, he'd understand why after arriving at Midvest Academy.
The fact that his father was important enough to be included in a curriculum taught across the entire world...Dante didn't even dare ask any further.
His ego simply couldn't take it. He chuckled before gesturing ahead.
"Let's go. It's still going to take us a while to reach the academy." Vexion and Lexa nodded before following him. As they walked through the marketplace, they naturally attracted countless gazes.
Dante wasn't particularly surprised by the attention. What did surprise him, however, was just how many people openly admired Vexion despite her mixed heritage. Apparently, beauty truly transcended race.
Lexa wasn't receiving any less attention. The two possessed entirely different kinds of beauty.
Lexa wore her usual swordswoman's attire—a fitted black combat suit crafted from reinforced leather that balanced protection with flexibility. Decorative belts crossed different sections of the outfit, giving her the appearance of a warrior somewhere between a master swordswoman and an assassin.
The suit concealed little of her figure. Over the past two years, she had matured considerably. Her waist had become slimmer, her hips more defined, while her thighs and curves had developed into something that drew no shortage of attention.
Even Dante occasionally found himself staring. Unfortunately for Lexa... His attention didn't remain there for long. Instead, it drifted toward Vexion. She walked beside Lexa, quietly admiring the pristine white architecture decorating the impossibly large marketplace.
If Lexa had become beautiful...
Vexion had become breathtaking.
Her robes remained modest outside of the outer sides of her thighs, never openly exposing her body as she walked. Unfortunately for the robes...
They were fighting a losing battle. Every step emphasized her full hips, shapely thighs, and generous chest despite the fabric's best efforts.
She had simply grown into an unbelievably attractive woman. Dante smiled inwardly.
A powerful subordinate who's also ridiculously sexy...
...and she's in love with me.
I'm actually so damn goated.
Eventually, they reached a broad staircase leading toward the lower levels. Apparently, the marketplace had been designed vertically, with numerous entrances and exits scattered throughout its various floors.
Dante called for Vexion and Lexa before continuing downward. Although both women remained fascinated by the city around them, neither became distracted enough to lose sight of him.
Before long, a beautiful human woman dressed in an elegant attendant's uniform approached them. She bowed gracefully.
"Greetings, my Lord. Welcome to the Evernal Market. May I assist you with anything?"
Dante looked directly at her. More specifically...At her chest.
The attendant immediately noticed where his gaze had settled. Without thinking, she instinctively pressed her folded hands together slightly tighter, unintentionally pushing her breasts upward. She couldn't entirely blame herself.
Dante was, without question, the most handsome man she had ever seen. Even among elves. Tall and refined. Dressed in clothing that practically screamed high nobility, embroidered with jewels and intricate craftsmanship.
Combined with the indifferent confidence he carried... She couldn't help wondering who he was. Vexion quietly turned her head. The attendant finally noticed her.
The look Vexion gave her wasn't openly hostile.It was simply enough to make the woman instinctively feel as though she had committed some terrible mistake. Lexa merely watched with an amused smile, already knowing exactly where this was going.
Dante continued his completely serious inspection until Vexion lightly poked him in the side.
"My Lord...Aren't you going to ask her anything? If not... perhaps we should continue." The attendant suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Only now had she truly looked at the two women accompanying him. Compared to either of them...Her confidence disappeared almost instantly. She hurriedly composed herself into a professional smile.
Before she could speak, Dante nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm. I was comparing your breasts to Vexion's." He spoke as though discussing the weather. "It confirmed what I thought. Vexion's are a much creamier colour. They bounce better too. You can't really compete. Neither can Lexa."
Vexion's fierce expression instantly melted.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks before she let out a delighted little giggle. Lexa simply pinched the bridge of her nose. "Master...Saying things like that to us is one thing ,but saying it to a complete stranger..."
"...is incredibly rude." Dante looked genuinely confused.
"Lexa."
"I'm a scholar at heart. It's necessary to understand these differences."
"How else am I supposed to determine whether Vexion is simply unfairly gorgeous ...or whether all women are naturally this attractive?"
Lexa felt her eye twitch. After everything she'd experienced over the past two years... His shamelessness still caught her completely off guard.
Ignoring her expression, Dante finally turned back to the attendant. "Anyway. We're enrolling at Midvest Academy, we need directions?"
The woman quickly recovered. "I understand. You're currently within the Midvest Empire, but the Academy is approximately two days away by void ships."
"Inter-city Void Gates aren't available for security reasons. If you head to the highest floor instead of the lower exits, you'll find the docking platforms. There are ticket counters there."
"Everything is clearly marked." Dante nodded. Two days. He had briefly considered travelling under his own power but immediately dismissed the idea. Large cities almost certainly had regulations regarding movement skills and unrestricted flight.
There was no reason to cause unnecessary trouble. Following her directions, the three eventually arrived at one of the ticket counters. Dante immediately looked toward his two companions.
"So...Who's paying?" Vexion smiled sweetly. Then quietly looked at Lexa.
Lexa frowned.
"...My Lord you're a prince."
Dante simply stared at her "And you're a princess".
Lexa wanted to argue before simply giving in. Sometimes it was just better to leave this guy alone Stepping forward, she asked for three tickets. The clerk smiled politely.
"Normal Class is ten gold."
"Middle Class is twenty."
"Highest Class is forty."
"Per person."
Lexa slowly turned toward Dante. He simply stared back. "...Aren't you paying?"
Dante blinked innocently. Lexa closed her eyes. Lord of Winds...How is this man so shameless? Unable to argue, she sighed before taking out one platinum coin and twenty gold coins.
The clerk's eyes widened. Respect immediately replaced her professional smile.
After processing the payment, she handed over three tickets. "Your ship departs in ten minutes." "One leaves every hour." Dante happily followed behind Lexa as she led them toward the boarding platform, still visibly annoyed.
The spatial ship waiting outside was enormous.
No...
Enormous didn't even begin to describe it. It was colossal. Large enough that multiple mansions could comfortably fit inside its hull. Following the crew, the three eventually reached their cabins.
Calling them cabins hardly felt appropriate. They were miniature houses. Dante's room alone contained a spacious bedroom, luxurious furniture, a private bathroom, and even room service. The quality was perhaps only twenty percent below the standards of his own bedroom back home.
For forty gold... It was more than worth the price. Some meals were already included, while premium dishes could be ordered for a few additional gold coins. Dante smiled with satisfaction.
Changing into a simple shirt and loose trousers, he stretched before collapsing onto the bed. Resting his head against the pillow, he quietly watched the scenery outside the enormous window drift slowly past. For the first time since leaving home...
He allowed himself to simply relax. Dante stared out the window in silence. After a few moments, he let out a quiet sigh before turning away and dropping back onto his bed, lying on his back as he stared at the ceiling.
Considering everything that had happened so far, he was surprised by how little it bothered him. He wasn't overwhelmed or anxious. If anything, he was already thinking about his next move.
The thing he was happiest about was, of course, the fact that he was finally eighteen. He was free to do as he pleased, without anyone questioning every decision he made.
Most importantly...He could finally get some cheeks from Vexion. Dante couldn't help but grin at the thought before quickly shaking his head.
"Focus."
As tempting as she was, he couldn't allow himself to become distracted. Nor could he allow Vexion herself to become a variable that disrupted the plans he had spent years putting together. She was important, perhaps more important than anyone else, but he couldn't afford to let his judgment become clouded.
Still...
Things were finally beginning to fall into place. Just as that thought crossed his mind, a soft knock came from the door. Dante waited for a moment before lazily replying.
"Come in." The door slowly opened.
Vexion stepped inside, wearing a set of loose robes that were noticeably more conservative than the outfits she usually wore. Even so, they were much shorter, the hem ending high enough that they barely concealed her thighs. The modest design did little to hide her naturally alluring figure.
A gentle smile spread across her face as she looked at him. "Master," she said softly. "Do you need anything?"