''I am not obligated to disclose any information regarding my facial features or the secrets surrounding my powers. This is a fundamental principle for our proposed alliance to succeed. Additionally, our partnership should be based on equality, and I will not accept being treated as a subordinate while you make significant decisions for our duo.''
Dante replied in a cold voice, still clutching his katana. He understood the importance of being prepared in case things took a turn for the worse, and their potential alliance turned into an enemy situation.
''I am glad we can agree. Trust is an essential aspect of any partnership, and respecting each other's privacy will foster a strong foundation for our cooperation. It's natural to feel curious when encountering something new or unfamiliar. I was just intrigued, that's all.'' Atlas said with a smile still plastered on his face.
Atlas became even more intrigued by this encounter. He gazed intently at the face of the young, strong kid who appeared to be about three years his junior.
Despite a life filled with adventures and numerous encounters, this one was unique and piqued Atlas' curiosity.
Dante was shrouded in a thick veil of mystery, from the strange, dark flame that danced on his katana, to his ability to hold his own against opponents of higher strength despite being at a lower level than the others.
But it was his eyes that captivated Atlas the most, drawing him in deeper into the enigma that was Dante.
And indeed, Atlas welcomed the feeling of fascination and intrigue that Dante's mysterious presence evoked in him. He reveled in the prospect of delving deeper into this enigmatic character and unraveling the secrets he held. It was as if a new adventure had presented itself to Atlas, and he eagerly embraced the journey of discovery that lay ahead.
Despite the thoughts and emotions that swirled within him, Atlas maintained his usual smile facade, keeping his feelings carefully concealed from Dante. He was an expert at tempering his emotions, honed from a lifetime of adventures and encounters where revealing too much could be dangerous.
So even though Dante remained unaware of the effect he was having on Atlas, the latter kept his composure, his innermost thoughts, and feelings known only to himself.
''I just realized that I don't know your name. Or Is it also private information, or would you be willing to share it?'' In an attempt to ease the tension, Atlas made a lighthearted joke, hoping to inject a bit of levity into the situation.
''My name is Dante. As you can tell I am a fire mage. Can your stone golem carry both of us?'' asked Dante, getting straight to the point.
''You are as straightforward as ever. No, I've already invested a lot in maintaining the golem. Any further may result in significant mana depletion, which could pose a serious problem.''
''Agreed,'' said Dante. Descending from the tree, they headed deep into the forest, determined to reach the other side safely. They kept a vigilant eye out for any obstacles or potential dangers along the way, relying on their skills and instincts to guide them through the dense foliage.
Despite the challenges, they pressed on, their determination unwavering as they pushed closer and closer to their goal.
##########
(A/N: I will write an encounter that took place during the previous month to provide some context, including Dante's current power level and the noticeable changes he experienced during this period.)
[A MONTH AGO]
''Given the high level of the academy, I have reservations about whether my current skillset will suffice. However, dwelling on this thought will not be productive. Rather, I must focus on developing my abilities and becoming stronger.'' Dante pondered while resting his hand on his chin.
Following his hospital discharge, Dante contemplated multiple methods to rapidly increase his strength. While considering the Abyss Dimension as an option, Elrid cautioned that it alone would not provide him with the necessary power within the limited time frame he had.
With limited options available, Dante realized that his only hope for gaining strength lay in the dungeons and, if he was fortunate, the Gates. It was the first time anyone had attributed luck to the appearance of Gates, given the terror their appearance instilled.
Dante had witnessed firsthand the devastation they brought, as they were the reason his city had been abandoned. Repairing the damage caused by the Gates would have cost the government a fortune.
However, given the sense of urgency to increase his strength quickly, Dante was willing to welcome any opportunity, no matter how daunting it may seem.
Unfortunately, access to the dungeons and Gates was strictly prohibited for civilians. Even mages without official Hunter licenses risked severe punishment, as the jurisdiction belonged to the Hunter Association.
Dante made his way to the nearest Hunter Association, utilizing teleportation circles to arrive there in just thirty minutes. However, after all of his travels, he was left with only about a third of the money that Rogers had "lent" him. Dante was now nearly back to owning nothing.
The building's exterior exuded a sleek and modern vibe, boasting a reflective blue facade and a distinctive square-shaped structure. Its grand entrance area was hard to miss, with the emblem of the Hunter Association taking center stage.
The circular emblem showcased a chi symbol with the association's motto, ''Protecting the balance of the world,'' prominently displayed above the main entrance.
Upon entering the building, Dante found himself in a spacious hall bustling with activity. Several hunters were engaged in conversations, discussing their recent missions and sharing their experiences.
Some were in the process of selecting their next quest, while others were taking a well-deserved break after completing their missions.
Located directly opposite the entrance was a receptionist booth. Dante made his way towards it and addressed the lady behind the booth, "Good day. I would like to join the Hunter Association, please."
"Good day, sir," she replied politely. Upon confirming his status as a mage, she proceeded to outline the regulations of the association and highlighted some of the amenities available at the Hunter Association branch.
Additionally, she listed the various methods by which hunters were compensated, among other details.
Upon completion of the necessary procedures, Dante was presented with a circular emblem bearing the Hunter Association insignia. Underneath the emblem, his current rank, which happened to be "Rank F," was inscribed.
Unlike other organizations that assigned ranks based on in-house tests, the Hunter Association relied on a point system that accrued from multiple dungeon runs and safeguarding cities against Gates. This approach ensured fairness, as everyone started with the same number of points.
With his registration complete, Dante made his way to the mission board to find a quest he could undertake.
He marveled at the level of organization displayed by the Hunter Association, which ensured that hunters received relevant information through effective scouting.
After perusing the various quests available, Dante settled on one and exited the building, ready to embark on his first mission.
As Dante left the Hunter Association building, he was provided with a special holo phone by the organization.
The device was equipped with advanced technology that could detect any signs of dimensional anomalies, alerting hunters to investigate and ensure the safety of nearby civilians.
He made his way to a shopping center specialized in selling equipment for mages, where he proceeded to splurge all his savings on a handful of grade F healing pills for his upcoming dungeon expedition.
Thanks to the remarkable technological progress of the era, mana potions had been transformed into convenient pills and tablets, and some had even evolved into highly advanced intravenous drugs.
(A/ N: The entire range of equipment, pills, and even the currency of the world, which are called mana crystal coins, are categorized based on their alphabetical grades. This grading system ranged from the lowest grade, F, all the way up to A, with X being the highest and most coveted grade.)
Contrary to expectations, instead of proceeding directly to the dungeon, he veered off to a hotel. Upon arrival, he presented his hunter's license for verification, and after confirming its authenticity, he was given a hotel room keycard and escorted to his designated room.
The receptionist, upon discovering that he was a hunter, was notably courteous and accommodating towards the young adventurer.
Once he had taken the necessary precautions to ensure his privacy and checked the room for any hidden cameras, he settled onto the bed and locked the door behind him.
''Elrid, how do I make the system appear?'' Dante said as he asked Elrid.
''To make the system appear, you need to focus your attention on your mana and visualize it flowing through your body. Then, imagine a screen or interface appearing in front of you that will allow you to access and control the system. It's just that simple.'' Elrid instructed in an annoyed tone.
As Dante closed his eyes, he focused his mind on his mana and visualized it flowing through his body. He then imagined a screen or interface appearing in front of him. In his mind's eye, he saw a bright green light, just like the one he had seen in the hospital.
He concentrated on it, and the image started to expand and take shape until it formed a full-fledged system interface in front of him.
Excitedly, Dante opened his eyes and saw the interface still hovering in front of him. He could see different options and controls on the interface, and he knew that he had successfully activated the system.
''Thanks, Elrid. I got it,'' Dante said. With Elrid remaining silent, he began to one by one. After a short pause, the realization hit him that he had become a mage.
There were moments when he doubted himself, especially on his fourteenth birthday. Since the end of the usual awakening age was around fifteen, he sometimes feared that the limitations of his mortal body would shatter his dreams.
Dante opened the system interface. The system appeared before him displaying his status.
---------------
Name: Dante Miller
Signature Points: 0/100
Level: 1
Title: None
Class: Sword Mage
HP(Hit Points): 200/200
Abyssal Energy: 100
ATK(Attack): 40
DEFENSE(DEF): 20
AGILITY(AGI): 20
STAMINA(STA): 40
Mana: 200
Gear Equipped: The Void Edge
Skills: (Skill Points: 0)
#Special Skillsets#
(Cursed Brands)
● Oppressive Control
● Infinite Range Awareness
● Altered Psyche( Transferred)
#Abyssal Skillsets#
◇ Curse Of Goddess Theia(Abyss Forsaken Art)
__________________
Staring at his status window, his mouth was wide agape.