As Dante's eyes fluttered open, he found himself lying on the bed. Three faces emerged in his vision: Atlas, Sophia, and Arthur. Sophia was waving her finger in Arthur's face while berating him for losing his temper.
Despite her scolding, Sophia sympathized with Arthur's outburst and felt content knowing that she held a special place in his heart.
As Arthur's secretary, Sophia had a fundamental grasp of his character and was aware of some of his past experiences.
However, she knew that discussing problems didn't necessarily make them go away.
Sophia had earned her high status in the mage-dominated hierarchy by being dependable and astute, but she had also learned from her own mistakes and regrets, some of which she preferred not to discuss.
Consequently, she could relate to Arthur's plight.
Despite her desire to offer comfort, Sophia realized that Arthur's aloof demeanor and detached personality made it challenging for him to accept even the smallest gestures of affection, like a pat on the head.
However, having spent most of his life with her, Sophia had come to understand Arthur's idiosyncrasies and had discovered a unique way to express her love without compromising his personality.
Sophia's way of expressing affection toward Arthur often took the form of playful berating. She would weave her fingers together, making exaggerated facial expressions as she scolded him, while Arthur, true to his stoic nature, would remain unresponsive and seemingly unaffected by her words.
Atlas experienced a sense of déjà vu as he watched Sophia and Arthur engage in their one-sided banter, which he had witnessed countless times before. Arthur remained unfazed by Sophia's teasing, and the scene played out predictably.
As he observed, memories of his teacher flooded Atlas's mind, and he shuddered at the thought of her intense demeanor. He had abandoned his mission with Kenji, and he knew he was in trouble. Many of the teachers he knew were idiosyncratic and unpredictable.
However, Dante's grumbling voice interrupted Atlas's thoughts, and he turned to face the young man, whom he had taken a keen interest in.
Dante rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, feeling groggy and disoriented. "What happened?" he muttered, before a rush of memories flooded his mind. Sorting out everything, he stared intently at Arthur, perplexed by the sudden shift in his emotions during their "mock" battle.
Before he could ask, Atlas's jovial voice broke through his thoughts. "I didn't expect to see you so soon," he said, "but it seems fate has other plans for us."
Arthur cut him off before he could say more, his expression serious. Waving his hand, a Holophone appeared in his hand as he handed it to Dante.
"Read the instructions in the manual. This will be your first mission and you will be accompanied by a student in the Grade A Corps.
Don't be a burden on Atlas and try not to die before you receive my reparations to you." Arthur said in an indifferent tone as he exited the room without waiting for Sophia.
Sophia asked Arthur, "What are you doing? Didn't I tell you to apologize before leaving?" She paused and turned towards Dante, "I apologize for Arthur's behavior. There is a good reason why he lost his cool. I apologize once again." Sophia bowed before she hurried after Arthur, not waiting for Dante's response.
Dante looked confused and asked, "Is she...?"
Atlas interrupted him, "Yes, she is a normal human without any mana signature. It's complicated. Let's focus on the mission. People's lives are at stake." He had a rare expression of seriousness on his face. "Let's get going."
As Dante stood up, he gripped his katana tightly. Its ringing blade seemed to express its dissatisfaction for his defeat, but Dante knew that he had faced a formidable opponent. The ringing gradually ceased, as if excusing his loss.
Dante had developed an understanding that every weapon possessed distinct strengths and abilities, which in turn demanded particular skills and prerequisites from the wielder to effectively handle them. His realization came from his interaction with Theia.
Dante was aware that swords were classified into different categories and tiers based on various factors. He knew that the most elite class of swords were called Celestial Edges, and the Void Edge belonged to this special category of blades.
Naturally, swords of this high caliber had demanding requirements for their wielders. Dante had only been able to barely control the blade because he had access to Abyssal Energy, and he still didn't know the blade's "True Name."
Although the sword's name, Abigail, was displayed on the system window, Theia had informed Dante that he needed to know the blade's name on a deeper level, as it was more mystical than he had originally believed.
Dante swung the blade a few times with little strength behind it before ultimately sheathing it. He and Atlas then left the room and proceeded to register their mission at the Missions Hall. Once they were done, they exited the academy and made their way outside.
After a few teleportations in Port Island City, they finally arrived at the large gate. They showed their identity tokens and were granted permission to exit the Island.
Dante looked to Atlas, seeking his guidance. Unlike the other new students, Dante had not received any information about the academy because he missed the orientation typically given during the first class.
However, being sent on a mission earlier than expected caused him to miss all of that. This made him realize that Arthur held a significant position in the academy, and he was eager to witness his ways of making "amends".
Dante inquired casually, "So, how do we plan on getting to Britannia this time? Will we be using teleportation circles again? I don't enjoy the disorienting sensation."
Atlas chuckled and responded with a hint of mystery in his voice, "Haha, no. That would take longer and cost us a fortune. Britannia is on the opposite side of the ocean from us, and the journey won't be as swift as your usual mode of transportation. However, I have a solution that will get us there."
With a sense of pride beaming across his face, Atlas brought out his Holophone and tapped something on it. His device appeared to be more advanced and sophisticated than Dante's.
Dante's ears were filled with the sound of air splitting, emanating from the Holophone. Suddenly, an emotionless voice came through the device, and before he knew it, a hovering aircraft materialized before his eyes, illuminating the area with its bright lights.
As Dante gazed upon the aircraft, he was taken aback by its unique design, which seamlessly blended natural and futuristic elements.
Its metallic body was covered in scales that shimmered in the light, resembling those of a dragon, shifting between shades of green and brown.
The aircraft boasted two sets of wings, both of which resembled those of a dragon. The front set of wings was positioned like a dragon's forelimbs, while the back set was reminiscent of traditional airplane wings. It was an awe-inspiring sight to behold.
Dante was amazed as he noticed that both sets of wings had a slight curve and a streamlined design, which perfectly showcased the aircraft's advanced technology.
The wings were made of a combination of metal and magic-infused membranes, which gave them the ability to flap like those of a bird.
This allowed the aircraft to gain additional lift and enhanced maneuverability, which Dante had never witnessed before on a conventional airplane.
The aircraft could perform intricate and acrobatic maneuvers that were simply impossible for regular planes.
Dante couldn't help but wonder about the kind of magic that powered this magnificent aircraft, which Atlas had called forth using his Holophone.
Between the dragon-like wings of the aircraft, the cockpit resided at the front. As the light descended, a rune circle materialized below, transporting Dante and Atlas from their original location to inside the aircraft.
Upon arrival, they found themselves situated in the cockpit. The control room boasted an array of essential systems, including navigation, communication, and weapons.
Comfortable captain and co-captain chairs awaited them, accompanied by numerous screens and displays. The control panel consisted of various buttons, switches, and levers to manage the aircraft's functions.
Behind the cockpit lay the living quarters, designed with maximum comfort and convenience in mind. Within, sleeping pods awaited, along with a small kitchen, dining area, and a bathroom complete with a shower and toilet.
Dante's breathing quickened as he took in the awe-inspiring sight, adding it to his ever-growing list of wonders. It seemed as though there was much more in store for him at the academy.
Transportation as impressive as this was something he would go to great lengths to obtain. Quickly composing himself, he voiced the question that had been on his mind for some time.
"Is this ride something that everyone gets when they join the academy?" Dante inquired with eager anticipation, hoping for the answer he desired.
"Haha, no," Atlas chuckled, amused by Dante's naivety.
"This aircraft is a highly personalized mode of transportation, and it's not something that can be mass-produced. It's a reward reserved for a select few in the Grade A Corps."
Atlas had initially perceived Dante as indifferent during their first encounter, but as they continued to interact, something clicked between them and they hit it off. As they conversed further, Atlas was reminded that he was only 15 years old.
Throughout their time together, they had not encountered any grave conflicts that would warrant describing their relationship as a brotherhood akin to that of warriors who have faced death in battle.
Even though the kid was three years younger than him, Atlas hit it off with him and their brief interaction during the entrance exam left him even more intrigued.
"Ha! Alright, then I'll start preparing myself to join you in the special class," Dante said as he pumped his fist. A reaction he normally wouldn't express.
"Haha, sounds good. But just remember, you'll need to get strong quickly," Atlas replied, taking control of the aircraft from autopilot and settling into the captain's chair.
The engines roared to life, emitting a pulsating and almost magical energy that propelled the aircraft into the air, leaving a trail of brown and green behind as it soared over the ocean.