Three minutes of breakneck speed later, John and Dante arrived at a private room that Dante had managed to secure for their conversation, thanks to some "persuasion" with the Pope.
As he carefully set John down on a chair beside a tea table, Dante spoke up, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, John. I am Dante von Eldrin, the Grand Duke of Valoria and the Supreme Commander of the Northern Army." With a flourish, Dante pulled a chair out and sank into it, an unmistakable greedy glint in his eyes.
"Huh?" John was utterly taken aback, left virtually speechless. He had only been in the presence of this man for about five minutes if that. Furthermore, the notion of the Grand Duchy of Valoria was entirely foreign to him. In his previous life, the northern territories had been nothing more than a collection of small principality states that paid tribute to the Empire. They hadn't been officially incorporated. Of course, that was until the barbarian invasion weakened them enough, making it easier for the impending beast wave to obliterate them completely.
So the revelation that Dante unified the North was perplexing. But it also provided some insight into John's own situation. The existence of Dante and the unification of the northern principalities hinted at something significant: this wasn't merely a trip back in time. He possibly found himself in an entirely different reality. which meant shit could have already hit the fan, and he would be none the wise whether it did or did not until he experienced a change in future events.
"Uhhhhhhh, I'm sorry, but what exactly are you talking about," John managed to voice, his brow furrowed in confusion. His eyes twitched, mirroring his perplexed state.
"Have your parents ever mentioned me to you? Well, I suppose, given what happened, it's understandable," Dante responded with a bitter edge to his voice.
Taking in a deep breath Dante started his explanation, "Well, to put it frankly, two decades ago, I was ousted from the empire after losing a succession battle against your father. I don't hold grudges – it's only natural for the vanquished to depart. So, with a handful of friends I'd made during my time at the imperial academy, I established the County of Valoria. I challenged the noble in charge of the county to a battle to the death, and after winning the duel I took his territory from him, and that's how it all began. We fought relentlessly for a decade, unifying the north."
He paused, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. "However, due to a certain incident, my kingdom—or now, Grand Duchy—ended up at odds with the Empire. We won every battle up to the capital. But, in the end, we were defeated, I was defeated by the combined might of my father and yours. They spared us, allowing us to live. However, we became an autonomous region within the Empire. That's the general gist of it. Your mother can provide you with the full story, but it's not my place to tell you everything." Dante concluded his explanation, with a serious look on his face.
as the serious look faded Dante started to speak, "Now, of course, throughout that entire period of conquest, my activities extended beyond mere warfare. I established the Northern Army, a force dedicated to keeping the beasts of the northern forest at bay. And now, I want you to join it. Enroll in the Northern Military Academy," Dante declared as he leaned forward staring at John with a sly smile on his face.
John mulled over the proposal, as his brows furrowed in thought, "Your backstory well, it's beyond impressive. 'Amazing' might be an understatement," John began, trying to wrap his head around everything. "However, my plans are different. I need to attend Xerxes Academy. I intend to become emperor, and that goal requires me to cultivate the right connections at Xerxes."
Dante's response was swift. "You don't need to worry about that at all. I've already considered that possibility. Given your talent, such ambition would be natural after all, and I don't intend to hinder your growth. What I'm asking is for you to enroll in the Northern Academy now, not in the future. Xerxes typically admits students when they're around 15 years old. I doubt you'll be idling away in the capital for five years, fending off assassination attempts from the nobles, will you?" An amused smile crept onto Dante's face.
after a short nod at Dante's last statement, John spoke with a skeptical look on his face, "What role would I even have at the military academy? I'm barely ten years old, and my body isn't developed enough to begin military training."
Dante dismissed John's worries with a reassuring tone. "No need to fret about that. Most of the students at the military academy are around your age. We accept any and all talented children. The North is in dire need of warriors. After all, the beasts won't just stop their own attacks, will they? While we might not offer the most advanced theoretical studies available on the continent, we will shape you into a formidable weapon of war. So, what do you say?" Dante gazed intensely, so much so that it seemed to penetrate through John's very thoughts.
John's expression shifted to a frown as he contemplated the situation. "Even if I did consider this, what about my mother? The Imperial Palace is fraught with danger as you said with nobles trying to assassinate me or my mother, and I won't leave her there," he stated coldly.
Dante responded pragmatically, "If you could convince your mother to join the academy as a teacher, that should address the concern. for at the north her security won't be a concern"
Taking a moment, John responded with a sigh, "I need some time before I decide. All the information you've shared is quite overwhelming. I need time to process it all," he admitted, his voice laden with a mixture of emotions. "But I do have one question, perhaps the most important one. Despite being aware of my intention to claim the throne, and my having no significant interest in staying in the north, why do you want to bring me with you? Even if I am talented, there's no reason for you to invest resources in me, someone who you know won't remain with you."John's eyes held a cynical glint, searching for the truth behind Dante's intentions.
taking a moment to think of a response Dante spoke, "Your observation, it's spot-on. There is no logical reason for me to invest in enhancing your strength. For ordinary students, it's mandatory to serve ten years in the Northern Army following their academy tenure. But, with you, enforcing that wouldn't work, and I can't compel your participation. My desire to bring you to the north is driven solely by personal curiosity... if my men are accurate and you truly wield aura at the tender age of ten, then without doubt, you're the most prodigious martial talent ever born on this continent. I yearn to witness the extent of your growth, the pinnacle of strength you could reach within the right environment. And I must admit, I crave a future battle with you... that's the crux of why I want you here," Dante's voice carried a mix of amusement and genuine intrigue.
John absorbed Dante's words, nodding slowly in realization. "So, you're seeking a challenge," he mused, understanding the meaning beneath Dante's statement. He was reminded of two other individuals who shared this unquenchable thirst for challenges: his late master, who left him with unfinished teachings, and the battle-hungry Edward, who was, at this point in time, merely a snot-nosed brat down south.
As he snapped his fingers and pointed at John Dante said, "Exactly. I'm glad that you get what I'm saying so easily. Now, you said you needed time to consider this offer. So, after the banquet celebrating your potential ascension, assuming you succeed, I'll await your response," meanwhile he thought to himself, 'If he refuses, well, I can always resort to kidnapping him and Irene, bringing them north. With the old man weakened Eric wouldn't dare oppose me single-handedly.'
John nodded, coming to a decision. "Agreed. If I pass the ascension trial, I'll present you with my answer at that time," he affirmed, rising from his chair.
"Before you leave, do indulge me. I'm curious to witness the aura of the youngest aura user in history," Dante's amusement twinkled in his eyes.
John obliged, raising his right fist, causing a brilliant golden light to envelop it. "Just a caveat, though. It's not entirely stable," he cautioned, noticing the flicker of concern on Dante's face.
Dante's gaze danced between John's countenance and the shimmering aura. A mixture of astonishment and bewilderment played across his features. "How is it even forming, given the degree of instability?" Dante's voice echoed his astonishment.
John shrugged nonchalantly. "I can't answer that right now, but I have a feeling I'll find out something tonight, at midnight," he responded with an enigmatic grin.
"I see well, It's time for you to leave. I'm uncertain how much longer Eric will contain his anger," Dante advised, leading John to the exit where a priest dressed in black awaited by the doorway.
The priest bowed slightly to Dante. "Please follow me. I'll take you to where the emperor and the pope are having their meeting," he instructed, turning to lead John through the intricate corridors of the palace.
"Creepy bastards those ones are," Dante muttered under his breath, recalling the peculiar demeanor of the priestly attendants. Their demeanor had been unnerving, shrouded in an aura of secrecy that prickled his instincts.
Dante settled onto the bed, a cascade of thoughts swirling in his mind. "Today, I let too much spill from my lips. The brat... he's too much like Irene, an uncanny resemblance. It threw me off balance, damn it," he mused aloud, frustration tinging his words.
His gaze fixed on the ceiling, Dante's thoughts took a rueful turn. "And what the hell did Hugo mean by labeling the prince as ruthless? The kid didn't emit even a hint of menace. But that aura of his... it's a damn miracle he could manifest it given its instability. Something's amiss, that's for certain. I wonder what it is," Dante pondered, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he contemplated the enigma that was John's aura.