The morning sun illuminated the training field as Dante and Velryna prepared to begin. Dante, with his confident posture, joked as he wielded his sword.
"Ready to show me how it's done, my warrior of cuteness?" he teased, a mischievous playful smile on his lips.
Velryna rolled her eyes with a smile, her gentle expression contrasting with the determination in her eyes. "If you insist on calling me that, you might regret it when I win," she replied with a hint of playfulness in her voice.
She was starting to understand how Dante operated, and she honestly didn't mind; in fact, it was one of the key points that made even a tiring training session fun.
Dante just laughed at her words, perhaps underestimating Velryna, yet his eyes sparkled with admiration as he prepared for the bout. "I'll have to give it my all then. I wouldn't want my ego bruised by my lovely and adorable Velryna."
The two warriors stood on opposite sides of the field, their swords gleaming in the sunlight. For a moment, they questioned if this was necessary, but Dante chuckled lightly.
"Are we ready to begin?" he asked, his voice echoing across the tranquil field. Velryna nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, let's start."
With a fluid motion, Dante advanced, his sword slicing through the air with a powerful hum. Velryna moved to meet his attack, her own sword glinting in response.
Swish!
The two swords clashed fiercely, the sound of metal ringing out across the lonely field. Dante felt Velryna's sword for the first time just as she felt his.
Clashes in training bouts with people who connect happen a lot in this world; understanding each other's sword intent always helps with communication. Many master swordsmen can understand each other during these fierce battles. Dante and Velryna are no different.
Velryna has always been devoted to the sword. She clung to the sword to survive her brother, clung to the sword to have a purpose in life, and today, she clings to the sword to protect someone.
Dante felt that; in fact, his intentions with the sword were similar at this moment. Of course, Velryna would never know the death intention that Dante carries, but just the fact that the shared moment is creating such a deep connection is surprisingly advantageous. It would help them create more contacts, even for Velryna, who is extremely shy.
After all, she has the mindset of an honorable warrior, not that of an aristocratic maiden.
"You're doing well, dear," Dante teased, dodging one of Velryna's strikes with agile movement. "But I expected a bit more challenge."
Velryna raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, is that how you want it, my love? Then brace yourself."
The two continued to exchange blows, their swords clashing with a metallic sound. Velryna fought fiercely, her eyes shining with focus and intensity.
"You're holding back, aren't you?" Dante teased, skillfully dodging another of Velryna's blows. "Maybe I need to give you a little more motivation, maybe I should let you get a hold of yesterday's 'big and hard' again."
Velryna growled softly, a slight blush rising to her cheeks as she focused even more on her fight. Her movements became faster and more precise, her determination shining through each strike.
"Fight like a man! Damn it!" she retorted angrily, her coarse tone had reasons; she was losing concentration remembering the embarrassing scene from the day before. "You're unbearable!"
Dante laughed. Velryna's willingness to beat him grew with every moment she became more embarrassed. He knew she was a formidable warrior, and he loved that about her, but... her cute side was even more captivating and charming! He couldn't handle it.
They continued to fight, each moving with agility and skill. Suddenly, Dante saw an opening and dodged Velryna's sword, quickly wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Ah, you almost got me," Dante said with a mischievous smile, holding Velryna firmly. "But I have a trick up my sleeve."
Velryna startled, but her eyes shone with affection as she allowed herself to be enveloped in Dante's strong arms. "And what would that trick be?" Dante smiled and, without a word, leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips. The world around them seemed to disappear as they surrendered to the sweet warmth of their love.
The kiss may have many meanings, but Dante no longer cared about that. He was intoxicated enough with love to think only of her, and it passed through the warm kiss they shared, where both almost ran out of breath and panting.
When they finally pulled away, Velryna looked at Dante tenderly, a glow of happiness in her eyes and her cheeks flushed. "You always find a way to make me like this! So annoying!" She pouted and turned her face away. Her golden hair was being reflected by the sun, and she looked slightly like an angel blessed by God.
Dante smiled, gently stroking Velryna's face. "And you always leave me breathless, my dear." His possessive eyes stared firmly at her. Though scary for anyone looking from the outside, for Velryna, she wanted him to look more and more like that at her. Every day she would love to see this sight.
Dante was calm. He savored just a few good moments and then continued training, maintaining this routine as only a few days remained until the important event, especially for him.
In truth, he had been avoiding thinking about it because he felt discomfort with those thoughts. So he focused on what really mattered: his little Velryna, his training, and even on Vex, his succubus maid.
He was apprehensive about the awakening that Voralith had been warning him about every day. Although she had managed to "delay" the advancement of power growing within Dante, she didn't have complete control over it, and soon something new would emerge from this massive fusion she had made.
Velryna knew about some things. Dante hadn't told her much to avoid worrying her. In fact, only Voralith knew everything. Even Eldrax, who was inside Dante in a separate dimension, couldn't know. Dante's worried eyes were seen by Velryna.
She understood what it could be and lightly commented, pulling his face gently. "Dante, we know the moment is approaching," said Velryna, her voice penetrating Dante's thoughts, coincidentally thinking about the same thing.
Dante nodded, a serious expression crossing his face. "Finally..." He murmured, clenching his fists, and she held them with one of her hands. Velryna placed her other hand on Dante's chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.
"Don't let revenge blind you," she said, concerned, of course, she only said it to remind him, she already knew what would happen and knew she could trust him, but she didn't want to risk it.
Finding him was... a coincidence of fate greater than she could have predicted. She met someone who had been dead for ten years, a corpse that shouldn't even be alive, and that was surreal to her, as if destiny itself had brought them together.
They fell silent, and Dante flopped onto the ground, lying down and looking at the sky. For a few seconds, Velryna didn't understand, but she did the same and lay down beside him. She barely noticed, but Dante fell asleep.
"It's ascending," she murmured.
In Dante's mind, his physical body began to transform. Voralith, who saw the scene, couldn't help but be intrigued by this sudden change.
"In the end, it seems he really is blessed," she said as she watched while stroking the head of the little dragon asleep in her human form. Eldrax was evolving just like Dante.
"He finished condensing the Core; now he's advancing to the Advanced Realm," she said, and beside her, Arthur appeared, watching as Dante's Demonic Body changed, his hair growing a bit more, and the red color starting to darken.
"How strong is this?" He questioned; in his time, he couldn't say that, after all, the levels didn't exist.
"He could probably wipe out a medium-sized city with just one blow, if he tries hard he might be able to wipe out half the Empire," Voralith said. "Of course, that's for Dante. A normal person of the Advanced Realm might be able to break a chain of small mountains." She said, looking at the body, where the horns had grown slightly.
"Ascension... how much does it really mean to him?" Merlim questioned, and Voralith only commented: "Anything adds value to his strength. Any small change can change everything on his journey. This boy... has the ability to dominate this entire world," she commented.
"Unfortunately compared to the useless little being Valentina killed, it means he's still far away. That being you categorize as 'God' is nothing more than a Peak Emperor Realm cultivator/ascender. He has not yet reached the Divine Realm," Voralith commented.
"This is the problem of a weak sector without a correct strength measurement method," she said, and Merlim felt a sword pierce his chest. After all, he developed the talent system.
"Don't look at me like that, old man, you did a terrible job... despite being the best at that time before the world opened up," she commented.