Both returned alone and together, a simple scene that could be set to a calm soundtrack, and anyone would think it's a scene from a romantic movie. Dante and Sara understood each other through the fight; their souls connected momentarily as their weapons collided, and any feeling of resentment was completely erased when both realized they were similar people.
The feeling was etched in both their minds; mutual understanding contributed to their own growth. It was a feeling that few people truly understood during battles, but for both, they now understood how advantageous it was to give themselves completely in a fight.
Time might be passing, but they felt that nothing else mattered now. They just wanted to stay silent and enjoy the moment as they walked together, without any problem or worry; it was just a calm moment after an incredible battle.
Sara was slightly shaken by knowing that Dante had a wife, but she honestly began to ignore that fact, thinking of her own father, who had four mistresses. Why was she thinking about this? She didn't know; it just seemed natural.
Her small morale had increased by finding someone who could rival without having to worry about things. Don't confuse not holding back with hiding one's strength; both fought with all they had in that moment, and that was a fact. Not using something meant they couldn't, both for their own safety and the other's.
They had the humility to understand that not using something wasn't a matter of arrogance but mutual respect.
They hadn't exchanged a single word since they left the two old men behind. Dante wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out, and little Sara was too lost to have the vocabulary to express herself.
As they both entered the building, they passed many people who looked at them in different ways: pride, respect, anger, interest, and even envy. Many watched that battle after they both started roaring during the swordfight, causing tremors throughout the arena's proximity.
After returning to the building, they finally reached the third floor and were greeted by some people wanting to say something. However, upon seeing Dante's look, they simply decided to go to sleep. He had a red gaze that could easily intimidate people who stared at him.
"Your look is scaring people, Dante," Sara said while taking the key to open the dorm.
"It's not my choice; they're looking at me sideways. Aren't you afraid?" He replied with a gentle smile. After all, Sara was different from the others; he felt he could be kind to her after the recent events.
"I'm not afraid," Sara replied with a calm smile. "Maybe I'm the only one, right?" Her calm smile was carried away as she entered the small apartment they both shared; everything was calm.
That warlike atmosphere had become a familiar atmosphere of peace and tranquility, as if they had been best friends for a long time.
After settling in, Sara was the first to take a bath. Both were very sweaty and dirty, but Dante gave in and let her go first. Despite not being an exceptional gentleman, he still knew how to treat a woman well.
Dante swallowed and kept looking at Sara, who was only wearing a towel. "You became shameless, didn't you?" Dante asked as he saw Sara walking around the house.
"Well, you've seen almost everything, right? Does it make a difference now?" Sara said, completing with a smile. "And you have a wife; you wouldn't touch me, right?" Sara smiled.
'You're crossing the line, girl; I'm still a thirteen-year-old teenager!'
"Sure..." Dante replied, grabbing the towel from his shoulder, and headed towards the bath. It had been a long time since he exerted himself so much in a fight. Since he spent more than six months with Morgana, he hadn't had training with Valentina. Of course, he still exercised, but fighting and exercising are very different.
'You wouldn't touch me, would you?' The thought crossed Dante's mind, and he remembered what Morgana and Valentina had said...
"We don't have a problem with you finding others; you just need to be loyal to us and let us know when something happens or someone catches your attention."
"In three years, a lot can happen. We won't see each other much, so you have the freedom to do whatever you want. But of course, if you truly love someone, you'll have to introduce them to us."
'What a strange life I'm living...' Dante said as he looked at the ceiling, letting his wet hair obstruct his vision...
"I must look like a girl with all these strange feelings," he said as he stood up to leave the shower.
He wanted to get back at her, so he dried his hair and left the shower, wearing only a towel, just like Sara. His slightly muscular and wet body was quite provocative for a girl.
When Dante came out, he saw Sara in a small blue top that highlighted her breasts, which were reasonably large for her age, and a short black skirt. She was quite comfortable while eating a cookie at the kitchen counter.
"Want some?" She offered the cookie package; he thought she would mind, but no, she didn't care about his attire.
"What flavor?" He asked like a child; he was one.
"Strawberry," she replied, and he took the package.
"You know, I thought the atmosphere would be bad between us. It was a draw," he said as he took a cookie and chewed.
"Well, we can't do anything about it," she replied, grabbing another and eating.
"Right."
"Well, we can't do anything about it," she replied, grabbing another cookie and munching on it.
"You're right."
"So, the 'But whoever loses has to obey the winner for the rest of their life' was in vain," Sara said, a bit disappointed.
"Well, if you want to win by revealing a secret to prove you're stronger, you can take the victory," Dante said with a smile, approving of the idea.
"Clever. Only if you reveal first," Sara said, grabbing the second-to-last cookie.
"Sure, why not?" Dante said with a mischievous smile, and soon his entire body turned golden...
"W-what?" Sara almost fell backward when she felt the Hero's Aura coming from Dante. A vampire with sacred power? What kind of joke was this?
"I showed something... now it's your turn," Dante said, looking at Sara curiously.
"If you insist," Sara said, and then the Hero's Aura emerged from her, but in a different way. He felt something and quickly understood the sensation.
"A Celestial Virtue in... which one?" Dante quickly understood why her Aura was stronger. But Dante didn't back down; he just felt satisfied and left the defeat on the table.
"You'll have to find out, but again, a tie," Sara said. "There's nothing to be done. One will grant a wish to the other, and we're even, what do you think?" She suggested, and Dante agreed.
"So, do you already have something in mind?" Dante asked.
"Of course, don't leave me," she said with a smile. Dante was surprised but couldn't help but laugh.
Initially, Dante didn't understand what she really wanted to ask, but he simply agreed. It wasn't difficult; after all, they would have to spend the entire three school years together. For him, it was just routine to spend time with her.
"Alright," Dante replied with a slight smile, and she smiled back, asking, "And you? What do you want?"
"A secret," he signaled with his finger, and Sara revealed a slight pout of frustration.
"You're too boring!" She complained.
"Hehe, it's my charm," he replied, laughing.