Ep.01 After Breaking the Curse
After breaking the curse, his looks had transcended human limits. He'd drawn burdensome stares ever since, but this felt blatantly different. Jealousy, contempt, disgust, hatred. Not everyone, but most of them radiated that vibe.
"Master, should I kill them all?"
"Nah. You keep suggesting we kill everyone over nothing. It's fine."
"Filthy humans. How dare they look down on Master, who subjugated the great demon Lilishbea."
Even threatening them with her true name counted as a win, apparently. Dante couldn't help but chuckle dryly at Lilia, who was glaring daggers on his behalf.
Well, I suppose it's understandable.
If the empire had to pick the person with the worst rumors, who would it be? The Blood Ghost from the north who slaughters barbarians like it's nothing? Or the wastrel son of the Golden Duke, drowning in slaves and booze with all that excess cash? Nah. If they had to pick just one, it'd definitely be him.
The disgrace of the magical house of Count Vergilius, Dante Vergilius.
Rumors painted him as having a face like an orc's mug smashed flat with a sword hilt, a wastrel personality that toyed with women and killed people on whims. Not to mention his magic and martial talents converging toward zero... The ultimate stain on noble blood, a legendary fuck-up. Yeah, that was him. Well... the rumors only nailed it on looks and talent.
"Dante, long time no see."
"Ah... yeah. Carlos."
The first guy to speak to him—not stare—at the posted list of accepted applicants was a blond with an intimidatingly handsome face. Carlos Rayfield, second son of the swordmaster house Rayfield, his family's official rivals.
"Heard the magic department getting noisy, so I came to check... Yeah, no wonder."
"Is that so? Too bad. Sound carried all the way to the combat department."
"Makes sense. A crude rock shining would be the real surprise."
Carlos met Dante's eyes with a nasty smirk. He'd always belittled him as a peer... Guess some things didn't change even after Dante's transformation.
"A crude rock, huh... Without even checking it out?"
"Tch. You can tell a rock just by looking, fool."
"Oh, right. I can tell from your flat nose too."
Dante casually jabbed Carlos's sore spot and slung an arm over his shoulder. Carlos used to be taller, but post-curse, Dante had a thrilling 10cm edge. Even as a combat department guy, Carlos looked ridiculous, outsized in build.
"Dante, you bastard..."
"Gotta drink more milk, huh? How else you gonna swing a sword properly?"
Shortest height and lowest nose in his family. The two things you never touched when facing Carlos. Whatever. The guy had zero intention of being friendly anyway.
"How dare you!! You, of all people, insulting me!? Don't cross the line...!!!"
Clear rage burned in Carlos's eyes. He probably wanted to draw steel right then. But the situation—and Dante—wouldn't allow it.
"You're the one crossing lines, Carlos."
Dante dropped his smirk and stared down at him coolly. The height difference that seemed comical moments ago now screamed superiority. Unfamiliar territory for Carlos, no doubt.
Trait: Hierarchical Order instills overwhelming intimidation on the target.
Talent: Insight detects overwhelming fear in the target.
His traits and talents kicked in perfectly, dominating the mood. Carlos and the whispering students fell utterly silent. Someone seemed about to speak, then held their breath. Silence and stillness. The noisy scene turned dead quiet in moments.
"Hm? It's awfully quiet here. Something happen?"
A woman arrived right on cue—the young examiner who'd led the practical test earlier.
"Ah, no. Everyone's just shocked by the results, I guess."
"Aha. Keep at it, folks. There's always next year!"
Dante responded smoothly to the examiner and strolled out, flashing one last smile at the frozen, glaring Carlos.
"Master. Shouldn't we have broken that guy properly?"
"Didn't wanna cause a scene before even enrolling."
He could've handled it if he wanted... but the top-student scholarship from the academy was precious. No room for screw-ups that'd cost it. With his family cutting him off completely, he had to secure that scholarship.
"But doesn't the spirit form feel uncomfortable?"
"Huh? Ah, well... kinda."
"If it's a hassle, you can drop it. We're out of the academy now anyway."
He'd kept her in spirit form to avoid drawing attention. Explaining her in front of Carlos would've been awkward.
"Then I'll release it."
"Whoa, fine by me, but watch the attitude?"
"I'll release it... sir."
The better he treated her, the cockier she got. Couldn't have that.
"So, what's next?"
"Two days till dorm check-in, so crashing at an inn."
"Ohhh... Materializing me just to hit an inn. Pervert."
"Haa..."
Dante sighed wearily and pulled coins from his pocket. Of the 100 silver from home, just 10 left. A month-plus since getting booted and arriving here.
"Huh? Room 108 guest. Extending again?"
"Yeah. Couple more days. 8 silver, right?"
"Heading to the academy, eh? Rest up. Oh, and no soundproofing, so keep it down..."
"...Got it."
Guy's tossing jokes because of Lilia behind him? Should've told her to stay spirit-bound...
"...Huh?"
Turning after extending his stay in exhaustion, Dante beheld an unbelievable sight.
"Heard the rumors, but that brat's got an eye."
"Yeah. Not a random noble kid after all."
"Wonder if he can even perform with that face. Puhaha!!"
A pack of lowlifes leering at Lilia with sleazy grins and crass jokes. He'd heard this inn drew mercenaries and adventurers, so this happened sometimes—but to him?
"Fucking idiots. Lilia, let's go up."
"...Yeah."
As he spat curses and grabbed her wrist to head upstairs—
"How much he offering? I'll double it—wanna sleep with me?"
"Hey! Triple from me... Or all four of us?"
"Not bad! Money's yours, missy."
They'd crossed the line.
"Hoo... Boss."
"Huh?"
"Might not get any sleep here tonight."
"Whaddya mean?"
"Looks like it'll go to repairs, not lodging."
Dante sighed, yanking Lilia behind him sharply.
"Eek!?"
Space opened between her and the thugs. Dante surged forward.
"What the—brat thinks he...!"
The front guy swung a massive fist. Bigger build meant heavy punch.
Talent: Heavenly Martial Body enhances your physical abilities.
Talent: Insight reads the target's attack.
A blue window popped up, and Dante effortlessly sidestepped the incoming right hook. Obvious openings from the panicking pair charging in. Seemed simultaneous, but there was clear order.
Crash!!
Dodging the punch, he smashed a nearby cup into the guy's jaw.
"Wha—fuck...!"
The man reeled back, staggering. The other two got caught in the sudden frenzy. Pros or not, they screamed third-rate.
"Know when to quit. Act your age."
Dante steadied his breath and drove a hard punch into the gut of the leftmost one.
"Gurk...!!! Sh—shit!! This ain't what I heard!!!!"
"Heard?"
As the guy grimaced from the body shot, Dante slammed his right elbow into his face.
"...!!!!"
No chance to speak—the elbows rained down till he blacked out.
One left: the original joke-cracker.
"Wh-what the hell, kid...! Th-think you can get away with this!? F-fuck, the knights..."
"Knights? Mercs fighting well? Please."
Smirking, Dante channeled mana into his right hand—pure strength boost. He seized the terrified man's throat.
"Gurk...!! M-mercy!!!"
"If you wanna live so bad, why'd you do it?"
Drooling, eyes rolling back like he was done for. Pity flickered...
Talent: Insight calms your mind.
Right. Let's hear slowly who told you about me.
Luckily, he wasn't swayed by sentiment.
"D-don't know... Some hooded guy said pay if I stomped you."
"Pay? Upfront too?"
"H-how..."
"Guessed. Nailed it."
Chortling dryly, Dante tightened his grip. The man's breath faltered, consciousness fading.
"Dead?"
"Nah, still alive. I can feel it."
"Phew. Good."
At Lilia's words from the sidelines, he dropped the guy.
"...I'm touched. All this for little old me..."
"Not just for you, though..."
Made him sour. Carlos had already grated on him, and now they touched Lilia too.
Wait, Carlos's orders?
Made the most sense.
"Oh, right. Boss."
"Y-yes!?"
"No worries on lodging or repairs."
"Wh-what..."
Dante fished a hefty coin pouch from the downed man's pocket. Paid well, apparently. Hey, money from the guy who sicced them on him? Might as well be his.
"Seems I've got plenty now."