Chapter 74: Not Hard at All

"Are you cold?" Dante's teasing tone toward Juno made it even more amusing for both of them to be outside, away from the Predial Islands. "Today is pretty calm; it's not even that windy."

That wasn't true. The wind felt harsher than the day before, whipping against their faces and making Juno's fingers tingle with cold, even with her gloves on. She knew, however, that complaining wouldn't help. Her training would be like this until she was ready—and Dante wouldn't let her forget that. That was how Render taught him, and now he would replicate the same method. Every flaw, every crack, every invisible gap in her strength and determination would be exposed and tested to the limit.

"Why are we here?" Her teeth chattered, and her arms trembled so much that Dante almost felt pity. Almost. "How is this training?"

"Of course, it's training. This weather is perfect for you to test your own abilities."

Juno stepped closer, and Dante waited for her to remove her gloves. Even in the freezing cold, her presence was formidable. No matter how much someone trained for strength or aura, some were simply born with it.

Dante wasn't one of those. His father always told him that aura was something few were blessed with. Watching Juno, he couldn't help but think about the potential she carried. If she had the same dedication he had to learn and master his ability, she would be incredibly strong — maybe even more than him. The difference was in their mindset: while Dante saw training as a way of life, Juno still seemed hesitant, as if trying to find her place within that rigorous process.

"Alright, alright. I want you to use your ability to summon a lightning bolt at me as fast as you can."

"As fast as I can?"

She didn't even hesitate. She raised her hand, having done it at least ten thousand times before, and the blast was unleashed, breaking through the falling snow with a sound like shattering glass. The light danced in the icy air, defying everything the surrounding snow represented.

Even though it was a direct attack, Dante simply sidestepped. Slower than my father's sword.

Juno was stunned by his unsettling calmness. To her, his reaction made it seem like her attack was so simple that it wasn't even worth countering or blocking.

She had seen others doing similar things — Captain Seleri, for instance, used his ability to deflect lightning — but dodging? None of them had done that before.

"Hmm, this is interesting." Dante touched his chin, clearly intrigued. The biting cold wind didn't seem to bother him at all, even though his eyebrows were turning white. "Well, your attack is slow, you're slow, and you have no proper stance to strike. I assume you've never done anything to strengthen your arms or legs, which is why you rely on your lightning. It's normal. I don't know many people, but most depend on what their power can do, not what their body is capable of."

Juno didn't reply. Dante wasn't even being harsh — not yet. "What I'm going to suggest is a game of tag. What do you think?"

"Isn't that just a kids' game?"

Dante laughed, but it wasn't his usual playful laughter. It was a wicked, almost challenging laugh, as if he was waiting for Juno to realize the implication behind his words.

"If I touch you, you have to come after me as fast as you can and tag me back. No time limit. We stop only when you manage to touch me… or when your body can't keep going."

The tension between them grew instantly. Juno, still processing his words, knew this wasn't just a simple game. Dante's gaze — cold and calculating — indicated that he was testing something beyond her physical abilities. What seemed like a childhood game now carried a much more serious, more challenging tone.

"So, do you want to try?"

"Of course." She clenched her fist with difficulty. "Can I use my ability?"

"You can do whatever you want, but the tag must be specific." He stepped closer and placed his palm on her shoulder. "Like this. Your fingers have to fully make contact. Because of that, you can deflect or even counter my movements. Ready?"

"Yes, sir."

Dante waved his hand dismissively, stepping back twice.

"I'll start. You have ten seconds to prepare."

This was a game that demanded speed, precision, and agility. She knew she had the advantage: her smaller frame gave her agility, and her connection with lightning allowed her to move unpredictably, faster than Dante might expect. Plus, she could attack from a distance, giving her a chance to keep Dante at bay, forcing him into a defensive stance.

This won't be hard at all, she thought, instinctively raising her hands. Lightning crackled from her pores, filling her with confidence.

This challenge didn't intimidate her. In fact, Dante's provocation was just another opportunity to test her limits. She wasn't arrogant — not even close. She had lost to him once before, and now she understood exactly what that man was capable of.

"Well, your ten seconds are up."

Juno's confidence vanished when Dante's presence suddenly engulfed the entire area. The overwhelming pressure in his steps, his arms like twin war machines, and the immense purple aura that surrounded him as he stared at her — it was as if that glow was the physical manifestation of his strength, a force that made the entire environment feel small, insignificant.

Even his eyes seemed to carry that strange, oppressive energy. The sensation of being watched by something beyond human paralyzed her for a moment, and the confidence she had built up evaporated, replaced by a feeling of helplessness.

She trembled, almost giving up on moving.

"Juno." Dante's hand shot forward toward her. The girl closed her eyes, expecting a brutal strike. Instead, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. "Your turn."

She couldn't believe it when she opened her eyes. The pressure from before — the overwhelming aura Dante had built up — was simply gone. There wasn't even a trace of that energy, that force.

In the end, he just looked like an old man laughing.

"You almost pissed yourself in fear, huh?" Dante pointed at her, chuckling. "That just shows you're still far from being able to face me. Until you can bring out what's inside your Cosmic Energy, you won't beat me. Now that I've shown you that your body, mind, and spirit are garbage, you can start understanding that if you don't change anything, nothing will change. Anyway, it's your turn. Come and catch me, girl."

Dante turned and sprinted down the street. Juno was left stunned. Was this really just a game of tag?

Amid the snow, the howling wind, and the cold that chilled her bones, her lips threatened to curl into a small smile.

"Alright…"

The cold cutting through her skin was nothing compared to what she had to face—and her confidence was beginning to return, even if only little by little.