Enjoying Life in Solo Leveling and....?

The doorbell rang a second time, cutting through the charged atmosphere in Dante's room. Raikou, her face still flushed and her breathing uneven, hurried out, smoothing her clothes as she went. Dante watched her go, a wild grin spreading across his face. The wet spot on his bed where she'd been sitting only fueled his amusement. He leaned back, hands behind his head, savoring the moment. His mother might be a retired S-rank hunter, but she was his to tease—and apparently, more.

Downstairs, Raikou yanked the door open, trying to compose herself. Mikasa stood there, her school bag slung over one shoulder, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she took in her mother's appearance.

"Mom, you okay? You look... flustered," Mikasa said, her voice steady but curious.

Raikou waved a hand, forcing a smile. "Oh, it's nothing, Mikasa-chan. Just... rushed to get the door, that's all."

Mikasa didn't seem entirely convinced, but she stepped inside anyway, kicking off her shoes. "If you say so."

Dante sauntered out of his room, his grin softening into something warmer as he saw his little sister. "Hey, Mikasa! Welcome home."

Mikasa's expression brightened at the sight of him. "Onii-chan," she greeted, stepping forward. He pulled her into a quick hug, ruffling her dark hair affectionately.

"Long day at school?" he asked, releasing her.

"Same as always," she replied, her tone neutral but her eyes soft. "Where were you just now?"

"Oh, just chatting with Mom," Dante said casually, shooting Raikou a sidelong glance. She busied herself picking up the grocery bags she'd dropped earlier, avoiding eye contact.

Mikasa nodded, oblivious to the undercurrent. "Good. I'm starving."

Raikou clapped her hands together, grateful for the distraction. "Dinner's almost ready! I made grilled salmon—your favorite, Mikasa-chan."

Mikasa's lips twitched upward, a rare hint of a smile. "Thanks, Mom."

The three of them settled around the dining table soon after, the aroma of salmon and rice filling the air. It was a cozy scene—Raikou fussing over portions, Mikasa eating quietly, and Dante savoring the normalcy of it all despite the chaos of his awakening. Halfway through the meal, he decided it was time to drop his news. He set his chopsticks down and cleared his throat.

"I've got something to tell you both," he said, glancing between Mikasa and Raikou.

Mikasa paused, her fork hovering. "What is it, Onii-chan?"

Raikou, already in the know, gave him an encouraging nod.

"I awakened today," Dante announced. "I'm a hunter now."

Mikasa's eyes widened, and she lowered her fork completely. "You did? That's... wow. What rank?"

Dante looked to Raikou, who took the cue. "Based on his mana, I'd say S-rank," she said proudly. "But he'll need to get tested officially at the Hunter Association to confirm."

"S-rank?" Mikasa repeated, her voice tinged with awe. "That's amazing, Onii-chan. You'll be one of the strongest in Japan."

Dante chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, maybe. Still figuring it out."

Raikou leaned forward. "Which is why, after dinner, I'm taking him to the training room downstairs. He needs to test his abilities safely before the association measures him."

Mikasa's interest piqued. "Can I watch?"

Raikou hesitated, then smiled. "Of course, dear. Just stay behind the safety glass, okay? We don't know how... unpredictable his powers might be."

Dinner wrapped up quickly after that, and the trio headed to the basement. The training room was a marvel—reinforced walls lined with mana-absorbing materials, a legacy of Raikou's active S-rank days. Dante stepped into the center, his heart pounding with excitement. This was his first real chance to play with his cheats, and he couldn't wait.

Raikou fiddled with the control panel while Mikasa settled behind the protective barrier. "Let's start simple," Raikou said. "Try lifting that dummy over there with your mana."

Dante focused on the training dummy, his Six Eyes activating instinctively. His vision sharpened, revealing the faint mana currents swirling around it. He extended a hand, willing it to rise. The dummy floated up smoothly, hovering mid-air as if weightless.

"Wow," Mikasa breathed, her voice muffled through the glass.

Raikou grinned. "Good. Now move it around."

Dante twirled his fingers, and the dummy spun and danced like a puppet on strings. It felt effortless, almost too easy. He could sense the mana bending to his will, a testament to the power flowing through him.

"Nice control," Raikou said. "Now, let's test your defense. I'll fire some projectiles—block them."

She activated a machine, and rubber balls shot toward Dante at high speed. Without thinking, he summoned Infinity. An invisible barrier shimmered into existence around him, and the balls slowed to a crawl before dropping harmlessly to the floor.

Raikou's jaw dropped slightly. "What is that?"

"It's called Infinity," Dante explained, deactivating it. "It creates a barrier of space between me and anything trying to hit me. Nothing can touch me unless I let it."

Mikasa leaned closer to the glass. "So... you're untouchable?"

Dante flashed her a grin. "Pretty much."

Raikou crossed her arms, impressed. "That's incredible. But let's see how it holds up against something stronger." She grabbed a mana-infused training sword from a rack. "I'm going to swing at you. It's blunt, but it's got force. Ready?"

"Go for it," Dante said, brimming with confidence.

Raikou stepped forward and swung with the strength of an S-rank hunter. The sword blurred through the air—then stopped inches from Dante's face, halted by Infinity. She pressed harder, but it wouldn't budge. She stepped back, nodding.

"Solid as a rock," she said. "Your defense is top-tier."

Dante's chest swelled with pride. "Thanks, Mom. Want to see something else?"

"Absolutely," she replied. "But don't break my training room."

He smirked and clasped his hands together, channeling mana into a focused point. "Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue." A glowing blue orb materialized in front of him, and a sudden pull yanked objects toward it—dummies, weights, even a chair slid across the floor.

"Whoa!" Mikasa exclaimed.

Dante dispelled it quickly, laughing. "That's Blue. It attracts stuff. There's a Red version that repels, but I'll save that for later. Don't want to wreck the place."

Raikou stared, clearly stunned. "Dante-chan, your powers are... extraordinary. With that kind of ability, you'll be unstoppable."

"I hope so," he said, feeling a rush of confidence. "Still got a lot to explore."

They ran a few more tests—Dante punched a reinforced bag so hard it exploded into scraps, then dashed across the room in a blink, his speed leaving a faint afterimage. Raikou watched, her pride warring with a flicker of worry. Mikasa just soaked it all in, her eyes wide.

Finally, Raikou called it. "That's enough for tonight. You're already handling this better than I expected."

Back upstairs, they settled in the living room. Mikasa plopped next to Dante on the couch, still buzzing. "Onii-chan, that was insane. I can't believe you're this strong already."

He ruffled her hair again. "Thanks, Mikasa. But it's not just about strength. I've got to use it right."

Raikou sat across from them, her expression softening. "Exactly. Being a hunter isn't just power—it's responsibility. Protect people, Dante-chan. Don't let it change who you are."

He met her gaze, nodding. "I won't, Mom. I promise."

She smiled, then pulled him into a hug. "Good boy. But, even though I said to protect others, always prioritize your well being first!"

He hummed at her words, feeling a hint of warmth inside.

Mikasa joined in on the hug, and for a moment, the three of them were just a family, wrapped in warmth.

Later, in his room, Dante lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

The Hunter Association test was next, but he decided to postpone it a bit as Raikou informed him about their upcoming visit to Korea, and after that... the world. Gates, monsters, Monarchs. He'd face them all.

"This is just the start," he murmured, closing his eyes as sleep took him.