Infinite Mage — Chapter 117: An Unexpected Guest (2)

Chapter 117: An Unexpected Guest (2)

“Hey?‍ You guys are⁠ still here? What⁠⁠ are you doing?”‍

Caught⁠ in an awkward‍ stance, Shirone’s group entered the meeting⁠⁠ room, bowing their⁠‌ heads as Siena greeted them.

“Oh,⁠ we wanted to‍ say goodbye before⁠ leaving. Thank you⁠ for teaching us‍ this semester.”

An‌ elderly teacher chuckled⁠ warmly.

“Haha!‍‌ It’s funny to⁠ hear such words‍‍‌ from the academy’s‌ biggest troublemakers. Anyway,⁠⁠‍ you guys have⁠ worked hard too.‌ Make sure to⁠‍ enjoy your vacation.‍‌ Students should know‍ how to have⁠‍ fun, after all.”⁠

As⁠ Siena made room for Shirone’s group‍ and poured tea,⁠⁠ she offered some‍‌ parting words.

“Congratulations‌ to all three‍ of you on⁠ advancing. Next semester‍‌‌ will be busier,‌ wont it? Its‍⁠‍ good to relax,⁠ but don’t let⁠‍ your guard down.⁠‌ Ill be watching closely when school resumes.”

Siena‍‍ was not one‍⁠‍ to let things⁠‌‌ slide easily.

But‌⁠ her words were‍ kind even for⁠‍ a teacher known‍ to freeze a classroom with her‌ sternness. The teachers‌⁠⁠ seemed more relaxed with the semester‌⁠‌ ending.

“Yes,⁠ we’ll work hard,”‌‌ Shirone replied, sipping‌ his tea. Then,⁠‌‍ standing beside him,⁠⁠ Thadd asked Ethella.‌⁠‍

“Teacher‍ Ethella, if you‌ have time, would‍‌ you like to‌ have a meal‌ with me…?”

Shirone‍ almost spit out⁠‍ his tea in‌‍‍ surprise.

Even‌‌ for a flirt,‍‍ making advances to a nun was‌⁠‍ something else.

Ethella,‍⁠ too, seemed flustered,⁠ politely declining with‍ a wave of‍ her hand.

“I’m‍‌‍ sorry, but I must manage the⁠‍ parish during the‍ vacation.”

“Ah,‌ I see. If⁠ I could be‍‌ guided by a beauty like Teacher‍‍ Ethella, I’d join‍ the Karsis Order right away.”

Ethella⁠ was at a loss for words.‌ It was unthinkable‌⁠ for someone to⁠‌ speak like this⁠ to a bishop‍‌⁠ of the order.‍

But‍ true to her⁠⁠ pursuit of virtue,⁠ she maintained her‍ composure.

“Hehe,‍ that’s too bad.⁠‍‍ Then, Thadd, what⁠ will you do‌‌ during the vacation?”⁠

Siena interjected.

“Hmph,‍ he’ll probably just‌‍ go around flirting‍ with women.”

Thadd’s‍⁠‌ eyebrows furrowed.

Why⁠ was this woman⁠‍ always picking fights with him? Even‌ on the last‌‌⁠ day of the⁠‌ semester, she seemed restless.

Trying‌‌ to appear unaffected, Thadd shrugged nonchalantly.‍

“Haha,‌⁠‌ there’s nothing shameful⁠⁠ about falling in‍ love at my‍ age. I’m more⁠‌⁠ worried about Teacher Siena. With her⁠ prickly personality, it‍‌⁠ must be hard to find a partner.”

“What did you say?”‌‌⁠

“What‌‍ else? That you‌‌ lack charm. It’s‌ obvious. You’ve never‌‌ dated a man, have you? That’s‌⁠ all because of⁠‍‍ your prickly nature.”‍‌⁠

Siena‌‍ glared at Thadd,‍ grinding her teeth.‍‌

She might not care‍ about anyone else,‍‌ but she didn’t want to lose⁠‍ to this man.⁠

“Ma…”‍

“Ma?”‍

Everyone‍‍ leaned in, eager‌ to hear her‌⁠‌ response.

“Magic.‍‌‌ I’m in a relationship with magic.”‍‍‌

Siena’s‌‌ face flushed red.‌

People‌‌‌ often say things‍ they don’t mean‍ when they’re defiant,‌ and this situation‌‍‌ was a classic⁠ example.

The⁠ atmosphere in the⁠⁠‌ room grew solemn as the teachers⁠ turned away, their⁠‌⁠ faces red with⁠ embarrassment.

Thadd, wanting to escape, barely managed to⁠ respond.

“Ah,‍ I see.”

“Are‌‍ you mocking me‍‌ now? I’m committed‍ to magic for‍ life. Is that so wrong?”

“No,‍ I’m sorry. It‍ seems I spoke‌⁠ out of turn.”⁠

Thadd‌ quickly drank his‌ hot tea and⁠ turned away from‌⁠ Siena.

Watching‍ this, Shirone’s group⁠⁠‍ covered their mouths,‍‌⁠ struggling to contain⁠ their laughter. It⁠‌ was a side‌ of the teachers they rarely saw.⁠

“Everyone’s‌ still here, I see.”

“Oh,‍ Headmaster!”

Alpheas‍ entered the meeting⁠ room.

Having‍ been suspended from‌ his duties, he⁠⁠‍ had been staying‍ in the dormitory‌‍ and decided to‌‌‍ stop by after‍‌⁠ most students had‌ left.

“You‍⁠ rascals have worked hard this semester.”‍

“It’s‌‍ all thanks to your guidance, Headmaster. We are also grateful.”

“Hoho,‌‍‌ am I still‍ the headmaster? From⁠‌ next semester, an‍‌ interim headmaster sent‌ by the Magic Association will take‌‍⁠ over. Treat them⁠‌ well as you did me.”

Nade’s⁠ face fell.

It⁠‌‍ seemed unlikely that‌‍⁠ anyone better than‍ Alpheas would come.‍

Regardless of the saying,‌ “old but gold,”⁠ Alpheas was considered⁠ one of the‍ best headmasters.

“Who⁠ could it be?‌⁠ Will next semester be even tougher?”

“Haha!‌⁠ Possibly. But be‌‍‍ confident. The progress‌ you’ve made this‍ semester is remarkable.‌‌ You’ll do well next semester too.”‌⁠

As⁠ the teachers finished‌ their tea and⁠ started packing, Shirone’s⁠⁠ group prepared to‌‍‌ leave.

“We’ll‍‌ see you after‌ the break, Headmaster.”⁠‌⁠

“Sure. Have a good⁠ time with your‍ families and enjoy⁠‍ your vacation. Oh,‍ and Shirone, could‌ you spare a moment?”

Shirone,‍ about to follow‌⁠ his friends out,‌⁠ turned around.

Nade‍‍ gestured towards the⁠‍⁠ door.

“We’ll wait outside for⁠ you. Hey, Shirone, we’ll be in⁠‍ the hallway.”

“Okay.”

In‌‌ the now-empty meeting room, Shirone had⁠ a private conversation‌‍‍ with Alpheas.

Alpheas⁠ looked serious, so‍⁠ Shirone tensed up,⁠ waiting for him to speak.

“The‌ reason I wanted‍‌ to see you‍ is about the labyrinth.”

“Ah,⁠‌‍ I see.”

Shirone⁠‍ remembered the labyrinth.⁠

Although⁠ Shirone had been busy since his‍‍‌ promotion was confirmed,⁠‌ the impression of‌⁠ Miro was still‍⁠ vividly etched in‍⁠ his mind.

“I’m⁠‍ curious to know.‌ Are you still‍‍‌ interested in investigating more about Miro?”⁠

“Yes.‍ I’ll have to‍‌⁠ discuss it with‌ my parents, but‌⁠ I’m trying to‍ make time for‍‌‌ it. It seems like now or⁠⁠ never since it’s‍‍ vacation.”

“That’s‍ good. It’ll be‌ a valuable experience.”‌‍

Alpheas‍ readily agreed, but⁠⁠ his face betrayed‌⁠ an unease.

“Is⁠ that why you⁠‌ called me here?”‌

Finally, Alpheas brought up what was really‌⁠ on his mind.

“No,‍‌‌ actually, I wanted to ask you⁠⁠‍ something. Can you‍‍‍ tell me about⁠ Miros condition at‍⁠‍ that time?”

“Do‍ you mean her‌ mental state?”

“Yes,‍ that. But really,‍‍ I’d like to⁠⁠ hear in detail‍ about Miro as⁠‌‍ you saw her.”⁠

Shirone recalled the encounter.⁠ Despite the brief‌ interaction, the significant‍ event had left‌‍‌ a clear memory,‍⁠ even the minor‌‌‌ details of their‍‌ conversation.

“Hmm, thinking about it,⁠ her emotions seemed‍⁠ a bit… erratic.‍ I overlooked it‍ at the time because she was‌ so enigmatic.”

“How‌ severe was it?⁠‍ Was it serious?”⁠

“No,‍ not to that extent. Although there‌⁠ were moments that felt a bit⁠‍ chilling.”

Alpheas sighed softly, a complex emotion conveyed‍‍‍ in the sound.‌⁠

“Did⁠‍‌ Miro seem lonely‍⁠ to you?”

“I⁠ asked her the⁠‍ same thing, but⁠ Miro said that‍‍ gods do not‌‌⁠ feel loneliness.”

“Gods‌‍⁠ do not feel‍ loneliness. Hm.”

A shadow fell across⁠⁠ Alpheas’s face.

Perhaps⁠ Miro wanted to‌ convey something through⁠‌ Shirone, to him,⁠ or even…

‘No,⁠ maybe to them…’⁠

Shirone‌‌ observed Alpheas carefully.⁠

What‍‍ could be so⁠‌‌ serious to make‌⁠ him look this‍ grave?

But‌ he had promised‌ not to probe‌ too deeply, so‍ he couldn’t outright‌ ask.

“If‌ you’re that worried,‍ Headmaster, I won’t‌⁠ investigate the ruins.”‍‍⁠

Alpheas‍ seemed to snap⁠⁠ out of his‍‍ thoughts.

He‌‍ realized he had‌‍‍ been too absorbed in his own‌‌ contemplations, ignoring the⁠ person before him.⁠⁠

“Huh?⁠ No, thats not⁠ it. The Kergos‌⁠ Ruins are a tourist spot; you‌‌ should visit if⁠‍ you get the‌ chance. You’ll get⁠ a rough idea of the world‍⁠⁠ Miro lives in.”‍‍⁠

“Does‍‍ that mean there‌⁠ really is a secret hidden there?⁠ But its a tourist site.”

“Haha! It’s no fun‍‌ if I tell‌ you everything. Just⁠‌ never let your⁠‍ guard down. I allowed you to⁠‍ investigate because I trust your abilities.”‌

Shirone‍‌ sensed the gravity behind his words.‌‍

Alpheas⁠ was known for‍ letting students explore‍ freely. However, he‍ also had a mischievous side, allowing‍ a suitable level‌‍⁠ of risk.

“Okay.‍ I’ll investigate thoroughly.”

After⁠ saying goodbye to‌‍ Alpheas and leaving the meeting room, Shirone joined his‌‌ friends waiting in‍ the corridor.

“What‍ did you talk⁠‌ about, Shirone?”

“About‍‌ Miro, the person⁠⁠ I mentioned before.”

“Oh⁠ right, you were‌‍ curious about her,‌ werent you? The⁠‌⁠ Kergos Ruins, right?”‍

“Yes.‍‌⁠ But now I’m even more curious⁠‍ after talking to‌ the Headmaster. I’m⁠‍ planning to go‌ there.”

“That’s too bad. We’d‍⁠⁠ love to join⁠ you.”

“No,⁠‍‍ you should spend‌ time with your‍ families during the‌‍‌ vacation.”

“Tch,‍ who cares about⁠‌ that? I’d rather‍‍‍ not go home‍‍ if it means‍ almost dying.”

Nade‍⁠ grimaced at the‍ mere thought.

Yiruki faced a similar‍‍‌ situation. Being the son of the‌ head of the⁠‍‍ Kings Commission, he⁠ couldn’t act rashly‍⁠‌ outside.

“But‍ I’m really curious.⁠‍ Miro was the‌ president of our research group. Technically,‌‌ she’s my direct⁠ senior. Maybe she⁠ watched over me⁠⁠‌ too?”

Yiruki‍‌ shattered Nade’s childhood‌ wonder.

“Shirone‍‍ said if we⁠ don’t enter the‌ Immortal Function, contact‍‍ is impossible. She’s‌‍ probably dwelling in⁠⁠ a dimension between⁠‌ our world and‍⁠ theirs.”

“Ah,⁠‍ I wanted to‌ meet and greet‍‍‍ her.”

“Well,‌‌‍ you might see⁠⁠ her before you‌ die. Anyway, it’s time to part.‌‍‍ Take care, everyone.”⁠‌‍

Yiruki‌‌‌ pointed to three‌ carriages waiting.

Among‌ them, the flashy‍‍‍ double-horse carriage from‌ the Mercodine family‍‌ stood out.

“Wow,‍ first-class nobility. Youre‍ a different class indeed.”

“Quiet.⁠⁠⁠ It’s all a waste of money.⁠⁠‍ And it’s so‍ slow, too.”

The‍‌ three exchanged farewells.‌‌

Though they’d see each‌ other again soon,‍‌⁠ parting brought a rush of emotions.

“Shirone, Yiruki, I’ll miss⁠ you. I’ve never‌⁠ disliked vacations as⁠ much as this⁠‍ time.”

“Will⁠ you be alright?‌ Can you endure‌ it?”

Yiruki⁠ asked with concern,⁠‌‍ knowing Nade’s family‍‌ situation and his⁠ current fear.

Surprisingly,⁠ Nade smiled brightly,⁠ a change from⁠‌ the previous semester.‌‍ Meeting Shirone had⁠‌ given him many‌ happy memories.

“No⁠‍ problem. I’ll reorganize at home and‌ have more fun⁠⁠‌ next semester. Stay‌ healthy and take care.”

After⁠ half a year⁠ of shared joys⁠⁠ and sorrows, they‌‌ walked to their‍‌ respective carriages, waving‌⁠ goodbye.

“Great!‍⁠ See you on‍ the first day of school!”

One‍‍‌ week earlier.

Like⁠‌‍ other swordsmanship schools, the Kaizen Swordsmanship⁠⁠ Academy had finished‌ its first semester‌‍ of training.

Despite‍‌ receiving the worst‍ report card, Rian’s⁠⁠ optimistic nature kept‌‍‌ his spirits high‍ on his way⁠‍ home.

He⁠‌⁠ would’ve preferred to‌ go straight to‌ his hometown, but‍‌ he needed to‌ collect his luggage⁠⁠ from his sister’s‍ house in the‍‍‍ royal palace area.⁠‍

“Darn‍‍ it, I have⁠‌ to meet that‌‍ witch again. I should’ve left my⁠‍ stuff at grandfather’s‌ place. She’s going⁠⁠ to kill me⁠ over my report⁠ card.”

Hoping⁠⁠ desperately that Reina⁠ was out, Rian⁠ opened the door⁠ to the mansion.‌‍

Fitting‌ for an artist recognized by the⁠ royal palace, the mansion was luxurious. But for Rian,⁠⁠⁠ it just felt‌⁠ like an unnecessarily‍‍ long escape route.⁠⁠

Sneaking‌⁠ through the hall‍⁠ like a cat‍ burglar, Rian’s hopes⁠ were crushed by⁠⁠ the loud sound‍ of a piano.‍‍

“Damn!‍⁠ She’s home?”

The‍ piano sound drowned‍ out his voice.‌⁠

Reina was focused solely⁠ on playing the‍ grand piano in one corner of⁠‍⁠ the hall.