Infinite Mage — Chapter 119: An Unexpected Guest (4)

Chapter 119: An Unexpected Guest (4)

Oblivious,‌ Rian fanned the flames in Olina’s‌ anxious heart.

“Father,⁠‍ instead of this,‌‍ why don’t we⁠‍ go chop some‍ wood now in‌‍‍ celebration of Shirone’s‍‌ return!”

“Haha!‍ Should we? Alright,‌⁠ let’s set the woods ablaze, just⁠ us men!”

“Honey!⁠ You’ve been drinking, and now chopping wood? Just go⁠⁠ inside and sleep‌ it off.”

“Mom,⁠⁠‍ it’s okay. Ill⁠‍ be back soon.”‍

Shirone‍ readily agreed. Given⁠‌ the situation, letting‌ off some steam‌⁠ seemed a good‍‌⁠ opportunity.

On⁠⁠ the other hand,⁠ Olina couldn’t help⁠⁠ but worry. Even‌ though Vincent was‍⁠ strong with alcohol, climbing a mountain‌⁠ in an inebriated‍ state was perilous‍‍ even for experienced⁠ woodsmen.

“Are‌‍ you sure you’ll⁠‌ be okay? What‍ if you get⁠⁠ hurt?”

“I’ll‌ be there, so‌‌ itll be fine.⁠⁠ Well be back‍‍‍ before lunch.”

Olinas‍‍‍ words would have‍⁠ been enough to‍‍ dissuade Shirone in‍‍ the past, but⁠ now things were‌‍ different. He had‍ faced fearsome Ulks⁠ and protected children,⁠‍⁠ so he was‍⁠ confident nothing worrisome‌ would happen.

Olina‌‌ found her son’s‌ newfound confidence unfamiliar.⁠ He seemed brighter⁠‍ and more self-assured‌‍ in his speech⁠‌ and actions.

Was‍ this the power‌ of education? He‍⁠⁠ had always been‌ a good son‌‌ but often hard to read. Now,‍‍⁠ he seemed like‌ a completely different‌⁠‌ person, seemingly loving‌ himself a bit‍ more.

With‌ Olina’s reluctant permission,‌ the three men‌ set off to‍⁠ the logging area,⁠ exchanging stories they‌‌ hadn’t shared in⁠ a while. Rian,‌⁠ eager to show‍ off his progress,‍ quickened his pace.‍‌

During‍ his two-day stay‌‍⁠ at Vincent’s, Rian‌‍ had heard about⁠ Shirone’s childhood tales,⁠‍ especially impressed by‍ the Thunder Strike.‌⁠ Having struggled against Sword Smash in⁠‍ a duel with‍⁠ Shirone at the‌‍⁠ main house, Rian’s⁠⁠ interest was piqued.‌

Upon⁠ reaching the logging‌ area, Rian shouted.‍‌

“Alright!‌ Let’s chop some‍ wood like true⁠ men! How about‍ it, Shirone? Wanna bet? The loser grants a wish.”‍

Rian,‌‌ now bigger, effortlessly‍‍ held the two-handed⁠‍ axe with one⁠ hand. Exaggerating a bit, beside Rian,⁠⁠ who resembled a sturdy oak, Shirone‍‍‌ looked like a squirrel standing beside⁠⁠ him.

“Sure, why not.”

Shirone‍‌ easily agreed. He‍‍ had never lost‌ a bet to‌‍ Rian. It wouldnt‍ be right for‌⁠ a victor to⁠ run away from‍⁠ a challenger.

Rian‌⁠ lifted the axe‍ and nodded at Vincent, who responded‌ by giving a thumbs-up signal.

“Then⁠‍ I’ll start.”

Rian‍‌ swung the axe with all his⁠ might. A thud‍ echoed as the tree trunk shook⁠ violently.

An‍‌ almost lethal destructive‌⁠‍ power. It was‌ clear how rigorous‌⁠ his training had‌‌ been for the⁠⁠ past six months.‌⁠‍

“Wow,‌‌‍ amazing. Is that‌‍ Schema?”

“Huh? Ahaha! Of course⁠ not! Why would⁠ I need Schema‍‌ for chopping wood?”‍⁠

Though⁠‌‌ Rian’s reply was‍‌ somewhat awkward, Shirone chose to let‍ it pass.

Rian⁠‍‌ raised the axe‌ again, winking at Shirone.

“The‍‍ real show starts‌ now.”

Rian’s‍ axe struck the same spot where‍ the bark had burst open. With‍ a loud crack⁠ like thunder, the‌‍ tree fell in‍⁠ one strike.

“Thunder⁠⁠ Strike…”

Shirone‍ recognized it immediately.‌ Rian’s success with‌ Thunder Strike meant he could now‌‍ perform Sword Smash.‌‍

“Hahaha! How about that,‍⁠ Shirone? I’m not the same as before!”

Despite⁠‍ his boastful shout,‌ Rian’s heart was‌⁠‌ racing. There was‌‍ a slight chance⁠ of failure.

He⁠⁠ had learned Sword Smash at the⁠ swordsmanship academy, but‍ its success rate⁠ was much lower‍ against human opponents.‌‌

However,‍ after hearing about‌‍ Thunder Strike from⁠ Vincent and practicing‍ all day, he⁠ had improved to‌ a point where⁠ he succeeded nine‍‌ out of ten⁠‍⁠ times against trees.⁠

“Impressive.‍‌ Your Thunder Strike‍ has a different‍‌⁠ impact from mine.”⁠‌

“Of⁠⁠ course, it’s only‍‌ natural. Anyway, it’s⁠ a bet. I succeeded in two‍‍ tries, so you‍ have to bring‍‌‍ it down in⁠ one!”

Vincent burst out laughing⁠⁠‍ heartily.

“Haha!‌ Give it your best, Shirone. If‍‍ it’s a tie,‌⁠ we’ll continue until‍‍ one of you‌‌ wins. We might‌ end up clearing the whole mountain‌‍ at this rate!”‌‍⁠

Vincent‌⁠ thought Shirone would⁠ be no pushover.‌‌ While Rian’s strength⁠ was remarkable, Shirone‍ had always had⁠‌ a natural talent‍ for technical skills‌⁠ since he was‌ young.

“Here,‌⁠⁠ use my axe.”‍

“No,‌ it’s fine. I’ll‍ do it this‌ way.”

Shirone approached the tree‍ and extended his hand. Vincent and⁠ Rian looked puzzled.⁠ How could he‍‍ bring down a thick tree without‌⁠⁠ an axe?

Shirone⁠⁠ entered his Spirit Zone and used⁠‌ Windcutter, a basic magic, to strike‍ the tree.

A snapping sound came‍ from inside the‍‌ tree trunk.

And‍ that was that.‍

As‍‌ the two onlookers‍ gaped in confusion,‌ Shirone gently pushed‍ the tree, revealing‌ a clean cut⁠‍‍ as it fell⁠ over.

“Yay!⁠ I win!”

While‍ Shirone jumped for⁠ joy, Vincent and⁠‌ Rian stood with‍‍‌ their mouths agape.‌

How‍ could a tree‌‌‍ be cut down‍⁠ without any physical‍ blow? Unless magic‌ was used, it was an impossible feat.

‘Ah,‍⁠ so that was⁠ magic.’

Rian‌‌‍ inspected the cleanly‌‌ cut base of‍ the tree. Even⁠ a swordsmanship trainee‌ couldn’t have made⁠⁠ such a smooth‍ cut.

“What⁠⁠ kind of magic‍⁠ is that?”

“It’s⁠⁠ called Windcutter. It‌‌ sharpens the air‍ by creating wind,‌⁠ but actually, it’s‌ quite a basic magic.”

Vincent‌ was lost for⁠⁠ words at the transformation in his‌‍ son.

Of⁠‌⁠ course, he had‌‌ sent Shirone to‌⁠⁠ a magic academy,‌ so he had⁠‍‌ expected him to‌ learn some magic,‌ but he had‌ only imagined something‌ akin to a circus trick.

But‍ to cut down‌ a tree in‍‍‌ one go? Depending‌‌⁠ on how it’s⁠‌ used, it could⁠⁠ be as deadly‍ as a weapon.⁠⁠‌

“Hehe.‍‍⁠ Unbelievable. Can you teach me that‍ magic? We could chop way more‌ wood with that.”‍

Vincent’s‌‍⁠ innocent remark left Shirone smiling awkwardly.‌

“It’s‌ basic, but not so easy to⁠⁠‌ learn.”

Mastering‍ Windcutter would naturally⁠ enable one to‌⁠‍ chop over a hundred trees a day. However, no‍‍ mage ever chopped wood for money.

Even‌⁠‌ if they cut⁠ down a thousand‌ trees, a mage’s⁠‌ daily wage was‍ much higher. It wasn’t that the⁠‍ value of a thousand trees was‌⁠ low, but the wages of a mage were high.⁠‌

Shirone⁠‍‍ felt good realizing‌‌ this fact. When‍ he first entered‍⁠‍ school, he was‍‌⁠ overwhelmed by the fear of failure,⁠ but now he felt reassured, knowing he had skills⁠‌ to support his‍‌ family even if‍‌ he couldn’t graduate.‌

Others might think a mage who had‌⁠‍ opened the Immortal Function was crazy⁠ to consider such‌ things, but for⁠‌⁠ Shirone, his family⁠ was that precious.‌⁠

“Anyway,‍‌ since I won,‍ Ill make a wish. Rian, you‌ carry the wood‌ back home.”

“Tch!‍⁠ Can’t help it.‍⁠ I was going⁠ to carry it anyway.”

Rian‌ chopped the fallen⁠‌‍ tree into pieces⁠‍ and prepared to‍ carry it back‍ on a yoke.⁠⁠ Despite losing the‍⁠ bet, a smile⁠ lingered on his⁠ lips as he‌ descended the mountain.⁠ Shirone had proven his eyes werent wrong.

Amazing,‌ Shirone. Of course,‍ what you showed‌⁠ today isnt all‌‌ youve got, right?‍‍

Back⁠ home, Olina had⁠‌ prepared a feast⁠ of delicacies from‌‌⁠ land, sea, and⁠⁠ air.

“Wow, this looks delicious.⁠‌‌ Thank you for⁠ the meal!”

While‍‍ eating, Shirone shared‍ his experiences at⁠ school.

He⁠⁠ naturally omitted life-threatening‌ situations, but there‌‌ were still many⁠‌‌ things to tell.‍⁠‌

“…so‍‌ the correct answer‌ was actually number‍ 3. Hahaha! Thanks‌‍ to that, I’ll⁠ be advancing to‍ Class Four from‍ next semester.”

“Ah,‍⁠‌ is that so.”⁠‌

Unexpectedly,⁠‌ Vincent and Olina‍ didn’t show much‍‌‍ reaction. Shirone, realizing⁠⁠‌ they might not‍⁠‍ have grasped the⁠⁠ significance, spread his‍‍‍ hands and emphasized.‌⁠

“It’s‍⁠ a really big deal.”

Only‌ then did the‍‌ expressions on their⁠ parents’ faces brighten.‌ They might not‍⁠⁠ have understood half of what he‌‍‍ said, but they‍ were as happy‌ about their son’s‍ achievements as any‌ other parents would‌ be.

“Ah!⁠ Thats great, Shirone!‌‌‍ Congratulations!”

“Well⁠ done, our son.‍‍ I was so‍‌ worried.”

Olina dabbed her eyes⁠ with the tablecloth,⁠ moved to tears.‌

Rian‍ watched the loving family scene with‍ a pleased smile,‍ understanding where Shirone’s‌ calm temperament originated.⁠‌

“By⁠ the way, Rian,‌‌ why did you⁠⁠ really come here?”

“Ah,‍⁠ right. I came‌ to ask your‍‍‍ parents for permission.”‌‌

“You‍‌⁠ can ask anything.⁠ If it’s something‌‌ we can help‍ with, we surely⁠‌ will.”

Vincent‍‍⁠ said this, though‌ he was quite⁠ worried. Why would‍ the son of⁠‍‍ a noble family‌⁠ ask permission from‌⁠ a woodsman?

“Can‍‍‍ I go on‍‌⁠ a trip with‍⁠ Shirone? For about‌ a week.”

Shirone⁠‌ turned in surprise.‌

“What,‌ a trip? Why‌‍ are you talking‌‌ about something I don’t even know?‌ Where are you‍‌ planning to go?”‍‌

“Galiant Island. Dont worry.⁠⁠⁠ Ive already planned‍⁠ it out.”

“Galiant?‍ Really?”

Shirone’s‌ eyes widened. The‌ place that had‍‍ recently occupied his‌⁠⁠ thoughts was now⁠ being mentioned by‍ Rian.

“I⁠ was stuck in‌‌ the library when‌ working. Lets get‌‍ some fresh air‍ this time. It’s‌⁠‍ close to Creas‍ and will be‌‍ fun. Galiant Island‌⁠⁠ is one of‌ the most popular⁠ resorts in the⁠‌ world.”

“And‌ there’s the Kergos‍⁠ Ruins too.”

This⁠‍‌ time, Rian was⁠⁠ surprised.

“Uh?⁠ You knew about‍ that?”

“No,⁠ I just knew⁠ there were ruins‍‍ there. Oh, it’s⁠⁠ that famous, huh?‍ That’s unexpected.”

Shirone‌ had been scouring⁠‍ maps for the‌ past few days⁠⁠⁠ and found out‌ about the Kergos‍ Ruins on Galiant‌‍ Island. He had‍ planned to visit‍⁠ them during the‌ vacation anyway.

Shirone‍‌ glanced at his‌ mother. He had‍⁠ intended to visit⁠ at some point‍ during the break,⁠ but announcing a trip right after‌ returning home for‍‍⁠ half a year‌‌⁠ might disappoint them.‍

As⁠‌ always, Olina was‌‌ supportive of Shirone’s‌‍‌ plans.

“Go‍ ahead. We fully support you.”

“But⁠‌ Mom, I was‍ planning to help‌‍ Father with his⁠‌⁠ work after returning⁠‍ from school…”

Vincent‍ laughed heartily.

“You‌ lad! Did you‌ go to a battlefield or something?‍ It’s just a school you’re returning‌‍ from. It’s okay to go on⁠⁠ a trip during‌ the break. Its⁠‌ not good for⁠‌ a young man⁠ to stick too‍‌ close to his⁠ parents.”

Shirone‍‌ pursed his lips⁠ guiltily. Although the⁠‍‌ magic academy was⁠ technically just a school, the risks‍⁠‍ he faced there‌‌‍ were almost akin⁠‍ to a battlefield.‌

“So,⁠⁠ can I stay‌ for ten days?”

“Ten⁠ days? That’s fine,‌ but it seems⁠⁠ a bit long‍⁠ for just sightseeing,‌⁠ doesnt it?”

“Ah,⁠ actually, I have‌ something I want‍⁠‌ to research there.”⁠‍

Rian‌ looked exasperated.

“Youll‍ be studying there‍ too? You really‍‌ are something, seriously.”‍⁠

Considering⁠ Shirone had devoured‌‍ every history book‍ in the Ogent‌⁠ family library, studying‌⁠ at a vacation⁠‌ spot would be‌‌ nothing for him.‍

Hehe,‌‌⁠ but it wont be easy this‌ time. Will he really be able⁠ to study there?‌

Thinking‍ of his secret‌⁠ plan, Rian smiled‍ to himself, eagerly awaiting the next⁠ day.

Shirone⁠⁠ packed his travel‌ bag and went⁠ to bed. Rian, who had decided‍ to stay for‌ the night, spread‌ a blanket next⁠⁠ to him.

“So,‌‌⁠ tell me. Why‌‍‌ didnt you go‍ home?”

“Uh,⁠‍ well, thats because…”‍

Rian trailed off. Just⁠⁠‌ as Reina kept‍‍ tabs on her‌ brother, Rian knew‌‌ his sister well.⁠ She probably sent‌⁠ his report card‍‍ home to keep him there.

But⁠ he couldn’t tell‌‍ Shirone the truth.‌ Although he wasn’t⁠ ashamed of coming‍ last since he‍‌ tried his best,⁠⁠ he found it⁠ hard to say‍‌ it out loud.⁠‌

“Just‌ some minor family⁠ issues. Hahaha.”

Shirone⁠⁠ didnt probe further.⁠

“Anyway,‍‌⁠ its good. I was planning to‌‍ visit there during‌‍ the break.”

“The⁠‍ Kergos Ruins, right?‍ What do you⁠‍‍ plan to research?”‌‌

“I’m⁠ not sure yet.⁠⁠⁠ Ill enjoy the‌‍ vacation and then‍⁠‍ stay back to‍ investigate.”

Rian⁠‍ felt something was‍ off. Kergos Ruins was a tourist⁠‍ site. If it⁠ was just for research, Shirone wouldnt‌‌ ask him to⁠ return first.