Chapter 120: An Unexpected Guest (5)
IXw“But Shirone, if you really plan to do something on the island, there’s a problem.”lfdco
YlL“Huh? What problem?”YR3z
6LrhJA“Actually, this vacation was planned as a couples’ trip.”O9K2
VZxb“Couples’ trip? You mean, like, boys and girls paired up?”2NM
vtxD2o“Yes. My partner is supposed to come from this side. I should have mentioned it earlier. I didnt expect you to say you wanted to investigate the ruins.”GbNPNl
APUMcnShirone looked up at the dim ceiling. A couples’ trip. That meant he had to bring a partner, too.Alg
Kh0YFk2“Okay, I’ll bring someone too.”q7TUnOA
gU6Rian looked at Shirone in surprise. The Shirone he knew blushed even at the sight of women’s underwear. Finding a partner seemed like the biggest challenge, but Shirone easily agreed.oLEGvBW
8vWt“You… are popular with girls, arent you?”EVYP3
XTMx“Huh? No, not really. But I have someone in mind. I was considering it, actually. If you hadnt suggested it, I would have asked first.”V3qC05
2jPRian’s eyes lit up. Regardless of his intention, Shirone apparently had a girl in mind.oOp
oy9h5i0“Haha! Our house witch would be jealous, wouldnt she?”f62
acNuzL“Reina? Why would she be?”7WOz1zM
OA7Bjgh“Kukuku, no, never mind. But Im dying of curiosity. Who is she? Is she pretty?”dPkxW
AVc“Yes, shes pretty, but… Im not sure if shell agree to come. She might just turn me down outright.”9l4AH
WKle“No way, you have to bring her. Go get her consent tomorrow. Meanwhile, Ill head home to prepare.”LObiF
IDmShirone deferred his response. If Rian was bringing a partner, he had to bring one too.e0M
zyPBut he wasn’t certain. Judging by his usual character, there was a very high chance of being rebuffed and chased away.VXE
G7tBMVarious worries constricted Shirone’s heart. Yet, part of him was excited.il1dTO
XfYZDIt was his first trip, with friends, to Galiant Island, a famous tourist destination known for its southern charm.N5fA
CjRShirone spent a sleepless night, tossing and turning.0mT
bcWShirone parted ways with Rian in the noble residential area. With the departure scheduled for tomorrow, he had to find a partner today.Oe5cdX0
DjOjQTWUnfamiliar with the area, he asked for directions and finally arrived at a mansion too beautiful to be merely a residence.FGD
yrzlcbSo this is the Karmis main house.zoEwub
0iRadHe was not shy about talking at school, but the thought of visiting her home made him nervous. The guards at the main gate looked suspiciously at him, increasing his tension.d5a
HDY9Uh hello?RjZoCO
rWtWhat brings you here?87Ab
50VZAs Shirone approached, the guard gripping his sword tensed. It was an involuntary reaction. After overcoming countless challenges, Shirone’s aura could overwhelm even criminals.LbiNOtp
mlTatVIs Amy here?ufM05
G8SSThe guard’s expression hardened. He knew Amy was a coveted figure among young men. However, it was rare for anyone to visit the main house.EpoV
YI5Excuse me, but may I ask who you are?iS5
S9JtOh, Im Shirone. We attend the magic academy together.oXg
RCChAWiThe guard looked to his superior, who seemed indifferent. It was a rare occurrence but not new for someone who had lived at the Karmis main house for 20 years.gpA
q6hdRmPAh, the trouble starts right after the holidays.ZPCoaA
RTK24DaNevertheless, unless explicitly instructed not to, he had to report the visit.xRJqSJT
iwQx0PThe guard signaled with a nod and rode off toward the mansion.e3sxf
Tu7oEAShirone waited anxiously at the main gate while the superior guard glanced at him. Shirone seemed decent in looks and temperament, but entering the mansion seemed impossible.YQM58t9
HaaWMany men had been turned away before, even those of royal blood and distant relatives had left without seeing Amy’s face.HJjbns1
eH0YBAfter about ten minutes, the guard returned hurriedly on horseback. The superior could guess the outcome just by looking at his subordinates worried face.cXB5rw8
4NpYFoNIt was always the guards who had to deal with angry nobles. If they got slapped, there was nothing they could do.cafMj
fLgovThe superior made up an excuse to ease the situation.ICg
BkiS4What happened? I heard there was urgent business to be handled today.E1rQzJ
EYvkxAiWell, hes been asked to come in.qseeAi
AMvPZGqHmm, they must be busy Eh? What did you say?2Th
owdLPThe superior asked incredulously. The reporting guard also seemed baffled by this unusual situation.7CUBpVg
JJW86ZThats Miss Amy asked for him to be brought in.Amt
xyWAh, so she was home. Thats good.jG49ei
0xi5N0cShirone sighed in relief. If Amy had been out, there would have been no way for him, a commoner, to enter the mansion.Gxj
3OUkJjjSoon, a pink carriage arrived at the main gate. An elderly man using a cane stepped down from the carriage, and the guards turned pale.FUs
Ifr2r9It was Adel, the head butler of the Karmis family.1M5MS
rQDG9aXNoticing the person who came out to meet him, Shirone asked the guard.ZNgp
eOrde8May I enter now?1kohNVB
v9lYes, of course! Welcome to the Karmis Estate!IKQ
r9MJThe supervisor quickly snapped to attention, still unable to comprehend the current situation.fbwO
OO8q50Although he understood the permission to enter, he couldnt fathom why Adel, the head butler of the Karmis family, would come out to greet Shirone. Whether Shirone was of distinguished lineage or not, there was no reason for Adel to personally receive him.FFtTwq
Iw2Adel would only make such efforts for major family events or visits from the head of the household’s guests.pVmh0k
InBt8mWho exactly is he? He’s a friend of the young lady, so not a guest of the head. Is there some event today? No, I havent heard anything of that sort.BuIHxP
0733YAdel, leaning on his cane, approached Shirone. Despite being the steward of a grand mansion, he had a gentle demeanor.DuNNEp
nPnYou are most welcome at the Karmis mansion. I am Adel, the head butler.g6gHfA
MmriHello. My name is Shirone.6Ihrky3
pdPFpzBefore we proceed, I must verify something, if you dont mind.E5sv
g09qOh? What would that be?d0Sf
LLa1F9I need to confirm your identity. To ensure that you are indeed Shirone.9Kg
8hYuqShirone looked at Adel, puzzled.B8U
NQmLkGIThe young lady said this: If it’s Shirone, bring him. I interpret this as: only Shirone is allowed entry. Therefore, you must provide evidence that you are indeed Shirone.K9m
LcUShirone felt a surge of irritation. The young ladys words were nothing more than her usual grumbling, and at most, it meant to check his name for impersonation.PlVMF
0nv0jHow could it be stretched to require proof of identity?gCz2c
7elPJeHow can I prove I am myself? I am Shirone.5BF
g5pvYThat alone is not sufficient. As the Karmis family’s head butler, it is my duty and authority to clarify the identity of all entrants.hRiaGRe
aaaU0CvIf you could just take me to Amy…!wO1r
t1kGF0Shirone halted mid-sentence. Adel’s previously kind face suddenly seemed intimidating, and an unknown force began to press on his chest and back. It felt like his organs might burst.o2O
OeZThe Karmis family rejects comparisons with other families, being of the highest nobility. And I, Adel, as the head butler, follow only the orders of the head of the household. Having personally been asked to escort the young lady’s guest, I must show corresponding respect.tzYB1bw
XTS7X9fShirone realized why Adel was acting so petulantly. Essentially, he was annoyed that he had to do a task usually handled by a regular butler. However, he couldnt openly express his displeasure due to the increasingly intense pressure he was exerting.63R06s
7jhLYotAh… so it begins. Pressing.GlsV3A9
VcmHyocThe guards empathized with Shirone. Known for his strictness, Adel often summoned his subordinates for minor errors and subjected them to Pressing.qknVC
asePressing involved transmitting intensely amplified emotions to disrupt the recipient’s nervous system. While it didnt cause physical pain, the escalating stress could affect the body, and if severe enough, could even damage vital organs.YM8
3hHtdVHo, he withstood this too?I4t0T
zEBXqbShirone showed no significant change, remaining calm under stress. Adel, feeling challenged, gradually increased the intensity of his Pressing.Zky2
Jj4PkfWInitially, he hadnt planned to go this far, but he thought it a good lesson for the young man to get a taste of what it meant to provoke the Karmis family.Ov6FJOd
6pZ6IklShirone realized his heartbeat accelerating, primarily due to anger. Adels hostility was fueling his rage.OHOv7
p5cStay calm. Its just an emotion. If I control it, nothing will happen.WBZBP
guApShirone, like someone sinking to the ocean floor with a boulder tied to him, felt the pressure mounting, making breathing difficult.EFq
JEApXBut instead of panicking, he calmly observed his emotions.Gb5YugV
bBAt6As the duration of Pressing crossed a lethal threshold, Adel trembled in disbelief.v6ggSm
h5NX5Sweat trickled down his forehead.kM3ewL
WyDDXzWhat is this boy?VZD4Bp5
ZszTo break free from Pressing, one had to amplify their emotions to a similar intensity.ztyN
tNmWhile a Karmis with crimson eyes could reset their emotions, Shirones ability to endure this long was certainly abnormal.1SZ2n
QbmVEndurance alone doesnt explain this. The only other explanation is complete emotional control.Sg1n
TXvAnother method to counteract Pressing, but not an easy feat.Yvb5p9
PSqtZXEven a saint would lose composure under prolonged stress. Yet, Shirone showed no such signs.EIWD
yYIAdel speculated several scenarios based on his experience. Either Shirone was a fool, insane, or a monk.76sSEmS
s8cDOXNo, not just any monk, but one who had reached the state of a Vajra Monk.RenFeos
MAbEkSA Vajra Monk? Is that even plausible? Hes barely an adult.9in
ZSl7ZrThough he didnt admit it, Adel had inadvertently stumbled upon the truth.LOY
Wxa8QLIn the Infinite Realm, Shirone had experienced madness beyond human endurance.sBqtDwl
lhJqqIt was during these trials that he discovered an absolute center.pB4
9lhifAs long as he held onto it, emotions induced by techniques were trivial.aF0
mKvyAdel released the Pressing. Regardless of how Shirone had endured so far, it was no longer his concern.0S7Fn
Hno67The boy standing before him was undoubtedly the young lady’s friend.rmzhY
XvvfCAdels face returned to its kindly expression, allowing Shirone to finally breathe.nHC57ye
FlfCIts such a terrifying technique. His heart might have burst if he had not reached the state of Indestructibility.68EJ6K5
fIGq4CAdel placed his hand on his chest and bowed.F6Escf
8lDPlease forgive the folly of an old man.2fCZ4p
NhUThe guards were baffled. Shirone’s expression hadnt changed, but suddenly, the head butler was apologizing humbly.Eoxo
SAq4uPlease reprimand my actions when we return to the mansion. I will accept any punishment. So, I beg of you, do not harbor any resentment.OuGm
F0mDid the family suspect me?1xQP
ifwgYes. The decision to interpret the orders broadly and put you in danger was entirely my own. The head of the household did not impose any conditions on bringing you in.BzN
z6OgNWhy then? Did I do something to displease you?YDf20q
wYWAdel smiled and shook his head.iTg9yVN
UxxOn the contrary. I have been serving Miss Amy since her birth, but this is the first time a man has been invited inside. Curiosity got the better of me, and I acted rudely without realizing it.IIm
Z4ZZYlShirone deflated. Had all this been a test to see what kind of person he was?kyIl
xQ9But he couldnt really blame Adel. To visit the main residence of a noble family, especially the Karmis, one must always make an appointment in advance.VNc
JIgHaving worked at the Ogent family, Shirone knew how grave Adel’s responsibilities were.kpsZ
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