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Infinite Mage Chapter 17: Alpeas Magic School (1)

Chapter 17: Alpeas Magic School (1)

This⁠⁠​ is utter nonsense.​ Clearly, I am⁠​ my fathers son.‌​‌ There will be​‍⁠ no instances where‍⁠ I will be‍ adopted as a son of another.‍‍​

Sh-Shirone.⁠

Vincent‍ was touched.

He‍‌⁠ said it with‌⁠ no hesitation, and‌ even his tone‍ was layered with​ disgust as if​ just thinking about‌ it was unpleasant.⁠‌⁠

While‌⁠ the rest of‌‌​ his family members‍‍​ were dumbfounded, Klumph⁠⁠ asked coldly.

Are​⁠ you completely sure‍ you are okay​‍ with that? You‌​⁠ have the chance‍ to become a noble. This isnt‌ an opportunity anyone⁠‌‌ can just get.‍‍‌

If‌‌⁠ Im required to​ become the son​‍⁠ of another, I would rather live​ as a commoner.‍‌

Commoners‌⁠ cannot enter the‍ magic academy.

Then⁠‍ I will not⁠​ enter.

If‌⁠​ you dont get​⁠‌ into the magic​‌‍ academy, you cant​‍ become a mage.‍

Then‍ I wont become‌​​ a mage.

Shirone!​⁠

Klumph​‌ stood abruptly from⁠​​ his seat.

Shirones‍⁠ upright attitude was​⁠⁠ frustrating.

Other‍ times, he is​ such a smart‌​ boy, so why‍ now, of all‌‍ times, is he‍ so hung up‍ on such a simple problem?

Is​‍ it guilt? Living⁠‌​ in this world​⁠ is no picnic.‌ There are things‍⁠ you have to​​‌ sacrifice for success.​⁠ Is that dream​ of yours that‍ insignificant to you?‍‍

Simply‍ looking up the‍ large build of‌ Klumph must have⁠⁠ felt overwhelming, but‌ Shirone replied calmly.⁠

Maybe⁠⁠ thats why.

What?​‌

No‌ matter how small‍ or big my⁠‍ dream may be,⁠⁠⁠ that is something⁠‌‌ I inherited from‌​ my parents. They‌ were the roots‍⁠ that nurtured me​⁠‌ and allowed me​ to dream. I mean, look at‍ me, the child⁠​‍ of a mountaineer⁠⁠ working in a mansion. And even⁠‌‌ before all that,‍​‌ reading Its because​ of them I can read. If⁠‍ I must make⁠‌ a comparison, this​‌‌ one opportunity I have right now⁠ does not even​‌‌ come close to​ standing alongside the​ countless other ones‍⁠ my parents have⁠​⁠ handed me. Telling‌​⁠ me to deny‍⁠ my roots and​⁠⁠ to be nurtured‌​‌ by another is⁠⁠ no different from‌‌‍ telling me to‌⁠‍ wither and die.⁠​

Silence‌ enveloped the living⁠⁠​ room.

They⁠ werent simply impressed⁠ by Shirones words⁠ He made them⁠‌​ reflect.

Klumph‌​⁠ was very shocked.‍​

Its‌⁠ not guilt. He‍ understands the way‍‌ we humans grow.‌‌

Even​⁠​ if one were​ to miss an⁠⁠ opportunity right in​‌ front of their‌ eyes, new ones​​‍ would eventually turn⁠ up.

However,‌⁠⁠ the moment one​ abandons the people⁠ who helped them⁠‌ get to where⁠⁠ they are, they⁠ lose everything.

Suddenly‌⁠ he had this‍⁠ idea.

Maybe‍ he was thinking‍‍‍ incorrectly from the​ start? Even without​‌‍ someones help, wouldnt‌⁠ this child eventually​​⁠ become a mage?‍

Rian,⁠⁠ maybe it was​⁠​ you who was‍ the lucky one.‌‌⁠

If‍ even the honor⁠ of the Ogent⁠‌‌ family is just‌​‌ a passing opportunity‌ for this child‍‍‌

Then‍‌ no one can⁠‍‍ restrain this child!‌

After⁠⁠​ a long time,‌​‌ since no one‌‍⁠ bothered to open​​​ their mouth, only‍​⁠ then did Shirone‌‍‌ smile.

I am grateful for‌⁠ the proposal. But​⁠ I cant accept​‌ it. The only⁠⁠ ones who I can call my‍⁠ parents are the‌​ two people here‌ right now.

Vincent​ clenched his fists‌‌ hard.

He​ was embarrassed. He⁠ wanted to crawl​‌ under his chair⁠ and never come⁠‍⁠ back up.

Why⁠‌​ feel hurt by​⁠ meaningless documents? My‌ son believes in‌ me, a parent⁠ who has done‍ nothing for him.​​

Shirone⁠‍

Father.‍⁠‍

Vincents‌⁠‌ head hung down.‍

Please,‍⁠​ take Shirone as​⁠ an adopted son!‌⁠⁠

No⁠‌ one thought of​‌ him as a lacking parent because⁠‍‌ they, too, had‌ a family of‌‌⁠ their own.

However,⁠⁠​ this was not‍‌‍ a simple matter‍ that could be‍⁠ solved by being​ persistent.

I understand how you​ feel, but it⁠⁠ cant be helped.‍ How can I turn blind eye⁠ to Shirones heart?​‍

To⁠​ be honest, Shirone‍‌ Shirone is not‌ actually my child.⁠‍

Honey!​

Eyes‍‍ widened after Vincents‌⁠ remark, but out‌‌‌ of everyone, Shirone​‍‌ was the most​‍ shocked.

It‍​ wasnt because it⁠⁠‌ was kept a secret, in fact,‌ everyone in the‍ room had thought‌‍​ about it at‌​‌ least once.

Shirone‌‍⁠ looked completely different​​ from his parents.⁠‌ Both in appearance‍‍ and physique.

However,‌ despite not being‌​​ blood-related, for the‍‌‌ sake of his‌ son, Vincent was‌⁠ ready to give‌⁠ up everything.

We​‍‍ cannot have children.‍ Shirone is a child that was​‍‍ given to us‍ by coincidence. Im​ sure hes a child of nobility,‌‌ as you would‍ have assumed living⁠​‍ with him. I am not worthy‌⁠‌ of him. On‍​​ the contrary, if‌⁠ he becomes an​‌‍ adopted son of​‍​ a noble, its‍‌⁠ like returning him‍⁠‌ back to his​‌⁠ original position. He‍ wont be denying​ his roots.

Seeing‌‌ the reasoning behind‍ his words, the⁠‌‍ gathered people thought‌ over it.

But‌ breaking their thoughts,​⁠ Shirone shouted with‌⁠‍ a very hurt⁠‍‍ look.

Dad!⁠

Sh-Shirone.⁠

What​ are you doing?!​ How could you‍​‌ say that without‍‍ discussing it?! Youve​​ never said anything‍​‌ about that before!​⁠

Im​‍‍ sorry, Shirone. But⁠ since youre now‌ grown up, to​⁠ some extent

Do‍​​ you know why⁠​ I didnt ask?​⁠ Because everyone only⁠​ gets one father‍‌‍ and one mother.‌ How many parents​​‍ are you going‍‌ to make for‌‍‌ me? Its to‍ the point where⁠​ Im about to‌⁠ have six parents‌‌ because of you,⁠⁠​ father.

Vincent‌ was stunned.

Two‌ of the adoptive⁠ parents, two of​​‌ themselves, and two‍ of those who​​ abandoned Shirone. A total of six.⁠⁠‌ If he was‌ to think that‌ way, what he⁠ was about to​ do to his⁠​ child was ridiculous.‍

Im⁠ just sad that⁠ you are giving‍​ up your dream​ because of me​

Who‍ said Im giving​‍‍ up on my⁠⁠​ dream? If I continue to work‌‌ hard, another opportunity‍ will surely arise!​ Do you know​ how it feels​ to be abandoned​‍ twice?!

As⁠ soon as he‌‌‌ saw his sons⁠‍​ eyes fill with‌⁠‍ tears, Vincent realized​‌ his mistake.

Shirone,‌‌ Im sorry! What​ in the world‍‌‍ did I do?​ I wont ever‌‌⁠ leave you under⁠ the care of⁠‍‌ someone else. I will do everything‍ to make your‍ dream come true!‌

Dad!‍​‍

As‍‌​ Vincent pulled him‍ in for a firm hug, Shirone⁠⁠ wiped away his‌ tears and jumped​ into his fathers‌ arms.

How‍‌⁠ upset he must⁠⁠‌ have been, a thoughtful child who‍‍ didnt even express​‍‌ his own emotions,‍ in fear he‍ would hurt someone.‍​‍

While‌ the Ogent family​‌‌ watched with pleased‌​‍ faces, it was⁠​‍ Bischoff who was‌⁠ particularly swayed by⁠‌ the scene.

He​ was a father‌‌⁠ who had to‌ raise four sons‍​​ and a daughter⁠‍ alone as his‌⁠ wife left without​‍​ him.

Bischoff⁠ quietly told Klumph.‌‌

I have no choice‌‍ but to ask‍ you to use​​‍ a bit of​​ your strength.

Youre​‍‍ asking for all​ sorts of things​⁠ from this old⁠⁠⁠ man. How would‍‌ I use my​ strength? Even the‍​‌ scholars, who are‌‌ quick-witted, are all⁠‌ tongue-tied under Alpheas‌ obstinacy.

Even​‌ though Klumph was‌​‍ whining about it,‍ his expression wasnt‍ particularly dark.

Then⁠ Ill have to⁠​ give an order​‍‌ as the family‍ head. How about⁠‌ going through with‍‌ a special admission?‍ Ive heard there‍ is an old⁠‍⁠ debt

Hmph!‌ Alpheas? That guy?​⁠ You think he‌‍⁠ only owes me‌‍​ one? The problem⁠⁠‌ is, hes not‍ one to break‍‍ the rules.

So​‌ its not possible?‌​

Well,​ who knows? Arent​⁠⁠ reckless tactics best‍⁠ used against principled​ men?

Bischoff​⁠ smiled silently.

This‍ was because he⁠‍ remembered the circumstances‌​ in which he​ was forced to‌ take over the‌ family due to⁠⁠‌ such reckless tactics.‍

* * *

* * *

Shirone​‌‌ stayed in the‌‌ Ogent family until‍⁠ the day Rian​‌⁠ left for the‌​⁠ Swordsmanship Academy.

Shirone,‌​⁠ as well, did​‍ not know if​⁠ his special admission⁠⁠‌ would pass. But‍ even if he‌ were to pass,‌‌ he would enter‍‌⁠ the school early‍‌​ next year, so‍​ he still had‌​ six months to​​​ spend with his​​‍ parents.

A few days later,​​​ an antique-like carriage‌​‌ was stationed near⁠ the main gate,‍​ waiting to depart.‍⁠

It‍​​ was a carriage‍‍​ that would take⁠⁠⁠ the family to​‍‍ the royal castle.⁠​

Rai‌ was already on‍ board, and Klumph‌ decided to meet‍​​ with Alpheas first⁠​‍ and join them‍‍ later.

Rian,⁠⁠ who did not‍ want to say​⁠‌ goodbye, could not‌​ hold back his⁠​‌ tears.

Whether⁠‍⁠ it was a magic academy or‍⁠ a swordsmanship academy,‌​ the period of‌⁠ graduating from one⁠ was not specifically⁠‌​ set.

If​⁠⁠ one failed the‍ graduation exam, getting​⁠ stuck in an‍⁠‍ academy for years‍‌‌ was not an​​ impossibility. So if‌‌‍ they were to​​ split now, there‍‌ was no set⁠ date as to‍​‍ when they could‌​ meet again.

Rian⁠ grabbed Shirones shoulder.⁠‌

Shirone,⁠ you must become‌ a mage! Ill‍ write you letters!‍‍⁠

Okay,‌⁠⁠ its not like‌‌⁠ were never seeing‌‍ each other again,‍‍ and we can⁠ also come back⁠‍ from time to⁠ time. Stop crying.‍

Im‍​ certain you can‌ graduate! I guarantee⁠ it!

Reina‌​ socked him in‌​‍ the head.

For⁠ crying out loud!‌‍⁠ Worry about yourself!⁠ Youre the one‌⁠⁠ we are all‌ worried about the‍ most!

Hey!​ Im going to‍ work hard, too,⁠ you know! Ill‌⁠‌ become the best⁠‍ knight and become​​​ Shirones sword.

Shirone​‍ believed his words​​​ and had no​‌⁠ doubts. He was‌​ sure Rian would‍ do well.

Although⁠​ he was no⁠​‍ genius like Rai,​‌ he possessed things⁠ that Rai did‌ not.

Reina⁠⁠​ turned to Shirone⁠​⁠ and smiled.

Shirone,​‌⁠ you dont have‌⁠⁠ to worry, have​‍​ fun with your‍‍ family for the‍⁠​ time being. Im‌‌ sure my grandfather⁠ will get you⁠‌ enrolled in the‌‍ academy. Hes someone​‌ who keeps his​‍ word.

Yes.‌⁠‍ And Thank you​ for your help.⁠​⁠

Shirone⁠‍⁠ spoke with sincerity‌⁠‌

Even‌​⁠ if he was​ friends with Rian,⁠ things wouldnt have⁠ worked out this‌ well without Reinas⁠ support.

Reina‍​ stared at Shirone.​‍⁠

He⁠​ really is a unique child!

At​‌ first, she only‍⁠ thought of him​ as a boy‌‌ four years younger‍​ than her, but‍‌ she changed her⁠​ mind after the⁠‌ incident.

He‍‌ may not have‌⁠ grown up physically‌​ yet, but his‌​​ mind was already‍​‌ something to marvel‍ at.

And⁠‌ above all, the‍‌⁠ fact that Shirone​ was interested in⁠ her was very‍ important.

Shirone,⁠‍ do you

Just‍‍⁠ as Reina was‌‍⁠ about to say​ something, she stopped‍‍ and started laughing⁠‍‌ as she realized⁠ just how absurd‌‌ the idea was.⁠

Just‌​ 16-years-old His future’s​​ so bright.

If​ Shirone gets into⁠⁠ the magic academy,​ he will meet​‌‌ so many talented‌ people. And his‍​ eyes his eyes​‍ will surely change​‍‌

No,‌​ its nothing. Lets‌⁠ work hard, both​‌ of us. I also think you‌​ can become a mage.

Yes,​​ please take good‌​​ care of Rian.⁠‌

Haha,‌‌ dont worry. Since⁠⁠ hes made his‌⁠‍ oath, he will​‍‌ do his best.⁠ I dont need‌ to nag him.⁠⁠‌

Reina⁠‌‌ looked back at⁠⁠ Shirone one more‍​⁠ time. She waved,​ and got into‌ the carriage.

As​ soon as the⁠​ four horses stomped‍ out, Rian opened‌​ the window and⁠‍ stuck his head‌‌ out.

Shirone!⁠‌‌ You are the‍ best! When you‌⁠⁠ get into the‌ magic academy, crush⁠‌ them all!

Shirone⁠‌ waved his hand‍ big.

You​ too! Be sure​ to graduate!

Thus,​‌‌ his life as‌​ a worker for​‍‌ the Ogents ended.‍

Hooo.‍

When‍ he finally grasped‍⁠‍ that it was​ over, his heart​‌⁠ felt a little‍‌ heavy.

The‍‍‍ Broad Way of​​ the Ogent family,​ which intimidated him‍​ when he first​​‍ arrived, now felt⁠ like something that⁠​‍ wished him good‍ luck.

Young‌​ master, let’s go.⁠‍ Ill escort you​⁠ home.

Seeing‌‌​ the carriage waiting,​‍‌ Shirone finally realized‌

He​ was really going‍‍ home.

Shirone‌​​ bowed his head​ towards the Ogent‍‌ familys mansion.

Thank⁠‍‌ you.

* * *

Alpheas‌ Magic Academy, Noon.⁠

Despite​​ the fact it​‍​ was class time,⁠​ there were two​​ old men who​​ sat opposite each‌​ other, both drinking⁠‌‌ tea in the‍​ headmasters office.

A large, blue-haired man‍ and another who⁠⁠ wore a gentle‌⁠ smile while looking⁠‍ out the window.‌

Alpheas‍​​ Myrhe and Klumph⁠‍ Ogent. Both have⁠‍‍ been friends for​‍‍ over 50 years⁠‌

The‌⁠ conversation between the‍‌ two had stopped⁠‌‌ over half an​​‌ hour ago.

To​⁠ be more specific,‍ it was Klumph‌‍ who was waiting⁠⁠ for Alpheas answer.‌

He‍‌​ didnt care how‌ long it took.‍

It​​‍ was Alpheas turn‌​‌ to answer, so‍ Klumph was just‍‌ waiting.

Even‍‍‍ if its from​‍⁠ you, I cant⁠⁠⁠ do you any‌​ favors of that​‍ kind.

Considering‌⁠‌ how long it⁠​ took for such‌‌ a short answer,​ most wouldve been‌‍ frustrated by it,​‌ but Klumph just‌​ grinned.

He‍​ dragged on, as‌‌‍ if making a difficult decision, but‌⁠​ in truth, he‌‌ must have done‌⁠ that for show‌⁠

Because‍ the Alpheas he​ knew was mischievous‌‌ like that.

Even‍‌ if its from​‌‌ you? Do you‌⁠ know how much‌‌ I suffered because⁠‍‍ of you when⁠⁠ we were young?​​‌

KAHAHA!‍⁠ For such flattery‌​⁠ to leave your‌⁠​ mouth, you must‍​⁠ be in quite‍ a hurry. But‍ you have to​‌ know, the special‌‍​ admission was not‍‍ made just to⁠​​ become a free⁠​ pass for nobles.⁠ Countless requests are‌‍ made every year,‌ but most do‌‌ not meet the⁠ heavy criteria.

Keukeuh,​ how funny. A free pass for⁠⁠ nobles But this​⁠ is different.

Alpheas⁠ became slightly uneasy.​⁠‌

The‌⁠‌ tactless and stubborn⁠ Klumphs eyes were​​ full of mischief,‌​‍ warning Alpheas that⁠ whatever he was‍‍ thinking of was​‌ not ordinary.

…What​‍ is it?

Im‌ not asking you‌‌⁠ to accept some‍​​ scoundrel. Its actually‌‌‌ the opposite. He⁠⁠ is a friend​ of my youngest​‌ grandson, and hes⁠ very talented. I see the young‍​‍ you in him.​‌‍

Recalling‌‌‍ his past, Alpheas‌⁠ eyes dimmed, as‌ he realized that​‌‌ time truly did​ pass quickly.

Hmm,‌ your youngest grandson‌⁠⁠ You mean that​‌ immature and reckless‍‌‍ Rian? Hes very‍ much like you.‌‌

Kekeke!⁠⁠‌ I threw him⁠ into a swordsmanship⁠ academy because hes‍‌‍ not talented enough.‌ Anyways, Im not‌‌ here to talk‍ about Rian. Im‍​‍ here to talk​‌‌ about Rians friend.‌​

If‍‌‌ hes that talented,⁠⁠ why not just‌​‌ enroll him in‌‍⁠ the academy normally?‌‌‌ But since youre‍ here, I imagine‍‍‍ theres a reason​⁠ why you cant‌‌‌ just do that.⁠‍⁠

Indeed,‍ there is a problem. A big⁠ one. Hes not⁠ a noble.

Alpheas⁠‌ eyebrows narrowed slightly.‍⁠ A short, but​‌‍ intense memory from⁠⁠‍ four years ago‍‍ flashed through his‍ mind.

No‌​⁠ way Is he‌‌ perhaps a blonde,‌ blue-eyed boy?

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