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Infinite Mage Chapter 23: The Cold Boy and the Fiery Girl (1)

Chapter 23: The Cold Boy and the Fiery Girl (1)

Amys​⁠ head was spinning.​ She was sure‌ he was lying.​⁠

Theres​ no way a commoner could enter​ as a guest​​ of a noble​ family.

That⁠​⁠ was the conclusion⁠​ she had reached‌​ because she did‌​ not know about​‍‌ Rians knights oath.⁠

You⁠‌ didnt tell anyone‌⁠‌ that you know⁠‍​ me, did you?⁠​‌

I didnt. Its not⁠⁠ even a pleasant‌‍​ memory, anyways.

Hearing⁠⁠ Shirone say that,​‍‍ she knew he​‌‌ was going to⁠⁠⁠ stay a huge⁠​​ ticking time bomb.⁠​‍ The thought of​ going to the⁠ same academy with⁠‍⁠ such a bomb​ did not sit‍‍ well with her.‌

Amy‌​ came up with​‍‍ an idea. She​ raised her head‍ arrogantly and said.​⁠

You​ are from Class‌‌⁠ 7, right? Im‌ from Class 4.​​

I know.

You⁠‍ will be my​‌⁠ underling from today‌​‍ onwards.

What?​ An underling?

I know your weakness.‍‍‍ Youd probably get⁠⁠‍ kicked out of‍‌ the academy if‌‍​ I expose it.‌⁠‍ So be my​ underling from now⁠ on. You have‌ to listen to‌​‍ everything I say.‌

Shirone​ made a confused​ face after hearing⁠⁠ her threat.

Why‍‌ should I? Whether‌‌ you hold my‌‌ weakness or not,‍ youre still my​ upperclassman. So if​ you were to⁠‌ tell me to‍ do something, shouldn’t​​‍ I obey?

How‌‌ naive. Do you‌‌ think Ill make‌⁠‌ it that easy?⁠ I’m gonna make‌ sure to make⁠ you cry, so‍​‍ look forward to‍ it.

In‌‌ Amys head, even‌⁠‍ if she failed‍‌​ to get him​⁠ kicked out, she‍⁠ could at least⁠ make sure Shirone⁠ followed her. If‍‍​ she locked him⁠‌ in sight and​ prodded at his⁠ self-esteem, she would⁠‌​ be able to‍ find out his⁠⁠‌ hidden intentions.

What‍‌ are you going​ to make me​‍ do?

After‌⁠​ class, come running‍⁠​ with bread and⁠ coffee, kay? If‍ you spill even‍‍⁠ a drop, Ill‌ make you go⁠‌⁠ back to base‍ one.

Although‌‍‍ Shirone was someone​‌ with a good‌ personality, this time⁠​ he was angry.​ Bread? Did she‌​ think he came⁠‌ to this academy‌ just to deliver‍⁠‌ some bread?

Hohoho!‍​‌ Alright, starting from‍‍ tomorrow, wait for‌​ me in front⁠ of the First⁠ Library. Ill end‌‍ it quickly if⁠‌​ you do whatever⁠‌ I tell you⁠​⁠ to do competently.‌​

Shirone​ was so disconcerted.‍ Was she really⁠ the Amy who​​ was called the​‍ goddess of Alpheas?‍

Oh⁠ right. And

Turning‌⁠⁠ around, Amy looked⁠​ back at Shirone.⁠‌⁠ The air around​‍ her began to‍ spin as her​ hand pierced up.‌ At the same⁠‌ time, Shirones body⁠⁠⁠ rose into the​​ sky.

Heuk!‍‌

Tornado‌​‍ magic controlled atmospheric​‌ pressure to create⁠‌⁠ wind. It was​‌‍ a spell that​⁠‌ Shirone managed to‍​​ barely cast as⁠‍ a child, but⁠‍ for the current‍​ Amy, casting it⁠⁠​ was childs play.​⁠‍

Shirone‍‌⁠ floundered in the‍‌⁠ air. Perhaps because⁠⁠⁠ he was facing⁠⁠ a crisis, the‌​ ground looked much​​ clearer. Even the⁠​‌ fallen leaves scattered‌‍ on the ground​⁠⁠ were vivid.

Even​ that smirking face⁠‌ of Amy.

Ill‍‌‌ die if I fall.

As‌‍‌ soon as that⁠ thought passed his⁠​‌ mind, Amy jumped‌‍‌ up and grabbed⁠‌ the back of‌ his collar. As​​ his collar started‌​ to tighten around‌​⁠ his neck, he‌​⁠ could not breathe.‌⁠ When he came⁠‍​ back to his⁠ senses, he was⁠‍​ lying somewhere on⁠‍ the ground.

Cough!​‌​ Cough!

Following​‌​ that magic, she​‌​ demonstrated the power⁠​​ of Schema, and‍ she dusted off‍ her hand, seemingly‍‍‌ satisfied. Amy stopped‌‍ her Schema training‌ after the age​‌ of 12, but‍ nevertheless, her movement‍‍​ was beyond normal⁠⁠ human ability.

Consider‌‌ that payback. See‍⁠‌ you tomorrow. Hohoho!​‍

Amy‍​⁠ laughed cheerfully and⁠ walked away. Shirone⁠ was furious, he‌‍ had never met‌‌ such a hateful⁠⁠ girl before.

In‍‍ his mind, she​​ was still the‌⁠ thug from many⁠ years ago. Shirone,‌‌ who tried to‍⁠ diminish his anger,‌ lowered his head‌‌ and exited the‍⁠ forest. The thought​​‍ of meeting her‍‌​ from tomorrow onward⁠​​ made him plunge​‍​ into despair.

* * *

The⁠ five oclock bell‍​ rang for the‌ last period.

The‌‌‌ basic physics class⁠ was over. Shirone,​ who packed his⁠ bag and left⁠‌ the classroom, sighed‍⁠ deeply. He had​ been running around‍‌⁠ as Amys bread⁠⁠​ shuttle for the​‌ past 10 days.​

He​ bought bread and‍‍ coffee from the‍​ school shop. It‌ was a price‌⁠ that could not​‌‌ compare to the‍⁠ donations provided by⁠​‌ the Ogent family,⁠⁠​ but the problem⁠‍ didnt lie within‍‍⁠ the money, but⁠‍ with his feelings.‌⁠‍ And that was‍ what Amy was‍‍‌ aiming for.

Why‌‍‍ is she doing​‌ this to me?⁠​‍ She was the⁠​ first to make‍‌​ a mistake.

Trying‍‍ not to spill‌ the coffee required‌‌ a lot of‍‍​ concentration. Yeah, lets‍​ just think this‌ is some kind‍​ of training. He⁠‍​ tried to adjust⁠​ his walk so⁠​ that the coffee​ did not shake.⁠‍⁠

As⁠ if! How long​​ do I have‍⁠‌ to endure this!⁠‌

Shirone‍ himself thought he⁠ was in a miserable state.

Oh⁠ my! There he⁠​‌ goes, the pure​ and innocent boy.‌

He‌⁠ must be heading‌‌ to her to⁠‌ confess again. Im‌⁠⁠ telling you, he‍‌⁠ has some kind​ of illness.

The​ schoolgirls whispered amongst⁠ each other, pointing‍‍⁠ to Shirone who⁠⁠‍ was passing by.​⁠‍ This was his​ biggest problem.

Already,​​ a rumor had​‍⁠ spread around the‌​ academy that Shirone‌ had a one-sided​ crush on Amy.⁠⁠ And the more‍⁠ that kind of‌‍ rumor spread, the⁠‍ colder the students⁠​‍ treated Shirone.

Shirones‌ fantasy about women‌ was completely shattered‌⁠‍ by Amys tenacity​‍‌ in resolving her‌‌ resentment 6 years⁠ ago.

Hey!‍‌ Over there, your‍​‌ prince.

What‍‍ do you mean‌⁠ prince? Hes just‍ a servant.

Amy‍ and Sharelle were⁠‌‌ waiting for Shirone​ together in front‍ of the library.‌⁠‌ The area around‌‍‍ them was crowded​ with students who⁠⁠ were curious to‌ see the extraordinary‌ sight.

As‍⁠ Shirone walked up⁠‌ the stairs, the‌‌ schoolgirls who were⁠​ watching laughed and⁠​ clapped. Shirones face⁠ flushed like a red beet.

Sharelle​ smiled pitifully and‍ said.

But​‌ I kind of‌‍​ feel sorry for⁠ him. Hes going‌ this far, why‍‍‍ not just accept⁠ him?

What?‍‍ What nonsense are‌​ you spouting? Why‍‍ would I accept‌⁠ him?

Oh‌​‍ stop pretending to​‌ be shy. For⁠‍ someone who doesnt​​‌ glimpse at a guy, you sure⁠⁠​ do take all‌‍‍ the bread and​‍ coffee from Shirone.‌‍‌ There are even​​​ rumors about the‍⁠ goddess of Alpheas‌‍​ finally getting a partner.

It⁠ was ridiculous. This⁠‌‌ was a strategy‍ to provoke Shirone,‍‍⁠ but it seemed​ like things were‍ flowing unexpectedly.

Actually,⁠ she was only​ thinking of keeping​‍ it going for⁠ a week. But‍‌⁠ somehow, Shirone never‍ expressed any displeasure‌‍ and had regularly​​⁠ brought her the⁠‍​ food.

Urk!‌​ At this point,​ Ill end up‍‌ associated with a really strange rumor.​⁠‍ I should stop​‌ now.

When‍ Shirone handed Amy‍‍‌ the bread and​‍⁠ coffee, people cheered.​‍ They were deeply‍‌ moved by him,⁠‌​ who spent much​‍‌ effort not to⁠ spill a drop⁠‍ of coffee for‍‌⁠ the woman he​⁠‌ loved.

Heres⁠ your coffee.

Gosh!‍ So annoying!

Amy‌ raised her hand.‌‌‌ The best way⁠ to reverse this​‌ ridiculous misunderstanding was⁠ through embarrassment.

She‌​ was going to⁠‌ hit his arm​⁠ and spill the⁠⁠ coffee. Then Shirone‍‌⁠ would be just‌⁠‌ like the other‌ countless boys who​ had been dumped​⁠​ by her so⁠ far, and the‍ strange rumor would​ subside.

Who‌ told you to⁠‌ bring something like‌⁠ this?

As‌​⁠ Amy swung her‌‍​ hand, the students‌ eyes grew bigger.‍‌⁠ However, the expected⁠​‍ tragedy did not​‌‌ occur.

Amys‌⁠‍ hand trembled as‌ she glared daggers⁠‍​ at the coffee.‌

At​ least act like‍⁠‍ you dislike it.‍‌‌ Are you stupid?⁠ A fool? Do⁠ you have no‌⁠ guts or what?‌​

Unexpected​ guilty conscience. But‍⁠ that was Shirones‍​ strength.

His⁠ mindset went something‌​⁠ like this.

Isnt⁠‍ it better to‌ think positively about‌⁠⁠ the things I have to do?​

And‍‌⁠ that attitude made⁠ Amy feel guilty.‍​

Um⁠​⁠ Excuse me, heres​⁠​ your coffee.

She⁠ knew because Amy‍‍ herself was someone⁠​ who studied harder⁠⁠⁠ than anyone else.‍

Thinking‍​​ back on it,⁠ she felt quite​⁠ sorry. Nevertheless, she⁠​‌ didnt avoid men​ because she was​ afraid of attention,‌ it was simply⁠​​ annoying. The arrogant‍ kids with no‌ talent who called‍ themselves nobles did⁠‌‌ not really suit​ her tastes.

Whatever.​‍ Let them think⁠⁠ whatever they want.​ As long as⁠ the rumor isnt‌‍⁠ about me.

Amy‍‍ accepted the bread‌‍‍ and coffee. And‍ as if they‍ were watching a show, applause broke‍⁠‍ out from all⁠‌‌ sides.

I dont need this⁠ from now on,‌⁠‌ so dont buy⁠‍ it! Okay?

Yes?‌‍​ Oh, okay.

So‍⁠ now, did her‍‌⁠ anger disappear with​‍​ just this? Thinking⁠‍ he would never⁠‍ have to see​ her again, Shirone‌ let out a deep sigh of⁠‌ relief.

However,⁠ as a result,⁠​⁠ Amys remark aroused⁠​ more misunderstanding by⁠‌⁠ the students.

She‌‍ accepted it! Amy⁠⁠ accepted Shirones feelings!‌‍

She‍ said she doesnt​‍‍ need coffee. Doesnt‍‍ that mean he‍‍ can just come‍​ without buying anything?​⁠‍

* * *

* * *

Amy‍‌ went into the​⁠ library as if‍⁠ to show that⁠‌ she had no‌ intention to answer.‍​‌ Sharelle followed behind‍‌⁠ quickly. She couldnt⁠⁠⁠ hide her excitement.‌‍

Hey!‌ What are you​ thinking of doing?⁠‌ If its actually​ true, thats great⁠ and all, but‍‌‍ is that really‍‍ what you were⁠⁠‌ trying to say?⁠‌

I dont know! Just‍⁠‌ let them think⁠‍ however they like.‍​ Do they have‍ nothing better to⁠ do? Whatever, I dont have to‍ worry about it‍ after I enter‌ the Advanced Class.​‍ Let them enjoy‍⁠​ their childish jokes⁠ among themselves. It‌​ wont matter to‍⁠​ me soon enough.​‍

Shirone‌⁠‌ was so happy‌⁠‍ he felt lighter‌‌ as he came​‍‍ down the library⁠⁠‌ stairs. The ten‌⁠ days of torture‌​ were over. Honestly,‍‌ he didnt think⁠⁠ things would end‍ so soon. Starting​‍‌ tomorrow, he could​ go straight to⁠​ the library without⁠⁠ wasting time.

Yay!⁠ I can read‌ one more book!‌

Shirone⁠‍⁠ captured Amys heart.​‍ Such deluded schoolboys‍‌‍ were looking at​​ Shirone enviously as‌​ he hopped away​‍​ in happiness.

11​​ P.M.

Amy​⁠ closed the book​‍ and sighed.

She‍‍ never thought studying‌ was fun, but​‌‌ she liked it⁠‍ as much as‌ she liked the‌ library. Rather than‍ hanging out with⁠‍​ those who gossip⁠‌ about other peoples​‌‍ love affairs, or​ those who thought‍ themselves more important​ than others, the‌ library was a much better place.​⁠‍

Even⁠⁠​ though it neared‍⁠ midnight, the library⁠ was still packed​​ with students. They‍‍ didnt care who‍‌‍ dated who. They‌⁠‌ were racehorses running⁠ madly to achieve‍‌ their dreams.

Through⁠​⁠ observing them, one⁠ would realize that⁠‍‍ indulging in miscellaneous‌ thoughts was nothing‍‍‌ but a waste‌‌‍ of time.

But​‌ despite the fact‍⁠ Amy was not‍⁠​ as much of‍‍⁠ a bookworm as​‌⁠ them, she still⁠​‌ ranked 1st in⁠‍‌ Class 4 and⁠‍ never even considered‌ the possibility of‌⁠‌ being overthrown.

Sharelle,​​ who was sitting‌ next to her,‍​‌ turned her head.⁠⁠

Huh?​ Why did you⁠‍ close the book?‌‌ Are you leaving‍‍‍ already?

Yeah.​ I have a lot on my​​​ mind today. Ill⁠‍ just have a good night’s rest​⁠‍ and get up​ about an hour‍​​ early tomorrow.

Really?‍⁠​ Then lets go‍ together.

No.‍‍‌ You dont have⁠ to leave early​‌‌ because of me.​​‍ Ill see you‍ tomorrow.

Okay,​ then. See you.‍‍⁠ Make sure to⁠​‍ get up early⁠‌‌ tomorrow.

Amy​⁠​ smiled and packed⁠‍‌ her bag. During‌‍ her 6 years‌​‌ in the academy,⁠​ Sharelle Portrisse was⁠​⁠ her one and‍⁠ only friend. She‌​​ was a chatterbox‍⁠ no different than​ any other kid​⁠ her age, but‍‍‍ she did her⁠​ job as a student better than⁠⁠‍ most. Her ranking‌‌⁠ in Class 4 was 6th from​​‍ the top, so‌ being placed in​ the Advanced class‌⁠‍ would not pose⁠ a problem.

Amy‍​⁠ liked Sharelle, who‍ was a respectful⁠⁠ competitor who could⁠ enjoy and share​ a mature rivalry.‌

After‍​‍ encouraging her friend​ for a bit,‍ Amy left the⁠​ reading room.

Everyone​‌‍ except those on‌⁠⁠ night duty got⁠ off work, so⁠ the hallway was‍​ quiet. Students came​⁠⁠ to the academy‍​‌ to achieve their‍ dreams, but employees​⁠⁠ were just here​ for the job⁠‍‌ and to make⁠ money.

Amy⁠⁠ descended down the⁠‌ stairs, stretching out⁠⁠ her days fatigue.⁠‍​ But suddenly, she⁠‌‌ saw someone standing​⁠ in the dark​‍ stairway.

Pale⁠ face with large​ dark circles. Black‍ hair covering the‌​⁠ cheeks. Amys face⁠‌⁠ wrinkled once when​ she identified who⁠‍ the person was.‍⁠⁠

It⁠⁠​ was Jake Ardius.⁠​

He​ was 2nd-class nobility,‌‌‍ and the family‍⁠​ head was the‌⁠ financial executor of‍ the royal castle.‍⁠‌ It was known⁠‌ that the power‌ his family held‍‍‍ was no less⁠​ than that of⁠‍‌ a 1st-class noble‍​‌ family. Perhaps it⁠ was because of⁠ the family heads‍⁠​ job.

Jake⁠ was arrogant and‌​ had a rough‌​‌ personality. But the​ main reason why‍‌​ Amy didnt like⁠⁠ him was because⁠⁠‌ he was a student who had‍ little to no‌ talent. He never⁠​‌ even put in‌⁠ any effort to​ try and compensate‌‌ for it.

Although​⁠ he was taking‍ the same class⁠‌ as her, Jake‌ had a long‌ way to go‌‍⁠ before he could‍ be placed in⁠ the Advanced class.​‍ Furthermore, there had​‌‌ been rumors that‌‌⁠ he was the‌ president of a research group called⁠‍‌ Black Magician.

In‌⁠ Amys opinion, Black‍⁠ Magician was a group that researched⁠ how to bully‍ students who were‌ better than them.‌⁠

Since​ they were not‍​ a research group​⁠⁠ approved by the⁠ school, they were⁠​⁠ not financially supported.‌​ Essentially, it was⁠⁠​ a dark circle‍‌ in which kids‌⁠‍ who had an‍​⁠ inferiority complex harassed⁠‌‌ students.

Of‍ course, they did‍‍ not openly pick‌‍ a fight or‍ extort money. Since⁠ most were children‍‍‍ of high-class nobles,‌‌⁠ if they were⁠‌‍ to act like‍‍ snotty, back alley‌‍ kids, they would​‌‍ be immediately expelled.‌

Nevertheless,‌⁠⁠ it was clear​‍‍ that some students‌‍‍ in the group⁠‌ were active, seeing‍‌‌ that rumors of‍ students being attacked‌ by Black Magician‍ still existed.

Amy,⁠ you finished early‍​‌ today. I was⁠​‍ going to wait‌⁠‌ until midnight.

Why‍ were you waiting⁠ for me? Dont⁠ you have anything‌‌⁠ better to do?​

Dont⁠⁠‌ be like that.⁠⁠‍ I heard a rumor about you.​‌ You accepted a lowerclassman way below​‌‌ your level Shirone‌ was his name,⁠⁠⁠ right?

Amy​‌ sighed, rubbing her‌‌ forehead.

Is‌​ he sane? Out‌ of all the‍‌ places, he came​​ to talk about​⁠ such a pathetic⁠‍⁠ thing in front‌​ of a library?​‍

Jake⁠‌ put forward his‌‌⁠ coffee with an⁠⁠ overly cheesy smile.‍‍ Amy could tell​ just by the⁠‌ smell. It was‍ the civet coffee⁠ that was popular‍ among the nobles.‍

I even warmed it‍⁠ up. The Amy‌ I know deserves​‌ this much. I cant dirty your⁠ mouth with substandard‌⁠ coffee, right?

Amy‍ looked at the‌‌‍ coffee and raised​‌ her head in‍‌​ absurdity.

What‍ are you doing?​

As⁠ you can see,⁠‍⁠ Im courting you.‍‌ You already know⁠ of my familys‌⁠ power, and Ill‍‌ be the next⁠ in charge of‌‌ the finances of‍​ the royal family​ after my father.⁠ Am I not​‍ the perfect man‍ for you?

Sorry,‍⁠‌ but I dont‌‌ have private chats‌ in the library.‍⁠‍ So youre wrong​ to court me⁠‍ in such a place and time.‍‌ Oh, but you​ forgot the most‌⁠‌ important thing The‌ fact that I hate you. Something​ like this better​ not happen again.‌⁠

Amy⁠​⁠ stepped aside and‌⁠ walked down the‌​ stairs. However, Jake⁠​ placed his hand‌⁠ against the wall​​ and blocked her⁠ way.

What‍⁠ the hell are‍⁠​ you doing?

I guess Ive been‌ too soft. I also have to​ consider my family’s‌⁠‌ reputation, so you⁠‌​ coming out like‌⁠⁠ this puts me⁠​⁠ in a very‍‌‍ difficult position. Isnt​⁠ it the same⁠ for you? Arent​‍‍ you studying that​‌ much harder so‍ as not to‍⁠ disgrace the Karmis⁠‍‌ family? Look, were‍ concerned about the‍‌‍ same thing.

Amy⁠‍ snorted. No matter⁠ how prosperous the⁠​⁠ Ardius family was,‌ the Karmis family⁠ was not one​ to be pushed‍​ around by small‍ fry either. Most⁠ of all, she​‌​ did not like‌ Jakes way of​ talking.

Says⁠ the cheapskate that‌​ only counts money.‌⁠

What?‍‍⁠

To‌⁠ live while doing‌​‌ the things you⁠​​ want to do,‍​⁠ thats what my‌‍‌ family always says.‌ We are qualitatively‍‌ different from people‌‌‍ like you, who⁠‌‍ simply take great⁠​ pride in counting⁠⁠​ money while acting‍‍ as if its​​‌ a big deal.‌‌‌

His​ veins popped. A normal 1st-class noble⁠‌‌ would never insult​‌⁠ him like this.⁠​

His​⁠‍ father was a royal financial executor.‍‌ The whole world‍‌‍ begins and ends⁠‌⁠ with money. It⁠ was Amy who​​ was being immature.​⁠

You‍​ think the Karmis‍‌ family is that⁠‍‌ prestigious? Think about​ it. Youre only​​‍ 1st-class in name‌​​ only. How many‌⁠‍ people actually hold‍ strong authority among‌ those on active⁠​ duty? My family‍ can run circles​‌ around yours in​‍‌ terms of money.‌‍⁠ What do you​‌‍ think? Should we​​‍ test it out‍​ if you dont‍​ believe me?

Amy‌‍⁠ felt Jakes unpleasant⁠ energy and shuddered.‌ He was the​‍ kind of man⁠​ who would torment⁠​‍ others forever if​‍‌ it was for⁠‌ his own sake.‍ She finally realized‌ why she was‍​ so uneasy and​‌⁠ disturbed throughout the​ day. She let‌ out a breath.‍​

Thanks⁠‍ to you I understand. I understand⁠ why I accepted⁠‍ that coffee.

What?​​⁠

Youre⁠⁠ different from Shirone.⁠‍ Simply put, youre‍‍‍ a coward.

HAHA!⁠‌ Im more of​⁠​ a coward than​‍‌ that lousy bastard?‌​ Should we confirm‍ that right now⁠ and see if⁠⁠‍ its true or​‍‌ not?

You‌ must be dying⁠​ to do something,‍‍⁠ but if youre⁠ going to do​⁠‍ it, get on​‍ with it. Dont‌‍‌ waste my precious‍​‌ time just flapping‌ your lips. You‍‍‌ thought Id get‌ scared if you​​‍ tensed your eyes‌ a little and‌ acted all scary?‍ By you? A coward?

Amy⁠‍⁠ smacked away Jakes⁠ mug. Expensive coffee‍​ splashed all over‍⁠‍ the wall, while⁠​‌ the mug crashed‍⁠‌ down the stairs‍⁠ and shattered into​‌‌ pieces.

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