Chapter 24: The Cold Boy and the Fiery Girl (2)

Jake felt his blood start to boil. His hours of effort in waiting for Amy were slighted like this.

How dare a bitch like you! Keuk!

He closed his mouth shut and cowered in fear. Amy had already entered the Spirit Zone. Most likely in the Target Form of the Four Way Formation.

How dare a bitch like you? To a guy whos all bark and no bite, do I look that easy to you? If youre that angry, why not just come at me? Im willing to set you on fire right this instant.

Jake ground his teeth. He was mistaken to think she was a model student who only devoted herself to studying. She used to also be a vicious girl who jumped from back alley to back alley.

Its against the rules to use magic at this time.

Wouldnt you have used magic first? While warming up that civet cat or something.

You crazy! How is that the same as the Four Way Formation!

“Haha!”

Amy couldnt help but burst out laughing. At least he was only small fry. A small fry who gets scared once he finds out his opponent isnt easy. Most of the men she met were like that.

“Do you know why I accepted Shirone’s coffee? Because he seems to take responsibility for everything. Unlike you, who immediately resorts to using his family, he does everything he can before resorting to those methods. If you don’t disappear from my sight, right now, I will set you on fire. Ill burn you enough so that not even a trace of you will be left behind.

Jake was certain. Those were not empty promises. The red eyes of the Karmis family, which he had only heard through rumors Her large eyes were glowing red.

“If you kill me….

“I don’t care. I can take responsibility for what I do or do not do.

Jake clenched his teeth hard. He had never felt so humiliated before.

However, in front of the pressure of the red-eyed girl, the worlds #1 good-for-nothing boy named Jake, had no choice but to step back.

He was already overpowered by Amys Four Way Formation. In the hands of the first-placed student in Class 4, he knew she wasnt bluffing when she said she could burn him to nothingness.

“You will definitely pay for this, you haughty bitch!

Jake gritted his teeth and strode out of the library. It was only after he disappeared from view that her red eye lost its glow. Amy, who staggered for a moment, rubbed her eyes and muttered.

“So annoying. What a snob.

Instead of being able to go back to her room to rest, she had to instead waste her time arguing with a bastard. That fact was unbearably irritating to her because she knew that once enough time had passed, they would resort to the same underhanded tricks again.

She could not understand why all the guys clinging to her were all so equally despicable like that trash. She wondered if there was something wrong with her personality.

A short laugh escaped from Amy.

“Well, its true that theres something wrong with it.”

Amy suddenly felt sorry for Sirone.

* * *

Shirone, who had finally managed to escape Amy’s clutches, was happy. Studying became more enjoyable when he realized how precious that 1 hour Amy took away was.

He had to suffer from peoples attention thanks to the scandal with a girl from the academy who was known to have the highest standards, but no one cared as much in the library. Their eagerness to study was the driving force behind why the Alpheus Magic Academy was in the top 5.

Finished with todays classes, Shirone was on his way to the library while humming a tune. Then he saw a familiar face near the instructors lodging.

It was Amy’s friend, Sharelle Portrisse. Shirone turned to the sight of her wandering around restlessly as if she was in a hurry to the bathroom.

Although they were only at a stage where they would greet each other during the integrated class, he personally found her amiable. Unlike Amy, who growled whenever he was in sight, she would always give words of support. Though, he still hasn’t figured out what she was rooting for.

When Sharelle found Shirone walking towards her, her eyes widened. Then her face turned pale and she started running to him.

Hel

“Hey! What are you doing here right now?

Sharelle grabbed Shirone by the collar and shook him.

“Why are you here? If I knew about this, I wouldn’t have sent Amy away!”

Shirone tilted his head. She should know that he goes straight to the library after class.

“What’s going on? You have to tell me so I know.”

“Read this! Did nothing really happen to you?

Sharelle held out a crumpled paper. Shirone took it silently and unfolded it. It was a short warning message sent by a sender named Black Magician.

* * *

* * *

30 minutes ago.

A guy blocked Amy and Sharelles path as they were on their way to the library.

He was a Class 5 student who was held back for a long time and was currently over the age of 23. A year ago, they knew his name because he was in the same class, but they never had a conversation with him because he had a sly personality.

“Hello, I see that you’re still on the roll.”

Amy snorted along at the way he cunningly came up to her in a polite manner.

“Get out of my way. I’m busy. I have nothing to say to you.”

“Ah, you can’t be like that. I was once your classmate, but cant you give me some of your time?

“Am I the only classmate you have? There should be at least a few hundred other students who have gone through Class 5, so search for another.

Although they were respectful to him because of his age, they could not hold back their tongues. They did not like the guy. Being a Class 5 meant he was not completely talentless, but he was distracted by things. Why would she hold a conversation with a human dog who was complacent and touched female lowerclassmen?

“Haha! I see you still have that kind of attitude, Amy.”

Amy’s face darkened.

“What? What did you just say?”

She only treated him neutrally because of his age, but now he was trying to climb to the top of her head. However, just as Amy was about to burst, the guy calmly handed over a note.

“Boss wants to see you. You’d better do as you’re told if you don’t want us to torment your prince.”

Prince? What are you talking about?

Amy frowned and read the note.

We have Shirone. Come to the 14th training ground by 6 o’clock before we do something to him you wont like. If you let the teachers know, well make you regret it for the rest of your life, you decide.

Black Magician

She crumpled the note immediately.

“So what? Shirone has nothing to do with me. But let’s say he does have something to do with me, you think you can just start ordering me around?

“Hoho, well thats for you to decide. I’m just a messenger.

The guy, who successfully completed his mission, put on a nasty smile and walked away.

Amy, whose anger soared to her head, threw the note to the floor. Sharelle picked up the note, her hands trembled after reading the contents.

Black Magician, an unidentified circle among students.

“Amy, what do we do? They are really evil. People say the reason Tyra dropped out last month was because of them.”

“Tyra did?”

Tyra, a classmate of Class 4, was not at the level of Advanced Class, but she was a talented student who maintained at least a moderate grade to be in the Intermediate Class. So if they had actually threatened her, they must have come at her using cowardly tactics.

“I should go for now. It’s because of me that Shirone was caught anyway.”

“Lets just talk to the teachers. I’m worried about Shirone too, but it might also get dangerous for you.”

“Teachers? Hmm

Amy thought it over. Despite the bad blood between them, Shirone had a secret Which was that he wasnt exactly of nobility.

If this incident grows, rumors will spread throughout the academy, and Shirone’s school life may come to an end.

She was sure because she knew how the nobles felt towards anyone not of nobility.

“I’ll go first. If I don’t come back by 7 o’clock, then dont hesitate to report to the teachers.”

“What do you mean? We need to tell them right away

“Sorry. Theres a reason why Im doing this. I’ll tell you everything when I get back, okay?”

When the always-so-confident Amy asked in this way, Sharelle did not know what to do. It was her first time ever seeing Amy like this.

“Then lets go together. We dont know how many there will be.

“You should stay and get ready to call the teachers. Don’t worry. Maybe the leader is Jake. He can’t do anything to me with that thing he calls his talent.

Sharelle knew Amy’s brilliance better than anyone else. Although it was blocked by the barrier of the Advanced Class, the gap in the level between her and the rest of Class 4 was wide. Amy was a talented person who never lost her place as the lead.

“Okay, it’s exactly one hour. If you don’t come back by 7 o’clock sharp, I’m going to tell the teachers.”

“Okay, I trust you. And dont worry, I’ll come back safe and sound.”

* * *

Upon hearing the whole story from Sharelle, Shirone was bewildered. It was surprising enough that an unruly circle called the Black Magician existed, but to hear that Amy took the risk for him Thats what truly surprised him.

“You’re saying she went because of me, right? So why are you standing here, doing nothing?”

“I don’t know either! Amy told me to wait no matter what. Why the hell are you here?!”

Shirone could somewhat understand. This one-hour delay was only placed because she was confident that she could solve it herself. Also, another reason for her action was her consideration in hopes to keep his secret. It was an excellent decision to leave her friend, Sharelle, as a messenger.

“I have to go! Please do as Amy said.”

Shirone ran to the 14th training ground. There were 30 minutes left until 7 oclock, but the distance was a problem. The 14th training ground was located deep in the mountains because it was a place for actual, real-life combat.

At that moment, the landscape suddenly shook and buildings quickly began to be pushed back in an instant. When he turned his head, he saw Sharelle hugging his side.

” Youre running? How long do you think thats gonna take? Also, Im going with you.”

It was short-distance teleportation, a mages essential magic. It was prohibited to use it on campus because collisions between the teleporters could occur, but it was not the time to be thinking about that.

The students looked up as they heard the popping noises coming from the sound waves. Sharelle, who was holding Shirone, started teleporting away to the mountain, flashing at intervals of 10 meters each time.

Arriving at the entrance of the mountain, the two quickly climbed the mountain. Teleportation was extremely dangerous as one needed to be extremely precise because one could teleport into an object and die.

They arrived at the 14th training ground before 7 oclock. But Amy was not in sight. In fact, they couldn’t even feel any existences nearby.

“Amy! Amy! What happened?! Are you here?!

“Maybe they took her somewhere else. Im sure they took into account the possibility of someone reporting to the teachers since the location was exposed on the note. Or maybe we were fooled?”

“What now, what about Amy?

Realizing the meticulousness of Black Magician, Shirone was convinced. They were really going to cause a huge problem this time around.

“Go down the mountain now and tell the teachers. You can go much faster without me.”

“Amy told me to wait until 7 o’clock. She said there was a reason. What if Amy gets disappointed later?

“And that reason is because of me, so just go! Quick! It doesnt matter because I said Im fine!”

Sharelle had a blank expression. She remembered the desperate face Amy had when she read the letter.

“Really? Whats going on with the two of you? Are you guys really not dating behind my back?”

“Is this really the time? Things will get dangerous if we waste any more time!”

“Ah, right! Okay! Stay here and don’t go anywhere!”

Sharelle turned and went back the way they came. Anyway, there was no reason not to report to the teachers since telling them wouldnt harm Amy in any way.

Shirone went into the mountains to search for Amy. Unlike those of nobility, he spent half his life in the mountains, so the dense forest was rather familiar.

His Spirit Zone was expanded as much as possible to check for any traces of Amy. After about 10 minutes of climbing the mountain, the first footstep was finally discovered through synesthesia.

Theyre here!

But there were no further traces. Based on how the bushes were trampled, he guessed that they flew into the sky.

Since Shirone didnt know any magic, there was no way for him to find Amy. Worried and troubled, Shirone wandered around for a long time. Then at one point, a sound wave exploded in the sky. Shirone turned his head fast to the source of the sound.

Chapter 25: The Cold Boy and the Fiery Girl (3)
BOOOOOOM!

Black smoke rose from Amys face. However, if one looked closely, one could observe that there was a gap the size of a finger protecting her from the attack. It was a magic spell called Air Shield. It compressed air in order to create a barrier.

A surprise attack as soon as the meeting place changed. I see youre still the same petty person from before.

Amy raised herself from where she landed and looked back. The man who gave her the note stood with a fishy smile.

“Hoho, I myself have a lot of pent-up anger because of you. If you had just obediently let me, I would have had the honor of having the famous Amy’s first kiss.”

“Your tongue is as dirty as you are. But thats not why Im here. Where is Shirone?

Five people fell from the sky, circling Amy. Among them was Jake, the leader of Black Magician. Looking around, he said as if he found it really surprising.

“You really came alone. Is he that precious to you that youd put yourself in harms way?”

What nonsense. I alone am enough to handle all of you. Im asking again, where is Shirone?

Hahaha! That feeble bastard is probably in the library, completely unaware as to what his girl will be experiencing from this point on.

Amy finally realized that she had been tricked. But to her, this was the better outcome. She was confident that, without hostages holding her back, the scoundrels would not be able to touch a single hair of hers.

Calling me out means youre ready to die, correct?

How confident. But did you really think wed come here unprepared? If you look at the list of guys who looked down on Black Magician Youd notice that most of them were beaten half to death.

Theres a limit as to how far his intellect can drop. He babbles too much.

Amy entered the Spirit Zone. When the shape was transformed into the Target Form of the Four Way Formation, Jake, remembering last nights incident, immediately moved to cast it as well.

However, the cost of being one step behind and missing a preemptive attack was huge. Amy ignored Jake and went after the members behind him.

The men hurriedly flew away when she cast consecutive Fire Strikes, her special skill. Since strike type added physical force to magic, Air Shield alone was not enough to block it.

Amy quickly rotated her Spirit Zone to aim at the target. However, humans were quite unpredictable, so it was not possible to achieve 100 percent accuracy like during practice. Every time the Spirit Zone rotated or did a reverse rotation, her head throbbed.

Jake manipulated the wind and soared into the sky. If Amy’s specialty was fire, Jakes was wind. After all, in face-to-face combat, one lethal move would determine the outcome. When he cast the magic he was most confident in, Windcutter, a sharp wind slashed through the air.

Amy didn’t sense the magic approach. The cross-shaped Target Form could dramatically increase the range, but it was bound to be weak in defense compared to the sphere form. In particular, the cross-shaped target form was weak to air magic.

Amy sensed Windcutter penetrating her Spirit Zone and immediately moved her body. However, by the time she moved, it was already less than a meter away.

The moment Black Magician was about to celebrate in delight, her body twisted so quickly that she could not be seen. The Windcutter brushed past her red hair, freaking out Jake.

“What? How did she?”

“It’s called Schema, you bastards.”

Amy raised the cross-shaped Target Form at an angle. Seeing this, Jake hurriedly tried to flee, but her targeting speed was the best in the Intermediate class.

“Fire Strike.”

A fireball the size of a cannonball was fired. Thinking it was impossible to avoid, Jake wrapped himself in an Air Suit, a higher-level air-type magic.

Jake, who was hit by the Fire Strike, crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

“ARGHH! That bitch!”

He got up and glared at Amy. The fire continued to blaze on his Air Suit as the flames sucked in oxygen from it. With his whole body covered in flames, he looked like a demon. Jake detonated his Air Suit and the flames came down like petals. However, because the physical force of the strike had already made its mark, his stomach was damaged.

“I’ll kill you!”

“Hohoho! Did you actually think you could defeat me with your meager level of skill? Youre far from moving up, let alone graduating. Youre at the perfect level to fail. You should be focused on your studies, not on girls, you dipshit!

Amy, the genius of the Karmis family. Indeed, the difference in their skills was as vast as their fame.

But then suddenly, Jake smiled wickedly.

“I doubt that. Your reign of terror ends here.”

As if to prove that he wasnt bluffing, members of Black Magician held out their hands at the same time. Then Amy’s face paled. It was a strange sensation that she had never encountered before. Something had entered her mind and was messing with it.

Amy glared at Jake with anger.

“This is… Anti-Magic?”

“Hahaha! Are you surprised? This is the Black Magician’s specialty. It’s also the magic that sends countless talents back home.”

“How crude!”

It really was a cheap shot. Anti-magic, it was a magic prohibited in the academy due to the dangers it brought. It was the Achilles Heel of all mages.

Five resonance waves messed up Amy’s Spirit Zone. It felt like someone gripped her head and was shaking it like crazy.

Amy knelt down, unable to hold on. If she kept staying in the Zone any longer, she felt shed go crazy.

With a victors smile on his face, Jake cast Air Chain. Chains made of air wrapped around Amys limbs and lifted her up.

Trapped and unable to move, Amy struggled with all her might. However, it was a binding force that could not be escaped, even after she activated Schema.

* * *

* * *

“Heh, I finally got you. The feisty female kitten.”

Jake pulled out a pocket knife.

“Well, well, well. Now, what should I do with you? For your information, I still remember what you did a few days ago. I’m in the mood to commit something.

“Im warning you, if you put even a single scratch on me, you won’t be safe.”

“PUHAHAHA! Is the great Amy calling forth her family now that shes cornered? I told you so, we’re all the same. After all, without youre family, you’re just a bitch who can’t do anything.

“Don’t place me on the same level as scum like you, Im pretty sure I told you this, too. I’ll make sure to get rid of you with my own hands.”

Jake’s eyes were filled with hatred. Even in this situation, her attitude of not swallowing her pride was pissing him off. The hand that held the knife trembled as if it was about to stab something.

“Youre not exactly in a position to talk like that right now. Do you want me to scribble on your face? I’m sure there’d be no one whod bother to follow you around if you become an ugly bitch.”

Amy became slightly afraid after seeing Jake’s abnormal eyes. They held an inferiority that had no bounds. He really meant every word.

Jake grabbed the blade with his other hand. Although he wasnt skillful in fire magic, he knew enough to easily heat the knife. The knife started to glow red.

Lets do this. The arrogant Amy ruined her eyes while researching magic by herself. She dropped out of the academy and forever lived on as a loser. Hows that? Amazing scenario, is it not?

The blade seemed like it would drip molten iron at any moment. A sudden shove to her head made Amy turn. Her burning hair crackled and popped.

“Oho! So there are times when Amy gets scared, too. I’ll give you one last chance. Beg me to let you off this once. Even better if you shed tears. Then, if you promise to leave the academy, I wont burn off your eyes.

Amy realized why Tyra dropped out.

They did this simply because they were inferior. Simply because they were upset and offended. Karmis red eyes filled with anger and glowed red.

“Do it if you can. But don’t ever think you’ll get away with it.”

Jake smirked. Hed heard that kind of promise more than once. All Nobles were unyielding. However, the moment a blade is pointed their way, theyd shout and beg for mercy like any other human.

The bigger their self-esteem, the harder it was for them to recover once it was broken. Watching the students leave the academy like that, Jake soothed his feelings of inferiority.

“Well then, shall we get started?”

The pocket knife slowly approached Amy’s left eye. Amy was determined to endure it. However, when she felt the scorching heat nearing her skin, she was forced to close her eyelids tight.

“Stop, you sick bastards!”

A sudden shout made the Black Magician jump. Seeing Shirone who was huffing with a clenched fist, Amy opened her eyes wide. Jake also turned around with a startled expression, as if he didnt expect him to actually face them.

“Aha! The knight in shining armor has made his appearance! Thats too bad, your girl would have surprised you with a new appearance if youd arrived just a bit later.

“What are you trying to do to her?

“Who knows! What was I going to do? Why not ask your lover yourself?”

“You dimwit! You can’t come here alone!”

Amy shouted. Yet Shirone was more stunned by the situation in front of him than by her words.

Older students were surrounding a girl who had her limbs shackled. And if that alone was not enough, the rascal, Jake, was wielding a red-hot pocket knife.

‘Because of me….

For the first time in his life, Shirone felt an intense wrath bubble up inside him. Picking up a tree branch from the ground, he hollered!

“Let her go! If you don’t, I won’t let you off easy!

“PUHAHAHA! Did you hear that? What can you possibly do with that piece of wood?

Irrespective of Jakes mocking laughter, Shirone rushed straight at them. He was confident in his skill in close-quarters combat. After all, he was the person who had defeated Rian in a swordsmanship match. After calculating it in his head, he knew he could buy enough time for the teachers to arrive.

“Here I come!”

“Guys, he says hes coming. Open a path for him.”

No one moved when Shirone came running. Rather, they smiled tauntingly, as if wanting for him to come closer.

By the time he realized something was amiss, it was too late. Shirones mind shook as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.

“Keuk!”

“You stupid! Get rid of your Spirit Zone! It’s Anti-Magic!”

Anti-Magic? Shirone finally realized what was happening. He realized how Amy, who securely held her place as the first in Class 4, was caught by these rascals.

It was truly a tremendous shock and vibration. The resonance wave caused by the five people shook his mind.

Shirone raised his head. Colors smeared and shuffled around as if the world had been dunked underwater. But he couldn’t give up here. Holding onto his distant consciousness, Shirone slowly, but surely walked.

“Amy, Im gonna save you now.”

“I told you to stop! Youll never be able to cast magic for the rest of your life! You’ll become a cripple!”

“Because of me… This happened..

“Get rid of your Spirit Zone! Quickly!”

She knew Shirone was in a state where he couldn’t hear, but all she could do was shout. With every step he took, she felt her tears start to well up more and more.

Shirone clenched his teeth hard and kept up his Spirit Zone.

No! I have to hang on! I need more frames!

Responding to his strong will, his Spirit Zone gradually began to change into the Defensive Form of the Four Way Formation. This time, it was the Black Magicians turn to be dismayed. Casting Anti-Magic was not an easy feat, but maintaining it against a strong force was even harder. They felt as if they were being crushed by a boulder.

“Wh-What?! What’s going on?! ”

Shirone extended his Spirit Zone to the max. It was shaking precariously like dew on a leaf, but he continued to press on.

I have to push even harder! So stable that it cant collapse! So hard that it cant be destroyed!’

Finally, as the frames started to connect, Shirones Spirit Zone regained stability. Then, like a domino game, one after the other, members of the Black Magician wailed in pain.

“Keuk! Whats happening?! My heads pounding!”

At that moment Shirone’s eyes lit up. As the Four Way Formations Defense Form was completed to perfection, the huge sphere was tightened into a cube. The pain caused by the Anti-Magic disappeared, while a feeling of sturdiness flooded in. Shirone felt like he could crush even diamond.

“ARRGHHHHH!”

The five who cast the Anti-Magic collapsed, screaming. They felt as if they were being crushed by something. They couldn’t even lift a finger and were bleeding from the nose.

This was why the academy banned the use of Anti-Magic. If one didnt cultivate the mind enough, Anti-Magic was a poison that destroyed the mind.

Amy was shocked to see the tossing and turning Black Magicians. Five Anti-Magic casters were crushed by one brand-new class-7 student

Shirone felt as if a small lizard was under the soles of his feet. He felt a wiggling sensation in his mind, but that was all. And as time passed, even such resistance faded. They released the Anti-Magic right as their minds were about to collapse.

Amy burned the air chain with fire magic and landed on the floor. Through her own Spirit Zone, Amy could feel the shape Shirones Spirit Zone was in. It was extremely cold, hard, and heavy.

No way. How is this possible

Shirone still had fierce eyes. When he took a step forward, Jake stepped back unknowingly. It was the result of his instinct that didn’t want to bump into Shirones Spirit Zone.

However, the 15-meter-diameter Spirit Zone could not be avoided by taking a step back. Eventually, their two Spirit Zones overlapped, and Jake asked with a stricken look.

“YouWho the hell are you?”

It was something beyond belief But a Spirit Zones synesthesia didnt lie. A huge cube comprised of 88 sides was surrounding Shirone.