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Infinite Mage Chapter 26: Things Money Can’t Buy (1)

Chapter 26: Things Money Can’t Buy (1)

Black‍ Magician.

A research group created⁠ by six problem​ children, led by​ Jake.

Aside‍​ from Jake, it‌​​ was a group⁠ of students who‌‌⁠ had no dreams‍ or futures and​ were students who​ were repeatedly held​⁠ back.

There⁠​‍ was a time​‌ when they, too,⁠⁠ were noticed as⁠ brilliant talents If⁠ only they had‌ the spirit to‍‌‌ try again, they‍‌‌ could have made‍‍⁠ great achievements.

But​⁠‌ they took their⁠‌ hands off the‍‍‍ competition. In a way, they were⁠​‌ the only losers‌⁠ in the fierce​ competition.

“This‌‍⁠ cant be. There‌ must be something‌ wrong.

Jake​ shook his head.​ This may have⁠⁠ been possible for‍⁠‍ Amy, but it‍​⁠ should have been‍ impossible for Black‍ Magician to lose⁠‍​ to a freshman​‍‍ who had just‌‌ enrolled.

“Yeah.⁠⁠ I didn’t lose.‌​⁠ I just got⁠ unlucky.

So‍ far, the students​ Jake had forced​​⁠ to drop out‍⁠ had excellent grades.⁠⁠ How could Shirone‍ even compare? Jake⁠⁠ felt he was‍​ just unlucky.

Doesn’t‍​ everyone go through‌‌‍ a day like‌ this in their‍ lives?

It’s⁠‌‌ not over yet.​‌​ I’m a Class‌‌ 4. Im naturally⁠ different from those⁠​ backstabbers who use‌​ Anti-Magic.

After​​‌ reading Jakes deadly​⁠ atmosphere, Shirone tensed.‍⁠‌ Jake’s Spirit Zone,‍‍‍ which turned into‌​ a star shape,‍ was felt by​​ Shirone through synesthesia.⁠‍​ It felt as‌ if hundreds of‌⁠ archers were aiming​​ their bow at‍ him.

What‌‌ do I do?​‌‌ I haven’t learned⁠‌ magic yet.

He‌ was able to‌‌⁠ resist Anti-Magic because‍‍ it was a battle fought using‌​ the Spirit Zone,‌‍⁠ but a magic​⁠⁠ battle was a completely different story.‌‌​

There⁠ was no way‌‍‍ Shirone, who had⁠ not mastered any⁠‍​ offensive or defensive⁠ magic, could face‌ Jake.

Jake​‌‌ called forth wind​‍‌ between his palms‍​ and pressed them‌​‌ down to compress.​‌‌ Then the air⁠ began to rotate‍ in the form‍ of a disk.⁠⁠ It was Windcutter,⁠⁠ a magic that​⁠ could easily cut​ through tree trunks.​

“I’ll​‍ take your arms‍⁠ first. Then your⁠​​ legs.”

Just‍‌ as Jake was⁠‍‍ about release the‍​⁠ Windcutter, someone grabbed‌‌‌ his shoulder from​ behind and turned‌⁠​ him around. The​‌ person touched his⁠‍ body at the‌​​ same time Jake​‌ sensed their approach⁠‌‍ through synesthesia. The‌‍ speed at which‍ the person moved⁠‍‍ was inhuman.

Amy’s​ face appeared right⁠‌‍ in front of​‍ him with eyes​​‍ glowing red. As‍ her fist smacked⁠​⁠ his chin, the‌‍​ scenery in front⁠ of him shook.​⁠

“Argh!”‌

To‌‍ a mage who​ was not well-rounded‍‍ physically, physical attacks‌​​ were like rat‍⁠ poison. And in⁠⁠‌ addition to that,‌ being attacked by​ a punch that‌ contained the power‌‍⁠ of Schema would⁠​ do even greater‍ harm. Their Spirit⁠‌​ Zone would not​⁠‍ be able to⁠‍ withstand it.

Amy⁠​⁠ got on Jake’s⁠​⁠ stomach and threw‍ out a barrage‌ of punches. The‌ power of a single strike was‌⁠‍ like being struck​ down by a big stone.

“What‌​‌ did you say​‌‌ you were going​​ to do to⁠⁠⁠ me? I dare‌ you to blabber​ again, you bastard!⁠‌ Say it!”

Jake’s‍⁠‍ head snapped side‍‍ to side as‍‍‌ if it were‌ close to being​ yanked out. Worried⁠⁠‍ that something terrible​⁠ would happen if‌‌ left as is,‌⁠ Shirone ran to‍‌ Amy.

“Amy,‌​‍ stop it! Hes‍ going to die‌⁠‍ at this rate!”‍⁠​

“Let‍‍‍ go of me,‌‌‍ you bastard! You⁠​ must have thought‍​⁠ I was easy⁠ to target, Jake!”⁠

“Hes⁠ going to die!”​‌

Jake‍ heard the conversation⁠‌ as his consciousness‌​ slowly started fading‌ away. He no‍‌ longer felt pain,​‌ only a dull‌‍ shock traveled from⁠ his face to⁠ his body whenever​​ Amy struck.

Die?​​‍ I’m going to‍ die?

The​ fear of death⁠‌⁠ awoke Jake’s mind.‍⁠⁠ He covered his‍‌⁠ face with his⁠​ arms and shouted​⁠ at the top⁠ of his lungs.‍

“H-Help⁠‌​ me! Just spare‍⁠⁠ my life! Please!”‍

Amys​‌​ eyes watered. She⁠‍‍ had almost lost⁠⁠ her eyes. She‌ had been on⁠⁠ the brink of‍ going blind. Remembering‍‍ that she had⁠⁠ been shamed by‍ this good-for-nothing scum,‍⁠⁠ she felt her​‍ blood boil even‍​⁠ hotter.

“I‍ will never forgive⁠‍ you! You sick​⁠ bastard!”

“Amy,⁠ please stop!”

Shirone⁠⁠ tried to pull‍⁠ Amy back with‌ all his might.⁠ He felt like​‌ he was pulling‌ out a wooden‌⁠ stake stuck in‌ the ground due​ to her Schema.‍‌‍ But, when he​ pulled her one‌​⁠ last time with‍‌ a forceful tug,​ Amy fell back​​ and crushed Shirone.‍

“That’s‌‍ plenty enough, Amy.⁠⁠ Please stop it.”​

Shirone​ was breathing hard.⁠‌ When he came​‍ to his senses,‌‌ Shirone felt something​​‌ soft and tender⁠⁠‌ against his arm.‌‍‍ Realizing that he‍ was pressing Amy’s‍​ chest, he hurriedly​ pulled his arm‍​‍ away.

“S-Sorry!”​‍

Amy‍‍ was unresponsive. She​⁠ was only shivering‌⁠ sporadically as she‍ exhaled and inhaled⁠ roughly. Her body‍​ was clearly reacting⁠⁠ to how she⁠ was feeling, so⁠​‌ Shirone, feeling sorry‌ for her, gently​‍​ hugged her waist⁠ and softly said.‌‍

“Amy,​​ because of me⁠

“AHH!‍‍​ That felt soooooo‌⁠ refreshing!”

“Ack!”⁠​

Amy‍‌ bounced up, ramming​ Shirone’s lower abdomen​‍⁠ with her butt.‌

Shirone⁠‌‌ turned around, clutching‍‌ his abdomen. If​​⁠ he had been​ hit a little⁠‌⁠ further down, a horrible situation he‍ did not wish⁠ to further imagine​​ could have happened.‌‌

“What’s‌‍‍ wrong? Are you⁠ not feeling good‌ somewhere?”

He⁠ was able to‌‌ avoid the vulnerable⁠ spot, but a cold sweat broke⁠ out on his⁠‍ forehead because the​‍ impact poured downwards.​ But he did​ not show it.‌‌‍

“No‍​‌ Its nothing.”

“Hehe!⁠⁠ Of course you‍⁠​ should be. I know how light‌ I am.”

There‌ was no way⁠⁠ that Amy, who​‌ had been a very curious girl​⁠‍ since childhood, was‍​‌ unaware of Shirone’s‌‌ state. It was‍​​ a sign of⁠‌ her own friendliness,​⁠ as she was​ poor at expressing​ emotions. It also⁠⁠ reflected Shirone’s success‌‌ trying to quietly⁠​‌ overlook the dangerous‍ collision with Amy​⁠​ a minute ago.​

“Anyways,‌‌⁠ what now?”

Shirone‌‌​ changed the subject‍‌⁠ and turned to⁠‌⁠ the members of​⁠ Black Magician. He⁠‌ didn’t notice while‍‌ they were chaotically⁠ fighting, but after‌ assessing the situation​ after things had​​‌ settled down, he‌ noticed the condition​ of the boys⁠‍ was serious.

All‌‌ of them fainted‌ with bloody noses,‍ and Jake was⁠​ crawling on the‌‌ ground, half-dead.

After⁠‍⁠ examining their wrecked‍⁠⁠ faces, Amy decided⁠ to cover the​‌ situation at this‌⁠​ point. She wanted‌ to expel them‌‍ from the academy,​​‍ but if the⁠ case grew bigger,​​ Shirone’s identity could‌‍⁠ be revealed.

“Let’s​​ head down. They’ll​ lay low now‌​ that they have​​ something to feel‍‌​ remorseful about.”

“But‌‌​ Sharelle is probably⁠‌‌ on her way.‍⁠‍

“What?⁠ Did you perhaps⁠​⁠ tell the teacher?​‍

“Of‌⁠‍ course. How can‌‌ I come alone‍⁠ when you’re in⁠‌⁠ danger?”

Amy‌ sighed, facepalming. She​​‌ could accept the‍​ fact that she‌​ was humiliated, but‍‌⁠ Amy thought that‍‍ she could at⁠‌‍ least enjoy the‌ victory. However, she‍⁠ was bummed out‌⁠‍ by the fact​‌ that the incident​​‌ had already been​​ reported to the⁠‌‍ teachers.

Shirone‌⁠ was deeply moved.‍‌ The reason Amy​ was disappointed was‍‌ because she was⁠‍ trying to keep‌ his secret.

“Thank‍ you, Amy.”

“Hmm?”​​‍

* * *

* * *

“You⁠⁠ came here all‌⁠‍ by yourself because‍⁠⁠ of me. But​ dont fret over⁠‌ it. It doesn’t⁠​ matter if my​ secret is revealed⁠‌⁠ or not. I’m‌‍ just glad you’re​ safe.

“No,‌⁠‌ I didnt……

Amy‌​ avoided eye contact,​ scratching her cheek.‍⁠ There were times‌⁠ when she felt‍‍​ neglected in the‌⁠‌ freewheeling atmosphere of‍ the Karmis family.​​ She yearned for⁠‍‍ human affection. She⁠‍‌ wandered through the​ back alleys to‍​ search for it.⁠‍​ Shirone’s kind words‍‍‍ made her happy,‍‌​ but at the‍⁠⁠ same time, she⁠ couldnt completely digest‌​ them.

“Hmph!‍ Who said it’s​ because of you?‌​ It was only‌ because I could‌⁠ handle these guys‍ on my own.​‍ In fact, I’ve‍‌ been thinking of​​ doing this for‌ a while now⁠ I just had⁠⁠​ the perfect chance⁠‍‌ to carry out​ that plan today.”​

Amy’s‌⁠ cheeks were completely‌ red. Shirone was​​⁠ satisfied. He felt‌ like he knew​ what she was​⁠ like.

“Kekeke,​ youre so childish‌​ it makes me‍ cringe. You call‍‌​ yourself geniuses? As​‍⁠ if. You guys‍ are just a bunch of ignorant​ kids.

Jake‍​‍ stood up with⁠‌ his hand against⁠⁠‌ a tree. His​‍ face was a mess, but his‍ eyes were full​‍‍ of malice.

Amy⁠ placed her hand​ on her waist​‍ and spoke.

“You‍‌‌ are really pathetic.‌‌​ If you can’t⁠⁠⁠ even stand up‌⁠⁠ properly, just stay​ sprawled on the‍ ground. Are you​ a pervert? You‍ like being punched⁠⁠ by me that‍⁠‍ much?

“Puhahaha!”‌​⁠

There‌ was no such⁠​ thing as defeat‍​‌ in Jakes mind.⁠​‍ After all, it‍ was money that​​‍ ruled the world.‌ He may have‍‌⁠ lost this fight,​ but he still‍​ had strong financial⁠ power.

“You⁠​‍ think everything is‌‍ over? No, this‌‌⁠ is just the⁠ beginning. Lets be⁠ honest, you can’t⁠ actually kill me,‍‍⁠ can you? Kill⁠‌ me if youre​​ so confident. You⁠‍‌ guys will never​⁠‍ graduate as long‍‌ as I’m here.⁠​‍ I’ll destroy you​‌ guys through any‍ means necessary!”

Shirone‌⁠‍ was appalled. However,⁠‍​ Amy, who had​ dominated the back⁠‍‍ alleys since she‍ was young, knew‌ people like Jake​⁠‍ all too well.⁠‌‌

“Kill‍ you? Why should⁠ I kill you?‍ Id only be⁠​​ wasting my time‍⁠ on a guy⁠ like you. But‍‌‍ keep this in​‍ mind I wont‍‍ kill you, but‍‌ I can still‍⁠ beat the living‍⁠ daylights out of​ you.”

Jake‍⁠‌ flinched as Amy‌​⁠ walked towards him‌‍‌ with a clenched‍⁠⁠ fist. No matter​ how hard he⁠ tried to stay​ strong, his body‍⁠ remembered the fear‍‌ afflicted by her⁠‍‌ previously.

“…Do‌​ you think Im‍ scared?”

“Did⁠ someone say something?​ Since youre up‌‌‍ and talking, I should beat you⁠‍ again. I still​​ havent gotten over‌‍‍ what you did‌⁠‌ to me.”

Jake⁠⁠⁠ choked up seeing​ Amy’s dramatic motion⁠ of rolling her‍ shoulders, and his‍‍⁠ face was distorted​​ in fear.

Screeeeeeeech!‌‍

A shrill fricative/sound was‌‌ heard from the‍​​ sky. Shirone looked​⁠​ up, but the​‍​ other two knew‌‌‌ without looking.

It‍‍​ was a noise‍‍​ unique to Spatial‌ Warp, an upper-level​ of teleportation magic.​

The‍ moment Shirone thought​⁠​ starlight was shining​‍ in the sky,‌ the flash quickly‌‍ bent and came⁠ down to the​ place where he‍‌ and the others⁠‌ were.

Sharelle⁠‌ landed with two⁠‌‍ instructors.

With‍​ a restless heart,​ Amy glimpsed at‌ the instructors faces.‍ Then she let‍​‍ out a small‍​ sigh.

It​ was Siena of⁠​ the Ice and‍⁠⁠ Thadd of the​ Flames.

Ugh,⁠ of all the‌​ possible teachers

Along⁠‍‌ with Ethella, the​‌ youngest instructor at‍ the magic academy,​ there was no​ way they would‌‍‌ handle this incident‌ lightly.

“Amy!​​ Are you okay?‌​ Are you hurt‌‍​ anywhere?

Sharelle⁠ ran to Amy⁠ with a crying‍ face.

“Yeah,​ I’m fine. I’m​⁠​ not so easily‌‌​ beaten, you know.​‍⁠

Sharelle‌ didn’t miss a small change as‌​ she had a sensitive personality. Amy’s⁠​ bangs, which flowed‍‌‍ down as if‌​‌ slightly covering her‍ right eye, were⁠‍‍ burned.

Although‌ she had thought‌ that Amy’s hairstyle‌​‌ was too retro‍‍​ compared to her‍​⁠ pretty appearance, Sharelles​ heart ached when⁠‌ her friend’s hair,⁠ which shed been‍​⁠ sticking with for⁠ six years, was‌ ruined.

“Why​‌ is your hair‌‍​ like that? What‌​‍ happened?”

“Oh,‌‌‌ geez! I said‌ its nothing. By​‌ the way, is⁠⁠ it already past‍‍‌ 7 o’clock?

“What‌‍⁠ do you mean?⁠⁠‌ Do you know​‍⁠ how long we’ve​‌ been looking for‌‌ you? I wouldnt​​ have arrived in‍‌‍ time without the‍‍⁠ instructors.”

The‌​ sun had set​ and it was‌ getting dark.

As‍‍⁠ the surroundings became‍​​ dark, Thadd casted​‍ a fire magic.‍ The ball of⁠‌‌ flame soared up‌ and lit up‌ the surrounding area⁠‍‍ like a small​ sun.

So‌​ this is the‍‍ Fire Sun magic.​‌‌

Shirone‌‍​ admired the glowing​ sphere in the​ sky. The heat⁠ wasnt felt even‍ though the surroundings⁠​ brightened as if​‍‌ struck by broad‍​⁠ daylight.

This‍‍⁠ was impossible without‍​‌ converting thermal energy‌ into light energy.‌​⁠ According to a book Shirone read,‌‍ the Fire Sun,‍​⁠ unlike its appearance,⁠⁠⁠ was an advanced​‌⁠ skill and was‌ mainly seen on‍ a battlefield.

Thadd‍‌ approached Amy with​‍ a tearful face.‌

“What’s‍‌ going on, Amy!​⁠ How could a brilliant kid like‍ you do such‍​ a foolish thing⁠

Thadd,⁠ who was only​ vulnerable to women,‌ did not seem‍‌‍ to care about‍‍‍ Shirone. In particular,⁠ Amy’s grades were⁠ first place, her‌‌ family was first‍‌‌ class, and her‌ appearance was also​‌ top one, so‌ he couldn’t help‌⁠​ but worry.

Disgusted​‍ by Thadds attitude,⁠⁠‌ Siena turned to‌​ Shirone.

“Shirone,‌⁠ can you explain‌⁠‌ what’s going on?‍‌

“Oh,‍ umm, the thing‍⁠ is

“Let​⁠⁠ me tell you‍⁠ what happened.”

At‌‌‌ Jakes words, the​​‍ instructors turned their⁠ heads. The person⁠​ who was responsible‌​​ for the incident⁠‍ said he would‍ explain it. It‌⁠‌ was questionable whether‍ something went wrong⁠‍‍ in his brain‌ after being punched​‌​ so hard numerous‍ times.

But‌ this was also‌⁠​ part of Jake’s‍​ calculations.

He‍⁠‌ would only be⁠‍⁠ hit with disciplinary⁠ actions. A school​​ that needs the‌ funding of the‍‌ Ardius family would​ never be able​⁠⁠ to throw him​‌ out.

On‍​​ the other hand,​ what about Shirone?‌‍ Jake heard clearly​​ about Shirone having​‍ some kind of‌⁠ a secret in​‍‍ the conversation a while ago. And⁠‌‍ along with Amy’s‍‌ behavior to cover‍‌‍ it up. That⁠ meant there was‌⁠ something fishy going​‌ on.

“I⁠⁠‍ called Amy out.⁠ But since her​​​ skills are far⁠⁠‌ superior compared to‍⁠ mine, I had⁠‍ no choice but⁠ to use Anti-Magic​ But it was⁠‍‌ fair play. The‌ emotions that had‍‍‌ stacked up over​‍⁠ time eventually led‌​ to a battle​ for pride. As​​⁠ you can see,​ it’s only our‍ side that has​ been seriously injured.”‍

Siena‍‍ spoke with a disgruntled look.

“Are​ you telling me⁠‍ to believe that?⁠‍ You guys broke⁠​ the academy rules.​‌

“I’m‍⁠ not saying I did anything good.‌⁠ But think about​ it. If Amy’s​ a victim, why‌‍⁠ didn’t she report‌​ this? Since theyre‌ trying to cover‌‍​ up this incident,​‌ they must be​​‍ also guilty of​⁠⁠ something.”

Amy⁠​⁠ shouted.

“What‌‌ the hell are‍‌‌ you saying?! What‌‍⁠ do you mean‌‌‌ were trying to‌ hide something?! You‌‍​ were the one‌​ who threatened to‍​​ kidnap Shirone!

“Haha!‍ But did we​⁠ actually kidnap him?⁠‌ We did not.⁠‍‌ Moreover, Shirone didn’t⁠​ inform the teachers‍‍‍ after reading the⁠‍ note we sent.​‌ What do you‍⁠ think this means?‍‍

“You⁠ You bastard

Amy‍ couldnt refute. It‍​ would not be​‌ understandable to anyone⁠ who did not‍⁠​ know the actual‌‍ circumstances behind the‍‌ matter. After all,‍‍ Shirone, who had​ not been kidnapped,‍ came running without‍ reporting to the​‍ instructors. However, if‍​​ she were to‌⁠ tell the truth,​⁠ Shirones secret would‌‍‍ be revealed.

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