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Infinite Mage Chapter 28: Things Money Can’t Buy (3)

Chapter 28: Things Money Can’t Buy (3)

That​‍ bit was a plus for Amy.⁠‍‌ Not only were​​⁠ they dating, but​ theyve also kissed,​ at least according‍ to the rumor.‍⁠ So the boys‍‌ who chased her⁠ around were in⁠‍ a state of⁠ panic.

What​⁠ are you gonna⁠ do about today?‌​ Arent you going⁠ to go meet⁠‌ Shirone? Hm? Hmm?‍⁠

Dont‌​ know. We both​ agreed to focus‍‍ on studying for‍ the time being.‍​‌

There‍‍​ was a hint⁠‍ of disappointment in⁠‌‍ Amys tone.

I know were only​⁠‍ fake dating, but‌‍ even so, how‍‍‍ can he be​ so indifferent?

Her‌ pride was hurt‍ by Shirone’s stone-cold⁠‍ attitude. It was⁠​ no princess syndrome,‌⁠‌ but whenever Amy​⁠ looked in the‍ mirror, she herself⁠​⁠ thought her appearance‌‍​ was enough to​‌​ turn heads. But​‍ Shirone seemed to⁠‍ have zero interest,‍​​ seemingly because of⁠ his concentration on‌ studies. Even if⁠​ it was only⁠‌ a pretend relationship,⁠​‌ they were definitely‍​ an official couple‌⁠ in the eyes‌‌ of most.

Shouldnt​ he be at⁠‍ least a little⁠ conscious?

“I‍‌‌ don’t know and‍ I dont care​ either. I have​​⁠ a pile of​‍ work to do.​​​ I dont have⁠‍ time to get​⁠⁠ distracted.

“You’re‌ disappointed, aren’t you?​ Well if you‌⁠ are, I wouldnt⁠⁠ be surprised. I also think Shirone‍‌​ is being too⁠ harsh. How could‍​ he leave such​‌ a pretty girlfriend⁠⁠​ unattended? I’d stick​‍‍ together around all‍‍​ day if I were him. Oho!‍ Maybe that part‌‍ was what cracked‌‌‍ the iron-hearted Amys​⁠‍ heart?

“Sharelle…”‌⁠⁠

When​‍ she saw Amy’s​‌ eyes burning red,​‌‌ Sharelle shook around‌ her hand and⁠ released cold sweat.​⁠​

“Haha‍‍ Okay, okay! Ill‌ stop!

Amy‍ let out her⁠ anger with a snort. In a sense, Shirone was‍⁠ well aware of‌‍‌ the situation. If​ he was distracted⁠‍‍ by something he‍‍ shouldnt be distracted‍‌ by, it wouldnt⁠ be worth it​ for her to​‌ keep up their⁠​‍ relationship, even if‍​​ it did chase​‍‍ away the boys.⁠‌‌

“Oh!‌‍‌ Amy, isn’t that‌‌ Jake over there?”‌‍

Jake‌⁠‍ was coming down⁠‍ a hill. He​ had bandages all​ over his face‍‍ and was carrying⁠‌⁠ a large backpack​ on his shoulder.⁠⁠

The​ disciplinary committee had‌‍​ decided to put​​ those part of⁠ Black Magician on‌ probation for two‌ years. With a condition that they‌​⁠ ask for forgiveness​​ from the students‌ who dropped out,⁠ but anyone could‌‌ tell there was⁠ an unusual leniency.⁠‍

“Hey!​ Long time no⁠‍ see, Amy.”

Jake’s‌ face was bright,‌​‍ unfitting for someone​ who was essentially‍​⁠ getting kicked out​​⁠ for two years.‌‍

“You‌‌​ still haven’t left?⁠​ Gosh, so clingy.‌

“Kekeke!‌ Ive done so​⁠ many bad things⁠‍ that there are⁠⁠ a lot of‍‌‍ places I need​⁠ to pass by.”‍‌

“That⁠ doesnt suit you.‍⁠‍ Did you change?⁠‍​ Hah, no way.‍⁠ How can a person’s personality change⁠⁠ so easily?

“Thats⁠‌ true. But there⁠ are people who‌ trust a wastrel⁠⁠ like me, so⁠​ now I can’t‍​ do anything bad‍ anymore.”

It‍ was known among‍‌ students that Siena⁠⁠‍ struggled with the⁠⁠‌ committee to lower​‍ Jake’s disciplinary penalty.‌‍​ If it weren’t⁠ for her, Black⁠‍ Magician wouldn’t have​‍ been able to⁠​ avoid expulsion from‌‍ the academy.

“By⁠ the way, what‌⁠ are you going‍‌ to do now?⁠‌‍ Taking two years⁠ off will make‍​⁠ you have to‌ drop your classes.‍⁠​

“Ill​ have to beg‌‍ for forgiveness from​‌ the kids who‍⁠‍ dropped out. They‍‍​ probably won’t forgive‍⁠ me, but I’m‌‍ prepared. And in⁠‍‌ any case, wont​‌‌ something come to‌ mind after I try and put‌​‍ everything back to​​‌ how it was‌ before?”

Amy​⁠‌ didnt think it‌​​ would be easy.⁠⁠‍ Most of the‍⁠‍ kids who were‌‌ tormented by Jake⁠ were first-class nobles⁠‌​ and suffered from​ injuries that could‍ not be healed,​‍ so the possibility‌ of Jake getting‌‌​ beaten to death⁠‌ was not completely‌‍‍ out of the‌⁠‌ question.

However,‌​​ the one who⁠⁠ knew this better‌‌ than anyone else‍⁠ was Jake himself,‍‌⁠ and yet instead‍‌ of being afraid,‍​‌ he was rather‍‍ relaxed.

“I’ve​⁠​ got to go.⁠​⁠ You’ll be graduating​‍‌ by the time​ I get back.​​ I don’t know‌⁠​ when the opportunity​⁠⁠ will come, but⁠ when that time‌⁠ comes, I will‌⁠​ do my best.‌ Take care. I wish you the​⁠ best with your‍ relationship.”

As‍​ Jake turned around‌⁠‍ with a wave‌‍‍ of his hand,​‍ Amy responded with‌‌⁠ an awkward smile.‌ Even Jake, the​ person involved in‌​​ the case, found⁠​ it absurd when‌ he thought back⁠ to how Amy​ was dating Shirone.⁠​

Despite​‍⁠ what happened, seeing⁠‌⁠ him being sent‌ off in this‌‌ shabby way left‍‌‍ a bit of‍​‍ a bitter taste‍​ in Amys mouth⁠⁠⁠ as a fellow⁠‌ student. She thought‍ for a moment⁠‍ as she remembered‍‌‌ something. She called‌ out to Jake.​

“Hey,‍‌ Jake!”

He​‌ looked back.

“Two​​⁠ years will go‍ by real quick!‍ Don’t give up!”‍⁠

“Haha!​ Call me whenever​​​ you need my​‌ help. At the‍​ very least, I can help by​‍‌ lending you as‌ much money as​​‌ you need!”

“Two‌ years… Yeah, it’s‍‌ probably nothing. Itll‌​ go by quick.”​‌‌

Amy⁠ thought as she​​‌ looked at Jakes⁠⁠‍ figure growing smaller⁠​ and smaller in​‌ the distance. He⁠​‌ would not be‌​‍ able to go​‌ to school for‍‍‍ at least two⁠‍‍ years. But was‍‍ that really something​‌ to cry about?⁠⁠⁠ After all, if⁠‍⁠ one didnt have‍⁠‌ the skills, one‍‍ would rot in⁠ the same place‍ for the rest‌​ of their life,‌‌​ anyways. That was⁠ the world of‍ magic.

“Sharelle,​⁠‌ I’ve made up​ my mind.”

“Hm?⁠⁠ Are you going‍​ to see Shirone?”​

“I’m⁠​​ going to apply‌ for promotion to‍‌‌ the Advanced class.”‌

“What?​‍ Already? Arent you⁠ being too hasty?”⁠‌

Upon‌⁠ entering Class 4,‌​ you were automatically​ eligible to apply⁠ for the Advanced‍‍ Class. However, if⁠​​ you were to‍​ fail the promotion‌⁠ exam, you would‌‌ not be able⁠​‍ to apply again⁠ that year, so⁠‍‌ the battle of⁠ nerves had been‌​⁠ fierce since the​​ beginning of the‍​‌ semester.

Not​ to mention, graduation‌ was a long​⁠⁠ way off, even‌ if you were‍⁠ to pass the‍‍ promotion exam. This‍‌ was because only⁠⁠ the best talents‍‌ could enter the​⁠⁠ Advanced Class out‌ of the whole⁠ magic academy where‍⁠‌ many geniuses were‌‍ gathered.

According‍ to graduates of‌​ the magic academy,​ the Advanced Class⁠ was a battlefield​ far more fierce⁠​ than the one​ in society. It​‌ was a place‍‍‍ where only 30‍ prospective mages competed⁠ for survival, having​ to put aside‌ their friendship for‍‍⁠ the time being.‍​

Some‌​‌ criticized this system‌⁠ of infinite competition,⁠‌ but considering the‍‍‍ specificity of the​‍⁠ job as a mage, it was‍ inevitable.

The⁠‌​ Alpheas Magic Academy‍‌‌ was a state-designated​​ institution, meaning if​‌⁠ you graduated, youd‍⁠ receive a non-certified‍ license, which meant‌ you were recognized‍​ as an official⁠‌ mage. Essentially, as​‍​ long as you​‌‌ graduated, you were​​‍ given instant power.‍⁠‍

In‌‍‍ the worst-case scenario,​​⁠ the students would‍ have to fight‌⁠ for their lives‌‍‌ on a battlefield‍⁠‌ once they graduated,​ so instructors shared​ the common opinion‌​⁠ that strict standards​‍‍ had to be​ imposed on the⁠ Advanced Class students.‌

“Why‍‍​ don’t you wait​ a little bit?‍ The garden is⁠‌‌ still empty, and‌ it wont be‌‍ too late to​ apply after analyzing​‍​ the level of‌⁠‍ the Advanced class⁠⁠⁠ and its trends,⁠⁠​ right?

“No,‍⁠⁠ I don’t want⁠‍ to dwell on​‌ it. I just‌⁠ want to keep⁠​​ moving forward right‍​‍ now.”

Knowing‍‍ how stubborn Amy‍⁠ could get, Sharelle⁠ knew she couldnt​​ stop her. On‍‍‍ the other hand,‍ she was also​‍ looking forward to‌⁠‍ how far her‌‍ genius would get‌ her in the‍ Advanced Class.

“Alright,‍ I’ll cheer you‌​‍ on. You can​‌⁠ do it.

“Thanks.​‍‌ I’ll be heading‌ up first to⁠ see what the⁠‍‍ atmosphere is like.”‍‍⁠

Hehe,‌​⁠ I’m actually a little nervous, so​​ I’m thinking of‌‍ collecting some information​⁠‌ first. Anyway, let’s⁠​⁠ both work hard.”​‌

“Yes,⁠‌⁠ I’ll help you,⁠⁠ too.

Amy‌‌‍ looked up at‌​ the blue sky⁠‍ with a light⁠⁠ heart.

Dreams‍‍ were as far​​⁠ away as the⁠⁠‌ sun. However, dreams‍​ were also a guiding light, a beacon to those⁠⁠‍ who needed something‌‌ to cling to.‌⁠

I will definitely become​‍⁠ the best mage.⁠‌

* * *

* * *

The‌‍‍ integrated class for​‌ the Intermediate class‍ was back.

While​ upperclassmen and lowerclassmen​ were going around​ interacting, no one‌‍ approached Shirone.

Sometimes‍‌​ standing out too​ much was also‍ a problem.

Surprising‍ the teachers during‌‌⁠ the entrance test,‌‍‍ managing to showcase‌⁠ one of the⁠⁠ Four Way Formations⁠‌‌ on his first‍‌ try, crushing Black‍​ Magician, and becoming‍ Amy’s official lover.​​

In​⁠‍ a short period​‍‌ of time, the‍ marks left by‍‌‍ Shirone were considerable.⁠ Nevertheless, since he⁠‌ belonged to Class‍​ 7, the lowest​‍ Intermediate class, the‍​ feelings of his‌⁠ classmates were inevitably‍⁠‌ complicated.

“Huh?⁠‌​ There he is,⁠‍​ Amy! Your boyfriend,‍​⁠ Shirone!”

Sharelle​⁠ waved from afar.​⁠ Shirone pushed his‌‍‌ way through the​‍ crowd. Amy stood‌ with her arms​​​ folded as if‌⁠ she were sulking.⁠‍⁠

“Hello,​ seniors.”

“Hahaha!‍‍ Whats up with‍⁠‌ the formalities? Its​‍ not like were‌​ strangers, and plus‍‌​ we’re the same‌⁠ age anyways, so‌ no need to‍‍‍ be so polite.‍‌ Talk casually.

Amy⁠ continued sulking despite​‍‌ Sharelles matchmaking temperament.‍⁠‌ From some point​ on, going beyond‌ his indifference, Amy‍⁠ felt like Shirone‍‍ was avoiding her.⁠⁠‍

She​⁠ wasnt trying to⁠ brag, but inside​ this academy, Amy​​​ Karmis was not‌ someone who got​​​ turned down by⁠‍⁠ anyone. So on⁠‌‍ the other hand,⁠‌‍ she thought a lot about how​‍‌ to deal with‍ Shirone if he⁠ did approach her⁠ seriously.

But​⁠ what was Shirone‍​⁠ doing? He drew‍ a line as⁠⁠ if they couldnt‍‍ even be simple‌ friends at all.⁠‍‌ Aside from their⁠‍⁠ occasional business-like conversations,‍ he paid her‌ no mind.

“Haha!‍‌⁠ But even so,‌⁠​ I would have​‌‍ to refuse. You‌‍ guys are still​ my upperclassmen.”

Amy⁠‍ almost threw a punch at Shirone‌ due to his​‍⁠ impassive response. but‌‌ she firmly held‌‌ it in. If⁠‌ she got angry​ here, it was​⁠ like acknowledging that‌‌ she was unattractive.‍⁠

“Just‌‍ speak comfortably when​‌⁠ we’re alone. And⁠​⁠ it’s funny if​ you speak formally‌​ even though you⁠‍ guys are dating.”‌​

At‍​ Amy’s trembling voice,​ Sharelle recognized the‌ power of love.‌‌​ Amy was empty‌⁠⁠ without her pride,‍ but she still‌‍ calmed herself in‍​⁠ order to earn‍‍​ Shirones favor. Normally,​​⁠ this would not⁠‍​ have been possible.‌‍

“No,⁠‌​ its okay. I’ll⁠ get going. I have class to‍ attend.”

As‍‍ Shirone returned to⁠ his previous seat,⁠ Amy was on‌‌‍ the verge of⁠​‌ crying out in​‌‍ anger and shame.‌⁠‌

“Whatever!⁠​ Do whatever you‍​ want! If you​⁠‌ hate this so​‍‍ much, don’t do⁠‍ it!”

Sharelle‌‌⁠ chased after Amy.‌ Even from her⁠‌ perspective, she thought‍‌ Shirone was acting‌⁠‍ quite strange lately.​‌

“Amy,‌⁠⁠ did you have⁠ a fight with⁠‌⁠ Shirone?

“I‍‌‌ don’t know! I don’t care anymore!‍‌ Hes so full‌‌ of himself!”

Shirone‌‌⁠ returned to Class⁠‍​ 7, holding back‍ his feelings of‍‍​ guilt and regret.⁠​ Amy was a good person. However,⁠ being close to‌ the queen of⁠ Class 4 brought​ too many troubles.⁠⁠

PR/N:‍ Amy? A good‍‌​ person? Now, maybe.‌‍ A good person⁠‍⁠ for you? Cap.⁠ #ReinaSupremacy

As‍ Shirone sat down,​‌‌ his classmates began‌ to murmur amongst⁠ themselves.

“Yeah,‍ yeah. He thinks‌‌‍ hes the best.⁠‌ Does he want​⁠ to show off​‍ that much?”

“Dating​‌​ during class? Really?​⁠ He doesnt even‌‌‌ know his ass​⁠ for his elbow.‍⁠ Did he come‌‍ to this academy​⁠​ depending only on‍‌​ that face of​‌‍ his?

Their‌ jealousy was up​⁠ to their eyebrows.⁠‌ It was much‌‌ worse than Shirone‌‌ had expected.

The​‌ average age of‍​​ Class 7 students‌ was 15. It‍ was only slightly⁠ younger than Shirones‌ age, but one‍‍ year was still‍​‍ enough to create​​ a huge gap.​‍⁠ In this age‍‌ group, immature happenings‌ often occurred.

The⁠​​ kids disliked the‌‍​ fact that the‌‍ new freshy who‌⁠‍ just entered the⁠‌ academy was chosen‌‍ by Amy, the​​ top student of‍ the Intermediate class.⁠ And with mob​⁠⁠ mentality at its​ fullest, even female‌‍ students were now⁠ gossiping about Shirone.‌‍⁠

“Gosh,​‍ there must be‍​ something wrong with‍ my eyes. Isnt⁠​ he actually a total player? All⁠⁠‌ he does is‍‍ date and not‌​ study. Thats why‍ he is still‍‍ unable to cast⁠ single spell.”

Shirone‌‍‌ decided to stay‌​‌ away from Amy.‍ If not, shed‍‍ be the one​‌ to receive a fatal blow in​‌​ terms of image.‍‍

It​‍ would be a lie if he‌ said he wasnt‌​ offended by the‍ numerous criticisms. Though​⁠‌ recently, the degree‍ of their accusations⁠⁠ had gotten worse,‍​​ so he was​⁠ slowly getting irritated.‍⁠

But​​‌ whenever that happened,‌ he stomped those​​ feelings down, recalling⁠‌‌ Temuran’s advice, he‍​ grit his teeth‍‍ and manned up.​ His job right‍​‍ now was to⁠ rise through the​⁠ ranks as quickly‌‌ as possible.

“From⁠⁠ today onwards, I will reduce the‍​‍ amount of theory​ and focus on‌‍ training. Practice the‍‌ Four Way Formation​‌ you specialize in​ for an hour.⁠ And for the​ rest of the‌ time, practice pattern‍‌ changes.”

Under⁠‌ the instruction of​‍⁠ Ethella, students began⁠‍⁠ to gather to‌​ train their Four⁠ Way Formation, but⁠ Shirone couldn’t mingle‍​⁠ with them.

In⁠ the early days,‍ he inadvertently displayed‍ his Spirit Zone‍‍ and suffered a setback. The students‍‌‍ avoided Shirone’s Spirit‍‍ Zone, which was⁠​‍ transmitted through synesthesia,‍ as if it‌​⁠ were a bag‌​⁠ of filth.

Shirone‌⁠ moved to a secluded place. Since‍​‌ he had the‌‍ largest Spirit Zone‍‍ in Class 7,‌⁠‌ this was the⁠‌‌ only way for‌ him to train‍​ comfortably.

Shirone,‌ who trained the​‍⁠ Defense Form for​‍⁠ an hour, practiced​ the remaining three‍ formations. While they​‌ were not as‍⁠ good as his‌ Defense Form, his⁠⁠‍ Attack Form was⁠⁠ quite good, while⁠‍ he found the‍​‍ Target Form quite⁠ difficult to manage.‌​

His‍‍ biggest problem was⁠ with the Deviate⁠⁠ Form. Not to‌⁠‌ mention its difficulty,‌​‌ he couldn’t even⁠‍‌ imitate it.

‘It’s​​‌ really tricky. What‍​‌ in the world‍ do I have‍‌​ to do to​ get my Spirit⁠ Zone to deviate?‍‍

Shirone​ tried to deviate​ the Spirit Zone‍​ to the right,​ but the shape​⁠ got all distorted.​⁠‍ It was not⁠⁠ an exaggeration to‌‍​ say that there⁠‌ were only a handful of higher-class‌ students who were⁠ able to use​⁠​ the Deviate Form.‍

Center.‍‌ The key is⁠⁠ to move the​‍‍ center.

Shirone⁠​ corrected his mistake​‍‍ and tried again.⁠​ The center slowly‍⁠​ moved while the‍‍‍ shape of the‍ Spirit Zone was⁠ fixed.

He‍⁠⁠ felt woozy.

Is​⁠ this what it​‍ feels like when‍​‌ the soul leaves‌‌ the body?

Shirones‌​ consciousness became distant‍​​ and numb. He​‌ felt disoriented. Then⁠ right before his‍ Spirit Zone was​ about to deviate,‍ it burst like​‍⁠ a bubble.

“Phew!”⁠‌‍

The​‌‌ only thoughts going⁠⁠ through his head​ were that Deviate‍ Form was too​‌ difficult for the​ current him. For⁠​ ones mind to⁠‌⁠ take off somewhere⁠​‌ was not a natural phenomenon, so​ he had to⁠​​ approach it very​‍‍ carefully.

Rather,⁠⁠​ should I move‍ the center first?‍⁠ No, the first‌‌‍ method is right.⁠ If the shape‌ is not perfect,⁠ the center won’t​‍​ move.

As‍​​ Shirone struggled, Ethella‌​ came up to⁠‌⁠ him personally.

“Hows​‍⁠ it going, Shirone?​​​

“Deviate⁠⁠‌ Form is difficult.⁠ It’s not easy⁠ to move the‍ center.”

“Thats​‍ normal. It’s usually‍‌ quite a challenge⁠‍ for convergent types.‍​ The Four Way‌‍ Formation is a natural phenomenon Except‌ for the Deviate‍ Form, which is‌ an unnatural phenomenon.⁠ By the way,​‌‍ what about the‍‍ other formations?”

Ethella‍ did not have⁠⁠‌ high expectations for‌ Shirone to succeed‍‌ in the Deviate‌ Form. What she‍​⁠ was looking forward‍‍​ to was Shirones⁠⁠‌ natural insight, not‌ computational competence.

“Mmm,‌⁠ as for the​​⁠ rest I don’t​‌ think there are‍‍‍ any issues.”

Shirone‌ answered honestly. He⁠ was becoming proficient⁠‍ in the Four​‍ Way Formation to‍‍⁠ the extent that​⁠‌ he was satisfied‌‍ with his own​ progress.

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