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Infinite Mage Chapter 37: The Uncrossable Bridge (3)

Chapter 37: The Uncrossable Bridge (3)

Prior⁠​ to Siena arriving⁠ at the Engine⁠⁠​ room.

Under​ Alpheas instruction, the‍‌‌ other instructors cast‍⁠ the Illumination magic‍⁠⁠ which was meant⁠​‍ to stop the⁠ exam.

The‍ sky glowed red,​ but Shirone and⁠ Mark showed no⁠ intention of stopping.‍‍

It’s⁠‍‍ a huge trap.‍

As​⁠ the iron bar‍ bent, circular rings‍⁠ of various sizes⁠​ started heading towards⁠‌ them.

From‍ the front, the​ trapps overlapped like‍‌ a net, so​‍ there seemed to‌ be no room⁠⁠ to escape through‍‌ it.

Do‌‌ I have to​⁠ give up?

Shirone​ and Mark glanced‌ at each other.⁠‌⁠ And right as‌ their gazes collided,⁠ they teleported.

BOOOOM!⁠⁠

Some‌‌ instructors started shouting‍ when the shapes‍​ of the two⁠‌​ were obscured by⁠⁠‍ the obstacles.

How‍‌​ foolish! Are they‌ planning on going⁠⁠ through with this​‍‌ to the end?”⁠​

Siena‍‍ spoke.

They‌ just dont want⁠⁠⁠ to give up‌ first because the‍​⁠ one who does⁠ will definitely be​⁠⁠ shamed later.

This‌​​ is a problem.⁠​ What the hell⁠​ is Mr. Thadd‌‌⁠ doing?

Another‍‌ reason for this‍‍⁠ chaotic atmosphere was​ that Alpheas was⁠‍‌ silent. To be‌ honest, anger was‌‌ boiling inside Alpheas.⁠‍⁠ Especially towards Shirone.‌

Sometimes‍⁠‍ you have to‌ know when to⁠​ back down. Dont‌ you know that‍ much?

But‍⁠ he also knew⁠‌‍ that at times,‍⁠ doing such a thing was not​​‍ an option.

…There‌​ are times when‍‌ you can never⁠ back down.

There‍ was no right​⁠ answer in life.​‍

Whatever‍⁠ you choose to⁠ do, as long⁠‍‌ as you take‌​​ responsibility for your‌‍ decision, what others‍ think becomes meaningless.​‍

Let‍ them proceed. Neither‌‌ of them seem‍⁠​ satisfied with my⁠​‌ decision.

The‌ instructors were surprised.⁠‌

What?​⁠​ But if an​‍⁠ accident were to‍ occur, this could‌‍ turn into a huge problem.

No‌ matter what happens‍⁠‍

Alpheas’⁠⁠ eyes turned icy.‌‍​

I’ll⁠​ take responsibility.

The‍ instructors were bewildered​​‍ and could not​ reply back to⁠​ their Headmasters cold⁠‌‌ attitude that did​‌⁠ not usually surface.​​

The⁠ only one who‌ could perhaps somewhat‍⁠ understand Alpheas intention​ was Thadd, who‌‌⁠ was currently absent.​

His‍‍ gaze went back⁠​‍ to the competition.‍

Alright,⁠‍ I understand your⁠‍ will.

He‌‍​ had heard all​‌ about Shirones past,​‌​ his origins, and‍⁠​ the things he‍‌​ had to go‍ through to enter⁠ the academy.

Every​ moment must feel‌‍ like your last.‌‌ I will respect‍‍⁠ that. But if‌​‌ you cant take‍⁠ responsibility for the‌ results

Alpheus⁠‍‌ was resolved.

This​ will be the⁠‌⁠ end of your​⁠ path to becoming‍ a mage.

* * *

Shirone‌​ felt dizzy.

Keuk!​‌

The‍‌​ traps were so⁠‌⁠ fast that he‌‍ had no time‌ to dodge one‍ and have the​⁠‍ luxury to think‌ about the next.‍⁠

I have to look‍​‌ at the whole‍ thing all at‌‌​ once.

To⁠‌ compare it to‍‍ a maze, it​‍⁠ was like running⁠ after memorizing the‌⁠⁠ whole map.

There’s​‌⁠ no end to‌ it.

Due​‍​ to being too‍ focused on avoiding​ the obstacles, Shirone⁠‍‌ advanced less than‍‌​ two meters.

At‍‌​ this rate, my​ mental strength will⁠⁠ be exhausted first.​ I have to‍ try and move⁠‍‍ forward somehow.

Mark⁠ was thinking the​ same thing.

There‍‍‌ is a possibility‌‍ that both of‍⁠⁠ us will fail.⁠ The one who⁠​​ gets the furthest⁠‌⁠ will probably be‌‍⁠ the winner.

Like​‍ a lion in‌ a circus jumping‍‍‍ through a hoop‍ of fire, Mark⁠​ broke through the​ obstacle.

Here⁠ I go!

The‌​ instructors admired Marks⁠‌ bravery and decisiveness‍‌⁠ as he sharply‍⁠‍ swerved and penetrated‍⁠ through the obstacle.​

The‌⁠ change of direction‌‌‍ of teleportation is‍ by no means⁠ easy. I see​​⁠ Mark has prepared‌​ well.

Mark​‌​ was delighted.

It‌ worked! I can‌​​ do it!

When‌⁠ Mark turned his‌​​ head to look⁠‌‌ back, he saw‍ that Shirone was‍ in the same‍⁠ place he was​‌ previously.

Kekeke,​ hes terrified.

Mark‌⁠ was no longer‌​ worried about Shirone⁠‌​ as he felt‌​‍ he had taken​ a far enough​‌‌ lead.

Shirone‌ shook his head.​​​

No.‌

If‌⁠ it was simply‍‍ avoiding a couple‍​ of obstacles and‌‌ advancing forward, that‍⁠ was something Shirone​ could do as‍⁠ well. However, after‍‌ analyzing the combination‍‌⁠ of all obstacles​‌ approaching from afar,‍ Shirone realized that‍ there was only​‍ one way out.⁠

The‌ path Mark chose⁠‍ is blocked.

As‌‌ expected, Mark felt⁠⁠​ the difficulty of‌‍ the traps increase​ as time went‍⁠‍ by.

Keuk!​

The‍‍​ iron bar that‌ waved around like‌‌‌ a whip came⁠‌ at him in‍⁠ the shape of‌‌ an X.

HEEUUK!⁠‌

Mark⁠⁠​ looked like he​ was about to‍‍​ break down.

The‌ endless number of‍​‍ iron bars that⁠ were seemingly dancing‍ in the air⁠ suddenly tangled up⁠⁠ and transformed into‍ a net.

I can’t avoid that.⁠

Ever​ since the beginning,⁠​ Mark was mistaken‍‍‌ to think he​⁠ had chosen an‍‌ easy path. He‌‍ tried to leave​ the current route⁠ belatedly, but the‌‌ net was already‌ right in front⁠⁠ of his eyes.​‌

The​‌‍ observing students paled.⁠‌⁠

Hes⁠‌ going to collide!⁠‌

As‍ soon as the​‌ obstacle passed with​ a roaring sound,‍ the eyes of‍​ those watching tightly‍⁠ closed. On the​‌‍ other hand, students‍‌ who could not‍‍‌ move a muscle‌‌⁠ had their eyes‌​‌ opened wide.

Shirone!‍

Shirone‌​‍ had snatched Mark‍‍⁠ away on time⁠‌ and escaped the​‍⁠ net using teleportation.​

Did​⁠‍ he jump in‌ to save Mark?⁠​ One can only‌ be so nice.⁠‌⁠ He still annoys‌ me.

How⁠‍‌ can you say​⁠‍ that? Isn’t it‌​ natural to try‍‍ and save people​‍​ who are about⁠ to die?

Natural?⁠​ Would you be​ able to do​​‍ that?

Hey,⁠​ you jerk! Why‍‌‌ are you imposing‍‌​ that on me?‍

Yiruki⁠ had a knowing⁠‍ smile while the‍⁠ other students were​‍‍ busy arguing with‍‍⁠ each other.

It’s⁠⁠​ not that, idiots.‍​‌

Meanwhile,‌‌ Shirone was lost.​‌

Although​⁠ he did good‍‍ in saving Mark,⁠⁠ he was knee-deep​‌ in trouble.

AAK!‍‍ S-Save me!

Mark,⁠⁠‍ who had already‍‍ lost his beast-like‌‌ will, floundered about​⁠⁠ with tears in‍ his eyes

Just​⁠⁠ keep still!

Even‍‍⁠ though he was‌ shouting, Shirone’s eyes‍‍⁠ did not leave‌⁠ the coming obstacles‌‍‌ and continued to‌ analyze.

Theres‍ none.

He‌ had rescued Mark‍ from trap hell,‌​ but he himself⁠ couldn’t find a way out.

No,‌‍‍ theres no way.‍‍ They wouldnt make‌ a trap that‍‌ has no way‌ out.

At​‌⁠ that moment, his‍‍ frame of common‌ sense shattered.

I was being stupid​

Wasnt‍ there another escape‌ route? Go back⁠‌‌ out the way​‌‍ he came in.‍​⁠

Ahhhh!​ We are all‌​‍ gonna dieeeee!

Ignoring‍​ Marks screams, Shirone​ rushed backwards with⁠‌ teleportation.

Yiruki‍‌‌ jumped to his‍​‌ feet in the‍ audience.

That’s‍​ right!

Backing‌⁠ up was also‍ a strategy.

The​‍ key was to​ not obsess over‍ moving forward. Shirone​‍‌ didnt have to⁠‍⁠ only go straight⁠⁠ in order to‌‍ avoid the obstacles.‌

Here‍ I go!

Shirone,⁠ who was moving⁠​⁠ rapidly, jumped over‍‌⁠ a huge obstacle‌ that was approaching.​

Yes,‍‍⁠ it worked!

The‌ immediate threat had⁠ passed, but level‍‌ 10 was not‍⁠‌ level 10 for‌​​ nothing.

As⁠​ soon as Shirone‌​‌ jumped up, the⁠‍​ iron bar tracked‌ him down after‌⁠ transforming into a large parabola.

So‌​ its impossible to‌‍ escape this cycle⁠ even if I move up?

As‌ long as the‍​⁠ participant did not⁠ fall to the​‌ ground, the Bridge‌​ That Cannot Be‍⁠​ Crossed would continue‍⁠​ to harass the​‍​ participant until they​⁠ either failed or‍‍⁠ got to the​ end.

Keuk!‌​

The⁠​‍ trap became harder​‌‍ to analyze than​ before due to⁠‍⁠ a slope being⁠ created because of‍‍‍ its parabola shape.‌‌​ Though, the presence⁠⁠​ of Mark was‍‌ also a big‍ burden on Shirone.‌​

Sharelle‌​ grumbled frustratedly.

“Why‍⁠‍ is he doing‍ such a reckless‍⁠ thing? If Mark​ is eliminated, he‍⁠ will be promoted.‌ And not to‍‍ mention, it’s really‍‌⁠ dangerous to teleport‌‍ with someone else.​ You only do⁠ that in case‍​⁠ of an emergency.​

Amys‌‌ replied.

Thats⁠​ just who he⁠ is. He actually⁠ does the things​⁠ other people only‍ dream or talk​ about doing.

I know that Shirone⁠⁠ is kind, but​ Mark even hired‌ people to bother‌ him.

Perhaps⁠ that is why​​ hes more

She‍⁠‌ thought it a little strange that⁠‌⁠ she understood Shirones⁠‍⁠ intention.

He​⁠‌ wasn’t interested in​ the ranking from​⁠‌ the beginning.

* * *

* * *

Shirone‌‌​ is not competing⁠ with anyone. His‌‌ only goal is‍⁠ to become a mage. A person⁠⁠ who is deadset‌​ on a goal⁠​ does not really‍‌‌ care about the​​ process or what​ other people think.​ It doesnt matter⁠ whether theyre first​⁠ or last. All​​ the things they‌‍‍ do are in​‍ service of reaching⁠‍‍ said goal

And‍‍ in his case,⁠‌​ its to become⁠⁠‍ great at magic.​‍

While‍ Sharelle was lost⁠ in thought, Amy⁠ watched the struggling⁠ Shirone.

She​​ knew Shirone had‌‍​ no luck this‍ time.

No‍ one in the⁠​ Intermediate class can‌‌​ cross level 10.⁠‍ It’s right to‌‍‍ stop the exam⁠⁠ here.

All‍​⁠ she could do‍⁠ was hope that‌‍‌ Shirone would come⁠ back alive.

AAAHH!⁠​ AAAAAKK!

Shirone‌​ was so focused⁠​‍ on the traps​​‍ that he couldn’t​ even hear Mark’s​ annoying screams.

It’s​‍‌ getting more and​​⁠ more difficult.

This​⁠ was of course‍ natural, however, the‍‍ difficulty was so‍‌⁠ high that it‌ now seemed like​⁠‍ the iron bar​‌‌ was a huge‌‌ worm-like parasite, instead‌‍ of an object.‌​⁠

Its‌ unpredictable.

Mark’s‌‍ scream disappeared around‍​ the time Shirone​‍⁠ advanced 100 meters⁠​​ through the wriggling‌‍‍ parasite.

Mark​‍ fainted with foam​‌ coming out from​​ his mouth, but⁠‍⁠ Shirone continued on‍​ with no care.‌ He had already⁠ forgotten about him.⁠‍

Focusing‍‌ on one thing‌⁠ while thinking of⁠​ the whole was⁠‍ similar to the​ Deviate Form of​⁠ the Four Way​ Formation.

The​⁠ instructors who were⁠⁠‍ arguing and the‍ students who were​⁠⁠ making a fuss‌ a minute ago‍‍⁠ had all gone⁠‍ silent.

Alpheas​​​ narrowed his eyes.‍‍

Crisis​‌ raises ones ability‌ However, everyone has‌ limits

How‌ was he still‌⁠‍ holding out? The⁠ traps present in​​ the Bridge That‍‌‌ Cannot Be Crossed‌⁠ were moving at‌⁠⁠ a speed of‍ 200 km/h.

It​ was safe to‌‌‍ say that any⁠⁠ average student would⁠‍ have long lost‍⁠ consciousness.

Yet,‌​ Shirone continued to‍⁠ pass between the​‌ black iron bars.‌

Does‍ that boy have​⁠ no limits?

The‌‍ reason why some‌‍ couldnt soar indefinitely‍ even when they‍ once rode through​ an upward trend⁠ was because they⁠ would eventually feel‍ satisfied with themselves.⁠

The​ same went for​ magic.

Why⁠‌‍ couldnt all mages‍​‌ be the best?⁠⁠​ Was it just‍​‌ a matter of​‌ skill or talent?‌

Satisfaction⁠‍​ was the enemy⁠ of progress. But‌ at the same‍ time, it was​ human nature and‍‍‌ something everyone eventually‍​ felt. The feeling‍​ of satisfaction was‌ not something humans‍‌‍ could do without.⁠‌

But​ I don’t even‍ see a hint‌ of that in‍ you. Shirone, are‌‌‌ you dreaming of​ infinity with that⁠‌ human body of​‍ yours?

It​ seemed like he‌ never had a vessel that held⁠​ him back to⁠ begin with.

Since‌​ satisfaction did not​‍ exist in him,​‍‌ his mind was‌⁠‍ able to handle​⁠ the ever-increasing difficulty.‍

Shirone,‌​⁠ who mustve been‍​‌ in a trance,​​ would not remember‍ this moment.

However,​ Ethella, the youngest​​ bishop of the⁠ Karsis Order, would⁠ never forget the‍ dance No, the‌ valor she observed‍​‌ today.

Even‍ in a trance,‌‍​ hes constantly calculating​ and finding a way out. An​‌⁠ exit that he‍​ has a one​⁠⁠ over-infinity chance of‍ finding.

What⁠ kind of mental⁠‌‌ state did one​‌⁠ have to have‍⁠ to be able⁠‍ to do that?​‌​

Even⁠‍‍ a high priest​ can only maintain‍​‌ that kind of‌⁠‍ mentality while in⁠⁠ a transcendent state⁠⁠​ for a short⁠​​ while.

However⁠⁠

Ethellas⁠ face turned serious.⁠‍‍

Even‌ if he can⁠‍ feel and calculate​ everything, techniques and‍ skills are a whole other matter.​‍ The next trap‌ is really hard.‍

Shirone⁠⁠ had anticipated it.​‍

The⁠ distance between the⁠​ obstacles was extremely‌ narrow. They left‍​‌ Shirone with only​‌‍ a 1-meter gap.‌‍

It‌​⁠ was literally a trap of chaos‍ where no such‍‍​ thing as rules‌‌ applied. The only⁠‍​ rule was that⁠‌ things would continue⁠ to become more‍⁠​ difficult.

I have to break⁠ it down smaller.‍

He​​‌ had to reduce‍‌ his 10-meter teleportation​‌⁠ distance to 1 meter.

Doing​ so would place⁠ Shirone at a level that absolutely​​ surpassed Class 7s,‌‍ but no such⁠‌‍ distracting thoughts bothered​‌​ him.

Left‍​‍ and right pattern.‍

Shirone​‌‌ analyzed dozens of‌‌⁠ ring-shaped traps arranged⁠‌⁠ in pairs at⁠ the same time.⁠​​

Left,‌​ right, left, right‍ The moment his‍⁠ thoughts finalized, he‍ teleported left and⁠‌ right without even‌‍‌ taking the time‍​ to look at‌​ each trap.

A flash of light​‌ zigzagged through the‌ rings.

I made it

However,‍‌​ the moment Shirone‌ finally started to‌ regain his bearings,‍ the rings with⁠​⁠ up-and-down patterns rushed‍ towards him.

KEUK!⁠

In‍ a situation where⁠ the angle was‌ not straight, his​‌ body took another⁠‍​ leap forward.

If‍‍ I break it⁠‌⁠ down to the‍ extreme

Shirones‌‌ body shone once‌‍‌ again, and as‌⁠ it did a flash of light​​ that bent appeared.​‌

The‌ students eyes opened‍‌‌ like saucers.

The⁠⁠ light bent?

Yiruki‌⁠ got up and‍‍ opened his different-colored‌‌⁠ eyes wide.

Rainbow‍‍ Drop! He actually‍‍‌ did it!

Most​ of the students‍​‌ did not understand‍‌ the flash that‍⁠⁠ followed the trajectory‌​ of a wave,‌​⁠ but that was‌‌ probably because Rainbow‍⁠​ Drop was a top-level skill that⁠ teleportation specialists learned.‌

Is⁠ that really possible?‍​‌ How does teleportation​​⁠ bend? Lights only⁠ travel in a straight line!

Yiruki​‍​ tapped his head⁠⁠ twice and said,‌​

Its⁠ a simple principle.​‍​ Differentiating a circle⁠‍ yields an infinite‌‍‍ straight line. Break‍‍​ down the interval‍ of teleportation enough⁠ times and you⁠ can make it⁠⁠​ look like light​⁠ bent.

How‍ do you even‌​‌ calculate how many‌ times you need‍​ to break it‌ down?

It’s‍⁠ not a calculation,‍‍⁠ it’s a sense.‍‍ Even then, it’s​​ hard to do,​​‌ but lets just⁠⁠ say he has‍‌ more omnipotence than​​ omniscience. Though, I can confidently say‌‍‌ that he is‍ a genius with⁠‍‌ a tendency opposite‌⁠⁠ to mine.

The‌‍‍ students turned their⁠​⁠ heads back to​‌‌ the examination hall.⁠‍‌

For‍‍​ someone whos only‍ in Class 5?‍ Genius my ass.⁠‌​

When⁠‍ the speed of​ the Bridge That‍ Could Not Be​ Crossed reached its​ maximum, even the​‌ shape of the‍‌ structures could not​ be easily distinguished.‍ Though Shirone’s eyes⁠‍​ had adapted to‌⁠​ it, so he⁠‍ could still tell.‍‌⁠

30‌‍⁠ meters left to‌ the end.

The‌‍ students began shouting‍⁠ words of support​⁠ towards Shirone.

For​ the first time​‌ in the history‍⁠ of the magic‍ academy, they were‍‌​ expecting a student‍ from the Intermediate‌‍ class to cross‍ a level 10‌⁠‍ Bridge That Could‌​⁠ Not Be Crossed.‍‍

Headmaster!‍ Over there!

The​‌‍ faces of the​⁠ instructors paled.

As⁠‌ if jealous of​‌​ Shirones near success,​​‌ the iron bar‍ started twisting randomly,‍⁠ creating a three-dimensional​ structure.

Damn⁠ it! Its the⁠‍‍ Dragons Labyrinth! What‍‍‍ the hell is‍ Mr. Thadd doing?⁠⁠⁠

While‌​‍ the instructors were​ busy shouting, Siena​​ had a deep⁠‌‌ frown and hurriedly⁠‌ cast Spacial Warp.‍

Thadd!⁠ You fucking!

The⁠ Dragons Labyrinth, which‌‍ only appeared at‌​​ level 10, was‍ a trap with⁠⁠ a gigantic dragons‍‌‍ head.

Once​ you were swallowed,⁠ it was the​ end, so you​⁠ had to link‍​ your magic while‍​‌ also remembering how⁠‌ the structure was‍‍⁠ created step-by-step.

Shirone‍ bit his lips‍ and analyzed the‌ pattern.

AAAAHHHHH!‍ What the fuck?!⁠​ What the hell⁠​ is that?!

When‌⁠⁠ Mark regained consciousness‍⁠ and screamed his⁠ head off, Shirones‌​‌ Spirit Zone shook⁠‍⁠ violently.

Keuk!⁠

Even‍⁠ at that moment,‌​‌ the Dragons Labyrinth⁠⁠ approached at its​‌​ fastest speed with​‍‌ its jaws wide‌‌​ open.

Here⁠‍‌ it comes!

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