Infinite Mage — Chapter 38: The Uncrossable Bridge (4)

Chapter 38: The Uncrossable Bridge (4)

The⁠ time left until⁠ the collision was‌ at most one‌‌ second, and this‌‌ time, Shirones heart‍‍‌ couldnt help but‌‍⁠ race.

He‍ could smell death.‌‍

Lets stay calm.

He‌ was not yet‌‍ dead, so with that in mind,‍‍ Shirone narrowed his eyes at the‍ iron structure that‍⁠ wished to swallow‌‌⁠ him whole.

Think.⁠

Intense‌⁠ electrical impulses hit‌‌ his brain, and‌ Shirone quickly readjusted‌‌ his omnipotence and omniscience to repair⁠ his Spirit Zone‍⁠ which had been‌ shaken by Marks‍ shrill screams.

That‌⁠ took a tenth‍‌‌ of a second.‍‌‌

Shirone‍ thought to himself.‍

Was‍‌‍ that enough? No,‍‌ not yet.

He‌ thought faster.

A hundredth of a second.

He⁠ reconstructed the internal‍‌ structure of the‌⁠⁠ Dragons Labyrinth and‌ simulated exactly how‍⁠ it went in⁠ his mind in‌⁠‌ order to find‌‌⁠ a way out.‌

A thousandth of a second.

There‌‍ were 6 roads‍ in front of‌‍ him. Shirone needed‍‍ to link nine‌‍ teleports in order⁠⁠ to escape.

No.⁠⁠ It would be‌‍ possible alone, but‌ with Mark? I have to find another route

Right⁠‍ as Shirone was‍ about to begin‍ a new simulation, the Dragon’s Labyrinth⁠‍ devoured them both.

Many‍ students turned their‍‌ heads, and some‌⁠ even screamed.

Sharelles‍ scream was the‍‍ loudest among them.‌

BOOOOOOOM!⁠

The‍‌‍ sound wave in‍‌ the narrow space‌‌ sounded like the‌⁠ screams of Shirone‍‍ and Mark.

ten-thousandth⁠ of a second.‌‍

Despite⁠ only being given‍ ten-thousandth of a second, a time‍‌ which was too‍ faint to be‌‍‍ perceived with insight,‍‍‌ Shirone somehow managed⁠ to analyze all‌‍‌ the patterns and⁠⁠⁠ teleport accordingly.

A single flash of‌‍ light pierced through‍ the Dragons Labyrinth.‌‌ And in a flash of dazzling⁠ light, Shirone crossed‍‍ the finish line.‍‍‍

Hahh‍‍ Hahh.

Shirone‍⁠ dropped Mark onto‍ the ground and‌ walked a few‍‍ more steps. But‍ his body couldn’t‌ take it anymore,⁠‍ so he ended‍ up curled up‌‌‍ on the ground.⁠⁠‍ There was no‌‍ place in his‍ body that was‍⁠ not overloaded and‍‌ aching.

Nobody‌ made a sound. The students who‌⁠ took in the scene were blown‍⁠‌ away. They looked‍⁠ at the boy‌ who triggered this‍⁠ response with frightened‍‌ eyes as if⁠ they were looking⁠ at a ghost.‍‍‍

Ethella‍⁠‌ cast Spatial Warp‍⁠ towards where Siena‍‌ had left in‍‍ search of Thadd,‌ and shortly thereafter, the engine system⁠ turned off, and‌ a voice echoed‍‌‍ out.

The⁠ engine system of‍ the Bridge That⁠ Cannot Be Crossed has been deactivated.‍ Level 0. Level‌ 0.

Shortly⁠ after the empty voice of the‍ machine sounded out,⁠ the movement of⁠‌ the iron bar⁠‍ slowed to a stop, and the‌ vine-like structure returned‌ back to how⁠‍ it was initially.⁠‍

The⁠ upperclassmen from the‌‌‌ Advanced class were‍ the first to‌‌ speak up.

Wh-What‍ the

All⁠ the students had‍ uniform thoughts.

Is⁠ that really possible?⁠‌‌

No⁠ way. This is‍ absurd. That was‍ level 10. He⁠‌ passed the Dragons⁠ Labyrinth

Awakened⁠ by the students⁠ voices, Shirone took‍⁠ a second to‌‌‌ look around.

Huh?‍‍ Why are they‌⁠ all staring at⁠ me?!

Some⁠ parts of his⁠‌ memory were hazy,⁠ but he at‍⁠⁠ least knew he‌ had crossed the‍ Bridge That Could⁠⁠ Not be Crossed.‍‌

As⁠ his head started‌⁠ to clear, and‌‍ everything came crashing⁠‍⁠ down, Shirone’s eyes‌ got teary as‍⁠‌ his lips trembled.‍

Wahhhh⁠ I really thought I was going‍‍ to die.

Considering⁠ it was said⁠⁠‌ by a person‍ who just made‍⁠ history, the remark‌⁠‍ was almost too‌⁠ tasteless and uncool.⁠‌

Sharelle⁠ pulled Amy in⁠ for a hug‌‌⁠ and cried out.‍

Shirone‍ did it! Your boyfriend really did‍ it!

It⁠ wouldve been better‌‌ if she didnt⁠‌ mention the boyfriend⁠ part, but Amy‌ let it go‌‍ this time after‌ feeling her teary⁠‌ friends sincerity.

Students⁠ shoved each other‍ around to reach⁠⁠ Shirone in order⁠‍‍ to congratulate him.‍

Congratulations!‌ You were really‍ cool!

So⁠‌ I guess youre‍‍ going to be⁠‍ promoted to Class‌⁠ 5 now. Hahaha!⁠⁠ Class 6 kids⁠ are going to‍⁠ go green with‌‌ envy.

While⁠ Shirone was busy‍ getting praised, the instructors that had‍‌ gone to the‍‌ engine room returned‌⁠‍ With Maria in⁠ tow.

Siena‌ first looked Shirone‍ up and down.‌

Though‌‍ he did seem distracted by the⁠‍ surrounding students, he‍ did not seem‌‍ to be seriously‌ injured.

He passed the Dragons‍‌ Labyrinth? How in the world did⁠⁠‍ he do that?⁠ Even the Advanced⁠‍ Class kids have‌‌‌ to practice dozens‍⁠⁠ of times.

She⁠ narrowed her eyes‌ at the person‌ who made her‍ miss such a historical moment. Thadd‍ just shrugged his‌ shoulders and made‌‍ an excuse.

As⁠ you know Actually,⁠ no you probably‍‌ dont, but I did my best.⁠

Sighing, Siena headed towards⁠ Alpheas.

It was unlikely, but‌ since Shirone and‌⁠⁠ Mark came in‍ at the same⁠‍ time, Siena thought⁠ it would be‍ better to clearly‍ announce the results‍‍ so that there⁠ would be no‌ arguments later on.⁠

Headmaster,‌ lets first announce‍ the win

Siena⁠ stopped when she saw that Alpheas‍ eyes, which always shone with intelligence,‌ were deep in sorrow.

Is‌⁠ something wrong?

Thadd⁠‍⁠ approached fast.

Ill⁠ do it. He seems to have‌⁠⁠ a lot on‍‍ his mind right⁠‌ now.

What? There were no⁠‌ casualties or major‌ injuries, though.

Yes,‍‍ but

Thadd‍ fell silent.

As⁠ someone who knew‌ of Alpheas past,‌ he understood his‍ teachers feelings.

The‍‌ sight of Shirones⁠ witty and lively‌⁠ appearance must have‍ reminded him of‍ his youth.

Dont‍‍‌ blame yourself. Its‌⁠ not anyones fault.‍⁠

The⁠ House of Myrhes‌‍ Light.

Alpheas⁠ was famous because‌‌ he redefined photons.‍‍

Its an old theory‌‍ now, but at‌⁠ the time, his‍ idea was so‍ unprecedented and so‌ shocking that it even won him the Gold Circle‌ Award, an award⁠‍ bestowed upon him‍ by the Emperor.⁠⁠

However,‍‍‍ it was that⁠ brilliant talent of‌ his that plunged⁠‍‍ young Alpheas into‌‍‍ the depths of‍ despair.

What‌‍ would have happened‍⁠ if he hadnt‍ wandered through the dark for 10‌‍⁠ years due to⁠ a single mistake?

If‍‍ that hadnt happened

Alpheas‍ would have become‌⁠ an archmage etched⁠ in history.

* * *

Thadd‌⁠ tried to put‌‌ up a bright‌ face.

Headmaster,‌‌‌ a word, please?‍⁠‌ A man of‍⁠ talent who will⁠‍ brighten the future⁠ of this academy‌ has appeared.

Mm?⁠ Hoho! Right, it‌‍ slipped off my⁠ mind.

Alpheas, who smiled as‍‌ kindly as ever,‌ looked back at‌ the students.

The one who passed‍‍ this exam is‍⁠ Shirone Arian. And‍‍ although there is⁠ only one victor,‍ I would like‌‌ to applaud the‍⁠ rest of the‌⁠ students who participated.‌ The courage you‌‌ showed today will⁠‌ be the driving⁠ force that will⁠ lead the world⁠ in the future.‌‍ I hope that‌‌ you will continue‌‌ to work hard‌‌ and achieve great results. I wish‌ you success.

The‍⁠ upperclassmen started clapping, followed by the⁠‌ lowerclassmen.

No⁠ one could possibly‌ grumble about Shirones‌‍ early promotion now.‌‍ Even Mark had to admit his⁠ loss.

There‌ really is such⁠ a thing as⁠ a genius.

The‌‍ scene in which‌ Shirone cast teleportation⁠‌ at an incredible speed during the Dragons Labyrinth stage was still vividly⁠ etched in his⁠‌ mind.

It⁠‌ wasnt a matter⁠ of talent.

Most‌ would get intimidated‌ and retreat when⁠ faced with a near-impossible situation, but there were also‌‍ those who didnt‌ run.

At‍ this point, I cant even make⁠ an excuse.

Mark wobbled over to‌ Shirone with his‌‌ trembling legs.

Most‍ of the students⁠‍ knew of the⁠ existence of Marks⁠‌‌ operation team, so⁠‍ there was no‌‍⁠ way Shirone, who⁠⁠ experienced it first-hand,⁠⁠ did not know‍‍‌ of it. But⁠⁠ Mark was prepared.

I lost. I wont⁠ ask you to‍‌ forgive me, I dont deserve it.‍ But do know⁠ I will take‍ responsibility for my‍‍ actions.

Shirone‌ looked at him.⁠⁠

It‍‍ was certainly out‌‌ of the ordinary⁠ for a belligerent‍‍ man like him‍ to admit his⁠⁠ defeat.

On⁠ the other hand,‍ Shirone thought that⁠ since Mark had‍‌ no way out‌ of this and had to accept it, he was‌‍⁠ trying to keep‍‍ his pride and⁠‍ face by bearing‍ with it.

All‌⁠ right. You worked‍‌ hard. I hope‌‍‍ you do better‍ from now on.‍ As a person.‌‌

He⁠‌ had many complicated⁠‍ feelings regarding the‍⁠ issue, but Shirone⁠⁠ wanted to leave‌‍ the rest of⁠ it for the‍‌ academy to deal‌‌‍ with.

And Seeing how Mark‌ raised the white‌⁠ flag, other Class⁠ 7 students began‌‌ to give congratulatory‍‍ words to him.‌‍

Congratulations,‍ upperclassman. You were‍‍⁠ awesome.

Having‌ proven his skills,‍⁠‌ no one from⁠‌ Class 7 even‌ thought of treating‍ him as someone‍ from Class 7.‍

Amy‍ smiled subtly.

Congrats.⁠‍

And‌‌ after staring at⁠ Shirone for a while more, she‍ turned around.

Lets⁠ go, Sharelle.

Already?⁠ You should stay⁠‌ with your boyfriend on a special⁠‍‍ day like this‍ one.

I dont have time for that. Since‌‌‌ Shirone succeeded, its‍‌ now my turn.‍ I have to‍ prepare for the‍‌ promotion exam.

Her‍ steps were heavy⁠‍ for she did⁠⁠ not want to leave yet, but‌‌ she knew that in order to‍‌ respect Shirones resolve‌ and meet it,‌‍ she had to⁠ go and train.‍‌

You‍‌‍ sure its okay‍ to just leave⁠‌‌ like this?

Amy.‍‍

Amy‍⁠ flinched when Shirone⁠ called.

When she turned around,‌ their eyes met.‍ The students around⁠⁠ them murmured with surprised faces.

Did‌‍‍ he just call‍ her by name?‌‌

Of⁠‍ course. Arent they‍ dating?

I mean, even then, Amy is still‌ an upperclassman

Amy,‌‍ who had never‌‌ given up her‍‍⁠ place as 1st,⁠‌ was more than‍ just a simple⁠ upperclassman.

She‍ was considered to⁠‌ be more than⁠‌ skilled enough to‌‍⁠ enter the Advanced⁠ Class. That was‍‍ why this situation‌‍ was quite a surprise for them.‍‍

Now‌‍ there are only‌ two steps left.‌⁠‍

Haha‌

A corner of Amys‌ lips lifted up.⁠‌

If she passed the‍ Advanced Class promotion‍ exam, the gap⁠⁠‌ between Shirone and‍‌ herself would be⁠‍ two classes.

Amy‍ turned around and‍‌‍ walked down the‌⁠ mountain with Sharelle‍‍‍ hot on her‍‌ heels.

Around⁠‍ the time the‍ Advanced Class students‍⁠ started dispersing, Thadd⁠‌ approached Alpheas.

Headmaster,‌‍ I have something‌ to discuss regarding‍‌ Mary.

Thadd‍ reported everything that‍‍⁠ happened in the‍ engine room.

I see. What made‌⁠ you decide to‍ do such a thing

Maria⁠ bent over 90‌ degrees.

Im‍‍‌ sorry. Ive made an irrevocable mistake.‌ I will accept⁠‌‌ any punishment readily.‌‌‌

Alpheas sank deep in‌ thought.

Hmm.⁠

Of‌‌‌ course, disciplinary action‌⁠⁠ was unavoidable, but‌‍ there was much‍ to consider due‍⁠⁠ to the harassment‌‍ she faced.

Then‍ first

I have something to‍‍ confess. Everything that happened today was‌ because of me.

And‌‍ there stood Mark.

What⁠ do you mean?‍‌

I really got under‌‍ Marias skin this⁠‍‌ morning. In fact,‍ if I were‌‍ in her shoes,‍⁠ I would have⁠ flipped out as‌ well. Ill take‍‍ her punishment. Im⁠‌ the one who‍ caused all of‌ this.

Siena‌⁠‌ spoke.

Even‌⁠ so, there is‍ a problem with‌ Marias behavior. But‌‍ why are you‍ doing this?

I know Im a shitty person, but⁠ Im not a coward. Ill take full responsibility for⁠‌‌ my actions as‍‌ well as the‍ actions of those‌ under me. Everything⁠‍ I did, I did knowingly.

And⁠ that aside, the‍‍ other kids know‍ it too, anyway.‌⁠ Continuing to keep⁠‌‍ my mouth shut‍ like a petty‍ loser will only‌ serve to embarrass‌‍ me. Also, I was the one‌⁠‍ who came up⁠ with the plan⁠ to keep Shirone‍⁠ in check.

I was overwhelmed in⁠ terms of skill.⁠

The way Shirone jumped‌‍‌ over walls he‌ had yet to‌ overcome made him⁠‌ envious.

In any case, thats‍‌ what happened. I will take the⁠ heat. But please⁠‌ let it slide‌‍ for the other kids. Especially Maria

Glancing‍‍ once at Maria,‍‌ Mark spoke again.‌⁠

She⁠ must have been‍‌ under severe stress⁠ due to the‌⁠ constant bullying. Think⁠ about it. To‍ do such a thing, she mustve‍⁠⁠ lost her mind‌ for a second.⁠⁠

Alpheas‍⁠‍ pondered for a long time about⁠⁠⁠ Maria.

Although‍ her grades werent‌‍‍ the best, she⁠ was an aspirant‍‍‍ mage who had⁠⁠ been training for⁠‌ a longer period‍‌‌ of time. Longer‍⁠ than most people in the academy‍ However, she made‌‌ an awful mistake‍ and was on the brink of‍ being expelled.

Teacher

Thadd looked at him with sad eyes.

You‌‌ will both be‌ referred to the‍ disciplinary committee. Maria‌‍ is guilty of‍‍⁠ interfering with the‍ test by illicitly‍‌ operating the engine system. Her actions‍⁠‍ caused unnecessary risks.‌⁠ However, since Mark⁠ gave rise to‍‍ the whole situation,⁠‌ we will take‍‌⁠ that into account‌ and deal with‌ the punishments accordingly.

As‍ Mark and Maria⁠‍⁠ lowered their heads,‍‍ other students from‍ Class 7 also‌ started raising their‍ hands one by⁠‍‌ one.

Um, I also bullied‌ Maria. I think‍‌⁠ that makes me⁠⁠ responsible for this‌‌ as well.

I joined the operation‍⁠ team and attacked⁠‍ Shirone.

I did something bad,⁠ too.

When⁠ all the students‍ raised their hands,‌ Siena spoke out, concerned.

This⁠ is not a class meeting. You⁠ broke the rules.‌ And since youre⁠‌ all confessing, you will be punished.‌

The‍‌⁠ students did not back down.

These⁠ punks! If youre‌ going to act‍ like this, why⁠ bother breaking the‍‌ rules in the⁠ first place

Enough.⁠⁠

Alpheas‌‍‌ held her back.⁠⁠

Since‌ Shirone showed such⁠‍ an amazing performance, one at the⁠ level of an⁠‌ Advanced Class student,⁠‍ Im sure they⁠‍‌ felt and learned‍‌ something.

But⁠ theres also that⁠ mob mentality. I think they think‍ that if they‍ hold out and‌ confess together, theyll‍⁠ end up fine‍⁠ and with no‍ punishment. Do you‍ really think thats⁠ repenting for their⁠‌ mistakes?

Alpheas‍⁠ only smiled and⁠⁠ let out a small laugh.

Come‍⁠‍ to think of‌ it, I think‌ I see an‌ adorable side to Ms. Siena.

……?‍‍‍

Dont⁠ expect much from⁠ humans. Humans are‍ humans. There is‌‌ no one who‍ is only bad⁠‌‌ and no one⁠ who is only‌ good. Even if‍ they didnt plan⁠ on repenting, at least they have⁠ a strong enough‍ conscience to confess.‌ And considering they‍‍‍ did confess, Im sure theyre ready⁠⁠⁠ to accept responsibility‍‍ as well as‌ disciplinary action.

Siena‌‌ closed her mouth‍‍‍ shut.

To‍ shoulder all responsibilities⁠ together. Such a thing can barely⁠ be seen in‌ Class 4, let alone in the⁠ Advanced Class. Look how all of⁠ them are growing‍ up like that. So, well, I dont exactly hate⁠ it. If only‍ everyone in the⁠‍ world had this⁠‌ level of belief‌⁠ and conviction The⁠‌ world would be⁠⁠ much different. Though‌ I suppose the‌ question is whether‍⁠⁠ they can keep⁠‍‌ this level throughout⁠‍‍ their lives.

Alpheas‌‍ walked up to‍‌ the students.

I understand. In other‌ words, you guys‍ are saying its‌ okay to punish‍ everyone, is that‌‍ right?

A few were startled,‍ but after looking‌ at each other,‌‌ they answered.

Yes!‌‌

A corner of Alpheas mouth rose up.‍⁠

Great. Ill reveal the‍ details of your‌‍‍ punishment right now. The entirety of‌⁠ Class 7 will‍ be placed under⁠‌ probation for a month.

What?!⁠

The‍ students were surprised, but the instructors‌ were shocked.

Not⁠‍‌ only was the‌⁠ period long, but‍ this punishment meant⁠ that Class 7 would be shut down altogether.

But‌ Headmaster, words of‍⁠ complaint will come‌ from the students⁠ families. This will‍⁠ also cause conflict‍‍ with the class‌‌⁠ progress

Ill‍ be responsible for⁠‍ that.

Alpheas‌ cut the instructors words and stared‍‌ at Shirone, who stood a little away from the⁠‌ group.

He⁠⁠ looked like he‍ had something to‍ say, but in‌ the end, he‍ gave a small⁠‍ smile and went⁠ down the mountain.‌‍

The rest of the⁠‌‍ students stood stunned.‌

One‌‌ month

They‌⁠‍ felt woozy for⁠‌ a second, but‌‌ they didnt feel⁠ afraid.

I-It⁠ doesnt matter! Were⁠ under probation together.⁠ None of us can take a class.

Yeah. Its much better⁠⁠⁠ than something like‌⁠⁠ a three-day suspension.‍ After all, probation‌ is not even‌‍ written in our⁠‍ academic record.

The‌‌ students calmed down a bit.

Haha!‍⁠ So what now? Do we get‌ to play around‌ and relax starting⁠‌ today?

As⁠ if! I have‌‌ to stay up⁠⁠ all night in the library. Why dont we all‍⁠ get together and⁠‌ study?

Yeah,‍⁠ lets! Maria, youre‌ coming too, right?‍

Huh?⁠ Um Thats

Maria‌‍ was conscious of‌‍ what the instructors⁠ might think.

Thadd⁠‌ simply smiled and‍⁠ nodded his head.‍ Maria then smiled‌ and spoke shyly⁠⁠ with teary eyes.⁠⁠

Yes, Ill join.

Thadd‌⁠ felt happy as⁠‌ he watched the⁠⁠ scene. It would‍‌ be awkward at‌ first, but as‍ long as the punishment kept the‍ kids together, she⁠ would be fine.

Were‍ you aiming for⁠ this? You are‍ always a step‌‌‌ ahead of me,‌⁠ teacher.

Perhaps this situation was⁠ a miraculous opportunity⁠⁠ for Maria. One‌⁠ that would never⁠ come again in⁠‌ her life Just‌‍ like how becoming⁠‌‍ the student of⁠‌⁠ Alpheas was for⁠ Thadd.

We⁠ say the world‍ is about luck⁠‌ But once you⁠ give up, even‌⁠ that string of⁠ luck will be⁠ of no help.‌‍‌

If⁠ Maria hadnt really‍ loved magic, would⁠ she have survived‍ that long in⁠ Class 7?

Although‌ the world was‍‍ unfair, Thadd thought⁠ it was worth‍ living for that⁠‌ reason.

As long as one⁠‌ held on strong‌ and persevered, opportunity‌‌‍ was bound to‌ come knocking eventually.⁠‍