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Infinite Mage Chapter 43: Another Genius (5)

Chapter 43: Another Genius (5)

The‍‌ next day.

Shirone‌ headed to the⁠​ training grounds early⁠ in the morning.‌‌​ There were an​⁠ unusual amount of⁠​⁠ students already there.​​

Everyone‍‌‌ is thinking the‌⁠ same, I see.⁠‌‍

He‍ was more motivated​​‌ than ever to‍⁠​ start training in⁠‍ preparation for the​‍ practical evaluation.

The⁠⁠ test subjects varied‍‍⁠ per class, but‌‍​ the class which​⁠‌ Shirone belonged had​⁠ targeting, a.k.a the⁠ evaluation called Speed‌‌‌ Gun.

Ugh!‌⁠ I guess today​ Ill practice for‌‌ Speed Gun until‌‌ I die. Its‍‍⁠ the subject Im‌​ least confident in.⁠ Target types are‍​‌ lucky, theyll have​‌ the advantage.

Not​‍​ necessarily. The Target​ Form works best​ against a small​⁠ number of targets,⁠ but during the‍‍ evaluation, there will​‌ be a lot‌ of them. Wouldnt​⁠​ it be better⁠​‌ to convert to‍​‍ Offensive Form and‌⁠ explode them at⁠​⁠ random?

Then‌⁠‍ youll get tired‍‍ early. Still, its​ either Offensive Form‌‌ or Target Form.​‍​ No one would‌⁠ ever use the⁠ Deviate Form. How​‍ would they catch⁠ up with all‌ the targets?

There⁠ are exceptions. I mean, look at⁠‌ Yiruki. Wont he‍‍ use the Deviate⁠ form again?

Haha!‍⁠ No way, unless‌ hes an idiot.‍‍​ But aside from‍ that, Im curious⁠‌ about Shirone. Hes‌​‍ strong in actual​‍⁠ live practice. Is​‍‌ he going to⁠​ find a breakthrough⁠⁠​ using the Defense‌ Form?

Though⁠‍ they were not‌ top-rankers, Shirone and​​ Yiruki were often‌‍ mentioned.

The‌ expectation was that​⁠‍ they would show​ an exceptional performance‌ at a decisive‍ moment.

Though,‌ it was also​‍⁠ not unreasonable to​⁠‍ think that Yiruki‌‍ would cause a disaster this time⁠​ around.

On​‌ the other hand,​ Shirone wanted to‌ cry.

Strong​​ in live practice?‌‌​ As if. He‌⁠ hadnt even successfully⁠ cast the Photon​‌​ Output yet.

Ugh,⁠‍⁠ what do I do? Im getting⁠ antsy.

At⁠ that moment, the‍​ other side of​ the training ground‌‌ suddenly grew noisy.‍

The‌‍ girls were the‍‍‌ first to notice⁠ the sound of⁠‌‍ a dog barking.‌‌ The boys, who⁠‌ belatedly noticed it‌ as well, ran‍⁠‌ towards the noise.⁠

What⁠‍‌ the How did⁠​⁠ it get in?​

Must​ be a dog‌​⁠ from the mountains.‌⁠ But whys it‌​​ barking like that?​

As‌‌‌ people started gathering‍⁠‌ around it, the​⁠​ dog started getting⁠​​ defensive and growled.‍​ It bore its​​⁠ teeth.

Then⁠‌⁠ the students from‌⁠‍ Class 7 started⁠ throwing stones.

Hey!​⁠‍ Get out of⁠‌​ here! Youre making‌‍ our days worse!‍⁠

The⁠⁠ upper class didnt‍‌ even try to‌ stop them.

They⁠‍​ thought that since‍‍ the dog was​ hostile to people,​ it was no‍​‍ different from a wild beast.

Conversely,​ Shirone, who had‍‍‌ been listening carefully​​ to the dogs‍⁠ howling, ran to‌​ the dog with​​‌ a surprised expression.‌

Wait⁠ a minute! Stop‍‍ throwing stones!

Mark⁠‍‌ moved quickly.

Hey,⁠​ HEY! You guys​‍ are going too‌⁠⁠ far! Your upperclassman‍ is telling you⁠ to stop.

While‍ the students from​ Class 7 stood‍‍ frozen, Shirone strode​ towards the dog.⁠​

Mark⁠⁠ followed behind.

Its​ dangerous. Its a wild dog.

It⁠⁠​ doesnt matter if‌‍ they grew up​⁠⁠ in the wild,‌ dogs dont typically‍ bite people as⁠ an instinct. They⁠ actually rather run​⁠​ away than fight.⁠​

But‍⁠⁠ its barking like⁠​⁠ that!

Thats‌‍‍ probably

The‍ dog growled, but‌​ it couldnt bear‌ to attack, so⁠⁠ it backed off.‌​

Capitalizing‌ on this, Shirone⁠​⁠ looked straight into⁠‌​ the dogs eyes‍​⁠ and pushed it​⁠ back into the‍ woods.

As‌⁠‌ expected, a tiny‌‌‍ puppy was lying‍⁠ in the grass.‌⁠​

It​‍ hurt its leg.​​

Huh?⁠⁠⁠ Youre right. Guys,‍​ theres a puppy.​​​ A puppy.

Shirone⁠​‍ stopped Mark.

Dont‌⁠ call them yet.‍​⁠ If the dog‌​ feels that we⁠​ might threaten the​⁠ pup, it will​​​ attack.

Oh,​ I see. Hey!​ Dont come, dont‌ come!

Instead,‌ can you find​‌​ someone who can‌‍ use Recovery magic?‌‌‍ Someone from Class⁠ 5.

He​ thought it would‍‍‌ be nice if​‌‌ Sharelle could help,⁠ but no matter‍ how close he​ was, he couldnt‌⁠ call an upperclassman.‌‍​

Maria⁠​‌ knows how to.⁠ Give me a minute, Ill bring⁠‌ her.

After‍ her probation ended,‌‍ Maria, guided by‌ Thadd, had a much brighter personality.​‌​

Oh‌ my! How did⁠​ it get hurt​‍‌ like this?

It​ looks like it‌‌‍ was bitten because​ it got caught​ up in a territorial fight. Can‌‌ you heal it?​​​

Yes,‌​​ I can. This⁠‍ small of an‍⁠ injury is easy.⁠

Maria​​‍ healed the dog⁠ and the puppy‌‌ with Recovery magic.‌‌ The puppy, which​​ regained its health,⁠‍ ran around in‌ circles. The mother‍ then stopped barking‌‌ and took her‌⁠‍ pup back to⁠‌‌ the mountain.

Thats​ amazing. How did⁠⁠ you know there​⁠ was a puppy?‌‍

Hm?‍​​ Haha! I lived⁠ in the mountains‍ for a long‌‍⁠ time.

Shirone‍ recalled when he⁠​‍ was 11 years‍​​ old. He had‌‍​ gone hunting with​ his father.

They​ were lucky that‍ day. A red‌‌⁠ bear, which was​⁠ known for its‍​ value as even‍​ the claws could‍⁠ be sold for‍⁠⁠ money, was caught​ on a rope‍​‌ and was struggling.‌​⁠ Vincent had hurriedly‌⁠ aimed his arrow⁠​​ at it, not‌ giving it time​ to tear the​⁠ rope.

Shirone‍‌⁠ waited behind anxiously.⁠‌ If they were‍​​ to catch a red bear, they​‌ wouldnt have to⁠ worry about food⁠ for the time‌⁠ being.

But‌ the arrow showed‍​ no sign of‍ being released. Shirone​‍​ turned his head⁠⁠ in question, but‌ Vincent had already‍‌ retracted his bow​‍ and was preparing‌‌⁠ to leave.

I couldnt be any​‍ more unlucky. Lets⁠‌ go back, Shirone.​

Huh?‌‍ Why dont you⁠‍⁠ catch it? Mom​‌‍ would surely love‍⁠‍ it.

Vincent‌‌‌ squatted down and‍​⁠ pointed to where⁠‍ the bear was​ being held.

Look​​⁠ over there, Shirone.​​‍

Shirone​ looked carefully. It‌‌ was a bear‍‍​ cub whimpering next⁠​ to its captive⁠⁠‌ mother.

A hunter doesnt catch‌ a mother with​‌​ a cub. Even​‌ though they are⁠⁠⁠ animals, they love​‌⁠ their young the⁠ same way we​​ humans do.

But‌‍ then were at​⁠​ a loss. There’s​ amazing prey over⁠‍ there.

Vincent​ looked at Shirone​‌ with a warm‍⁠‌ gaze.

Just‍ as that bear​ has a cub,‌⁠​ I have you⁠ too. As a parent, how can⁠‌ I just ignore‌​ that? Fighting to​​​ live is the‌⁠ same for everyone.‌ It doesnt matter‌ if youre a human or animal.⁠​ But you shouldnt​​‍ kill a parent⁠ in front of​‍‌ their child. It‌⁠​ is an unwritten‍ rule that applies‍‌ to all living​​​ things.

Shirone​ couldnt express it‌​ in words, but‌‍‌ he felt something‍‌‌ get engraved into​ his heart.

Something‍‌ that would never​‌​ be forgotten even​ after a lifetime.⁠⁠

* * *

* * *

The⁠⁠ students were moved‍ by Shirones story.‌‌

Ah⁠

Your‌⁠ dads amazing.

Yeah.​⁠ No wonder Shirone​ is so kind.‍⁠

As​‍‌ Shirones classmates also‌⁠‍ joined in to​ say something, Yiruki⁠‍ appeared and decided⁠⁠ to pour cold‌⁠ water on the⁠‌ warm atmosphere.

Thats​​ a stupid theory.⁠‌​ Hunters dont let​⁠ go of their​ prey just because⁠ of that.

Everyone​⁠ turned their heads⁠‌‍ in discontent at‍‌⁠ Yirukis words, even‍‍ the lowerclassmen.

But⁠ Yiruki kept calm.​​​

The⁠‌⁠ reason why hunters‌​​ dont kill animals‌⁠​ with babies present​‌ is so that‌ the baby wont⁠⁠ grow up to‌⁠‍ be aggressive towards‌ humans. In zoology,​ this is called‍ the imprinting effect.​ Once the parents‌ become hostile to⁠​ humans, their offspring‍ inherit their nature,⁠‌ and it becomes‍​‍ increasingly difficult to‍ hunt them. But⁠‌ if you kill​ the young, the⁠‌ population would be‍ cut off.

Shirone‌‌ choked up in‍⁠ tears. Of course,​‌ Yiruki was saying‍‌‌ things without knowing‍ anything, but his⁠ remark was an‌ insult to his‌ fathers sentiment.

How‍⁠⁠ can you say​ that? Of course,​​ there are hunters‌⁠ who may think‌‍ that way, but⁠⁠​ most hunters release⁠ the beast out​⁠⁠ of compassion.

Heart.⁠ Emotion. How they‌​⁠ wanna package it‍‌ is up to‍ them. Im talking‌ about reality. Unlike⁠‌ you, I dont⁠⁠ delude people with‌ foolish idealism.

What?!‍‍​ Are you done‌‌ talking?!

Shirone​⁠ got up quickly‌⁠ and glared at‍ Yiruki. This was⁠‌‌ their 2nd argument.‍‌⁠

The‍ student onlookers were‌‌⁠ dumbfounded. Shirone was​​ not the type‍​‍ to fight anyone,‌⁠ while Yiruki didnt‌ get along with‌ anyone. When the‌​ two collided, the‍⁠‍ tensions soared multiple‍⁠⁠ folds.

What‌⁠⁠ is this? Did​⁠ something happen between⁠‌ those two before?⁠‍⁠ It seems like⁠⁠​ this is a continuation of something.‌‍

Theyre‌⁠‌ keeping each other‍‌ in check. After‌‌​ all, those two⁠⁠‌ are definitely among‌‌‍ the candidates to‌⁠⁠ be promoted next.​‍​

Shirone⁠​‌ narrowed his eyes​⁠ and glared. Yiruki,‍‌ on the other‌ hand, looked around‌​​ and did something​ else. It was‌‍ clear he did‌​ not want to‍‌⁠ fight.

Hey,⁠​ hey! Why are⁠‌ you guys like​⁠​ this again? No‍‍‍ wonder it was‌‌⁠ quiet. Since a teacher is coming,​ lets go back.​​‌

Thanks⁠⁠ to Nade interfering‌ and tearing the‌⁠ two apart, it⁠⁠ didnt turn into‌⁠ a big fight,⁠⁠ but Shirone was​ still displeased.

He‌​ couldnt understand Yirukis​​‌ way of thinking.​‌‍ First, his researching‌⁠‌ of a power⁠‍ strong enough to‍​​ blow up a whole city. Secondly,‌​ belittling the lives‌‌ of animals. Shirone‍​ did not like​‍ Yirukis perspective on‌ things.

Whatever.‌⁠‍ Ill stop confronting⁠ him from now‌‌ on.

Class​​​ started.

As​​ Ethella climbed up‌ the mountain, The‌‍​ mouths of the‍⁠⁠ students dropped due‌⁠​ to her unusual‌‍ appearance.

Was‌ it because it‍‍​ was the practical‌ evaluation period? She‍⁠ was wearing a training suit with‌​⁠ short sleeves. She‌⁠ also wore shorts⁠ that revealed her‌‌​ thighs for easier‍ movement.

Most‍ shocking of all‌‍⁠ was that she‌​⁠ was not wearing⁠⁠ glasses.

The⁠ male students minds‍ went blank at​‍ the sight of‍ her. How could‌ ones appearance change‌⁠​ so much?

You‍⁠ guys all know⁠⁠ that there is​ a special education​‌⁠ starting from today‌​⁠ onwards, right? The‍‌ Speed Gun exam​ for Class 5 will be held‍ first due to​⁠ the practice ground​‍‍ circumstances. Please note​‍ that the time⁠​ allocations will be‌​​ divided by class⁠​ starting tomorrow. In​​ any case, todays⁠ class will begin‌‍​ after we watch​‍ the assistants demonstration.​​ Samuel, this way.⁠​⁠

A tall, handsome blond‌‌‍ man stood in​ front of the‍⁠​ students. He seemed‌⁠ to be in‌ his early 20s‌ and had long⁠​‌ hair stretching down‍‍ to his waist,​‍‌ which was uncommon.‌‍

The‌‍​ teaching assistant standing⁠ before you is​ Samuel, who is‍‌ preparing for his⁠ graduation from the‍‌‌ Advanced class. His​‌​ major is Incantation⁠​ magic, and today​‍‍ he came to⁠ demonstrate some magic.⁠‌‍ It is related⁠ to strengthening your​‍​ Spirit Zone as‍ well, so pay‌‍ attention.

The‌‍ students gave a big round of‍ applause, especially the⁠ female students.

Nice⁠⁠ to meet you.‌ It feels like‍⁠​ it was just‌​‌ yesterday that I was in your​‍ shoes. Time sure‍​ does fly. Although​‍ Im not too​ skilled, Ill do​‌ my best in⁠ hopes that it⁠‍​ will help with​ your education.

Advanced⁠⁠⁠ Class.

Shirones‍​⁠ eyes sparkled.

It⁠ was an opportunity‍‍ to see how​ good the students​ who were competing⁠ with Amy were.‍‍‌

Shouts‌‌​ of awe burst⁠ out as Samuel‌​‌ opened his Spirit⁠‌‍ Zone in the​​‌ Image Zone.

Wow‍⁠‌

A Spirit Zone 42‍​​ meters in diameter‍​ was surrounding him.⁠​‍

Samuel​‌ spoke.

Incantation‍ magic is used‌ to strengthen magic‌‍ through the power‍‌ of words. First‌‌ of all, lets⁠‌‍ try to cast‍ Tornado with no‌⁠‍ incantation for comparison.‌ Tornado.

A powerful tornado was‌ cast in a short moment. Samuel⁠⁠ raised both his‌‌‌ hands lightly as⁠‍ if to support​​⁠ it.

F-Fast.‌‍⁠

There‌‌ were students in⁠ the Intermediate Classes​ who knew Tornado,‌​‌ but Samuels proficiency⁠​⁠ with it was​‍ on a whole‌⁠ other level.

Samuel‌ spoke with a kind smile.

Please‌ remember the strength​‍⁠ of the spell.​‌ This time, Im‌‌ going to use‍ Incantation magic to⁠​​ strengthen it. By‍​ using the will​⁠⁠ contained in the⁠⁠​ words, the mages‍‌‍ mental gets stronger.‌

Samuel​ recited a poem‌​ consisting of eight‌‍ phrases.

Earth⁠ of furor, I borrow thy power,‌​​ so touch my‍ hand. Looking down⁠ at the sky,‌‍ the history of‌‌ achievement, be captured⁠​ in a moment.‍‍ When the power​ of inanity is‌ in the hands‌‌

The⁠​ faces of the‍⁠ students got painted‍ with boredom as​⁠⁠ they felt like‌ they were now​ in a literature‍ class.

Though⁠ not long after,⁠ Samuel spoke, holding⁠​ his hands up‌‌‍ again.

Tornado.‌

As‍ the tornado burst​ out with a tremendous explosion, the⁠‍​ students couldnt help‌ but hold their‌‍⁠ breath.

The​ wind was so‌ condensed that Samuels​​​ figure looked hazy.‌​​

This​ is the power​‍⁠ of Incantation. Words‍​‌ have a will⁠ of their own,‌ and when savored,​‍⁠ it strengthens the​⁠‌ mind. Speak and⁠‌​ ruminate. That is‌‌ the basic system​⁠​ of Incantation magic.⁠‌

Haa.‌​

As‍ the frozen-stilled students​​‌ let out a breath, Samuel spoke​ with a smile.⁠​

Now‍ lets get down‌‍ to business.

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