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Infinite Mage Chapter 49: A Strange Research Society (1)

Chapter 49: A Strange Research Society (1)

Shirone⁠ was floating in‍​‌ darkness.

It​​ was a quiet‌⁠ and cold space‍ where countless stars​‌‌ were scattered around.‍⁠

An‌​​ overwhelming world of‌‍‍ stasis

But‌‌ suddenly, the scenery‍‌⁠ in which time⁠⁠⁠ seemed to have‌‌ stopped suddenly accelerated.‌⁠⁠

The⁠‍ stars began to​​ lengthen into lines.‌⁠⁠

Im‍‌ being absorbed.

In​​‍ the midst of‍‌​ the stars gathering‌ towards one place,‍ there were immeasurable​ spherical rocks and‌​‍ gasses.

NO!‌⁠

Seeing‌⁠ the stars rush‍‍ to each other,‍⁠ Shirone shuddered, but⁠‌‍ before that happened,⁠⁠⁠ the planets began​ to collapse first.​

It‍⁠ was a phenomenon​ that ignored the⁠ law of physics.‍‌

Time‍⁠‌ is flowing backwards.​⁠​

Following‌‍⁠ the stars, Shirones‍‍ own physical body​​​ dissolved, and in⁠‍ the process, his⁠ consciousness also disappeared.‍​‌

But​‌⁠ I still exist.‌

This‍ last remaining thing​⁠​ that constituted a human being. Shirone⁠ didnt know what​⁠⁠ that thing was.⁠⁠‌

He‍‍‌ felt the world‍‍⁠ that was compressed‍ into a dot.‍

The​‌⁠ result of light,⁠‌ time, acceleration of‌ gravity, and universal⁠ gravitation being tied⁠⁠‌ and brought together​‍ was

Vibration.‌‍

Light‌⁠⁠ was vibrating.

When⁠ he delved in‌ deeper, the light‌ became bubbles and‌​ then quickly popped.⁠‍⁠

It​ was as if​​‌ the bubbles mirrored​‌‌ and repeated both‍ creation and extinction.‌‍

Everything‍​​ was filled with‍ light, and even‌⁠ the last thing‌⁠​ that made up‌​ Shirone joined in.⁠⁠​

Ahhhhh‍⁠

An⁠⁠‌ extreme sense of⁠‌ unity.

And​‌ that feeling felt‍ like an explosion.​

AHHH!⁠⁠‌

Shirone‍ woke from his‌‌ sleep with a shout. His clothing​⁠​ was drenched as‌ sweat dripped down⁠‌ his face.

He⁠ looked around his​‌‌ quiet and moonlit⁠​ room.

After‍ seeing the books​ regarding Photon output‍‌⁠ spread around messily‍‍ on his desk,‌‌⁠ he managed to‍⁠ calm down.

Hoo‌ Another nightmare.

He⁠‍⁠ drank water from​ the pitcher and⁠ opened the window.‍‌⁠ The winds of‍​ the early summer⁠​​ cooled down his‍​‌ body.

Why⁠​ is this happening​​ every night? Whats​‌ happening to me?​⁠⁠

Ever‌‍‍ since he entered​‍‍ the Infinite Realm​​‌ during the Speed⁠‌ Gun exam, Shirone⁠‌ had been plagued​​ by the same⁠​ dream every night.​⁠

Come​ to think of​​ it, his nightmare⁠ didnt seem that⁠‍ horrific, but each‌​ time he woke‌ up from it,‌‍ his shock was​‍‌ considerable.

Somethings⁠​‍ weird.

Anxiety⁠ seeped in.

After‌ experiencing the thing⁠⁠​ called the Immortal​ Function, Shirone felt‍ like everything that‌ made him himself​‌ was out of‌ sync.

Eeeuuuk​‍‍

Due​‍​ to the chill,⁠⁠ Shirone hugged his‌ body.

Disregarding‍ the nightmare for⁠ now

The​‌ real problem was‍​⁠ that the strange⁠ feeling followed him⁠⁠‌ even in reality.​

He‌‍⁠ didnt know what‌‍⁠ exactly was going‍ on, but he‌⁠‍ felt like a particular sense of‍‍‌ his became extremely‌ sensitive.

But​⁠⁠ what exactly is⁠ it?

It‍ wasnt like he‌ could smell better,‌⁠‌ or had sharper‍‍ sight, touch, or‌​ hearing.

Its⁠​​ not the five‌‌ senses. Its

It‌​ was as if‍⁠ he was equipped‍‌ with a new⁠​ sensory organ.

No​‌ way I can‌‍⁠ sense ghosts now⁠‌ Right?

Music‍⁠ coming from a piano was heard​‍ from the ceiling.‍

As‍ Shirone turned around‍ in surprise, he‍‌ noticed dawn was​ already peeking through​ the horizon.

Shirone‍‌​ went to the‍​‌ bathroom with tired‍​‍ eyes.

I dont feel like​ I rested.

Since​ the Intermediate Class‌⁠‍ practical evaluation ended‍ last week, normal‍ classes would once‍‌‍ again resume this​​⁠ week.

That⁠‍​ might be better.‍⁠ If I train‍⁠ like crazy, I might be able‌⁠⁠ to get rid‌ of this strange‍‌ feeling.

With​‌⁠ his mind made⁠‌ up, he changed​⁠ his clothes and‍​‌ left the dorm‌⁠ with a backpack‍ slung on his‍​‌ shoulder.

* * *

The⁠​⁠ academy atmosphere was‍⁠ peaceful.

Most‌⁠ of the students⁠⁠​ who returned to‌ being friends again​ after the competition​​ were all talking‍ about the Speed‍‌​ Gun exam.

After⁠ the evaluation ended,⁠ it was normal‍‌​ for a single‍‍‌ star to appear⁠​​ in each class,‍‌ but this time​‍ was an exception.‍‍

This​ was because the‍​⁠ Class 5 Speed‌ Gun exam, which​‍​ was held on⁠‍​ the first day,‌‍ left too big⁠‌​ of an impact.⁠

It‍‍ was inevitable since​‌ not one, but​ two students achieved​ scores of over​⁠‍ 1,200 points! Such‌ a score was​​​ unprecedented in the‍‍⁠ history of the‌ Intermediate class.

Hey!​ There goes Shirone!⁠

They‌​‍ felt something different‌‌‌ new from Shirone,‌ who was heading‌​‌ to the Intermediate⁠‌ class building.

The‍ rising star went​ from Amys boyfriend‌⁠ to a student‍‌ who represented the‍​‍ academy.

* * *

* * *

That‌⁠‍ was why the‍‍ upperclassmen from Class‌ 4 would take⁠‌ the initiative to‍ start up a conversation with him⁠‍

You‍‌ did well during​⁠​ the Speed Gun.‍ Lets check up‍⁠ on each other‌ now and then.⁠

Yes,⁠ senior.

The‌ reason why the⁠‌ upperclassmen-lowerclassmen relationships were‍ strict was because‌⁠⁠ getting promoted was⁠ difficult.

In‌‍ that sense, it‌ meant Amy had⁠‌ great foresight as‍​‍ she recognized Shirones​ talents early on.⁠‌⁠

The‍ Class 6 students​‍⁠ started to come⁠‍ up to Shirone‌​ after he finished⁠ talking with the‍ upperclassmen.

Hello,​‍ upperclassman!

Senior‌ Shirone, Im your​‍ fan! Can I study with you‍⁠ as my role​​ model?

They⁠‍ were in the‌‍ class that was⁠ the most displeased‌‌​ about Shirones early⁠​‍ promotion. It couldnt​⁠‌ be helped since​⁠⁠ Class 6 was‍ caught in the​‍ middle, as he‌‌⁠ jumped from Class‍​ 7 to 5,​ skipping over 6.‍

However,‌​ they had no⁠ choice but to​‍‌ forget about the⁠ past and change‌​‌ their attitude since‍⁠ even their seniors‌‌​ from Class 4 considered Shirone as‍ an Advanced-Class rival‍‍‌ in the future.‍⁠‌

What⁠⁠​ is your plan​⁠‍ after class today?‍ Theres going to‍​​ be a magic​⁠‍ demonstration inning, would‌​⁠ you like to‍‍ come with?

Our​⁠‍ research group decided​⁠​ to visit during‌‍ the holiday, lets‍‍ go together. Ill⁠‍‌ be happy to⁠⁠ be your partner.⁠⁠‍

Only​‌​ after he managed⁠‍‌ to kindly decline⁠‌​ their offers did⁠​ Shirone finally arrive⁠ at Class 5.​​

Shirone!⁠​ Shirone! Shirone! Shirone!‌ Shirone!

As‍​ soon as he​⁠⁠ opened the classroom​ door, his classmates‍ pulled him in⁠ by his neck.‌

He‌⁠ was kidnapped before‍ he could even‍ put his backpack⁠⁠‍ down, and when​‍⁠ he saw all​ his friends looking‍​ at him, he‍‍ was left puzzled.​⁠​

Why?⁠‍⁠ Whats wrong?

The⁠‍ school semester is‌‌​ coming to an‍​ end. Join our‌‍ research group. Its‍ one that we​​ Class 5 kids‍⁠⁠ made ourselves. The‌ topic for the⁠‌⁠ performance evaluation is‍​‍ up to the‍ taker to choose‍‍ anyways. Its going‍⁠​ to be fun,‍‍ and moreover, you⁠‍ can save time.⁠ So join us.‍​

Hmmm‍​‍

Shirone⁠​ had consistently declined‌ all offers to‍ join a group​​​ so far.

Dont​​ be like that‌⁠ and think about​​ it in a positive light. I heard you refused‍ to join a research group because‌⁠⁠ of your personal‌‍ studies? There are‌​​ quite a few‌‍‌ students like you​ here, but we⁠ still have to‌‌ take the performance⁠ evaluation. Thats why⁠​ were making one​⁠​ temporarily. No discrimination.‍‍ Well quickly finish⁠ the evaluation and‍ disband. Then you​‍‍ can study in⁠‌ your spare time.‌​

Aha!‌⁠ I see.

It‍ was a good‍⁠ strategy.

Since​‌ the subject for‌​ the performance evaluation​​​ was up to⁠​ the taker, there‍ wasnt a set⁠​⁠ criteria. That being‍ said, joining an‌​‍ existing research group‌ only to leave‍​ right after the‌‍ performance evaluation was‍​ a bit rude.​

Therefore,‍‍ their solution to​⁠ this problem was‍​ to create a temporary research group.‍

At‌⁠‍ that moment, Nade⁠​‌ came running.

Hey!‍​ What trick are⁠‌⁠ you guys playing?!‌⁠⁠ Shirone is off-limits.‍​‍ Hes mine!

In‌⁠​ the midst of​‌​ his friends staring‍​ at him like‌‍ he was absurd,​‌ a friend who​‌ knew what was‍ going on with‌⁠‌ Nade countered.

Thats‌ ridiculous. I know⁠‌‍ what youre planning.‌​‌ You want to‍‌ admit him into‌‌ that weird research⁠‌​ group, right? Shirone,⁠‌ you should never‍⁠ join it. Even‌‍ if you dont⁠‌​ end up joining‍ our group, at‌‌‍ least dont join‌⁠​ his. During my‌ entire time here,​​ never have I ever heard of‌⁠ Nade taking the⁠‍ performance evaluation.

The⁠‌ Supernatural Psychic Science‌‌ Research Group showed​‍ off a pretty‌​‌ long history and‍‌ tradition, but they⁠⁠ did not participate‍ in many public‌‌ activities.

Eh?​​ Nade, you have​⁠‍ a research group?​ Where is it?​

Nade‌ racked his brain⁠ and avoided the‌⁠ crisis with his‌ unique secret technique‌ that had so‍​ far brought him​‌ success in life.‍​‍

Hoohoo,‌ of course. You‍ think the most⁠ popular person in‌‌‌ the academy wont⁠‍​ even have a research group? Anyways,⁠ you cant have​​‌ Shirone, so Ill​​⁠ be taking him.‍⁠​

When​ Nade pulled Shirone​ away, the student⁠‌⁠ who proposed the‌‌ idea to Shirone⁠​⁠ shouted loudly.

Shirone!​ You have to⁠‍‍ think carefully! Never​ go in there!‍⁠ And Nade, dont‍ bother Shirone with⁠‌‍ his studies and‌‍‌ just let him​ join a group​‌‌ where hes comfortable.​‌‌

Hahahaha!​ Too late. We‌‌ already crossed the⁠​ forbidden line.

Wait!‍​‍ What does that⁠‍​

The⁠⁠ door slammed with​‌ a bang, and‍‌‍ with that, Shirone⁠⁠‌ was cut off.‌ The students left​ in the classroom‌⁠ had dazed expressions.‌‌​

What‌‍‍ did he just‍ say?

This‍‌​ is a problem.‌⁠‍ Nade, that bastard.⁠⁠⁠ Hes really thinking​ of bringing Shirone‌‌​ into that group.‍⁠‍ He shouldnt be‍​‌ swayed.

No,⁠‌ I think hes‌ already swayed. And‍​⁠ why the hell⁠ did they leave​‌⁠ anyway? Its almost‍⁠ time for class.⁠⁠‌

* * *

Shirone,‍ who was now⁠​ in the hallway,‌ shook off Nades‌ hand.

What‌​‍ the heck! What‌‍ in the world⁠‌ is the forbidden​​‍ line?

Haha!‍⁠ You are the‍⁠ only person who‌‌ has seen the‌‍‍ true nature of‌⁠ our Supernatural Psychic​‍‍ Research Group. That‌ is the forbidden‍‍⁠ line you crossed.‌‍

True​‌ nature of the⁠‌ research group? Theres‍‍ nothing to see‍ though.

Nade‍⁠⁠ looked around and‍⁠​ crouched down pulling‍‌‍ Shirone along.

First,⁠​ sit down a bit.

Okay,‍⁠ okay. Just stop⁠ pestering me.

Nade⁠ lowered his voice‍‍ and said.

It​‍ means youre the‍‍ only non-member student‌​ to have ever⁠⁠‍ entered the research‌‌⁠ room. So you‍‌‌ should never reveal‌ it.

Nobody‌‌ asks about it⁠ anyway.

Whatever!‌⁠ We already dont⁠‌​ have enough members.‍‌⁠ Moreover, there are⁠⁠⁠ talks going around‍ that the management‍ team is thinking‍‍ about disbanding it.‌ We have to‌ keep a low​ profile, so dont‍⁠ even mention the‌⁠ word super in‌‍⁠ supernatural.

Alright,‍​ alright. I had​⁠​ no intention of​⁠‍ doing so anyways.⁠

Shirone‌‌⁠ thought of it‌‍‌ as a group​‌ on the brink‌‍​ of going under,⁠ but those who‌ knew the real​‌​ value of the‌‍‌ Supernatural Psychic Science⁠‌​ Research Group were‍‌ trying hard to‌​ swallow it up.‌‍ In fact, even‍‌ the instructors were⁠‌ anxious to disband‍ it.

By​‌ the way, Shirone,​​​ are you Really⁠‌ going to join‍‍‌ that research group‌​ they made?

I was contemplating. Why?​ Is there a reason not to?⁠‌

Of​ course. No matter​​ how little discrimination‍‍ there is in‍‍‍ the performance evaluation,⁠​‍ its your loss⁠‌ if you are‌​ in a research⁠ group with just​ random people. Besides,‍ youre aiming to‌ be the no.1‍​​ of the entire‍ academy. A single‌⁠ point is important.⁠‌ Instead of clumsily‍ joining a so-so⁠‌ group, I think​‍ itd be better⁠‍ for you to​⁠ do it alone.‌‍ Or join a really proper one.​

There‌​⁠ was a full​​ score of people‍‍⁠ in Class 4 who were aiming​⁠ for the Advanced​⁠ Class, so even‌‌ a one-point difference‌ in the performance⁠​ evaluation mattered.

Hmm​‍ But to take⁠‌ the performance evaluation​​​ by myself would‍ take too long.⁠‍

Shirone​⁠‍ beat his brain‍‍ thinking of a way to make‌‍ it work.

What‍‌​ if I join‍ the Supernatural Psychic​​​ Research Group?

You?​‍‍

Yeah.​‍⁠ It looks like‍‍ you guys dont⁠ participate much in⁠ outside activities, and​​ both you and⁠⁠‍ Yiruki have to⁠‍​ take the performance‍ evaluation anyways. I think itll be‌ better to join⁠​ yours than to​​ go and ruin‌⁠‍ a totally normal​ research group.

Haha!‍ Thats true.

Nade​‌ didnt rebuke.

That‌⁠‍ was also why‌ he couldnt readily​ recommend his group⁠ to Shirone.

It‌ had been 45‌ years since the⁠⁠ establishment of the‍‌ Alpheas Magic Academy.‌‌⁠ Most students successfully​⁠ graduated and left​⁠​ to explore the‍ outside world, but⁠ in secretive places‌ they did not‌​ know of, various⁠‍‍ people were doing⁠‌⁠ all kinds of​​⁠ extraordinary things.

The‌​ Supernatural Psychic Science‍ Research Group was‌‌​ one such secretive​⁠ place.

Shirone‍⁠‍ asked again.

Well,​⁠ what I said‌​ earlier was a joke. What do‍‍‍ you say? You,‍ me, and Yiruki.‍ Taking the performance​ evaluation together?

Are​‌ you really okay‌ with that? Its‌​​ a plus for‌⁠‌ us if you⁠ join, but in‌⁠⁠ all honesty, our‌ research group isnt‌ exactly normal. Though‌‌​ I cant go​ into details, it‌‌ wont be like‍​ whatever youre hoping‍​⁠ for.

It⁠​‍ was obvious there‌‍ were many secrets‍ just by looking‍‌‍ at Nade’s attitude‌​ in the lecture⁠ room back there.‍‍ However, regardless of‌​‌ interest, a group⁠ created just for‌​​ grades wasnt appealing.‌

The‌ thing is Its​⁠ not just for​‍‌ the performance evaluation⁠​

Hm?‍‍​ What are you‌‌ talking about?

Ive⁠‍ been feeling a bit strange lately.​ I was meaning​​ to ask you​ guys, but maybe,⁠ supernatural psychic science⁠ can help explain⁠‍‌ some things too.​‌

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