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Infinite Mage Chapter 5: An Opportunity Worth More Than Life (1)

Chapter 5: An Opportunity Worth More Than Life (1)

Shirone‌‌ kept quiet about​ what had happened⁠‌⁠ in the city.⁠

It‌ was not a simple matter. Because‍‍⁠ once he brought‍‌‌ it up, he​‌ would have had⁠⁠ to tell them⁠​‍ about what happened⁠‍‌ at the magic‍ academy.

Shirone​​‌ thought back to​‍ the incredible experiences‍‌‌ that day brought‍ forth.

Whether⁠‍ it was a blessing or a misfortune, it was⁠‍ clear that since‍​​ he had crossed‌ the line, there‌⁠⁠ was no going⁠‍ back.

Geniuses‍⁠ know if they‌‌‍ are a genius,​‍ and Shirone had⁠‌‍ more or less⁠‍ realized that he⁠⁠⁠ was a bit⁠ different from others⁠‍‍ since he was⁠‍ young.

And‍‌⁠ although he had‍⁠ never felt superior,‍ his desire to‍​ overcome limitations was​ stronger than anyone​⁠​ else.

But⁠​‌ he couldn’t reveal‍⁠‍ it.

His‌ parents were the‍ most precious things‍​‌ in the world‌ to Shirone, and‌ he didnt want​‌ to burden them​‍​ with such things,‌​ as despite the⁠​ fact they were‍⁠ poor, they never⁠​⁠ forced him to‍ go through a hopeless path.

And​​ due to that,‌​‍ daily life didnt‌ change.

He​​ helped his mom‌​ with housework and​​​ went to the‌ nearby forest to‍ cut down trees.​

However,‍‍‍ Shirone now spent‌‌ most of his‍‍ time meditating, not‍ wielding an axe.⁠⁠​

Every‍ single day since‌​‌ the awakening, Shirone‌⁠ had been secretly‌ training the Spirit‍⁠ Zone.

Thanks⁠⁠ to this, by‌ the time a month had passed,⁠⁠‍ Shirone managed to​ cut down the‍ time it took‌⁠⁠ him to enter‍⁠ the Spirit Zone.⁠‌

There​‌ were some parts‍ that were not​⁠​ as easy as⁠ he thought.

No⁠​ matter how familiar​‍ he was with​ the Spirit Zone,‍ he could not‌ reproduce the magic​⁠‌ from the alley.​‌⁠

Its‍‌ to be expected.‍

He​ only subconsciously managed‍​⁠ to do it​⁠‍ due to his‍ instincts kicking in.‍⁠

So​‌‌ even if a similar situation were​⁠‌ to occur, and‍​ the same emotions⁠‌⁠ were to surge‌‍ forth again, he‍⁠ knew itd be​ difficult to do‌‌ it while being​⁠​ aware of it.​‍

If​‌ I want to‍​ rationally cast magic,​​​ Ill have to‍‌ skip over insight​⁠‍ and instead learn⁠ the middle process‌ to know everything!‍⁠

But‌⁠‍ there was no‌‍‌ information available to​‌ Shirone, who had​ not formally learned​‍⁠ magic.

Instead,‌⁠​ he focused on​⁠⁠ digging into the‌ Spirit Zone which​‍⁠ was the only⁠ thing he could​ do.

When‌⁠‍ he finished meditating,⁠‍‌ he practiced the​⁠‌ Thunder Strike.

Unlike​‍‍ the first time,​⁠ the success rate‍⁠⁠ dropped as he‌‍ began to be⁠ conscious of the‍⁠ skill.

The​ power of insight​‌‌ is incredible!

Sometimes,​‍⁠ beginners succeeded not‍ because of knowledge,⁠ but because of‌‌⁠ insight.

However,‍ cutting wood was​ different from magic,‌ as you were⁠‌ able to practice‌‍ doing it.

With⁠‌⁠ each swing, Shirone‍‍‌ corrected his mistakes⁠‍⁠ one by one.‌

Craaack!⁠

The‌ tree fell satisfyingly.‍

But⁠​‍ Shirone continued to‍ swing his axe‌‍ without a look‌‍​ of satisfaction or‌⁠ happiness.

He​‌ was just correcting​ a mistake he⁠ found.

Tomorrow,​ as well as‌‍ the day after‌ that

That‍ was how he‍‍⁠ repeated the basics.‌‌

For‌ the chance to⁠⁠‌ practice magic will‌‌ come one day.​

While‌‌ dragging the logs‍​ home, Shirones eyes⁠‌ shone with intensity⁠⁠⁠ as this was​‍⁠ the most motivated‌​ he had ever‌​⁠ been.

* * *

Standing‌⁠ by the window,⁠‌ Shirone looked at​​⁠ the magnificent view⁠ of late autumn‍‍ leaves flying through⁠‍‌ the mountains.

3 years had passed,‌ and he was⁠‌‌ now a 15-year-old‍​​ boy.

He⁠​‍ still wore childish⁠‌‌ clothing, but he‌ had a face‌‍‍ handsome enough to​‍​ turn heads.

Ill‍ be back, mom.⁠‍​

Take‍‍​ it easy. We‍‌ have plenty of⁠⁠ wood.

Its⁠‍‌ gonna be winter⁠‌‌ soon. We have‍ to be prepared.‌​⁠

He‍ let out a cold breath as‌ he left the‌​⁠ cabin.

Since⁠ seasons arrived faster‍⁠‍ in the mountains⁠​ than in the‌⁠ cities, snow was‍‌ already piled up‌ at the top​ of the mountain.⁠​⁠

Ill‍​ have to walk​​ quickly if I want to be⁠ back before sunset.‍​⁠

Shirone⁠‌ wasnt scared of​‌‌ the cold as‍‌ he spent three⁠ years training in​‍⁠ the Spirit Zone,​‌ and due to‌ this, his mental⁠‍ fortitude had already⁠​‍ exceeded the level‌‌ of normal adults.‍​‍

After⁠‍‍ his shy character‌‌ disappeared, he hung‌ out with the​​ other children, but‍‌‌ he had no​​⁠ particularly close friends.‌

They‍ were different from‍‌‌ Shirone.

The⁠‌ children of the⁠​ mountain were all‍‍‍ rough, and most‌ of the girls‍‍​ thought the same​ way as well.‍⁠⁠

For⁠​ example, a year‌⁠​ ago, a woman‍​⁠ named Hauran from⁠ a Hwajeonmin Village‍‌ once seduced Shirone.‍

TL/N:‍ Hwajeonmin Village refers‌‍ to a place⁠⁠⁠ where people who⁠‍ practice the slash-and-burn⁠ agricultural technique live.⁠

When​ she, who was‍⁠ six years older,‌‌ tried to approach‌‍ physically, Shirone freaked‌‍ out and refused.⁠

Then‍​ she suddenly changed​​⁠ and threatened to​⁠‌ ransack his house‌⁠ if he told⁠‍​ anyone about what​⁠ happened.

Shirone,‍​ who recalled the‍‍‍ event, burst into‍‍‍ laughter.

It⁠‌ didnt end up‌⁠​ happening, but he‌‍ remembered being really‌ perturbed about her​‌ coming.

Im⁠ sure shes doing‌‌ well!

Arriving‌​‍ at the logging⁠⁠ area, Shirone found​ a suitable tree‍‍ and lightly swung​‍​ his axe. Afterwards,‌⁠​ he took a careful look at‌⁠ the dent he​ had made.

……​‍

If​​ you were thinking‍‌ of the commonly⁠ referred concept of​‌ seeing, he was‌⁠ actually not looking⁠​‍ at anything.

Its⁠​ not something you‌ can find with‌ your eyes!

You⁠⁠ may automatically realize​‍‌ the principle if⁠‌ you repeat the⁠ same action or‍⁠ thoughts over and‌ over.

Shirone,⁠ who had swung⁠⁠ his axe in‍ numerous ways over‌‍ the past three‌‌⁠ years, was finally​​ catching on.

Feel‍​⁠ with my eyes.‌

It‌⁠⁠ was a method‌​ called Inner Eye.​​

Shirones​‌⁠ eyes changed for​ a moment as‍‍ he swung at​ the dent with‍ strong force, unlike⁠‍ before.

Following​ the sound of​ thunder, the tree‌​ fell down.

That​⁠ succeeded with just‌‌ two tries!

Although​‍​ luck was on​ his side this⁠ time, he had⁠​‌ succeeded with 10​​‍ tries before anyways.​‌

Whoo.​‍​

After​‌ finishing his quota,​ Shirone sat down⁠⁠​ on the stump‌ of the fallen‍⁠ tree and entered‍‍ the Spirit Zone.⁠‍

Currently,⁠​​ his Spirit Zones‌⁠ domain was a sphere with a diameter of about‌‍​ 40 meters, which‌‍‌ was the level‌⁠‌ of an upperclassman⁠​​ at the magic⁠​ academy where those‍ who were talented​‌ gathered.

The‌ shaking of the⁠​ bushes was felt,⁠‌‍ the sounds of‍‍ worms wriggling, and‌ the sound of⁠ osmosis from the⁠ trees entered his⁠ ears vividly. It‌ was as if​​ the earth had‌ assimilated into him.⁠

Nature‌ changed constantly, and⁠ Shirone felt it.⁠

The‌‍⁠ five hours of‌‍​ savoring the dynamic‍ world went by‍ in an instant.​

Huh?‍ Its already dark?‍​‌

After​⁠‌ completing his meditation,⁠⁠ Shirone split the‍​ wood into pieces​ and carried it‌​ to the Jige.​

TL/N:‍‌‍ Jige is a traditional Korean A-framed⁠ carrier used in⁠​ the past to⁠​ carry heavy materials.⁠‌​

Arriving​⁠ home, Shirone found‍​ a carriage in⁠‌‍ the yard and​⁠ examined the stable.‌‍‍

Two‍⁠ white horses he⁠ had never seen‌ before were eating⁠‍ the fodder.

Im​​‍ back.

No‌​ usual greeting welcomed⁠​ him.

The​ atmosphere was strange.⁠

His⁠⁠‌ mothers face was‍‍‍ dark, and in‍‍ the living room,‍⁠​ an old man‍‌⁠ he saw for⁠ the first time​‍‌ was talking to⁠‍‌ his father.

Huh?‌‍⁠ Dad? When did​‌ you come back?‍

Youre‍⁠⁠ home?

For‌⁠ someone who left​‍ at dawn to‍‍ go sell materials,⁠ he returned fairly‍ quickly.

In‌ addition, he would‍​ have drowned him⁠​‍ with kisses, but‍⁠ this time he⁠ remained seated in​‌ his chair.

Say​‍‌ hello, Shirone. He‌⁠ is the deputy​‌ butler of the‌⁠ Ogent family.

The⁠⁠​ old man approached.‌‍‍

Hello,‍​ Im Temuran.

* * *

* * *

Nice⁠ to meet you.⁠‍ My name is⁠ Shirone.

Shirone‌⁠⁠ politely greeted.

Shirone,‍ who lived deep‌ in the mountains,‍​ also knew about⁠ the noble family,‌​ Ogent.

They‍‌ were 2nd-class nobles​‍ located in Creas.‍⁠ They were known​ for producing skilled‍ warriors and soldiers.​​​

I came to see‍‍ you.

Although⁠ the deputy butler​ was a commoner,​‍ Temurans tone was‌⁠​ imbued with the‌‍ characteristic sensibility of⁠​⁠ a noble.

The​​​ status system of‍⁠ Thormia was divided​ into nobles and​‌ commoners, but in‌ reality, it wasnt‌​ as simple as‍‍‍ just that.

Those‌⁠‍ who worked closely‍‍​ with the aristocracy​‌ were more authoritative,​‍‍ and those who​ lived outside the​‍ castle, like the‌​ Vincent family, were‍ often called and‌⁠⁠ treated as the‌⁠​ lowest commoners.

Even‍ so

Why‍​ did someone of‌‍‍ the highest status⁠ among commoners come​‌ all the way⁠‍ to this valley⁠‍⁠ in the mountain?​‍

Then‍‌ Ill be taking​ a look.

Temuran⁠‌ felt around Shirones‍​‌ body and examined‌‌⁠ his appearance, physique,​ and eyes.

Shirone​ was offended for‍‍ being treated like‌​ livestock, but while​ Shirone was thinking​‍ that, Temuran said‌‍‍ something.

Do‍⁠ you know how‌‌ to read?

Yes.‍⁠ Ive been reading‌ since I was‍​ young.

Hmm.‌‍

Shirones⁠⁠‌ patience has also‍‍ reached its limit.​⁠

Id​ like to know​​​ whats going on.⁠​ Can you tell‍​​ me?

Temurans​‌​ eyes grew cold‌

You⁠⁠⁠ have a pretty​‌ good reputation. Being⁠‌ the son of​ a mountaineer, you​​ know how to‍‍ read, and youre‌‌ very devoted to‍⁠⁠ your parents.

Temuran‍ said in a borderline mocking tone.⁠⁠​

What⁠‌‍ the

As‍ soon as Shirone‍​​ tried to reply‌ back, a shocking​ proposal left Temurans⁠‍⁠ lips.

Would‌⁠​ you like to⁠‌ work for the‌ Ogent family?

What?‍‌

Shirone‍ felt as if‍​ he had been​‍ struck by lightning.‌

What⁠⁠ now?

No,​⁠‍ that didnt matter‌‍ because it would‍​ mean working for​‍‌ a 2nd-class noble‍ family.

The‌ family is relocating​⁠ the Great Library.‌⁠‍ Its not work‍ just anyone can‍ do. There are​⁠ about 10,000 books‍‌ that cannot be​ leaked. The porters​⁠‌ will do the⁠ heavy work, but‌ the classification work​ will only be⁠​ done by you‍ and me. Itll​‌⁠ take about two​ years.

Library!‍‍​

Shirones‌‌‌ heart almost burst.‌⁠‌

His​​‌ excellent insight had​ a gut feeling⁠ that something ominous⁠⁠‌ lay behind the​‌ suggestion, but he⁠⁠ felt like he‍​ could take on⁠ any poison.

Temuran‍‌​ told Shirone the‍‌‌ kind of poison​ he had to‌⁠ drink.

Which‌‌ was his pride⁠‌‍ to not use​ cheap tricks against​‍⁠ a commoner.

You‍ and your family​ are the only‍ ones who know‍ of this. If‍ for any reason‍⁠​ a book is‌ leaked, or if‌ rumors spread, you⁠ and your family⁠ are dead.

Shirone⁠​ then understood why‌​ the expressions of​‍ his parents were⁠ dark.

Even​​​ if he promised⁠ not to reveal‍⁠ anything, no one‍‍ knew what could‌‍‌ happen in those​​ 2 years. It‍ was like entrusting‍​⁠ your life to​⁠ someone else.

And⁠​⁠ yet, the reason​ why Shirone couldnt‌‍‍ turn down the⁠​‌ offer was probably‍ because

Well​‌ compensate you with⁠ enough money to‍ live a good‌⁠ life. You will⁠‌ earn a lot‌​⁠ more compared to‍⁠‍ your father. Hah,⁠ thanks to having‌​⁠ a good child,​‌⁠ it looks like⁠⁠ the family is‍⁠ going to make‍ a living.

Vincent​⁠‌ spoke with a red face.

I didnt hear your‍ proposal because of​​ the money! I just wish that‍ Shirone That he!‍⁠‍

Tears‍‍‍ welled up.

A rare opportunity brought‍‍‍ by a loving⁠ father who wanted​⁠ only to help‌​ his son achieve​⁠ his dreams And‌⁠ yet said opportunity​ could end up⁠ killing his son.‍

…My‍​ only wish is⁠⁠‌ for my son​​​ to achieve his⁠‍ dreams.

Temuran​​⁠ snorted.

What⁠‌​ are you thinking?‍ Arent you getting⁠​‍ ahead of yourself?⁠ Wake up. Im‌ only hiring. You⁠ were the one⁠​ who asked me​‍⁠ to use your‍⁠ son. Theres no‍⁠ reason for such‍ a request unless‍⁠ its for money.⁠‌⁠

You⁠‌ said he can‍‌‍ read books!

Of‍‌ course he can‍⁠​ read books if‍​⁠ hed like. But​‌ Im not asking‌ for him to⁠‌​ read it, Im⁠ saying that its​‌‍ impossible to perfectly‍​‌ keep an eye⁠‌ on him. Thats⁠⁠‌ why Im saying⁠‌ youre dead if​ anything is leaked.​‍‌ Its a minimal​​ safeguard.

Vincent⁠ clenched his teeth.​​‍

He​‌ heard, when he⁠ went to sell​‌‌ goods, that the‍‍ deputy butler of⁠‌ a noble family​ was looking for‌​​ a commoner who‍‌​ could read.

He‍ thought it was​⁠ an opportunity from⁠‌ heaven, so he​‌ ran to Temuran​​ and begged him‍⁠ to use Shirone.‍

But‍ he didnt expect‍‌ him to say‍‍ that.

Imagining‍⁠⁠ his son getting‌ hurt Was the⁠​⁠ thing that frightened‌ him the most.​⁠ What if he​‌ thinks that his⁠‌​ dad sold his​ child away because⁠​‌ he was blinded​ by money?

Please​ leave. We dont‍​​ need any money.‌‌‌ If I knew⁠ this was gonna‍ happen, I wouldnt‌⁠​ have begged. So‌⁠ please, leave.

Dad,⁠‍ Ill do it.‌⁠

Shirone!‍‍

Temuran‍ looked back at‌‌⁠ Shirone, not expecting‍‌‌ that.

Youll‍​ have to risk‍​⁠ your life.

It‌‍⁠ was quite the‍ frightening job for‌‌ a 15-year-old boy.⁠

Are​⁠⁠ you sure? Im‍​​ not trying to‌​ scare you. Im​ telling you in‍⁠‌ advance that even⁠ a small rumor⁠‍‍ will lead to​ a blade next‌‍​ to your throat.⁠​

Yes,​⁠‌ Ill do it.‌‍ I wont ever⁠ leak anything, and​‍ I’ll not blame‌ anything or anyone‌​‌ if a rumor⁠​‌ were to spread⁠‌ for some reason.​⁠ So let me⁠​ do it.

Temuran‌ couldnt help but⁠‍ trust him.

All‌ the conditions were‌⁠⁠ perfect.

He‍‌ was a lowly⁠​‌ commoner that could‍‍⁠ be killed anytime,‍​ had deep filial⁠ piety, and intelligence.⁠

Feeling​‍ his travel was​‍‌ worth the effort,‍ Temuran turned around.‍⁠

Ill⁠ come pick you‌ up in a week, but if‌‍ you change your​​‌ mind in the⁠‍‍ meantime, you can‍​⁠ always tell me.‍ But remember, once​ in the mansion,⁠​‍ you wont be⁠⁠‍ able to leave‍ until were done.‍​​

Termuran‌‍‌ opened the door‌ and walked out,⁠‌​ but his family‌ wasn’t in the‌⁠‌ mood to open​‍⁠ the door for‌ him.

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