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Infinite Mage Chapter 57: Gauge Symmetry (2)

Chapter 57: Gauge Symmetry (2)

Oh​‌ no.

Armin‌‌‌ was only 11‌⁠ years old at⁠ the time, so⁠⁠​ he could only​ expand his Spirit⁠ Zone and avoid‍‍​ obstacles.

Siena!‍ Open your eyes!​‌ You cant lose⁠‌ your mind!

Brother!‍‌ S-save!

Siena‍​‍ could not calm⁠⁠ down.

It​ was impossible for⁠​ the two young​⁠ kids to cross​ the river with‍​​ their physical abilities.​‌

Armin​⁠‍ realized he had‌‌​ to do it​ alone.

We​‍​ just have to​‍⁠ get to the‍ Delphons region like‍‍⁠ this. It becomes​‌ a delta from‌⁠​ there, so the⁠‌ volume of water⁠‌‍ will decrease. At​‍‍ the speed were​‌​ going now, we​‌⁠ will be there‍ in about 20‍ minutes.

20‍ minutes was too‍ long.

Could‍⁠ he hold out‍⁠ from the rapid‍ currents with a semiconscious Siena?

How​ stupid.

Of‍⁠⁠ course, he had⁠⁠⁠ to do it.‍⁠‌ He had no‌ choice but to⁠​ do it.

His​ view was dimming.‍​‍ He was starting⁠ to see scenery​‌ that was distorted‌ strangely.

They‌​ approached countless life-threatening‌‍​ objects.

Armin⁠‍​ twisted his body‌‍​ with all his‍‍⁠ might.

He⁠‍ did not let​‍ his eyes stray⁠​‌ away from the​ sight in front⁠ of him, even‍ as muddy water‌ pained his eyes,⁠‌ his body slammed​ against rocks, and‍ broken trees tore‍ his skin.

Almost‍‌‌ there.

He⁠ felt Sienas tiny‌ hand pinch his​‌⁠ waist.

He⁠‌ felt extremely pressured​‍⁠ knowing that a fragile life depended​ on him. But‍‍⁠ because of that,⁠⁠ a greater sense​ of duty awakened​‍ in his mind.‍

He⁠‌ saw their destination‌​ lower down the‍‌⁠ stream.

However,‌ there was no​​ path. Trees that‌ broke towards the⁠ river were brutally​​ blocking their way​ to the delta.⁠‍

Siena,‍ listen up. We​​​ have to pass​‍ under those trees.⁠ I will press‌ you down, so‍‌‍ you have to‍​ hold your breath‌​ for as long‍ as you can.‍‌‌ Swim as fast⁠​⁠ and as far‌​ as possible, okay?​​‍

Brother!⁠‌ Im scared! I cant do it!​

You‍ can do it!‍ You have to!​​

As‍​​ they passed between‌⁠ two whirlpools, the‍ speed of the​ current doubled.

In‍​ the unexpected situation,‌​ Armin grit his​ teeth.

With​‌ only his head⁠ and neck above‍ the water, all​‌ the debris as⁠ a result of⁠‌​ the flood came​‌‌ at him like⁠ a behemoth.

He​⁠ was trying to​⁠‍ stay afloat so​⁠ hard to the‍‍​ point he could⁠⁠ feel a cramp‍‌ coming to attack⁠‍ his legs.

Sharp​​ objects scratched Armins​ body as they‌ passed by him.‍​‌ He was bleeding‌​‌ profusely.

His‍‍ body temperature began‌ to fall even⁠⁠​ faster. He was​​‍ slowly losing consciousness.​‌

Finally,⁠ they arrived at‌ the tree that‌‍ was blocking their​ way.

Siena!‍ Here we go!⁠‍‌

Armin‍ calculated the distance‌ and waited for⁠ the perfect timing.⁠‍

Right‍‍​ as they were​‍ about to collide,‌‍ he pressed down‍ Sienas shoulders.

Now!‌‌

Sienas‍​ scream was drowned‍‍‍ by the water.‍ And Armin, who⁠‌‍ was barely holding‌ on to his‍‍ consciousness, noticed that⁠‍⁠ the sharp base​ of a wet⁠ tree was getting​⁠ bigger and bigger.‌‌‌

Even‍⁠‌ with that danger,​ he concentrated all‌ his nerves on‌​‍ the hand that​​​ was pushing Siena​‍‍ under.

It‍​‌ wasnt until Siena​⁠​ got under enough‌⁠‌ trees that his⁠ hand went slack.⁠⁠

Good⁠ job, Sie

CRASH!‌​‍

At‍ the same time‌ as Armin smiled‌ faintly, his face‌⁠‌ smashed into the​ tree

Despite​⁠​ knowing he could​ lose everything, he‍ still did not‍‍‍ close his eyes.‍‍

BROTHERRRR!⁠⁠‌

He⁠ heard the sound‌ of Sienas voice​⁠ fading down the​⁠‍ stream.

* * *

…Thats⁠‌‍ what happened.

Shirone​ and his friends⁠​​ were at a loss for words.‌‍‌

I was rescued by‍ the villagers after​ being safely washed‌⁠ away to the​​​ Delphons region. There⁠‍ werent any hurdles​​‌ after I passed‌‌ the woody area.‍⁠⁠ Later, Brother Armin​‌​ was also found.​⁠ He was unconscious.‌ People from the‍​‌ academy were mobilized‍ to treat him,‌‌‌ but the diagnosis‌‌‍ was permanent eye⁠ damage. After the‌ incident, Brother lost​‍ his eyesight.

I see So thats​‌ what happened.

He​‍​ personally taught me‌​ how to overcome‍​‍ fear. Thanks to‌‌ him, I overcame​⁠ Overflow But the​‌⁠ price for doing⁠⁠⁠ so was his⁠​‌ light. He went​ from being the⁠​ greatest genius in​ the history of‌‌ the academy to⁠​ It ended just‍⁠ like that.

Shirones⁠⁠​ heart felt heavy.‍​​

For⁠‍⁠ a human to⁠⁠⁠ lose their vision‌⁠‍ It was no‍‌ exaggeration to say⁠‍ it was like‌‍⁠ losing almost everything.‍‌

One‍⁠ couldnt read books,‌​ and learning magic‌⁠ was bound to‍⁠‌ be more difficult​​ and restrictive. He⁠ could tell how⁠‌ disappointed and distressed‌ Armin must have‌ been.

I recently found out​ that my brother⁠‍‍ came here three‌​ years ago. He⁠‌‌ told me hes‍‌‍ developing a style‍​⁠ of painting that‍ involves drawing light.​ Thats why I volunteered to be⁠​‍ his model.

We​​ didnt even know‍‍⁠ that Im sorry.​

Armin‍ brought in refreshments⁠‍‌ just as the‌‍‌ atmosphere was about‌ to get dark.​

Did‍​ I interrupt? Its‍‍ rare for Siena‍‍ to talk about‍‌⁠ her past like‌‍‍ this.

Brother.‍‌

First,​ heres the tea.‌ Its not the​‍ best, but it‍⁠‍ is my wifes‍‌ secret recipe, so‌ I think you​ will find it‍⁠⁠ to your liking.‍⁠

Oh,​‌ thank you.

Shirone​​ and the others‌​‌ politely took the‍ tea.

Armin‍‍​ returned to his‌‌​ canvas and offered​⁠ some seats behind​​‌ it.

Then‌​ first things first,‌‍‍ I will have‌‍​ to continue my​ work, so could⁠‌​ my visitors wait‍⁠ here?

Yes,⁠‍​ of course.

The‌‍ three held their‌‌​ teacups and wobbled‌​‍ over.

Seeing⁠​⁠ Siena return to‍‌​ her position on​ the bed, Nade‍‌​ cautiously asked.

Um⁠‍⁠ What did you‌ mean by Not‍⁠​ wearing it today?⁠ If its like‍⁠​ a nude, well​‍​ be happy to​​​ get ou

Haha!⁠‍⁠ Even though I cant see, I would never ask​ my sister to​​​ do that. Siena,‍​ can you bring‌‌​ that thing out?‍‍

Siena⁠​‌ took a foil‍‍ coat out of⁠ the closet. It‌‍‍ was hard to⁠‍​ even look at‍ it because of⁠⁠ how much light​‌ it reflected.

Thats⁠ very bright.

I cannot accurately see‍​ objects using the⁠‍‍ Spirit Zone alone,​ so I cover​​ a person or​‌ an object with⁠ a luminous body⁠‍⁠ so that I can feel the‍‍‌ light. In that⁠‌ sense, the foil​⁠⁠ coat is a very useful tool.​‌

I see But wow​​ To draw by​⁠ feeling light.

In‌‍ return for losing‍ my eyes, I am able to‍​‌ draw things other‍‌⁠ artists cannot. However,‍⁠ today is the‌ last time I will be drawing‍⁠ Siena. A good‌​ sponsor has appeared,‍​​ so I have‍ to move out‍⁠ in a few​ days. That is‌‍ why I didnt​‍ want her to⁠ wear the coat.​ I wanted to⁠ draw the natural​‍⁠ feel of her‌ without the coat‌ discoloring her beauty.⁠‌

Sienas‍‍‌ cheeks warmed.

Youre‌ so What nonsense.⁠​​

* * *

* * *

Haha!​ So what? Youre‌ still a 9-year-old‍‍ child in my​‌⁠ head.

Okay,​‍‌ okay. Just draw‍ it quickly. After​‍‌ Mrs. Keria comes‍ back, you wont⁠‌‍ be able to‍ work.

Shirone‌‍‍ and his companions​​ fingers and toes‌⁠‍ squirmed at the‍ subtle and warm,‍⁠‌ yet awkward atmosphere‌⁠ they felt.

It‍ was clear that​‌ they were like‍⁠ brothers and sisters,⁠ but the same‌‌ blood did not‌ flow through them.‌

Maybe​‌‌ the reason why​ Siena reacted more​ extremely at the⁠ mention of the‍‍‌ affair was because‍ she still had⁠ lingering feelings for⁠‍ Armin.

Alright,‍ Ill begin. Im‌‌ just drawing what‌ comes to me,⁠ so its going​​‍ to end earlier‍‌ than usual.

As‌​​ Siena took a modest posture, Armin‌​ picked up the​‌‍ charcoal and began‌​‍ to draw the⁠​ outline.

When‍⁠‌ Sienas appearance gradually​‍‌ became more concrete,​ the party of‍‍​ three could only‌‍ admire.

Wow,​​⁠ so fast.

Shhh.⁠‌

Yiruki⁠ warned

Being​ unable to see​ was a fatal​​ drawback for an⁠‌ artist, so Armin‌‌ would require more⁠ concentration than the⁠ usual artist.

Of‍⁠‌ course, there was​‌⁠ that plausible thought,‍‍⁠ but Shirone found‌⁠‍ something odd.

Thats‌‍⁠ weird. Very weird.⁠⁠

Even⁠⁠ without the luminescence,‌‌ Armin was accurately‌ capturing even the⁠‍‍ smallest of details‍ of Siena.

How​‍‌ is this possible?⁠​‌ Does that mean‍⁠‌ his Spirit Zone‍‍ is that precise?‍ But even so⁠‍

Increasing⁠‍ the density and⁠​ specific gravity of​ the Spirit Zone⁠ may enable precise​‌ descriptions through synesthesia.⁠‍​ However, Shirone couldnt‍‍‍ understand how even⁠⁠‌ the feelings from​​‍ Sienas expression were‌‍ captured in the⁠‌ drawing.

The⁠ art became more‍‌⁠ detailed, and Siena​ was wearing a smile that could‌‍ not be seen​‌‌ at the academy.⁠​​

Amrin⁠‌ perfectly embodied her​ smile using bread‍⁠ like an eraser.‌‌

Shirone⁠ was almost certain.‍⁠‌

I see. This is⁠​‌ impossible.

One⁠‍⁠ of the most‍‌ difficult parts of​ portraits was the‍​​ corner of the‌​ mouth. This was⁠​ because even a very subtle change‍‍ in angle completely⁠‍​ changes the feeling‍‌ of the art.⁠‍​

Um,⁠‍ Mr. Armin.

…?‍​​

As‌‍‍ Armin smiled and​‌‌ turned his head​⁠ slightly, Shirone thought‌⁠‍ for a moment​ whether he could‌‌‍ ask such a question.

If‌‌‌ he was wrong,‍‌‍ his question would⁠⁠‍ be extremely impolite.⁠‍‍

Perhaps,⁠ does Mr. Armin‍

However,‌​ without asking, nothing‍⁠‌ could be known,⁠ so Shirone mustered‍‌⁠ up the courage.​‍

Can‍‍ you see?

Still​⁠ wearing that smile​ of his, Armins​⁠⁠ hand froze midair.‌⁠

He⁠ put down the‌⁠ charcoal and twisted​⁠ his body.

Yes,⁠ I can see.‌⁠​

Shirone‌⁠​ was at a loss for words.​⁠

Did⁠‍ he really mean‍ that he could‍ see with his‍‌⁠ eyes? But why‌​ didnt Ms. Siena‌​ know of this?​‌‌

You‌ must be curious.‍ Why dont I just show you⁠⁠‌ myself.

With⁠‍ his body facing‍‍ Shirone, Armin untied‌‌​ the piece of‍ cloth wrapped around‍ his eyes.

There​‍‌ were numerous scars‌⁠‍ around his wrapped​‌⁠ eyes.

Im‍ positive he was⁠​ hurt, but how‌⁠​ can he see?​‍‌ No, he had⁠​ his eyes covered‌⁠⁠ in the first⁠⁠ place. And yet‍

At‍​‌ that moment, Armin‌⁠ slowly lifted his‌⁠ eyelids and Shirone⁠‌⁠ felt his heart‍​⁠ stop.

There‌‍⁠ were no pupils.​ It wasnt quite⁠‍‌ a substitute, but⁠⁠​ the empty socket​⁠ where the eye⁠⁠⁠ should be was‌‌ filled with light.​‍

N-Nade,‌​‌ can you see⁠‍‌ that?

Shirone‍ slapped Nades leg​​ in a hurry.​

However,‌‌ when he hit⁠ Nade, he felt​ as if he‍⁠⁠ had hit a hard metal instead.⁠‌

Shirone‍ turned his head‌ and looked at‍ his friends. He​ jumped to his‌‌ feet in horror.‍

No⁠⁠‌ way! How?!

Nade‌‌​ was frozen stiff.⁠ Not even his‍​​ eyelids were moving.‌

Even⁠⁠⁠ Yiruki, who was​​ resting his chin⁠‌‍ on his hand,​‍‍ and Siena, who⁠‍‌ was sitting on⁠ the bed with‌‍​ a smile. They⁠ were motionless like​‍‌ wax dolls.

Armin‌ approached from behind‌ Shirone, who was‌‌​ in a panicked​ state.

It⁠⁠​ has been a long time since‍ a guest visited‍‌​ my room.

Is​⁠ this?

Yes,​‌ its a spell⁠​ called Stop.

The‍‌ bewildered look returned‍‍ to Shirones face.‍

Stop⁠‍ was a spell​ that only mages​ who could handle​‌​ super-light speed could‍ cast, and throughout‌⁠ the entirety of‌‌​ history, only a select few were⁠‌‍ known to have⁠​ reached such a level.

In‍​ short, Shirone was‍‌ experiencing the absolute​​ realm of Time​​ magic.

Have‌​⁠ a seat. Lets⁠​​ relax and talk‍‌‍ since we have⁠ plenty of time.​⁠​

Ha‍‍ Haha.

Shirone‌‍‌ gave an awkward‍ laugh.

If⁠​​ time had actually‍ stopped, then plenty​‍ of time was‌‍​ an understatement.

Actually,‍​ Ive been quite​‌⁠ nervous for a while now because‌​ I didnt know⁠ when you would‍⁠⁠ notice.

How‍ did you know‍⁠ I would notice?⁠⁠

Armin‌⁠ pointed to the‍‌ light in his‌⁠‍ eye socket.

The⁠​⁠ organ called the‍ eye takes in‍‍ light and reconstructs‍‍​ it into visual⁠⁠ information. But I,‌⁠‍ who is without​ eyes, feel the‌ world through light​ itself. And its‍‍​ quite a horrific‍‌‍ experience. What I see is completely⁠⁠ different from how⁠‌ ordinary people perceive​⁠ the form of‌‍ objects.

So‍‍‍ it is the⁠ ideal version of​ sight, then. No‌​​ interpretation or reconstruction.​‍

The​​‍ human senses were‌ not true and‍ infallible. After all,‍‍ the human senses​​‌ could be fooled.​

Ill‍⁠ reintroduce myself. I am Armin of‍ the Eye of⁠⁠ Light. Those who‍‍‍ know me refer⁠ to me as⁠ the Mage of‍ Eternal Cintana.

Eternal​ Cintana.

As​⁠⁠ soon as he​⁠​ heard those words,‌‌⁠ Shirone realized why‍​ Armin used the⁠ expression room.

How‍⁠‌ How long have⁠​⁠ you been in⁠ this room?

Time​​‍ does not flow‌​​ here, so I cannot answer that.⁠ However, if you⁠‍​ convert it to⁠⁠ the number of⁠‍ thoughts, it should⁠ be around 120⁠ years.

Shirone‍‍‌ couldnt imagine how​ strong a genius⁠‌ mage who contemplated​‍‌ and ruminated for‌‍​ 120 years was.‌​‌

But⁠‌ when you were‌‍⁠ young, Mr. Armin‌​​

Yes,‍​ it was an​‌ unfortunate accident. I left Olifer Academy​⁠⁠ and wandered aimlessly‍ around the world​‌​ for 15 years.​‍⁠ A pitch black‍‌ world without even‍ a single ray⁠‌⁠ of light.

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