Infinite Mage — Chapter 59: Shina Under the Moonlight (1)

Chapter 59: Shina Under the Moonlight (1)

During‍‌ their journey back⁠ to the academy⁠⁠ from Armins house,⁠ the three troublemakers⁠⁠‌ were worried.

The‍‍ atmosphere back at⁠‌ the house was‌⁠ good, but they⁠ were afraid Sienas⁠⁠⁠ mood would change.

Whilst‌ continuing to walk⁠ on eggshells, they⁠ glanced at Siena‌‍ from the corner⁠ of their eyes,‌ she was just‍⁠ walking without saying‌‌ anything, and her eyes were glued‍‌ to the ground.‍‌

Shirones‌‍‍ heart felt heavy‌‌‌ seeing her down.⁠‌

Had⁠ it not been⁠ for the childhood‍ accident, they could‍ have developed a good relationship.

However,‌‍ she did not‌ want to blame‌‌ Armin for suddenly‌ getting married because‌‌ she knew he‍‌ had left her‌ alone in order‍ to help her⁠⁠ relieve herself of‍ the guilt.

Nade⁠‌ grumbled.

Tsk.‌ I really cant‍⁠‍ understand the relationship‌ between a man⁠‍ and a woman.‍‌

You cant. Its not‌‌ like everything in⁠ the world flows‍ the way you‍ want it to flow. It just happens.

I honestly dont want‌⁠ to see her‌⁠ like that. Id⁠ rather her be⁠‌ angry at us‌ like at the‌ academy.

Nade‌⁠ walked faster to‌ catch up to‌ Siena.

Teacher.⁠

Hm,‍ huh?

Were‌‍ hungry. Please buy‍ us a meal since were already‍⁠ outside.

She‌⁠ looked at him⁠ with an expression‍‍ of absurdity.

Getting disciplined would not‍ even be enough‍‌ considering what they⁠‍ did, and yet⁠⁠ the young man‌ was asking her‌‍‌ for a meal,‍ no less.

You‌‍‍ Are you serious?‌‍‍ You still have‌‍ an appetite in‌ this situation?

Who⁠ cares? A mans gotta eat to⁠⁠ live. Even if⁠ I go back‌‌ to get disciplined,‌‍ Ill have to‍‍‍ fill my stomach up first.

Shirone‌ cut in.

Yes,‌‍ Ms. Siena. Lets⁠ eat before we‍‌ return. Im hungry.‌⁠

Yiruki‍⁠ decided to pitch‌‍ in.

If‌‌ so, then I have a suggestion.‌ Lets go to⁠ the aristocratic district‌ first. Its close‌⁠‍ to the academy,⁠‌ and I know a very delicious‍‌ and expensive restaurant.

Siena‍ didnt even have‌‍ the will to⁠ get annoyed.

Although⁠ her students attitude‌‍‍ was a little‌⁠ dubious, she also⁠⁠ vaguely guessed why‍ they were doing‌‌⁠ this.

Besides,‌ she didnt want‌‍ to go to‌‍ the academy in‌ this mood, either.‌‍

Not⁠ to mention, she‍ was off duty today.

Alright, alright. You guys⁠ must be very⁠‍ tired after the stunt you pulled‍‌ off, so let’s⁠‌‌ eat. However, be‍ prepared when we‌ head back to⁠ the academy.

Hehe!⁠‍ Yes, maam!

Nade⁠ winked back at‌⁠⁠ the other two.⁠‍‍

His‍ primary goal was‍ to lift up‌ Sienas mood, but if their teachers⁠ anger subsided in⁠‌‍ the meantime, then⁠ that would be‍‍ icing on the‍ cake.

Arriving‌ in the aristocratic‌ district, Yiruki took‌⁠‍ them to a brightly lit restaurant.⁠‍⁠

Shirones⁠ mouth opened wide⁠ in front of‌‌‌ the six-story building.‍‍

Yhe entrance was very‌⁠⁠ unusual. The pillars‌‍⁠ supporting the balcony⁠‍ were carved entirely‌ from white ivory,‌⁠ and statues representing‍‍ divinities from fantasies⁠‍ were guarding the‍ left and right‍‌ sides.

Gold‌⁠ Cupid.

That⁠‌‍ was the name‍ of the restaurant⁠‍

It‍‍ was a top-notch‍⁠ restaurant where all‌‍⁠ the food was‌ premium.

Wow! I havent been‌ here either. Today⁠‌ is just getting⁠⁠‌ better and better. Shirone, lets go⁠‍‌ in quick.

Huh?‍‌ Well

Shirone‍‍‍ turned to Siena.‌

As expected, she was‍ staring at the⁠ sign with hollow⁠ eyes and cheeks.⁠⁠‌

It‍ was the most⁠ expensive restaurant in⁠ the neighborhood, so‍ it was understandable,⁠ but above all,‌ there was no‌‍ way one would choose a restaurant like this unless‌ they had the‌ intention of swindling‌ their instructor.

Siena‍‍ sighed.

Yes,‍ lets eat here.‍‍

OHOOO!‍ As expected of‌ our teacher! So‍‍ generous! Her wallet‌⁠‍ must be really out of the‍⁠ ordinary!

Yiruki‍‌ joined Nades flattery.‍

How‌ foolish. You shouldn’t‌‌⁠ evaluate our teachers‌ generosity with just‌⁠⁠ this. If you are a certified‌ Grade 6 mage,‌⁠‌ you can come‍⁠ and go to a restaurant like‍⁠‍ this as if⁠⁠ its your own⁠⁠ kitchen at home.⁠‌ Isnt that right,‍ teacher?

Nevermind‍⁠‍ that, just get‌ in there quickly.‌⁠‌ We have to eat and go⁠‌ straight to the academy, okay?

It⁠ was Shirones first‍‌‍ time in a restaurant dedicated to‌ aristocrats, so he‌‌ was surprised by‍ the interior, which was much larger‌ than he imagined‌‌⁠ from the outside.⁠

The‍ tables were set‌‍ up sparsely enough‌‌⁠ to be considered⁠‌‌ a waste of⁠ space. And one‌⁠‌ side of the⁠ bar was decorated⁠‍ with colorful crystals.

Of course, all the⁠‌ guests were aristocrats,‍ and it was‍⁠ clear from their‍ accessories that they⁠‍‌ were retainers of Creas.

Shirone!‌ This way!

Shirone,‍⁠ who was watching‍ everything in fascination,‌‌ headed to the table.

Nade‍‌ and Yiruki also‍ looked around from time to time,‌ but they didnt‌‍‌ look intimidated by‍‌‍ the extravagance.

A staff member took‌ their order. He‍⁠ was a cheesy‌ guy with an⁠ interesting hairstyle. Shirone⁠⁠⁠ and his friends⁠⁠⁠ noticed how he would keep turning⁠⁠⁠ his gaze towards‌‍ Siena, which they‌⁠‌ felt quite unpleasant‍ about.

No⁠ matter how eye-catching⁠ a woman was,‍ a man should not blatantly commit⁠‌ such rudeness when⁠‌⁠ she was accompanied⁠⁠⁠ by people. It⁠ was obvious he⁠ took Sienas companions‌‍ lightly seeing that‍⁠ they were students.⁠

Welcome.‌‌ Thank you for‌ visiting Gold Cupid.⁠ Since such a beautiful person has‌‌ come, Im not‌‌ quite sure what‍‌ to do.

Nades⁠‌⁠ lips jutted out.

Tsk,‌ wasnt this a top-notch restaurant? Whats‌ wrong with the⁠ service? Hes totally treating us like⁠‍ kids

With‌ that in mind, he looked through‍ the menu.

He‍‍ was doing a mental calculation to⁠ order the most⁠‍‌ expensive food to‍‌ prove him wrong.‍⁠

When‌ Nade ordered a course meal, Yiruki‌ also ordered another⁠‌ course meal without‍ much thought.

Shirone,‌‌⁠ on the other‌⁠⁠ hand, was struggling. There wasnt a single item he‍ knew.

How would Shirone know‍‌⁠ if braised Olaris was meat, fish,‍ or a monsters⁠ tongue?

Still,‌ he ordered the‍⁠ same thing as‌⁠ Nade because he‍ didnt want to⁠‍‍ be left out.‌ Yirukis menu just‌ made him too⁠ anxious.

The⁠ face of the staff member hardened‌ seeing the series⁠ of VIP-only menus‌‌ being placed.

The‍ first thought that⁠‌ came to his⁠‍ mind was if⁠ they could even‍⁠⁠ afford it.

All‌ their items were⁠ premium, in fact, their highest-price dishes⁠⁠ were triple the‌‍ cost of their‍ lowest-price dishes. If‍ they were ignorant⁠ students who were⁠‍‍ ignorant of their‌‌⁠ own actions, it‍ might lead to‍ a situation where⁠⁠ they would have‍ to pay twelve⁠ times the expected⁠‌ price.

The⁠ staff member gave⁠ anxious eyes to‍‌‍ Siena, but she‌ was also busy‍⁠ choosing her own‍‍ menu.

Id‍ like the Dasco‍‌‍ course, please. And‌⁠ a bottle of‌‍ Limunes.

* * *

Siena‌⁠ didnt drink often,‌‍⁠ but on days‌‍ she felt gloomy,‍⁠ she would drink⁠‌ cognac.

Limunes⁠⁠ was a vanilla-scented‌‌ drink that was⁠ popular among women.⁠‌

Oh?⁠‌‍ Teacher, you drink?⁠‍

Why?⁠⁠ Can I not?‌⁠ You guys pick⁠⁠ locks of other‌‍ peoples houses, but⁠ I cant even⁠⁠‌ drink?

Nade immediately tucked his⁠‌‍ tail.

Haha,‍ thats true. Oh,‌‍ you are off duty today, right?‍

The staff member butted‌ in.

Then⁠⁠ Well have those ready for you⁠ soon.

Shirones‍ friends smirked at‍ the employee who‍ couldnt say anything more than that.

But⁠‍ soon after, all four of them‍ realized that they‍⁠ had ordered course‍⁠ meals. The images‌‌‍ of the price‌ tags floated inside⁠⁠ their heads, but‍‍ Siena didnt seem to care much.‍‌

Right.‌ She is a certified Grade 6 mage.

A certified Grade 6s income could be placed in the‌‌ top 10% of‌⁠ the aristocratic society.‍‌

Furthermore,‌‌ she worked at⁠ the Alpheas Magic⁠‍ Academy, one of⁠ the top five‍ prestigious academies in the kingdom, so⁠ without even accounting‍‌ for her being‌‌ an Olifer, she‌‌‍ could pretty much‍ live a grandiose⁠‌ life.

Come‌ to think of‌ it, our teacher,‍‍⁠ shes really successful.‍

Of‍ course, Siena was someone who pursued‍ her dream, not‌ money. However, Shirone,‍ the son of‍ a mountaineer, knew better than anyone‍‌ how hard it was to live‍‌ that kind of‌ life.

Due⁠‌⁠ to the course⁠⁠ meal multiplying to‌ four, plates of‍ food kept being⁠ placed on their⁠ table with no‍⁠‍ rest.

Customers‍ who were sitting‌‍‍ at other tables‍⁠‍ glanced with wide‌⁠ eyes.

However,‍⁠ Shirone and his‌‍ friends did not⁠ care. They were⁠‌‌ just bent on⁠ tasting each others⁠‌‌ food.

It‌‌⁠ was said that nobles valued keeping‌ up appearances, but⁠‌ such a thing‌ was nonexistent between‍ friends.

As⁠ their stomachs began⁠⁠⁠ to reach their‌‍⁠ limits, the flying⁠‌ forks and knives‌ returned to their‌⁠ original positions.

Since⁠ they had finished⁠‍‍ eating, the trio⁠‌⁠ started talking about‌ magic.

It‌⁠ was Sienas first‍ time hearing her⁠ students everyday conversations,‌‌ so she listened‌ with interest.

The‍ laughter did not leave their table,‌ and the depressing‌⁠ atmosphere was gone.‌ Nades strategy worked.‍

Hehehe.‍ Teacher, this unworthy‍‍ student of yours‌⁠ will pour a drink for his‍ respected master.

Hmph.⁠ Do you think⁠ Ill let you‍‍ off the hook?‍ Im simply not⁠‌ saying anything since this is a place to eat.⁠ Be prepared when‌‍ we go back.⁠‍

Sure, sure. Youre absolutely right. Here, take‌ it.

Nades‍ affable personality made‌‍‍ the atmosphere even‍ lighter.

Siena‍ didnt seem to hate it. She‌‌⁠ took the alcohol‌ she was given.‍‌

Shirone⁠ asked, worried because‍ it was a strong drink.

Ms.⁠‌ Siena, havent you⁠ had enough? I think youre drinking‍ too much.

This⁠ much? Its fine.⁠

Certainly,‌‍ for sure. Shes‍‌ a certified Grade‌ 6 mage. She⁠ wont just lose‍‍ to some alcohol.‌‍

Siena caught on. She‍‍⁠ laughed at Nades‌‍ search for an‌ opening and sneered.⁠

How‌ dare you. Trying‌‌ so desperately. But⁠⁠ its okay. Im⁠ not so easily intoxicated.

She⁠⁠ took the strong⁠‍⁠ liquor straight in.‍

* * *

An‍ hour later.

Hey!‌ Hey, you! You,‌ Im talking to‍‍ you, Nade!

Yes,‌ maam.

Siena‍ was leaning against‌‌ the clear-out table‌ with her arm.‍‌⁠ Her face was‌‍ red, and she‍ was flailing her‌⁠ hand in the‌ air.

Within‌⁠ an hour, the‍ bottle was emptied,‌ and Sienas eyes‍⁠ were losing their⁠⁠ focus.

Shirone⁠‌ and his friends‌⁠‍ looked at each⁠ other, nervous.

What‍‍⁠ should we do? Our teachers drunk.‌‍

…………..Mm,‍‌⁠ yes

Sienas⁠ head dropped while‌ she was mumbling⁠⁠ something in an‍⁠ incoherent and small‍‌‌ voice.

Nade‍⁠ caught her in‌‍ a hurry as‌ she was about‍ to fall off‌ from her chair.‍‍

Teacher,‌⁠‌ are you okay?⁠⁠ Lets start heading⁠⁠‍ back.

You‍ troublemaker!

Siena raised her hand‍⁠ to pinch Nades‍⁠ cheek. She pulled‍⁠ it relentlessly. His‍‍⁠ face was stretched,⁠‌‍ pulled, and squished,⁠⁠‍ but Nade couldnt‌ push her hand‌‌‍ away.

OUUCH! It hurts!

Im‌⁠‌ telling you to⁠ listen and be‍ obedient! I want‍ to become a good teacher like‍‌‌ Ms. Ethella, you‌‌‍ know? So please‌ stop straying into‍ weird things and‌‌ study, for the‌‍ love of god!⁠

Okay, okay! I get‌ it, Teacher! It⁠‌ really hurts!

And⁠‌‍ Shirone, Yiruki.

Yes,‌⁠‌ maam.

Shirone‌‌ and Yiruki straightened‍‍⁠ their backs and‌ took a more proper stance.

The‌ same goes for you two as‍ well. If you‌⁠ decide to slack‌ off simply because‍‌ you believe in‍ your talent, I wont forgive you.⁠ I dont care‌⁠⁠ if you think⁠ Im a bad teacher. Im not‍ going to forgive‍ you.

Nobody‌‌ thinks youre bad.‌ So please, can you please get‌ a grip?

Hoooh.‍⁠‌ Yes, I know.⁠‌ Why did I buy it and⁠‌ suffer like this?⁠⁠⁠ Mm.

Sienas eyes closed halfway,‌‌ and she buried‌ her face in‌ her arm that‍‍ was resting on‌‌ the table.

Nade‍ was taken aback.

Teacher,‍ snap out of‍‍ it! Teacher? We⁠⁠‌ havent even paid‌‍ yet!

Im gonna sleep.

Nade‍⁠ slowly looked back at his friends‍ with a blank‍‌ face at the‍ sound of her‍‌ breathing slowing down.⁠⁠‍ This time, they couldnt do anything‌‍ about it.

As‌‍‌ they were struggling‍‍ to overcome this‍⁠ difficulty, two men‌‌ watching from the‍ table across approached.⁠

Oh,⁠ my. This lady‌⁠ must be very‍⁠⁠ drunk. Let me‍‍ help. Shall we⁠ get a carriage‌‍ ready?

He⁠ was a neat-looking‍‍⁠ young man, and‌⁠ behind him, a handsome man was⁠ smiling deftly.

The⁠ eyes of Shirone⁠‍ and his companions‍ grew cold at‍ the same time.‌

Being⁠‍ wary of their‌‍ surroundings had become‍ a habit for‌ the trio. From⁠‌ the moment they entered the restaurant,⁠ they had seen‌ the two men‍ pointing to Siena‍‌ and having rude‌⁠ conversations.

Of‌‍⁠ course, the three‌⁠ didnt think they‌ would actually approach‌ them.

These⁠⁠ bastards

Nade‍ really didnt want⁠‍⁠ to cause any⁠ more trouble today,‌⁠ so he pressed down his anger‍‌⁠ and shook Siena.‌⁠‍

Teacher?‍⁠ Teacher, wake up.‌‍

Huh?

Siena‌ leapt to her‍‌‌ feet. She looked‍ around, and soon,‌‍ her unfixed gaze‍ regained its focus.‌‌

Is⁠ it time already?‌‍ I can still⁠ drink some more.‌‍‌