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Infinite Mage Chapter 6: An Opportunity Worth More Than Life (2)

Chapter 6: An Opportunity Worth More Than Life (2)

Vincent‍‍ grabbed Shirone by​‍⁠ the shoulders and‍ shouted.

Shirone!‌ Why did you‌‌⁠ That was a very dangerous thing‍‍‌ to do! No,‌⁠ its all my‍​ fault! Its because‌ this father of‍‍‌ yours is ignorant!‌‍‍ Lets just turn‌⁠‌ it down!

Its⁠⁠‍ all right, dad.‌⁠ The only thing‍​​ we have to‍‌​ do is to⁠ keep our mouths‌⁠⁠ shut.

Its​⁠​ not that simple!⁠‌‍ How can you​‌ keep your job​‌‍ a secret? Its‌ crazy no matter‌ how much I think about it!​ I will take​ responsibility for the⁠‌ refusal!

Shirone⁠​ shook his head⁠⁠‌ side to side.​‍

He‌ was fortunate that⁠​ he had good⁠ parents.

Father.⁠​​

Vincent​‌⁠ abruptly stopped, looking⁠ dazed at the‍‍ sudden way Shirone‍ addressed him for‍​ the first time.‍​

What​ was more shocking,​ however, were the‌‌ tears falling from​ Shirones eyes.

Sh-Shirone.​​

Thank‍ you.

Said‌⁠​ Shirone, who opened⁠⁠ his arms while‌​ having a big⁠‌‍ smile on his​‌​ face.

You​ gave me the⁠ biggest gift in​ the whole world.⁠

Heuk!‍

Vincent​‍ cried, not caring‍‌‌ whether hed lose​⁠‌ face or not.​‌⁠

In⁠ his entire life,⁠ had he ever‌ seen his sons‍ face filled with​‌ that much joy?⁠​‌

Dont⁠⁠ worry, Shirone! No‍‌‌ matter what happens,​ I will protect⁠ you! Dont worry‌‌‍ about anything and​‍ work hard! I will protect you⁠⁠​ for sure!

Dad,​‌ Ill do my​​​ best.

Yes,‍‍ my son! My​ precious son!

And‌​ the mother, Olina,‍ was also wiping​ away her tears​​‌ of happiness at​​ the touching sight‌⁠​ of her husband‌‍​ and son.

* * *

A week later.

The‌ butlers of the‌​ Ogent family came‌ to pick up‍​‍ Shirone.

It‌‌⁠ was a project⁠‍ that would take⁠‍​ more than two⁠⁠ years, but Shirone,​ who lived a simple life, only​‍‌ packed one bag.​

Temuran​ decided to give⁠​‍ 20 gold a month on the⁠ condition that Shirone⁠ would live with‍⁠ him. In comparison,​​​ the monthly income​ of Shirones family‍ was only four​⁠⁠ gold, so it⁠ was a huge​​ increase for a hunter family.

Will‍‍‌ this house be‌​⁠ a little more​ luxurious when I come back?

He‍ knew what his​ parents were like,‌​ but Shirone tried​‍ to imagine something‌ happy and shook​‌ off his sorrow.⁠

The‍‍‍ butlers proceeded with‌​‍ the contract in⁠⁠‌ a hurry, and⁠‌ a distracted Vincent‍ had to send⁠​ his son away‌⁠‌ in the carriage​ without a proper⁠‌ farewell.

Its⁠⁠ just the beginning!⁠⁠

Contrary​‍ to his worries,​ Shirones mind was‍​ calm.

He‍​⁠ didnt show his‍ parents, but he‍​ had decided that​‍​ from now on,‍ he would only‌⁠⁠ make calculated, logical‌‌​ decisions that were​‌‌ not dependent on‌‍ emotions.

Entering​ the Spirit Zone,⁠‌‌ Shirone felt his‍​‌ anxious parents through⁠‌​ synesthesia.

PR/N:⁠​​ Synesthesia is a fancy name for​‌⁠ when you experience‌​ one of your⁠ senses through another.​⁠

Dont⁠​‍ worry!

In‌ that instance, Vincent⁠‍ and Olinas hearts‍‌ suddenly warmed.

Shirone​‍​

It​​​ wasnt magic.

It​⁠‍ was just that⁠ their sons feelings‍⁠​ were conveyed.

Lets⁠ go!

The⁠​​ moment the carriage‍⁠ rattled, Shirone bounced‌‌​ out from the‌‌ Spirit Zone, but‌ his closed eyes‍‌⁠ did not open.‍

Lets​‍ not get shaken‍‌​ up! Have to​‍‍ stay focused!

While‍‌‌ entering the Ogent⁠ family was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it‍‌ also came with​‌​ huge risks. The​‌‌ opportunity was a double-edged sword.

Could‌⁠​ he survive two‍‌ years while living​ amongst the rich⁠‍ and powerful?

I have to concentrate!‍⁠

Leaving​​​ himself to an⁠​ unknown future, Shirone​ plunged back into‌ the Spirit Zone.‍

* * *

The⁠​‌ Ogent family was​‍‍ a household that⁠⁠⁠ produced nation-approved Grade​ 3 swordsmen, which‍ in the military‍‌ corresponded to the⁠‌ rank of General.‌​‌

The‌ family leader, Lord‌ Bischoff Ogent, is‌​ a nation-approved Grade‍‌ 4 knight. He⁠‍ is currently serving‍​‌ as a military‍⁠ commander in the⁠‌‍ city of Creas.‌​ In short, he​‌‍ is a big‌​‌ shot who commands​‌‍ this citys military.​⁠‌

Upon⁠‌ their arrival, Shirone,⁠⁠ while listening to‌⁠ a butlers explanation,⁠ looked at the​⁠‌ main gate of‍ the Ogent family.‌⁠

Wow!‌

In​ the center of⁠​ the enormous mansion,‌ a huge road‍⁠ opened up.

Thats​‌⁠ the Ogent familys‍‍ Broad Way. When⁠ you think of​ the Ogent Family,‌ you also think​​ of the Broad​ Way.

The​ road that stretched​⁠ far without any‍‍​ obstacles revealed the​‌ characteristics of the‌ family.

Hehe,​‌‌ are you scared?‌‌ Youre not already⁠ surprised, are you?⁠‌‌ Theyre the real​ deal.

Watch⁠ your words. You‌ want your head⁠ to fly?

An‍​ old male servant​⁠ snapped.

However,⁠ due to the⁠​‍ fact that he​⁠ could relate to‍‍‌ some extent, the‌‍‍ butler said no‌‍ more.

Come‌ this way.

The⁠‌​ Broad Way was‌​ not a road⁠‍​ for butlers or​⁠​ servants.

Shirone​⁠ turned to the​ garden path next​ to the road‌​‍ and bypassed the‌​​ mansion.

The‌ place where the‍‍⁠ male workers were‍​⁠ situated was a four-story, circular building.⁠⁠ And in the​​‍ office of said‍ building was where​‌‌ the deputy butler,⁠​ Temuran, resided.

Youre​ here? Follow me,‍‍⁠ Ill explain the‌​⁠ work.

Yes.‍‌‌ Ill do my‌​ best.

Temuran,‍ who did not​ even receive a greeting, headed to‌‍‌ the library with⁠ thick documents.

As⁠‌⁠ soon as the‍ old iron gate‍‌ was opened, a scenery that Shirone​​‍ dreamed of unfolded.‌‍

A world of books.‌‍

On⁠‌ the second, third,‍ and fourth floor,‍ all he could‍‌ see were bookshelves‍‍ filled with books.‍‌​

Whoa‍‍‌

Smelling​⁠ the rich scent​ of paper, Shirone⁠ clenched his fist.‍​​

It⁠⁠⁠ was worth risking‌ his life.

We⁠⁠‌ will be moving⁠‌ the books here‌‍ to the new​‍ library. All you‌​ have to do‌​​ is sort the‍⁠‌ books. Ill give‌‍‍ you a list‍‍ every week, so‍‍ find and gather​‌ those. You work⁠‍‌ from 9 in‌ the morning to​ 6 in the​⁠ evening. You cant‍​‌ go outside and‌ you cant enter‍⁠​ the mansion without‍⁠ special orders. But⁠‌ other than that,‍⁠ youre free to‍ do what you​ want. As for‍‌‍ the worker rules,⁠ another butler shall⁠‍‍ tell you of​‍⁠ them. Do you​ understand?

Yes.‌​ When do I start?

Tomorrow.​ Unpack and rest⁠⁠‌ for today. In⁠ the meantime, make‌‌ sure you understand⁠ all the rules‍ a male worker⁠ needs to follow.⁠

The‍⁠‍ next day, Shirone⁠‍⁠ went to the‌‍‌ library to get⁠​‌ to work.

When‌⁠‌ he started working,‌⁠‍ he finally realized‍‌ why only one‍‍ person had to⁠ do this job.‌‍​

The​⁠ list given by​ Temuran contained hundreds​⁠​ of titles, and‌⁠ among those, the⁠​⁠ classification criteria was⁠‍ subjective.

For​ example, it was⁠‌ unclear whether the⁠⁠‌ book History of​‌​ Swordsmanship should be‍ classified as a history book or⁠‌⁠ a book for‍‌‍ swordsmanship.

Mr.⁠​ Temuran has set​ the framework anyway.​ As long as​⁠ it doesnt go​ far off from‌ the criteria I set!

Shirone⁠‍ had set his⁠​ order of priorities.​

Since​‌ history was comprehensive‌ and swordsmanship was‌ technical, the History‍ of Swordsmanship was​‌ classified as a book under the⁠ swordsmanship category.

It‍​​ took as much‍ as two weeks‍ to set his⁠⁠ own criteria in​‌ this way.

Of‌ course, even this‍ kind of work‌‍⁠ was beneficial.

This⁠​ was because in‍ the process of⁠⁠ establishing his own‌ category system, Shirone‍‍ had realized a fact that he‍ had not known‌ before.

All⁠‌ knowledge was connected.​‌

The​ work gradually became‌​ easier, and soon‌‌⁠ afterwards, he was⁠ able to reach‍⁠‌ the targeted quantity⁠‌ each day in‌ time.

Im‌‍ going to start‍ reading now!

He​‌‍ wanted to use‌‌ his time efficiently‍⁠​ as all the⁠⁠ knowledge here would​‌‍ become a huge‍‍ weapon for him​​‌ in the near‌‍ future.

Okay,⁠⁠‍ there are 10,000​⁠ books in front‍‍⁠ of me.

Even​ with the approximate⁠ two years left,‌‌‍ it was impossible⁠‌​ to read all‌ the books.

Where‍ should I start?⁠‌⁠ Would it be‌⁠‍ best to just‌‍‍ start off with⁠ a random book?‍​

Suddenly,‌‌⁠ a thought came‍​⁠ to mind.

Right!‌‌​

All‌ knowledge is connected,‍‍ so as long‍ as you dig‌‍ into one field‍‌‍ first, youll be‍​ able to strengthen‍‍ another later.

Then‌​ which field should‍⁠⁠ I study first?​

After‌​​ repeatedly thinking over‍‍ it, the corner​ of Shirones mouth‍‍ went up.

History.‍‌

It‍ was the core‍ of all knowledge.‍​​ Events and discoveries​ were recorded in‌⁠⁠ chronological order.

Shirone‍​‌ imagined the concept‌ of history as​ a horizontal line.‍

If⁠ zoomed in, the‍ line would contain‍‍ all human knowledge,⁠‌ including religion, science,​ magic, mythology, literature,‌ arts, politics, war,‍⁠⁠ and economy.

Learning‌⁠ history will greatly⁠ shorten the time‍⁠ it takes to​‍⁠ reinforce other fields‍‍⁠ of study. History⁠​‍ is truly the​ Core of Knowledge.‌

According‍‌‌ to his self-written‍ classification list, there‌​​ were approximately 850⁠​ books.

Shirone‌‌‍ made up his​‍ mind.

Ill‌⁠‍ read all the‌⁠ 850 books in⁠​​ the two years‌​‍ I have left.‌‍ This will be⁠​​ my foundation!

From‍‍ that day on,⁠‌⁠ Shirone read books‌‍ without going back‌ to his lodging,‍ even after his‍⁠ work was over.​​‌

He‍‍ could skip the⁠ roll call using‌ overtime as an‌​⁠ excuse.

In‍ fact, except for​‌ Temuran, the deputy‍ butler, there were‌‍ no workers who‌ cared about Shirone,​ a temp.

Its⁠‌‍ difficult!

Reading⁠​‌ history books was​‌‌ a pain in‌‍ the neck for​ Shirone.

The‍​ specific names of⁠‌​ places on the​ continent, famous figures,‌‌⁠ and the events‍‍ that occurred could‍ not be easily⁠ memorized by a boy who grew‌‌⁠ up in a mountain for 15‌​ years without ever‍‍ hearing about them.​⁠

Should‌‌‌ I just memorize‍‍⁠ the whole thing?‍⁠

Shirone⁠‌‍ shook his head.‌‍‍

While​ its important to‌‍​ memorize it, its⁠ more important to‍‍ be able to‌⁠ pull it out⁠​ of my mind‌‍ anytime. Understanding even⁠ a single event⁠​​ is the quickest​‌ way to building​​ a proper foundation!⁠‌‍

It‍ wasnt easy understanding‍ history.

This⁠‍‌ was because he‍ had to identify⁠‌‌ in depth why⁠ such an incident‍‌ was inevitable and​​ how it had​​‍ affected the future.​‍

Efficiency‌ had dropped significantly​‌⁠ and it had‌ reached a point⁠⁠ where Shirone couldnt​⁠⁠ finish a book‍​ even after a week.

Naturally,‌‌⁠ the days he​ slept in the​‌ library became more⁠ frequent, and he‍ would, at times,‌ collapse as if‌‌ he were about‍ to faint.

Four‌‌ in the morning.​‌

The‌ iron gate opened‍ and Temuran with‌‍ a crystal lamp‍ came in.

Temuran‍​⁠ would come in‌‌‌ at this time‌⁠‌ every day to​‌​ check on Shirone,​⁠ who was oblivious‍‍⁠ to this fact.‍

His‍​ eyes turned to​ the book at⁠‍‍ Shirones feet.

Its‌⁠​ the same!

Even‌​⁠ though it was‌⁠⁠ not a difficult​ one to read,‍​‍ the book had⁠⁠ not changed for​ the past 15‌ days.

Temuran‌‌​ snorted.

If‌‍ Shirone was furiously⁠⁠⁠ mastering those practical⁠ books, he was⁠ going to ban⁠‌ him from accessing⁠ the library aside‌​ from working hours.​‍

But​‌‍ it was complete‍‌‍ nonsense. He was⁠ a fool who‍ dreamed an absurd‌‍ dream.

Of​‌ course. Being a child of lowly‍ commoners, what kind‌‍‌ of success could‌‍⁠ you have?

While‍ you have to​ be smart to⁠⁠ get ahead in‍⁠​ terms of studies,​⁠ you also have‌ to be clever​ and know how⁠⁠⁠ to think intelligently.⁠‍

Temuran,​ who only thought​ of Shirone as⁠​‌ a child with‍‍​ a nonsensical, grand​ dream, thought he‍​ was far from​‌ promising.

* * *

* * *

Three‍‍‌ months later.

Shirone​ gradually got more‌ used to the⁠ classifying job. He‍ also learned several⁠‍‌ pieces of information​​​ through the male​‌‌ servants.

The‍‌ most shocking fact​ of all was‍ that the nobles​​ didnt care if⁠⁠ the books were​ leaked.

In‌​⁠ any case, the‍ busy nobles who​⁠‌ already had a lot on their⁠ plates were not⁠ interested in whether‍ or not a few books were​⁠​ to disappear.

But‌ that did not‌⁠​ indicate less danger.⁠⁠​

An‌ aristocrat could only‌ have a laid-back​‌‌ attitude if he‌ had the loyalty​‍ of the commoners.‍⁠

Servants,⁠​​ to prevent even‌⁠‍ the tiniest of‌ mistakes, could become⁠‍⁠ cold and heartless.​

Commoners​ had to risk‌‍⁠ their lives in​⁠⁠ order to not‍‌ catch the attention​‍​ of the nobles.‍⁠​

Shirone​ could tell just‍‍ how different the‍​‌ two lines of​​ thinking were from‍ each other.

Then‌​ one afternoon, the⁠‍​ library door opened‍ and he heard‍‌⁠ an unfamiliar boys‍⁠‌ voice.

Haah​ That old man.‌​‍ On a day‌ like this, who​ cares if I rest a bit.⁠

Shirone‌⁠ blinked as an‌⁠‍ uninvited guest had⁠ made a sudden​ appearance.

That​⁠ person is

It​ was Rian Ogent,‍‍ the youngest son⁠⁠⁠ of the Lord.‍​‌

Having‌​ the blood of​‍ a mighty knight,‌ he had a masculine, rugged face,‌‌ and even though​ they were the‍ same age, he‍‍⁠ was a head​ taller than Shirone.‍‌‌

Shirone’s‍​‍ train of thought​ was suddenly interrupted‌‌ by a shout​ coming from outside⁠ the library.

Rian!‍⁠⁠ How dare you‌⁠ run away! Once⁠ I catch you,⁠​‍ youll be made‌ to run another‌⁠ hundred laps!

Argh!‌ Damn it!

Rian,‍​ who was running⁠‍ between the bookshelves,⁠ finally found Shirone.‍⁠

Rian,‌‌ who was running​‍​ towards Shirone, grabbed​‌ Shirones shoulders suddenly​ and said.

Hey!‌ Dont tell him‌​​ Im here, okay?‍⁠⁠

Then,⁠‍ whilst he hid‌‍ himself under the‍​ bookshelf, an old⁠‌⁠ mans thunderous roar​‌ shook the library.​

Rian!​ I know youre‍ hiding here!

Although⁠‌​ he was a gray-haired old man,‌‌‍ his shoulders were‌‌‌ wide. He was⁠ also tall enough‍ to remind Shirone⁠⁠ of a giant.‍‌

You!‌‍ A boy as‍‍ tall as a peanut with blue‌‍​ hair came in‍ here, right?

Shirone​ thought about it.​‌⁠

He‍​‌ did know the​⁠⁠ blue-haired boy, but⁠‍ if the blue-haired​ boy was the‍‌ size of a peanut, what did⁠ he look like‍ in the eyes​⁠ of this old​​ man?

From⁠​ what I saw,​ he looked like⁠‌‌ the youngest young⁠‌‌ master. But excuse⁠‌‍ me, who are​‍‍ you?

Shirone‌‍ intended to change⁠​ the subject, but​⁠ the veteran saw‍‍ through the boys⁠ mind.

Im‍‌ a swordsman instructor!‍⁠‌ Im saying that​‌⁠ Im the teacher​‌⁠ who has the‌⁠‌ right to beat​ up that peanut.‌ Youd better tell‌‌‌ me quickly, unless‍ you wanna get⁠⁠‍ beat up.

Shirone​ pursed his lips.⁠

Anyone‌ who taught the​‍ young master under⁠​⁠ the orders of‌‌‍ the Lord was​‌ not a person⁠‍‌ who could get‍‍‌ fooled by the⁠​ words of a boy.

Oh,​‌ I see. The⁠‌​ youngest young master​⁠ is hiding under​ that bookshelf over​⁠ there.

Hey!​‍ Are you crazy?⁠‌‌ You wanna die?‍

Rian‍‍⁠ crawled out with⁠​​ a frown.

Then,‌​⁠ he discovered his​ swordsman instructor, who​​ came up close⁠‍‍ to him. He​ started to tremble​ in fear.

Master!⁠‌ This is a misunderstanding!

You‍ rascal!

The‍‍ swordsman grabbed Rian‍‌‍ by the collar⁠ and threw him‌‍ to the ground.​​

As​‍​ soon as Rians​ body fell, Shirone⁠‍⁠ closed his eyes.‍⁠

Rian‌⁠‍ hit the floor​‌ with a loud‍​‌ noise, as his​‍ limbs were spread‌ out on the‍⁠⁠ ground due to​ the shock.

Follow‍⁠‍ me, you punk!​​‍ Forget training! You​ need to be‌​ mentally trained again!​

His‍​ instructor dragged him⁠ out with his⁠ legs. With an⁠ upside down view,​ Rian faced Shirone.⁠

And​‍⁠ mouthed something.

Even‍‌‍ though no voice​⁠​ was heard, and⁠‌ only the shape‌⁠‍ of the mouth‍‌‌ was passed on,⁠ Shirone heard it‍‌​ clearly.

Youll​‍ pay for this.​‌‍

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