Infinite Mage — Chapter 61: Shina Under the Moonlight (3)

Chapter 61: Shina Under the Moonlight (3)

Nade‌ encouraged Shirone.

Try‌‍‍ it, try it.⁠ From what I heard, its like⁠ projecting a body‌ image while in⁠⁠ a state of‌ having no self.⁠⁠ After that

I know what it‌ is. Give me‌‍‌ a minute. Let⁠ me concentrate.

Shirone⁠‍ closed his eyes‍‍ and felt the‌‌ sensation of his‍ body while his‌‍ friends kept their⁠‌ mouths shut.

No‌ self right before entering the Spirit‍‍ Zone Then awaken‌ the entire bodys senses with insight‍‌⁠ while projecting the‌ body image!

Eeuk‌ Eeeeuukk! Oh no‌ Its getting harder!‍‌

Yiruki‌‌⁠ tried to hold‌‌‌ back his laughter‍ and said.

You‍⁠ simpleton, you think⁠ itll actually work?⁠ The Spirit Zone‍‌ and Schema are‍‍ polar opposites.

PUHAHAHAHAHA!‌‌

Nade⁠⁠ couldnt hold back‍‌‌ his laughter.

Shirone‌ looked back with‌ lasers coming out from his eyes.⁠

You-! Fine, Im not⁠ doing this! Switch!‍

Eventually,‍ the three decided‌ to take turns‌ carrying Siena on⁠‍ their back.

However,‍ Nade didnt last‌ half the distance⁠ of Shirones while Yiruki couldnt even‍⁠ take over ten‍‍‍ steps.

Very‌ soon, it was back to Shirones‌‌⁠ turn. He carried‍ Siena on his‍ back with trembling‌ arms and gave‍‌ them a ridiculous‌ look.

Hey,‍‌⁠ dont we look‌‌ so pathetic right‌‍ now?

Shirone.‌ Its rude to⁠‌ say something that‍ you should just‌‌‍ store inside your‌ brain. No need to lower our‌⁠ self-esteem more than⁠ you need to.‌

At‌⁠‍ the end of‌‍ Nades words, the⁠‍ three all shut⁠ up.

By⁠‌‌ the time they⁠⁠⁠ neared the academy,‍ Shirone suddenly spoke.‍

Hey,⁠ why dont we‍ Just stop doing⁠‌ that.

What‍ do you mean‍⁠ by that? What⁠⁠ are you talking‌⁠ about?

You‍⁠ know, the deal‌ with Ms. Siena⁠ about what happened⁠‌ today.

Hmm

To‍‌ be honest, Nade‍‍ also had a guilty conscience. However,⁠⁠‌ it wasnt like‍ they could just‍ give up. Their‍‌‌ research group was‌ at stake.

But‍ theres no other‌ particular way. Did you come up⁠‌ with a plan‌⁠ to protect the research group?

No,‌ but this is‌⁠⁠ a whole different‌ thing. Today must‌ have been a very sad day for Ms. Siena.‍‌ I dont know‌ the details, but‌ I feel that‍ it is.

After seeing things from⁠ their teachers point-of-view, their expressions became‌⁠ solemn.

Saying⁠ your farewells to⁠ a precious loved‍ one who sacrificed‍‍‍ their eyes for⁠ you wouldnt just‌ end with a bottle of alcohol.‍⁠‌

Yeah,‍ I know. I really do. But⁠ for me, the‍‌ research group is‍ important. I dont‌‌‍ know about you‍ guys, but I inherited this position‌⁠ directly from the‍‍⁠ former president. The‌ fact that the⁠‌ research group is getting disbanded because of me

Yiruki⁠‍ also agreed.

I understand your position.⁠‌ The decision is‌ yours. We are‍‍ only members.

Nade‌‍⁠ sighed.

I wouldnt be like this if it‍ were anything else.‍ Quite frankly, Ms.⁠⁠ Siena is a hard type to deal with. She‍ doesnt have any‍ weaknesses. She has‌ a tough personality,‍ shes meticulous with⁠ student management. Shes‍ even telling Shirone⁠⁠ to leave since‌⁠ shes worried about⁠‌ Overflow. We have‌‍ to play a little dirty to‌ win against someone so guarded on all sides.

These‍ little rascals

Siena,⁠‍‌ who was listening‌ while hanging on⁠ Shirones back, choked‍ up.

When‌ she was drunk and spinning in‌‌ circles, she had⁠ been out of‍ it, but now⁠ she was almost⁠ fully herself.

Shirone⁠ spoke.

Why our teacher chose⁠‍ the path she‍⁠ did, why shes‍‍ so obsessed with‍ Overflow Shes like‍ that because she‌ doesnt want us‌ to walk the‌ same path she‌⁠ did.

Tsk!⁠‍ I know at‍ least that much.‍‌‍ Shes actually one of the people⁠‌‍ I really respect.

Nade‍ stopped talking there,‍ but he couldnt‍⁠ turn blind eye‍ to Shirone and‍⁠ Yirukis stares.

Okay!‍⁠⁠ Fine! Whatever! Well⁠⁠ say today is⁠ invalid! Lets cover⁠⁠ up everything that⁠‌‌ happened to Teacher.‌‌ I guess well⁠‌ just have to‌ think more about our research group‌ tomorrow, ueah?

Yiruki⁠ nodded.

I have no complaints.⁠ Were the villains,‌ anyway. In fact, I owe Ms.‍⁠ Siena in many ways, and even⁠⁠ though she often‌‌ speaks coldly, she‌ always sides with the students at‍ crucial moments.

Shirone‌‌ then spoke.

Then‍‌ its decided. No‍ matter what difficulties⁠‍ we face in the future, never⁠‍⁠ reveal what happened‌ today. It has nothing to do‌⁠ with our research⁠‍‌ group.

Alright!‌

They⁠‍ were rather at ease when the‍‍ final decision was⁠ made. Shirone and‌ his friends continued‍ their way with light steps.

No‍‌ one knew that⁠‌ Siena was awake.‍

They‌ saw the front‍‍⁠ gate of the⁠ magic academy.

A half-dead Shirone found‍ a guard standing⁠⁠ with a torch‍ and stopped walking.‍ It has not‍⁠ past midnight yet⁠‌‍ so the night‍ shift still hasn’t‌ gone home.

What‌‍⁠ should we do?‌ If we go‌‌ in like this,‌‌ a strange rumor‌⁠ might spread by‌‍‌ tomorrow. Not to‌ mention, we left‍ without permission.

Then‌⁠ we have no‌‍ choice. From here‍ on, lets use‌‍ magic. Ill float⁠ Ms. Siena, so⁠⁠ hold her up⁠ for a second.‍

Okay,⁠ let me first‍ put her down,⁠⁠‍ Yiruki, help.

The‌ moment Shirone touched‍‌ the ground with‌⁠ his knees, the⁠⁠‍ weight on his⁠ back disappeared.

When‍‍ he looked back‍‍‍ in surprise, Shirone⁠ saw Siena standing‍ straight. Even her‍⁠ eyes were clear.

T-Teacher?‌‌⁠

* * *

Shirone collapsed onto the‍ ground.

If‌ she could walk,‌‍ why trouble him‍ and make him suffer up till‌⁠ this point?

Nade‍‍ asked.

Are‌ you really okay?⁠‍

Of‍‌ course. Did you‍ think Id get‍⁠ drunk with that‌⁠ tiny amount?

But why?

I treated you all to an expensive‍⁠ meal. You didnt‌‍ actually think the‌‌ day would end‍ with me buying⁠ you boys course‍⁠⁠ meals and we‌ all happily return, right?

To⁠ be honest, it‌‍ was only a while ago that‌ she became sober.‌‌

No matter how amazing⁠ a mage was,⁠‍ they couldnt evaporate the alcohol that‌‌‍ had already made⁠ its way into‌‍⁠ the blood.

Anyway,⁠ follow me. If⁠ you want to‌‌‌ enter quietly, that‌⁠ is.

As‌ Siena walked toward‌ the front gate,‌⁠ Shirones party followed⁠‍⁠ as if possessed⁠ by ghost.

The⁠⁠ guard recognized her‍⁠‍ face and greeted‌⁠ her with wide⁠ yet sleepy eyes.

Oh!‍⁠ Why hello, Ms.‍⁠ Siena.

Yes,‌⁠ thank you for‌ your hard work.⁠

Did‌ you Go out‍ with these students?⁠‍‌

Yes⁠ I did. I brought them out⁠ for a field⁠ trip.

Ah,⁠ I see. Thank⁠⁠‌ you for your‌ effort. I hope‍ you have a good night.

According‍ to the academys regulations, students were‍ prohibited from entering‍‍‌ the academy late‍ at night unless‍‍⁠ they were with⁠ an instructor. Then‍ there was nothing⁠⁠⁠ wrong with that.⁠‌

Nevertheless,‍ Shirones group rushed‌ past the academy⁠ gate. They were nervous that the‌ guard would suddenly‌ call them from‌⁠ behind and stop⁠ them.

When‌ they got to‍‍ Central Park with‍ no complications, Siena‍‌ turned around to⁠‍⁠ glare at the‌ three.

You‌ guys.

Heek!‌⁠

Shirone⁠⁠ felt it on‍ his skin.

I will let todays‍ matter go.

…Pardon?⁠

Im saying that Ill⁠ keep it a secret between us.⁠‌ I wont report‍‌ it to the‍‌ academy and I wont tell anybody about it. Ill‌ also give you‍ one month to‌‍ come up with‍ something. Thats the‍⁠ best deal I can give you⁠‍ guys.

…

Come⁠‍‌ up with a way to convince the academy within‍‌⁠ a month. Whether‍ you hold a presentation or somehow⁠ bring in a ghost, it is‌‌ up to you.‍ If you are‍ really proud of‍‌‌ your research group,‌‍‌ fight. Even if‌ you have to‍‍ go against the‌‍‌ academy in order⁠⁠ to prove it.‌ Thats the way‌ I teach and love my students.‌‌

Her‌ students got emotional.

They‍ couldnt believe Siena‌⁠ was telling them‍‍‌ this.

What⁠‌ a relief.

Nade clenched his fist.⁠‌‌

Okay!‌⁠‍ Look forward to‍ it. Our research group will definitely⁠‍ prove its worth.‍ Youll be so⁠‍ surprised youll fall⁠⁠ off your chair!‍‌

Yiruki‍ assisted.

Its been a while‌ since Ive properly‌⁠ stretched my brain.‍‌

Siena⁠‍‍ smiled bitterly as‌ she watched her⁠‌⁠ students regain their⁠‌ confidence.

While⁠‍‌ it was true⁠⁠ that anxiety made⁠⁠ its way into her heart when she saw their⁠ enthusiasm skyrocket, she was also looking forward to seeing‌‍ what kind of‌⁠ great incident they⁠‌‌ would cause this‍ time.

Hohoho. Do your best,‍ my students.

* * *

Shirone‍ visited the research‌ group later than‍ usual. He found‍‌‍ Yiruki and Nade⁠‍ lying on the‍ sofa.

Hey.⁠‍‍

Did‍⁠‌ you sleep well⁠‌⁠ last night?

Dont⁠ know. Did I even sleep? What about you guys?‍⁠

The⁠ same. What are‍‌ we going to‌ do now? Even⁠ though we had‍ a meeting all⁠ night yesterday, we‌⁠ couldnt come up‍‌ with any good‌ ideas.

Shirone‌⁠‍ sat on an empty sofa and spoke.

We‌ have to make⁠ a decision today.⁠⁠ Lets try to‍ find a solution.

And‍ how are we‍ going to do‌ that? Supernatural psychic‌‍ science is not‍ a phenomenon we‌‍ can see. Humans⁠‍‌ dont believe what⁠‌ they cant see.‍

Tired‌ of even talking,‍⁠‍ they all stared‌ blankly at the‍ wall.

Their‍ minds felt as‌ white as the⁠‍ wall.

Not‍ long after, Shirones⁠‌ eyes returned to‍‌ focus.

How⁠‌⁠ about we change⁠⁠ our train of⁠‍ thought?

Nade⁠⁠‌ and Yiruki sat‍⁠ up.

They‌‌ didnt know what‍‌ Shirone would say,‌ but he was⁠ taking a different⁠⁠ route from before.⁠‍

How?‌

Our dilemma is this: There is no way to show‍ what is invisible.‌‌

Yeah,‌‍‍ thats the gist.‍

What⁠ I am saying⁠ is, theres no‍ need for us‌ to try and⁠‍ show something that‍‍ is invisible. Thats‌‌‌ why were stuck.⁠ We are thinking‌ about the next‍ thing without solving‍‌ this problem first.‍ In essence, I think we should‍ look for a method in which‌ we dont have‍ to show anything‌⁠ at all.

Yiruki‌ stroked his chin.‌‌

So‍ youre saying that‌ we dont have‌‍ to verify something‍ that cant be‌‌ verified.

Yes.‌‌⁠ The reason why‍ I joined this⁠‍ research group isnt because you guys proved something to‍ me. Wouldnt it be the same‍‌ for the others?‍

The‌ corner of Nades⁠⁠ lips tugged up.

Yes,⁠‍ we had Shirones⁠ case. Verification was⁠‌‍ not necessary from‍⁠ the beginning. Rather,⁠ on the contrary‍

We‍‍⁠ have to make‍ them believe what they cant see,⁠‌‌ right? Like Shirone.⁠

Something⁠ struck Nades mind.⁠‌

Feeling‌ a plausible idea‌‍ coming on, Nade⁠⁠‍ hugged Shirone.

Shirone,‌ come here! You⁠ saved our research group! You can‍‌‌ take my first‍ kiss!

Gross!⁠ Go away!

While the two were‍ wrestling, Yiruki was‍⁠⁠ deep in thought.

The real hard part had just begun.⁠‌

Then‍ what should we‍⁠ do? Our direction‌‌ is set, but‍‌‍ we still have‍ to present something. We cant exactly⁠‌ tell the professors⁠ to imagine.

Nade‌ went back to⁠ his seat. Shirone‍‍‍ also patted down‌ his disheveled hair.‌

Lets‍‍‍ think about what‍⁠ were going to⁠ show our audience.‌‌

The⁠‍ three students put‌‍ their heads together⁠⁠ and discussed.

Once⁠ the strand was‍ formed, ideas and‌‍ endless thoughts came‍ to mind.

The⁠ main point was⁠‍ to present something⁠‍‌ that would make⁠‍ people believe in‌⁠ the invisible.

Should‌ we do something⁠ auditory? Its easy⁠‍⁠ to design.

Its‍‌ efficient, but not‍⁠⁠ effective. We have‌⁠⁠ to think about‍ the academys acknowledgment.‌⁠⁠

Then its definitely visual.‍⁠⁠ If possible, auditory⁠ as well. We just pour everything‌‌‌ we can and‍‍ present it.

Visual‌ and auditory. Then‌ what should we‌ visualize? Should we focus on presenting‌ things as supernatural⁠⁠ occurences or psychic‌ occurences?

Its‌⁠⁠ hard to empathize‍ with the supernatural.‍‍‌ It doesnt reach‌‌ a personal level.‌ I think psychic⁠ would be better.⁠

Nade‍ raised his hand.⁠

I vote for psychic,⁠⁠ too. There are⁠⁠ countless psychic phenomena.⁠ Which one do⁠ we go for?‍

Shirone‍‌ sopoke.

I think ghosts are⁠‌ good. Since its⁠⁠⁠ a highly individualized‌ concept, I think⁠‌ it would be⁠‌ easy to propagate.‌

Mmm But isnt ghost-related‍‌ stuff considered childish?‍

Nade‍⁠ was worried, but‌ Yiruki voted for‍ Shirones opinion.

That‍ just means if⁠‌ we succeed in‌‍ presenting it, wed‌ have accomplished something‌‍ great.

Shirone‌ said.

Its‍‌ about introducing supernatural‍⁠ and psychic sciences‍‍‌ to aspiring mages.⁠ However, if we⁠ use this factor well, I think⁠ it could be‌ a point for‌ us.

Nade‌‍ raised his head.‌⁠

Do⁠⁠ you have something‌‍ in mind?

Lets‍‍ set up a thinking trap. For‍ example.