Chapter 69: At the Summit (2)
3Up7AuSo, what have you been up to, Shirone? What are you doing in the city? Working at a store or something?4oHd3E
0AkPlUYUh? No, actuallyUT1nw
gzeeShirone decided to tell them the truth. He knew his father kept it a secret, but he couldnt be harsh enough to lie when asked directly.nAmuI
OiZ2Im actually attending a magic academy.KyJzAv
FexPe5What?!cqRBo95
4NmThe children all widened their eyes in shock and yelled out.PvdeKj
3qs7LIt was unbelievable. They knew Shirone was extraordinary since childhood, but the son of a lumberjack attending a magic academy was unheard of.fQhu
dwV5XHow did that happen? Is it true?n8d4yr
YIpjSShirone was surprised by their reaction, more than he expected. To calm them down, he lightly joked.mcl5Hv
6jMHa ha. I just got lucky. I worked as a librarian in a noble’s house, and fortunately, they liked me and helped me get in.ygux
QOzyHearing this, the children became even more dumbfounded.9JF
9RFyxnzNo matter how much he worked as a librarian, it was unheard of for a noble to go that far for a commoner. Those unaware of the hardships Shirone went through to reach this point couldnt understand.5avXL
R6PAWow, thats amazing. So, youre learning magic now?KZV
ZtZ3WWow! Magic! Can you use magic? Can you show us?bzNrbA
tMmK6CJAs the children clamored excitedly, Shirone had to sweat it out to calm them down.XdJWQ
QL9uWell Im still in the lower classes, so Im not that good yet. Besides, using magic outside of school is against the rules.ewsUXmf
yZxAltor looked at Shirone skeptically. It was hard to believe. Shirones fine appearance and character had always been awe-inspiring to the children. But the reason Altor could be the leader was his physical strength, which was most important to commoners.lfLkT
T0gqlqdBut now, Shirone was a student at a magic academy, a place thought to be only for the highest nobles, while Altor was still just a villager.PQQajLd
vpIzvHIf youre at the magic academy, why are you here? Shouldnt you be busy studying?qn1YU
OWG8yCWOh, thats because I just took a break. Had a tough exam a few days ago and needed some rest.B0J88
opq0sThis time, he had no choice but to lie. Saying he was suspended would eventually reach his fathers ears. Even if it was for a good reason, his parents would be disappointed.f7VUQ
TRoMost of the children seemed to believe him. Having never attended a school, they easily accepted the idea of getting a vacation.sMNh66
FUGOALumina grabbed the hem of Shirones clothes and asked,yIP
Q289AHow long is your break?OTSibf1
hp78Um, about three days?XJ1
r8GpV78Really? Are you going home then?RM6mJX6
U76c56Ha ha, no. The term is almost ending, so Ill go home then. My parents must be busy too.Q1Rt
E0mGWThey would be. If its only three days, your break would end just traveling there and back.xGli0N
PRtIPThe children, sharing similar family backgrounds, knew too well how busy a life of farming was.6wUF7
xYXeSIMartin asked,mTSO
Q2NSo, have you decided where to go? Where will you sleep?ZZt
0K2DxyUm Actually, I havent really decided yet.81MVBN
zuomgLumina exclaimed excitedly,fDXXK7P
PQnReally? Then come with us. You used to stay over often back in the day.3yUK
I0WShirone was tempted by the offer. Going back to the academy meant being confined to his dorm with nothing much to do, being suspended. He didnt want to spend the night alone in a place without any acquaintances either.JkH8
AVn9dWould it be alright if I join?SVkpc
asOAzJsHo ho ho! What are you talking about? We still gather at each other’s houses and sleep over every other day.M2YOjUY
2X2g86Shirone remembered too. They were used to communal living, being friends, siblings, lovers, and family to each other.3z4OCyl
2XHyAlright, then. Id like to see the uncles again after so long.Tzo9Eu
crU6G0YAlright! Lets go! The goods are sold, so we can leave now! Lets have a big round of beer!RVYQLWG
sdfHAltor wrapped his arm around Shirones head and walked him to the cart. Shirone yelped in pain under Altors much stronger grip.W2VO
Jf74cOuch! That hurts.zbq8
VMOrHa ha ha! Are you still that weak? A great magician needs strength too.4FJHit
gSae6nKShirone knew Altors behavior was his way of reestablishing his position as the leader. Understanding their lifestyle, Shirone didnt mind. He had grown up among them, knowing their ways.GEH2
DCwynKxAltor lifted Shirone onto the cart with ease. It was almost impossible for an average person to lift a grown man, but Altor had grown into a giant since their childhood. As Shirone stared at him in amazement, Altor patted his head and laughed.F1k9Uw3
pzoGood to see you, Shirone! Lets drink until our noses are crooked tonight!DbW
Kqvg8* * *dqcg
14S0NRiding the cart into the village, Shirone was filled with nostalgia at the familiar scenery. Green sprouts were rising in the fields along the ridges, and smoke curled up from the chimneys of the houses lined along the mountain ridges. The farmers working the fields shouted as they saw the cart approaching.HC1A
y1DndMartin! Youre back now?mlMY
t2MTGuLYes, Uncle! And Shirone came with us!vNZ2KX
zYnWhat? Shirone? Wheres Vincent?QF6f
G2vDVincent didnt come. But Uncle, do you know? Shirone is attending a magic academy now!5a6AOzt
rAAV5XWhat? Hes eating at a school?5O3nK
wRTbnZNo, not eating! Hes attending a magic academy!o6ji
V6p9KSHa ha ha! Thats nonsense.Ddk
o0jmNMartin fell silent, and the uncle returned to his work. Altor understood his reaction. Even he found it hard to believe, how could someone who had only known a life of farming?0pqkDEJ
iR3DLumina pouted.hGXI
m8xWhy dont they believe us? Shirone, dont worry. Ill spread the word later.jLmGO8z
12ZFHa ha. Theres no need for that.yLhPj
FjfVHJ1Altor spoke up.NgZ
A1Pr1ZMr. Vincent didn’t say anything either. Better keep quiet and not meddle in this.yyRQ5v
vpOAs the leader of the village children, Altor understood the dangers of words. If Shirone was lying, it could put Vincent in a tough spot.xXEArrC
ZT9CNIf Vincent stops trading with us, it could impact our family too.Ns8zsec
2KCAfter storing the cart in the communal warehouse, Altor led the children to the only place in the village that sold alcohol. It was a simple establishment with a dirt floor and a few tables, run by the wife of a herbalist as a side job.UWQi
SV4MWere here, ma’am.VWSMB
xg0guvDWelcome, Altor. Oh, is that Shirone?mX1whk
8GEmIve been well, maam.JS5FVd9
KNMD0Look at you. I heard Vincent was working in the city, did you meet him there? Anyway, good to see you.hh0TE
SBMVTDNThe children familiarly pushed three tables together, with Altor taking the head seat and placing an order.285
xIiEcA beer each to start, and the usual for snacks, please.z4t
E06Shirone felt a generation gap. These children, who couldnt even touch alcohol before, now sat crossed-legged, comfortably downing beers. In comparison, the children at the magic academy still seemed so young.s116Wev
y8JYbSo, Shirone, do you drink?FIQ
DRwUh? No, I havent really tried it.RH1wf
eOYqg6What? Youre still a kid then. Don’t you even have facial hair yet? Ha ha ha!bZb
doqThe children burst into laughter at Altors joke, though Lumina seemed serious.0gkbl3L
5a0Why say that to a friend you havent seen in a while? Always so crude.6qTbIVM
xbWSrdHer defense of Shirone made Altor blush slightly.dFnKqru
yAvWell its always been that way.tbl
VI0o8bVHe knew Lumina had liked Shirone since they were children. But now, they were not kids anymore. Strength was admired, and Altor believed he, the future village chief, should be Luminas match. Yet, his displeasure quickly faded into the merriment of the occasion. Shirone, too, enjoyed the reunion. Even the beer, his first taste, unexpectedly suited his palate, and the lively atmosphere continued.bT8s
SqZ8Do you remember when big sis Hauran chased after you, Shirone?b22E
GiOWHey, why bring that up now? Stop it!DnFph
wRQt6g8A bit tipsy, Shirone waved his hands to stop Martin.G5E
A1JHcWhats the harm? Its all in the past. Besides, Hauran sister got married last year. Shes not even here.Riuwt
VRWOh, is that so? Thats a relief then.fF1f
Q9EeThe children laughed and thumped the table at Shirones comment. Lumina, taking advantage of the mood, clung to Shirone.Viy5yQ
Fu77So, whats your type, Shirone?lpl
5ujKUh? Well, I havent really thought about that.x3P2E2u
QL15WAltor was irked by Luminas flirting but couldnt intervene, so he deliberately turned to Shirone.UeGdTr
lFSShirone, you really go to a magic academy? Can you do at least a simple spell?onHY
otk9Well, you see, I started learning magic late, so Im behind the other kids. Magic itself is quite a difficult subject. Im not entirely incapable, but its forbidden by school rulesteSD
AZOAMagic wasnt just physical force. It was a powerful authority that drew the forces of nature through human spirit. Shirones main skill, Photon Output, might not be physically powerful, but he knew it would instill fear and awe in the childrens hearts. He didnt want to spoil the mood by showing off magic.t3fzU
47rfVs4Martin, chewing on some jerky, asked,Q3ICQ
Zm1urUNSo if its that hard, can you end up not becoming a mage?ymHpDEh
NCedTB6Of course. In fact, more people fail to become mages than succeed.Dfitk
hkRvRieReally? Then what will you do for money if you cant become a mage?CHUE
8gTGi5BUh? How toFVv8aZ
fwD8Shirone hadnt seriously considered the possibility of failing to become a mage.Nk7eHXa
gJjQNoticing Shirone’s hesitation, the children looked puzzled.8q0BVo
lyHN5ZSo who pays for your school fees? Do the nobles cover that too?Yl16uS
Tk8Yes. For now, Im receiving support.9xI
Jy3jdUTheir eyes widened in awe.DuK9g2
Vv8C8cWow! Really? How much do they give you? Have you saved up? How will you marry? Have you ever dated a noble? Have you been to those places with lots of women? Nobles frequent those, right?RvwN7h
lW2Uh… Not everyone goes thereWKSO2
uqRVkyAltor’s expression soured as the children’s enthusiastic questions continued. It almost seemed like Shirone was the leader now.NdUl
xA5In the village, hierarchy wasn’t just about overpowering the weak. If a strong leader didnt maintain control, people would become greedy for more. Social isolation meant disharmony could lead to the group’s collapse. Designating a leader from a young age prepared them for village responsibilities.Q8xB7
L1bURuAltor spoke in a somewhat indifferent tone.p8h
9AyxEnough with the questions. Are you all that envious of Shirones life?q7Mw
scDvOf course. He gets money from nobles.bZApo
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!