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Infinite Mage Chapter 78: The Uninvited Guest of the Darkness (1)

Chapter 78: The Uninvited Guest of the Darkness (1)

Shirone⁠⁠⁠ thought Amy was​‌ just playing along‍‍ with the joke.‍

“Sorry⁠‌ for startling you.​‌ I wanted to​​​ surprise you, so‍‍ I didn’t tell⁠​ you I was‍‌ coming. How are⁠​⁠ the classes in‌​ the advanced class?”‌​​

Amy⁠​⁠ showed a look​ of caution. When​ Shirone tried to⁠ come closer, she⁠​ quickly hit his⁠ arm, sending the​ two cups of‌‍⁠ coffee flying.

Shirone‍‌⁠ stood with a dumbfounded expression. This‌​ reaction was too‍‌ serious to be⁠‌‍ considered a joke.⁠ Amy’s face too⁠ had turned red‍⁠‌ in genuine anger.‌‌

“Who⁠‍‍ are you to​‌⁠ do this? And​ why are you‌‌​ speaking informally to‌‌‍ me while calling⁠‌ Sharelle ‘senior’?”

Sharelle‌⁠​ also seemed annoyed.​‍‌

“You’re⁠‌‌ not from the⁠ advanced class, right?‌ Even if you’re​‌‌ interested, this kind‍ of approach is‍⁠ not right, don’t​‍ you think? And⁠‍‍ you should use‌ honorifics when speaking‍​ to seniors. What‌ is this? Not⁠⁠ even a playboy​⁠⁠ behaves like this.”⁠‍‌

Shirone⁠​ was completely taken‌‍‍ aback. Amy and‍​ Sharelle were acting​​⁠ as if they‍‌‍ didn’t know him⁠ at all.

“Senior​⁠‌ Sharelle, it’s me,​ Shirone. Don’t you⁠⁠ remember me? Amy,​‌‌ do you really‍‌ not recognize me?‌​‍ Are you just‌​ joking?”

“How⁠‍ would I know‍‌ you? If you’re‍​‍ a student, please⁠‍‍ focus on your‌⁠ studies. Can’t you‍‍⁠ differentiate between appropriate⁠‌‍ times and places?⁠‍⁠ Do I look​‌​ that easy?”

Amy​‍ grabbed Shirone’s collar,‍ truly irritated. She⁠‌⁠ thought she would‍ be free from⁠ annoying boys in​⁠ the advanced class,‌ but to have‍⁠‍ one follow her⁠⁠‌ here…

‘Just‍‌ when it was‌‌ getting quiet, it‌‍​ started again. This⁠‍ is all because​‌⁠ of that guy.‌ Hanging out with‌⁠ weird kids and‍⁠⁠ causing trouble…’

As⁠ Amy was muttering‍⁠​ to herself, she⁠⁠ paused.

‘Wait?‌⁠ That guy? Who​⁠‍ is that?’

She​​⁠ felt like some⁠ male figure was‍‍ involved in the‍‌‍ reason why those⁠ bothersome male students⁠​‍ had backed off,‌‌‍ but she couldn’t​ remember who.

Shirone,⁠‌ still gripped by‍⁠ the collar, felt‌ like his heart​‍‍ had been pierced.​‍‍ There was no‌ warmth in Amy’s‍ eyes.

“No…‍​​ This can’t be​‌ happening.”

Shirone⁠​ shook off Amy’s​​ hand gripping his⁠​​ collar.

“No!⁠​ Don’t lie!”

“Ouch.”​

Amy‌⁠ winced, holding her⁠ wrist in pain,⁠ but Shirone shouted⁠‌⁠ as if he‌‍‍ hated even the‌⁠⁠ sight of her.​

“Why‍‌ are you pretending​‌ not to know‌ me! What did⁠‍⁠ I do wrong?⁠​​ If you don’t‍ like me, just‌⁠​ say it! It’s⁠‌ unfair to treat‍⁠‌ me like this!”⁠‌

“You!‌​ Get out of​ here!”

Sharelle‌​​ pushed Shirone away.‍​‍ Unable to resist‌ Sharelle, Shirone stumbled‌​ and fell.

“Why⁠ are you making⁠ life difficult for​ my friend? And⁠ that too, in‍​⁠ front of a senior! Which class‌⁠ are you from?‍​ Do you really‌ want to be⁠​⁠ scolded?”

Shirone⁠⁠ looked up at​ her with a face that seemed​⁠ to have lost⁠‍⁠ everything.

‘Senior‍‌ Sharelle…’

Amy’s‍⁠ inseparable friend. Always‌⁠ among the top⁠​‌ with excellent skills,‌‍ yet a girl⁠​ who would cry‌​ over romance novels.⁠ Shirone remembered it‍​ all. Her supportive‌ presence during his‍‌ difficult challenges.

But‍ now, she seemed‍‍​ like a completely‌ different person. Her‌⁠‍ eyes burned with⁠‌​ hostility, and her‍​‌ tightly pursed lips‍ were filled with‌⁠ animosity.

Shirone‌​ shook his head.‍‍ It wasn’t that‍‍ he couldn’t believe​​‌ it; he didn’t​ want to. Such⁠ a thing was‌‍ impossible.

“No!​⁠⁠ It’s a lie!”‌

Shirone​⁠⁠ rushed away, feeling⁠ like he would‍​​ go insane if​ he stayed any⁠‍​ longer.

“Don’t‍ ever come back!‍⁠‍ If you mess‌​‍ around like this‌‍ again, I’ll tell‍​​ the teacher!”

Sharelle‌‌ made a horn⁠⁠ with her hands‌‌‌ to amplify her⁠‌ voice. Still seething​⁠ with anger, she​‍⁠ turned to Amy.​

“Ugh,‌⁠ what’s with that‍ guy? He looks‌‍ innocent but is​⁠ so persistent. Oh,‍ Amy, are you‌​‌ okay?”

“Huh?⁠‌ Oh, I’m fine.”‌‍

Amy,‍‌ who had been⁠‍‍ lost in thought,​‌⁠ quickly snapped back‍‍‌ to reality. However,‌⁠‍ the feeling of‍ unease remained. She⁠‌ felt an odd‌⁠⁠ sense of longing‍⁠‍ as she watched‍‍ Shirone leave.

“Who‌ is he, really?‍ He acts like‍ he knows me.”​‌

“It’s​‌​ probably just some​‍​ crazy act. There‍‍​ are a lot⁠⁠ of kids like​ that these days.‍‌​ They aim high‌‍ without any shame.”⁠​⁠

“Is​ that so?”

“Well,⁠⁠​ Im going to‌⁠ head in. Hey,⁠‍ I was looking‍‍ forward to catching⁠ up with you‍ after so long,‍⁠‍ but that weird‍⁠‌ kid ruined our⁠ break.”

Even‌​‌ though they were​⁠‍ in the same​⁠ advanced class, their‍ different majors made⁠ it hard to​‍ find time to​ catch up.

After⁠‌ Sharelle entered the⁠ classroom, Amy followed.‍ But as she​‌ stepped into the‌ entrance, she looked‌​⁠ back towards where​​ Shirone had run⁠​ off.

“……”​

She⁠‍‌ stood there until‍‌‌ the bell rang⁠‌‍ for the end​‍ of the break.⁠​

‘Why⁠ are they doing‌​ this! What’s the​ reason?’

Shirone⁠‌ ran frantically. As‌‍ he arrived at⁠‌‍ the advanced class‍ building, the bell⁠​ for class rang,‍ and students started​ entering their classrooms.​‌

“Mark!‍ Mark!”

Mark,​‍‌ who was chatting⁠​‍ with Maria, turned‍‌​ around. Shirone rushed‌⁠ to him and‍ asked desperately.

“Mark!​⁠‌ You know me,⁠⁠ right? Who am‍‌​ I! Tell me‍ quickly!”

Mark‌⁠‌ looked perplexed, glancing​⁠‍ at Maria. But​‍⁠ even Maria shrugged,‌‍ indicating she didnt‍​ know.

“Um…​​‍ who are you?”⁠⁠

Shirone’s​ heart started racing‍‍ uncontrollably. He couldn’t‌ comprehend what was‌‍‌ happening to him.‌‍

“It’s‌⁠ me. Shirone! Class‍​ Five! We took​ the teleportation test​ together, remember? You⁠‍ really don’t know?”‍​

Mark⁠ frowned. However, he‍‌⁠ couldnt argue with⁠⁠⁠ the mention of‍ Class Five and‌‍ politely bowed.

“Oh,‍ I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”‍⁠⁠

“That’s‍ not it! Why‌‍‍ are you treating⁠ me like this!”​

What​ did they want​‍ him to do?​ He wanted to‍⁠‌ retaliate, but the⁠ presence of others‍ held him back.‍​​

“You⁠‌ students, classes have‌​ started, why arent​​⁠ you in your⁠⁠ rooms?”

Siena​‌⁠ was walking down​ the corridor. Shirone,‍⁠‍ feeling like he​⁠ had found a savior, rushed to‌​‌ her.

“Teacher!‍‍ It’s me, Shirone!”‍​​

Siena,‍‌ being a certified⁠‌ 6th-grade mage, would⁠‌‍ surely remember him.⁠‍ But her response‌​ was cruelly dismissive.​

“Shirone?‍⁠⁠ There’s no student⁠ by that name​ in the class.‌‍ Who are you?”‍⁠

“Teacher,‌ don’t you remember‍‌⁠ me? I’m Shirone.”‍‍​

Siena⁠​ tried to recall‌​ but found the‌⁠⁠ name and face‌‍‌ unfamiliar.

“It‍​ seems there’s some‌‌‌ mistake. I haven’t​⁠ heard of any‍⁠ new students. Are‍‍⁠ you really from​‍ our academy?”

Mark​ and Maria’s gazes‍‍ turned sharp. Suddenly‍‍⁠ viewed as suspicious,⁠‍‍ Shirone felt a surge of fear.​‌

“I-I’m‍‍ sorry! I made⁠​ a mistake!”

“Hey!‌ Stop right there!”‌

Ignoring​‍ Siena’s call, Shirone​ fled desperately. He‌‍ now had a dreadful suspicion of‌‌ what had happened.⁠

Everyone‌‌⁠ had forgotten him.​

“Sob,‍ sob…”

He‌⁠ felt like a lost child, utterly‌⁠ vulnerable. Everything in‌ the world seemed​‍ frightening.

Entering⁠ Estas, Shirone wandered‍​⁠ aimlessly before finally​ reaching the Supernatural⁠⁠ Psychic Science Research⁠ Group.

‘My⁠‌ friends should be‌ fine. They have‍ to be, right?’⁠

Hadn’t​ they been joking‌ around just hours⁠​ ago? Even if⁠ the whole world​‍⁠ forgot him, they⁠‍ should remember.

Entering‌​ the room, he‌‌ saw Nade and​‌‍ Yiruki chatting, who‌‌‌ then looked at‍‌ him in surprise.​‌​

“Nade,​ Yiruki, it’s me.‍ Shirone.”

His‍‌⁠ friends simply blinked,⁠‍ not responding. Shirone’s⁠ emotions crumbled.

“Why‍‍‌ aren’t you saying​ anything? You remember‌​ me, right? You‍ haven’t forgotten me?”​

Nade‌ looked at Yiruki,​ then approached Shirone,‌​ scratching his head.‍‌​

“Um…​ who are you?”‌

Tears⁠⁠​ welled up in‌‍‌ Shirone’s eyes.

“Don’t‌⁠⁠ you really know​⁠ me? We were⁠ together until just‌ now. We studied​‍‍ together yesterday and‌ the day before!”‌​

“Sorry,​‌ but we don’t‌ know you. Are​‌‌ you spying for⁠‌​ another research group?​‍ Stop causing trouble​⁠‌ and leave.”

Yiruki​ suddenly exclaimed.

“Wait!⁠‌‌ Maybe that’s possible.‌⁠ How did you‍ find Estas? Speak‌‍ up! Who are‌ you?”

“You,​‌ you guys…”

Shirone’s‍ lower lip quivered.‍ Unable to hold​​⁠ back tears, he‍‌⁠ broke down.

“Pfft…”⁠‍‌

Nade⁠‍ let out a snicker, then burst‌ into laughter.

“Hahaha!‍ Did you see‌ that face? This⁠ is a masterpiece!”​⁠​

“Saw‌ it! Saw it!⁠‍‌ He looked so⁠‍‌ scared, saying ‘you,​ you guys…’ Hahaha!​‍ Shirone, what did⁠⁠ you plan to‌⁠‌ make us laugh?”‍⁠‌

Nade,‌ holding his aching​ stomach, chuckled.

“Hehehe,‍‍‌ hehehehe! Ah, this​‍​ is killing me!‍⁠ Why would you‍ do this… Hahaha!”⁠‌‍

Shirone⁠‌ was baffled, unable‌ to grasp the⁠ situation.

“What,‌ do you remember​⁠‌ me?”

“What​​⁠ nonsense? Did you​‌‍ have a nightmare‍‌ or something? Your​ facial expression is​⁠ hilarious! Hahaha!”

Shirone​​​ felt utterly deflated.​‍ The heavy burden​ in his heart​ seemed to have‍​‌ finally rolled away.​

“Hey,​‍ you should have​ said something! Why‍ pretend not to⁠​ know me?”

“We​‍ were just joking​‌‌ around because your​⁠‌ expression was too​‌ funny when you⁠⁠ came in. You​‌ were like, ‘It’s⁠‍⁠ me, Shirone.’”

Nade​⁠ mimicked Shirone, and⁠‍ Yiruki again fell‌‍ to the floor‌ laughing. Shirone, drained‌​ of energy to​ protest, sat down⁠ and covered his⁠‍ face with his⁠ hands.

“Whew,⁠⁠‍ I thought I was going to‍‍ die of fear.”‌​‌

“Sit‍ down. What happened?”​

Sitting‌⁠‌ on the sofa,⁠‍ Shirone eagerly explained⁠‍ everything. At first,​​ the others snickered,‍​‍ but when he⁠ mentioned Siena, they‍‍ turned serious.

“Hmm,‌‌ even Siena doesn’t⁠‌​ remember? It’s hard​‍‌ to believe she​ would joke about‍‌​ this.”

Nade‍⁠ was incredulous.

“Is‍ that really possible?”‌​‌

“If‌ it’s a mental⁠ type of magic,​⁠‌ it’s possible. Though⁠ it’s doubtful that‌​⁠ someone could manipulate‌‍ the memories of⁠‍ the entire academy.”⁠

“It’s​‌‌ possible. I experienced‍⁠‌ it firsthand.”

Yiruki​ calmed Shirone.

“Alright,‌ calm down. We​‌ believe you. People​‌⁠ have lost their‍‌‍ memory of you.”⁠‍‍

Nade​‍ added.

“But‍⁠‍ we remember you.⁠​ Maybe this is‌ a clue to⁠‌ the situation?”

“I​​‍ think so too.‍‍ The reason we‍​ remember Shirone might‌​‌ be that we’ve⁠ been away from‍‍ the academy for‌‌ two days. What‍⁠ happened while we‌⁠ were gone?”

The‌‌ group pondered. Could‌⁠‍ someone have manipulated‌⁠ the minds of‌​​ the entire academy,‍ including teachers, in​ their absence? It‍⁠ was a hard-to-believe‍‌​ assumption.

“A​​ supernatural phenomenon, perhaps?⁠​​ There have been‌ similar historical cases.”‌

Yiruki‌‍⁠ was skeptical.

“Well,⁠‍⁠ I think those⁠‌ cases are also​‍ related to magic.⁠⁠ Anyway, if that’s‌ the case, how⁠⁠ do we explain‌⁠‌ not losing our‍ memory?”

“Maybe⁠‍ because we were⁠‌‌ in Estas. We’ve‍‍‍ been here since‍‌ we parted with​​⁠ Shirone.”

Shirone​⁠​ asked.

“What​‌ does Estas have‌ to do with​ this?”

“Estas​​ has always been​‌ rumored to have‌‍‌ mysterious powers.

It’s‌‍‍ just speculation, but‍‍ we should consider‌‍‍ all possibilities since​​‍ our safety is‌‌‍ involved.”

Yiruki‍‌ remarked.

“In‍‍‌ other words, we‌‌‍ might also lose‌‍ our memories.”

“It’s​​‌ a possibility we​⁠‍ can’t guarantee.”

Silence⁠​​ fell. The thought⁠​ of losing memories⁠ was as troubling⁠ as being forgotten.‍​​

Nade⁠⁠ bravely spoke up.⁠

“Still…⁠‌‍ we should go‌⁠‌ out and see,​‌ right?”

“Right,⁠​ hiding won’t solve‍ anything.”

The​​ friends agreed, but‌ Shirone, who had‌‌‍ just faced a terrifying ordeal, wasn’t‌ enthusiastic.

“What⁠‌‍ if you guys‌ forget me too?‌‍‌ I might really⁠ go crazy then.”‌

“Let’s​⁠ do this. We’ll⁠‌ leave a mark‌​‍ beforehand. Even if​‍ we lose our‍‍‍ memory, we can​​ avoid the worst-case‍‌​ scenario.”

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