Infinite Mage — Chapter 92: Genius Lost in Light (1)

Chapter 92: Genius Lost in Light (1)

“Your‌ name is Harvest.”‍

At Arcane’s words, the‌ black orb vibrated.⁠ Its molecular bonds‍‍‍ loosened, and black‍‍ matter rose like‌‍ smoke. Born from⁠ darkness, the monstrous‌ entity spoke in‌ a muffled voice.⁠‌‍

“I am Harvest.”

“I‌ will run a few tests. For‍ now, stay inside⁠ the test tube.”

Arcane⁠‍ pointed to a 3-meter-tall glass tube.‍ It was an⁠ uncomfortably narrow space‍‌‍ for humans, but‌ for a magical‌ creature, the concept‌‍ of enduring time‍ was irrelevant.

That‍‌‍ night, Canis and⁠⁠ Arin sneaked into‌ the lab. Without⁠ Arcane’s permission, tension⁠‌‍ was evident. However,‍‍ their anxiety dissipated‌‍ the moment they saw Harvest.

A 2-meter-tall humanoid shadow.‌

With‍ a slender waist⁠ and dynamically broad‍⁠ shoulders, Canis was deeply impressed.

“This‍⁠‍ is the master’s…”‌‌

The‍ pinnacle of magical⁠⁠ biology, perfected by‌‍ the archmage over‍ 150 years. Plus,⁠‍ being a magical‌‌‌ creature endowed with‌⁠‍ Arcane’s intellect.

Unlike⁠⁠ Canis, Arin shuddered,‌⁠‌ as if looking‍ at a monstrosity.‍

“Eww,⁠‌ so weird. I thought it’d be‍‍ more human-like.”

“Magical‌ creatures must look⁠‌ intimidating, right? To‍⁠⁠ me, this form⁠ is truly remarkable.‌ Its combat-effective.”

“But I find it‌ strange…”

Canis‌‌ didn’t care. If‍‌‍ she disliked it,‍⁠‌ all the better.‌‌

‘Wait⁠⁠‍ for me, Harvest.‌⁠ I will become⁠ your master.’

Arcane had said he‌‍‌ would choose between him and Arin⁠ to be Harvest’s⁠ master. Of course,⁠‌ Arin was a dear friend, but‍⁠ there was no⁠‍ room for compromise⁠ in this matter.⁠ He was determined to prove his⁠‌‍ worth through a fair competition.

“Canis, let’s leave. The‍‍ master might come.”⁠⁠

“Uh?‌ Oh, right.”

Arin‍ followed Canis, switching‍‍ off the lights.‌‌ Then, she suddenly‌⁠ looked back, feeling‍‍⁠ the intense emotions‌⁠ vibrating from Harvest.⁠⁠

“Goodness!”‌

She‌‌ fled the room as if escaping‍⁠⁠ and never returned to the lab.⁠ However, having been‍ trapped in a warehouse in Radum‍‍ as a child,⁠⁠ she couldnt just‍‌⁠ leave Harvest like⁠⁠‍ that.

During‌‍ the night, when‌‍‍ everyone was asleep,‍‌ Arin mustered the⁠ courage to visit‌ the lab. Harvest‌‌ was still trapped‍‌‌ in the glass⁠ tube.

“Do⁠‌ you feel trapped?”‍

When⁠ she received no‍ response, Arin examined the tube’s mechanism,⁠ looking for a switch.

“I⁠ could let you‌ out for a moment.”

“Why do you think⁠ I feel trapped?”‌

Arin stepped back, startled by the chilling‍⁠ voice.

“You’ve‍‌⁠ been locked up‌ for a month.”‍

“Not‍ being able to‍‍ move is inconvenient‌‍ for humans. I can’t perceive time.‌ I dont mind⁠ being trapped forever.”⁠

Arin‍⁠ looked puzzled, sensing⁠⁠ Harvest’s suppressed and‌ uneasy energy.

“Maybe‌ you’re right.”

“What‌‌‍ comes to your‌ mind?”

“Curiosity,‍‌ perhaps? That’s not‌‌ quite the right‌‌⁠ term. I was‍ created to learn‌ from the moment of existence. But now, thats impossible.”⁠‌‍

“That’s‍‍ what we call‌ frustration.”

Harvest‌ pondered. Could that be true?

“How‌ can you read‍‍ my emotions?”

“Hehe, just ended up‍‌ this way. I lived in Radum‍ for a long⁠⁠ time.”

“Radum.‍ Thormia’s capital Bashuka’s‌ slum. A den‍‍ of demi-folk who⁠⁠ lost territory on⁠‌ the continent. Concealed⁠ in hardship and‍‌⁠ drastic population changes.”⁠⁠

Even⁠ Arin, who lived⁠‌ in Radum, was‍ hearing this for‍‍‌ the first time.‍

“You‌‍ know a lot,‌ Harvest.”

“What‌‍ information do you⁠ have?”

“Are⁠‍ you asking for‍ a conversation?”

“It‍ seems so. I have no master⁠ to share minds⁠⁠ with yet.”

Arin talked with Harvest⁠‌ throughout the night.‌‍ It was her‍ first time having such a long⁠ conversation with anyone, having spent most‌ of her youth⁠⁠ alone.

After⁠⁠ two months of⁠ experimentation, Harvest finally‍ gained freedom. Arcane‍ opened the glass‌ tube. However, Harvest‌‌ remained motionless.

“Come‌ out. You will⁠⁠ resonate with Canis,‍ but won’t be⁠ restricted as a subordinate. I’ll explain⁠⁠‌ the reasons later.”‌

Harvest‌‍‍ didn’t respond. A delay from a magical creature with⁠ superhuman computing speed‍‍ was unusual, prompting Arcane to turn⁠‌ around.

“Why?‍ Is there a problem?”

“Why‍ Canis?”

“Hmm.⁠‌‍ You dont like‌‍‌ it? It’s strange⁠ for you, who‌ havent formed a mental resonance, to‍‌ have preferences already.”⁠‌

“I understand that being⁠ subordinate to you,⁠⁠‌ who shares your‌‍ memory, offers no‍‍ benefit. But Canis‌ is stubborn and⁠⁠ prideful. He’s unlikely‍‌ to heed my‍‍ advice. Such traits‌‍⁠ could be a weakness in battle.”⁠⁠

“Indeed,‌ that is true.”‌‌

“On‍⁠ the other hand,‍ Arin is different.‌⁠ She lived in‍ Radum for 10‌ years and hadn’t‍⁠ met anyone besides‍‍ Canis. This caused‌‌ her to have‍ an incredibly sensitive‌ mental resonance due⁠‌‌ to her rebellion.”‍

“Are⁠ you talking about‌⁠ synesthesia?”

Synesthesia‍ is a unique brainwave pattern where everything is perceived‌ as if being‌‌ seen for the‌‌⁠ first time. Arin‌‍ grew up without‌ seeing anything, causing‌‌ her brain to‍‍ solidify in that⁠‍ state. Hence, she⁠‌ couldn’t distinguish objects‌⁠ like ordinary people.⁠‌‌ However, she was‌ absolutely adept at⁠ sensing the emotions⁠ imbued in objects.‌‌ Despite its inconveniences,‌⁠‌ this was a supreme talent for‌ a psychic-type mage.‍‍

Arcane⁠‌ also knew that‌ Arin’s talents were‌ more exceptional than Canis’s.

“Arin‌⁠ is not suitable.⁠‌‍ Her heart is‍ too soft.”

“I⁠‌‌ don’t understand. Synesthesia‍‍ more than covers‌ any other shortcomings.‍ With her, my⁠‍ abilities could be maximized.”

Arcane gave a bitter‌⁠ smile.

Having⁠ the same memories⁠⁠ but different forms‌ led to different‍ judgments, then?

“Maybe‌ you’re right, more logically speaking. But‌ Arin is out‍‌‍ of the question.‍ You’re going to‌ Canis.”

“Kekekekeke!”⁠

Falling,‌ Harvest’s body twitched.‍

“So that was it,‍‍ Arcane.”

Only in the last‌⁠ moments of life⁠‍ did Harvest realize‌‍ why Arcane had⁠‌ specifically chosen Canis‌‌ over the magically‍⁠‍ talented Arin.

‘Same‍ stubbornness.’

Harvest’s⁠ fall seemed more⁠ pitiful as it‌ couldn’t feel the‌ weight.

“Harvest!”‍

Canis‍⁠ rushed to Harvest.‌‌ The shriveled-up body‍‌ of Harvest, with‌ holes here and‌⁠ there, was too⁠‍ gruesome to behold.⁠‍⁠

“Why!‌ Why did you⁠‌ do it! I didn’t care if⁠ I died! If‌ you were going⁠⁠‌ to betray me,‍ why start at‌‌ all! Why?”

“Kekeke.‍ How should I know? You’re my‌ master.”

Canis‌ clammed up, realizing‍ something.

“A⁠ magical creature does⁠⁠‍ what its master⁠‍ wants.”

“Harvest…”‌

Canis’s⁠‍ head dropped. He felt bitter and wronged about living,⁠ but part of‌⁠⁠ him wanted to‍‌‌ live. Why wouldn’t‍⁠ he? That’s human‌ nature. It seemed‍‌ Harvest knew this.⁠⁠ That’s why it‌ broke the master-servant‍ contract and decided⁠⁠⁠ to self-destruct.

“Sorry,⁠‌ Harvest. I…”

Harvest‌⁠‍ didn’t care. A magical creature does‍‌ what its master‍‌ desires. That’s how⁠ it was designed,‌‍⁠ so death wasn’t‍⁠‌ shocking. Rather, Harvest‌ was more intrigued‌‍⁠ by Shirone’s combat‍ ability that overpowered their combined play.⁠‍

‘Hmm.⁠ Strange magic. But‌ it’s not just⁠ about being outmatched‍ in magic.’

He‍ was definitely a strong opponent. Unhesitant in overpowering the‌‍ enemy, yet not⁠⁠ aggressive. Rather, a methodical focus on‌ the outcome resembled‌‍ a magical creature.‌‍

‘His‍‌‌ recovery of emotions is incredibly fast.‌⁠ Probably superhuman insight.⁠ The journey from‍ problem to solution‌⁠‍ is so short⁠‌‌ that it seems unshakable.’

Having‍ analyzed, Harvest twisted‌‍⁠ its lips. Specialized⁠ in something unfathomable.‍ Not a common trait in nature.‌

‘Kekeke.⁠⁠ Arcane, you’re in‍ for a hard‍ time.’

Arcane’s‍ expression was not‌‍‍ good. Everyone was⁠ acting against his⁠‍⁠ wishes. Frustrated with‌‌ the situation, he‍⁠‌ slowly walked and‌ spoke.

“Pitiful,‍ Canis. Even after‍ disgracing me…”

“Shut‌‍⁠ up.”

Shirone‌ interrupted. His friends⁠‌ widened their eyes‍‌⁠ at his unusual⁠ aggressiveness. Arcane, surprised,⁠‌ turned his head.⁠

“Hahah!‌‌‍ What a spirited‌‌ lad. What if‌ I make a proposition?”

“Didnt⁠‌⁠ you hear me?‍ Shut up.”

Even‍ Arcane had to⁠ stiffen his face‍⁠‍ this time.

“I’m‌‍ already struggling to‌‌⁠ restrain myself. So‌‌‌ shut it. One‍ more word and⁠ I’ll smash you.”

Shirone’s‍‍ body glowed with a faint red‍⁠‍ light. The laser.‍‌ Its power was⁠ already proven. Even‍ Arcane, specialized in‍‍ energy absorption, could⁠ be overwhelmed by⁠⁠ it.

But⁠⁠ his friends couldn’t⁠‌ help but feel⁠ blood run cold.⁠ Arcane was a world-dominating archmage, and‌‌ Shirone was just‌‌ a student. This‌‍⁠ provocation was akin‌ to suicide.

“What‌ are you doing?⁠ You’ll really cause trouble!”

“No,⁠ it’ll be fine.”‍

Nade and Yiruki turned‍ to Ethella.

“What⁠‌‌ do you mean,‍‍ ma’am? Shouldn’t we‍‍ stop him?”

“Arcane‍ is in a tough spot. He’s⁠ outmatched. If Shirone’s magic is energy-focused,⁠‌ Arcane can’t block⁠ it in his⁠‍ current state. He‌ won’t act impulsively‍ knowing he could be hurt. Shirone‌ knows this.”

Nade‌‌‍ looked back at‌‌‍ Shirone. Even so,⁠ defying an archmage‍⁠‌ wasn’t something anyone‍ but Shirone could‍ do.

‘So‍ cunning.’

Arcane‍‌ readily admitted.

“True.‌ In your current⁠‌‌ state, you could‍ overpower me.”

An⁠ eerie silence fell.‍ It was hard‍ to believe such‌‍ words from an‌ archmage. But it wasn’t out of‍‌ cowardice. He even smiled leisurely.

“Red‌⁠ wavelength. Particle vibration‍‍ principle, it seems.‍ A perfect nemesis⁠ to dark magic.‍‍ Plus, I’m exhausted,⁠⁠ so it’ll be‌‍ quite hard to fend you off.”⁠‍‌

Arcane‌⁠‍ keenly observed Shirone’s‌‍ reaction.

“How‍ does it feel?⁠ To hear this‍ from an archmage?”⁠‍

“What⁠ are you trying‍ to say? You’re⁠ going to pay⁠‍‍ for what youve‍⁠ done?”

“That‌‌ could be one‍ interpretation, but…”

Dark‌ smoke rose from‍ Arcane’s body. His‍⁠‍ eyes turned white,⁠ and his expression‌ became ghostly. A sharp murderous intent⁠ exploded in all‌ directions.

“Combat‍ is understood only through experience.”

Shirone⁠ involuntarily stepped back.‌‌ Pure combativeness, unrelated‍ to skill or‌⁠ level. The aura‍ of death, only‌‌ those who’ve crossed‌ countless death lines can emit.

“Good‌⁠ compatibility doesn’t matter⁠‌ if you can’t‌‌ win. How about‍ it? Will you‍ face me?”

For‍‍‌ the first time,‌⁠‌ Shirone remained silent.⁠ He didn’t feel⁠ like fighting. Arcane’s‌ combativeness was overwhelming.‍‍

‘Really‍‍ a piece.’

Shirone‌ thought of how⁠⁠‌ persistently Arcane exploited‌ weaknesses and quickly⁠⁠ switched tactics when⁠ they disappeared. No stubbornness. His thoughts‍⁠ flowed like water,‌⁠⁠ and his vision‍‌‌ opened in all⁠ directions. Canis’s defeat⁠ seemed somewhat clear.