Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Overflow (4)
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Shina steeled her resolve. Shirone, having awakened the Immortal Function, could fall into an Overflow.
Etella had said he could overcome it on his own, but if her worst fears became reality, Shirone’s life would be ruined.
While she was lost in thought, Istaras came to a halt. Shina entered without hesitation. She walked down the corridor and flung open the steel door bearing the sign of the Paranormal Research Society.
Through the plumes of pale smoke, she saw the boys sitting there. Just as she expected, they wore relaxed smiles without a hint of surprise, and Shina’s anger flared up again.
It was a familiar scene to her. The only differences were that the blockheads she had clashed with so tiresomely had all graduated, and Shirone had now been added to their ranks.
*‘Why do students change the moment they join this society? Of all people, Shirone too.’*
Shirone, who would normally have greeted her with a bright smile, now maintained a perfect poker face.
She had expected it, but she couldn’t help feeling a little hurt. Beside Nade, who sat with his legs crossed arrogantly, was Iruki, leaning back in his chair like a delinquent and staring up at the ceiling. Their very posture created an atmosphere that pushed teachers away. Shina scoffed as she entered.
“Not even a greeting for your teacher? You brats…”
“We were so engrossed in our discussion, we didn't notice. Welcome.”
Nade said with a cold expression. As autonomous student organizations, the research societies had grown to become a pillar of the magic academy community by strictly guarding against teacher interference. So, naturally, they wouldn't be pleased with her for completely ignoring that tradition and conducting an unannounced inspection.
*‘Hmph. So it’s ‘the school is the school, and the society is the society,’ is that it?’*
But their smugness would end today. The teachers’ council had already approved the society’s dissolution, and she had reached a reasonable agreement with Etella, their faculty advisor.
“Anyway, what brings you here, teacher? We’ve been keeping quiet lately, no trouble at all.”
“An official notice came down about the society. I came to deliver it in person.”
“Then please, come in. Humble as it is.”
Nade brushed off a spot on the sofa with his hand. His attitude suggested he had nothing to hide.
“Thank you. While you’re at it, why don’t you offer me a cup of tea?”
“Could you trust the tea I serve you? As you know, when Istaras is on the move, no one can find this place.”
Shina raised an eyebrow and smirked. She already knew this shabby warehouse didn't have so much as a glass of cold water, let alone tea. Though she disliked their actions, it was this kind of wit that made it hard to truly hate them.
“Right. Now that you mention it, I am a little nervous. I’ll just get to the point. I need you to vacate the club room within a month.”
Nade’s eyes went wide. The news was like a bolt from the blue, and he immediately reverted to his student persona, demanding an answer.
“What? Vacate? Why all of a sudden?”
“After reviewing the documents, it turns out you’ve been operating this semester without the required number of members. The school has already cut your funding. So, I’d appreciate it if you cleared out within a month.”
“Wait a minute! Shirone has joined now! A society is officially recognized with three members.”
“But you have zero activity, don’t you? If you want to save the society, your only option is to produce research results within the one-month deadline. Of course, I have no idea what kind of research you could possibly do in the field of paranormal whatever.”
“That’s unreasonable! A society doesn’t necessarily have to hold a presentation!”
“This is a special situation. The fact that your room is inside Istaras, your notorious reputation… It’s rare to find a society as inactive as yours. The only reason you have a month is because Teacher Etella requested it. You should be grateful.”
Shirone was dumbfounded. He was just starting to grow fond of the society, and now it was being disbanded out of the blue.
“However, there is one way to save the society.”
Nade hurriedly leaned forward.
“What is it? What do we have to do?”
“Have Shirone withdraw from this society. If you do, I’ll turn a blind eye until next semester, at least.”
“Whaaaat?”
Just as Shina had predicted, Nade jumped up in protest.
“That’s absurd! It’s not like we forced Shirone to join. The three of us are friends who stick together all the time at school. Why are you trying to tear us apart?”
Iruki spoke.
“If this is because I skip classes, don’t worry. When it comes to studying, we each stick to our own methods.”
Shirone couldn't just stand by and listen.
“I feel the same way. I know the society has a bad reputation, and I know Iruki and Nade aren't diligent in class. But they are both doing their best to study in their respective fields. They are by no means wasting their time. So please, I beg you to be lenient.”
Nade, aware that Shina was especially fond of Shirone, held out a sliver of hope. But she stuck to her principles and stated flatly.
“It’s no use saying that. More importantly, Shirone, this decision was made for your sake too.”
“For my sake? But I think I’m working hard.”
“Shirone, what has been happening to you lately?”
Shirone’s heart sank. Nade and Iruki also avoided Shina’s gaze.
Seeing their reaction, Shina knew instantly. He had, of course, told his friends everything.
“You boys are truly wicked. Especially you, Iruki. You must have known Shirone could fall into an Overflow. Why didn't you tell a teacher?”
Shirone turned to Iruki.
“Iruki. What’s an Overflow?”
“It’s… nothing special. A phenomenon that occurs when you awaken a power beyond your current level, I guess? I went through it when I was eight.”
Shina was not satisfied with Iruki’s explanation.
“Falling into an Overflow can lead to a mental collapse. I heard about the Immortal Function from Teacher Etella. If you miss the window, recovery might be impossible.”
Shirone bit his lip, lost in thought. Even now, he had nightmares every night and was plagued by premonitions. Sometimes he worried he might be going mad. If this continued, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t.
Shirone asked Iruki again.
“Wh-what was it like? For you?”
“Hmm. For me, it was really no big deal. It was a little scary, I guess. When I told my father, he said I was just born that way and that I should live like that for the rest of my life.”
Shina’s expression was one of utter disbelief. For a young son to come to him crying, and for that to be his only response. But considering who Iruki’s father was, it made sense. In any case, it was an undeniable fact that his father’s neglect had played a part in shaping Iruki’s eccentric personality.
Clutching at straws, Shina asked Nade.
“Nade. As his friend, what are your thoughts?”
“Hahaha. Well? I don’t know what an Overflow feels like, so.”
Shina, who had hoped hearing his friends’ experiences would change Shirone’s mind, let out a sigh. Still, she had impressed upon him the danger, so Shirone would surely follow her wishes.
“In any case, for those reasons, Shirone will be leaving the society. If you care about your friend at all, you’ll accept it. What’s most important right now is Shirone’s mental state.”
Nade said with a bored expression.
“Isn’t that your judgment, teacher? I don’t see it that way.”
Shina sighed in frustration. Being this stubborn despite knowing their friend’s condition was a far cry from friendship.
“You only say that because you don’t know how terrifying an Overflow is. I’m sure Iruki will agree.”
“No. I find it strange too. In any case, isn’t this something for Shirone to handle himself? I don’t understand why you’re so concerned, teacher.”
It was a cold thing to say between friends. But this was precisely why they were friends. The fact that Shirone, the person in question, wasn’t offended was proof that their ways of thinking were all based on the same rationality.
“So you’re saying you’d be fine with Shirone going mad?”
“There’s no reason it would be bad. But more than that, I believe Shirone can overcome it. It’s something he has to endure if he’s decided to become the best in this field.”
Nade picked up where he left off.
“I agree. Come to think of it, aren’t you showing too much favoritism toward Shirone? We don’t care, but it could be quite a burden for him.”
Nade thought for a moment, then added with a glint in his eye.
“There’s even a rumor among the students that you see Shirone as a man.”
Of course, no such rumor had spread. But this was the most effective tactic against a teacher. Shina, however, was no pushover. Having clashed with this shady society for many years, she had remained unfazed by even worse rumors.
“Let’s say that’s true. Then I can take charge of Shirone now, right?”
Even a teacher couldn't arbitrarily remove a student from a society unless they broke school rules. In a case like this, the society president’s decision was more important than the steering committee’s, making Nade’s consent crucial.
“Don’t be absurd. Are you saying the rumor about you seeing a student as a man is true?”
“I’m saying you can think that all you want if that’s how it seems. I won’t back down.”
“Really? Then could you date me, too?”
Shina shook her head as if the very thought was repulsive.
“No, that will absolutely never happen.”
“See? Your words are a contradiction. In the end, you are showing favoritism to Shirone.”
“Shirone is kind, honest, and popular, so a rumor like that could spread. But you’re not, are you?”
“…Teacher. Can I be hurt now?”
“No, you can’t. Listen carefully. Trying to trap me like this is futile. Even if he were in the graduating class, I would never see a student I teach as a man. But I’m willing to endure such misunderstandings to take Shirone with me. Shirone needs constant attention. You’re the ones being unreasonable.”
With Nade at a loss for words, Iruki stepped forward.
“I understand your concern, teacher, but if he can’t overcome the Overflow, then that’s simply his limit. It’s not like he’s going to die. Isn’t it more reasonable to trust Shirone?”
“Not going to die? If this were any other problem, I wouldn't be going this far. But this is the Immortal Function. There’s no guarantee the worst-case scenario won’t happen.”
“Perhaps. But it hasn’t happened yet. I can’t help but think you’re being overly worried about an uncertain problem, Teacher Shina. This isn’t concern; it’s an obsession.”
“An obsession?”
Shina swallowed hard. She felt as if her inner pain had been exposed. Perhaps Iruki wasn’t wrong. The darkness that had suddenly visited her in her youth had carved a deeper wound in her heart than any Overflow.
“Listening to all this, I think this is my problem.”
Shirone spoke, breaking the silence.
“I’m fine. Honestly, it’s scary, but my desire to see it through is stronger. To see what will become of me. And whether I can overcome it. Even if I fall into an Overflow, I will never resent you, teacher.”
Shirone’s words brought a distant memory back to Shina. The person who had saved her from her hell had said the same thing.
- Shina. You have to look straight at what’s coming for you. No matter how scary it is, you can’t look away. Closing your eyes won’t make it disappear.
- Go away! You don’t know anything!
*‘If only I’d had that kind of courage back then…’*