Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Gauge Symmetry (4)
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Armin recalled that moment.
“Not being able to see is the same as space disappearing. When space vanished, time vanished with it. Then, in the darkness, I came to a realization. The fact that my existence had already transcended time. That is how Stop magic was perfected.”
Shirone’s heart pounded. He felt as if he had just heard the secret to Stop magic, something countless time mages had failed to conquer.
“It’s nothing to be so impressed by. It isn’t exactly a transcendent ability. It’s only possible within the radius of my Spirit Zone, and it has significant limitations.”
Armin looked back at Shina, frozen in time.
“She’s a good sister. A child as soft-hearted as she is strong-willed. Do you think so too, Shirone?”
“Haha! Well, I’m not sure about soft-hearted, but I’m certain she’s a good person.”
“How does she look to you now? Is my sister beautiful?”
“Uh, of course. She’s very popular at the academy.”
“Then what do you think? If we were to do something strange to her while time is stopped?”
Understanding Armin’s words, Shirone’s face flushed.
“What are you talking about? Don’t tell me, Armin…”
“Don’t worry. It’s impossible. We are currently in a state where our mass is converging to zero. If we actually had no mass, we would disintegrate, but the point is acceleration. That’s why Stop magic is called the realm of light speed.”
“So that’s why Nade felt so hard when I touched him. With no mass, I couldn’t even wrinkle the collar of his shirt.”
“Correct. We become infinitely weak. But it’s also true that no one can touch us. That is the true meaning of Stop magic. You asked how I knew you would notice? It’s simple. It’s because I, too, have reached the same enlightenment as you, Shirone.”
“The same enlightenment… Don’t tell me?”
“Yes. The Immortal Function.”
Shirone’s heart hammered in his chest. Before him stood someone who had personally experienced the Immortal Function, something no one had been able to explain to him. And he was a master-class time mage.
“The Immortal Function is an awakening to the essence. Since the essence is one, your wavelength and mine resonate, Shirone. Some call it a transcendent sense.”
“What is the Immortal Function?”
“You could call it a gateway to infinity. And you, Shirone, have opened it. In the magic society, such people are referred to as Unlockers.”
After a moment of thought, Armin posed a question.
“By any chance… when you unlocked the Immortal Function, did you feel your ego disintegrating?”
“Yes! I really thought I was going to disappear back then.”
“And you would have, had it continued. When the mind transcends the end of numbers, the Spirit Zone expands to infinity. But humans are finite beings. That is why Unlockers use their unique Spirit Zones to accept infinity.”
Hearing the explanation, Shirone looked distressed and said.
“Then what do I do? Even the greatest mages are careful, but I didn't know anything at the time. Maybe that's why I have nightmares every night, and I feel that transcendent sense even when I'm alone.”
Armin reassured Shirone with a gentle smile.
“It’s a natural process. If you could control it from the beginning, it wouldn’t have been an unlocking of the Immortal Function. The transcendent sense you feel is you sensing yourself. That’s because you don't yet know what realization you gained through that massive expansion.”
“How can I find out?”
“You will come to realize it on your own. You are simply in a state where you cannot yet put a name to what you have already obtained.”
“But…”
Seeing Shirone’s lingering anxiety, Armin was reminded of his younger self. True, no matter how many times he said he’d figure it out on his own, it wouldn’t feel real.
“Alright. I’ll tell you. The name of what you have realized is Gauge Symmetry.”
“Gauge… Symmetry?”
“This world should be perfectly balanced. But in reality, that symmetry is broken. You, Shirone, have directly experienced that discrepancy. That is likely the cause of your transcendent sense.”
Shirone kept muttering the words “Gauge Symmetry” like an incantation. But unlike magic, nothing came to mind.
Armin patted Shirone’s head and said.
“You have nothing to worry about. That doesn’t mean you should do nothing, but in the end, you will arrive. When that time comes, you will understand what I mean.”
Shirone took a deep breath and nodded. His mind was still a jumble, but he knew that this meeting would be a major turning point in his future.
“Thank you so much. If I hadn’t met you, Armin, I might have fallen into an Overflow, just like Ms. Shina said.”
“Unlockers share a deep bond, just as they share the same wavelength. Of course, that bond can sometimes lead to big fights. In any case, I’m glad I could help.”
Armin turned to Shina with an affectionate smile.
“I think it’s about time we leave this room of time. I have to finish this painting before my wife gets back.”
“Ah, right, you said today was the last day?”
“Yes. I may have a grand title, but my main profession is a painter. I plan to start packing today and leave within a few days. I won’t be able to see Shina for a while.”
“It might be better to just tell her…”
Armin shook his head.
“Shina is still in pain. Even if I hadn’t given up magic, it’s not like my lost eye would grow back. Besides, I’m a married man now. I want to help Shina live her own life.”
Shirone understood Armin’s feelings. He didn’t want to see the sister he cherished more than his own life be bound by the past.
“Okay. I’ll keep your secret, too. Thank you so much for today.”
“The pleasure was mine, Shirone.”
Armin covered his eye with the cloth again. As he sat back down at his canvas, time began to flow. The sound of Nade and Iruki’s breathing returned, and life seeped back into Shina’s smile.
Shirone felt as if he had just woken from a dream. He couldn’t believe he had just been talking with Armin moments ago.
Time flew by in his elated state. Having completed the painting, Armin turned the canvas toward Shina.
“What do you think? Did it turn out well?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“Thank you for your hard work all this time. It was an honor to paint you.”
“Brother. It’s not like we’re strangers…”
A hint of disappointment flickered in Shina’s eyes. Then, hearing footsteps from downstairs, she shot up in surprise, with no time for a proper farewell. Was his wife already back? It was earlier than usual, but she wasn’t in the right mind to think about it.
“Come on, brother. I’m going to head out now. You all should come out, too.”
Shina tried to leave as if she were fleeing. At school, she was more confident than anyone, but the mere thought of Armin’s wife arriving was enough to frighten her, which pained Shirone and his friends to see.
“Honey, are you painting?”
Keira peeked her head in. Contrary to their expectation of a calm person like Armin, she was a cheerful woman in her early twenties. Her eyes met Shina’s, and she wore a surprised expression.
“Oh my, Ms. Shina? Right, today was the day you were coming.”
“Hello, Ms. Keira. It’s been a while.”
“It has. Why is it so hard to see you? You’re not avoiding me on purpose, are you? Hohoho!”
Shina struggled to keep her composure.
“Ah, my brother and I are done working. I was just about to leave.”
“What’s the rush, now that you’re here? Stay for dinner.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I have plans…”
“Hmm. This is suspicious. Honey, you weren’t doing anything suspicious with Ms. Shina while I was gone, were you?”
“Keira, watch your mouth.”
Armin’s brow furrowed. Shirone thought she was out of line, too. Their teacher had been nothing but proper from start to finish, and yet she was accusing them of doing something suspicious.
Her face burning, Shina hastily put on her coat and left the room. Upset, Shirone and his friends glared at Keira as they followed. But whether she was clueless or just thick-skinned, Keira simply smiled and waved.
“Bye, little ones. Come again next time, and I’ll make you something delicious.”
Naturally, no reply came. At their cold attitude, Keira tilted her head and muttered.
“Oh? Did I say something wrong? Why the long faces? Don’t tell me you really were doing something weird in here?”
“Stop joking and come down. I want to say a proper goodbye.”
“Tch. You always have a soft spot for your little sister.”
Armin quickly descended the stairs. Shina, too, must have felt that leaving like this would be unsettling, as she was waiting outside the door.
“I’m sorry, Shina. My wife can be quite the tomboy.”
“It’s fine. Anyway, who knows when we’ll see each other again after this. Take care until then. Stay healthy.”
“You too. Keep up the good work. I’m relieved to see you getting along so well with your students. Honestly, I was worried if you could handle it. Hahaha!”
Shina let out a small laugh. The only person in the world who could treat her like a child was probably Armin. He was the only one who shared memories of their carefree younger days.
Shirone’s heart ached. He felt he now had a faint understanding of why the genius recognized by the kingdom had decided to become a teacher, why she was so obsessed with Overflow, and why she had distanced herself from men to the point of earning the nickname ‘Shina the Frozen.’
“I’ll get going then. Write me a letter if you have the time.”
“I will. I’ll let you know once I’m settled. And Shirone, Nade, Iruki. Work hard. I’ll be listening for your names from afar, once you’ve grown into fine mages.”
“Yes. We’re sorry about today.”
Shirone and his friends expressed their sincere gratitude. Had it not been for Armin’s consideration, things would not have ended so peacefully.
Armin stood there until Shina was out of sight. Then Keira, who had been leaning against the door with her arms crossed, spoke with a cold expression.
“Armin, snap out of it. If those above find out you’re lost in sentiment, who knows what will happen.”
Armin turned back to Keira with a displeased look. They had lived as a fake married couple for three years, but he truly felt no affection for this woman.
“Whatever I feel is my business. Give me your mission report. Is the investigation finished?”
“Perfectly. We have no more business in Creas. We have to be in Calbera within the next fifteen days. We’ll have to cross a dangerous zone, but with Armin of the Photon Eyes, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“No need to drag it out. I’ll keep my promise.”
Armin spoke curtly, but Keira was not reassured. He had been scouted by the higher-ups for his outstanding insight and genius-level magic skills, but he was a free-spirited man who could leave the organization at any moment.
“You didn’t tell Shina, did you?”
Armin didn’t answer.
“I don’t want to harm you. Of course, I know that the Eternal Contemplator cannot be captured by any means, but you’re still only human. The moment you betray the organization, everyone you love will experience hell. Shina, of course, and even the Olipher School.”
It was a chilling threat, and it was also the truth. The organization Keira belonged to had more than enough power, authority, and cruelty to do so.
He had to protect Shina, no matter what. In that sense, meeting Shirone was a stroke of luck. Today’s unexpected variable would one day turn the tables in his favor.
“You don’t need to worry.”
Armin turned to Keira and smiled.
“Shina doesn’t know a thing.”
Shina Under the Moonlight (1)
On their way back to the academy, Shirone and his friends nervously glanced at Shina.
The atmosphere had been fine when she was with Armin, but there was no telling when her mood might change.