Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Genius Who Lost His Light (2)
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“A good decision. It’s foolish to ignore nine things just because you’ve obtained one of the ten. You must never stop thinking, no matter the situation. Everything in this world is decided by the amount of thought you put into it. Combat is no different.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I will never forgive you.”
“Kekeke! If you have grit as well, then you’re perfect. Let me guess. You’re the type who grows through real combat. A school that only teaches you by-the-book methods doesn’t suit you. What do you say? Won’t you come with me? If you do, I’ll make you the greatest mage alive.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. The teachers here are far more respectable than a murderer like you.”
“Then tell me. What have you learned here? Photon Cannon? The Red Wave? Or perhaps, did they give you any advice on the Immortal Function?”
Shirone’s eyes wavered slightly.
“How do you know about that…?”
Arcane burst out laughing. This must be why he enjoyed being a teacher—gathering naive children and spouting whatever nonsense he pleased.
“It’s truly rare. Extremely rare. The Immortal Function isn’t just any state of being, is it? But child, in the places you don’t know, there are many fearsome monsters living. If you frolic with them to your heart’s content…”
Arcane smiled, squinting one eye slightly.
“Unlockers aren’t all that rare, you see.”
Shirone swallowed dryly. Just how many life-or-death situations must one cross to be able to say that Unlockers weren’t rare? Skill aside, this was a man whose accumulated experience was on a completely different level.
“I’ve met seven in a hundred years. Four were decent, and three I killed. The hallmark of an Unlocker is their uniqueness. The potential for distortion is infinite. But an unrefined uniqueness is bound to die before greater stability.”
Though it was frustrating, he couldn’t refute Arcane’s words. Individuality could be a variable that ignored objective combat power, but it was also a double-edged sword that could be rendered powerless before a standard, head-on approach.
“There’s nothing for you to learn in a school that ignores individuality and teaches everyone the same thing. You need to sharpen your unique talents. I can help you do that.”
“I’m not learning magic to defeat people. Don’t lump me in with someone like you.”
Arcane read the conflict in Shirone’s eyes. It was only natural. If he didn't have a desire for achievement that bordered on obsession with magic, he would never have reached his current position.
“You probably think everyone likes you now. But humans are naturally favorable to the great. It’s not because they particularly like you as a person. Do you think you can associate with such insincere people forever?”
Everyone included in Arcane’s statement frowned.
But Shirone simply listened in silence.
“Become strong. So strong they can never ignore you again. Otherwise, they will trample you. When that time comes, do you really think you can avoid a fight with some fine-sounding excuse?”
Arcane held up three fingers.
“Three years. Within that time, I will raise you to a level where no one on the continent can ignore you. Do you think three years is too short? I don’t. If we maximize your individuality, it’s by no means impossible.”
To Shirone, at least, it wasn’t nonsense. As an Unlocker, there was little to gain by giving up the guidance of a grand mage to stay at the academy. At best, it would make it easier to find a job in the magic society.
“You’re right.”
Iruki and Nade’s faces darkened.
“Shirone…”
If it was the truth, there was no need to deny it. Unlockers held a unique position even in the magic society, and there was a limit to how much he could improve his skills with the standardized education of a magic academy.
“Perhaps you’re right. But even so, I won’t go with you. The academy isn’t a place for me to fight; it’s where my life is. My teachers, my friends, a sense of belonging. I don’t think you can give me any of that.”
Arcane scowled. He didn’t know what tricks Alpheas had pulled, but he had to admire his ability to brainwash his students.
“You’re being deceived. When you actually live your life, things like that don’t matter. If you weren’t strong, you would have been just another mediocre kid at the academy. Proving your strength is all that matters in life.”
“If that’s really all there is to it, then why are you doing this?”
“What did you say?”
“After all that fighting to become a grand mage, what do you have left now? Everyone hates you. The truth is, you’re lonely, aren’t you? Since no one pays you any attention, this is the only way you can prove yourself.”
Arcane’s face flushed red as he ground his teeth.
“You’re spouting nonsense. The strong are destined to be lonely. It is the weak who flock together. Look at the situation now. They are all kneeling at my feet. I rule over them. This is what loneliness is.”
“No. You’re just a murderer that no one cares about.”
At the word ‘murderer,’ a storm of madness raged in Arcane’s eyes.
“Hahaha! That may be so. But did you know? I once had comrades, too. But he led everyone around him to ruin. That man was the Alpheas you so admire.”
Shirone didn’t believe him. He had heard from Etella that the two had a grudge. The Alpheas he knew was not someone who would lead others to ruin.
“I don’t know what happened in the past, but I won’t listen to you. Because you’re a murderer. And you’re committing murder right now.”
“A murderer, you say. What if I told you that Alpheas… is a murderer, just like me?”
Shirone’s eyes widened. This time, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
“That’s a lie. What do you know about the headmaster?”
“Kekeke! Of course, I know. That brat was my student.”
“What… did you say?”
Shirone was at a loss for words. Alpheas had been a pioneer of light magic since his youth. How could a practitioner of dark magic have been his master?
As if sensing the irony himself, Arcane looked up at the sky with a distant gaze. The events of that day were still as vivid as yesterday. Suddenly recalling something, he paused and turned to Etella.
“Did Alpheas ever marry?”
“No. He has spent his entire life alone, dedicated to education.”
“I see.”
A flicker of sadness passed through Arcane’s eyes. Though he had hated Alpheas for forty years, if there was one thing he could pity him for, it was the matter of Erina.
“You may not know this, but Alpheas was married once.”
Etella tilted her head. As far as she knew, Alpheas was single. Even if he had married and separated, a union of families would have been recorded somewhere.
“But the headmaster’s records show him as unmarried.”
“It seems it was never officially recognized. Still, Alpheas was married. They lived together for three years. Her name was Erina. She was a wonderful woman. Brighter and more beautiful than anyone.”
“What on earth happened between you two? Was it something that would warrant a grudge even after fifty years?”
“At the time, Alpheas was a rising star, recognized for his Quantum Photon Theory. He received the Gold Circle Award from the Emperor, so you can imagine his prestige. His employment in Yongroe’s magic department was confirmed, and he had started a life with a woman from the Bastard family; he had nothing to envy in the world. But he had his worries.”
Arcane tapped his head and said.
“His wife, Erina, was a bit slow. She had the intelligence of a ten-year-old child.”
“I see.”
“But Alpheas didn't care. He truly loved his wife. His love was by no means pity or pretense.”
Arcane’s memory traveled back in time. Forty years ago, to an era when Arcane commanded the world, and Alpheas, having just entered the world of magic, was known as a supernova.
“This year’s Gold Circle Award goes to… Mirhi Alpheas!”
A fanfare echoed through the grand hall. As colorful confetti rained down from the ceiling, Alpheas shed tears of joy. The Gold Circle Award, bestowed upon the mage with the greatest achievement of the year. Simply winning it guaranteed entry into Yongroe and the support of numerous noble families.
“Congratulations, Alpheas. I knew you’d get it.”
“I’ll be counting on you from now on. You won’t forget your old schoolmates now that you’ve made it big, will you?”
Countless mages flocked around Alpheas. His stock was sure to rise endlessly, so they wanted to make a good impression early on.
But there were certainly some who looked on with displeasure. Sarope, in particular, who had been in close contention for the award until the very end, had a face twisted as if he had chewed on dung.
“Hmph. He made his career by snagging a dimwit. A union between Mirhi and Bastard—how could anyone compete with that?”
“Indeed. A cunning fellow, he is. But what can we do, this is the result. We’ll have to watch our words around Alpheas from now on.”
Sarope knew it too. As long as he couldn't leave the magic society, getting on Alpheas’s good side was the best course of action.
“What will you do, Sarope? It’ll be more awkward if we meet him separately. How about subtly joining the crowd and making peace now?”
“No, I’m not in the mood. I’m fine, why don’t you go ahead?”
“I feel the same way. Let’s just do it later. Two is better than one. Fancy a drink?”
“I suppose so. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”
Sarope left the royal castle with his friends. He had been a final candidate who had narrowly missed the Gold Circle Award, but no one paid any mind to the loser.
Klumpf let out a hearty laugh as he pulled Alpheas from the crowd. Alpheas thought he could finally catch his breath, but he was immediately caught in Klumpf’s arm and shaken vigorously.
“Hahaha! You bastard! You did it! My friend won the Gold Circle! I can’t believe it!”
“Ow! That hurts!”
Alpheas screamed, but Klumpf’s celebration showed no signs of stopping.
“When you were acting all smart and stuck-up, I really wanted to punch you, but it turns out you were a genius all along? You did it, you punk!”
Alpheas felt like his head would explode from dizziness, but he didn't think of pulling away. The Gold Circle. If not today, when else would he get to experience such thrilling pain?
“Alright, alright! It’s a great day, so let’s drink until we’re bent out of shape. I’ve already booked a tavern, so just leave your brain behind and bring your stomach.”
Finally freed from the headlock, Alpheas smiled apologetically.
“Ah, I don’t think I can go right away. I need to pop by somewhere first.”
“What? What’s the fun of a toast if the guest of honor is missing?”
“I’m going home. I want to put the medal on my wife.”
Even Klumpf couldn’t argue with that. It had been a year since he married Erina, but due to the opposition of both families, they lived without any support in a small newlywed home in the commoners' district.
It all started with the Mirhi family. They had sent their son to study abroad, so there was no way they would approve of him marrying a foolish woman.
In response, the Bastard family didn't back down. Even among first-class nobles, there was a clear difference between the provincial and the capital families, so they argued their daughter wasn't at a disadvantage just because she was a little slow.
In the end, Alpheas and Erina could only hold an unofficial wedding with just their friends present.
“Right. Your wife. Why don’t you bring her along instead?”
“It’s fine. What wife would enjoy watching her husband get plastered? I’ll just be a minute.”
“You sly dog, you’ve got some sense. Well then, hurry back.”
“I’ll be quick. Go on ahead to the tavern!”
Alpheas fled the royal castle. He was physically exhausted from burying himself in research day and night, but today, he didn’t feel out of breath.
‘I did it! I really did it!’
He had won the most prestigious award in the kingdom. With an achievement like this, even the Mirhi family would have no choice but to accept him back. A proper wedding ceremony with Erina was no longer just a dream.
“Honey, I’m home.”
Erina knew this was the day the winner would be announced. In any other house, a surprise party might have been prepared, but she came out of the kitchen just like any other day.
“You’re back? Have you eaten?”