Infinite Mage

Chapter 134: Priority (4)

Chapter 134: Priority (4)

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The intensity of emotions that could exist in reality was incomparable to this. Even a 1% shake in the indestructible state could potentially lead to a cardiac arrest due to a nervous system shock.

However, Amy wasn't worried. The very reason it was called indestructible was because not even that 1% could be shaken.

Shirone finally pushed his way to the table with his subordinates. Falcoa, witnessing this disarray, contorted his face in rage.

"What are you all doing! Cut their throats right now!"

The subordinates, swords at their waists, drew them in unison and charged.

"Damn it! It's embarrassing to have to use a sword against a kid!"

At that moment, a flash of light burst from Shirone's body. The flash, occurring in a confined space, blinded the subordinates.

"Argh! What's this!"

As expected of those trained in the art of vision, their dark adaptation was faster than human limits. But they didn't move. Not the subordinates, not even Falcoa; they just stared blankly at Shirone.

"What now? What are you going to do with that light?"

Shirone flipped his palm, levitating a sphere of light. The golden photons were compressed at an incredible speed, turning pale as they lost color.

"Shirone, you couldn't possibly?"

In front of the trembling photons, whose frequency was immeasurable, Amy finally realized.

A magic that accelerates mass to the speed of light to create a shockwave. It was indeed the Photon Cannon.

"Shirone! That's..."

In a confined space, avoiding a Photon Cannon was no easy feat. Inevitably, someone would be hit directly, and that could lead to fatalities.

Before Amy could finish her sentence, Shirone lifted the white sphere high and thrust it into the ground with all his might.

The moment the flash struck, a thunderous roar spread throughout the room, shaking it violently.

"Argh! What, what is this!"

Those in the room covered their ears. The shockwave spread along the ground, causing the underground structures to tremble. Dust cascaded from the ceiling.

The subordinates, as if surviving a natural disaster, were disoriented. The echo of the roar, trapped underground, still resonated in their ears.

After some time, the members finally looked around the site of Shirone's magic. Surprisingly, the floor wasn't deeply cratered. But the flattened area exceeded a diameter of 4 meters.

"What is this place... isn't it underground?"

The subordinaes couldn't believe their eyes.

This was a temple in Galiant, considered one of the sturdiest structures. The design focused on durability to create space underground. Indeed, the temple's floor was laid with thick steel plates.

If such steel plaes were merely flattened, it made sense that the entire underground shook. It was a level of force not meant for humans to withstand.

The veterans didn't cry, but they kept their distance from Shirone, wary.

Falcoa's expression soured once more.

It was one thing to overcome ten pressures, but the magic now was something even he, who had roamed countless battlefields, had never seen before.

"Who... who are you? Which line are you from?"

The Mages' vast network across the continent is referred to as 'lines'. However, Shirone was unfamiliar with the term used in the mage society. He simply stated his origin with pride.

"I'm Shirone, attending the Alpheas Magic Academy."

Zis was startled, turning to look at Shirone. For a noble, origin was a golden thread, but in some situations, it could become a shackle.

Having suffered at the harbor, Shirone knew this well. Why then, would he reveal his origin?

"A student? Ridiculous. Are you saying a mere student dared to do this? Hey, you know what? If I report you to your school, it's over for you. You'll probably be expelled."

"Report me if you wish."

Falcoa's eyebrows twitched at the unexpected response.

"I don't care about punishment or expulsion. Such things won't control my life. Of course, the school is important to me. But there are things in this world far more important than that. And Amy is..."

Shirone glared at Falcoa, continuing his words.

"...my priority over everything else."

Amy blinked rapidly, her eyelids' speed seemingly reflecting her heartbeat.

"I don't mind any punishment. Sue me if you want. But Amy won't stay here for a second longer. If you ever drag my friend to such a filthy place again, I'll really smash everything."

With a whoosh, Rian's straight sword was drawn, making a sound like water. The sight of the greatsword, as tall as an ordinary person, pointed forward was immensely intimidating.

"That's the Shirone I know. I wasn't wrong about you."

Rian realized why he hadn't drawn his sword until now. Like a small crack that brings down an iceberg, a minor obstacle like discipline had shaken his conviction.

"You're right, Shirone. Afraid of punishment and putting a friend in danger? Must be a joke. Rian Ogent has never lived that way for a moment."

Following Rian, Tesss triple sword was drawn.

"Ho-ho-ho! Elzain Tess feels the same! We can't leave Amy, the mascot of the Shirone faction, in this thug den!"

Rian looked at Tess incredulously.

"Since when are we the 'Shirone faction'?"

"Oh, come on, just let it slide this time. You really are clueless."

After snapping at Rian, Tess turned to Amy. She was still deep in thought, but her cheeks were more flushed than before.

Tesss lips curled into a warm smile.

'You're lucky, Amy.'

Being a woman herself, Tess could guess Amy's feelings.

To Shirone, Amy wasn't just a mere point from an omniscient perspective. She was an irreplaceable friend. Perhaps, even something more.

Pushing away the subordinates with his momentum, Shirone walked towards Amy. Extending his hand, he repeated his initial words.

"Let's go back, Amy."

After concluding her thoughts, Amy lifted her head and spoke.

"...Okay."

As Amy stood up, Falcoa's face turned red with rage. The mob had caused a ruckus and was now leaving as they pleased.

'Has Falcoa fallen this low?'

It had been nearly five years since the entire organization hid on the island, fleeing from the continent's pursuer. Many things had happened, but to him, it was all just tedious.

His brain had become dependent on drugs, and his once blood-thirsty mind had become greasy. But five years ago, Falcoa was a man who crossed the continent, cutting down numerous people.

At that time, he existed solely to cut down others. Even the boss couldn't ignore Falcoa's skills, which was why he hadn't been expelled to this day.

"Hey, you don't think you can leave here unscathed, do you?"

Amy halted and turned to face Falcoa.

"Causing a commotion here would trouble you too. The guests underground are drug addicts, and they're your main source of income. Sue us if you want, but we won't stay silent. This place might have to close down."

"You're banking on that? Sorry, but there's no one on this island who can touch me."

"But it's a different story inland."

Falcoa frowned at Amy. Her eyes were ablaze with a red glow.

'Red eyes. She's from the Karmis family.'

Falcoa was aware of the famous Karmis family on the continent. Their ability to store a specific state and restore it anytime made them immune to any drug or substance. The Karmis family wasn't called the invincible in the realm of the mind for nothing.

'Was it impossible to catch her from the start? That woman, she knew everything from the beginning.'

Falcoa ground his teeth, expressionless.

If it were the Karmis family, ranked first among the nobility, it wasn't impossible for her to demolish the stronghold he had built over five years.

The funds earned from distributing the Lupe were enormous. Even Falcoa, out of his mind, was sensitive to money. Without money, he couldn't buy the Lupe.

"Haughty girl, I'll make sure to repay this humiliation!"

"Try if you can, but be careful next time we meet. Now that it's come to this, I don't care about the school anymore. I'm going to have some real fun."

After firmly putting Falcoa in his place, Amy returned to Shirone and the others.

"Sorry for worrying you. Let's go now."

Eager to leave this place even for a moment, they hurriedly made their way to the surface. Employees watched from every corner, but none dared to stop them.

Stepping out of the pub, the air felt distinctly different. Tess stretched her arms wide, inhaling the night air.

"Ah, it feels great. Thanks to Amy, we had a proper tour. We went from the bottom to the top of the most famous palace on Galiant Island."

"Hahaha! That's exactly what I heard. Plus, we went to the beach, stopped by the harbor, and even toured the commercial district. Did we cover everything except the historic sites?"

Amy was startled by Rian's words.

"What? You went all the way to the harbor?"

"Yeah. Shirone said it would be faster to catch a member of the organization and ask. We ran like crazy. If it weren't for the passionate coachman, we wouldn't have made it on time."

Amy glanced at Shirone, then averted her eyes when their gazes met. She still didn't have the courage to look him directly in the face.

Shirone's words from the underground resurfaced in her mind. There was no need to misinterpret them; they simply expressed the importance of a friend.

Why hadn't she noticed? At the cliff, Shirone was the only one who called out her name and held her hand as they fell.

Amy was content with understanding the significance of that moment.

"Amy, sorry for being late. I'll tell you all about it when we get back. There was a special circumstance on the way here."

"Hmph, I'm not even curious! Why should I listen to that?"

"Are you still angry?"

She was no longer angry. But Amy thought it was better to remain upset.

"Let's get this straight. You're not having any weird fantasies about today, right? Like the prince on a white horse saving the princess, that kind of thing."

"Huh? No?"

"Thanks for coming to help, but I wasn't captured. I went there for personal reasons. Those guys are no match for me, even without your help."

"Haha! I know. I'm in Class Four and you're in the advanced class. Who would worry about whom?"

As Shirone readily agreed, Amy felt somewhat deflated.

"Hmph, well... as long as you know. Just saying."

Tess laughed heartily, holding her stomach. It felt like Amy had finally returned to her usual self.

Rian turned towards the commercial district and shouted.

"I'm hungry! Shall we grab some late-night snacks on the way back?"

"Late-night snacks? Great! I love it! Yay!"

* * *

It was past midnight when Zis could finally leave the pub after cleaning up.

After being beaten, tense, and then working, his body felt twice as heavy.

Yet, he could endure because the feared incident hadn't occurred.

Amy had safely escaped Falcoa's clutches. And he himself hadn't suffered any harm.

Having done his job properly, even Falcoa had no reason to beat him.

'If it weren't for that girl, I might have been dead.'

Amy's face appeared vividly in his mind.

Among all the women Zis had met, none were as strong and beautiful as her. Why would such an incredible person bother to help him?

'Shirone? He said he was a commoner too.'

Zis remembered every word Shirone had said in the pub.

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