C92
“Your name is Harvest.”
The black orbs vibrated at Arcane's words. As the molecular bonding force weakened, the black substance rose as smoke. The monster born from darkness spoke in a dull voice.
“I am Harvest.”
"I will conduct a few tests. Stay in the test tube for the time being."
Arcane pointed to a glass tube that was 3 meters tall. It was so narrow that a human wouldn't last 10 minutes, but the magical creature had no concept of the persistence of time.
That night, Canis and Arin sneaked into the laboratory. Since he had not received permission from Arcane, their nervousness was evident. However, that feeling disappeared the moment they discovered Harvest.
A 2-meter-tall humanoid shadow.
The slender waist and dynamic wide shoulders shook Canis' heart.
"This is the Master's..."
The essence of magical biology completed by the Archmage over 150 years. Moreover, it was a magical creature that inherited Arcane's memory and intelligence.
Unlike Canis, Arin trembled as if she had seen a monster.
“Ugh. It's really strange. I thought it would be similar to a human."
"If the magical creature doesn't look scary, who would be frightened? In my opinion, this form is really amazing. It's combat-oriented."
"Still, it's strange to me..."
Canis didn't care. If she didn't like it, it was rather a good thing.
'Wait, Harvest. I'll be your master.'
Arcane said he would choose between himself and Arin to be Harvest's master. Of course, Arin is a precious friend, but there was no concession in this matter. He will definitely prove his qualifications through friendly competition.
“Canis, let's leave. Master might come."
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Arin turned off the lights and followed behind Canis. Then she glanced back hesitantly. The explosive emotions of the vibrating Harvest were conveyed.
"Mom!"
Arin fled the room as if running away, and after that day, she didn't even approach the lab. However, as someone who had been trapped in Radum's warehouse in her childhood, she couldn't leave Harvest alone.
While everyone was asleep, Arin mustered up the courage to visit the laboratory. Harvest was still trapped in the glass tube, just as before.
"Don’t you feel very stifled?"
When there was no answer, Arin examined the glass tube's mechanism and found the switch.
“I can get you out for a moment.”
"Why do you think I feel stifled?"
Arin took a step back. It was a hoarse voice that naturally evoked fear.
"You've been trapped for a month already."
"Feeling uncomfortable in an immobile state is a human thing. I cannot perceive time. I don't care if I'm trapped like this forever."
Arin shook her head in disbelief. The vibes she sensed from Harvest were full of suppressed and stifling energy.
"...But maybe, you could be right."
"Did something come to mind?"
"I guess. Curiosity, perhaps? That's not the right expression. I am made to learn from the moment I exist. But now that is impossible.”
"That's what I mean by feeling stifled."
Harvest was deep in thought. Was it really so?
"How can you read my emotions?"
"Hehe. It just happened. I lived in Radum for a long time."
"Radum. The slums of Bashka, the capital of Thormia. Highly concealed facilities and severe population fluctuations. Presumed to be the den of the Ain tribe that lost its territory on the continent."
Even Arin, who lived in Radum, had never heard such a story before.
“Mr. Harvest knows a lot.”
"What information do you have?"
"Are you suggesting a conversation?"
"Right. I have no choice but to have a conversation. I don't have a master to share my mind with yet."
Arin spent the whole night talking with Harvest. It was the first time she had ever talked so much with someone of her own, having spent most of her childhood alone.
After two months of experimentation, Harvest finally gained his freedom. Arcane opened the glass tube. But Harvest still didn't move.
“Come out. You come into resonance with Canis. But you will not be bound by the constraints of subordination. I will explain the reason later.”
Harvest didn't answer. It was unexpected that a magical creature with superhuman calculation speed was slow to respond, so Arcane turned his head.
"Why? Do you have something against it?"
“Why Canis?”
"Hmm. Do you not like it? It's strange that you, who do not resonate mentally, already have preferences."
“I understand that there is no advantage to me being subordinate, having inherited your memories. But Canis is stubborn and has strong self-esteem. He's unlikely to listen to my advice. Such an inclination will be a weakness in battle.”
"Of course, it is."
"On the other hand, Arin is different. She lived in Radum for ten years and couldn't meet anyone other than Kanis. As a result, her psychic sensitivity is extremely high."
"Are you talking about Initial State (초경(初境))?"
Initial State was a unique brainwave pattern that perceived everything as if it was seen for the first time. Arin had grown up without seeing anything since infancy, and her brain had solidified in that state.
So she couldn't distinguish objects like ordinary people. However, she was absolute when it came to grasping the feelings contained in objects. Although there were many inconveniences, it was the best talent for a psychic magician.
Arcane knew that Arin's talent was more special than Canis's.
“Arin can't do it. That child is too soft-hearted.”
“I don't understand. Initial State covers other disadvantages and more. With her, I can maximize my abilities."
Arcane smiled bitterly.
Are the judgments different because they share the same memories but have different forms?
“Perhaps your words could be more reasonable. But Arin can't. You are going to Canis.”
-----------------------------
“Kukukuk!”
The crashing Harvest writhed.
"So that's what it was, Arcane."
At the last moment of his life, he could realize it. The reason why Arcane gave up on Arin, who had outstanding magical talent, and chose Canis instead.
'We were both stubborn.'
Harvest's fall felt no weight. That's why it looked even more miserable.
“Harvest!”
Canis ran to Harvest. It was difficult to look at Harvest's body, which was shriveled up like thin paper, with holes pierced in several places.
"Why! Why did you do that! It doesn't matter if I die! If you're going to do this, don't betray me in the first place! Why on earth!"
“Keukeukeuk. How would I know that? You're my master."
Canis, as if realizing something, kept his mouth shut.
"You see, magical creatures just have to do what their master wants."
"Harvest......"
Canis's head dropped. Living was bitter and unfair, and he wanted to die rather than live. But at the same time, he wanted to live. Why wouldn't he? That was human. Harvest seemed to know. That's why he decided to break the contract and commit suicide.
"I'm sorry, Harvest. I..."
Harvest didn't care. Magical creatures just have to do what their master wants. Because they were designed that way, death was not a shocking event. Rather, he was more interested in the fighting power of Shirone, who overpowered Canis and his combination play.
'Hmm. He utilize strange magic. But we’re not simply pushed back from magic.'
It was definitely a strong enemy. There is no hesitation in overpowering opponents. That doesn't mean they were aggressive. Rather, their methodical combat style, which focused solely on the outcome, resembled a magical creature.
'The pace at which emotions are restored is incredibly fast (?). It must be superhuman insight. It looks unwavering because the time it takes to go from the problem to the solution is too short.'
Having finished ita analysis, Harvest grinned. Absolutely specialization in something. It didn't know what it was, but it wasn't a quality that commonly manifested in nature.
'Keukeukeu. Arcane, you're going to have a hard time.'
Arcane's expression was not good. Be it that guy or this guy, there was no human being who could move according to his will. Feeling irritated by the current situation, he said as he moved slowly.
"It's pathetic, Canis. Even if you tarnish my face..."
"Shut up."
Shirone interrupted. His friends' eyes widened at the unusually aggressive language. Arcane, on the other hand, turned his head in interest. It's not often that he doesn’t get angry when something is too absurd.
“Kakaka! What a lively child. How about it? I'll make a proposal..."
“I told you to shut up. Can't you hear me?"
This time, Arcane's face had no choice but to harden.
"I'm already desperately holding back. So, shut up. If you say one more word, I'll tear you apart."
Shirone's body glowed with a faint red light. Laser. Its power had already been confirmed. If it could cause an explosion due to energy overload in Harevst, who specialized in energy absorption, even an rchmage could be affected.
However, the friends watching couldn't help but worry. Their opponent was an archmage who dominated the world, while Shirone was just a student. A provocation of this kind was tantamount to suicidal act.
"What on earth is he trying to do? What if something really happens?"
"No. It'll be fine."
Nade and Iruki looked back at Ethella at the same time.
"Teacher. What does that mean? Shouldn't we stop him now?"
“It's a tricky situation for Arcane. He's being pushed back in terms of compatibility. If Shirone's magic earlier was the type that concentrated energy, Arcane wouldn't be able to block his magic now. As long as there's a possibility that he could be affected, he won't act out of emotion. Shirone knows that."
Nade looked back at Shirone. Even if that was the case, it was impossible for anyone other than Shirone to defy an archmage.
'Anyway, he’s clever.'
Arcane readily acknowledged him.
"Yes, with your current abilities, you might be able to suppress me."
For a moment, the surroundings became quiet. It was hard to believe that it came out of the mouth of an archmage. However, it wasn't born out of humiliation. Instead, he wore a relaxed smile.
"Red wave. It seems to work on the principle of vibrating particles, which can be considered the nemesis of dark magic. Moreover, I'm exhausted, so it would be quite difficult to stop you."
Arcane carefully observed Shirone's reaction.
"How does it feel? Hearing this from an archmage."
"What are you talking about? I told you not to say anything, didn't I?"
"Magic, isn't it interesting?"
Shirone furrowed his brow. He didn't know what Arcane was talking about.
"Magic is like that. It's neither fair nor has rules stating how it should be. It's unpredictable because there are no limits. In the world of magic, a meteor mage capable of destroying a city could be killed by a seemingly weak mercenary mage. So, even if I were to be defeated by you, it wouldn't be that strange."
"So, what's your point? Are you saying you'll pay for your sins?"
"You could interpret it that way, but..."
Dark smoke rose from Arcane's body. His eyes were white, and his expression was ghostly. An explosive, razor-sharp aura spread in all directions.
“They say you have to fight to know.”
Shirone took a step backwards involuntarily. It was a pure fighting spirit, unrelated to skills or rank. It was the aura of death that could only be emitted by someone who had crossed countless battle.
"Even if the compatibility is good, it's useless if you can't win. What do you say? Do you want to face me?"
For the first time, Shirone's lips, which had been so confident until now, remained silent. To be honest, he didn't feel like fighting. Arcane's fighting spirit was that overwhelming.
'Really, an object is an object.' (‘과연 물건은 물건이로다.’)
He persistently targeted the weakness and immediately changed his stance when it disappeared. He wasn't stubborn. His thinking was as flexible as water, and his vision was open in all directions. It was a little bit clear why Canis had been defeated.
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Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
