C166 - Risky Transaction (3)
"Rian, stop being stubborn and go get healing magic tomorrow."
"I'm telling you, I'm fine! There were no fatal injuries. Of course, the part where Tess stabbed me is weirdly a bit painful, though. Hahaha!"
"Rian, the moment you fall is the moment I die."
Rian's laughter suddenly stopped. The living room fell into a tense silence. Everyone was anxiously looking back and forth between Shirone and Rian.
"Shirone, I..."
"I know. You would protect me until your death. However, split-second choices can determine success or failure. I would prefer if you could take more hits for me. If you keep being stubborn like this, I might have to reconsider entrusting you with my back."
At first glance, this may sound selfish and cold-hearted. No, asking her friend to get stabbed was definitely cruel.
But Shirone knew Rian better than anyone else.
Rian was like fire. The way to fuel that fire wasn't through shallow praise, but by imprinting the harsh reality as it is.
Rian slightly lifted the corners of his mouth. He felt a hot fire rising inside him, burning away all trivial emotions.
"Don't worry, Shirone! I'll do whatever it takes to get myself back in perfect condition! As long as I'm protecting you, no one can reach you."
Rian was ready to receive healing magic right then and there. Tess, relieved from her hellish worries, secretly looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
'Phew. Thank you, Shirone. Thank you so much.'
Tess had no doubt that Rian would become the greatest swordsman someday. But he also knew that even if he became a burning sword, Shirone would be the only one who could hold and swing that sword.
* * *
Early in the morning, Shirone and his group left the villa.
In the area where the residents lived, there was a mage's guild. Although its influence was not significant due to the Freeman Organization's control over the island, it was sustained because it had a healing mage.
Due to the nature of the resort, it was easy to get injured if you let loose while playing.
While commoners sought traditional remedies or physicians, nobles would get treated by a healing mage even if only a single finger was injured.
Depending on the type and severity of the wound, the price ranged from 1 to 10 gold, and perhaps thanks to Freeman's influence, treatment was carried out at a reasonable price.
Healing magic promotes cell activity and naturally heals wounds. This was different from a physicians that identifies the cause of the disease and finds an appropriate treatment method.
Among Schema users, there was a profession called surgery for emergency operations, but mage tended to follow natural order rather than artificial methods.
While high-level magic involved complex theories, the effectiveness of simply activating cells was remarkable. This is because the human body inherently knows how to heal itself.
It seemed that the healing mage's skills were not that great. It took two hours to complete the treatment for Jis and Rian’s serious injuries.
Shirone, seeing Rian's wounds cleanly healed, was reminded anew of the power of magic.
Of course, two hours would be impractical in real-time combat. However, in the long term, the difference in combat capability between a group with and without a healing mage could be enormous.
Returning to the villa, Shirone and his group repacked their belongings and stepped outside.
The healing magic only regenerated the wound, so it did not improve the condition itself, but since Rian was such a strong person, he seemed to be overflowing with vitality.
Jis also seemed to have his own resilience, as he cheerfully shouldered his backpack without showing any signs of fatigue.
Rian looked puzzled at Jis's bag. Since Jis, the guide, was supposed to part ways with them upon entering the autonomous district, he didn’t really need any equipment.
"Huh? What’s in that bag?"
“Ah, this is a lunch box. Yuna made it while we were getting treat. Even though she looks like that, her cooking skills are amazing. Because she work at a restaurant.”( “아, 이건 도시락이야. 치료하는 동안 유나가 만들어 놨더라고. 이래 봬도 음식 솜씨가 끝내줘. 음식점에서 일하니까.”)
"Oh, a professional, huh? Great, let's eat now."
As Rian approached, drooling, Tess pinched Rian's side and scolded him.
"We just ate. How can you eat again? Let's head to the ruins first. It would be troublesome if it gets dark."
Upon reaching a point 1 kilometer from the ruins, the carriage driver stopped as usual. The group, now accustomed to this, got off and walked the rest of the way to the ruins.
When we arrived 1 kilometer away from the ruins, the driver stopped the horse without hesitation. Shirone` and the others were used to it by now, so they got off the carriage and walked to the ruins.
Nothing had changed since their last visit.
The bustling crowd, the natives guarding the area expressionlessly, and even the tavern where they had encountered the mercenaries were the same.
Heading to the outskirts of the ruins, they decided to have lunch in a park. Yuna's packed lunch turned out to be rice balls made from leftover ingredients soaked in rice. Although it was an unfamiliar food, it was said to be quite popular on the island.
When Shirone` tried it, the taste was truly different. All the ingredients came together and had a salty and savory taste.
He had thought the portions might be small, but they were surprisingly filling, more so than bread.
Jis was perusing a note handed down from Freeman, containing a brief but informative manual. Having worked in the organization for years, he quickly understood how the trade was conducted.
The place he led them to was on the opposite side of the entrance to the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. There too, a native dressed in civilized clothes was guarding.
"Hello."
“Who are you?”
"I'm from the Freeman Organization. When can we depart?"
The native eyed Jis from top to bottom. However, as soon as Jis showed his pass, the native readily provided the needed information.
After a few exchanges in the native language, Jis turned to Shirone and said,
“They say we have to wait for our ride, about an hour or so?"
"Huh? A ride?"
“We’ll probably have to take the tram. It was written like that. Anyway, we’re told to come back once the ride arrives."
Tess looked around at everyone and asked.
"What should we do? Wait here for about an hour or explore a bit more?"
Shirone was lost in thought. Could they really just enter the autonomous district like this? And if so, what was the purpose of the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice?
While it could be a tradition as Tess suggested, Shirone thought the probability was low. Above all, it was because Miro was in touch there. (무엇보다 그곳에는 미로의 숨결이 닿아 있기 때문이었다.)
"I want to try the trial at the gateway again."
As Shirone suddenly brought it up, his friends looked at him unexpectedly. It seemed unnecessary to undergo such hardship when they had an easier way to enter the autonomous district.
But Amy had similar thoughts to Shirone. There must be something in the underground of the ruins that people shouldn’t know. Thus, even if two routes led to the same place, there had to be a special reason for the existence of both.
The problem was the uncertainty of passing the trial. It could be a waste of time to desire the impossible.
"Can we really pass it? Are you thinking of testing it with Laser?"
"Mhm. If possible, I want to try."
"What if that doesn’t work either? The ride might not wait for us. It will take quite some time to enter the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, right?”
"Actually, even if we fail, it might not be a big deal."
As Shirone spoke casually, Amy asked back with a puzzled expression.
"Even if we fail, it doesn't matter?"
“There is one thing I want to point out. Of course, I can't be sure of anything yet. How about this? I'll enter the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. The rest of you wait here and take the ride. That way, we can manage the time and experience both routes."
Amy thought Shirone's words were reasonable. Shirone had scored the highest in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, so there was no need for others to follow. Moreover, if he took the test alone, it wouldn’t take much time.
"Good. Let's head to the route of the test."
With Amy's consent, the group headed towards the eastern altar. The native guarding the entrance this time was different from the one they had met when they entered with the mercenaries.
"Shirone, you remember the password, right?"
"Yes. You guys stay back. Last time, we were mistakenly thought to be together because you were nearby. I'll go in alone this time."
"Alright. It should be fine, but... be careful anyway."
Shirone walked to the altar. But he stopped before he could take three steps.
A banging sound was heard from inside the altar, as if someone had entered first.
As Shirone approached, the native guarding it turned towards the sound from inside. The guardian then activated a mechanism, opening the stone wall.
'Someone else must have attempted the trial. Are there more challengers than I thought?'
Shirone watched the altar with excitement as he was curious about who would come out after taking the test. However, he was shocked to the core upon recognizing the faces.
“Huh?”
Amy, who was standing behind Shirone, also jolted in surprise and exclaimed.
"What! How are they here?"
“What’s wrong, Amy? Do you know them? Are they friends?"
"Pfft! Friends? They are enemies!”
Looking at Amy's reaction, it didn't seem like they had a particularly good relationship. Intrigued, Rian and Tess carefully observed the man and woman emerging from the altar.
From a distance, their features were so similar that it seemed like they might be brother and sister. The black hair, black pupils, and dark feeling contrasting with the pale face gave off a unique atmosphere.
Shirone stared at them blankly. They were Canis and Arin, disciples of Arcane.
'Why are they here?'
Of course, it was their freedom to roam. However, the fact that it was not a common tourist destination and a place with the connection to Miro of Space and Time was ominous.
Canis and Arin were equally surprised to find Shirone and his group. But they quickly regained their composure, seemingly having anticipated this.
"As expected, you guys are here too."
Canis approached with a laughing face. Arin, on the other hand, had her head down shyly. Having lived in Radum all her life, she was not used to social interactions.
Despite their previous conflict, they would be classmates from the next semester, so Arin was preoccupied with the thought that she should at least greet Shirone.
“H- Hello, Shirone`?”
Mustering all her courage, Arin raised her hand towards Shirone. Canis then glared at her fiercely with narrowed eyes. Realizing her mistake, Arin quickly put down her hand, but unexpectedly for her, Shirone greeted her warmly.
“Right, hello. How have you been doing?"
"Uh? Hng. It’s just….”
Arin looked at Canis' gaze and answered in a hushed voice. But she wondered if there was a need to be so hostile when the other party was sincerely welcoming.
As she slowly lifted her head, encountering Shirone's extraordinary aura, Arin gasped in surprise, her mouth hanging open in awe.
‘He was impressive before, but now he seems even more distinct. Truly a remarkable person.'
On the other hand, Shirone also had much to ponder with the appearance of Canis and Arin. Their return from the altar meant that the Eye of the Angel had likely deemed them unfit.
'As expected, it's not that easy either. Miro of Space and Time.'
Canis and Arin were strong as they were a disciples of an archmage. Above all, he thought that he was superior to anyone at the magic academy in terms of practical experience.
Of course, Shirone had defeated him before, but it was clear that he was a tough opponent even though Shirone fought while benefiting from his attributes.
Yet, even they had been unable to progress further in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice and had to turn back. This gave an idea of the high threshold set by Miro.
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
