studiobondurri Chapter 167: A Dangerous Deal (3)
Chapter 167: A Dangerous Deal (3)
Chapter 167: A Dangerous Deal (3)
WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
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INFINITE MAGE
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Amy approached them, probably thinking the same thing as Shirone, and couldn’t help but laugh at Canis’s predicament.
“Hohoho! Did you guys get eliminated? That figures.”
Though Shirone might not hold any grudge since he had won the battle, Amy had her own scores to settle with the pair.
Her philosophy was simple: payback was due, and this was her chance to strike a blow.
However, Canis did not rise to her provocation.
“Humph, look who's talking. As if you're any better. Now I see, the seniors aren’t so special after all.”
“Laughable! How would you know if I've failed?”
“Knowing that I failed implies you took the test too. If you had succeeded, you wouldn’t be wandering around here. Are you an idiot?”
“You little brat! How dare you talk back to your senior!”
“At least you should be thankful. If I hadn't stopped Lucas, you would have been dead.”
Fire flashed in Amy’s eyes. The memory of being chosen by Lucas and nearly cursed during their exposure to the Abyss Nova filled her with rage.
“You little...”
Before Shirone could intervene, Amy raised her fist towards Canis.
Just as she was about to strike him with the power of her Schema, a dark shadow loomed behind Canis and a black clawed hand swept over his shoulder.
Amy instinctively stepped back. Harvest, protecting Canis as if embracing him, split his mouth in a grin.
“Kekeke! Long time no see, sister. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Aaagh! What is that!”
Tourists screamed and fled at the sight of Harvest. Shirone could understand their reaction; the effects of magic were familiar to nobles, but a shadow rising in human form was another level of bizarre.
Even Tess lost her composure at the sight of Harvest.
“My word. The shadow talks? Rian, have you ever seen anything like this?”
A small face with broad shoulders, and a waif-like waist; though humanoid, its arms were twice as thin and long as a human's. Its palms were as large as shields, and its nails as sharp as swords.
“No, this is a first for me too, but seems like Shirone knows him?”
Harvest spread his palm wide, covering most of Canis’s torso, optimized for absorbing impacts. In front of a Harvest specialized in shock absorption, even Amy had to be cautious.
“Keke, let’s be careful about approaching each other. I don’t want to see blood in such a place.”
“Eww...”
Just as Amy was about to rush again, Shirone raised his finger. A red photon condensed at his fingertip, ready to be shot any moment.
This time, Harvest remained silent. It was the same laser technique that had nearly annihilated him before.
“Apologize to Amy. It’s not right to dredge up someone’s painful memories.”
“Painful? That much and it’s called pain? Besides, I saved that girl. Really, these nobles and their ways of thinking.”
“That’s for the person who was hurt to decide. If you've stirred up painful memories, the least you can do is apologize. How long will you keep looking at the world so negatively?”
“Hmph! I don’t need to hear that from a greenhouse flower.”
Canis’s taunt was followed by Harvest inflating his upper body, threatening everyone. Meanwhile, Shirone’s laser glowed even brighter.
Arin, slowly extending her Spirit Zone towards Shirone in the form of tentacles, thought to disrupt his mental focus and disperse the laser.
But before her Zone could reach him, Amy blocked the way. Arin frowned, aware that most mental magic was futile against those with red eyes.
Magical creatures, lasers, mental magic, schema memories.
Different types of magic clashed and intertwined like ribbons, no one daring to make a sudden move, each watching the others.
The tension was so palpable that Tess grabbed Rian’s arm and feigned crying.
“What’s with them? So scary.”
Rian thought differently. People said mages were bizarre, and the more they deviated from the norm, the more distinctly they defined their identity as mages.
Rian was pleased that Shirone had become such an extraordinary and abnormal person.
“You’re doing well, Shirone.”
“What, what?”
“No, I’m good. Just take Arin.”
“Enough, follow me. It’s only natural for a senior to treat their juniors to a meal.”
Shirone pushed Canis’s back.
“Come on, Canis. Let’s go inside. We have things to talk about anyway.”
Reluctantly, Canis followed, and Amy led them to the pub where they had met the mercenaries.
Once the six of them settled down, Shirone introduced Canis and Arin to Rian. Amy’s explanation that they were disciples of the Archmage and Shirone had beaten him reassured Rian.
Filling their stomachs was the immediate priority. Canis and Arin were so hungry they quickly devoured two bowls of noodles each.
Watching them eat, even those in Shirone’s group who had just eaten Yuna’s packed lunch felt full.
After gulping down the soup, Shirone smiled spontaneously. Regardless of their origins or personalities, they were all human after all.
Once the pair seemed revived after their meal, Shirone tentatively broached a topic.
“We’re all dealing with complicated thoughts, but let’s open up a bit. Why are you guys here?”
“Canis has always been interested in ruins. So, we’re here exploring.”
“Ah, was being an archaeologist Canis’s dream?”
“Tch, unnecessary chatter.”
Not fond of sharing his story, Canis grumbled. However, he didn’t stop Arin from continuing.
Although not very sociable, Arin wasn’t someone who would simply answer anything asked. Her response was carefully calibrated to reveal enough without giving away crucial information.
In reality, their visit to the island wasn’t just for exploration; they had a specific reason that necessitated Shirone’s involvement.
“So, why are you here?”
Canis pointed at Amy. Although Shirone was likely the leader, he didn’t want to show too keen an interest.
But Amy was adept at psychological warfare, adept enough to navigate around Arin’s abilities.
“Hehe, obviously to get into the Kergos self-governing district. Just like you guys.”
“Hmm, and what do you think is there?”
“Hmm, you speak as if you know something?”
“It could be, or maybe not.”
Amy flashed a feigned smile, but inside she was desperate.
‘They know. They definitely know, the bastards.’
Canis had chosen the test route, not the smuggling route. This meant he must have a clear reason for needing to take that path.
‘This is tricky. How do I get information out of these two?’
Canis and Arin were different from the mercenaries they had met before. With Arin’s abilities, they were unbeatable in a battle of wits.
Shirone, having listened quietly, decided to ask directly.
“Canis, can you share what you know? We really don’t know much.”
Amy might think differently, but it was clearly a disadvantageous situation. It was better to be open and see how they responded.
Unexpectedly, Canis took it well. Shirone’s group couldn’t know, but Canis and Arin urgently needed Shirone’s help.
“Alright. But first, I need to verify something.”
“Ask anything. If I know, I’ll tell you.”
“Are you trying to get into the self-governing district because you want to learn about the Labyrinth of Time?”
Shirone’s eyes widened. The Labyrinth of Time was supposed to be a secret known only to his close friends and the headmaster.
“How did you know? What do you know about the Labyrinth? Or about the Kergos Ruins?”
As Shirone pressed him, Canis leaned back casually.
“Well, I suppose I know a bit more than you.”
Shirone pondered deeply. Where could they have gotten such information, and in such a short time?
Then it hit him. The shadow under Canis’s feet, and the magical creature dwelling there, told him everything.
“It’s Arcane’s knowledge, isn’t it?”
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