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INFINITE MAGE

Chapter 92: Genius Lost in Light (1)

"Your name is Harvest."

At Arcane's words, the black orb vibrated. Its molecular bonds loosened, and black matter rose like smoke. Born from darkness, the monstrous entity spoke in a muffled voice.

"I am Harvest."

"I will run a few tests. For now, stay inside the test tube."

Arcane pointed to a 3-meter-tall glass tube. It was an uncomfortably narrow space for humans, but for a magical creature, the concept of enduring time was irrelevant.

That night, Canis and Arin sneaked into the lab. Without Arcane's permission, tension was evident. However, their anxiety dissipated the moment they saw Harvest.

A 2-meter-tall humanoid shadow.

With a slender waist and dynamically broad shoulders, Canis was deeply impressed.

"This is the master's..."

The pinnacle of magical biology, perfected by the archmage over 150 years. Plus, being a magical creature endowed with Arcane's intellect.

Unlike Canis, Arin shuddered, as if looking at a monstrosity.

"Eww, so weird. I thought it'd be more human-like."

"Magical creatures must look intimidating, right? To me, this form is truly remarkable. It’s combat-effective."

"But I find it strange..."

Canis didn't care. If she disliked it, all the better.

'Wait for me, Harvest. I will become your master.'

Arcane had said he would choose between him and Arin to be Harvest's master. Of course, Arin was a dear friend, but there was no room for compromise in this matter. He was determined to prove his worth through a fair competition.

"Canis, let's leave. The master might come."

"Uh? Oh, right."

Arin followed Canis, switching off the lights. Then, she suddenly looked back, feeling the intense emotions vibrating from Harvest.

"Goodness!"

She fled the room as if escaping and never returned to the lab. However, having been trapped in a warehouse in Radum as a child, she couldn’t just leave Harvest like that.

During the night, when everyone was asleep, Arin mustered the courage to visit the lab. Harvest was still trapped in the glass tube.

"Do you feel trapped?"

When she received no response, Arin examined the tube's mechanism, looking for a switch.

"I could let you out for a moment."

"Why do you think I feel trapped?"

Arin stepped back, startled by the chilling voice.

"You've been locked up for a month."

"Not being able to move is inconvenient for humans. I can't perceive time. I don’t mind being trapped forever."

Arin looked puzzled, sensing Harvest's suppressed and uneasy energy.

"Maybe you're right."

"What comes to your mind?"

"Curiosity, perhaps? That's not quite the right term. I was created to learn from the moment of existence. But now, that’s impossible."

"That's what we call frustration."

Harvest pondered. Could that be true?

"How can you read my emotions?"

"Hehe, just ended up this way. I lived in Radum for a long time."

"Radum. Thormia's capital Bashuka's slum. A den of demi-folk who lost territory on the continent. Concealed in hardship and drastic population changes."

Even Arin, who lived in Radum, was hearing this for the first time.

"You know a lot, Harvest."

"What information do you have?"

"Are you asking for a conversation?"

"It seems so. I have no master to share minds with yet."

Arin talked with Harvest throughout the night. It was her first time having such a long conversation with anyone, having spent most of her youth alone.

After two months of experimentation, Harvest finally gained freedom. Arcane opened the glass tube. However, Harvest remained motionless.

"Come out. You will resonate with Canis, but won't be restricted as a subordinate. I'll explain the reasons later."

Harvest didn't respond. A delay from a magical creature with superhuman computing speed was unusual, prompting Arcane to turn around.

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"Why Canis?"

"Hmm. You don’t like it? It's strange for you, who haven’t formed a mental resonance, to have preferences already."

"I understand that being subordinate to you, who shares your memory, offers no benefit. But Canis is stubborn and prideful. He's unlikely to heed my advice. Such traits could be a weakness in battle."

"Indeed, that is true."

"On the other hand, Arin is different. She lived in Radum for 10 years and hadn't met anyone besides Canis. This caused her to have an incredibly sensitive mental resonance due to her rebellion."

"Are you talking about synesthesia?"

Synesthesia is a unique brainwave pattern where everything is perceived as if being seen for the first time. Arin grew up without seeing anything, causing her brain to solidify in that state. Hence, she couldn't distinguish objects like ordinary people. However, she was absolutely adept at sensing the emotions imbued in objects. Despite its inconveniences, this was a supreme talent for a psychic-type mage.

Arcane also knew that Arin's talents were more exceptional than Canis's.

"Arin is not suitable. Her heart is too soft."

"I don't understand. Synesthesia more than covers any other shortcomings. With her, my abilities could be maximized."

Arcane gave a bitter smile.

Having the same memories but different forms led to different judgments, then?

"Maybe you're right, more logically speaking. But Arin is out of the question. You're going to Canis."

"Kekekekeke!"

Falling, Harvest's body twitched.

"So that was it, Arcane."

Only in the last moments of life did Harvest realize why Arcane had specifically chosen Canis over the magically talented Arin.

'Same stubbornness.'

Harvest's fall seemed more pitiful as it couldn't feel the weight.

"Harvest!"

Canis rushed to Harvest. The shriveled-up body of Harvest, with holes here and there, was too gruesome to behold.

"Why! Why did you do it! I didn't care if I died! If you were going to betray me, why start at all! Why?"

"Kekeke. How should I know? You're my master."

Canis clammed up, realizing something.

"A magical creature does what its master wants."

"Harvest..."

Canis's head dropped. He felt bitter and wronged about living, but part of him wanted to live. Why wouldn't he? That's human nature. It seemed Harvest knew this. That's why it broke the master-servant contract and decided to self-destruct.

"Sorry, Harvest. I..."

Harvest didn't care. A magical creature does what its master desires. That's how it was designed, so death wasn't shocking. Rather, Harvest was more intrigued by Shirone's combat ability that overpowered their combined play.

'Hmm. Strange magic. But it's not just about being outmatched in magic.'

He was definitely a strong opponent. Unhesitant in overpowering the enemy, yet not aggressive. Rather, a methodical focus on the outcome resembled a magical creature.

'His recovery of emotions is incredibly fast. Probably superhuman insight. The journey from problem to solution is so short that it seems unshakable.'

Having analyzed, Harvest twisted its lips. Specialized in something unfathomable. Not a common trait in nature.

'Kekeke. Arcane, you're in for a hard time.'

Arcane's expression was not good. Everyone was acting against his wishes. Frustrated with the situation, he slowly walked and spoke.

"Pitiful, Canis. Even after disgracing me..."

"Shut up."

Shirone interrupted. His friends widened their eyes at his unusual aggressiveness. Arcane, surprised, turned his head.

"Hahah! What a spirited lad. What if I make a proposition?"

"Didn’t you hear me? Shut up."

Even Arcane had to stiffen his face this time.

"I'm already struggling to restrain myself. So shut it. One more word and I'll smash you."

Shirone's body glowed with a faint red light. The laser. Its power was already proven. Even Arcane, specialized in energy absorption, could be overwhelmed by it.

But his friends couldn't help but feel blood run cold. Arcane was a world-dominating archmage, and Shirone was just a student. This provocation was akin to suicide.

"What are you doing? You'll really cause trouble!"

"No, it'll be fine."

Nade and Yiruki turned to Ethella.

"What do you mean, ma'am? Shouldn't we stop him?"

"Arcane is in a tough spot. He's outmatched. If Shirone's magic is energy-focused, Arcane can't block it in his current state. He won't act impulsively knowing he could be hurt. Shirone knows this."

Nade looked back at Shirone. Even so, defying an archmage wasn't something anyone but Shirone could do.

'So cunning.'

Arcane readily admitted.

"True. In your current state, you could overpower me."

An eerie silence fell. It was hard to believe such words from an archmage. But it wasn't out of cowardice. He even smiled leisurely.

"Red wavelength. Particle vibration principle, it seems. A perfect nemesis to dark magic. Plus, I'm exhausted, so it'll be quite hard to fend you off."

Arcane keenly observed Shirone's reaction.

"How does it feel? To hear this from an archmage?"

"What are you trying to say? You're going to pay for what you’ve done?"

"That could be one interpretation, but..."

Dark smoke rose from Arcane's body. His eyes turned white, and his expression became ghostly. A sharp murderous intent exploded in all directions.

"Combat is understood only through experience."

Shirone involuntarily stepped back. Pure combativeness, unrelated to skill or level. The aura of death, only those who've crossed countless death lines can emit.

"Good compatibility doesn't matter if you can't win. How about it? Will you face me?"

For the first time, Shirone remained silent. He didn't feel like fighting. Arcane's combativeness was overwhelming.

'Really a piece.'

Shirone thought of how persistently Arcane exploited weaknesses and quickly switched tactics when they disappeared. No stubbornness. His thoughts flowed like water, and his vision opened in all directions. Canis's defeat seemed somewhat clear.

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