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INFINITE MAGE

Chapter 94: Genius Lost in Light (3)

Alpheas adored her for that. Even though her intelligence was that of a ten-year-old, her way of thinking wasn't. She always thought ahead, considering how he would feel if he didn't win the award, and that brought tears to his eyes.

"Honey, I…"

With trembling hands, Alpheas took out the golden medal.

"I did it! I won it! The Gold Circle Award!"

Erina, always calm and composed, couldn't help but have her radiant eyes shimmer with emotion. The day Alpheas always talked about had finally come.

"Congratulations. I knew you would win."

"Erina, it's all thanks to you. Everything is because of you. Come here, let me put it on you."

Alpheas believed that the true recipient of the Gold Circle was Erina. Of course, the straightforward Klumph didn't understand this. He thought Alpheas was admirable for deciphering the profound meaning behind Erina's childlike words. But Alpheas knew. The small ideas that came from Erina's mind would become the key codes responsible for the future of humanity.

"This award belongs to you. Your thoughts amazed the world."

As Alpheas approached her with puckered lips, Erina stepped back like a shy bride.

"Let's eat first. Come quickly."

"Ah, sorry. Klumph has arranged a party, so I need to go. I'll eat later."

"Ah, is that so?"

Erina couldn't hide her disappointment this time. Noticing this, Alpheas playfully picked her up in his arms.

"That's why we need to save time for dinner."

"Kyaa!"

Alpheas carried Erina upstairs, bounding up the steps.

"Wait a minute! The bread will burn."

"Let it burn! Otherwise, I will!"

After Alpheas's award, dozens of invitations flew in daily. They were all from notable nobles and institutions. Mingling with everyone meant mingling with no one. By declining all but the necessary connections and increasing his value, his reputation spread quickly. As part of this strategy, Alpheas was leaving for a dinner hosted by the Alchemy Foundation today, a crucial event as they handled 40 percent of the magic material logistics.

Unaware of this, Saroph and his friends had been camping outside Alpheas's house since before sunset, anxiously waiting for the evening.

Saroph sighed.

"Ah, this hurts my pride."

"Is pride the issue? His value rose too high. Alpheas is not just a skilled magician. We should have seen it coming."

Saroph was filled with regret. He should have mingled with the crowd and resolved any lingering resentment when Alpheas won the Gold Circle Award. Just a month after the award, Alpheas's fame was intimidatingly high, all thanks to his excellent political acumen. Now that Alpheas was selective about his company, the chances for Saroph to wedge in were slimming.

'Why does nothing ever go right?'

It was a question without an answer. At least having friends around made the embarrassment bearable.

"We should go in. I'll do the talking."

Saroph led the way, knocking on Alpheas's door.

"Is Alpheas there? It's Saroph."

Unexpectedly, Erina opened the door.

"Who is it?"

"Ah, the lady of the house. You might not remember, but I'm Saroph, Alpheas's classmate. Is Alpheas home?"

"No, my husband is out. At the Alchemy Foundation."

Saroph knew about the dinner. It wouldn't last long since it wasn't a drinking affair. He thought it worked out well and politely said,

"Then, if it's not too much trouble, may we wait inside? We don't want to attract public attention..."

Standing outside would certainly lead to gossip.

"Yes, come in."

Saroph and his friends sat in the living room, rubbing their hands nervously. Seeing their plight, Erina called them to the dining table, offering snacks and drinks.

"Have something to eat. My husband will eat there."

"Thank you. You're very kind."

Saroph felt awkward, regretting not bringing a gift. He had bought one, but his pride made it unbearable to carry it.

In his mind, it wasn't a matter of skill. Despite Alpheas and Erina's families cutting ties, their first-class status must have influenced the evaluation.

With those thoughts, the alcohol hit him quickly. Initially tensed, they relaxed once they perceived Erina's intellectual level.

"I tell you! I was once called a genius. Me, it was me!"

"It's so unfair! Some work hard and get nowhere, while others use connections to rise! Magic is dead!"

Hearing his friend, Saroph's eyebrow twitched. The target was none other than Alpheas. But he let it pass. After all, Erina wouldn't understand their conversation. Suddenly, the drink tasted sweeter. Maybe, for the first time, he had beaten Alpheas by being able to loudly criticize him in front of his wife.

Saroph scooped up more courage and addressed Erina.

"Right, don't you agree, sister-in-law? Magic, you see, isn't just about skill. You agree with me, don't you?"

"Yes, I don't really know."

"Haha! Of course, you wouldn't know. But it's true, all of it."

Saroph savored a sense of victory. He had criticized Alpheas and even mocked his wife. His friends, sensing Saroph's intention, joined in, banging on the table.

"Sister-in-law, since the mood is set, why don't you sing us a song?"

"Yes! Let's celebrate Alpheas's success with a song."

Erina's smile stiffened. People think if someone's intelligence is lacking, they don't understand anything. But reading emotions has always been the burden of the underdog. Erina was aware that Saroph and his friends weren't being kind; they were tolerating her only because she was Alpheas's wife.

"In my hometown, when the wheat ripens..."

As Erina started singing, Saroph and his friends clapped and whistled. Even as they made fun of her, she bravely continued with a trembling voice.

But before she could finish three lines, a cold voice cut through from the living room.

"What are you doing right now?"

Everyone turned their heads. Alpheas stood there, his face red, fists clenched. Saroph sobered up instantly. Coming to his senses, he realized what he was doing.

"Sorry, it seems we drank too much."

"You bastard!"

Alpheas rushed over and swung his fist. Saroph, hit squarely in the face, tumbled to the floor. His friends stood up, yelling.

"Alpheas! What a violent act! No matter how angry you are..."

"No, it's okay. Let it be."

Saroph raised his hand to stop his friends. He felt ashamed. Was he just a loser who found comfort in mocking the wife of a rival?

"Get out, before I kill you. Leave my house right now!"

"Sorry about today. We won't bother you again."

Saroph and his friends were kicked out of Alpheas's house. The living room, now devoid of the unwanted guests, was eerily silent. Alpheas was unable to contain his rising anger, knowing why they made Erina sing.

"What happened? Why were those jerks here?"

Erina, terrified, couldn't speak. It was the first time she had seen her husband so angry.

"Tell me! Why did you let those bastards in?"

"Sorry. I thought you'd be happy, they being your friends..."

"What are you talking about? Why would those jerks be my friends? Can't you even tell who my real friends are? And you just sang for them? You're really a fool!"

Alpheas turned away abruptly, his face contorted with regret. He had blurted out words he vowed never to use, words that should never be spoken.

'I'm such a despicable person. I'm not even fit to be a husband.'

He wished he could turn back time, but it was too late. Even if he could, he wasn't sure if he wouldn't have said the same thing again. His anger was uncontrollable.

"Forget what I just said. It was my mistake."

"I'm sorry, honey. I won't do it again."

Erina's apology made him feel even worse. She had no reason to apologize. But then, where should he direct this frustration?

"I'll go out for some air. I'll be fine after some time. Sorry. You go to bed first."

Alpheas left the house. That was the only way he could rationally deal with the situation.

At Klumph's inn, Alpheas drank all night. He couldn't get drunk. As the alcohol's effect grew, Saroph faded from his memory, and only the hurt he might have caused Erina lingered.

"Damn it. I'm a scumbag. I don't deserve to be a husband. She trusted and followed me, and I spoke to her like that."

Klumph looked pitifully at him. He understood Alpheas's anger as a man, but still felt it was a mistake.

"Marital fights are like cutting water with a knife. You have a bright future ahead, and the worst is over. Maybe today's incident will bring you closer?"

Alpheas remained silent, prompting Klumph to bring up a long-considered suggestion.

"Why not have a child?"

Alpheas's eyes sparkled momentarily, but then he shook his head sadly.

Klumph, guessing the reason, widened his eyes in surprise.

"You mean to say? You never...?"

"What nonsense? We're a married couple. No matter how young Erina is, she knows what she needs to."

Klumph smirked.

"Who's talking about her? Maybe you're the problem, being so feeble. Hahaha."

Not in the mood to laugh, Alpheas sullenly gulped down his drink.

Klumph sighed.

"What's the problem then? Just have a child and live happily."

"Erina... I'm not sure if she can have a child."

"Why? Is she ill?"

"No. It's just that... childbirth is terribly painful, and I don't know if Erina can endure it. And there's the issue of raising a child."

Klumph sighed as he grasped the situation. The problem was whether a woman with the intelligence of a ten-year-old could endure childbirth. Intelligence is a great control over humanity. Knowing and unknowingly enduring pain are worlds apart.

"Alpheas, I hate to say this, but you knew this when you decided to marry her."

"Yes, I know. I don't regret it. Really, I don't. I can't live without Erina. Without her, no honor means anything."

Klumph downed a couple of drinks in quick succession. He felt suffocated, thinking about what Alpheas must be going through.

"So, what are you going to do? It's not like you to just moan about problems. You're too smart for that."

Alpheas twirled his drink, deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes sparkled with intelligence, a sharp contrast to his intoxicated state.

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