"Good judgment. Getting 1 out of 10 is not a reason to ignore the other 9; that would be foolish. In any situation, you should never stop thinking. Everything in the world is decided by the quantity of thought, and battle is no exception."
"Don't get any illusions. I will never forgive you."
"Haha! If you have determination, there's nothing better. Should I guess? You're the type that thrives in real situations. Academies that only teach conventional things aren't suitable for you. What do you say? Will you come with me? Then, I will turn you into the best wizard possible."
"Don't talk nonsense. The teachers at this academy are much more respectable than killers like you."
"Then, tell me. What have you learned here? The photon cannon? The red wave? If it's not that, at least a tip about the immortal function?"
Shirone's eyes opened slightly.
"How do you know that...?"
Arcane burst into laughter. He seemed to enjoy his role as a teacher, gathering inexperienced youth and freely rambling.
"It's really rare. Rare or not, isn't the immortal function a conventional level? But, kid, there are many horrible monsters living in places you don't know. If you closely associate with that place..."
Arcane smiled with a cunning look.
"It's not so rare."
"In 100 years, I've met 7 people. Four were quite good, and three died. The distinctive feature of an Unlocker is their uniqueness. The possibilities of distortion are endless. But undisciplined uniqueness dies before a greater sense of security."
Shirone swallowed hard. How many challenges did he have to overcome before the immortal function was no longer considered rare? He couldn't refute Arcane's words, though they were frustrating to him. Individuality could be an overlooked factor in objective power, but it was also a double-edged sword that lost strength against the established norm.
"I'm not here to learn magic with the purpose of defeating someone. Don't compare me to you, a common assassin."
Arcane understood the conflict in Shirone's eyes. It was natural. Without his obsession with magic and the desire for achievement, he wouldn't have reached his current position.
"It's likely that everyone likes you right now. But humans, by their nature, tend to favor the talented. It's not that they like you as a person. How long do you think you can relate to those hypocritical people?"
Arcane's words furrowed the brows of those present.
But Shirone simply listened in silence.
"Get stronger. So they can't ignore you forever. Otherwise, they'll crush you. Do you really think you can avoid the fight even if you face such a situation with elaborate excuses?"
Arcane extended three fingers.
"In three years. In that time, I will make you reach a level that no one on the entire continent can ignore. Do you think three years is too short? I don't think so. If you maximize your individuality, it's not impossible."
At least for Shirone, it wasn't just empty talk. As an Unlocker, giving up the guidance of an Archmage and staying at the academy didn't offer many advantages. At most, would it be easier to find employment in the wizard society?
"Your words are correct."
The faces of Eruki and Neid darkened.
"Shirone..."
"If it's the truth, there's no need to deny it. In the world of wizards, being an Unlocker had a unique position, and the standard education of the magic academy had its limitations in skill development.
"Maybe you're right, but I still won't follow you. The academy is not where I have to fight; it's where my life is. Teachers, friends, a sense of belonging. I don't think you can offer me that."
Arcane frowned. Although he didn't know what trick Alpeas had used, he couldn't help but admire his ability to brainwash students.
"You're being deceived right now. When you truly live your life, that won't matter. If you weren't strong, you'd just be an ordinary kid in the academy. Demonstrating strength is everything in life."
"If that's all, why are you doing this?"
"What?"
"I strive to become a great wizard, and what's left for you now? Everyone hates you. Do you really not feel lonely? No one takes an interest in you, so you can only prove it this way."
Arcane turned red with anger.
"You're talking nonsense. The strong are lonely. The weak gather. Look at the current situation. Everyone bows before me. I control them all. That's loneliness."
"No, you're simply a killer that no one cares about."
The word "killer" filled Arcane's eyes with madness.
"Haha, you may be right. But you know what? Once, I had what's called a companion. But it led everyone to ruin. That's the Alpeas you admire so much."
Shirone couldn't believe it. He had only heard about the enmity between the two through Ethella. The Alpeas he knew wasn't someone who led people to ruin.
"I don't know what happened in the past, but I won't listen to your words. You're a killer. And you continue to commit murders."
"Killer, you say? Is that Alpeas... just like me?"
Shirone opened his eyes in surprise. This time, he couldn't help but be shocked.
"It's a lie. What do you know about the Director?"
"Hahaha. Of course, I know a lot. That brat was my disciple."
"What do you mean?"
Shirone was left speechless. According to him, Alpeas was a single man. Even if he had married and then divorced, it should have been recorded in the family records.
Arcane looked up at the sky with melancholic eyes, acknowledging the irony. He still remembered that day as if it were yesterday. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he stopped thinking and looked back at Ethella.
"Did Alpeas get married?"
"No, he devoted his entire life to education."
"Is that so?"
For a brief moment, sadness crossed Arcane's eyes. Despite 40 years of resentment towards Alpeas, if there was anything that could make him feel compassion, it was Erina's story.
"I don't know if you're aware, but Alpeas was married once."
Ethella shook her head. As far as she knew, Alpeas wasn't married. Even if he had been married and divorced, it should have remained in the family records.
"In the end, it seems it wasn't officially recognized. Still, Alpeas got married. He was married for three years. His wife was named Erina; she was an exceptional woman. Brighter and more beautiful than anyone."
"What happened between the two of them? Is it still a cause of resentment after 50 years?"
"At that time, Alpeas was one of the most prominent prospects, with recognition for his photon theory. Can you imagine his status after receiving the Emperor's Golden Circle? He passed the Beast Magic Department exam and married a lady from House Astard, so he had nothing to complain about. However, he had a concern."
Arcane touched his head as he spoke.
"His wife, Erina, had slightly lower intelligence. At the level of a ten-year-old."
"I see."
"But Alpeas didn't mind. He loved her sincerely. His love was never condescending or fake."
Arcane's memories went back 40 years in time. It was the time when Alpeas entered the magical world as a young prodigy, the 'Sanctuary of Light.'
***
"The Golden Circle of the year! Alpeas Milch!"
The grand hall resounded with enthusiasm. Upon receiving the Golden Circle, awarded to the mage who achieved the most outstanding feat of the year, one would gain the support of countless noble houses and could enter the Department of Beast Magic.
"Congratulations, Alpeas. Naturally, I knew you'd achieve it."
"I ask that you help me in the future. You won't forget your old friend, will you?"
Numerous mages gathered around Alpeas. His future promised a steady increase in his status.
However, there were disapproving looks. In particular, Saroph's face, who had fiercely competed with Alpeas for the prize until the end, was filled with frustration.
"Humph! One of the fools reached success. Now that the Milch family and the Astard family have formed an alliance, how can I surpass that?"
"That's right. He's really a good friend. But what can we do? That's how things are, and now we must try to get close to Alpeas."
Saroph knew it too. Unless he left the magical society entirely, getting close to Alpeas was the best option.
"What are you going to do, Saroph? Wait for Alpeas to come to you, or will you seek him out yourself?"
"I don't feel like doing it right now. Maybe later. Shall we drink together?"
"So that's it. I don't want to stay here for too long."
Saroph left with his friends. He had also been one of the finalists who had missed the chance to win the Golden Circle, but no one seemed to care about the loser.
Klump burst into laughter and pulled Alpeas out of the crowd. Alpeas felt his head spinning, and he was about to faint.
"Haha! You're amazing! My friend won the Golden Circle! I can't believe it!"
"Hey, it hurts! It hurts a lot!"
Alpeas shouted in pain, but Klump didn't stop shaking him.
Alpeas felt dizzy and on the brink of death, but he didn't think about leaving. It's a golden circle. When, if not today, would he ever experience this stimulating pain?
"Now! It's a good day, so let's drink until our noses are crooked. The bar is reserved, so you can leave your brain and go on with your stomach."
Finally, Alpeas broke free from Klump. Although he had been absorbed in research day and night, tonight he didn't feel as exhausted.
"Oh, I don't think I can right away. I'll go somewhere for a while."
"What? If the protagonist is missing, why are we toasting for fun?"
"I'm sorry, but I want to go home to my wife."
Even Klump couldn't stop him. Although he had married Erina a year ago, he wasn't supported by his parents' families' opposition and lived in a small newlywed house in a common district.
It all started with the Milch family. Their son, whom they had sent abroad to study, said he would marry a woman of little intelligence, so there was no way they would agree.
"Well, alright. I can't help it. I haven't seen you in a long time, so let's let you celebrate tonight."
Then the Astard family responded without losing out. Even within the same first-class aristocrat, there was a clear difference between the province and the capital, so they were in the position that they wouldn't be inferior even if their daughter was a bit lacking.
In the end, Alpeas and Erina had no choice but to hold an informal wedding ceremony at a gathering with only their friends.
"That's true. Shouldn't we have invited a priest? Would it be better if they had a formal ceremony?"
"No, what wife would prefer to see her husband suffering and exhausted? I'll only be a moment."
"You're clever. Come back soon then."
"I'll be back in a moment. Go to the bar first."
Alpeas escaped from the scene as if he were fleeing. Despite having been immersed in research day and night, tonight he didn't feel as exhausted.
"I did it! I succeeded!"
He won the kingdom's most prestigious award. With this achievement, the Milch family would have no choice but to accept him back, so having a formal wedding with Erina was no longer just a dream.
"Honey, I'm here."
Erina knew that this was the day the winner was announced. While in other households, they might have been preparing a surprise party, Erina came out of the kitchen as if it were a normal day.
"You're back? Have you eaten?"