He couldn't believe it, but Shirone's face told him it was true. It wasn't the expression of someone who had visited a strange place or made a great discovery.
"Heaven, you say..."
"I'm sorry. It just happened. Canis..."
After hearing the whole story, Alpheas was silent for a while. Especially the part about Arcane going to heaven—that was news to him.
Then again, Arcane had always been a man of many secrets. He had chosen evil over good, but he was closer to nihilism than anything else.
"Principal, I have a question. How did Miro end up taking on that task?"
Alpheas understood Shirone's suspicion. But his thoughts didn't change. What was done was done, and it couldn't be undone. One person stuck in the past was enough.
'Gaold...'
Mikaea Gaold. Now one of the kingdom's top 1st-rank grand mages, but to Alpheas, he was still his student, the pure young man from his memories.
"Shirone. Don't try to find out. This is a matter that transcends nations. The moment you get involved, your life will be turned upside down."
Shirone: "But what if Miro…!"
Alpheas: "What will change even if you know?"
Shirone closed his mouth. Even if he knew, there was nothing he could change. Even now, this world was being sustained solely by the power of one person.
Shirone: "Principal, if the army of Heaven breaks through Miro's spacetime…."
Alpheas shook his head.
Alpheas: "Ever since Miro stopped the army of Heaven, think tanks from various countries have been preparing for this for a long time. Do you understand, Shirone? Nothing will change. You have a dream. Don't ruin your life by being entangled in truths you cannot touch."
It was the same thing Alpheas had said before Shirone went to Galliant Island, but now Shirone could understand those words. By merely dipping his toes in, he had almost ruined not only his own life but also the lives of his friends.
Shirone: "Yes, don't worry. I've felt it deeply."
Alpheas smiled warmly.
Alpheas: "Ataraxia is truly admirable. In ancient times, the abilities of angels were called the magic of dragon slayers. If you get the chance later, look into the history of the dragon race. They have a much longer history than humans, so you'll be able to learn more about angels."
Shirone had unexpectedly gained valuable information. Until now, he had only thought about the relationship between Heaven and humans, but when he considered it, this was an issue intertwined with the entire world.
'I should study the history of other races later.'
Having finished his thoughts, Shirone asked:
Shirone: "Do I have to take responsibility for this power?"
Alpheas: "Hoho, Shirone, there's no such thing. No one knows what consequences your choices will bring. You must think and judge for yourself."
Shirone: "I keep hesitating."
Alpheas: "Hahaha! That's only natural. Even if you're stronger than me at the moment Ataraxia is unleashed."
Alpheas' words were correct. If Shirone's story wasn't exaggerated, the moment the Ataraxia magic circle was activated, even a certified 4th-class mage wouldn't be able to withstand its power.
But Shirone is not happy. He knew what the premise Alpheas had set—'the moment Ataraxia is unleashed'—implied.
Theory and reality were starkly different. Being defenseless for a full minute after activating the Immortal Function was no different from laying your neck on the chopping block in a real battle.
Shirone: "I understand what you're trying to say. It's true that this power is still too much for me to handle. I'll train hard from now on to make it my own."
Alpheas: "Good. You've found a good connection. It's yours. Embrace it and ponder over it countless times."
Shirone: "Yes, thank you."
After confiding in Alpheas, Shirone felt much lighter. It might have been passing the responsibility to an adult, but in the end, that was the natural order of things.
What Shirone could do was grow up quickly and share their burdens.
When Shirone returned to school, Alpheas locked the door and returned with a serious expression.
It was new information about Heaven, something he hadn't heard in a year.
When Miro returned from Heaven, she had accepted the reality that she had to save everyone through her own sacrifice.
But Shirone was different. He had fought against Heaven.
Struggle creates enemies, but it also creates allies.
Shirone had gained comrades through his struggle in Heaven. The world would soon take notice of his achievements, which were different from Miro's.
Alpheas (to himself): "Darling, I'm honestly afraid. I don't even know who that boy is anymore."
Ataraxia. Alpheas had told Shirone to embrace it and bear it himself, but those were irresponsible words.
However, it wasn't in his nature to give advice when faced with a power he couldn't handle himself.
Alpheas (to himself): "It's been a long time since my blood boiled like this. It might sound disappointing, but I wonder if the mistake of letting you go wasn't meant to meet this boy in the future."
He didn't think only he could teach Shirone. But the failures of his youth would undoubtedly serve as the foundation for Shirone's growth.
Alpheas (to himself): "What do you think? Can I be a little more greedy?"
The Erina in the painting was smiling.
Arin walked happily through the flowerbed behind the advanced class, where autumn flowers were in full bloom. It was a narrow open space where no one came, which made it even more appealing.
Even though most of the classes covered things she already knew, attending school for the first time in his life was much harder to adapt to than she had expected.
Canis: "Arin, you waited, right?"
Canis ran over with a rice ball in his arms. Since Alpheas had paid the tuition, room and board were free, but he didn't want to rely on the school's help. It might have been childish stubbornness to use the dormitory but refuse meals, but Alpheas didn't stop him.
This was the school that had killed Arcane. Even without mentioning his young age, his determination to honor his teacher's memory was admirable.
Canis: "Let's eat. I'm not sure if the seasoning is right this time."
Arin sat on the flowerbed and picked up the rice ball. At first, it had been too salty to eat, but gradually, the flavor had deepened.
Canis: "I think we might have to work at night."
Arin: "Canis, the principal is giving us an allowance too. Being stubborn seems foolish."
Canis: "I know. But the moment you take things for granted, it's over. I'll accept what I have to, but I'll refuse step by step. I can't surrender shamefully to the enemy of my teacher."
Canis added, "If it's urgent, I'll use it. But I don't want to rely on it."
Canis wasn't wrong. Above all, the two of them still weren't used to mingling with the other kids in the cafeteria.
Dante: "Tch, they're not here either. Where did they go?"
Dante and his group entered the flowerbed. Canis had heard rumors about who they were, but he didn't want to pay attention. Whether they were stars of the kingdom or not, it was just childish.
Dante: "Should I ask?"
Dante also noticed Canis and approached. Upon closer inspection, he felt so sorry for them that he could cry. He thought they might be on a date, but they were squatting and eating rice balls pitifully. They were clearly being ostracized. In any group, there are always those who are left out.
Dante: "Hey, are you guys class reps?"
Dante asked, but no answer came. Even though he had spoken loudly enough to be heard, all they seemed to care about were their rice balls.
Closer: "Don't you have money to buy food? Does this rural school accept paupers? It's so low-level, I can't stand it."
Arin glanced at Closer. Then, as if someone might snatch it away, she chewed like a squirrel.
He had known since he was a child that those who belittle food are the first to pick up a fork.
Closer: "Are you possessed? Eat slowly. I'm not going to steal it."
Still, there was no response from the two. Dante grew frustrated. Maybe it was because they were in the countryside, but he kept seeing scenes he would never encounter in the city.
Dante: "Are you hiding here because the other kids bully you? You're pathetic. Just fight back. Don't let them push you around."
Canis: "So what?"
Canis couldn't hold back and raised his head. The thing he hated most in the world was being disturbed while eating.
When Dante looked into Canis's eyes, he realized his mistake. A practitioner? No, it was something deeper—a hostility swirling from within. This guy had crossed a line.
Closer: "Oh? You're pretty tough, huh? Do you need a taste of my fist to wake up?"
Dante: "Stop it, Closer."
Dante intervened. He had a feeling that provoking them would only lead to a messy situation. Even in this situation, Arin showed no signs of tension.
Did that mean he was confident? Or had he lived through battlefields surrounded by corpses?
Dante: "Hey, are you the top of your class?"
Canis: "The top? That's Shirone, isn't it?"
'Is this guy also Shirone?'
Dante fell into thought. After Iruki, even Canis pointed to Shirone. He finally felt like he was getting somewhere. Teacher Olivia had nailed it.
Dante: "Where is Shirone?"
Canis: "How should I know? Isn't he in the cafeteria?"
Dante: "He's not, that's why I'm asking."
Canis had a rough idea. Shirone had probably gone to report to Alpheas about the matters concerning Heaven.
If it would get rid of these annoying guys, he might as well tell them, but he wasn't in the mood.
Canis: "What will you do if you find Shirone?"
Dante: "I'll crush him. If you say Shirone is the best, then once I defeat him, you'll have to follow me, right?"
Canis: "Hahahaha!"
Canis couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. Closer, however, glared and stepped forward.
Closer: "You think this is funny? Do you even know who we are?"
Canis: "Do you even know who Shirone is?"
Dante: "I know. He's the one who reached the level of the Immortal Function. But what does that matter? If you think being a mage is just a fancy job, you're mistaken. Magic is, without a doubt, a killing technique."
Canis didn't disagree with that. After spending so much time with the saintly Shirone, it was refreshing to hear something so blunt.
But if Shirone had truly been nothing more than a naive pushover, he would have been crushed long ago.
Shirone was different. That was the key.
Canis: "I'm saying this because I'm genuinely concerned, but don't mess with that guy. Seeing you reminds me of how I used to be."
Dante: "Hahaha! So what, just because you lost means I'll lose too? Now I see, you're just a loser."
Canis remained calm. He hadn't lived a life beautiful enough to waste emotions on cheap provocations.
Canis: "Winning and losing aren't what's important. How far have you fallen?"
Dante: "I don't know what you're talking about, but I've never fallen. Unlike you."
Canis: "Then give it a try. You'll get to feel what it's like to hit rock bottom. Hehehe."
Dante's face turned red. Even in Bashka, the capital, no one had ever looked down on him. It wasn't because this place was special, but because they were ignorant. He hadn't come here to deal with these country bumpkins.
Dante: "This is interesting. I'll crush you. When that happens, you'll have to kneel before me too."
As Dante led his group away, Canis lost his appetite. He couldn't understand why so many nobles acted so selfishly.
Arin: "That was unexpected, Canis. You just admitted Shirone is the best."
Canis: "I hate troublesome things. I don't want attention in a place like this."
Arin: "Well, Shirone will handle it anyway."
Canis pouted. He had thought Arin, as a member of the Heaven faction, would at least show some concern.
Arin: "But… doesn't that sound a bit irresponsible?"
Canis: "Hmm, no. If it's Shirone, I think it'll be fine."
Arin, sucking on her finger, looked at the rice ball still in Canis's hand.
Arin: "Did you finish yours?"
Canis: "No, this is…"
Canis defensively pulled the rice ball closer. He should have finished it quickly. Because of those idiots, he was about to lose a meal.
Canis: "Oh, I finished it. You can have it."
Arin: "Hehe, thanks."
Arin, her hunger somewhat satisfied, asked leisurely:
Arin: "Come to think of it, Shirone has a lot of enemies."
Canis: "But he also has a lot of allies. He won't be lonely."
Canis looked up at the clear sky. Harvest was still analyzing the Book of Light and Darkness brought from Heaven.
Having inherited Arcane's legacy, there was no need to rush. Maybe it was okay to take it easy sometimes. They had been running nonstop until now.
Canis: "Take it slow, take it slow."
Arin: "Yeah, let's do that."
Canis smiled and looked at Arin. Then, as if giving up, he shook his head and patted her back.
Canis: "Eat a little slower."