Chapter 232 - Infinite Mage

However, the protectors of the group had different circumstances. Each was clenching their teeth desperately. 'Hmm, they're certainly strong...' Zion and Woo Rin didn't seem particularly shocked. Since she hadn't expected much from the start, Amy glanced over to where Orkamp was. More precisely, she was looking at the tall man standing behind Orkamp. There were many masters present here, but there was no one as tense as that man. Furthermore, it seemed he still hadn't adjusted, as he was covering his face with his right hand. 'Damn it! That scared me.' Arius decided to believe in the existence of souls. When the halo was born, he felt something in his mind fly outward. It was a sensation of tremendous shock. Since joining the ranks of the Magician's Seven, he'd never experienced mental stun for more than a second, so it was astonishing. 'They've manifested the Immortal Function into a form. Is that the basic mental structure of the Nephilim?' After finishing the analysis of the halo, Arius waited calmly. He planned to understand the mechanism through this demonstration and find a way to break the encapsulation. Once Ataraxia began to integrate, his eyes shone intensely. 'It's begun! The first step is a binary choice. Based on binary?' With the first magic circle embedded at the center of the halo, a shower of lights poured in. The nobles marveled at the extravagant spectacle, but Arius did not miss a single concept being integrated into Ataraxia. 'Algebra. Nonlinear geometry. Multivariable equations. Vanessa's theorem. Solid integration. Eisen's relativity. And that... Hegel's paradox?' As more concepts accumulated within Ataraxia, his thoughts began to overload. His head felt ready to explode. As the integration passed the halfway point, even the Zeta function, known as the cutting edge of human intellect, appeared. It's hypothesized to contain the universe's blueprint, seen through the pattern of prime numbers. Arius stopped thinking. Or rather, he couldn't think. Every concept subsequent to the Zeta function was unfamiliar, embedding themselves rapidly within the halo. It was beyond analysis. 'Damn it...' As the integration concluded, Ataraxia emerged as a resplendent, unified concept—an entity of super-power amplification that humans could never replicate. Arius shivered with a sense of defeat. Comprehending only 65% of the complete circuit was all he managed. Compared to the 17% Shirone managed before giving up during his remote connection with Ikhael, Arius’s intelligence was of a remarkable level. Yet missing even 1% means missing everything. Shirone gazed at the Ataraxia hovering before his eyes, lost in thought. His life would change depending on what he chose from here. About ten seconds later, the nobles watching intently began to lose interest. Knowing how crucial even a single second can be in real combat, they were simply disappointed by Shirone’s apparent indecision. “What’s he doing? If he's going to do it, he should do it. If not, then leave it be.” “He seems indecisive. Or maybe he needs further preparation?” Nobles accompanied by grand magicians scarcely had the patience for a student-level demonstration. With complaints arising from all around, Zion chimed in with a voice. “Haha! Rumors tend to be exaggerated. How many high-ranking magicians reside in the capital, and yet a mere magician aspirant is being verified?” Those presumed to be followers of the Theraze faction chimed in one by one. Leaving the atmosphere to evolve as it may, Zion haughtily looked down at Shirone. The stage was perfectly set now. All that remained was for Shirone to confess his shortcomings. Shirone listened to the voices from all directions. As expected, the majority were Zion's cronies. ‘Yeah, let's give it up. From the start, they were too strong an adversary for me to handle.’ Shirone let his shoulders slump and opened his mouth. “I….” Though the first words of his crucial declaration came, the murmurs of the nobles showed no signs of stopping. Realizing his voice was too soft, Shirone took a deep breath, filling his lungs to ensure everyone could hear him. ‘Wait a moment…’ Suddenly, a strange thought came to him. Is surrendering the right decision? It was a thought that surged not from his mind, but from his very body. 2. The Trap of the Binary Choice (4) Throughout his life, he'd never judged by what others possessed. That 18 years of habit rang the bells of doubt. Then, at last, his mind began to clear. This was a trap of binary choice. A battle Zion would win no matter what he selected. The danger of binary logic lies in its ability to block out any possibilities beyond the given options. By presenting something bad alongside something worse, it compels one to choose the lesser evil, giving the illusion of having benefited while in truth, you're being played by the enemy. Shirone realized he had misinterpreted Woo Rin's words. No one would give away a gold coin without reason. Conversely, this meant that no one would help a quitter. Thinking you’ll be spared by the Theraze gang due to a pitiable plea was an illusion. The capital is a den of predators. Showing weakness only ensures they’ll devour every scrap of flesh clinging to your bones. That’s what Woo Rin intended to convey. If you wish to survive, bark. Sharpen your teeth and growl. Wield your claws so that no one considers you easy prey. The moment you cease to fight, every predator in the capital will come for you. “Whew!” At last, Shirone exhaled. He didn't know how long he had held his breath, but the air rushed out endlessly. It was as if all the cluttered thoughts were purged from his mind. With clearer senses, the target became vividly apparent. Shirone assumed the proper stance to cast magic. Yet the nobles merely snickered in response. In their eyes, if Shirone had any intelligence, he would've exhibited his skills swiftly and flamboyantly. As far as Shirone's magical prowess was concerned, that could be gauged by experts. What they truly wanted to see was his determination. With such lukewarm resolve, he wouldn't convince any noble. Yet Shirone paid it no mind. He would become a predator. With that thought, he focused his mind, and an explosive photon cannon emerged before him. Shirone continually compressed the photons. The sphere of light trembled violently as it repeatedly contracted and expanded. Amy was alarmed by how much longer casting the photon cannon was taking than usual. In his Icheonbeon duel, with his mental energy nearly depleted, it still possessed the power to down a system. What would happen if the ultimate photon cannon was passed through Ataraxia was beyond imagination. 'It's not enough yet. This won't satisfy me!' Shirone persisted in compressing the sphere of light. From the beginning, there were no allies or enemies here. Both the Theraze and Orkamp factions intended only to use him. 'More... more!' Tears welled up. Memories of the past three days surged back all at once. As he recalled his mother’s fearful face, the photon cannon compressed dramatically, becoming a blinding white state that could accept no more photons. The photon cannon, as large as a human head, quivered as if about to break its gravitational bounds. Amy shot up from her seat, realizing how extreme this was and the unpredictability of its outcome posed a risk. But before she could utter a word, Shirone's photon cannon pierced through Ataraxia. Having already experienced something similar during their Icheonbeon encounter, she squeezed her eyes shut and twisted away. Flash! A massive tunnel of light appeared in front of Shirone, clearing everything in its path. Even the very air was swept aside. A deafening roar echoed, numbing the audience's ears, and the intense light momentarily erased their vision. All was dark for a time. When their eyes adjusted, the world revealed itself as completely transformed from a second ago. The inner walls of the Coliseum and even the distant mountainous ridges had vanished. Particles, reduced to dust, drifted above the ground like a massive curtain of smoke. As the wind scattered the dust, the trail of the photon cannon became visible. A flat expanse broad enough for dozens of carriages stretched to the horizon. The nobles found themselves surrounded by high-ranking magicians. Swordsmen kept a wary eye on their surroundings, ready to intervene if Shirone did anything suspicious. However, Shirone remained steadfast, merely struggling to hold onto his consciousness amidst the backlash from unleashing a full-powered photon cannon. Never before had he cast Ataraxia without collapsing. It was partly due to his increased endurance, but it was also evidence of his fiercely determined spirit. Shirone turned his intense gaze around. Woo Rin, still seated, responded only with a subtle lift of her eyebrow and a mocking smile. She rose, whispering something to a nearby cat, before leaving the Coliseum without hesitation. 3. Midnight Ball (1) Orkamp's steps were quicker than usual. Even with his normally unflappable nature, this time he found it difficult to control his emotions. He pushed open the door to his study and gulped down the water from the desk before he could calm his mind. Ataraxia. It was a truly catastrophic magic. But perhaps it wasn't all that surprising. What he witnessed was the ability of an archangel, the supreme commander of heaven. And it was said there were seven other archangels of equal power in heaven. Suddenly, he felt doubt. Could Valkyries oppose such might? 'Enough. Let's not look too far ahead. Ultimately, it's advantageous for me.' If he could replicate Ataraxia, joining the 'Holy War', the supreme assembly of Valkyrie's national representatives, wouldn't be just a dream. The world's strongest twelve sovereigns. Though aspiring to a position like Empress Theraze within the 'Three Imperial Realms' might be too ambitious, aiming for the 'Seven Royal Stars' below them was quite attainable. In such a case, Theraze wouldn't be able to deny Kazra's independence any longer. Orkamp indulged in imagining what it would feel like to control the world’s economy, culture, society, life, knowledge, and art at will. "What do you think?" Orkamp asked, as Arius emerged from the shadows of the study. Such an entrance was displeasing from a ruler’s standpoint, but Arius was stubborn in peculiar ways. However, today was different from previous times. He, too, was as flushed with excitement as Orkamp. "Indeed, it was remarkable. Ataraxia is an impressive ability." "That's not what I'm talking about. Can you replicate it now?" "It's impossible." Orkamp thought he might have misheard, but his ears were fine. Suppressing his rising anger was no easy feat, and he couldn't calm down. He had done everything Arius demanded up until now, even going so far as to pierce his own child's heart in this demonstration. "Why can't it be done? Is it another encapsulation issue?" "The primary reason is indeed encapsulation. But even if we break through that, it's still the same. Ataraxia surpasses human concepts. Simply put, even Shirone himself doesn’t fully understand it." "Does that make any sense? I clearly saw Shirone casting Ataraxia with my own eyes. Are you suggesting Shirone isn't human?" "In a way, yes. Something inhuman is housed within a human body. Shirone doesn't understand or control Ataraxia. How about I put it this way? It just happens." Orkamp's eyes grew cold. "Speak clearly. You must convince me with this answer." Sensing the danger, Arius dropped his frivolous demeanor. "The most likely scenario is that Ataraxia is imprinted deep in Shirone's subconscious. It probably borders on instinct. In that case, it’s not surprising he can wield a power he doesn't consciously understand, much like how one doesn’t need to understand breathing to breathe." "Instinct, huh? Then can't we extract it from there?" "Well, instinct falls under what’s called primal consciousness, ruled at the genetic level. No matter how good a diver I am, diving that far is impossible. Or rather, to be exact, while diving is possible, I'd be crushed by Shirone's subconscious." Orkamp slammed the desk. All Arius had said was that it couldn’t be done. And now, he was speaking of risking his life to avoid diving further. "Do you think I hired you to hear such nonsense? Without obtaining Ataraxia, I am—" "There is one way." Orkamp quickly changed his expression, pretending as if he hadn't just erupted in anger. Of course, Arius of the Black Line’s Magician's Seven wouldn't be boasting of his incompetence without some alternatives. "I apologize for not mentioning it earlier. However, this method could be problematic. You'll need to be prepared, Your Highness." "I'm always prepared. What's the method?" Arius glanced around before whispering in Orkamp's ear. Typically, he wouldn't care if Eliza were eavesdropping, but this time it was wise to be cautious. "What-what did you say?" Orkamp's eyes widened in shock, while Arius's eyes narrowed like a snake. Devoid of his smile, Arius’s face resembled that of a viper. "It's the only way." Orkamp steadied himself against the desk with trembling hands. "Tha-that can’t be. Do you understand what that implies?" "Of course. But with this method, Ataraxia is guaranteed." Orkamp exhaled roughly. To obtain Ataraxia means to possess a power designated Triple S in Valkyrie. Kazra's independence. The Seven Royal Stars. Many thoughts raced through his mind. "But... do we really have to go that far?" "Your Highness, as I've repeatedly mentioned, time is of the essence. A swift decision is necessary." Orkamp shook his head. He needed time. Even if he went through with it, how would they handle the backlash to follow? Prepared measures would be essential. "Just, just give me a little time to think." Arius's face contorted with frustration, but when Orkamp lifted his head, Arius seamlessly returned to his ingratiating smile. "Of course, it's a matter that requires time. I understand. Call on me when your certainty returns." Arius bowed and exited the study. Making his way swiftly down the corridor, he leaned back against a deserted section of the wall and cursed under his breath. "Tch, foolish idiot. Pathetic. Like a complete fool." Orkamp's reaction was, of course, normal. After bringing Shirone home, reunited after 18 years, he subjected him to such shame and humiliation, now intending to rob him of his dearest possession. But a king's ruthlessness should have no limits. When there are boundaries to decisions based on what is permissible or not, it reveals a small-minded character. Hesitation results in obtaining nothing. Even if one eventually follows the proposal, guilt will blur the mind. Those who waver will eventually ruin everything. 'I'm disappointed, Orkamp. I thought you were a ruthless ruler, but you're just an ordinary noble, no different from the rest.' 3. Midnight Ball (2)