Chapter 241 - Infinite Mage

Zion, unable to contain himself, swung the blade of his gauntlet as he approached Shirone. “Tsk! Enough! I'll handle it!” “Do not approach him!” Zion flinched and halted his steps. Naturally arrogant, he was more annoyed by the scolding than relieved to be out of danger. “Why? It's not like he can move anyway.” “That is a time barrier, a specialty of time-lockers. Simply put, it converts slow magic into an escape-type spell.” “Escape-type? Speak in a way I can understand.” Arius found Zion's ignorance pathetic, but he had no choice. Considering a battle might break out, he needed to clarify while facing the masked figure. Zion’s combat capabilities were not something to count on, but depending on how he used Armin, they could be beneficial. “If you enter the barrier, Your Highness will end up in the same predicament.” Zion observed Shirone and Xenoger, frozen in time. Being in such a state with an enemy right before them was a dreadful situation. “Just stay away. The moment you touch it, anyone ends up the same.” “Then what if that guy makes a move first?” “That’s impossible too. If the spellcaster enters, the escape-type barrier dissolves. In other words, time resumes for him. It's inevitable for the masked one to maintain this state.” Arius scrutinized the barrier without removing his guard from the masked figure. Its radius wasn't as vast as expected. However, being a specialist in temporal magic, the time distortion was likely immense. 'Hm?' Arius sensed something odd and stared intently at the time barrier focused on Shirone and Xenoger. 'They’re moving...?' Xenoger's arm was moving. Though it was imperceptible to the naked eye, the 'feeling' of movement was unmistakable. 'How is this possible?' Considering the opponent’s skill from the prior chase utilizing Flicker, an extreme time distortion should have occurred. Yet, at this rate, visible movement might become discernible after just about an hour. 'Calculating the time to submerge into Stage 1 consciousness…' Arius swallowed dryly. It wasn’t over yet. Though the brain hadn’t completely dissociated from the body, an unconscious pressure existed, but still, Shirone had endured a near-death shock. Furthermore, by the time Shirone reached Stage 1, his condition would worsen, and by securing an advantageous position, victory was within grasp. “Your Highness, I will open the door.” “What? Now?” “There is still hope. But ironically, I’ll need some assistance. Once I enter, please follow immediately.” Arius activated a door spell outside the barrier. As the Spirit Zone materialized, a two-meter-high, spherical portal emerged. Zion gritted his teeth, appearing conflicted. But there was no time to hesitate. Facing the masked figure was equally unpleasant. “Damn it! What a hassle!” Zion retracted his tendrils and flung himself through the door. The masked figure rose from a crouching position. After a brief contemplation, he dashed towards the door without looking back. “Wait!” The masked figure halted before the door and turned to Amy. “Take me with you! It's a door to heaven, right? I’ve been there before. I’ll help rescue Shirone.” For the first time, the masked figure spoke. "How do you plan to enter in that condition?” “Well, if you could just free me…” “Ignite.” “What?” Amy looked at the masked figure with shocked eyes. “You don’t know Ignite? Aren’t you a flame mage? Sticky webs are vulnerable to fire. You could have burned them with flame magic to free yourself.” “Oh…” Amy's face went blank. She couldn't comprehend why she hadn’t thought of that herself. Was it the urgency of the situation? That was part of it. But to be precise, it had been suppressed from surfacing. While the flames in the Spirit Zone wouldn’t harm a mage, the fire generated by burning webs would. That risk calculation impaired her ability to think straight. Even as Shirone was nearing death. 'Why am I…?' Tears welled up in Amy's eyes as she lowered her head. “There’s no need to blame yourself. Without proper training, it's hard to respond in these situations. You lack experience. Following me is dangerous. It won’t take long. Wait here.” “No! I'll go with you!” With fierce determination burning in her eyes, Amy shouted back. She felt she’d regret it for life if the masked figure left without her. ‘It's not fear! I’m not scared of the flames!’ Truly, she hadn’t considered it. But if it were Shirone… he would've thought of it. Perhaps his last words were not an escape plan, but rather Ignite? Even as he faced death, he aimed to protect her by saying that… ‘Shirone! I will save you!’ As Amy cast Fire Mist, flames engulfed the webs. As the masked figure claimed, they burned away rapidly. Ignoring the threat of harm to her face, she squeezed her eyes shut against the heat. Suddenly, the heat disappeared. When she opened her eyes, she saw the masked man holding the shredded webs in the air. Like magician’s threads, they quickly burned to nothingness. “W-Why?” The masked figure sighed and knelt before Amy. “Foolish. Even if you freed yourself, the outcome wouldn't change. He is no fool; Shirone's death would have been accelerated.” Amy rose promptly. This man was genuinely strong. Even now, he remained focused on achieving something. “Let me go with you. No, I’ll go alone if I must.” “Amy! I’m coming too! Get me out!” Reina, clinging to a high point, swung her legs as she shouted. Casting Ignite between her fingers, Amy inquired. “You sure? It’ll be hot.” “My insides are burning even more right now! Hurry up! The tunnel might close at any moment.” With a smirk, Amy intensified the flame between her thumb and forefinger. Even with just a hint of heat, the web would catch fire instantly. She thought that perhaps due to gravity, Reina might avoid serious burns upon falling. However, just as she was about to cast the spell, the web split vertically, and Reina plummeted to the ground. Amy looked at the masked figure in astonishment. Who was this person who easily severed only the web with a simple Wind Cutter? He was definitely not someone within her known circle. Reina landed gracefully and approached Amy. She, too, glanced at the masked figure with a hint of suspicion. Though he didn't seem malicious, she couldn't drop her guard without knowing who he was. The masked figure inspected the state of the door. Energetic fields were strongly emanating from the edges, indicating its dwindling lifespan. 5. The Abundance of Variables (6) "Since it has come to this, I won’t stop you. However, I advise you to wait. Once you enter, I cannot guarantee your safety. Leave Shirone to me." The masked figure quickly spoke and dashed into the door. Amy scrutinized Shirone’s condition. A slender thread of web tightly wound around his neck was clearly visible. Moreover, his focus never wavered from the spot where he was bound. It wasn’t entirely halted, but if left like this, eventual death was inevitable. Amy and Reina exchanged glances, their eyes meeting in mutual resolve. Without delay, they both jumped into the doorway. Five seconds later, the door vanished. Frozen at the brink between life and death, Xenoger and Shirone were gradually thawing. A faint “Ignite…” issued slowly from Shirone’s lips. He likely intended to yell Ignite. 6. A Colossal Secret (1) Shirone’s Consciousness. Level 11 Depth Psychology. Boom! Thunder rumbled. Rain poured relentlessly. The dark clouds obscured the sky so thoroughly that it was impossible to tell whether it was day or night. Amy gazed around the street, drenched by the torrential rain. Though the city was unfamiliar, it evoked a strange sense of déjà vu. Buildings lined the brick-paved road, and torches burning whale oil adorned each establishment, though they faltered in the harsh wind. The usual beggars had all taken refuge, leaving only men in ready-made clothes huddling in their coats, hurrying along the street. In the distance, a carriage draped with a rain cover was heading for the city gate, trying to escape the city. It was presumably daytime. Amy and Reina shivered in the cold, glancing at each other in disbelief. Their clothes were plastered to their bodies, and they looked like drowned rats. “Where are we…?” “I had a feeling you’d come.” Startled, both women instinctively shielded themselves and spun around. Though they were clothed, their figures were quite visible, sparking natural wariness. From the shadow of an alley, the masked man emerged. “I had a hunch, so I waited.” Amy questioned him. “Who are you? What’s your relationship with Shirone?” Instead of answering, the man removed his mask. Even though his face had been concealed, it was perplexing how he could see. His eyes were covered with a thin bandage. He had been blind from the start. “I am Generade Armin. I share a bit of history with Shirone.” Amy tilted her head, puzzled by their supposed connection. Of course, Shirone might have connections unknown to others. But if he knew someone of such skill, surely he would have mentioned it. “How can I trust you? Shirone’s never said anything…” Ignoring her protests, Armin glanced around and then pointed alternately at the two women. “Let’s at least get out of the rain. Follow me.” The brief moments in the downpour caused their body temperatures to plummet, forcing them to comply. Moreover, even among women, modesty made them reluctant to endure such vulnerability. Armin led them to a location serving as both a restaurant and an inn. Before entering, Amy noted the sign on the building. Written in a language similar to, but subtly different from, Tormia, its meaning eluded her. “Welcome.” As they entered, a woman in her forties behind the counter offered a formal greeting while knitting. From the outside, it seemed the building might be too narrow, but inside, the layout stretched deep within. The main hall was about twenty square meters and contained three tables where patrons could drink. In one corner, hunters warmed themselves with hot alcohol. Past the hall, a narrow corridor extended deeper, with a heated oven placed in the floor. Thanks to a proper drainage system, rainwater didn’t penetrate this far. Square tables were arranged for dining, and those dressed as travelers were eating their meals. Armin suggested an available space to the women and seated himself on the opposite side of the table. Just then, a musician wearing a conical hat by the hearth began tuning a four-stringed instrument. Inns frequented by travelers often hired musicians to perform when a certain number of guests gathered. Additionally, when the crowd was insufficient, personal payments could still prompt a performance. The musician played and sang with a sorrowful tone. The song was about a knight, who, having lost a loved one, embarked on a journey in search of a place to die. The melody was serene, yet the lyrics were profoundly sad. Reina, surprised by the quality of the musician’s performance, noted it even defied conventional music theory, blending several melodies into one. Yet, none of the other travelers seemed perturbed. In fact, they were indifferent to everything, including the two women in their drenched attire. Amy found the situation curious. Not that she expected attention for her appearance, but still, it was an odd occurrence. Closer observation revealed they weren’t truly eating. Their forks moved back and forth between the food and their mouths in meaningless repetition. The reason they looked like they were eating, despite not actually doing so, was because they continued to mutter something with a gloomy expression. Unreadable signs, a strange song with jarring melodies, people who weren't eating, and those somber expressions. Amy suddenly felt a chill cascade down her spine. This place, she realized, was different from any world she had known. "Where is this place, exactly?" Armin nodded as though he had been waiting for this question. "This is Shirone's consciousness. I examined it before you arrived and deduced that we're in the eleventh stage, the Surface Psychology, of the twelve divisions of human consciousness." Amy remembered hearing about the twelve levels of human consciousness from Arin when she visited Galliant. But that wasn't the pressing issue. The fact that she was now inside it was the real problem. Reina seemed to grasp that as well and asked again. "So, you're saying this place is Shirone's consciousness?" Armin nodded, choosing to let the acknowledgment suffice rather than attempt to rationalize this bizarre world. Understanding Armin’s intent, Amy suppressed her curiosity. Priority was to believe for now. Wherever they were, finding a way to save Shirone was paramount. “We must find Arius. Plus, in the real world, Shirone's neck will be severed any moment.” Armin smiled gently and shook his head. "The time flow between reality and consciousness is quite different. You followed me here almost immediately, right? But I’ve been waiting here for over 30 minutes.” Amy quickly reasoned this. Though there was a slight time discrepancy, they had almost simultaneously entered this place with Armin. If he experienced a 30-minute difference, it was clear that time here moved considerably slower than in reality. 'Or rather, the speed of consciousness is faster.' Armin continued speaking. "Shirone will be alright for a while. Ideally, I would have slowed time even further, but there are limits even to the time barrier..." Armin had currently bound Keira, located 14 kilometers away from Kazra Castle, with the Stop Magic time barrier, leaving him with limited additional timelines. Utilizing slow magic, which ordinary magicians employ, would have drastically slowed down time, but it wasn’t a wise choice given the circumstances back then. Slow is an active magic. If a magician used their sole battery slot for Slow, they would leave themselves vulnerable to Arius, who was a magician of the same scale. Moreover, Arius was not an opponent easily outmaneuvered with time partitioning. Therefore, Armin opted for the passive skill, the Time Barrier. The time barrier, which occupies both space and time, maintains its effect in space even after activation, allowing one battery slot to respond flexibly to an opponent’s moves. Arius refrained from making any hasty moves in the standoff because he understood this strategy. Thanks to this, Shirone avoided immediate death, though Armin’s timeline was severely depleted. While he could create more barriers, they would be ineffective if the potency faded. ‘The only option left is Flicker. It seems I have no other choice.' Armin had waited for the two women because the state of the eleventh-level consciousness he entered was quite severe.