Chapter 163: Late Lunch (1)
WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
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INFINITE MAGE
"Huff, huff."
After observing the scene for a long time, Amy finally couldn't stand it any longer and shouted.
"Hey! Would you mind moving aside? How absurdly bold can you be? If people saw this, they'd think we're the bullies and you're the victim."
Marsha glanced at Amy and burrowed deeper into Shirone's embrace, pouting her lips in defiance. Amy could practically hear her patience snapping.
"I've had enough of you, seriously!"
Freeman stepped in to shield Marsha and pleaded.
"Let her be. She's exhausted from crying."
Amy glared at Freeman and pointed her finger.
"Are you delusional or something? Do you know how much trouble you've caused us? It's a good thing we won, but Shirone's life almost ended today!"
What really angered Amy was the idea that a positive outcome was all that mattered. If Shirone hadn't overcome today's crisis, the aftermath would have been terrifying. Not only would Shirone's heart have been crushed after losing his magic, but Amy, who had to witness it, felt like she'd returned from hell.
"I'm sorry. All the crimes committed while operating with the Parrot Thieves were under my orders. Marsha only fought the guild's trackers. But if that's a crime as well...."
Amy folded her arms and interrupted.
"And if it is?"
"Then I'll take responsibility for her life."
Marsha shot up from Shirone's embrace, approached Freeman with a huff, and kicked his backside.
"Don't make me laugh! Who said I needed you to block my way to marriage?!"
Freeman staggered but stood firm, like an old tree unmoved by Marsha's tantrums.
"Marsha."
Her shoulders trembled at Shirone's voice, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. She had taken her frustration out on Freeman out of fear of this very moment. In the end, she spoke without turning.
"Um... I'm sorry about what happened. I know I can't be forgiven."
"That's right. You can't."
Marsha turned around, shocked. Shirone's eyes were cold, the kindness he'd shown earlier gone without a trace.
"No matter the reason, you kidnapped and used an innocent girl. That's something you should never do."
Marsha couldn't argue and bowed her head. She had never bullied the weak before, but she didn't want to make excuses. She had kidnapped Yuna, and the person most hurt by that was Shirone.
"You're right. I was truly a villain."
"That's right. You were."
Shirone spoke without hesitation. He had always been that way, treating people sincerely and without deception. He never confused or misled others.
"I'll be going. I hope you can endure. And I hope I never see you again."
Shirone turned and walked away without hesitation. Pitying and understanding Marsha was all he could do.
"I'm sorry!"
Marsha suddenly mustered the courage to shout. Shirone had refrained from making any judgments about what had happened.
Just like when she had stolen pottery at the market, she had to approach him first.
"How can you just leave like this? I'm only getting started. At least give me a promise that we'll meet again!"
Shirone stood still for a long time before turning back around. His gaze was still sharp, and Marsha felt nervous like a prisoner awaiting her sentence.
"If you're really sorry, apologize to Yuna. Tell her brother Zis you're sorry, too. Compensate them fully for what they've suffered."
"What other person with no eyebrows exists besides you and a monkey?"
"But monkeys aren't people."
"No! I'm saying you're a monkey! By the way, you lost, didn't you? What a pathetic coward. How many times did I tell you not to use that Reverse Technique Tree, huh? Huh?"
Marsha jabbed a fork into Freeman's temple.
Watching them bicker, Amy suddenly realized something. It was certainly strange that Freeman was fine after being struck directly by her Flame Strike.
"Reverse Technique Tree?"
Those who trained in Schema often layered multiple schemas for building up techniques. The base schema formed the foundation, and others were layered on top as options.
Reversing them suddenly was the Reverse Build.
Schema users called this "Reversal," a defensive build used only in life-threatening situations.
Gunners prioritized agility and precision and based their schema on sensory or neural enhancements. Defensive builds for regeneration or cell activation had to be added as options.
Freeman, a gunner himself, wouldn't have been any different.
According to Marsha, Freeman fought using the defensive Reverse Build from the start.
This explained why his face remained unscathed despite being burned by Flame Strike.
"That last speed he showed when saving Marsha was incredible."
That must have been the gunner's normal speed without a reversal. The realization left Amy boiling with rage.
Freeman, perhaps sensing her mood, spoke up.
"If not for the Reversal, the opponent would have used a different strategy. It's not about being strong or weak. You just adapt to the situation, and courage is a skill too. You were stronger than me, Amy. That's all."
Marsha rested her chin in her hand, chuckling softly. Her cowardly eyebrowless Freeman could now speak quite manly.
Receiving praise from her opponent, Amy felt slightly awkward.
"Well... you were pretty impressive yourself, old man."
"Thanks. But I'm not an old man. I'm the same age as Marsha."
"So what? You might be her age, but you're still an old man to me."
Freeman sulked and returned to his bread. He wanted to ask why Shirone called Marsha "sister," but his timid nature held him back.
Once the playful banter died down, Marsha's expression turned serious again.
"Anyway, Shirone, if you're aiming to become a mage, you should be wary of Unregulated Eaters. I know it sounds strange coming from me."
"No, I want to know. Please, tell me more."
"Well, the Pillage spell I used wasn't all that efficient. The concept of stealing another's magic is overpowered, but it's just a possibility rather than an effective battle strategy."
Shirone agreed. If he had to risk his life for an ability, he wouldn't choose Pillage. There were too many limitations on stealing others' powers.
"I'm a special case. Most Unregulated Eaters are unique, but their magic isn't created for combat. Others use much more effective and versatile abilities."
"I see. In hindsight, it was terrifying fighting you. I never thought there was a way to seal Immortal Function."
"Haha, sorry about that. But you're right. Nothing's impossible in magic, and nothing is absolute either. You beat me because you found my weakness, right?"
"Yes. If Unregulated Eaters base their magic on trauma, I thought attacking that trauma persistently might create an opening."
"Exactly. It's a battle between conditions and prices. When fighting an Unregulated Eater, figuring out how their magic works is more important than their combat power. But I think you'll manage just fine."
"I learned a lot this time."
Shirone answered sincerely. This battle had shown him how vast the world was and how many outstanding people there were.
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