C18
This time, it was Klumph's turn to be surprised. He always thought this, but Alpheas was a friend who knew how to play with people.
“Huh? I did hear that when the path of magic opens up, you gain the ability of foresight. I guess it's true.”
“It's not like that. I just had a short interaction with him before… He left a pretty strong impression.”
As rare as it was to encounter such a man of talent around the world, it was even more uncommon to discover someone as talented as Shirone in the magic academy.
Moreover, he could guarantee that Shirone was the only commoner who was in the city of Creas.
“So that is what happened…”
Alpheas briefly described his encounter with Shirone who, at the time, was 12 years old.
After Alpheas finished his story, Klumph began talking about how Shirone joined the Ogent family.
“Hmm… Shirone Arian.”
Alpheas went silent again. But this time, he was actually deep in thought.
Klumph spoke.
“Why don't you just take him in? Who knows, maybe it is fate. Don't you think so?”
“Fate is a foolish word and concept. Humans shape their own futures. If you deem whatever happens to you as fate, then at that point, 'fate' controls your life. You give up trying because whatever happens is 'fated' to be.
It didn't work this time either.
Klumph pursed his lips.
On one side, his heart pained. It was because he understood his friend's dilemma.
“You… still haven't forgiven yourself?”
Alpheas went quiet.
“Despite the sharp stares of the nobles, you probably opened the special admission because of your regret over your youth. But you've done enough. You have already raised countless prodigies, so stop dishonoring yourself. Forgive yourself and let go.”
“Huhuhu, there exists arrogance when forgiving oneself. I was someone who trashed the precious talent gifted by god. It's not something that can be forgiven. I'm just hoping that a person like me will never appear again.”
Klumph let out a deep sigh.
Alpheas was a certified Grade 4 mage and was the headmaster of a prestigious academy, but he was not someone who should've stopped there. He was a genius.
'If only that incident never happened…'
“Keukeuh. Well, in the past, even I found you ridiculously full of yourself. The Myrhe family's light. For a genius who might only appear once every blue moon to be acting as an old headmaster of an academy… How funny.”
With age, one learns to embrace and accept pain, so Alpheas gave no heed to Klumph despite his harsh words.
“Chuckle! On the other hand, you received the help of god. Who would've thought that a once talentless idiot would become a 3rd-class swordsman? I'm quite worried for the future of this kingdom.”
The two broke out cackling.
Talent and effort… It was fair to say that Klumph won in terms of those elements. Alpheas admired him and was simply proud to have Klumph as a friend.
“I've thought about this more and more as I've gotten older, but I believe 'genius' is just a man-made delusion. 'Geniuses' are only people who just enjoy something a bit more than most people do… Can that boy comfort me?”
“That's something only you would know the answer to, my friend. ”
Alpheas walked to the window with a smile.
'So in the end, does it all come back?'
The talent blocked by a barrier called status had once again appeared in front of Alpheas after four years.
He believed there was no such thing as fate. The future was something that could change and was not pre-determined.
But Alpheas felt a sudden thrill course through his body.
Perhaps… Fate was real?
“…I will accept Shirone into the academy.”
Spring arrived.
With flowers in full bloom around Vincent's cabin, Shirone patiently awaited for the entrance ceremony.
Shirone's admission to the magic academy was a family celebration, so Vincent did not tell anyone about it.
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
