C42
Shirone was speechless. Nade gave a sheepish smile and explained the situation.
“Sorry. Actually, our research group has a bit of notoriety. It's a bit difficult to reveal our members.”
Now Shirone understood why Yiruki was close to Nade, but aside from that, his confusion stemmed from the fact that Yiruki was in the Supernatural Psychic Science.
Considering that Yiruki followed and praised logic, him being in an unscientific group was extremely surprising for Shirone.
“You mean Yiruki is interested in stuff like this?”
Nade shook his head.
“No, it's actually the opposite. He's approaching it from the opposite side. He believes that there's nothing illogical in this world. So what better group could there be to join than this one?”
Even amidst Nade's and Shirone's conversation, Yiurki murmured something as if he hadn't noticed anything.
Then after looking Nade's way, he noticed Shirone. His face brightened.
“Shirone!”
He approached without even giving Shirone time to say hello and shook his shoulders.
“You came just in time. I just came up with something great! That great thing is… Splitting the smallest matter! You might think how splitting the smallest is possible. That's exactly what I'm saying. If you split the smallest matter, it's no longer a substance! So then, what the hell is it? I've been doing the math for three days, and to my surprise, my god! It contains tremendous energy! What if this whole thing is possible? Hm? What do you think will happen? Quickly, tell me.”
Yiruki spoke so fast Shirone couldn't clearly understand, but seeing as how Yiruki's eyes were burning with passion, he felt like he had to say something.
“U-Um, well? The energy will be released?”
“An enormous explosion! An unimaginable explosion! An explosion that can blow up an entire city! Can you imagine it? Huh? If it's you, you might be able to imagine it!”
Shirone was dumbfounded.
Of course, he could imagine, but it was terrifying to even think about.
“If that happens, a lot of people will die.”
“What do you mean? I'm telling you, it's an explosion! An explosion! The city will be completely blown away!”
“That's what I'm saying! What will happen to the people living in the city if an explosion of that magnitude were to occur?”
“Huh? The people living there?”
Yiruki tilted his head, unable to understand what Shirone was saying. Shirone finally realized something and asked again.
“You… You've never thought about that, have you?”
“Of course not. What's of importance is how big the explosion can be. Do I have to bother thinking about things like that?”
Shirone got goosebumps.
“How could you? Does it make sense that a mage doesn't even consider the ramifications of his magic?”
“You talk foolishly, Shirone. Leave those things for anthropologists to ponder over. It is the duty of a genius to breakthrough. It's not that other mages don't do it even though they can. It's simply because they can't. The genius-ness given to us only exists so that we do something with it.”
“Genius or not, I don't care! I'd rather be a fool than be a genius who chooses to harm people.”
Yiruki did not back down either.
“Handful geniuses lead the majority that are fools. History proves it. It's also the unwanted reality in which we belong, Shirone, you should know how much I hate rubbing idealism in someone's face.”
“No, your logic is derived from defeatism, not reality. Ideals can come true.”
“An ideal is only that. Something that we WISH could be.”
Considering how heated their debate had gotten, Nade finally decided to break them apart.
“Now, now, stop it. Discussions and debates are all good, but emotional fights are a no-no. Let's sit down and talk calmly.”
“No, I have nothing to say. Nade, I'm leaving.”
Shirone opened the door and left.
Seeing the benignant Shirone leave so coldly meant he was really angry.
“H-Hey Shirone, wait up! How are you going to find your way out alone?”
“Leave him. It's not like the structure has changed. He should have at least memorized the way to get here. If he can't even do that, then he's really stupid.”
By the time Nade opened the door and left the room, Shirone was already walking out of the building.
Returning back to their hideout, Nade frowned and asked.
“Why did you do that? You could have said it in a more acceptable way.”
“I don't know why I did that either. I'll admit, I was a little aggressive. After all, he is my rival.”
“Whaaat?”
It was extremely rare for the word 'rival' to leave Yiruki's mouth. Not because he was arrogant, but more so because Nade knew his friend wasn't interested in competition.
'It's not just a competition to him.'
Relationship with the opposite sex, wealth, fame. Nothing could move him.
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
