C58
Armin recalled the time.
“In the midst of darkness, space is not defined. As space disappeared, so did time. Then I came to the realization that the existence of 'me' already broke away from the concept of time. That is the secret to the omnipotence of using the Stop spell.”
Shirone's heart thumped loudly after hearing the key factor to succeeding with the Stop spell that countless mages had failed to conquer.
“But… Is it okay to tell me something important like this?”
“Yes, it's all right. I've only told you so that I can help you understand, but the bottom of it is actually quite complicated.”
'Of course it is.'
“And Stop isn't a particularly transcendent spell. It can only be performed within the radius of the Spirit Zone, and its biggest limitation is that it cannot affect the world.”
Armin looked back at Siena.
“She's a good sister, and a soft-hearted child. Don't you think so, Shirone?”
“Haha! I'm not so sure about the 'soft' part, but one thing that's certain is she's really strong. She is a certified Grade 6.”
“Yes. She is indeed a certified Grade 6 mage. But time has stopped. As such, can we harm the powerful Siena?
“Ah.”
Shirone turned to his friends.
No matter how it was looked at, they were beyond physical force boundaries.
“When time stops, energy cannot move. It's impossible to exchange force.”
“Yes. The incident itself cannot flow. Let's say we draw the sequence of explosions on pieces of paper. What if we don't have a next page? The explosion is kept frozen on the last page.”
Armin smiled.
“That is the essence of Stop magic. Time and space are inseparable. It is the same for acceleration and gravity. The mage's omnipotence senses the super-light speed within the Spirit Zone of the Stop magic. We have talked for a bit right now, but in reality, less than 0.1 seconds have passed. Relatively speaking, we are moving at the speed of light while having a conversation.”
“Speed of light.”
Shirone looked back at Nade again.
“So that's why we can't interfere with Nade since our current mass is zero.”
A matter with mass could not reach the super-light speed.
“With omniscience, yes. That's how it is. Of course, as this is magic, it would have to be combined with omnipotence. It is the mystery of time and space that takes place within the Spirit Zone.”
“Why…”
Shirone suddenly had a question.
“Why are you telling me this?.”
“It is because of that doubt, Shirone.”
Armin pulled the strip of cloth tightly around his eyes again.
“You asked how I knew you would notice, right? It is simple. It is because I experienced the same thing you experienced. We both know each other.”
“By the same experience, you mean…”
“Yes. The Immortal Function.”
Shirone's heart thumped widely.
There was a person in front of him who experienced the Immortal Function, something no one was able to help with. And he was the greatest time mage, no less.
“The Immortal Function is the realization of the whole. Since the whole is also one, the wavelengths between you and me resonate. That thing is called the Mourning Sensation. Just as you feel from me Shirone, I also feel from you.”
“…What is the Immortal Function?”
“You can say it is the gateway to infinity, and you, Shirone, opened that gate. In the mage society, these people are called Unlockers.”
Shirone, who was thinking for a moment, looked up.
“What will happen to me?”
“It will be all right. If Shirone still values the world, there is nothing to worry about. However… Did you feel your ego being scattered when you opened Immortal Function?”
“Yes, I did! I really thought I was going to disappear.”
“If you had decided to let it, then it would've happened. As the Spirit Zone expands to infinity, the mind ceases to exist. It is important for Unlockers to hold that spot. If the mind expands, the power increases, but if you go beyond the point of self-control your ego will be lost in the midst of the uncontrollable sense of freedom. Be sure to bear this in mind. If that happens, there is no turning back.”
Shirone gulped loudly.
“Also, Unlockers always have to keep in mind the size of their Spirit Zone, in other words, their limit. Do not think you have no limit. Limits exist because we are beings that will eventually die.”
Shirone mused over his words and asked.
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
