C120
"But Shirone... If you're really planning to do something on the island, there's one problem."
"Huh? What's the problem?”
"Actually, I planned this vacation as a pair trip."
“A pair trip? So, you mean a boy and a girl, and another pair of boy and girl kind of trip?"
"Yes. My partner is supposed to come here. I should've told you beforehand. I didn't expect you to say you'd investigate the ruins."
Shirone looked up at the dim ceiling. A pair trip. That meant he had to bring a partner as well.
"Got it. I'll bring someone."
Rian looked back at Shirone in surprise. The Shirone he knew was a shy guy who would blush at the sight of women's underwear. He thought that finding a partner would be the biggest obstacle and kept quiet, but he broke his expectations and easily agreed.
"You…. Are you popular with women?”
"Hmm? Not like that. But I have someone to go with. Actually, I've been thinking about it. If you hadn't suggested it, I would have asked first."
Rian's eyes lit up. Regardless of the intent behind his words, doesn't it mean there is a girl he is interested in?
"Haha! Our house's witch would be jealous, wouldn't she?"
“Sister Reina? Why would your sister?”
“Keke, no. Anyway, I'm dying to know. Who's this girl? Is she pretty?"
"Hng. She’s pretty, she is... But I don't know if she will come. Maybe I will be rejected all at once.”
"No way, you have to bring her no matter what. Go get her consent tomorrow. I'll go back home and prepare in the meantime."
Shirone delayed his answer. If Rian brings a partner, then he must bring one too.
But he wasn't sure. If he were to guess based on her usual personality, there was a high chance that he would get scolded and driven away.
These and other worries squeezed Shirone's heart. But at the same time, he was also excited.
It was his first trip, and he was with friends. Besides, he had heard that Galliant Island was a famous tourist spot with a Southern charm.
Shirone couldn't sleep until late at night.
A New Encounter (1)
Shirone part way with Rian in the noble residential area. Since they were leaving tomorrow, he had to find a partner today.
Due to his unfamiliarity with the area, he had to ask around to find her house. The place he finally arrived at was a mansion too beautiful to have been built solely for residential convenience.
'This is Carmis' home.'
He had been friendly with her at school, but the thought of visiting her at home made him nervous. Even the guards at the front gate were looking at him suspiciously, which made him even more nervous.
"Uh…. Hello?"
"What brings you here?"
As Shirone approached, the guard's grip on the sword tightened. He reacted unknowingly. Through countless trials, Shirone's aura had grown to a level that could overwhelm criminals.
"Is Amy here?"
The guard's expression hardened. He had heard rumors that Amy was an object of envy among men her age. However, few people came to her hometown to visit her.
“Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Ah, my name is Shirone. Her friend from magic school."
The guard looked to his superior as if he couldn't make the decision himself. Then the superior's face darkened.
Although it is certainly a rare case, it was not an unfamiliar incident for him, who has been living in the Carmis Family for 20 years.
'Haaa, annoying. It's starting again right after vacation.'
Either way, unless there was an order to ban outsiders from the main house, he had to report it.
When the superior gestured with his chin to report it, the guard headed towards the mansion.
Shirone waited at the front door anxiously. Meanwhile, the superior glanced sideways at Shirone.
He looked decent and his character seemed alright, but he probably couldn't get into the mansion anyway.
So far, many men have been rejected. There have even been times when a person who was a distant relative of the royal family went home without ever seeing Amy.
Such a thing was unimaginable unless it was for the Carmis Family, whose name was known throughout the entire continent.
After about 10 minutes of waiting, a guard hurried back on horseback. Just by looking at the anxious face of his subordinate, the superior could predict the result.
The unfortunate ones were always the gatekeepers in such situations. Because if an nobleman who couldn't handle rejection decided to strike them, they would have no choice but to take it.
The superior made up a groundless story in order to relieve his subordinate's burden.
"How did it go? I heard that there was something urgent to be taken care of today."
"You, come in."
"Hmm, that's so. They're quite busy people... Huh? What did you say?"
The superior questioned again, doubting his ears. The reporting guard also looked perplexed, as this was the first case of its kind.
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
