Free Gene (2)
The students felt as if they'd taken a stimulant—their minds suddenly razor-sharp.
I've exceeded my limits.
A thrill unlike any buff Shirone had experienced ran through him.
Rampa said, "Truly thoughtful of you, O Dae-sung."
Shirone's buff was dangerous.
It was so potent it could even alter the recipient's mind.
Amy said, "I avoided buffs that raise raw power. Pedagogically, that was the right call."
When the demonstration ended and the buff faded, teachers and students blinked.
It felt like waking from a dream.
"Ah...?"
The world looked somehow off now that the clarity had gone.
Shirone explained, "It's a buff that raises the density of the Spirit Zone. If you recall the feeling from a moment ago, it will help you achieve good results."
How much training would it take to taste that state again?
Still, even a brief experience of that level was an incredible privilege.
Unlike the elated students, Wizard sat with a serious expression, lost in thought.
"How—can you do it?"
"Yes."
The answer was immediate.
"But why do I have to learn this?"
At the first question like that, teachers and students turned to look at her.
"Oppa—no, Teacher."
Using "oppa" was forbidden during lessons.
"I know time's short. What you want is for me to grow strong enough to kill Habitz, right?"
It was partly to prevent emotional wavering, but this crossed a line.
"Wizard."
"Sorry. I want to be clear. But… it's true, isn't it?" "I want to focus on completing the mission, not just surviving. I also know Habitz isn't some weak opponent you can kill while babysitting your life."
Shirone didn't flinch.
"If that's truly what you think, solve my assignment as quickly as you can. That's the fastest route."
Their gazes met for a moment.
"All right."
Wizard sighed and cast a vision rune; the same cross Shirone had shown appeared.
"Force."
Effects bloomed above those nearby.
The potency of the buff was astonishing, but the speed at which the thought-forms collided even surpassed Shirone's demonstration.
"My goodness..."
You could see Wizard's yearning to be acknowledged wholly as a mage.
Apply it here.
Countless diagonal lines sprang from the center of the cross, and the pattern of thought began to form into a cube.
The Ten Mages' eyes trembled in shock.
"That's… three-dimensional?"
"Remarkable."
Even Rampa had to admit it.
"The three-dimensional thinking comes from innate awakening, but applying it to Force is a completely different matter."
That made Shirone's reaction all the more intriguing.
"A clash of nerves between priests…"
Those who had the same thought stayed silent even after Wizard's Force display ended.
"Hah. Hah."
Wizard panted, but her eyes never left Shirone.
"Is that enough?"
"Excellent skill. Very well done."
"Then teach me how to fight. Not how to run from Satan, but how to stand and fight."
"That was my intention from the start."
While Wizard looked puzzled, Shirone cast another rune.
"What…?"
Shirone built the same three-dimensional thinking Wizard had and spoke in that state.
"Of course I taught you utility to increase your survival odds. But…"
Wizard's face froze.
"What I really want to show you is this."
What the teachers hadn't noticed because it had been so fast suddenly dawned on them.
"Huh? Eh?"
Buffs that should have been applied in sequence were rearranging their order on their own.
"Four-dimensional..."
Wizard murmured.
"Yes. For an all-encompassing awareness to transcend space and reshuffle sequence means it transcends time."
It was a state of temporal acuity.
"Siok is always at Habitz's side. If you can break down the barrier of time, your mission success rate will soar. I had you choose the utility track because this method is the best way to train temporal perception."
Wizard finally grasped Shirone's deeper intent, but she couldn't say with certainty she could do it.
"I don't know. Can I actually do that?"
Opening a new sense belonged not to talent but to species—something fundamental.
"You might fail. It's a gamble, but I think the time investment is worth it."
For Wizard, who soaked up instruction like a sponge, even an hour was precious.
But Shirone had been thinking seriously. We can't overlook Siok. That's something we must address.
Wizard looked up. "How long do I have?"
Shirone glanced at the sky. "I'll give you one day."
"What?"
Wizard's eyes went wide; she looked distraught, but Shirone was firm.
"Until tomorrow morning. If you find a method, come to me."
Wizard glanced left and right, then suddenly asked, "Can I use any method I want?"
Shirone nodded, and she left the training ground without looking back.
With Wizard's training temporarily settled, Shirone walked over to Amy.
"Sleep well? Your hair's grown a bit."
"Ah."
Amy lifted her gaze and rubbed the shortness of her hair between her fingers.
It wasn't a shaved head, but compared to the other female teachers it still looked plain.
"I've been so busy I haven't had time to fuss. Want to go out for lunch later?"
Amy shook her head.
"No. Something might change with Wizard. It's better if I stay at school today."
She still cared for Shirone, but her emotions were more controlled than usual.
"Then at least the school cafeteria—"
"All right."
Amy hurried away.
She hated the contradictory sting of feeling hurt after she'd been the one to refuse, and she hated even more that anyone might see that.
Rampa approached from behind Shirone.
"Amy seems to have a lot on her mind. So many admirers circle O Dae-sung, after all."
"It's not like that. I've never felt that way—"
"Ha! Why explain to me? Everyone wants to look their best in front of someone they like. Maybe she's anxious about her short hair?"
"No way. I'm proud of Amy's short hair. She saved humanity, after all."
"...Perhaps that's the problem? Women's hearts are a mystery even to the Buddha."
Shirone wasn't entirely free of guilt.
"Honestly, since we came here I haven't met Amy privately."
"Do you doubt your feelings?"
"No. If anything, the opposite. My heart races whenever I see Amy. But…"
If he gave himself to her, the world and all mankind's problems would suddenly seem trivial.
"Well, it is strange to remain focused on work when you have someone you love. You'll manage, but don't be cruel to your heart. Controlling it doesn't make the pain disappear."
Shirone mulled over Rampa's words as Amy's silhouette disappeared.
That night.
Shirone, Iruki, and Nade wiped out remnants of the demon tribe in a remote village.
"Oh Yahweh."
Since the pilgrimage, the name Yahweh had spread rapidly by word of mouth.
As with any rumor, the story grew and glowed, but at least Shirone's sincerity was being conveyed.
"O light descending into this sullied world, please save us."
They hadn't even spoken, yet people somehow already knew, and Shirone's group was deeply moved.
The rate of spread is increasing.
One voice may speak, but countless ears listen.
Nade raised his voice. "The beginning may be humble, but the end will be great. This will make waves in the city, won't it?"
Creating a focal point for humanity was the core of the Ultima Project, but Shirone warned against complacency.
"We can't be careless. The Holy See's backlash won't be trivial. It's late—let's stay here and move at dawn."
Still, Shirone was in good spirits and, unusually, ordered alcohol.
Nade got tipsy. "Ah, it feels good to drink after so long. Makes me want to see our Liz. Right, Iruki?"
They traveled by choice, but for lovers it felt like a separation.
"Why would I go see your girlfriend?"
"You idiot, I mean Dorothy. You act cold even though you like her."
Iruki changed the subject. "By the way, how's Amy? Been too busy with Wizard's training lately?"
Nade blinked. "Oh, right. You're the only one who isn't lonely, huh? Just tell us what you two are doing. If you spout nonsense like 'events outside perception don't exist,' I'll beat you."
Shirone snorted. "She's fine. Training's going smoothly."
Nade set his beer down and spoke seriously at Shirone's unexpectedly dry reply.
"You know, shouldn't we clear something up? Like, when we go into a dungeon—are we here for treasure? Or do we dig tunnels…?"
Iruki stared at him in disbelief. "Why do you even want to know that?"
"It's not curiosity! Of course there can be no secrets between us. What about you?"
"What about me?"
Iruki's bland answer made Nade look over at Shirone.
"Huh? What—what is it?"
When Shirone avoided his gaze, Nade's mouth fell open.
"You don't mean…?"
Is he detached from the world?
"No, even if you are, what did Amy ever do to deserve this? Did you two fight again?"
Iruki looked surprised too.
"Ha, not that. There were reasons, and the schedule's been hectic…"
"Reasons, my foot." Nade jumped up and grabbed Shirone by the ear.
"Ouch! What are you doing?"
Nade's shout smacked Shirone's eardrum.
"Listen up, Shirone! From now on do exactly what your instincts tell you! If you trust that innocent core of yours, you'll grow old a bachelor!"
"There isn't a separate core."
Shirone pushed Nade away and rubbed his ear. "Do you think I'm some communication device? I'm the same me. And this isn't how things work."
But—
"Hah, without knowing a thing about someone's heart—"
Nade's voice reached Shirone in the Stang Kingdom hundreds of kilometers away with perfect clarity.
'You think I'm not even a person?' Instinct.
'Well, I might have been a bit cold.'
Rampa and the others—those who had waited longer than he had—were worried about Amy.
"All right! First, dive in and see what happens."
Not even sure why he was excited, Shirone left the lodgings in a half-elated mood.
Amy's room had its light on.