Infinite Mage

Chapter 121: New Meetings (1)

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“Understood. So, can I meet Amy now?”

“Of course. She is waiting for you. Please, get on the carriage.”

As the carriage started, a beautiful garden full of roses unfolded outside the window.

While the Ogent family expressed their nobility through grandeur, the Karmis family's style seemed free-spirited. Unique artistic works were placed all over the garden, ignoring standardization and uniformity.

"It's truly magnificent. It feels like I've entered a dreamland."

"I'm glad you like it. The Karmis garden reflects the taste of each family member. Each section is designed to their liking. It represents our family’s tradition of valuing individuality. That artificial fountain you see was proposed by Miss Amy when she was ten. We call it the Rainbow Fountain."

Shirone leaned out the window. The conically shaped fountain sprayed water, scattering droplets that created a beautiful rainbow.

"Haha! A Rainbow Fountain. That's so like Amy."

Adel watched Shirone admiring the garden with a kind gaze. He guessed why Amy, having finished this semester and returned home, seemed brighter than before.

“The Karmis family possesses a power known as 'Red Eyes,' allowing them to excel much faster than others. Knowing this, our family tends to avoid interfering in each other's affairs. Even with the Arcane incident, once the family head confirmed Miss Amy's safety, he ordered to just leave it be."

Shirone gaped in astonishment. To think they would leave it be, even though it was an incident that endangered their daughter’s life. He felt the broad-mindedness with which the Karmis family viewed the world.

"Of course, it’s not that we lack affection among our family. It’s just our nature. Miss Amy, the youngest, sometimes couldn’t understand her family. When she was even younger, she went through a phase of wandering."

"Oh, I know about that. But I didn’t know there was such a story behind it."

Shirone recalled his first meeting with Amy. Around the age of twelve, he had harbored many resentments when he was bullied in an alley. But now, those days were long gone, and knowing the context behind her past, he felt closer to her.

"These past few days, I've noticed that Miss Amy has changed quite a bit since her childhood. Now, she seems to enjoy her life, much like the other young masters of our family. It must be thanks to you, Mr. Shirone. Thank you."

Shirone could read sincerity in Adel’s bow. Naturally, someone who had cared for Amy since her birth would hold more than just an employee's feelings.

His strict assessment of Shirone was also rooted in that concern. Of course, a significant part of it might have been jealousy, as if he had stolen his beloved granddaughter.

"I’m sorry for causing a fuss. It wasn’t necessary for the head butler to come out to meet me."

"Mr. Shirone, you are too kind. But worry not. Miss Amy had permitted your entrance, and I happened to be passing by when the family head ordered someone to go meet you."

Shirone wondered about the Karmis family members. If even the butler was terribly fond of Amy, how strictly would the family members assess him? The thought was somewhat frightening.

"Uh, I’m nervous. I hope I don’t get a cold reception."

"Haha! It will be beyond your expectations. But don’t take it to heart; it’s just their way."

As they conversed, the carriage arrived at its destination.

Shirone followed Adel into the mansion. A lavish hall adorned with numerous art pieces greeted him. On both sides, spiraled staircases wound their way up to the fourth floor.

“Master, Miss Amy's friend has arrived……”

“Aaah! Amazing! A real man!”

A woman, identical to Amy, slapped her cheeks and exclaimed. It was Isis, the lady of the house.

Despite being in her fifties, the former kingdom-renowned dancer still looked youthful. However, perhaps because of that, her every move seemed to lack maturity.

"What? Shirone is a man?"

"Me too! I want to see!"

Two men rushed from the corridor connected to the living room. They were the eldest son, Daian, and the second son, Ares.

In his mid-thirties, Daian looked surprisingly young, and Ares, with a lush beard, had an indiscernible face.

The two stared at Shirone in disbelief. From their shocked eyes, it was clear how confused they were.

“Uh, hello… I am Shirone, a friend of Amy…”

"Come here, quickly. Don’t bother with greetings. Honey, Amy's boyfriend is here."

Isis, undeterred, grabbed Shirone's wrist and sat him on the sofa. Waiting there was a man Shirone knew by name - Shakora, the head of the Karmis family. A man of great influence in politics, he had retired, disillusioned with various corruptions.

“Hmm.”

As Shakora lowered his newspaper, his intellectual appearance was revealed. He was the tallest in the family, and despite his age, his physique was perfectly balanced.

Shirone sweated coldly, feeling like a rabbit in a lion's den. The scrutinizing gaze, as if appraising an artwork, was unbearably overwhelming.

The men’s eyes glowed red, causing Shirone to swallow nervously. The sight of the three simultaneously activating their Red Eyes was truly terrifying.

‘Ugh, they remember me. They’re storing me in their minds.’

Aware of their ability to recall self-images, Shirone felt as if shackled. They could likely recall this moment anytime, transcending time and space.

“Um, hello?”

Unable to endure the awkward silence, Shirone, feeling embarrassed, greeted them again. At that, the men's Red Eyes faded, and Isis, as if waiting for this moment, clung to him cheerfully.

"Wow, so handsome. Is this for real? Are you really Amy's friend?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Oh? So you're in the advanced class too?"

"No, I am in Class Five."

“Hmm?”

Isis furrowed her brows, and the brothers tilted their heads in confusion. Shirone, feeling uneasy, felt compelled to add more.

“But I will be in Class Four next semester.”

"Ah ha!"

Suddenly, all three burst into cheerful laughter. The same expressions, the same reactions. Shirone was thrown into a panic. It seemed they never cared about classes in the first place.

'Where am I? Who are these people…'

Shirone suddenly remembered Adel’s words.

- Expect the unexpected. Don’t take it to heart.

Adel's advice was no lie. However, the Karmis family exceeded Shirone's expectations in a different way. Were they pleasant yet quirky?

"When did you meet Amy? You're dating, right? Huh? Do you hold hands at school too?"

"Uh? No, that's not..."

Shirone stalled for time. Here, Amy's opinion mattered most, so it was best to be reserved.

"What's all the fuss about? Why are you gathering around without the person involved?"

Amy's voice descended from the upper floor, saving Shirone, who was on the verge of collapse. She was looking down from the spiral staircase on the second floor.

Ares, the second son, spoke with a wiggle of his beard.

"Oh? You changed clothes? When Shirone arrived, you ran to your room in a frenzy."

Amy preemptively cleared any misunderstandings.

"So what? Should I meet him in my pajamas? Anyway, disperse everyone. Dad, is it okay if I talk with my friend?"

"Sure, why not? Isn't he the first boyfriend you've brought home? Do whatever you need to, so you won't regret it later. That's the Karmis way. Hahaha!"

Even with Shakora's teasing joke, Amy didn't bat an eyelid. It was crucial not to give them an opening, as they'd relentlessly dig deeper.

As Shirone ascended the spiral staircase, Isis continued her questioning.

"Amy, tell me the truth. He's your boyfriend, right? You're dating, right? Huh?"josei

Amy hurried her steps, ignoring the voice. But her mother, who had passed down her blood, was just as persistent.

"Come on, talk to me. What's your relationship? You're dating, right? Right?"

"Ugh!"

Unable to hold back, Amy yelled sharply and headed to her room.

Isis stood with her mouth agape. Even Shakora seemed surprised, looking up the staircase.

But by then, the two had already disappeared from sight.

Entering the room, Shirone and Amy sat awkwardly across a table.

Shirone first surveyed the room. The library was filled with magic books, and in a corner out of sight were a few unread romance novels.

'Haha! Those must be from Senior Sharelle.'

At school, she was known as a tough woman, but her room was surprisingly feminine. Especially the large stuffed animal on the bed caught his eye – a fierce-looking bear.

"There's a stuffed animal. And it's a bear."

"So what? Can't I have a stuffed animal in my room?"

"No, I just thought it looked like you. Haha!"

Amy clicked her tongue and closed her mouth. Honestly, she was at a loss for words. It was the first time she had shown her room to a man other than her family.

"But are you really okay? We might pretend to be dating at school, but there's no need to lie to your family."

"Don't worry about it. They probably won't care anyway. They're just having fun with it."

True to Amy's words, her family was free-spirited and unique. However, Shirone could faintly sense that they were connected by a hidden family love.

"Enough with the nonsense. Why suddenly visit my house? Do you have something to say?"

"Actually, that's..."

As Shirone started to speak, the door slid open. Isis's face sneaked in through the narrow gap.

"Oh dear, did I interrupt something? You should have some tea while talking."

Isis gracefully moved to the table and set down the tea, her eyes fixated on Shirone.

As Shirone tried to speak again, the door opened once more, this time revealing Daian.

"I brought some snacks..."

Daian's gaze also lingered on Shirone. Walking forward while his head was turned sideways made for a comical scene.

Amy sighed. Such a thing had never happened before, so it must have been amusing for them.

Her brothers, usually indifferent to anything but extraordinary events, had never had her boyfriend visit the house.

"Fine. Everyone come in. I know you're all waiting outside."

Upon Amy's command, feet pushed the door open. Ares stood there, holding a plate of fruit.

"There were some fruits... Haha."

"Come in already. Might as well introduce him properly now. Shirone, is that okay?"

"Ah, of course."

And so, the Karmis family, except Shakora, all sat opposite Shirone.

"This is Shirone, a promising student from the Alpheas Magic Academy. And Shirone, this is my mother. She was a dancer in her youth."

"I see. No wonder she's so beautiful."

"Hohoho! Amy takes after me. But don't fall for me. I don't want to hurt my daughter."

"Ah, yes."

Shirone nodded in agreement. There really was nothing else he could say.

"And this is my older brother, Daian. He's a Grade-5 Swordsman and commands the archer unit in the capital. He's here to consult Dad on some political matters."

As Amy finished, the family looked at her surprisingly.

Even for a boyfriend, there was no need to mention internal family matters. It was proof that she, too, was inwardly tense.

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