Infinite Mage - Remake

Amy drifted toward the window, her fingers tracing the edge of the sill as she gazed outside. Traveling alone had never been a burden—but this time, she wasn’t alone. And strangely, that was the very reason she wanted to go.

This journey would bring many rewards, yet none mattered as much as the simple thrill of sharing an adventure with Shirone.

‘Damn it, I’m not blind. Fine. I owe you anyway—consider this me paying you back a little.’

A slow turn, and there he was—Shirone, standing with that familiar, nervous expression, waiting for her answer.

She couldn’t help but smile.

On the surface, this trip was just an excuse to whisk a woman away for a private getaway. Most men would try to dress it up in flattery, but Shirone? He was as blunt as ever. If he had any ulterior motives, he certainly wasn’t hiding them.

‘Honestly, has he changed at all since he was twelve?’

Would he ever grow up? Maybe all his development had been poured into magic instead.

With an amused sigh, Amy nodded.

“Alright. Let’s go to the island.”

Revised Scene 2: Rian’s Scheme

“Hello! I’m Elzaine Tess, Rian’s friend!”

Tess stood in the grand hall of the Ogent family estate, her greeting bright and confident. Beside her, Rian fidgeted, his usual bravado replaced by nervous tension.

The only reason he’d been crashing at Shirone’s place lately? A calculated plan—using Tess as his shield to infiltrate the main house.

After ranking dead last at the swordsmanship academy, no parent would let their son laze around. But if that son brought home the top-ranked student as a guest? Suddenly, the rules bent.

Bischoff Ogent, Rian’s father, regarded Tess with measured interest.

“I’ve heard of the Elzaine name. How is your father these days?”

Tess smiled smoothly. “He’s well. Even in the occupied territories, he never misses a day of sword practice.”

Truthfully, she had no idea how her father was—nor did she care. But Bischoff nodded approvingly.

“As expected of a man who forged his family through the sword. I’ll pay him a visit when the opportunity arises.”

Tess’s father, Elzaine Veron, was a legend—nicknamed The Flash for his blinding speed. Where the Ogent style relied on overwhelming force, the Elzaine technique was razor-sharp precision.

Which was superior? That depended on the wielder. But pride in their lineage? That, at least, was equal.

Bischoff turned to Rian, his tone dry. “You’ve chosen a fine companion—unlike your usual company.”

Rian scowled. “We’re not ‘companions.’ Just friends.”

A sharp glance from Tess silenced him. She’d agreed to this charade only because she also wanted this trip—no way was she letting him ruin it now.

Bischoff crossed his arms. “So. You want to vacation on Galliant Island?”

Rian grinned. “Yeah. The academy nearly killed me. I need to recover—mind and body. Oh, and Shirone’s meeting us there. So… can I go?”

Bischoff exhaled. “Going isn’t the issue. The question is—did you actually train hard? Even with private lessons, you’ve never listened.”

Rian laughed, pulling out a folded document. “Knew you’d say that! That’s why I brought proof—I finally unlocked my schema!”

(His real report card had been confiscated by Reina, but this—the strength-test certification—was his lifeline.)

Of course, it was meaningless now that they knew his "schema" was pure muscle… but Bischoff didn’t know that.

The man studied the paper, his stern face unreadable—yet his voice betrayed a faint tremor. “Hmm. You really passed. Congratulations.”

Pride was an odd thing. Even the most disappointed father couldn’t help but feel something when his son achieved the impossible.

Rian pressed his advantage. “Now, about that promise—Grandpa’s sword. The one you said I’d get when I mastered the schema. Can I take it?”

Bischoff nodded. “Of course. Now that you’ve awakened it, you’ll begin learning the Ogent style properly.” Then, eyes narrowing: “Where’s your academy report? With this confidence, I assume your grades improved.”

"Ah… the grade card? My sister has it," Rian said, scratching his head.

"Reina? Why? Bring it to me," Bischoff demanded.

"How should I know?" Rian shrugged. "She took it to show Grandfather. Who understands what that witch is thinking? Anyway, just give me the sword already! You’ve wanted this thing since you were a kid—worked your ass off for it too."

The sword Rian coveted was no ordinary blade—it was the Ogent Straight Sword, a weapon specialized for their family’s swordsmanship. Unlike standard longswords, this was a monstrous greatsword, twice as heavy, with a blade so long only the tallest warriors could wield it properly.

Ever since Rian first held a sword, he had dreamed of mastering this weapon. And the one he desired most was the very blade his grandfather had once carried into battle.

Clump had long intended to pass it down to Rian. Among his grandchildren, only Rian and Reina bore the Ogent family’s signature blue hair, and since Reina was a woman, the old man believed only Rian could inherit his legacy.

"It’s in Grandfather’s room," Tess said, raising an eyebrow. "But why the hell are you looking for it now? Weren’t you just going to ‘play’? You’ve been acting weird since Shirone showed up."

"I’ve got my reasons," Rian muttered. "Just wait—I’ll bring it down."

Without another word, Rian sprinted toward his grandfather’s chambers. Logically, this sword was too much for him—he hadn’t even unlocked his schema yet. But he refused to leave without it.

If Shirone is heading into the ruins, then I have to be there too.

Like thread following a needle, wherever Shirone went, Rian would follow—even into danger.

The Ogent Greatsword

Rian’s breath caught as he entered the dimly lit room. There, mounted on the wall, hung the legendary blade—a weapon said to be impossible to wield before awakening one’s schema.

His fingers trembled as he reached for it.

I still can’t use a schema… but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight.

Gritting his teeth, he gripped the hilt with one hand and lifted. The weight should have been unbearable, yet—

"Heavy… but not impossible."

A surge of determination burned through him.

When Kuan had declared he lacked a schema, Rian refused to accept it. If raw strength could mimic schema-enhanced power, then he’d push his body to the limit.

The sword was too cumbersome for a standard iron sheath, so Rian strapped it across his back using a reinforced leather harness.

People will stare… but who cares?

Carrying weapons wasn’t illegal—only restricted in certain city zones. Commoners could wield C-rank arms, nobles B-rank, and royalty A-rank.

Rian adjusted the greatsword’s position, ensuring it wouldn’t hinder his movement. Just as he turned to leave—

"Master Rian!"

The butler, Louise, hurried into the hall, his voice urgent.

"The head of the household—Master Shirone has arrived!"

A Guardian’s Welcome

Shirone stepped into the grand hall, Amy at his side. His first greeting went to Bischoff Ogent, the family patriarch.

Outwardly, Bischoff was stern, even cold—but Shirone knew better. This was the man who had paid his tuition, ensured his parents were cared for, and even covered their rent when times were hard.

"Hello, sir. I hope you’ve been well," Shirone said, bowing slightly.

Bischoff’s stern expression softened. "I have. And you? I hear you’re excelling at magic school."

"Yes. I was recently promoted to Class Four. I owe much of that to your support—thank you."

A bitter smile flickered across Bischoff’s face. Class Four… in just half a year?

He couldn’t help but glance at Rian. His son had sworn to become a knight, yet Shirone—a boy from humble beginnings—was soaring ahead.

"Your progress is your own doing," Bischoff said gruffly. "Still… I hear Rian is dragging you on some trip with a ‘beautiful lady.’ Are you going along with this nonsense?"

"Yes. We’re traveling together," Shirone confirmed.

Bischoff’s gaze shifted to the red-haired girl beside him. She looked familiar, but—

"Hello," Amy said smoothly. "I’m Amy Karmis."

A stunned silence fell.

The Karmis family.

Even among first-class nobles, their name carried weight beyond rank. Their influence stretched across the continent, their crimson eyes a mark of their lineage.

Bischoff’s respect wasn’t easily earned—most nobles clawed their way up through schemes and flattery. But families like Elzaine and Karmis? Their pride was unbending, their legacy untarnished by corruption.

Before the tension could thicken, Rian clapped his hands.

"Alright! We’ll talk later—right now, we’ve got a ship to catch!"

His voice was cheerful, but his nerves were frayed. By now, Reina’s express letter about my grades is probably halfway here.

Once that report card arrived, his peaceful life would vanish like smoke.

"Father," Rian said, bowing. "I’ll return in about ten days."

Bischoff’s Manor – Courtyard

Bischoff nodded in satisfaction as he tossed a heavy pouch of gold coins toward Rian.

“Alright. You’ve trained hard—go enjoy yourself. Consider this extra travel expenses.”

Rian caught the pouch and peeked inside, his eyes widening. This much? It was the first time his father had ever given him so much money.

Truthfully, Bischoff was in high spirits. When Rian first swore his knight’s oath, he’d feared his son was throwing his life away. But now? The boy had awakened his schema, formed strong bonds, and—most surprisingly—his chosen master, Shirone, was proving to be a prodigy.

If training is an investment for real combat… then this is just a down payment. Half a year’s wages? A fair trade.

Rian, however, felt a pang of guilt. But survival instincts quickly smothered it. Just get out of this house alive.

“Understood. I’ll head out with my friends then.” He turned to the butler. “Temuran, prepare the carriage for the port.”

Temuran bowed. “Of course. Safe travels, young master.”

As Rian hurried off, the old butler’s face twisted in pity. The boy was sweating bullets—Temuran could guess why.

‘You’ll last ten minutes, tops. Good luck, kid.’

His hand drifted to the envelope tucked in his coat—an urgent letter from Reina, freshly arrived from the capital.

Stables – Waiting Area

No spare carriages were available today; the servants were swamped. The dedicated family coach was an option, but prepping it—checking the wheels, greasing the axles—would take an hour.

Rian had argued, “Maintenance isn’t necessary!” But the stablemaster insisted.

“If the wheel snaps mid-journey, guess who gets blamed?”

So the four of them waited near the stables in uneasy silence.

Tess studied the group.

First, Shirone. She’d expected a hotheaded warrior, given Rian’s knightly oath. Instead, the boy radiated calm.

Then Amy of the Karmis lineage—the continent’s brightest star. What kind of person hid behind that name?

The quiet grew stifling. Tess decided to break it.

“Shall we introduce ourselves properly? I’m Elzaine Tess.”

“Karmis Amy. A pleasure.”

“Ah, I’m Aryan Shirone.”

Tess shook his hand—then paused. Aryan? Her diplomatic training had drilled noble houses into her memory, yet that name drew a blank.

“Oh! The Aryan family. Is your estate in Creas?” She kept her tone light, avoiding offense.

Shirone smiled sheepishly. “No family. I’m a commoner.”

“A… commoner?” Tess blinked. Was this a joke? But Amy’s serene expression confirmed it.

What in the world?

Why would Rian, heir to the Ogent sword lineage, swear fealty to a commoner? And why was a Karmis scion traveling with them? This isn’t a vacation—it’s a political anomaly.

Her mind raced. Even if Shirone was gifted, status mattered. And a knight’s oath wasn’t just friendship—it was lifelong service.

‘Then again… this is Rian.’

Shirone noticed her struggle. “Sorry. If this makes you uncomfortable—”

“No, no! My apologies.” Tess waved her hands, laughing nervously. “I was just—wow. Surprised doesn’t cover it. But here you all are, perfectly calm! Now I look like the odd one out, haha!”

She’d recovered swiftly. If Rian chose him as his lord, then so be it.

‘Tess… you’re good people.’

Shirone relaxed. Her forced cheer couldn’t mask her sincerity—this was a woman who’d humble herself to put others at ease.

“Thanks for saying that. Rian’s told me a lot about you.” He grinned. “His lover, right?”

Tess nearly choked. “Wha—Lover?! Do we really seem that close? Ahaha!”

She was starting to like this kid.

Meanwhile, Rian’s face burned crimson. He should correct them—but seeing Tess warm up to Shirone kept him silent.

Amy observed Rian with newfound interest. When she’d first heard of this island trip, she’d assumed some scheming noble was behind it. Yet here he was—blunt, honest, almost endearing.

‘The Ogent family: sword saints, black-haired geniuses… and this blue-haired enigma.’

Officially, they were second-rank nobles, not royalty. But their reputation was pure—politically neutral, uncompromising.

In stable times, their influence was minimal.

But during upheaval? Their allegiance could shift empires.

As Amy mused, Tess eyed Shirone and Amy, her curiosity bubbling over.

Both were adorable, with eyes full of lively energy. And their dynamic—

“So, what’s your relationship?” Tess wagged a finger between them. “You two look perfect together. Couple?”

Amy’s eye twitched. Are we being teased like children?!

[124] New Encounter (5)

Tess seemed like a perfect match for the tall and broad-shouldered Rian. With her long limbs and tall frame, her hourglass figure stood out naturally.

In contrast, Shirone had the look of a typical wizard. He was of average height and had a slim build, making him seem delicate next to Tess' powerful presence.

Of course, Tess’s appeal wasn’t just her physical beauty. Still, Shirone couldn’t help but feel a bit plain when standing next to someone with such commanding energy—especially since she was nearly a head taller.

“We’re just friends,” Shirone explained, shaking his head. “I asked her to come with me for a specific reason.”

“Ah-ha, I see,” Tess replied, though her tone betrayed her skepticism.

She didn’t believe it that easily. After all, it wasn’t common for a girl from one of the highest-ranking noble families to show up as a commoner’s companion unless there was something special going on.

Rian had thought the same. When planning the trip, the thing that had worried him the most was whether Shirone would manage to find a partner. The issue wasn’t just about social class—Shirone's reserved personality could make things difficult.

But when the moment came, Shirone showed up with a girl so stunning that even Rian, who normally didn’t pay much attention to women, found himself surprised.

To Rian, the ideal woman had always been someone like Amy—cute, gentle, and protective-instinct-evoking. Tess, however, was the complete opposite. Her skills far exceeded his, and she carried herself with a strength that left no room for romantic feelings.

Even if it was just a matter of schema proficiency, most men didn’t exactly feel attracted to women who were clearly stronger than themselves.

Take care of this one, Shirone. I’ll root for you from the sidelines, Rian thought with a grin.

Just then, a large carriage pulled up, freshly tuned and ready. The four of them, carrying their luggage, began heading toward it.

But they were stopped in their tracks.

“YOU! RIAN!!”

A voice exploded from the mansion—powerful enough to shake the air. Rian didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. The murderous intent embedded in that roar told him everything.

“Crap! Everyone, run!”

“What? What about the wagon?” Amy asked, startled.

“It’s too late for that now! Look behind you! Over the fence, let’s go!”

They all turned toward the mansion. A massive ochre whirlwind had risen and was rapidly tearing its way toward them.

Shirone and the others didn’t have time to question it. They just ran.

“Rian! What’s going on?” Shirone shouted, trying to keep up.

“Damn it, my report card just arrived! Turns out I came in last again! My dad’s going to kill me!”

“Seriously?! You’re joking, right? Can’t we just explain it? I mean, it’s just a trip!”

“If you think you can reason with him, be my guest. I’m outta here. Oh, and by the way, my dad is a certified Grade 4 Prosecutor!”

The color drained from everyone’s faces.

Without a word, Tess activated her schema and leapt ahead with incredible speed. Amy quickly followed her lead.

Shirone felt his heart pounding in reverse. Even though he was running forward, the air behind him was pushing with unnatural force.

That meant Bischoff was moving faster than any normal human.

“Rian! He’s gaining on us!”

“I can’t do this! I’ll die if I stay! You guys go ahead to the island without me!”

Rian looked serious, but Shirone couldn’t just abandon a friend.

In the heat of the moment, an idea sparked in his mind.

“Amy! We’re teleporting! Rian, stay still!”

Grabbing Rian by the shoulder, Shirone began chanting. A photonization spell activated, and their bodies were instantly engulfed in light. In a flash, the two vanished forward like streaks of lightning.

Rian’s first experience with teleportation left him completely disoriented. His vision collapsed inward, like the entire world was being funneled into his eyes.

He was seeing through a magician’s lens now.

Amy, quickly understanding Shirone’s plan, reached for Tess and cast her own teleportation spell.

Two brilliant flashes tore through the garden, weaving between trees and obstacles with precision. Though a single misstep could’ve caused a crash, neither Shirone nor Amy made a mistake.

Thinking they had finally gained distance, Shirone glanced behind him—and his heart sank. Tears stung the corners of his eyes.

The whirlwind was still gaining, tearing through the forest, leveling everything in its path.

The Daejikdo... Shirone thought. It was Bischoff’s infamous technique, a symbol of destruction.

“Amy! Over here!”

Shirone came to a sudden stop in a thick part of the forest. Amy canceled her movement and turned toward him.

The raging vortex loomed just 100 meters away, fast enough to overtake them within seconds.

Tess stamped her foot in frustration.

“What now?! We just give up and get caught?!”

“Hold on to me! We’re going airborne!”

Shirone expanded his Spirit Zone to its full radius. They couldn’t escape the garden by running, but maybe—just maybe—they could escape by disappearing altogether.

If we can’t outrun him… we’ll vanish from this place entirely.

“Now!”

The moment they all gathered, Shirone used synesthesia to scan for a safe location. He never imagined he’d be using advanced magic like this so soon—it felt surreal.

Targeting the outskirts of the forest, Shirone cast the space displacement spell.

The four of them vanished in a blaze of light, pulled upward and away from the chaos just as Bischoff’s windstorm struck the spot they’d stood.

Bischoff reached out—his hand grasping nothing but air.

“Tch…!”

He spun around and dug his heels into the ground, braking with both legs. Like sliding across ice, his body skidded more than ten meters. A massive spray of dirt—easily twenty times his weight—erupted behind him.

The sheer force of his movement showed just how immense his strength truly was.

As the wind died down, Bischoff looked around at the destruction he’d caused. The ground was torn to pieces, trees lay broken in every direction.

“All because of Rian,” he muttered, gritting his teeth. “You dare lie to your father…”

He pulled out Rian’s report card with a trembling hand. Despite his anger, a sigh escaped his lips.

Still… there was a flicker of pride.

Rian may have flunked, but the muscle strength required to match the imagination schema was no joke. That didn’t come without effort.

Call it a consolation prize, Bischoff thought.

And then there was Shirone. He had already learned teleportation—one of the most advanced and difficult spells even for seasoned magicians. That kind of progress in just six months was staggering.

Shirone and Rian… Rian and Shirone… Bischoff let the thought linger.

Their talents and personalities couldn’t be more different, yet they walked side by side toward greatness.

“This too... will be a good memory one day,” Bischoff murmured.

With a final glance at the report card, he tossed it over his shoulder and headed back toward the mansion.