Limitless (Part 3)

"Alright! If that's what you think, let's compete. I'll definitely beat you in this test."

"Haha! That's the spirit. Of course, I'll win."

"Ugh!"

Just as Shirone was about to retort, Iruki's classmates surrounded him.

"You're incredible! How did you do it? Can you teach me too?"

"If you've got such skills, why were you hiding them? Join our research group! We could finish our project in a month with you on board."

Despite all the praise, Iruki remained unfazed, turning to Shirone with a smirk.

"Shirone, your insight into the bridge that can't be crossed was impressive. But…"

He looked at her with a knowing grin.

"My calculations are faster than your insight."

"…."

Shirone swallowed hard.

He had faced many competitors since joining the magic school, but this was the first time he felt so challenged by someone.

Nade patted Shirone on the back.

"Don't worry. It might sound irresponsible, but this kind of rivalry is exciting for the others to watch. For me, though, it doesn't matter who wins since I'm friends with both of you."

"I like competition too. But this? Iruki just seems to hate me."

"Well, what can you do? That's just who he is. But hey, the fact that Iruki got you to give it your all? That's pretty impressive. You two are the only ones who have a real shot at breaking the targeting record."

"Huh? Is there a record? How many points?"

"Let me check... I think it's 987 points?"

"What? 987 points?"

Shirone's jaw dropped.

Putting his own score aside, even Iruki's result with logs was only in the 500s.

How fast would you have to be to reach 987 points?

"Wow. Who is this person? They must have already graduated, right?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? Don't you know? He's dating Amy. He's my senior."

"Uh, Amy...?"

Of course, Shirone knew that target-type magic was Amy's specialty, which gave her an edge in the upcoming exam. But 987 points? That was unbelievable.

Nade spoke as if reading Shirone's mind.

"You might not know this, but Amy-senpai is incredibly focused. Every time she takes a test, she improves. No wonder she's been first place every year until now. But don't sell yourself short—you're no slouch either."

Shirone paused to think.

"How many talented people are out there?" he wondered.

At the same time, it gave him a bit of courage.

"Yeah, there's no such thing as absolute in this world. Amy won her way, and I'll win mine."

Nade smiled and offered some advice.

"You don't need to break any records. Just take it easy. Before Amy's 987 points, the highest score was in the late 700s. And by the way, Amy set that record in Class Four, not Class Five."

Shirone nodded.

"Alright, let's aim for 700 points."

There were only three weeks left before the exam. He needed a plan to raise his score.

"I won't give up. Not now."

His fists clenched with determination.

In the days that followed, Shirone's mind raced.

He needed to count faster than Iruki could calculate, but no matter how hard he tried, the numbers just wouldn't come.

"Damn it, what am I doing wrong?" he thought.

Even when he increased the number of modules bundled together, it still felt inadequate compared to the precision and power of Iruki's technique.

"Training. I need to train."

That night, Shirone focused all his energy on improving his photon output. While his speed in reaching the sequence had improved greatly, he still couldn't count more than 10,000 numbers per minute.

Iruki reached a million on his first day. Sure, I have more endurance, but his technical skills are far superior. If I can't close the gap, all my effort will be for nothing.

Shirone also thought about the exam setup.

If targets keep appearing, getting a perfect score shouldn't be too hard. But there's a catch.

At Level 1, 10 targets appear. To move on to Level 2, you have to hit all the targets. As levels go up, so does the number of targets.

At Level 10, 19 targets appear at once.

He knew that without leveling up quickly, it would be impossible to score highly, even if he kept improving.

If I fail just one target, it'll drag out the time to clear the level, and that delay could cost me hundreds of points later.

Nights passed, filled with intense practice. Shirone would train until he was exhausted, fall asleep, and then wake up and do it all over again.

On the days he had his turn in the image zone, Shirone pushed himself to the limit. Every time his offensive thorns struck a target, the photon output exploded with light.

His classmates quickly noticed.

"His speed is getting faster," they murmured.

He was now hitting targets without needing to turn around, and his movements were becoming more precise.

After a minute of rapid-fire magic, the score showed: 567 points.

I'm improving, Shirone thought. I beat my score from last time.

His classmates were impressed.

"I can't believe he raised his score by over 200 points in just a week. That's unreal."

"His speed is insane. Once he locks on to a target, it's a guaranteed hit. I've never seen anything like it."

Iruki, watching quietly from the sidelines, didn't seem worried.

"Is it my turn now?"

With a smirk, he began his test.

As Iruki's Spirit Zone took flight, explosions rang out all around, sending shockwaves through the air.

"Wow…" the students gasped.

In just a minute, the test was over. Iruki didn't even check his score, simply picked up his things, and walked off.

Final score: 568 points.

It was just one point ahead of Shirone's score.

Not a coincidence, Shirone thought bitterly.

Every time he improved, Iruki was one step ahead—exactly one point ahead. It felt like a strategy to break Shirone's spirit, making him feel like no matter how hard he tried, he would always fall short.

"Never give up," Shirone repeated to himself.

The more Iruki beat him, the more determined Shirone became to beat him in return.

The day before the exam, Shirone broke the 700-point barrier for the first time in training.

His classmates cheered.

"I can't believe it. A 700-point score—this is for real."

"You have to clear Level 10 in 10 seconds to get that score. How fast do you have to be?"

Shirone clenched his fist.

"70 more points than last time. I've reached my original goal."

But as he walked down the stairs, feeling a rush of excitement, Iruki passed by. With a small smile, he spoke.

"Congrats. 700 points is impressive. Your progress is fast."

Shirone shrugged.

"I don't want to lose to you."

Iruki chuckled.

"Don't get too confident. The real test hasn't even started."

By the time Shirone turned around, Iruki was already in the training area, preparing for his own test.

The students watched in awe as Iruki's Spirit Zone expanded into a small, marble-sized sphere that zipped through the air at incredible speed, leaving only afterimages behind.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rang out as the targets exploded on their own.

After a minute, Iruki walked away without glancing at the score.

Final score: 701 points.

Once again, Iruki was ahead by just one point.

The students were in awe.

"Wow! Iruki's holding back. Imagine how high his score could go if he tried even harder."

The rivalry between Shirone and Iruki had become the talk of the school.

Shirone clenched his fists.

"By one point again? If Iruki had gone all out, I wouldn't be this nervous."

"How many points can he really get?" Shirone wondered.

The evaluation period was starting next week, and the Class Five exam schedule was coming up fast—just three days left, including the weekend.

I need to find a way, Shirone thought, his anxiety growing.

Even the usually lively Central Park was quiet, filled with students preparing for exams, the pressure mounting with every passing day.

On a quiet, nearly empty street with most of the shops closed, Seriel made her way to the fountain.

Did I arrive too early?

She had been excluded from the advanced class evaluation because she had only submitted her promotion application for the graduating class the day before yesterday.

When she reached the fountain, she spotted a red-haired girl sitting on a bench, engrossed in a book.

A smile spread across Seriel's face.

"Amy!"

She called out as she ran toward her, but Amy quickly closed her book and stood up, looking tired.

"Wow, you've lost so much weight. Senior year must be tough."

It wasn't just a casual comment—Amy looked thinner, with dark circles under her pale eyes.

"You'll be like this soon enough. Anyway, welcome to hell. Here, the materials you asked for."

Amy handed Seriel the documents for the promotion exam. It wasn't a secret; the information was available to all graduating students.

"Thanks. Let's sit down. Want something to drink?"

"Coffee. Seems like I always have coffee in hand these days."

After grabbing coffee at a nearby empty café, they returned to the park and sat on a bench.

Seriel started going through the materials and asked, "So, how's the promotion test? Is it very difficult?"

"Hm… I wouldn't say it's difficult, but the level is high. It's not about passing or failing based on your score. It's about what you can actually do. Cramming won't help. What matters is how much you've accomplished up until now."

"Really? That actually makes me more nervous."

"It's fine. If you're in the top 4 of your class, you're at the graduating level. The tricky part comes after that."

"After that…"

As Seriel pondered, she noticed Amy staring up at the sky.

The atmosphere shifted.

Even though Amy didn't look well, she carried the aura of someone from the graduating class.

I can feel her spirit is stronger now. I need to get promoted quickly too.

Amy, still sipping her empty iced coffee, spoke up.

"How's Shirone doing these days?"

"Haha! I was wondering when you'd ask. You've never met him? Haven't you heard the rumors?"

"I don't know. We've been completely separated from the advanced class. I heard Sanuel helped out as an assistant last time. But what's the rumor?"

"Oh, something interesting is happening in Class Five."

"Interesting?"

As Amy turned her head, straw in mouth, Seriel began chattering away.

The main topic was the exciting showdown between Shirone and Iruki before the speed gun test.

"Using logs to reduce units—how clever! That's so like Iruki."

Seriel seemed surprised. "Wait, you know Iruki?"

"Of course. We were classmates. I got promoted quickly, so I didn't see him much after that. But yeah, he's got that 'Servant Syndrome' thing."

"Ah, really? Have you talked to him? He doesn't seem to get along with people."

"I tried. When I first entered Class Five, he spoke to me."

"What did he say? 'Do you like me?' I'm guessing this is a rivalry thing?"

"It's funny, really. He's a bit strange. He talks in a very dry way. When he first saw me, he started picking fights, just like with Shirone. He never really tried to get along with me. Eventually, he just stopped caring."

"Huh, so you're saying he's a 'genius hunter'? Sounds like Shirone's got a tough road ahead."

"It's not about luck. It's something Shirone will have to overcome. It's going to be tough. If Iruki uses logs in the speed gun test, he'll probably get a high score.

Seriel rolled her eyes. "Where did you hear that? Your boyfriend's in trouble, so go cheer him up! What if Shirone loses?"

"It's not a fight; it's just a test. Don't get so worked up. Even if they compete, anyone could lose..." Amy replied, not particularly worried. Since everyone in the graduating class was so talented, it was hard to say who would win or lose.

Seriel, on the other hand, was frustrated. "You've never lost before! Hurry up and tell Shirone to cheer up! I'll go tell him myself if you won't."

"Okay, okay. Are you going to exaggerate again? And this isn't the promotion exam, it's just a practical evaluation. Shirone's aiming for graduation too. It'll be a good experience for him."

"Then tell me how to score high on the speed gun. You're the record holder, after all—987 points."

"I'll give you some advice, but if it's something I could share, Shirone probably already knows. It's not that I'm not interested, but Shirone is really exceptional. He's already scored over 700 points. I just specialized in target types."

Seriel, who deeply cared for both of them, felt a pang of worry in her heart. "So, what can we do? Does Shirone still have a chance? He has to win."

Amy, tapping her straw on the table, thought for a moment. Mercodine Iruki.

Although Shirone's first encounter with Iruki had been unlucky, Iruki was not an easy opponent.

"If you only consider targeting, it's tricky. Servants are a powerful weapon. If he uses a log, it will feel like hitting a wall. But this time, Iruki is serious. If you'd had the same determination when you faced me in the speed gun test…"

"Would you have won?" Seriel asked.

Amy hesitated before answering, "I might have lost."

"What?" Seriel was stunned. She had never lost first place in the advanced class before.

She thought maybe it was a fluke, considering she was already a senior, but this statement still shocked her.

Her face fell with worry. "Then what do we do about Shirone?"

The day before the practical test, Shirone sat alone in his room, lost in thought.

I've done everything I can.

There was no more time, nor enough skill, to come up with anything new.

Instead, he turned his focus to the nature of the sequence.

What is a sequence?

He pondered this basic question, tracing it back to its origins…

Why a sequence?

Until he reached the final question.

Armed with a thought that stretched across many fields of understanding, Shirone quietly closed his eyes.

I won't think about it anymore.

By letting go, he believed he would be able to see everything more clearly.

I can feel it.

So, Shirone began his journey, stepping through sequential stages, starting from 1. He didn't know how long the journey would take or how far he would go.

You're free. There's no wrong way.

But how far had he gone?

At a point most humans never reached, Shirone suddenly realized something.

"Ah…"

When he opened his eyes again, it was already morning.

24 hours had passed, but he didn't feel tired.

Yet, there was a profound, almost spiritual light in his eyes.

He looked up at the ceiling with a face full of sadness.

"Is that so?"

Although no one answered, Shirone felt as though he had received an answer.

The practical evaluation was only an hour away, but the training center was already buzzing with activity.

The school had taken every precaution, strengthening safety measures and setting up scoreboards.

Today was the speed gun test, and both Class Seven and Six were present, eager to watch. It was a chance to impress the graduating class, but also a reminder of the class hierarchy.

On the other hand, most of Shirone's classmates were absent. Only a few showed up, curious about the showdown between Shirone and Iruki.

Of course, the most famous among them was Seriel, who was about to graduate.

Mark ran up to greet her, beaming.

"Hello, senior!"

"Hey, everyone's here to watch. I guess I was the same when I was a junior," Seriel responded.

"Why say such sad things? I came to congratulate Shirone on his victory!"

"Oh! As expected, you've got it all figured out! Great! Let's all cheer and bring some energy to this!"

The two made their way to the image zone, the area with the best view.

As expected, a path opened up wherever Seriel went.

The students' main interest was the speed gun duel between Shirone and Iruki.

"So far, Iruki's been winning by a landslide, but things could change. The practical test pairs people up, so there's always a chance for surprises."

The school had adopted this competitive format to help improve students' performance.

"It's like a race. With a competitor, you'll push yourself harder than if you're on your own. But will that be enough to overcome the difference? Iruki hasn't set a record yet."

"That's why I think it's risky. The tension in a real fight is different. If the training difficulty is too easy, you might not be able to perform at your best in a real situation."

Though confident in her own preparation, the students couldn't stop discussing the event.

Etella's voice rang out over the loudspeaker.

"Please check your group assignments and get ready for your turn. The test will begin in 10 minutes."

To maximize performance, opponents were matched based on similar records, and high scorers were placed at the end to avoid psychological pressure.

As a result, Shirone and Iruki were assigned to the last group.

So that's how it is.

After the 10-minute preparation period, the first two contestants in Group 1 headed to the image zone.

"It's finally starting. I'm nervous."

The speed gun test was the main event, drawing plenty of attention.

Even though the contestants had to focus, they knew that breaking their personal records was secondary—if they lost to their opponent, it would be hard to leave with a smile.

"Great job, Group 19. Now, the last group…"

"Wow!"

The crowd's cheers drowned out Etella's announcement.

Unlike the excited students, Shirone and Iruki didn't even look at each other.

Mark, watching Shirone head toward the image zone, commented, "Wow, Shirone-senpai looks so focused! But isn't it going to be tough this time? I heard he's losing to Iruki-senpai in the records."

Seriel rolled her eyes.

"Please, Shirone is strong in real combat. Remember the teleportation test? Someone doubted him back then and ended up getting beaten."

"Haha… yeah, that's right."

Mark scratched his cheek awkwardly, letting out an empty laugh.

As Shirone and Iruki took their places in the image zone, Etella went over the rules.

"The test lasts one minute. It will start as soon as the red light on the scoreboard turns on. The sections are divided by magic barriers, so think of it like an individual event. And remember, since your juniors are watching, don't embarrass yourselves. That's all."

The two nodded without a word and walked to their starting positions, clearly focused.

The crowd went silent, holding their breath in anticipation.

Both of them have scores in the 700s. They'll start off strong.

Shirone stared at the scoreboard, feeling his heart race, but he wasn't nervous.

It was perfect concentration.