Gauge Symmetry (Part 3)

Armin remembered that moment vividly.

"In the dark, space disappears. And when space disappears, so does time. That's when I realized—I had already transcended time itself. That's the secret behind my ability to use Stop Magic."

Shirone's heart raced. He was hearing the true essence of a magic that countless wizards had failed to master.

"But… are you sure it's okay to tell me something this important?"

Armin smiled faintly.

"It's fine. I only shared it to help you understand. But the truth is, it's far more complex and deeper than I can explain."

Of course it was.

"Besides, 'Stop' isn't some all-powerful, godlike magic. It only works within the range of a Spirit Zone. Its greatest limitation is that it can't affect the outside world."

Armin turned his gaze to Siana.

"He's a good little sister. A kind soul. You think so too, Shirone?"

"Haha! Well, I don't know about kind, but she's definitely strong. She's already certified as a 6th-class mage."

"Yes, exactly. But think about this—if time is frozen, can we actually harm Siana?"

"Ah…"

Shirone glanced at his friends. No matter how you thought about it, Stop Magic went beyond any conventional power.

"If time is stopped, then even energy can't move. That means no power can be exchanged."

"Right. Events don't happen. Imagine drawing each step of an explosion on separate pages, like in a flipbook. But if there's no next page, the explosion freezes exactly where the last one left off."

"You talk about it like it's space, not time."

Armin chuckled.

"That's the essence of Stop Magic. Time and space are inseparable. Just like acceleration and gravity. Within a Spirit Zone under Stop, the caster becomes omnipotent. They can perceive things as if moving at the speed of light. Even though we've been talking a lot, not even a tenth of a second has passed in real time. In a sense, we're conversing at the speed of light."

"The speed of light…"

Shirone looked back at Neid.

"So, we can't interfere with Neid either. Our mass right now would be zero."

And no object with mass can reach the speed of light.

"That's right. This is the power of omnipotence. Of course, it's still magic, so this omnipotence comes with its own framework. It's the mystery of time and space unfolding within a Spirit Zone."

Then a question struck Shirone.

"Why are you telling me all this? I was the one who doubted you."

"Exactly because you doubted me, Shirone."

Armin reached up and pulled the cloth over his eyes again.

"You're wondering how I knew you'd figure it out, aren't you? It's simple. I've been through the same thing. That's how I recognized it in you. We know each other."

"Wait… You've experienced it too? You mean…"

"Yes. The Immortal Function."

Shirone's heart thundered. Before him stood someone who had personally experienced the Immortal Function—something no one had been able to explain. And that person was the highest-ranked mage in the Time Series.

"The Immortal Function is a realization of the whole. Since the whole is one, your wavelength and mine resonate. Some call it a supernatural connection. Just as you felt something from me, I felt something from you."

"What exactly is the Immortal Function?"

"Think of it as a gateway to the infinite. You've opened that gate, Shirone. In the magical world, people like you are called 'Unlockers.'"

Shirone thought deeply for a moment, then looked up.

"What happens to me now?"

"Nothing bad, if you still value this world. But… tell me. When you accessed the Immortal Function, did you feel like your very self—your ego—was dissolving?"

"Yes! Exactly! I felt like I was about to disappear."

"That's the danger. As your Spirit Zone expands infinitely, your sense of self can vanish. Unlockers must be aware of that critical moment. The power grows, yes—but beyond a certain point, you can't control it. You lose yourself in the sheer freedom. And once that happens… there's no going back."

Shirone swallowed nervously.

"That's why Unlockers must always be mindful of their limits—of the Spirit Zone's size and what they can safely handle. Don't fall into the illusion that there are no limits. The final limit… is destruction."

Armin intentionally avoided using the word nirvana. That, he felt, was for Shirone to discover on his own.

Shirone nodded slowly, letting the words settle in.

"But there's another issue. Lately, I've been dreaming of space. It's the same feeling I had when I first met you. A kind of paranoia. And… I don't know any other Unlockers."

Armin gave a reassuring smile.

"That's normal too. When you opened the Immortal Function, even just for a moment, you touched infinity—the entire universe. You experienced something beyond your senses, beyond your mind. But since you couldn't comprehend it, your ego took a hit. Once you understand what it was… that feeling will disappear."

"How do I figure it out?"

"It'll come on its own. I don't know when. Maybe soon, maybe in your old age. But don't worry, Shirone. You already have the answer inside you. You just don't have a name for it yet."

"But still…"

Seeing the worry in Shirone's eyes, Armin was reminded of his younger self. He knew the comfort of words alone wasn't enough.

"Alright. Let me give you something to focus on: gauge symmetry."

"Gauge… symmetry?"

"Humans believe we live in a symmetrical world. That's normal. Two arms, two legs—it seems like the natural state. But that's just how we're wired. In reality, the universe seems broken. Asymmetrical. It's a great unknown. And maybe we'll never truly understand it."

"But I reached that unknown place. Through something I can't even call a sense."

Armin gently patted Shirone's head. Siana's student was incredibly gifted.

"So don't be afraid. I'm not saying you should just wait passively. Eventually, your very existence will reveal the truth behind that power. When that time comes, everything will make sense."

Shirone nodded. Though his mind was still a swirl of questions, he felt this meeting would mark a turning point in his life.

"Thank you, truly. If I hadn't met you, Armin, I might've lost control—just like Ms. Siana warned. We… actually argued recently. I should apologize to her."

Armin smiled knowingly.

"Try to understand her. She probably rushed things because she's seen what happens when people fall into that abyss. She's not cold—just cautious. You'll see."

"I already do. She's helped me so much. She's a good person."

"...Is that so."

With a warm smile, Armin turned back to the canvas.

"Let's step out of the time field now. If I keep it active too long, I'll lose focus—and I want to finish this painting before my wife returns."

"Oh right! Today's your last day, isn't it?"

"Yes. I may have a fancy title, but I'm really just a painter. I'm packing up and leaving soon. I probably won't see Siana for a while."

"Maybe you should just tell her the truth…"

Armin shook his head.

"Siana still feels guilty. But even if I hadn't given up magic, her lost vision wouldn't have returned. She's married now. I want her to live her life freely, without being held back by the past."

He didn't want the sibling he loved more than life itself to be burdened by old regrets.

"I understand. I'll keep your secret. Thank you, Armin."

"It was my pleasure, Shirone."

As Armin sat back down in front of his canvas and Shirone quietly returned to his seat, time began to move again.

He could hear Neid and Iruki breathing. Siana's smile felt brighter now.

It all felt like waking from a dream—like the conversation with Armin had happened in another world entirely.

But Shirone knew it was real. And he would never forget it.

As time passed, Armin finally finished the portrait and turned it around to show Siana.

"What do you think? Did it turn out well?"

"Yeah. It's beautiful."

"Thanks for everything. It was an honor to draw you."

"Brother… We're not strangers, you know."

A flicker of sadness crossed Siana's eyes. Before she could say anything more, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairway. Startled, she jumped up.

Is his wife home already?

It was earlier than usual, but she didn't have time to think too deeply about it.

"Well, I'll get going. You guys should come too."

Shirone and the others felt uneasy watching Siana rush out like that. The way she fled, just because Armin's wife was coming, made it feel like something had been exposed—like her true feelings had slipped out.

Just as Siana reached for the doorknob, the door swung open and a woman peeked in.

"Hey, are you working on a painting?"

Contrary to what one might expect from Armin's calm and composed personality, the woman was full of energy and looked to be in her early twenties.

She blinked in surprise when she saw Siana.

"Oh wow, Siana? Oh right, today was the day you were stopping by."

"Hello, Miss Keira. It's been a while."

"It has! Why is it so hard to see you these days? Are you avoiding me on purpose? Haha!"

Siana tried to keep her thoughts in order.

"I just finished up with Armin. I was about to head out."

"You just got here. Stay and have dinner with us before you go."

"Thank you for the offer, but I have another appointment."

Keira narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Hmm, that sounds suspicious. Honey, did you do something weird with Siana while I was gone?"

"Keira, watch what you say."

Armin's voice turned sharp, but Keira just laughed and shrugged.

Siana, her face flushed, slipped out the door in a hurry, barely managing to put on her coat. Shirone and the others trailed behind her, still feeling a little hurt.

Keira, either clueless or just overly cheerful, waved at them with a bright smile.

"Bye, kids!"

No one responded. Puzzled by their cold reactions, Keira tilted her head.

"Huh? Did I say something wrong? Why is everyone acting weird? You did do something strange, didn't you, honey?"

"Stop joking around and come down. I at least want to say goodbye properly."

"Tch. Can't believe I have to walk down just for my little sister."

Armin hurried downstairs.

Sensing that it wouldn't feel right to just leave, Siana waited with Shirone and the others outside.

"Sorry about that, Siana. She's a loud one."

"It's alright. Still, since we're parting ways, who knows when we'll see each other again. Write me sometime, and take care of your health."

"You too. But seeing you with your students like this is actually kind of comforting. Honestly, I used to wonder if you were cut out to be a teacher. Haha!"

Siana chuckled.

The only one who could still treat her like a child was Armin. He was the only person who shared memories of her younger, more foolish days.

Shirone's heart tightened with emotion.

Now, he was beginning to understand—why Siana chose to become a teacher, why she was so obsessed with mastering Overflow, and why she'd avoided men despite being known as the "Freezing Siana."

"Well… I'll really go now. Take care."

"I'll let you know once I'm settled. Shirone, Nade, Iruki—keep working hard. I know I'll hear about you becoming great magicians someday."

"Yes. And… thank you for everything today."

Shirone and his friends gave her a deep, heartfelt bow. Without Armin's help, the day might have ended in a far more painful way.

Armin watched quietly as Siana walked off with her students.

At that moment, Keira leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, her face serious.

"Armin, get your head on straight. If the higher-ups see you like this—getting sentimental—they're not going to be happy."

Armin turned to her, clearly annoyed.

They had lived together for three years pretending to be a married couple, but she was still a woman he could never bring himself to like.

"Whatever I feel is my own business. Go ahead and report me. Is the investigation done?"

"Completely. There's nothing left to check in Creas. I need to be in Calvera within fifteen days. The route's dangerous, but Armin of Gwangan should be able to handle it, right?"

"No point wasting time talking about it. I'll keep my promise."

Still, Keira wasn't comfortable.

There was no doubt about Armin's abilities—but he was the kind of man you could never take your eyes off.

"You didn't tell Siana, did you?"

It was a fair question to ask someone capable of stopping time. But Armin said nothing.

Keira pressed on.

"I'm not trying to threaten you. I know it's impossible to capture the Eternal Reflector. But still, you're human. If you betray the organization, everyone you care about will pay the price. Not just Siana, but even the Olipher School."

It was a chilling threat—and one rooted in truth.

The organization Keira worked for had more than enough power, influence, and cruelty to carry out their threats.

Armin had made up his mind: he would protect Siana, no matter what.

In that sense, meeting Shirone had been a stroke of luck. Even if he couldn't stay by her side, having someone as pure-hearted as Shirone there gave him peace of mind.

"You don't have to worry."

Armin smiled faintly, thinking of Shirone's face.

"Because Siana doesn't know anything."