Immortal Function: The Boundary Between Life and Death

"Get lost. Before I kill you."

It seemed Amira had expected a counterattack and responded without a hint of surprise.

"Throwing a tantrum won't change anything. And threatening to kill a senior? Where did you even learn such crude manners?"

School, seniors, and even Alpheas's past—none of that mattered to Neid.

"You want to see with your own eyes whether Shirone is dead? Then go ahead. But I can't guarantee your life."

Above Neid's head, a bolt of lightning formed, and a powerful electric discharge rained down around him.

Lightning magic.

But what was even more shocking was the plasma rising from Neid's body.

Amira's calm expression faltered.

'This is impossible.'

To cast plasma magic, one must either generate an ultra-high temperature energy field or perceive an imaginary ultra-high temperature with omnipotent clarity.

Since the former method had yet to be developed, all plasma mages fell into the latter category—an ability so advanced that even professionals struggled with it.

"How can someone from the Advanced Class use plasma…?"

The other students were equally stunned.

Wasn't Neid supposed to be a mere mid-tier Class Five student at best?

Watching from the third floor, Iruki clicked his tongue.

'Idiot.'

He was the only one who knew that Neid was a completely different person from five years ago.

'You've held yourself back all this time…'

Since that incident, Neid had vowed never to reveal his true strength.

Yet now, he had cast aside his mask—for Shirone's sake.

'This is making me feel guilty.'

Iruki turned away bitterly and slipped out of the infirmary as if he had never been there.

Meanwhile, the protesting students were taken aback.

Even in the Graduation Class, there was someone called an "Electric Monster"—Lycan. They knew just how powerful plasma magic was.

Neid glared at Amira and spoke.

"This is my final warning. Leave."

"Why are you going this far? What does it matter to you to protect a friend who's already dead?"

"Shirone is not dead."

Countless people claimed Shirone was gone. Even his friend, Iruki.

Overwhelmed by sorrow, tears streamed down Neid's face.

"What do you know? What gives you the right to talk about Shirone like that?"

Amira could sense the sincerity in those tears, but she refused to back down.

"If you're willing to use force, I can't just stand by. Before anyone gets hurt, I'll have to subdue you."

Thick, whitish-gray clouds began to swirl around Amira.

Cloud magic—Climate Manipulation.

"You know what this means, right? It's the absolute counter to electricity. No matter how much lightning you throw at me, it won't work."

Neid's gaze sharpened.

"Try me."

Electricity crackled through the air, illuminating the surroundings with blinding intensity.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the entrance.

"Seriously. Why do you keep picking fights you can't handle?"

Iruki stepped forward, and Neid scowled. What was he up to this time?

"Stay out of this. This is my fight."

"Well, from now on, it's mine too."

"Weren't you on their side?"

They were still friends, but since Iruki believed Shirone was dead, there was no reason for him to join the fight.

"Are we seriously picking sides like children? I'm serious too. I don't want them taking Shirone away."

Amira was dumbfounded.

She knew Iruki was an exceptional student, but he was just an Advanced Class student.

How could he dare to stand against seniors from the Graduation Class?

"Oh, you think because we went easy on you, you're something special? Do you really believe you can take us on?"

As Amira stepped forward, the entire protest group activated their Spirit Zones.

An overwhelming wave of mental energy crashed into Neid and Iruki's synesthesia.

'Heh…'

Watching from a distance, Fermi chuckled, his shoulders shaking in silent laughter.

'Yes. Fight. Fight all you want.'

For someone like Fermi, who believed profit was born from chaos and conflict, war was the greatest opportunity.

'Grieve. Rage. Shout that only you are right. That's how you escalate the game.'

And naturally, Fermi would be the one to take the winnings.

Only one person noticed Fermi's sinister smile—Shina.

'This is all your doing.'

She was furious, but Fermi's philosophy wasn't entirely unfounded. She couldn't simply dismiss him.

Alpheas stepped beside Shina.

"It can't be helped."

"Headmaster."

"This is the end of the line. We'll have to accept the student council's demands."

Amy shouted desperately.

"No! What about Shirone?!"

"Amy… I'm sorry."

"How can you do this? You know Shirone isn't dead!"

"No… to be honest, I don't know."

Alpheas gently placed a hand on Amy's trembling shoulder.

"Amy, no one truly knows Shirone's condition. We're simply choosing to believe. Of course, I, too, desperately want Shirone to return. I believe in him…"

"Then why?!"

"But look. These students are just as precious as Shirone. And now they're casting Spirit Zones, preparing to kill each other. I can't allow that."

"N-No…"

Amy slumped into a chair, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

The moment Alpheas acknowledged it, it felt as if Shirone had truly died in her heart.

"Shirone…"

Outside the building, tensions were about to explode.

With everyone inside a Spirit Zone, a deadly battle could break out at any moment.

Amira felt doubt creeping in.

Was this really the right path?

Could a situation where students aimed lethal magic at their own peers truly be justified?

Biting her lip, she glanced between Neid and Iruki.

Neid was beyond reasoning, but Iruki… there was still a chance.

"You. Iruki, right? The Servant user."

No response.

"Do we really have to do this? Your friend may be emotional, but you're different, aren't you?"

"Sorry, but I'm feeling emotional too."

"Liar. But even if you were, does it matter? You know the truth. Do you really think Shirone is alive? Is that the conclusion you've reached as a Servant?"

"If you want a conclusion, there's only one answer."

Iruki, deep in thought, finally looked Amira in the eye and spoke.

"Shirone is not dead."

Neid turned sharply, shocked, but Iruki continued to stare ahead.

Amira's disappointment grew.

She had expected a rational response from the coldest person on campus, but in the end, he was just another naive Advanced Class student.

"Fine. If you really believe that, then surely you have logic to back it up?"

"Of course."

His immediate response left Amira taken aback.

"Then prove it. What makes you think Shirone is alive?"

Iruki smirked.

"Well… it's 4 o'clock, for one."

At that moment, the clock tower bells rang.