Genius Wizard who sees Rainbows- Chapter 64

#064. The Old Man and the Rockdeer (2)

 

 

 

 

 

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Having changed into new clothes, Ray and his group examined their reflections in the mirror.

The shop assistant trailed after them, pouring out effusive praise with all her might.

“Oh my! It suits you so well!”

All the while, her gaze darted repeatedly to the inside of Philip’s jacket, where his money pouch rested. The golden temptation within seemed to twitch in time with her glances.

“Try this one too! Wait, this one is just so pretty! Oh my gosh! What do we do?!”

What do we do, indeed.

Philip shook his head in resignation.

“Ray, do you remember what number we’re on?”

“Twelfth.”

“Guys, how about this? Does it look okay?”

“Uh, yeah. Seems fine.”

“Now it’s the thirteenth.”

“What? You don’t sound very convincing. Are you sure it’s fine?”

“Wow! Veronica! It looks absolutely stunning on you! You’re so beautiful and radiant, I can’t stop admiring you! Haha! I’d believe it if someone called you a princess!”

After Veronica’s impromptu fashion show came to an end, the group each selected an outfit.

Shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, and shoes—though not as extravagant as other items in the store, the clothing was undoubtedly refined and made from highly practical materials.

At the counter, Philip negotiated with the shop assistant and managed to secure a 15% discount on their purchases.

As they exited the clothing store, Ray asked, “How did you haggle the price down?”

“That’s a trade secret,” Philip replied with a sly grin.

Ray was impressed. It was remarkable that he could negotiate such a discount without resorting to tools like guns or swords.

Having left their original clothes at the inn, the group resumed their journey toward the hotel.

As Philip had predicted, the street kids no longer tried to pick fights with them. On the contrary, some startled and fled as they passed. Suspicious and wary glances persisted, but the emotional tone of the “vessels” had shifted.

Now, their gazes carried envy, admiration, longing, and jealousy—a swirl of murky emotions emanating like muddy mana.

It was astounding how a change in attire could elicit such dramatically different reactions.

“Are there other ways to change people’s reactions, aside from clothing?” Ray asked.

“Hmm… anything related to appearance, really. When you first meet someone, all you have to judge them by is their exterior.”

Philip gave examples like physical looks, clothing, and voice tone.

“But the most important factor is the aura a person exudes. That’s why some people look dignified even in cheap clothes, while others seem unimpressive in expensive ones.”

Philip thought Ray fell into the former category. In his current neatly pressed shirt and trousers, no one would believe Ray was a street kid.

“Even calling him a rich young master doesn’t seem enough,” Philip mused.

Something about him felt entirely different, as though he belonged to another world altogether.

—
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With deliberate steps, they walked through the city streets and soon arrived at 22nd Street, where the towering Gallet Hotel stood amidst smaller buildings.

Veronica and Philip marveled at the sight.

“It’s so tall. I’ve never seen a building this high,” Veronica exclaimed.

“Yeah. A whole five stories tall.”

Though not objectively high, it was the tallest structure the children had ever seen.

The hotel’s entrance, surrounded by reddish-brown brick walls, was guarded by two uniformed guards standing in imposing poses. Occasional guests, presumed to be patrons, passed in and out.

Philip commented, “It doesn’t look like they’re checking passes. Instead of waiting here, let’s just go in.”

Though they had changed clothes, their nerves remained. According to Skyle, the client was staying inside with personal bodyguards, awaiting results from the mercenary group’s search efforts.

Waiting indefinitely would be a waste of time. They had to act.

“Let’s go,” Ray said, taking the lead with confident strides.

Philip and Veronica followed hesitantly.

“Ray, wait a second. What if they stop us? Shouldn’t we come up with a story—”

“They won’t stop us.”

Ray’s response carried certainty. He had briefly made eye contact with the guards earlier and noted that their “vessels” held no hostility or wariness.

As they approached, Philip and Veronica grew more anxious, feeling the guards’ eyes on them. It seemed inevitable that they’d be stopped and interrogated. Instinctively, they ducked their heads.

“It’s fine,” Ray whispered ahead of them.

Surprisingly, his words melted their unease. Feeling emboldened, Philip and Veronica straightened their postures and walked through the main entrance behind Ray.

The guards not only refrained from stopping them but even nodded politely with faint smiles as their eyes met.

Philip murmured, “…I can’t believe that worked.”

Inside, the group passed several guests, most of whom smiled or nodded courteously. These affluent individuals, visiting Sector 48 for business or leisure, exuded an air of composure. Their wealth separated them from the struggles of lower sectors, fostering an unspoken camaraderie among them.

“Is this also because of our clothes?” Ray wondered aloud, astonished by the warm reactions of strangers.

“Probably,” Philip replied.

Blending seamlessly into the hotel’s atmosphere, the group approached the central U-shaped reception desk, where a stately manager greeted them with a smile.

“What can I assist you with, young ladies and gentlemen?”

“We’re heading back to our room but forgot the room number!” Philip replied cheerfully.

“What name is the reservation under?” the manager asked.

“John Grid. He’s our grandfather,” Philip said.

Without suspicion, the manager provided the room number.

The group climbed the stairs and reached Room 207 at the end of a carpeted hallway. Philip knocked on the door.

A man in a suit with a menacing demeanor opened it. “…Who are you? I think you have the wrong room.”

Philip and Veronica instinctively stepped back, but Ray stepped forward.

“We’re here to see Mr. John Grid,” he said calmly.

The man frowned. “There’s no record of any visitors today. Especially not kids like you.”

“We’re here through Skyle’s mercenary group,” Ray explained. “We wanted to hear more about the Rockdeer you’re looking for.”

The man’s brow furrowed deeply.

“As expected of loose-lipped mercenaries. Carelessly revealing information about a client…”

Muttering softly, the man directed his voice, now laced with a faint edge of displeasure, toward Ray.

“The Director is busy. He’s not someone kids like you can just meet on a whim.”

“We might actually be able to help.”

“I don’t know who sent you, but if you want to meet the Director, at least show the courtesy of coming here yourself. That’s the message I want you to take back.”

The man’s attitude was firm.

Through the emotional vessel, it was clear he had no intention of backing down.

‘No point in letting Philip handle the talking here.’

It was certain that a man named John Grid was inside.

From the movements, it was also evident there were more guards stationed inside.

‘There are rooms to the left and right beyond the entrance.’

Ray gauged the layout of the building from the scene visible behind the man and simultaneously formulated a plan to subdue the opposing side.

When the goal is clear, the means don’t matter.

That was the boy’s way.

The clue about the Rainbow was reason enough to act.

“Leave now, if you understand. Before I have to forcibly throw you out.”

Ray was about to gather mana and dash forward when—

—“Ah, seems we have guests. They said they’d like to discuss the animal I’m looking for. Let them in.”

A voice called from inside.

The man momentarily disappeared through the door and returned shortly, looking displeased, before gesturing Ray and his group inside.

“Young guests, I see. You’ve come seeking me after hearing about Skyle?”

An elderly man with graying hair sat on a sofa in the central living room.

A faint smile rested on his lips, but he gave the impression of someone whose body and spirit had both grown frail and weary.

“Cheper, what would a dying old man have to be so busy with? Welcoming guests as a little pastime while waiting for good news isn’t a bad idea, don’t you think?”

“If that’s what the Director wishes…”

The man who had been blocking the door gave a small bow to the old man before stepping behind the sofa.

Including him, there were a total of ten guards.

However, one stood out slightly from the rest—dressed more casually than the others, closer to everyday attire, and appearing to be in their early twenties.

“Take a seat, young guests. Make yourselves comfortable. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to introduce yourselves first. Was it Skyle who sent you with the news?”

The old man gestured to the sofa across the table.

Ray sat down first, with Philip and Veronica hesitating slightly before joining him.

They exchanged glances.

‘He wants us to introduce ourselves.’

‘What should we say?’

The group’s identity was clear.

A fateful alliance, cooperating for each other’s purposes.

But articulating that to others was no easy task.

Both turned their gazes toward Ray, who, as expected, answered without hesitation.

“We’re a mercenary group.”

It was, of course, a completely unexpected answer.

‘Philip, are we a mercenary group?’

‘I guess so. Apparently.’

‘If we’re a mercenary group, we’ll need a name. What should it be?’

‘Anything that’s not as cringeworthy as Fran’s naming attempts should be fine.’

‘…?’

As Philip and Veronica exchanged thoughts through their gazes, Ray continued conversing with the old man.

“A mercenary group? The kind that travels between regions, taking on various commissions?”

“Yes. But we weren’t sent by Skyle. We heard about the animal you’re looking for and came here to gather more details.”

A brief silence followed.

Then the old man suddenly burst into loud laughter, as if he had understood something.

“Ha ha ha! A mercenary group, you say! Yes, I suppose you could call it that. You must be the youngest mercenary group I’ve ever encountered!”

Ray scrutinized the old man’s vessel.

He sought to understand his exact emotional state.

Though the old man laughed outwardly, his true intentions might differ.

However, the vessel was deeply etched with emotions accumulated over years, making it difficult to discern his current psychological state.

‘…He’s like Grandpa Graham.’

Ray decided to observe the old man’s facial expressions instead.

Although recognizing faces was still a challenge, continuous practice had improved his skills noticeably.

“Well then, young gentleman with the white hair, are you the leader of this mercenary group? If you want to hear the story, I’d be happy to tell it.”

“Director, they could very well be spies sent by competitors…”

“What purpose would spying serve on a company that’s already in decline? Securing and distributing water from dozens of reservoirs was a thing of the past. Those days of glory are long gone. Very well. How much did Skyle tell you?”

The old man seemed thoroughly entertained.

Like a grandfather recounting old tales to his grandchildren, a hint of excitement lit up his face.

“I heard that when you were young, you got stranded in the wilderness and were saved by a creature made of water called a ‘Rockdeer.’ It saved your life. And…”

Ray took a breath.

“I heard it had a gemstone embedded in its forehead that glowed with a blue light.”

 

 

 

 

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