Chapter 72: The Youth Who Pays Respect (3)
The Rockdeers rose from their spots as Ray approached.
-Grrk.
-Grrrlk.
The creatures stepped back warily, their vessels brimming with suspicion. Soon a wide circular void formed around Ray. He took one step forward. The Rockdeers retreated one step back.
'Fifteen meters.'
Ray recognized this as the maximum distance he could approach the herd. His thorough scan revealed no blue-skinned individual. Expected - luck had never favored him enough to spot one specific creature among thousands.
'Their wariness exceeds expectations.'
Though anticipated, locating the blue-skinned Rockdeer up close seemed impossible. A shout interrupted his thoughts:
"If you want one captured, we'll catch it! But taming's impossible unless raised by humans since cubhood!"
Did they assume he sought a familiar like Michael? The word "cub" sparked an idea.
'Should I have brought Fran?'
The blue-skinned creature was likely Fran's mother. Her scent or cries might have lured it. Ray shook his head after a moment's consideration.
'Too many variables.'
He'd withheld information about the blue Rockdeer and Fran from Skyle. Any complications could jeopardize their true plan - seizing Skyle's assets.
As Skyle approached, Ray inquired, "We're luring John tomorrow afternoon? Handing over the photo tonight?"
"Correct. We've mapped the Rockdeers' arrival point. Tomorrow, we'll herd them into a canyon near the destination."
Skyle's plan unfolded clearly: trap the herd in the canyon's clearing, lure John there, and claim his target hid among the Rockdeers.
"Narrow entrance prevents escape. Ideal for silencing them all." Skyle's booming laugh echoed as he noticed his subordinates arriving.
"Halt the hunt?" A disgruntled voice protested.
Golden mana blazed in the mercenaries' vessels, anger simmering beside it - until their tones shifted:
"Captain's done it! Recruited him!"
"Bodyguards are easy. That mage is the real issue."
The resentment vanished as if never present. The golden mana swelled conspicuously under the desert winds, all details captured in the boy's pale eyes.
That evening.
Inn Room 203.
Ray sat rigidly focused, a faint purple mana chain extending from his hand to Fran licking her paws on the bed. Compared to Michael's robust connection, his thread appeared insubstantial.
'Move. Come here.'
Time blurred until Fran suddenly twitched.
Thudthudthud!
......
Watching the cub scratch her neck, Ray severed the link.
'Atmospheric mana has limits.'
Frustration mounted. Progress required deeper understanding of respect - mana strengthened through emotional immersion.
The door burst open.
"Ray, we need to talk," Philip announced.
"Fran! There you are!" Veronica scooped up the darting cub.
"Was that familiar magic?" Ray demanded.
"Huh? I don't know that magic," she replied, nuzzling Fran. "Just called her name."
Ray massaged his temples. "Veronica, what do you know about familiar magic?"
She recounted Graham's teachings: manipulating body and mind through control elements. "...and a strong bond lets you use less mana."
"Bond?"
"Like long-built trust," Philip offered. Ray frowned - establishing relationships seemed inefficient for commanding familiars.
When questioned about respect, Philip described admiring Sector 48's shrewd shopkeeper: "I thought 'I want to be like him.'"
Veronica disagreed: "Respect is knowing you could never match someone. My grandfather knew so much, I realized I'd never catch up."
Ray's mind flashed to someone, but he changed subjects to Skyle's scheme.
"Unbelievable!" Veronica gasped as he explained.
"I won't join the fight," Ray stated calmly. "Skyle's group attacks John's guards at my signal. They'll initially overwhelm but ultimately lose without anyone restraining Michael."
"John's forces will be weakened by battle's end. We'll secure Skyle, find the blue Rockdeer using Fran, then escape."
Though risky, Philip reluctantly agreed to stay behind: "I'd just be dead weight."
Veronica insisted on joining despite dangers.
"Death doesn't scare me!"
Ray saw genuine courage in her vessel's glow.
'Her defensive magic should protect her... but can she handle witnessing deaths?'
A fleeting concern surprised him - had he truly worried for someone?
"Fine. Come."
Skyle arrived beaming later: "We depart tomorrow at 1 PM. The old fool took the bait instantly!"
"Manipulating senile sentiments is child's play," he boasted while Ray replenished his golden mana.
After Skyle left, a knock revealed John's guard:
"The Chairman requests your presence."
