#074. The Youth Who Pays Respect (5)
The sudden presence of Ray nearly caused Mikhail to stumble backward.
“Huh... Lord Ray?”
Having quickly regained his composure, Mikhail straightened his posture and spoke in a subdued voice.
“You said you’d ask your remaining questions later... So that’s why you sought me out. I deeply apologize for my actions back then. No matter how angry I was, I should never have behaved so disrespectfully. I’ll accept any punishment.”
Mikhail’s vessel radiated shame, guilt, and remorse.
Ray lowered his gaze slightly and spotted another emotion lingering in the corner of the vessel.
‘...Inferiority.’
Mikhail harbored an inferiority complex toward Ray.
Even the stealth magic Ray had just demonstrated was leagues beyond his own.
‘Who is this directed toward? John? Skyle? The other guards?’
Though Ray himself remained unaware that this insecurity was aimed at him.
Ray shifted his thoughts.
‘He doesn’t seem to know I just met with John.’
It appeared Mikhail believed Ray had come to the hotel to resume their earlier conversation.
In truth, this visit was due to John’s summons.
But Ray saw no need to correct him.
He planned to speak with Mikhail again regardless.
‘No point revealing what John said either.’
The fact that Mikhail would be dismissed after tomorrow.
That, too, was irrelevant to Ray—however their relationship unfolded.
“You’ll accept any punishment?”
“Yes. I’ll do anything within my power. Though I’d prefer if you didn’t demand my life... Not that I could stop you if you chose to enforce it—”
“Teach me the principles of summoning magic.”
“—given your strength... Huh?”
Mikhail faltered at Ray’s unexpected request.
“Summoning magic requires control over rare elements—not just in small quantities, but vast amounts. Knowing the theory alone isn’t enough to...”
He abruptly closed his mouth, recalling how Ray had replicated stealth magic after a single observation.
Of course, stealth spells were foundational academy magic.
Summoning—reserved for a select few who underwent rigorous training—was incomparable in difficulty.
“......”
Yet why did he feel...
...that common sense didn’t apply to this person?
Mikhail cautiously ventured,
“Are you intending to summon a familiar?”
“Yes. I’ve heard you can share senses with them. It seems useful.”
“Do you have a specific creature in mind?”
Ray paused briefly.
While any animal would be helpful, one type clearly offered the broadest utility.
“A bird. Like yours, Mikhail.”
“A bird...?”
“Yes. They’d be most versatile.”
For aerial reconnaissance...
Or delivering urgent messages and parcels...
After a moment’s consideration, Mikhail responded,
“It’s a sound idea. However, you’ll need to visit higher sectors and acquire one through professional breeders.”
Ray understood without further explanation.
Stray dogs, alley cats, rats—
Quadrupeds were common in the sectors, but birds had become rare.
In his entire life, Ray could count on one hand the times he’d seen actual birds.
Where have all the birds gone? There’s a saying—they flew toward rainbows in clear skies.
Unlike earthbound creatures, they can spread their wings and leave anytime.
To Ray, who believed in rainbows out of necessity, this tale held strange plausibility.
At the very least, skies choked with smoke and black clouds hardly seemed inviting.
“Shall I explain the theory first?”
Mikhail’s polite tone pulled Ray from his brief reverie.
“Please.”
“Then let’s start with elemental fusion principles...”
Mikhail began his calm explanation, though he couldn’t fathom why Ray wanted theoretical lessons as penance.
“...Thus, understanding your familiar’s physical traits and temperament is crucial.”
“Do people ever abandon their summons?”
“It happens. If their personalities clash or the summoner deems them useless, they’re released back to nature. Sometimes the familiar flees first when the bond weakens.”
Mikhail found himself fully engaged in the Q&A session, swept up by Ray’s relentless curiosity.
“That covers summoning. Next—do you know anything about rainbows?”
“Rainbows?”
Mikhail hesitated before reluctantly offering,
“There’s a turtle in the Elton River...”
“Stop.”
“Huh?”
“Anything else?”
“You... already know that tale? My apologies—I’ve no other rumors about rainbows. I don’t dwell on fanciful stories.”
Ray tilted his head.
“What about John’s ‘Sapphire Rockdeer’?”
“......”
Mikhail had no rebuttal—both the rainbow and mythical deer lacked substance.
“The City of Mages?”
“Another legend. Some claim traveling up the Elton River leads to it.”
Mikhail listed other rumors:
Mirages in wastelands...
An underwater city beneath the river...
A floating island metropolis...
All flights of fancy divorced from reality.
“Some argue it’s not a physical place but a grand metaphor.”
“Everything you just said totals twenty violas.”
“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to—”
Unlike rainbows, the City of Mages left no tangible clues.
Yet paradoxically, Ray felt increasingly certain it existed.
“You’ve been helpful. One final question.”
Ray paused deliberately.
Mikhail tensed, then deflated at what came next.
“What do you think respect is?”
The question caught him utterly off guard.
Gugugugugu──!
The earth trembled beneath a thunderous stampede.
Under the blazing sun, countless Rockdeer charged across the plains—
Chased by something,
Moving with desperate urgency,
Kicking up massive dust clouds.
Bwaaaaah──!
Twenty vehicles pursued relentlessly behind the herd.
─The canyon appears 4km ahead.
Skyle’s voice crackled from the radio in Ray’s vehicle.
Veronica pressed the transmit button as Ray kept his eyes forward:
“We can’t herd them all inside. I’ll split the group. Any subgroup will do, but we must avoid appearing to hunt the specific deer—John might grow suspicious.”
─Understood. As expected, you see what others miss. Take point—we’ll coordinate.
“Copy.”
─We’ll await your heroics at the canyon. For our soon-to-flourish assets.
“Sure.”
Ray gestured, and Veronica released the button.
“Switch channels,” he ordered.
After adjusting the panel, she reopened communications.
Click.
John’s voice emerged:
“You heard Skyle. The Sapphire Rockdeer’s somewhere in that thousand-strong herd. I’ll spearhead the search and drive its group into the canyon.”
─As planned.
“No deviations.”
─I’m counting on you. Perform well, and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Skyle’s coffers are deep—hunting’s been lucrative.
Click.
─To our imminent success.
“Copy.”
Another disinterested reply.
As static filled the cabin, Veronica suddenly spoke:
“Thank you.”
Ray blinked.
Gratitude? For what?
He struggled to parse social cues, but this timing felt especially incongruous.
“For what?”
“Stopping the hunts. At least yesterday and today, the Rockdeer stayed safe.”
Veronica’s vessel glimmered with gratitude and faint concern for the creatures.
Though mild, the emotions were unmistakable.
‘I don’t understand.’
By Ray’s definition, “concern” meant selflessly protecting others—something reserved for family or close friends.
Yet Veronica had no special bond with these animals.
“I didn’t do it for thanks. I warned Skyle to protect my observation target.”
“You could’ve taken credit anyway.”
Veronica smiled.
She’d hidden her worries, not wanting to burden Ray after he’d already sheltered Fran.
But knowing he’d halted the hunts brought quiet relief.
“Take credit?”
“Yeah. When people highlight their good deeds.”
“Why bother?”
Though Ray acted for his own reasons, Veronica suspected shyness played a role.
To her, Ray embodied quiet thoughtfulness—gruff exterior masking meticulous care.
He’d protected the bookstore despite no personal stake.
Ensured Malta and Yulphin’s safety when leaving Sector 49.
His vow—I’ll always prioritize your safety—had soothed their fears.
A warm itch bloomed in Veronica’s chest.
“Ray, you’re such a warm person.”
“My body temperature’s actually low.”
“No—you’re warm-hearted.”
“Heart-warm? Is this a fire magic side effect?”
Their mismatched conversation continued as the vehicle closed in on the herd.
Ray slowed, allowing the Rockdeer to react.
Creatures veered left and right, creating a path.
Bwaaaah──!
The car accelerated through the opening, Rockdeer parting like gray waves.
“Look for blue-hided ones.”
“On it.”
While both scanned their surroundings, Ray’s perspective diverged radically from Veronica’s.
Gugugugugu──!
Because—
─Grroooowl!
─Grooowl!
The gray-skinned beasts surrounding them...
Gugugugugu──!
─Grooooooowl!
─Growl! Groooowl!
...were masses of primal emotion.
Fear. Panic. Chaos.
And overwhelming all—
Crimson rage.
What Ray saw wasn’t gray hides, but a seething scarlet ocean.
