Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 26

#026. Disgust and Anger (3)

I opened the door to the small container inside the hotel and went in.

Squeak──

The pungent smell of alcohol and medicine hits you as soon as you enter.

Medicines and medical supplies were placed along shelves lining the walls.

“It’s here.”

When I turned my gaze inward at the sound of the voice, I saw Philip getting up from the bed.

Knock. Knock.

Ray walked over and sat down on the chair, looking up and down at Philip’s condition.

“It looks better than I thought.”

Bandages and gauze wrapped around the arms and legs.

A purple bruise stained all over the skin.

Ointment applied over a red wound.

His face was swollen from being hit several times, but his eyes still had some of their clarity.

“Thanks to you. I heard from the kids. They said you carried me.”

Philip added in a haggard voice that he was on the verge of losing consciousness in the container.

“I’m still a bit dizzy. I don’t think I’ll be able to move without a wheelchair for a while.”

“If you live, that’s enough.”

Philip chuckled at Ray’s characteristically dry way of speaking.

“You’re right. As long as you live, that’s fine.”

That wasn’t really wrong.

Street orphans with a tenacious spirit could revive like weeds no matter how much they were trampled, as long as they were still alive.

Ray continued the conversation.

“I didn’t know you’d be getting beaten by Cedric there.”

“It was an emergency. Cedric never came out on days when it was raining black. He just let his men do it.”

Philip said with a look of complete surprise on his face.

“I was planning to do some research in advance. When the street changes hands to you, I can immediately dispatch the hotel kids to the shopping district there.”

“How bold. I thought you were very timid.”

“You’re right. I’m really timid. I’m also quite shy. But sometimes I try to overcome my fear.”

Overcoming fear.

Ray’s interest was piqued.

“When will that be?”

“When there’s an opportunity to make money. When I met you, and today. And… .”

Ray looked down at Philip’s bowl.

‘Usually when we talk about money, the bowl seeps into the golden mana.’

Golden mana appears when people have greed for money and material things.

But when talking about money, the amount of golden mana seeping into Philip’s bowl was not that much.

Rather, it was the pink mana that took up the largest volume at that timing.

It’s not a color I’ve seen often.

But when I think of someone I want to meet but can’t.

At that time, I knew that the color of the mana that was in people’s bowls was pink.

‘Last time, when we were talking about money, golden mana and pink mana appeared together. Likewise, the proportion of pink mana was much higher.’

On the surface, he looks like a perfect money-grubber, but in reality, his greed for money itself isn’t that great.

Then, there must be another reason for saving money so desperately.

“… … .”

Ray looked up again.

It was just a personal curiosity, and it wasn’t an important story at the time anyway.

Because now it was clear that there were other things to do.

“So in my opinion… .”

“It seems like you’ve known Cedric for a long time.”

Philip closed his mouth for a moment.

He seemed to be gathering his thoughts and then continued talking.

“As expected, you’re quick-witted. I don’t think he’d say that himself.”

“… … .”

“First of all, please understand that I had no intention of hiding it with bad intentions. I thought that if you knew that you were my friend, you might hesitate in the duel, although I don’t think you would.”

Ray nodded in understanding.

“Tell me a story. Even the smallest bit of information could help in the duel.”

Originally, Ray thought he would be able to subdue Cedric easily.

But today, I changed my mind after seeing that the ring’s mana had grown.

I thought it would be a good idea to prepare for this.

Everything that can be done within the limits of possibility.

“I don’t know where to start. First of all, Cedric was originally a resident of the hotel.”

“You were a hotel resident?”

“Yeah. We’ve been friends since we were very young.”

Philip and Cedric said they were always in an underdog position on the street before the hotel was completed.

Getting hit. Getting robbed. Getting ripped off.

Overcoming the crisis of death day after day.

“It was only after I built the hotel that I was able to live a stable life.”

There’s nothing wrong with that.

No need to starve.

No need to shiver in the cold.

But Cedric said he was always dissatisfied somewhere.

“To be exact, I was angry. I would always obsessively train my body after work.”

Ray nodded, recalling Cedric’s body.

Although he was small in stature, his body was clearly muscular.

“Then, half a year ago, I left the hotel on my own. I was on the street picking fights like crazy.”

“I don’t think you’d suddenly start winning fights just because you trained your body.”

Philip sympathized with Ray’s words.

“That’s right. As you know, street fighting is much more about physique than technique… Oh, of course, your case is an exception. Anyway, Cedric is not very big. Even though he trained to the death, there was a limit to how well he could fight.”

To begin with, Cedric wasn’t very good at fighting.

Ray got the impression that he was swinging his fists wildly with the power of the ring on his back.

Philip continued in a bitter voice.

“Cedric was always carrying around. He was fundamentally different in size from the kids who were running around the streets.”

“Then things must have changed drastically.”

“uh?”

Philip’s eyes widened.

As if to ask how I knew that.

“That’s right. Cedric suddenly became good at fighting. To be exact, he became stronger. He can lift an opponent with one hand. He can knock an opponent out with one punch.”

That was two months ago.

Cedric went on to challenge and usurp the position of the original leader of the group he was currently leading.

“No one understood it, but… they had no choice but to understand. That’s because of what was happening right before their eyes. Everyone assumed that maybe he had been hiding his brute strength all along.”

Ray felt like the puzzle in his head was starting to fall into place.

Then he asked a question.

“When he was a resident of the hotel, did Cedric originally have a ring or something?”

“A ring? Oh, that thing you’ve been wearing lately? No, I wasn’t really interested in that kind of thing. I think I got it somewhere to show off after becoming the leader of the group. I used to be a bit of a braggart.”

Ray nodded.

I continued to make assumptions in my head.

‘If the man in the basement gave the ring to Cedric, who was wandering the streets.’

Then the circumstances fall into place.

But why.

Why did you give the ring to Cedric?

The man said he made a promise to make them regular members if they filled the numbers of the gang.

Was it to give Cedric the strong power to create a gang?

‘But it looks like you’ve been kicked out of the organization. They won’t be able to accept you as a real member.’

Then why did he ask me to gather the gang?

For what purpose.

For some reason.

Ray, lost in doubt, narrowed his eyes slightly and continued asking questions.

“Cedric’s personality wasn’t originally that violent, was it?”

“… You’re spot on. You’re right. Your personality has changed since you left the hotel. Especially recently.”

Philip paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, and then said:

“Since Cedric went out into the street, he has kept his distance from me. He ignores me even when I call his name from afar. Sometimes he even looks at me with contempt. Today, he tried to kill me…”

As he spoke, Philip’s face darkened rapidly.

This was because he gradually came to his senses and became fully aware of what he had been through.

My eyes turned red, but I was able to control my emotions and didn’t shed any tears.

“Since I distanced myself from you, it’s only natural that I would reject your business proposal.”

“Yes. And in fact, Cedric hates not only me but all the hotel kids. That must be the reason.”

Ray paused for a moment before speaking.

“I have a suggestion for you.”

What’s the suggestion here?

Philip’s eyes widened.

And then I couldn’t help but be surprised once again by Ray’s next words.

“Would you like to talk to Cedric?”

“You want to… talk?”

Ray continued, checking the emotional colors in Philip’s bowl.

“You’ve been friends for a long time. Don’t you want to fix our broken relationship?”

“That’s… that’s right. If only I could.”

“Come with me to the duel venue. After the duel, I’ll make room for you to talk to Cedric.”

Ray’s idea was simple.

Although he would become the leader through a duel, he planned to have someone else take charge of the pack.

If possible, with Cedric.

Since they are beings who reign with fear, they will be able to control the children with certainty.

‘To do that, you’ll first have to take the ring away.’

If you cut off the supply of red mana, you will easily win the duel.

Since there is no red mana to stir up emotions, there will be no chance of the violent personality being revealed again.

But just in case, I wanted to have an insurance policy called Philip.

Philip has a remarkable talent for observing people in short periods of time and winning their hearts through conversation.

If you’ve been friends for a long time, it goes without saying.

“I wish you would make peace with Cedric.”

“… … .”

So when Cedric refuses to take charge of the gang, I want you to convince him.

While Ray was thinking like that.

Philip, who had been lost in thought, said:

“I don’t know if Cedric and I can reconcile once we set up a place, but first of all, I can’t enter the duel arena.”

“why?”

“As far as I understand, only children belonging to the three major gangs will be allowed to enter the duel venue.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve already told Cedric that I’ll take you. If you beat me, I can publicly execute you in front of everyone gathered in the arena.”

“Oh, then is it possible to enter…?”

Philip’s words suddenly ceased.

I just thought I heard something strange behind Ray’s back.

“You’re going to execute me in public?”

“Yeah. If Cedric beats me, you’ll be executed.”

“Uh… Is this the execution I know? Execution is usually defined as taking someone’s life, but does it have a slightly different meaning in Sector 50?”

“That’s right. I know it well.”

“… … .”

Philip blinked.

For a short while, my head spun around and I reached the only conclusion that made sense.

Philip said, slightly raising the corner of his mouth.

“What, Ray, you’re joking too─”

“I won’t do that. If I lose the duel, you will be executed. In a very cruel way.”

“Just kidding….”

“no.”

“joke….”

“no.”

Philip was silent.

It seemed like the person who saved me from being bitten by a wild beast was actually another wild beast.

He put on his broken glasses with a flustered gesture, and pressed the bridge of his nose with his upright middle finger towards Ray.

He sent a look of timid protest, but it didn’t seem to convey much meaning.

“… … .”

Actually, I’ve known about it for a long time.

This means that the person in front of you is a person with a distance between them that is as big as the distance between sectors.

“Why? Are you scared?”

I don’t know what fear is, but it seems certain that there is an executioner in front of me who will drag me to the execution ground.

“You won’t die. The execution is on the condition that Cedric defeats me.”

“… … .”

“I think I will win. You said so before.”

“Hmm….”

It was a bit dizzying for a moment, but thinking about it, it was true.

There was still no change in the prediction that Ray would defeat Cedric.

And if.

If Ray could control Cedric with his power and create a space for dialogue.

‘There is no reason to refuse.’

Because I’ve been hoping for this kind of situation for a long time.

But does the conversation have to take place right after the duel is over?

Wouldn’t it be possible to do it in other places later when the opportunity arises?

“… … .”

Philip, who had been thinking about it, soon shook his head inwardly.

I really wanted to see the duel between Ray and Cedric with my own eyes.

“I will do that. I will go to the arena with you.”

A short but heartfelt word.

Just as Philip was about to continue his story.

“I thought about it carefully. And there’s one more thing I need you to do at the arena. It’s my second suggestion.”

Before I could even come to my senses, Ray’s next words flew out.

Philip asked back with a bewildered look on his face.

“Second offer?”

“Okay. Bet me all the money you’ve saved so far.”

Words that came out of nowhere without any warning.

Because of this, it took Philip a while to fully understand the sentence.

“You want me to… bet money on you? All the money I’ve saved so far?”

“You heard me right.”

Philip was speechless.

Aha! This is a real 50-sector joke! Ray has a better sense of humor than I thought! Hahahaha!

“Didn’t you say that you try to overcome your fear when you have the opportunity to make money?”

Philip’s body, which had been briefly withdrawing its mind, trembled.

“… … .”

“Philip, let me say this again. I’m proposing a business to you. This is a big money-making opportunity.”

When you make money, you have to be brave.

I’m sure I said it with my own mouth.

It felt like I’d been hit hard in the head with a hammer.

Also, I was always the one who suggested business to someone first, never knowing that the opposite would happen.

And that too from a child of the same age, not an adult.

‘This is an opportunity to make a lot of money.’

That wasn’t a wrong statement.

The duel that took place two days later was no ordinary street fight.

Cedric set the table properly.

Children from the three major gangs will attend in large numbers as spectators.

‘The other gang leaders, Zephyr and Rotson, will definitely show up too.’

It is said that an amount of money of a different scale than usual will be gathered in one place.

If successful, you can rake in huge amounts of money.

The feeling of embarrassment quickly goes away.

The inner businessman who had been lying in bed suddenly wakes up and begins to calmly analyze the situation.

‘I still think Ray will win the duel.’

There was a separate problem.

I wonder if I can get out of here with the other money safely.

Not only will you not get your money back, you could get beaten up by angry kids and not even be able to save your life.

at that time.

“I just need to beat Cedric. The rest of them won’t be able to beat me even if a hundred of them attack me.”

Ray’s voice came through as if reading my thoughts.

Philip, startled, slowly raised his head.

I was able to look into Ray’s eyes without the slightest wavering.

“… … .”

“… … .”

Philip seemed to know.

In the end, it remains to be seen what answer will come out of one’s own mouth.

After a few minutes of thinking.

Knock knock─

Philip stood up and offered Ray a hand.

“It’s an honor to be with you, Mr. Les. First, let’s draw up a contract.”

*

Two days later.

A bright sunny afternoon.

A garbage dump on the southern outskirts of Sector 49.

Thud. Thud.

A group of boys approached the car in a wide formation, surrounding it among the piles of scrap metal.

dripping.

As I knocked on the front door, the window rolled down and a face appeared. It was Ray.

“I guess they came to pick me up.”

“I came to catch you. What if you run away? I’m scared to fight you.”

It was a provocation, but Ray didn’t respond.

There was not the slightest sign of panic or nervousness.

“If I run away now, will you be able to stop me with your own strength?”

Rather, it is a provocation thrown in reverse.

Cedric’s gang’s face hardened for a moment.

My heart ached.

I was overcome with annoyance and anger.

I thought he’d be a little shaken up if he suddenly appeared, but why is he so indifferent?

But the boys had no way of knowing.

What this means is that Ray had known for a long time that there was surveillance around him.

One of the men spoke, his stomach boiling with anger.

“Don’t show off. I heard you sprained your ankle yesterday. Many people saw it. No matter how well you fight, if you can’t use your body properly, you’re finished. Today will be your death. I told our boss. Understand?”

“… … .”

The gang laughed amongst themselves, thinking that they had hit the nail on the head as they watched Ray not respond.

But this time they didn’t know.

“The hunter limps.”

“I hurt my ankle badly while fighting.”

That’s the rumor that Ray spread on purpose using the hotel kids.

Ray put the red jewels that were clinking in his hand back into his bosom, opened the door, and went out.

Squeak──

He didn’t forget to deliberately cut his feet to meet the audience’s expectations.

“What, you’re really limping?”

“Ugh. I don’t know what gave me the confidence to say that out loud.”

Ray paid no attention to the laughter.

He straightened his posture and turned his gaze to the guides.

“Let’s go. To the arena.”