Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 57

#057. Last Class (2)

“Do you really think you’ve never made a face?”

The old man’s words were truly unexpected.

“Are you saying that I have ever made a face?”

A past where I tried to feel emotions.

I once tried to make different facial expressions by forcing my facial muscles to move.

The facial expression itself could be made.

“Brother Ray, what’s making you angry? Why are you frowning like that?”

“No, I’m laughing.”

“… Are you laughing?”

“No matter how I look at it, it’s an eerie smile before hitting someone.”

Although the results weren’t very good.

Moreover, like a rubber band that has been pulled tight, if concentration is slightly disturbed, it returns to its original expressionless state.

Even the simplest expression required extreme mental strength.

“… This is inefficient.”

It’s like trying to force yourself to wear shoes that don’t fit.

After that, I gave up making facial expressions and started living with a blank expression.

But what the old man said just now… .

“I tend to smile when I convince myself that I’ve used magic perfectly.”

“… … .”

“When you chew on what someone else is saying, the corners of your eyes become crooked.”

“… … .”

“Of course, they are very subtle signals that are difficult to notice, but you could say that they are all part of facial expressions.”

It was a statement that was hard to believe.

I had been having such subtle movements on my face without even realizing it.

“Practice reading other people’s expressions. If the expressions I show you seem magical and you want to learn how to do it.”

“… I’m not very good at distinguishing people’s faces. They all look the same. So I usually tell them apart by facial expressions, voices, hair color, etc.”

I lived without feeling any major discomfort.

Rather, in some ways, he was able to identify the other person much more accurately than others.

It was similar to how someone who had one sense blocked would develop another sense by leaps and bounds.

“this.”

The old man let out a hollow laugh.

*

The old man died two days later.

The old man, who was leaning back on the head of the bed and looking out the window, slowly closed his eyes.

At first glance, he looks like he’s asleep as usual.

However, I could tell that day was approaching from the gradually decreasing rise and fall of my chest and the faint sound of my breathing.

Soon, complete silence fell on the room.

────!

──────!

Malta and Yulpin sat down next to the bed, hugged the blanket, and burst into tears.

Ray watched the scene.

I wasn’t particularly sad.

However, I was just thinking back on the last conversation I had with the old man.

“Don’t try to do everything by yourself.”

It was just one word, neither too short nor too long.

Squeak─

I got up from my seat and left the room.

Veronica was standing with her back against the wall next to the door.

You went…?

All kinds of emotions swirl around in the bowl.

Sadness, anxiety, fear, regret, etc.

Considering the type and intensity of the emotion, it wouldn’t be surprising if you burst into tears right away.

But Veronica didn’t cry.

With Ray, he simply walked into the room with an indifferent expression on his face.

────!

─────!

The children ran into Veronica’s arms and cried like a broken faucet.

Veronica didn’t cry this time either.

Looking forward, I looked at the old man with his eyes closed.

He just patted his two younger brothers on the shoulders with both hands.

… … .

Ray knew what the kids at the bookstore were feeling right now.

Death of a loved one.

Because I had a similar experience, although the circumstances were different.

If we can bring up the sadness that was buried deep in our hearts at that time, we will be able to empathize with their sadness more deeply.

But Ray didn’t do that.

The feeling of sadness remained as a terrible memory that I never wanted to experience again.

Also, Ray was currently focused elsewhere.

I don’t know what kind of expression it is.

This is not the way.

Ray’s gaze was directed at Malta and Yulpin’s tear-stained faces.

“You can’t recognize human faces. Hmm… How about trying this method?”

Ray was trying out the methods the old man had suggested one by one.

How to read other people’s facial expressions.

Most of them had already completed the test and confirmed that it was ineffective.

Now only the last method remains.

‘He told me to try focusing on each feature individually, rather than trying to recognize the entire face at once.’

Understanding a part is always easier than understanding the whole.

Ray narrowed his gaze, thinking that there was some truth to that.

“… … .”

At first it didn’t seem to have much effect.

However, as I took the time to concentrate, I could feel the facial features becoming more distinct.

I engraved every single facial feature in my head as if I was drawing a portrait.

From eyes to nose.

From nose to mouth.

From mouth to ear again.

A faint excitement and elation rose in the boy’s chest.

Never in my life have I been able to recognize someone’s face so clearly.

Just a little more… .

The boy was so absorbed in his work that he even forgot the passage of time.

Then, Malta and Yulpin’s low breathing could be heard.

… I guess he fell asleep because he was tired. Can you help me move the kids?

Veronica still didn’t cry.

He asked Ray for help in a cautious voice.

Ray nodded and came closer, supporting Malta’s neck and the back of her knees with both arms.

Squeak─

Then I opened the door and went out into the hallway.

Veronica followed, hugging Yulpin in the same position.

Squeak─ Squeak─

I walked down the hallway and arrived at another room.

Even until the moment Malta and Yulpin were put to bed, Ray’s work continued without stopping or resting.

And when I closed the door and left the room with Veronica.

The faces of Malta and Yulpin were completed in Ray’s mind.

The two faces were so vivid and clear that I would never forget them.

And Ray could now understand why he had been feeling uneasy when he saw Malta and Yulpin.

Gulp.

A teardrop ran down Ray’s cheek.

Malta and Yulpin’s faces resembled the faces of two of their younger siblings who had spent time together in Sector 50.

Oh, this is not it.

I didn’t want to feel sad.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Veronica’s back as she slumped down a few steps ahead.

His shoulders shook.

A sad sob escaped.

“Ugh… ugh… ugh, turn it off.”

Veronica now cried,

Once emotions explode, they pound the body and mind without stopping, causing severe pain.

At that moment, the boy and the girl felt emotions of the same color.

Ray thought as he walked towards Veronica.

Maybe that’s a good thing.

I know how to comfort a crying person.

Unlike last time, this time I was able to comfort the other person.

Ray, who had walked in front of Veronica, bent one knee.

He held the girl’s body, which was trembling with sorrow, in his arms and stroked her head with one hand that was turned upwards.

“are you okay.”

Humming softly.

“It’s okay, Veronica.”

The pink mana contained in the boy’s ring wriggled as if resonating.

To the beat of the boy’s heart.

*

Veronica called a company to conduct the old man’s funeral.

The old man’s coffin was carried to the cemetery in the center of Sector 49 and buried by hand by laborers.

There were many expenses, including the cost of the seat and the gravestone, but Veronica spared no expense.

Veronica and her siblings, dressed in black mourning clothes, looked with empty eyes at the sight of the upper part of the coffin being covered with dirt.

A few more days passed after that.

The bookstore operated in a peaceful atmosphere, and the air was much quieter and calmer than before.

Veronica’s eyes were empty.

He completed the circle with Ray’s help, but he didn’t look very happy.

After work, I sat at the desk inside the counter and spent my time day and night.

A desk with a lectern, stand, notebook, writing instruments, and open books all jumbled together, this was the old man’s writing space while he was alive.

Ray knew what the old man had been researching and what he had been writing about.

“Research on… the distribution of elements… by sector… and the cause of the… spread of black rain…?”

I remember the first day I visited the bookstore, I stood behind the counter and read the contents of the notebook out loud.

Sleep deprivation was said to be one of several incurable diseases caused by black rain.

Perhaps it was an attempt to characterize his illness in detail and find a cure.

“It’s true that you tried to find a cure. For others. You said you wished the world would become a place where no one would die in vain like you did.”

Having said that, Veronica spent all her remaining time reading and organizing the old man’s research journal.

“… There is a severe lack of research materials. There are many things that need to be investigated by going to various places on your own.”

After that, the frequency of asking Ray questions about the outside world increased significantly.

“How about Sector 50? Sector 48 isn’t much different from here, is it? Wasn’t it hard to cross the wasteland?”

Veronica’s apparent obsession with research also seemed to be a reaction to the shock of the old man’s death.

That was understandable, because Veronica’s vessel was filled with intense anxiety and intense frustration.

And it was the same for Malta and Yulpin.

“What’s it like living on the streets?”

“Is it difficult? Is it hard?”

The desires and anxieties that rush into the two boys’ bowls.

Ray could tell that Malta and Yulpin were longing for street life.

Age around 10 years old.

However, by street standards, he was not exactly young.

Meanwhile, the date for Ray to leave the sector was set.

“Okay. I’ll go with you. But give me some time. I need time to take over the hotel business.”

“how much?”

“5 days. I’ll finish organizing it within that time.”

Philip added that he had a subordinate who had been raising him for a long time.

“Welkers is a trustworthy brother. If you leave the hotel to him, you can leave with peace of mind.”

Rayen trusted Philip’s words.

Because Philip has always shown an outstanding ability to judge and deal with people.

‘… I don’t think Cedric will be a big problem either.’

Cedric showed Ray a loyalty that goes beyond words.

His fighting skills have also improved greatly, and he has the skills to easily defeat challenges from other groups.

“Hehehehe! No matter how big the thing is, it’s still possible to take it down with one hit if I take it down! To be fair, you take it down with one hit! That guy takes it down with one hit! I’m the 49th sector’s takedown champion!”

“Hey, someone stop Cedric!”

“The kids’ backs aren’t even there!”

… I was a little too excited and couldn’t control my joy, but it wasn’t enough to cause a problem.

He also showed an extremely friendly attitude towards the hotel children, as if to repay his sins.

‘Even if I leave, the relationship between the gang and the hotel will be maintained.’

Just in case, I’ll discuss it with Philip and put in some more safeguards.

But the truth is.

From Ray’s perspective, he didn’t really care how the relationships of those left behind changed.

Still, there was another reason for trying to tie an unbreakable knot between the gang and the hotel.

*

When Veronica heard Ray’s words, she couldn’t help but be flustered.

“Leave… and sleep?”

“okay.”

Ray’s reasons for wanting Veronica as his companion were similar to Philip’s.

In Philip’s case, it could fill in his immaturity in interpersonal relationships or in situations related to money.

In Veronica’s case, she had extensive knowledge of various fields of study, including magic.

‘I also learned magic from my grandfather.’

The practical use of magic was perfect.

But in theory it wasn’t perfect.

Not only was there a lot of theory to memorize, but for Ray, who understood magic intuitively, the theory was much more difficult to approach.

… that was no different from asking someone who had been right-handed all their life to become left-handed.

There is nothing he can’t do, and it would be best if he could use his left hand as well to become ambidextrous, but the boy’s ability has not yet reached that level.

‘Because what my grandfather taught me wasn’t everything about magic.’

Ray remembered the old man’s words.

“The knowledge I have taught you is only a very small part of the world of magic. It is like a speck of dust. Magic is an infinite and vast world that cannot be imagined by an individual.”

As you continue your journey, unknown phenomena will surely appear and block your path.

At that time, I was sure that Veronica’s presence, with her vast knowledge, would be of great help.

In Philip’s words, it was an investment.

‘… and one more thing.’

The white sun that Veronica held in her arms.

I was curious as to what it was.

Also, if the same situation as last time happened again, Veronica’s white sun could act as a brake.

Ray took a deep breath and said.

“I’m leaving in five days. I’d like you to leave here with me then.”

“To be honest, I’m a little embarrassed. I have younger siblings to take care of, and my grandfather’s bookstore…”

“Weren’t you thinking about leaving too?”

Veronica’s body trembled.

“… Did you notice it?”

“huh.”

It was an easy answer to come up with, considering the emotions contained in the bowl and the direct statement that one must travel to multiple sectors to collect data.

“Malta and Yulpin can be taken care of at the hotel run by Philip, whom we saw last time. I’ve already tried my luck with them. I’ll follow either way, no matter what you decide.”

“… … .”

“The bookstore can be closed for a while. Cedric and his men will be standing guard nearby every day. No one will be able to do anything.”

“… … .”

As Ray’s calm voice continued, Veronica’s expression changed from moment to moment.

“You don’t have to take responsibility for everything.”

“…I need time to think.”

Ray nodded.

“Okay. Five days. Make a decision by then.”