Preparations [2]

After Sir Hones aided him, Raymond respectfully bowed in gratitude, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "Thank you very much, Sir Hones. I struggled with that earlier, but your assistance made it much easier," Raymond expressed sincerely.

Sir Hones returned the smile but soon furrowed his brow, puzzled by Raymond's familiarity. "Do we know each other? I don't recall meeting you before," Sir Hones inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Raymond, sensing the shift in atmosphere, sought to ease the tension with a light-hearted comment. "How could I not know you, Sir Hones? Your reputation precedes you as one of the most esteemed practical teachers, known for your impressive physique," Raymond remarked, gesturing towards Sir Hones's muscles.

Sir Hones chuckled at the compliment. "Such flattery," he responded, before adopting a more serious tone. "But I don't recall receiving such recognition. How exactly do you know me?" Sir Hones pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Raymond, recognizing Sir Hones's blend of kindness and seriousness, took a moment to gather his thoughts. "While you may not receive overt recognition, Sir Hones, your exceptional qualities are well-known," Raymond explained, aiming to maintain a friendly tone.

As the conversation unfolded, Raymond couldn't help but be impressed by Sir Hones's composed demeanor, considering his esteemed status in their field. "Indeed, I'm sincere in my recognition of your talents, Sir Hones," Raymond continued, offering a warm smile to lighten the mood.

Sir Hones fell silent briefly, sighing before turning away slightly. "Let's forget about it. You're quite the character," he remarked with a hint of amusement.

Just as Sir Hones was about to depart, Raymond took a bold step. "Wait, Sir Hones. I have a question. How is your leg?" Raymond's question carried a hint of intrigue, knowing the risk involved in probing into Sir Hones's personal matters.

Sir Hones's reaction was immediate. He turned back abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise as he grasped Raymond's collar, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "Who are you? How did you know about my leg? What are your intentions?" Sir Hones demanded, his tone sharp with suspicion.

Raymond was taken aback by Sir Hones's sudden grip. He had anticipated a potentially aggressive reaction, knowing it concerned Sir Hones's secret.

"I am Raymond from the lower district. I am also practicing here as a hunter even before I awakened," Raymond responded calmly, trying to defuse the tension.

"I don't care about any of it. I want to know how you learned my condition," Sir Hones demanded, tightening his grip and almost causing Raymond to lose his breath.

"I am sorry... I don't really have anyone to confide in, but please... I can explain if you let go of me," Raymond requested, hoping to ease the situation.

Sir Hones scrutinized Raymond intently before deciding to release his grip, though he remained cautious.

"I need your assistance because of this," Raymond continued, creating fire from his palm to demonstrate his magical abilities. Sir Hones watched the flames with fascination.

"This is also how I know about your condition. I can use magic even before awakening. And for some reason, I could see your leg's condition," Raymond explained, maintaining his composure despite the intense circumstances.

The process of discovering magical abilities typically occurs after awakening, during a blessing that reveals an individual's profile. This revelation enables them to discern if they possess magical powers or not.

Raymond's early mastery of magic allowed him to uncover Sir Hones's condition, using this knowledge as leverage in their conversation.

Raymond's voice carried a mix of determination and anticipation as he spoke, his eyes fixed on Sir Hones, who stood like a statue before him.

"I can help you with your condition. I know that you only have a small portion of influence, but if you become my referrer, you will benefit from the stakes I get from the officials," Raymond offered, his tone reflecting his eagerness to strike a mutually beneficial arrangement.

He paused, his expression softening as he continued, "Also, from what I've observed, you are a teacher. And teachers have higher-ups, so I wanted to approach you, but unexpectedly, this event happened, and I think this is the right time."

Sir Hones remained silent, his eyes fixed on the flames conjured by Raymond. After a moment, he raised a question, his voice tinged with curiosity, "It is not a fire from a tool, right?"

Raymond shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then... you are..."

"... a prodigy," Raymond replied, his voice tinged with a hint of humility and self-awareness. He knew the term might sound boastful, but it was the most fitting descriptor for his exceptional abilities.

As Sir Hones continued to observe the flames, Raymond opened up about his aspirations, his words filled with a sense of purpose and ambition. "I am a bit ambitious. I wanted to increase my value in the village without grabbing everyone's attention. I couldn't afford to turn down their offers until I got what I was looking for. So, that is why I made a path for myself."

Sir Hones nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And you wanted to start making your path to me. Okay, I get it. I will help you."

Raymond's eyes lit up with gratitude and determination. "I can go to the upper district and ignore my higher-ups. If you want, I could refer you to anyone from them. I can't be shameful. I mean, this would also benefit from this, right?"

The emotions in the room were palpable as Raymond and Sir Hones forged a tentative alliance, both recognizing the potential for mutual gain and understanding the risks involved.

"Of course, Sir Hones. So, what about it? Are you really in?" Raymond's voice carried a note of eagerness as he sought confirmation of their agreement.

Sir Hones rose to his feet with determination, taking a moment to adjust Raymond's clothes as a gesture of respect. "I am sorry for grabbing your collar. I was only surprised earlier and didn't mean to harm you from it," he apologized sincerely.

Raymond waved off the apology with a understanding smile. "It's alright. I can understand you since that was your secret, right? You acted as if there was nothing in your legs, and I speculated that you were trying to hide it."

Their shared history added a layer of trust to their conversation, a bond forged in past conversations and shared moments. Raymond knew exactly how to capture Sir Hones' attention, leveraging their connection for their mutual benefit.

"Then... Raymond... I hope that you will keep that secret of mine. I am really sensitive to other people learning it," Sir Hones expressed, his tone carrying vulnerability and trust.

Raymond's smile widened as he internally acknowledged their bond. 'I know, big brother,' he thought, a silent affirmation of their shared understanding and the trust placed in their relationship.