Chapter 14 – Failure

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Rei stands close to the merchant who, unaware of his sudden approach, is busy packing his belongings and loading them onto the back of a four-axle wagon.

— Sir? — Rei asks, appearing in front of him, startling the man and making him yelp.

— O...Oh? — The merchant replies immediately, terrified, his heartbeat racing as he adjusts the cloth hat on his head.

— Do you have room in your cart? My friend is injured and there are two children. One just lost his parents, and the other isn't doing so well.

The merchant watches him, sizing him up, then averts his gaze and turns away, clearly uninterested. Despite the reluctant expression on his face, his indifference is obvious, if not entirely convincing.

His behavior, though insensitive, has a reason behind it. People as unfortunate as Rei come in droves. From a merchant's point of view, there's no advantage in helping such victims. That's his recurring thought.

A selfish and common mindset, indeed. But it's how many merchants operate. Profit comes before morality.

Rei stares at him, waiting for an answer, but gets none. As soon as he realizes that the man won't help him, the boy furrows his brow, his eyes clouding with irritation and disbelief.

"Well... If he won't help me, I'll just create some gold coins. If I base them on the atomic weight of gold from my world, I should be able to..."

Focusing on all the properties and atomic weight of gold, Rei tries to recreate the object in his mind.

[Creation]

[Failed to Create Object]

"What do you mean, failed? Fuck!"

When he realizes that his ability to create doesn't work, he understands that persuasion or physical coercion are his only options.

What compels the merchant is when Rei turns to him, looks him straight in the eye, and speaks clearly, calmly, and confidently:

— You see, sir... I'm a mage. If a monster appears, I can easily take care of it. So can my friend, the swordsman. — His words immediately catch the man's attention.

To remove any doubts, Rei activates his skill as a precaution.

[Persuade]

Use your speech to convince the target. Your argumentation and oratory skills will increase dramatically.

[Skill Activated]

Seizing the opportunity, the boy steps closer, maintaining eye contact before declaring firmly and enthusiastically:

— So... Are you really going to abandon me and my friends?

— Do you even consider yourself human?! To refuse something so simple, to choose wealth over helping others?

— N-No, you can ride in the back. There's plenty of room, — the merchant answers, now showing relief and understanding.

— Done, sir, - Rei adds, turning around and walking back to Kazuki, laughing at the situation.

...

On the way, the pupil begins to feel intense dizziness and weakness that spreads through his entire body. For a few seconds, his pheromones destabilize and his Omega scent is released, but it dissipates quickly.

"Maybe it was a mana overload. I have to be careful..."

He thinks, concluding that the problem could be due to his inexperienced use of abilities over time. For the first time, his powers have a side effect.

Back at the starting point, Rei sees Kazuki, Mia and Takayo looking dejected and shaken by the situation.

The Beastman tries to comfort the two children, his words carrying a warm, reassuring tone. He holds them tightly, trying to ease the immense psychological pressure they are under.

"It can't be easy to see the people you've lived with for seven years lying dead in the streets and alleys, or even to watch your parents die right in front of you."

"I can't even imagine the pain they feel..."

"Were my parents like this after my accident?"

He thinks, depressed, lost in doubt.

Then he looks ahead and raises his voice to the three present.

— Are you okay? Well... I got us a ride out of this hellhole. Let's go. — He announces loud and clear.

— How? — Kazuki asks.

— How did you convince the owner?

Rei giggles slightly before she answers: — Well... Hehe, secret.

Kazuki, not understanding the reason for his laughter, stands up and walks next to him, together with Mia and Takayo.

While they climb onto the back of the wagon, the merchant urges the horses forward, so that they can continue on the road towards the capital.

On the way, the moving wagon bumps into others, damaging their side structures. Given the chaotic situation, this is inevitable.

As the transport moves, people on the road desperately beg for a place or help.

Unfortunately, just like the road, the wagon is overcrowded. However, most of the space is taken up by the merchant's belongings, as he prioritizes his goods over human lives.

This isn't right. In reality, nothing that happens is fair. And Rei just wants to throw all the boxes and junk from the car.

He almost does, but Kazuki stops him and puts his hands on the boxes Rei wants to throw.

The man looks at him with a pained expression, his look says silently: Don't do this. It won't help.

Seeing Kazuki's eyes, Rei hesitates, then reluctantly gives up the idea and puts the boxes back on their places.

How would he even get the people off the street, considering that the wagon was moving? Where would he throw the merchant's goods? All these and other details had slipped his mind.

He could have used his ❧Telekinesis❧ ability, although he didn't know how to control it properly. But he rejected the idea of impulsive and reckless solutions.

Finally, the boy sits down next to Kazuki on the surface of the wagon. Lost in thought, he furrows his eyebrows and looks down at his hands.

All remain silent for a while. A relative silence, considering the pleas, screams and the sound of wood when the wagons scraped against each other.

And in the distance they see the city burning. The two of them, side by side, their clothes darkened by soot, watch as everything goes up in flames.

The sight is almost breathtaking... Considering the chaos, the collapsing structures, and the raging fire consuming everything in sight.

For some reason, despite the tragedy, the sight is strangely magnificent.

...