"So, before we continue, what should I call you?"
After Rain disappeared into the stairs of the inn, a man dressed in a simple yet neat attire made his way down to Leo's table half an hour later, directly getting cozy in Rain's place.
'Great makeup skills…'
Catching sight of the healthy face devoid of hair other than a groomed dark beard, Leo couldn't help but exclaim deep inside, despite expecting this change. If it wasn't for the change being simply too overwhelming for other customers to link this man to Rain, a commotion would have already broken out in response. This transformation could even compare to Crane's who truly used to look like a hobo!
'As expected of the protagonist's grandmaster.'
Even if he were to disregard Rain's makeup skill, Leo couldn't help but muse at the fact that Rain only needed to walk upstairs to find an empty room to change in. Was this the ability of someone who quite literally 'owned' the city?
"Oh… You can call me Leo, Mr. Rain."
Having priorly decided to go around by his true name, Leo smiled in response as he tried to erase the signs of surprise on his face, quickly collecting his wandering thoughts.
'This is just the beginning.'
Although Leo was sure that he had already caught Rain's, he was still yet to fully convince him to change his routine. Since there was no need to hide things against Rain's insight, Leo planned to simply use his advantage to the maximum.
"Alright, before I answer your original question, what do you say I redirect that question back to you?"
As he gestured for the waiter distributing drinks, Rain rested his chin on his right hand, casting his piercing eyes at Leo's face.
"I personally don't mind. Actually, you can already guess according to the common trend. I'm just another young man who succeeded in some business and used his savings to travel to the City of Swordsmen to embark on the path of domination."
Ordering some juice from the waiter who closed in as well, Leo truthfully spoke of his intentions, making use of his innocent childish face.
The path of domination was naturally one of the common names used to refer to the sword path. This was, after all, the era of the sword.
"Well then, Leo, your guess of my identity is mostly correct. However, if you expected this, then why did you approach me?"
"I don't know really, you looked like an irregular when mixed in with the other beggars, so I figured you had something interesting to tell. Besides, you looked genuinely starving unlike most of the rest who made a job out of it."
'He isn't lying...'
If any 12 year old were to tell him that he approached him because he noticed his disguise, Rain would rather believe that someone had discovered his plans and was trying to take advantage of them. Nonetheless, he could tell that the young man before him was completely speaking the truth.
Not only did the young man pass his first test, possessing enough insight to find the 'true' man in need within a group of pretentious people, but his manner of speaking seemed to be ahead of his physical age by more than a few years!
Normally, such a 'chance' meeting was hard to explain. However, there was an impeccable synergy brought by the premeditated encounter of a 'Reader' who had a mental age far surpassing his body's age, and a crucial 'Side Character' who held a cheat-like insight on the level of a lie detector!
'Perhaps it's time for a change like he said…'
His one and only apprentice often advised him to change his impossible selection of tests, but he refused, those he sought for his 'cause' had to at least meet the standards he set.
Now, the young man before him seemed to surpass all standards, just that it wasn't his specific standards… However, did this really matter?
Rather, why were the standards required in the one that would achieve this 'cause' only limited to his?
Although he was a knowledgeable man, Rain knew that his knowledge wasn't all-encompassing. It was just that he tried to manage within the boundaries of his knowledge. Since fate presented him with someone special in his own way, who was he to refuse it?
Pressured by the premonition that the encroaching threat was nearer than ever, Rain's train of thought changed for once.
'Perhaps this meeting was destined from the very moment that he decided on this quarterly selection process…'
"I must say that your reasoning is quite peculiar, though I do appreciate your honesty. In return, let me give you my answer in the form of a question."
Unaware of the thoughts converging in Rain's mind, Leo could only calmly await the results of his attempt at manipulating the world's flow in his favor.
"My actual identity isn't something that I can reveal yet. However, since both your interest and your wish to tread the sword path guided you to me…"
Sensing the seriousness in Rain's gaze, Leo reflected it on his face, holding back a smile that begged him to surface. If his guess was correct, then...
"Would you trust me to guide you into that path in return?"
...his orchestrated encounter was a success!
"I can't guarantee it will be easy. In fact, it might be harsher than normal, but I can guarantee you won't be losing out."
Looking into Rain's deep eyes, Leo hesitated for a second to collect the response he prepared in advance, and most importantly so that he wouldn't come off as suspicious.
"That's one surprising reason, but I can't say that I'm not intrigued…"
Pausing in the middle of this seemingly life-changing decision, Leo took a sip from his cup of juice before he gave an answer.
"Alright, I accept your offer. It's not like there are many who can offer something better than Mr. Rain who is 'almost' an Imperial Scholar. Moreover, I had no leads till this meeting anyway."
Showing a rare moment of childish naivety, Leo happily smiled at Rain in response.
"Good. if you have already decided, then go get your belongings, it's better if we start right away."