As Sir Hones looked above, he could feel how small he was in front of General McWorthy. Not only because he was tall, but just his presence was intimidating enough to make him inferior. His confidence had just dropped.
And as he was still preoccupied looking at the general, Raymond squinted his eyes and then immediately gently pulled Sir Hones's shirt. He is being disrespectful to the general.
Just when Sir Hones noticed it, he flinched and immediately greeted General McWorthy with his head lowered.
Meanwhile, General McWorthy's serious eyes only fell on Raymond, who had taken his attention. It is not because of his posture or aura, but because Raymond seems to know him well.
This incident not only piqued his interest but also drew his attention to Raymond's entire identity. That is why before coming here to make the effort, he first did a background check.
And just like that, Raymond was still lowering his head and General McWorthy was emitting his serious aura.
"That's enough." A deep, menacing voice loomed in front of them.
Raymond gulped down a mouthful of saliva and silently released a sigh before raising his head.
Raymond then noticed two bodyguards behind the general. Well, technically they aren't capable of protecting him since he is already capable of defending himself, but they were for his orders. He would order them to get things done while he was on a walk.
"You are Raymond, right?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Be grateful that my greatness made the effort to visit you. I already know that an unawakened, underaged commoner cannot pass through the checkpoints. So, be grateful that I am here."
Raymond didn't know why General McWorthy was acting proud, but to get things done well, he respectfully replied.
"It is my gratitude, Sir McWorthy. And not only that, I promise that your time won't be wasted." Raymond said with beaming confidence.
On the other hand, General McWorthy only gave Raymond a keen eye.
***
In a room given by the academy for the secret visit of an official, Raymond and McWorthy were inside, sitting on two different couches, where Raymond was at McWorthy's side.
In between the L-shaped positions of the couches, a small round table was present, where two teacups were on top.
McWorthy took a sip of the tea and then faced Raymond with his narrowed eyes. He then raised the tension in the surroundings. However, Raymond made sure to remain confident to get another point in McWorthy's assessment.
"So, let's start with the most important question. How did you know me?"
Raymond was, of course, tense. Yet, he didn't let it take over him, as this was the most important change in his life, as well as the plot. This is the major alteration in the flow, and he's using it to his advantage.
And as Raymond had thought that McWorthy would ask this question, he prepared an answer beforehand. However, with the authenticity of things behind them, even with how mysterious the method is, he would believe the outputs.
"Do you believe in visions? Fortune telling? Or perhaps, premonition."
McWorhty was silent. He was dazed inside, as he hadn't expected to hear this answer. He was expecting that at least this kid before him had some hidden connections or was just smart. Of course, he didn't underestimate him, thinking that he might only have heard it somewhere. After all, this kid in front of him knows his secret.
As it was said that hunting dogs are taboo in the village, the main reason wasn't revolving around having hunting dogs. The main reason was the purpose of McWorthy's having hunting dogs.
It is taboo to punish someone in the village who hasn't been issued a jurisdictional warrant by the authorities. Even if he is the general of the village, he still needs to follow a process that goes through a judge. However, for McWorthy, a criminal doesn't need a second chance when it is morally intolerable.
And McWorthy also has a unique justly nature that always has a strong virtue of erasing evil.
"I don't mind believing it. But how can you make me believe? It depends." McWorhty briefly replied.
"Hmm... I am confident, Sir, that you already did a background check on me. So, it will be impossible for me to learn things that are beyond my ability. I am only a commoner." Raymond initially said.
McWorhty raised an eyebrow at Raymond with a smirk on his face. He then made a remark, saying, "You are too mature compared to your age. It feels like I am not talking with a kid."
"Because I am not a kid, Sir."
McWorthy keenly eyed Raymond after that, and then, afterward, he let out a sigh. He put the teacup back on the table and crossed his legs.
"Shall we start with this premonition of yours? What do you know about me that can be easily connected with what I am doing now?"
McWorhty doesn't buy things about a premonition. However, he was giving consideration to it as he had learned that Raymond was a genius. There were Talents that could predict the future, and if Raymond was that type of genius, then it is acceptable and considerable.
However, what he truly thinks highly of is his magic talents. Prediction is only useful for large-scale tactics, but because Raymond is a genius in magic aptitude, he will have a greater future.
So, McWorthy isn't buying the premonition; it might be from his magic talents, which he must have endless potential to use. After all, a person can only have one Talent per awakening. So, if Raymond can use magic, then the chance for him to see the future is slim to nearly impossible.
Raymond made a confident smile and took his cup of tea. And as he had prepared to say, he then said what was on his mind before taking a sip.
"How about I mention to you Senior Tabloid's future operations?" Raymond said that almost made McWorhty choke on his own.
What did he hear? He didn't mishear it, right?
"H-How?"
In disbelief, McWorhty doesn't know what to say about what Raymond had just said. It is impossible to believe since matters about Senior Tabloid are only known to the upper officials. Even the normal higher district inhabitant doesn't know about Senior Tabloid.
McWorhty was agape, his breathing becoming unstable for a short time as he looked at Raymond with dilated eyes.
When Raymond noticed it, he smirked and said, "So, do you believe me now?"