Chapter 139 Steamed Bun Seller
After arriving at the first marked location on the map, Alan and his team began to investigate for several hours. However, they have yet to discover the sign of wizards.
There was no trace whatsoever, Alan and his team decided to take a small break.
Jimmy focused his attention on the map. He began to observe the size of the southern part of the city. Compared to other areas, the southern side is small.
So it should have been easy for them to come across wizards. "Vice Captain, did these rogues flee from the city?" "Jimmy said with a frowny expression.
Besides, Alan Pitts was occupied with his own thoughts. Like others, he was also thinking about rogue wizards.
After hearing Jimmy's words, he shook his head in denial and commented, "If there really is no one here, then the Department Head wouldn't have suggested it."
Then he further added, "Did you notice one thing? He came in person to investigate the whole city. So, what does it all mean?"
Alan paused in the middle of his sentence. He knew his team members were smart enough to understand the meaning. For the department head to take action in person shows that investigation is not simple.
On the other hand, Lottie and Pam were discussing something. Pam asked, "How long do you think the captain can hold on?"
Hearing her worried tone, Lottie didn't want to lie. She herself feels that the claim of an antidote is bogus in the first place.
But Lottie doesn't want to say it openly. She might offend a level-5 wizard by doing that. She sighs.
"Pam, just focus on our mission right now," Lottie said.
Just as everyone is pondering, Jimmy's nose begins to twitch.
Feeling such a sudden sensation, Jimmy immediately activated his trace spell.
Closing his eyes, he put his entire attention on smelling. Due to magic, he is already familiar with the rogue wizard's scent.
When the spell was cast by Jimmy, he soon found some traces, which were very hard to notice even through his magic.
Opposite the road, an old man with worn-out clothes is selling steamed buns on the street.
At first glance, he may look like an ordinary old fellow who is working hard to earn bread and butter for himself.
But that's not the case, currently facing a rude customer. He unknowingly released a trace of mana. which happened to be picked up by the senses of Jimmy Herman.
Jimmy Herman's expression changed drastically after confirming the traces. His sudden change is noticed by Alan.
Perceiving the Vice-Captain's gaze, Jimmy nodded his head with a smile. and pointed his finger in the opposite direction. "Street stall owner" Jimmy Herman said.
Alan's gaze turned towards the pointed direction, where he finally saw the old man who was bickering with the customer.
Lottie and Pam approach them after noticing the two's sudden changes.
Looking at both of them, Alan said, "We finally caught one rat."
Vice Captain Alan was amazed. As a Level-3 Wizard, he himself failed to notice the changes. If not for Jimmy's magic, they would have completely missed this person.
He commented, "Jimmy, Continue to observe him. If possible, see what type of magic he has, before engaging. It will be helpful for us."
Jimmy nodded, focusing his attention on his magic.
On the other hand, the rude customer furiously threatened, "Old man, what kind of soup did you have me yesterday? My body became weaker right after consuming it"
"At first I didn't notice it. Only after getting home did I notice some changes. There were multiple rashes in my body all of a sudden. "
"I want an explanation, otherwise I will smash your little stall."
The old man behind the stall sneered, "A regular human is going to threaten a wizard." It's just that he didn't want to commit murder on the street. Otheriwise, instead of poisoning him with soup, he would have removed the rude guy directly.
The soup is a specialty of the old man. The soup was made by using his mushroom magic. It was considered to be a trash magic ability under the plant category.
The old man "sighs" as he recalls his magical ability. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that there is no proper evolutionary path for mushroom magic in this world.
Not only in evolutionary path, it's hard to find even basic mental methods and spells for it.
In history, there were some wizards with mushroom magic abilities who shone brightly in their eras.
But every such person was gifted with top magic talent. So they were not hindered by the limitation of mental methods or spells. Even if
Having no mental method and no spells. They somehow found their own way and continued to stay on the wizardry path.
Yet that is not the case with the old man. He has low grade talent. There is no chance for promotion whatsoever. So he is not disgusted by his mushroom magic ability.
Atleast it helped him to have a proper livelihood. Everything was fine at the beginning. He had good youthful years. But he is old, and he has reached the end of his life.
So he is spending the remaining months selling steamed buns at the stall.
The old man opened the soup pot. He used his magic to spice the soup a little bit. He was so experienced, he controlled the mana release exceptionally well. The rude customer in front of him didn't even see the old man move.
The aroma made him lose focus. The rude customer panicked and decided to move away.
But this little bit of mana release is picked up by Jimmy Herman. The old man wouldn't have thought about this. He is a native of this place. Other than regular humans, there are no other wizards besides him currently.
The rude customer walked away after some bickering. Seeing that, the old man didn't say anything but shut his eyes off.
This whole situation is noticed by everyone at the park.
Seeing the customer was walking away from the stall, Alan looked at Jimmy and asked, "Did you find out his magic?"
Jimmy raised his eyebrows in confusion. He couldn't figure out the magic ability by sensing a little bit of mana. But he is sure that it's not elemental ability.
Jimmy looked at his team and answered, "The old man released only a subtle trace of mana.It's hard to distinguish it. But I'm sure it's not an elemental one. "
Alan frowned, because without enough information, it's hard to figure out whether the old man is a rogue wizard or not. Even if he is a rogue wizard, it's hard to say he belongs to the Poison Dagger Faction.
After gaining some clarity, Alan decided to interrogate him in person. "Let's go and see him," Alan said.
Then everyone walked towards the old street stall. The old man is unaware of this as he is taking a small nap. Even when he is awake, it's impossible for the old man to see Alan and his team's strength.
Soon, four of them arrived in front of the stall. The old man opened his eyes after hearing footsteps close to the stall.
What greeted him was the presence of four people. Looking at their robe, the old man's face changed drastically.
He slowly stood up from his seat and looked at the wizards in front of him. Only one thing struck his mind, "Strong."
The old man has seen powerful young wizards before, but not at this place.
Seeing the shocked expression of the old man, Alan asked, "I believe you have already guessed our identity."
Hearing that, the old man nodded. But his heart was not at peace.
Alan said, "We would like to discuss something with you, old man. Can you come with us for a minute? "
"Alright! Wait for me a little bit. " After saying that, the old man began to close the stall.
Alan looked at his team members for a moment. Because while he was talking to him, he probed the old man with his mental sense. But there is no sign of dark magic in him.
He touched his chin in contemplation. This town area comes under the marked spot on the map. He thought there was a possibility of rogue hideouts in this place.
But now, looking at the old man, he doubted it. The old man returned to them after shutting the stall.
Then the old men went with the wizard to the nearby park. At this time of night, there is no one here.
After coming back to the park, Alan asked, "Old man, first tell me." What are you doing late at night? "
"Cough," the old man coughed.
He said, "Sir, the old man's name is Roger Nelson. There is an old gambling den located down the street, which is very active at night. So in order to attract those customers, I usually set up my steamed buns stall late at night. "
Hearing that, Alan nodded in understanding. The mention of the old gambling den also caught his attention.
Alan asked, "So the rude person before Is he also from the gambling den? "
The old man replied, "Yes, he is a regular customer. But the bad one doesn't pay money after eating food"
At this time, Jimmy Herman interjected by saying, "That's why you poisoned him."
For a brief moment, the old man was speechless.