Chapter 107
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Originally, the ratio of espers to guides had been nearly one to one. But over the past decade, that balance had collapsed.
Guides had grown so scarce that it was no longer unusual for espers to die from the lack of proper guiding.
As a result, the influence of high-level guides—already rare to begin with—had grown even greater. And among them, the most famous was Linton Vionne.
Born into the prestigious House of Vionne. Blessed with beauty so radiant he was called the incarnation of an angel. And known throughout the Empire as Adrien Brillante’s one and only scandal.
The Empire’s most perfect, most beautiful, most powerful guide.
But not anymore.
“So what exactly are you after, insisting on learning from me?”
Linton glared at the first unmeasurable guide in history standing before him. Hostility spilled openly from his icy blue eyes.
“I mean no harm.”
“Oh? You expect me to believe you don’t?”
Linton stepped closer.
“I took the position of Adrien’s dedicated guide, the one you thought would be yours. Even after I was disciplined. Even after you became an unmeasurable guide. That position is still mine. And you’re telling me you have no ill will?”
“You gave me something valuable.”
“…What?”
Linton frowned at the unexpected answer. Samuel merely smiled.
“I was sent into the field because of you, Captain Linton. If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have become an unmeasurable guide—or been promoted to captain. Isn’t that right?”
“…Are you mocking me?”
“If it sounded that way, I apologize.”
Samuel bowed politely, almost excessively so. The gesture alone was enough to unsettle Linton.
They now held the same rank. Samuel no longer had to behave like a deferential junior officer.
But he still did.
As if he intended to gather every ounce of good public image for himself.
Public opinion had shifted sharply in recent weeks. While Samuel lay unconscious, word spread that inexperienced rookie guides had been deployed into dangerous operations because of Linton Vionne’s decisions. The backlash had been fierce.
Adrien hadn’t shielded her dedicated guide. She had been furious.
Linton had never seen Adrien that angry before.
“Captain Linton Vionne. Be grateful that I am still someone who knows how to separate personal feelings from my position.”
That day, only his rare Gold-level status and noble lineage had spared him from imprisonment.
Linton had wanted to ask her—if this was what rational judgment looked like, how much humiliation would she have inflicted had she acted on emotion instead?
But he couldn’t. He was afraid of Adrien.
Even before him, a guide, she had not concealed her killing intent that day. The memory of her rage-filled crimson eyes, blazing as though they would consume him whole, still made his body tremble.
And now, this vulgar upstart guide dared to look down on him as well?
Still, Linton had one weapon left.
“Fine. Learn all you want. It won’t make Adrien look at you.”
“……”
“You know it, don’t you? No matter how cruel I am to you. No matter how powerful you become. Adrien will never give you the seat beside her.”
Linton smiled thinly. For once, Samuel had no immediate retort. Seeing that silence, Linton finally felt triumphant.
“That’s exactly why I’m learning.”
“…What?”
“If I become a guide as capable as you, perhaps the commander will look at me.”
Linton burst out laughing, then wiped the amusement from his face in an instant.
“This isn’t something you can learn your way into. Want to know why Adrien rejected you?”
“……”
“Because you’re poor. Because you grew up living off Adrien’s money like some gutter rat.”
“Then I’ll learn from you how to stop being one.”
“You… are you playing games with me?”
None of the insults landed.
Samuel’s expression remained dry, composed. If anyone felt shaken, it was Linton. Samuel studied him quietly for a long moment—then suddenly smiled.
For some reason, Linton felt a flicker of unease.
“But are you truly certain?”
“…Certain of what?”
“That the commander won’t eventually give in—to a guide as perfect as me?”
Samuel’s voice was soft. Calm. Almost casual.
And with that single question, Linton’s pride was crushed completely.
* * *
“Relax your face, Adrien.”
Ullina whispered from beside her.
Adrien nodded, but her expression didn’t soften.
Headquarters meetings were among her least favorite events. They were no different from high society gatherings.Perhaps it was because many of the attendees overlapped with the social elite—but instead of constructive discussions, most were busy protecting their own interests.
“Illegal d***s? That’s hardly new.”
It was no different today.
This special division meeting had been convened at Adrien’s request.
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