Chapter 18
A very special case by both level and circumstance.
People seemed to believe Samuel was an exceptional guide, their sparkling eyes full of expectation.
“I’m not sure…”
Samuel’s deflating answer didn’t stop the excited troops from already deciding his future.
“He’ll be by the hero’s side, promotion will be fast!”
“Does the Commander mix business with personal feelings? Promotion will be the same anyway.”
“Well, he’s set to be the Commander’s personal guide, then.”
Lieutenant Jocelyn Page pursed her lips.
“I was hoping she wouldn’t discriminate by gender when receiving guiding radiation.”
“Hah, but he’s not Lieutenant Jocelyn! What’s a silver-level guide doing talking like that?”
“Hey, isn’t Ensign Samuel also silver level? Same as me!”
“Well, yeah, but there are gold-level guides in the unit.”
Michelle’s comment drew all eyes back to Samuel.
‘How did you end up guiding the Commander?’
Feeling the unspoken pressure, Samuel finally spoke.
“I happened to pass by the Commander’s office when she needed guiding. That’s the only reason she chose me.”
“Wow, just that?”
“Just that? She asked because he happened to look good.”
A teasing comment sparked lively chatter among them. Fortunately, no one seemed upset by the incident, and Samuel was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Well, it’s a fortunate thing.”
A gentle, elegant voice suddenly cut in. The room quieted and all eyes turned.
Amid the divided crowd stood a brightly smiling blond angel.
“C-Captain Linton Vionne!”
People exchanged startled looks.
If anyone was the least pleased about the situation, it was this man, Linton Vionne.
Linton was Adrien’s only guide rumored to have a scandalous relationship with her. He was the gold-level guide she visited most frequently and hadn’t yet assigned a dedicated esper in seven years.
Perfect conditions for sparking gossip.
“Everyone, please take good care of me. I officially joined the Security Guard today.”
Linton approached smiling warmly and extended his hand before Samuel.
“Nice to meet you, Ensign Samuel Norah. So you’re the precious guide who saved our Adrien?”
“Honored to meet you, Captain Linton Vionne.”
Instead of shaking hands, Samuel stood abruptly and bowed deeply. It was a much more polite greeting, but Linton somehow felt as if Samuel had deliberately rejected his offered hand.
But it was only a feeling. Samuel’s expression was perfectly sincere.
“…I heard you’re silver-level. Was guiding Adrien difficult?”
“I expected it.”
“You’re from the Macas Mountain Unit, right?”
“Yes.”
“Tough place.”
Linton smiled, but Samuel’s unreadable face just stared at him.
“Adrien must have had a hard time without me. Thanks for helping. I might ask you for help again.”
Outwardly, it looked like a friendly commendation between senior and junior.
“I have high expectations for you, Ensign Samuel Norah. I’ll be watching.”
But did he really mean it?
Samuel didn’t think so. Probably neither did Linton.
* * *
“Seriously intense.”
“Captain Linton?”
“Who else?”
Peter shook his head. He seemed drained after just hearing about Linton, even though he’d never faced him himself.
Samuel smiled faintly and closed the window against the chilly air.
All the rookies shared dorms attached to the unit, two per room. Samuel was roomed again with Peter.
“So did you tell the Commander you were the seven-year-old sponsored girl, Sammy Norah?”
“She already knew.”
“She knew?”
Peter kicked the blanket off and jumped up, clearly surprised.
“She might have known, but didn’t say anything? Still, you lied.”
“Seems she’s okay with it. Didn’t say much.”
“Thank goodness, really.”
Even if it was a common workaround, lying to a noble was still lying.
Samuel was already prepared. He wouldn’t be punished for this, but the sponsor might use it as an excuse to demand more guiding than usual.
He just resolved to endure it all. He’d long been ready. Samuel’s mind was always filled with worst-case scenarios.
He never expected reality to be this wonderful.
Since his sponsor was Adrien, excessive guiding demands simply didn’t exist. Besides, Adrien only requested the bare minimum an esper could ask for.
A smile naturally formed on Samuel’s lips.
“So, how does it feel to have done your first imprint?”
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