Chapter 23
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“Imagine it in your mind. Your guiding energy is moving.”
“…”
“Your guiding energy comes from your heart. Start from there. Slowly let it flow down your arm and outwards.”
Samuel focused all his attention on his outstretched hand. Following Linton’s words, he pictured the guiding energy inside his body. The energy circulating around his heart slowly flowing down his arm toward Brenda’s heart.
“Huh?”
Brenda looked down at her own heart.
“It’s coming! Samuel, wow!”
Samuel grinned, feeling like he finally knew what to do.
“Well done, Ensign Samuel.”
He met Linton’s eyes, who smiled without a hint of displeasure, looking clearly satisfied.
Samuel was a little surprised—it was an unexpected kindness. When they’d met previously at the dining hall, Linton had been prickly toward him.
But today, he was helping sincerely without any ill will.
“You’re the only Silver level rookie, right?”
“Yes.”
“Among Silver levels, you’re quite high, I hear.”
“That’s right.”
“I have high expectations for you, so keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, Captain Linton.”
Was that a warning, or just encouragement?
Linton smiled warmly and moved toward the next guide, who was sweating profusely.
The next was Peter. Like meeting a savior, Peter grabbed Linton and began recounting his struggles.
“I thought he’d be a bit harsh on you, but it seems not.”
“…”
“Or maybe he really does separate business from personal feelings strictly?”
Brenda whispered to him without taking her eyes off Linton, as if falling for his kind demeanor all over again.
Samuel said nothing, just quietly watched Linton explain the controlling techniques to Peter.
* * *
“We’ve received word from the South again. They want you to return, Captain.”
“I told them I’m not going.”
Back in the office, Linton tossed his uniform jacket roughly onto the chair and rubbed his throbbing forehead.
Delicately controlling radiant guiding was quite challenging even for Linton. Afterward, his head often ached from the intense concentration.
Lieutenant Kate Olen, who had faithfully served as Linton’s secretary for seven years, handed him headache medicine.
“If you go, they’ll guarantee you the position of Battalion Commander.”
Linton hesitated while about to take the pill. His gaze flicked to Kate, but only for a moment before he swallowed the medicine with water.
“It’s a chance too good to miss, Captain.”
“It is.”
“You know it’s difficult for guides to get command authority, right?”
Linton just tapped the glass.
Most leadership went to espers because they carried out the real offensive and defensive work on the field.
Of course, guides weren’t just standing around waiting for espers to arrive, but one esper could do the work of three guides, so authority naturally gravitated toward them.
So as Kate said the offer of Battalion Commander was a big deal—and meant the guide situation in the South was quite dire.
“If you accept, you’d be the youngest guide battalion commander.”
When no reply came, Kate grew anxious.
“Isn’t this the position you’ve always wanted? To be the highest-ranking guide?”
“Why would I want that?”
His usual bright voice was replaced by a flat, low tone.
“Because of Adrien.”
“…”
“I wanted to set things in motion because Adrien wasn’t stepping up. The best guide had to be worthy of the best esper—and that has to be me.”
Linton’s gaze lifted abruptly from the floor. His eyes swelled with possessiveness he made no effort to hide.
“Where else would I go leaving Adrien behind?”
Linton had never before felt such a threat.
Adrien generally showed no special interest in any guides, but Linton was the one he sought most often.
But now, the situation is different.
“Did Adrien get guiding from that kid again today?”
“Yes. Ensign Samuel Norah stayed in the Commander’s office for about an hour after lunch.”
“Did you check what I asked you to?”
“Here it is.”
Linton took the report Kate handed him. It contained personal info on Samuel.
“He’s the son of poor commoners. Graduated military school with decent grades, and got decent evaluations at the mountain unit where he was assigned as a trainee.”
“Any imprint?”
“No. No special lover either.”
“Not a single weakness to exploit?”
“Not yet. I’ll investigate further.”
“Ugh, headache.”
It had already been a week since Linton came to the Capital Security Guard.
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