Chapter 42
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But for Adrien’s situation, it was the clearest explanation yet. After all, hadn’t she already met one—a Guide with that almost too perfect compatibility?
“Sweeter than normal guiding. Addictive. Impossible to stop.”
Alex, holding the stone now glowing with a red aura, gave an almost sly smile.
“That’s the hallmark of a Guide with perfect compatibility. Sound like anyone you know?”
“If you’re just going to tease me, I’m leaving. I have work to do.”
“Commander, just promise me one thing.”
Alex’s voice suddenly turned serious. Adrien, who was just about to leave the clinic, paused and glanced back.
“I’m going to use the energy you gave me to test your compatibility with that Guide. If the result comes out high, make him your personal Guide. Please.”
“Alex—”
“You can always have more than one personal Guide. Fill in any gaps in their levels that way. How long are you going to keep living in this ridiculous condition?”
The higher the rank, the stronger the abilities, the worse the side effects become. Guiding energy gets used up faster, and sensitivity becomes razor-sharp. Sometimes that heightened sense felt less like a gift and more like walking a tightrope of self-destruction.
Adrien had lived with that edge for so long that she couldn’t even tell if it was unbearable or simply all she knew anymore.
But since meeting Samuel Norah, things had changed a little.
“…I’ll think about it.”
Why was she suddenly picturing his face, asking to be her exclusive Guide?
Thinking of the look on his face after he’d collapsed from guiding depletion because of her, and here she was, about to use him as a lifeline.
‘Maybe blood really can’t be denied after all.’
Adrien left the clinic with a self-mocking smile.
* * *
Samuel, meanwhile, was on his way back from another round of pestering by Peter. At this point, he almost regretted not staying in the infirmary a little longer. Peter refused to believe Samuel had just slipped and fallen off the cliff.
“No one from the mountain unit is gonna buy that crap, you know!”
Peter had even started swearing, something he never did. But Samuel stuck to the same answer every time.
He had no intention of mentioning that Linton Vionne was involved in what happened. At least, not yet.
“Oh, Ensign Samuel.”
Linton appeared from the opposite end of the hallway, waving cheerfully as he approached. He gave Samuel a quick once-over, but his expression was as calm as ever.
Both Linton and Kate, who’d overseen the disastrous training, had been given three months of unpaid suspension—a harsh punishment, though for a noble like Linton, it meant very little.
“Are you okay? I heard you hurt your ankle. Is it better?”
“It’ll heal soon. Thank you for your concern, sir.”
“See? I told you to be careful. Next time, listen to me, alright?”
As Linton passed, Samuel turned to call after him.
“Is it a tactical move as well, sir?”
“Huh? What is?”
“Using a shield to bounce an unsuspecting target away.”
“…That’s kind of random. What are you talking about?”
“I just can’t think of any other explanation.”
Samuel took a slow step closer, looking down at Linton. The smile had long since faded from the older man’s face.
“I was wondering how to handle an enemy who’s let their guard down, and it struck me—something like that would work perfectly. What do you think, sir?”
Linton stared at him for a moment, then turned his head with a smirk.
“Interesting idea, Ensign. You’ve taken up reading tactics books, huh? Good for you. Keep it up.”
He flashed a quick smile and walked off.
“A trapped rabbit can’t blame the hunter, right? The hunter’s just doing his job.”
With that, Linton disappeared at the end of the hall. Samuel turned and—startled—found a pink-haired stranger standing right behind him. The man’s presence had been undetectable, and given his build, he was clearly an Esper.
The stranger grinned and applauded.
“Wow, you’re hilarious!”
“…Sorry?”
“You’re Samuel Norah, right? I’m Alexander Macgis, a Gold-level healer, and I’ll be the new medic of the Security Guard.”
“An honor to meet you, Captain Alexander.”
“Call me Dr. Alex! Oh, and here—can you help with this?”
Without warning, Alex thrust a white gem at him—a storage stone for Esper or Guide abilities.
“Can you put your guiding energy in here?”
“What’s it for, sir?”
“Oh, come on. When a Captain asks, an Ensign just does it…”
He paused, then grinned wider.
“But I see you’re not the type to just blindly obey, huh?”
He jerked his chin.
“It’s for the Commander.”
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