Chapter 48
Curious what happens next? Read more here
What if she’d sent that letter without asking Alex about sponsorship first?
To Sammy, the letter would surely have sounded less like a simple greeting and more like a demand—almost as if she were being accused for not having come to see Adrien, even after coming of age.
‘Just like those shameless espers who are always out to claim some kind of payment for their support.’
It felt as if the very fate she’d struggled so hard to escape was clinging to her all over again.
Without any hesitation, Adrien crumpled the green stationery in her fist. The sound of the expensive paper being crushed made Alex’s eyes go wide.
“Did I do something wrong…?”
“No, you didn’t. Just go, please. I’ll handle the guide business myself—don’t get involved. And keep the Supreme Commander from hearing anything about it for a while, too.”
“Understood. But tomorrow, you must apply for an exclusive guide, okay?”
As Alex left the room, Adrien tossed the crumpled letter into the trash. The aftertaste was bitter, but it was the best she could do. She couldn’t burden that kid with something so unfair.
If Sammy ever came looking for her, Adrien was now resolved to turn her away without even meeting face to face.
Adrien flung the window open wide, letting the cool night air wash over her like a stream.
‘All I can allow myself is one exclusive guide, nothing more.’
If she kept the exclusive guide position vacant, her mother would surely reach out to Sammy next. Adrien refused to let her old sponsor’s guilt be turned into just another tool for her mother to use and discard.
She would not let herself become the star of another tired tragedy.
Just because she shared her mother’s blood didn’t mean she had to repeat the same cycle.
She had to show both herself and her mother that she could choose a different path.
* * *
All the unit members had gathered in Phoenix Hall.
It was a space used for all sorts of purposes, so it wasn’t immediately clear what today’s assembly was about. The newer recruits, now fairly comfortable with one another, busily speculated on the reason for the meeting.
“I heard a couple of Ensigns got caught slacking off on duty yesterday—think it’s because of that?”
“I doubt they’d call everyone in just for something like that.”
“Maybe it’s about that zoo incident.”
At Ricola’s comment, everyone’s attention shifted.
“You mean the one where the lion started turning into a monster?”
“There wasn’t even an official monster alert. No announcement about it either. You’d think there’d be some update by now.”
“Yeah, it’s weird they haven’t figured out what happened with that case…”
Brenda nodded. Peter, craning his neck to look at the door, suddenly grinned.
“I don’t think it’s that, Ricola.”
“Why not?”
“I bet they’re introducing a new member today.”
Sure enough, behind Captain Bailey Rosem, a tall unfamiliar man was walking in. His insignia marked him as a captain. He had pink hair, vivid red eyes, and an easy, handsome smile.
“But… what’s all that?”
Several members were pushing carts behind the new captain, each one piled high with sparkling gems. The sight left everyone wide-eyed—everyone except Samuel, whose face didn’t budge an inch.
“Attention! Salute!”
At Captain Bailey’s shout, the entire unit saluted. Alex, standing at the podium, looked around proudly and returned their salute.
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Captain Alexander Macgis, the new medical officer for the Capital Security Guide. But just call me Dr. Alex, that’s fine.”
With a grin, Alex gestured toward the gems piled high on the carts.
“I’m guessing you’re more interested in these gems than in me, right? Some of you may already know, but these are a kind of diamond that can hold both esper and guide energy.”
“Diamonds? Wait, how much are those worth?”
Peter’s jaw dropped as he tried to do the math.
“Everyone here will infuse their own energy into one of these stones. Then we’ll use that energy to test for compatibility.”
“Compatibility test?”
Alex continued as if answering Peter’s muttered question:
“Some of you might have noticed certain guides’ guiding feels especially good, while others—not so much. If you’re a good match, the guiding is far more effective, even pleasurable. So, we’ll be running some tests.”
With a nod from Alex, Bailey waved the team members forward with their carts.
“All you have to do is infuse your energy into the gem you’re given. It’s simple.”
The stones were distributed throughout the unit. Even the new recruits, Peter included, got their own shining diamond. Peter, never having touched a diamond before, looked halfway terrified.
“If I break this… I’ll never be able to pay it back.”
“Peter Ludd, diamonds are famous for being the hardest mineral. Don’t worry, you couldn’t break it even if you tried.”
“Really…?”
Samuel, overhearing their conversation, turned his own diamond stone over in the light—it was his second time seeing one.
At that moment, someone snatched it right out of his hand: Alex.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.