Chapter 6
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“No, it’s just an order from your commander. Adrien Brillante, Battalion Commander of the Capital Security Guard.”
In the quiet room, the only sound was the crumpling of paper in Adrien’s clenched fist.
Rozanna laughed quietly to herself, knowing that if she laughed out loud, Adrien would truly get angry.
* * *
“So you’re really going to the capital?”
“Don’t be happy.”
The handsome man reaching toward Adrien on the sofa lit up at her words, but she didn’t move.
With her eyes closed, she absorbed the pouring radiance of guiding.
White energy streamed from the man’s hands, enveloping Adrien’s entire body. The path of guiding shone clearly, as fitting for a high-level guide.
Linton was a handsome man with blond hair and delicate features. His clear blue eyes curved sweetly as he watched his guiding flow.
“It’s not a place for you anyway.”
“Why, Adrien? Where in the capital can’t I go?”
“Linton.”
Adrien finally opened her eyes slightly. Linton was still grinning.
“If you wanted that so badly, why didn’t you come to the battlefield?”
“I would have if you’d replied to my letter.”
“If you came, you’d have seen my face instead of a reply.”
“Doubt it. You never showed me your face, and I would get sucked by other espers for guiding.”
“Hm.”
“You know why I haven’t made a personal esper until now.”
She knows, but just pretends not to.
Despite Linton’s playful whining, Adrien turned away. The guiding’s seeping touch was growing unbearably unpleasant.
Adrien gazed at the white light enveloping her. Following it, her eyes reached Linton’s face. He looked regretful watching the radiance of guiding dissipate as he stood apart.
“Adrien, I’m the only Gold-level guide fit for you.”
“Is that so?”
“If you hate the capital guard so much, choose me. It’s not too late.”
“…”
“Honestly, this is a demotion. I don’t want your lack of a personal guide to hold you back.”
Lacking a personal guide was far from a minor issue.
This was true for every esper, but even more so for Adrien.
Thanks to her powerful abilities, Adrien fought tirelessly. Her will was forced into action. If there was an enemy, she never stopped.
But esper powers weren’t infinite. The more frequently and strongly she used them, the faster her guiding depleted, and the greater the risk of berserk episodes.
Adrien had already reached dangerous levels of potential berserk several times.
The stronger the esper, the larger the scale and scope of their berserk outbursts. A typical Gold-rank berserk could destroy an entire residential district.
What then of an immeasurable-level esper?
Adrien knew well why her superiors, including Rozanna, were so concerned about her personal guide situation.
But even the most obedient model student has something they hate doing.
Moreover, Adrien was stubborn by nature.
“Adrien, if not a personal guide, then at least allow contact guiding?”
Even the pleading of a lovely beauty earned only a blank stare in response.
“You’re strange. Why does an esper hate guiding so much?”
“…I don’t hate it.”
“You don’t? Other espers would already be weak from my strong guiding and begging for at least a hand to hold or a hug.”
“…”
“But you…”
Linton stopped and sighed deeply.
There’s no use whining. Adrien had never comforted him.
At worst, she’d hand over a handkerchief after a good cry, ignoring even a few tears.
There wasn’t a hint of the desperate gaze or craving for guiding that many other espers showed.
Some said that was part of her charm. Linton agreed.
Instead of panting like others, she gave a cold, proud gaze that made his body flush.
‘But inside, that must be burning away in pain.’
Adrien was only pretending to be okay.
The more powers she used, the faster her guiding drained, and without enough guiding, the once-sharp senses became knives stabbing her entire body.
Linton knew the radiance he poured in now wouldn’t be enough. Still, Adrien’s stubborn refusal to even accept contact guiding made him swallow dryly.
Adrien Brillante was a woman who stirred guides for strange reasons.
And she seemed completely unaware of it.
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