Chapter 74
Curious what happens next? Read more here
Samuel didn’t know when these obsessive feelings had come to control him. By the time he realized he was floundering, it was already too late; he couldn’t forget the warmth of the sun that had once brightened his empty life.
But Adrien’s wishes were what mattered most. Especially after Adrien had used Linton to push him away, Samuel couldn’t help but realize just how firm his resolve was.
Adrien clearly didn’t welcome Linton’s guiding.
When Samuel first saw it at the zoo, it had just left him confused. But now that he understood what guide compatibility meant, it was different.
‘Captain Linton must have terrible compatibility with her.’
Even if choosing Linton as her dedicated guide was nothing more than a formality, Linton was the type who would never pass up such a chance. For Adrien, the cost of getting rid of someone like Samuel Norah was far too high.
So Samuel did his best to stay out of sight and live quietly—for Adrien’s sake.
But he had no intention of living like this forever.
“I went to Finch Restaurant downtown with Ensign Ricola Alvard yesterday.”
Peter finally admitted, hesitating.
“That fancy place?”
“Yes. She brought a bouquet and proposed to me. Asked me to be her dedicated guide.”
“You turned her down?”
“Of course!”
That was an elaborate proposal. But Peter’s answer was immediate and he was fuming.
“Sure, being a dedicated guide isn’t exactly the same as being someone’s lover, but isn’t it basically similar? And she wants me to be attached at the hip with someone like her? No way!”
“….”
“I can’t handle her personality. I always feel small around her—what am I supposed to do?”
“So you turned her down, but there’s still a problem?”
Peter’s expression clouded further.
“It’s just… I think Ensign Ricola misunderstood why I refused. She thinks it’s because she’s only a Bronze-level Esper.”
“…Ah.”
Samuel’s sigh of understanding made Peter look even more miserable.
In Esper and Guide society, rank was an unshakeable hierarchy. Ambitious guides always wanted to become the exclusive guide to a high-level Esper.
Given the nature of the military, it was usually the Espers who stood the best chance of gaining recognition and power, and naturally, influence pooled around them.
Unless you were an exceptional Gold-level guide, the only way to improve your status was to become the official guide to an Esper of a higher rank.
And with the growing shortage of guides, it had become nearly impossible for lower-ranked Espers to secure even a same-level or just one-rank-lower guide.
So it was only natural for Ricola, the lowest-ranked Bronze Esper, to jump to that conclusion.
“She didn’t even let me explain before she left, asking if that was the only reason I was rejecting her.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to clear things up?”
“I guess, but… if I talk to her, I’m worried she’ll confess again. I just don’t want to go through that.”
Samuel was about to reply when—
Beeeep!
A sudden siren blared, and both men’s heads snapped up. The signal crystal in their quarters was flashing urgently. They jumped to their feet.
“It’s a call-out.”
The two men quickly started pulling on their uniforms.
* * *
Boom!
“It’s collapsing! Get out of there!”
“This way, hurry!”
The scene was chaotic.
People poured out of a split building in the middle of the busy downtown. It was obviously the work of a rampaging Esper.
Lieutenant Kate Olen immediately deployed her shield to protect fleeing civilians from falling debris.
“See? This is the real reason the Capital Security Guard exists. Every Esper and Guide in the Empire should be in the special forces, but there are always those who refuse and slip through the cracks.”
Lieutenant Michelle Grace said, glancing at the rookies.
“And when those guys cause trouble, we’re the ones who have to clean up after them.”
Facing a rampaging Esper wasn’t common even for other units, especially one powerful enough to split a building in half. Tension was high, but it was something you had to get used to as part of the Security Guard.
Especially in the capital, where the density of Espers who had dodged enlistment was highest, and illegal substances were easier to come by than anywhere else.
Bang! Another explosion, more screams.
“Looks like this Esper has completely lost it. Don’t be scared! Move in!”
With that, Lieutenant Michelle charged ahead. The four Ensigns followed close behind.
Pushing past the fleeing crowd, they reached the building, where the sound of intermittent crashes echoed from within.
“…Is there a lion in there or something?”
Brenda joked, making the others chuckle despite themselves. Michelle led the way inside.
“There are usually two types of Espers who go on a rampage downtown. Anybody know what they are?”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.