Chapter 166
Calix started to follow after Lea but then turned to Zion and spoke.
“By the way…”
“…Yes.”
Zion was certain he was about to get scolded. He didn’t show it outwardly, but inside he thought Calix was being petty.
“Isn’t it strange?”
“…Pardon?”
Zion didn’t quite understand the question, as it was far from what he expected.
On the other hand, Calix decided to finally voice the sense of discord he’d felt for some time. After all, when it came to Lea, the only person he really trusted was Zion.
“I wouldn’t know since I’ve only ever received guiding from Lea. But you’ve received guiding from the Empress as well, so let me ask you something.”
“Then…”
“Is it really possible for an Esper’s ability to awaken just through guiding? I mean, even if it’s possible, can it really happen this easily?”
At Calix’s words, Zion’s eyes widened as if they might tear. It was true, awakening wasn’t easy.
He’d always heard that after a long period of training, an ability might blossom into a new power. That was a staple lesson in both swordsmanship and Esper ability classes.
He’d also heard that, with regular guiding, the chances of awakening could increase. But since Guides were so rare among Cantabrian Espers, it was something he had tucked away and forgotten.
“Ilion awakened his ability after just one session of guiding with her. He described it as so blissful it was as if he’d ascended to the side of a god. It’s an unsettling expression, but can anyone really feel that way just from holding hands during guiding?”
After sorting through his thoughts, Zion spoke up, considering one possibility.
“In that case… isn’t Miss Lea simply a Guide of overwhelming rank?”
“Overwhelming rank…”
Calix suddenly thought it would be nice to have a magical device to measure Esper and Guide ranks. It was a practical idea born of necessity.
“So, your opinion is: if you receive guiding from a higher-ranked Guide, then a lower-ranked Esper can more easily awaken their ability. Is that what you’re saying?”
“…I hadn’t thought it through that far, but now that you mention it, Commander-in-Chief, it does seem that way. Ilion and I could be good examples.”
“Unfortunately, I admit that you’re more skilled than Ilion.”
“…Thank you.”
“I have no intention of dismissing your ability in any official sense. But that’s all. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
Calix’s tone, so casual just a moment before, dropped suddenly. Zion knew exactly what he meant. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to answer so easily.
He knew what was expected in front of his superior and the Imperial Crown Prince of Cantabria, but he felt resistance. He couldn’t just say he would give up Lea so easily. She was as good as his savior. How could he be ordered not even to harbor feelings for her?
“…It seems you haven’t understood well enough.”
“That’s not it, Commander-in-Chief. I do understand. But if people’s feelings could be controlled, there wouldn’t be any wars.”
Calix stared at Zion, who answered vaguely and refused to back down, then let out a low sigh and gave a formal command. Fine, as long as he managed his little fox well, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Find a special-type Esper who can create a magical device to measure the ranks of Espers and Guides. Handle this at your discretion as Vice Commander.”
“…Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”
Leaving Zion’s tent, Calix hurried toward Lea’s barracks. She’d slipped away on her own again. Why does she love working so much?
He knew better than anyone how passionately she approached her duties. She’d even volunteered in the slums.
He didn’t like that about her. He wished she would do nothing, just stay by his side.
Should he really put a collar on her and lock her in a cage? If he did, would Lea simply obey him?
He knew all too well how deep her affection for him ran. Sometimes, he even drowned in it. Yet, at the same time, he felt something bittersweet.
Even though Lea loved him so much, she never clung or acted as if she wanted him all to herself. She never showed jealousy, never displayed even the slightest bit of possessiveness.
If anything, it felt as though she was waiting for him to say, ‘I don’t need you anymore.’
Of course, he recognized that was just his own delusion, but still, he couldn’t shake off the prickling premonition that set his nerves on edge.
His instincts were warning him.
If he were to make one wrong move, his little fox would run away.
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