The X Guide

While Ayen spoke with Keeran, Devion stayed outside the room. He was not alone there, Georgina and Jarred accompanying him. The storm they created had slowed down, but the two finally experienced the terror of SS-class espers.

The power to create such a large-scale disturbance, only Khal and Devion could do so. They became even more respectful, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Unlike Ayen’s concern, the two espers were already accustomed to this treatment, so it never bothered them now.

Devion was not that talkative with strangers. And with his stoic expression, he appeared more intimidating. If he were not talking, no one would think that his way of speaking was sometimes in great contrast to his appearance.

However, this time he showed a rare interest in what Georgina said before.

"Can you let me see your wound?" Devion looked at Georgina and glanced at her bandaged arm. "I only want to confirm something."

They were in a sense of urgency earlier and did not ask clearly about what Georgina experienced. They set it aside, prioritizing Ayen’s emotions and helping him vent his anger.

Khal and Devion were also distracted; thus, he could only ask now.

Georgina stiffened, not expecting Devion to talk to her. She recovered quickly and nodded. Under Devion and Jarred’s gaze, who already saw it before, Georgina unwrapped her gauze and exposed the wound.

She did not feel embarrassed showing it at all. Georgina glanced at her wound. Her face turned solemn. The injury seemed to have gotten worse, even after the healing esper treated her.

Surrounding the wound was a black substance, which seemed to be spreading and making the wound harder to heal. Georgina did not feel any pain from it, but it just looked sinister at a glance.

"This is the corrosive power I’m talking about." This was her first time coming across this kind of power.

Gerogina was of the strength type, and her self-healing was better compared to other espers, but it was not helping.

Devion frowned, staring at the wound. The moment that the wound became exposed, that sensation became clearer.

"It really is."

The two espers exchanged glances after hearing Devion.

They had yet to figure out what the black substance was, but a sample had been delivered at the capital for further testing at the institute.

It was faint, the reason he needed to see it. However, Devion could feel the curse inside his own being to be attracted to it.

"There’s a curse in it," Devion revealed, not hiding from them. Curses were not confidential matters, and even if it was, he did not care.

Why would he hide the existence of a curse?

"It should be a small amount."

This dumbfounded but also alarmed him. How come there was a substance that had a cursed element in it? Even if it was not pure and not the same level as his curse, this was a very concerning matter.

His expression became serious.

Georgina and Jarred also wore surprise on their faces. There was also a kind of enlightenment in their faces after knowing the wound had a curse. The reason the wound was not healing and was even aggravating.

Although it was equally alarming, the unknown was more terrifying.

None of them questioned Devion’s words either and trusted his judgment.

Devion stared at it for a moment before he took a deep breath and averted his gaze. He suppressed his desire to dwell on it deeper, but he was aware that this was not the time for that.

"You can bandage it again," Devion instructed after a while. "That wound will be troublesome," he then commented.

It was true. Curses did not have a cure, but as the black substance only contained a curse element and not pure, the institute should be able to come up with a countermeasure.

That was not absolute. But it was worth trying.

It would need some time, and so Georgina had to suffer with her wounds for a while.

Devion was soon summoned by Ayen inside the room. Keeran had fallen asleep again, but they did not leave immediately.

As for Khal, he was also busy back in the temporary base in this city. In reality, Devion truly had nothing to do with his group, but everyone still acted as if he were the second leader.

Ayen’s presence was still only known to a few.

"Deal with the other members as you see fit." Khal decided to throw the troublesome matters aside to his subordinates.

Ayen had made it clear that he would only deal with the direct line and those others who were involved. For the other Nevaris Clan members, they could be spared.

But, soon, the Nevaris clan would be no more. Khal would make sure it disappeared, although it was unknown who would survive this war. Ayen had ’hired’ him for this; Khal always completes the job requests of his special clients.

"Leader, he’s awake." Khal nodded and walked directly towards the room where Aicel was confined.

The whole place was like inside an ice cave. Aicel’s body was inside the ball of ice; only his head was out. If one looked inside the ice ball, lightning continuously flickered, causing his body to jolt repeatedly.

Aicel was already numb. It was a wonder how he was still alive. Given Khal’s methods, it was not surprising. This tormenting pain would not let him die, but made him wish he were dead.

The traces of Ayen’s slap remained, but they healed his broken jaw.

Khal stood before Aicel, who looked dazed. They healed him but also drugged him. His perception at this moment might not be the same as how Khal saw it.

Aicel’s expression remained out of focus, yet he stared at Khal seriously.

Khal had no interest in asking what he was seeing instead of his form. He went and started questioning him.

"Why are you always chasing Ayen?" Khal sensed a weird dissonance before.

How did they abandon Ayen but continue to pursue him? Something was not adding up. Although Ayen explained later on that he escaped on his own after an S-class esper took a liking to him, Khal did not drop his suspicions.

It could be true that it started from that incident, but the years that constantly set Ayen up seemed deeper than what the surface showed them.

There had to be something else.