The X Guide

Ayen did what Mikhael instructed. The series of tests was indeed simple and did not require extracting wavelength samples, and so it was done before he knew it.

Mikhael let Ayen sit with Khal and Devion on the couch as he went to supervise the results. Since it was just simple, they were not hoping for something groundbreaking, and so the room was in a leisurely state.

Khal and Devion talked with Ayen as they waited for the results. This time, it was not a serious discussion but more of a way to waste time.

Mikhael soon returned holding a tablet. He sat across from the three and spoke. "The results are stable." He showed them the screen and explained some values that were a little complicated to figure out.

They were all leaning towards Ayen being an E-class guide; in short, he was stable. There was nothing wrong, except that this confirmed that Ayen himself was unique.

"We can’t determine or officially say you are an SS-class guide, but this further confirms that you aren’t an E-class guide. To be able to guide them is a feat only you can do."

This was like a formality, and also to put everyone at ease. Nothing was wrong with Ayen. It was more than the current measuring devices were not yet capable of measuring his true rank.

For now, it basically confirmed he was way beyond S-class.

Mikhael clasped the tablet in his hand and looked at the three of them. These series of tests they conducted were also to open up to the more serious one, the one they were there for in the first place.

"Currently, we are unable to confirm anything, and that includes about... your ability to cure or guide curses." Mikhael’s expression went solemn, and so did the other three. "So... We will need to conduct more trial and error observations."

Khal furrowed his brows, and Devion’s expression went darker. Ayen remained composed, but he expected that the two espers were still not completely assured about this, but went with it because of him.

Trial and error means that Ayen’s future suffering had shot up by a considerable degree.

"Is there no other way?" Khal could not help but ask, wanting to know if they had alternatives.

This type of test meant more of Ayen’s wavelength had to be extracted for tests that they did not know if would give any results or would be wasted in the end.

Mikhael expected this question, and so he did not stiffen. He shook his head slightly, expression remaining solemn.

"Unfortunately, we don’t have any, leader. As you know... curses are still a mystery to us. We haven’t truly tackled this territory even after so many years. And now, Ayen’s uniqueness... We don’t know for sure how it’ll work."

After all, Ayen himself had only accidentally found this, and not that he knew the principle of it.

Mikhael continued. "We don’t have any devices here to calculate the risk either. We’re starting from scratch and do not have experience in this area. I hope you understand."

Even if he knew that what he said was reasonable, Mikhael still apologized to Khal in the end.

Khal and Devion knew it too; even Ayen was prepared for it. However, imagining how Ayen would have to suffer more made them a bit unwilling inside.

Ayen looked at them. It was as if saying they already agreed, and it would be fine.

Khal sighed and still relented. Devion fell silent; however, he was unwilling inside. He knew why Ayen was doing this, and it was hard to antagonize those genuine feelings.

"What should I do?" Ayen turned to Mikhael again, who was waiting for his response.

At this point, his decision had more weight than even Khal. After all, this was also about his well-being.

"We haven’t seen any health problems, and so we can proceed with the extraction of samples. For now, you can relax as we prepare the device."

Mikhael ignored Khal and Devion’s dark expression and only focused his gaze on Ayen. "It’s best if you eat first... since, you might not have an appetite for a few days after the procedure."

Ayen nodded at him. Mikhael gave a few instructions before he managed to slip away. Ayen turned to the two.

"We already talked about this," he sighed.

"I know." Khal nodded. "But..." he sighed and leaned back.

Devion leaned on Ayen’s shoulder. "That will be painful. It’s like your soul’s being pulled out."

"Are you scaring me?" Ayen asked or joked. But it was not effective because of his tone.

"Are you scared?" Devion asked.

Ayen fell silent. He then honestly answered.

"I am." He was used to pain, but that did not mean he did not care about it. He felt their gaze on him. Ayen’s haze softened, and so did his tone. "But, you’ll take care of me, right?"

"Of course," the two answered as quickly as Ayen’s voice ended.

Ayen’s lips curled into a smile, becoming smooth now without the stiff feel to it.

"Then, I’ll be okay."

Trusting his lovers, Ayen felt that it was not really bad to rely on someone at all.

The three leaned into each other as they waited for the procedure to be prepared.

At the same time, the situation in one of the yellow zones was about to be discovered. At the top of the building, two people stood looking at the chaos below them.

"When will this spread to the next city?" The older one, who seemed to be in his sixties, asked the man beside him, an esper.

The esper looked up and calculated the possibility.

"It’ll take two days at most."

The older man scoffed. "Too slow."

The esper twitched his lips. "It’s not that simple, professor."

The man obviously knew it too, but that did not mean he was not displeased at how things were going too slowly for his liking.

"Lure some esper inside. I want this spread by tomorrow."

"But Professor..."

The man looked at the esper. "No. I felt something strange. The team we sent to that anomaly did not return and lost contact. Even the scouts we sent to look after them went missing."

The esper looked at the man and also fell into thought.

"I’m afraid another force like us is targeting us." The man shook his head in regret but eventually smiled. "It’s fine too. Though a lot of our plans might be adjusted... having another force to spread the chaos is very much welcome at our table."

If they were the only ones stirring trouble in the dark... things could get boring fast. The man smiled, a flicker of madness in his gaze.