The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 216: Unexpected Visit

It was already morning by the time Lane returned to the Allens’ mansion. Not the first time that he had spent the night out without any notice, but things were different now. Ever since his awakening, his parents were watching him almost like hawks - or having someone else watch him, to be precise, since they couldn’t exactly afford to waste too much time on their useless spawn - and such unauthorized absences were no longer allowed. He had kept his phone in airplane mode ever since bringing Ava home, so that nobody would disturb him as he was watching over her...

But now he was kind of nervous. Such disobedience would likely result in some punishment, such as being thrown into a particularly dangerous and unpleasant dungeon... And while he would still survive, of course, he would have to hurt himself a lot to make his escape at least somewhat believable.

However, as he reached the mansion, he quickly discovered that he might actually be able to get away with it this time. The front gate and the door were all blown out, which meant grandmother Diana had paid them another visit last night! Thus, his parents might be too busy to bother punishing Lane, even if the servants reported his absence.

So, he quietly sneaked in through the open window, and went upstairs reaching his room unnoticed.

Or so he thought. Until just a moment later, just as he was about to undress to jump in the shower, someone knocked on his door.

Lane quickly glanced around, disturbed the blanket on the bed and moved the pillow, trying to make it seem as if the bed had been slept in, before opening the door.

Unlike what he could have expected, the person in front of them wasn’t one of the maids, or his parents’ assistants. Not even Nyla or his parents.

It was grandmother Diana.

"Mind if I come in?" the woman smiled at him.

"Ah, no, not at all!" Flustered, Lane quickly opened the door wide, letting Diana in. "Please make yourself comfortable... I’m sorry it’s so messy..."

Even though his room wasn’t messy at all. The maids cleaned it daily, after all. And even if they didn’t, compared with the current state of the rest of the house...

"It’s not a problem. I just wanted to see you for a while, as I might be leaving soon."

"...Ah?" Lane froze at Diana’s words.

She was leaving? Wasn’t she going to destroy the Allens? But the Allens, both as the family, the conglomerate, and the Guild, were still going strong! Getting stronger every day! Her mission was far from accomplished!

...Was she giving up?

"I’m not leaving for good, naturally," Diana explained, seeing Lane’s disappointed expression. "I only need to take some time to rework my plans. It seems that I’ve been away for too long, and no longer know how the Allens operate these days..."

"Then... You’ll be back eventually?" Lane fiddled with his hands nervously, as he hesitantly asked.

"Yes, of course. As soon as I gather enough resources to give the Allens a decisive blow." Diana paused, and let out a heavy sigh. "It would have been nice if I had an ally, someone who could help me gather forces and material on the Allens..."

An ally?

"I could be your ally!" Lane exclaimed enthusiastically without thinking, only for his face to flush red right after.

Him? An ally? He was just a teen, still controlled by his parents. He had a powerful ability, yes, but it was still a secret... And he didn’t know if he wanted to let his grandmother know. One, because he didn’t entirely trust her just yet, since they didn’t even get to talk much...

But most importantly, because she was the only person in his family who had been nice to him and showed some care even though he was practically useless. So, even though he wanted to help her, and the idea of destroying the Allens sounded good... He kind of wanted to be just a ’grandson’ to her, not a powerful Esper...

"Ah, well, what I mean is. I would love to help you... But there’s not much I can do, I’m afraid," he said, lowering his head. "I’m just a teen, after all... And I’m just constantly thrown into dungeons. I can’t do anything to gather forces, or even investigate, as I’m not even sure how long I can stay alive... So..."

"Hmm." Diana narrowed her eyes, observing Lane carefully for a while. "If you could get away from the Allens, would you want to?"

"H-huh? Get away, as in..."

"Get away. Leave this mansion, and start a new life on your own. No longer have to go on the dungeon raids, or be under constant surveillance. Just do whatever you want to."

Lane went silent, struggling to process what Diana just said. Yeah, sure, he would have want to. But why was she asking? He wasn’t even sixteen yet, and wasn’t as powerful as her. Even if he were to reveal his ability - which didn’t seem like a good idea - he would be able to charge through the world like a hurricane the way that she did. He was nothing but a stupid teen without many skills besides fighting, he couldn’t even cook or anything! How was he going to just live on his own? His parents aside, wouldn’t he just be setting himself up for failure?

Unless... Unless his grandmother was suggesting she would take him with her?

It didn’t seem she was, though, because she soon added, "It’s possible. If you want to, I can negotiate with the Allens on your behalf, so that you would be able to move out. Rent a nice apartment... Naturally, you would still be receiving financial support. You deserve it after everything they’ve put you through."

"...Oh." Lane’s shoulders slouched in disappointment. However, a moment later, he lightened up again.

So what if his grandmother wouldn’t take him? She must have had her own circumstances. At least she was offering him an amazing solution! He shouldn’t be too greedy, it was already better than he could have possibly hoped for! freewebnoveℓ.com

Thus, he nodded his head. "I would like that very much... But wouldn’t it be too much of a trouble for you?"

"You don’t need to worry." Diana just smiled in response. "Perhaps I haven’t been able to bring down the Allens just yet... But I’m too powerful for them to ignore my words."