The X Guide-Chapter 116: The Most Imperfect Anomaly (1)

Of course, Devion’s senses far exceeded anyone but Khal. Though his current body had a higher rank than Khal’s current body, the level of their senses remained the same.

"I can only faintly sense it. I’m not sure if it’s a person or something else."

As usual, Ayen sat in the middle of the two. They always had this arrangement these days. Of course, there were times when Ayen sat across from the two, but he preferred this position more.

Ayen loved their skin against his. It made him calm down for some reason. It was not like the two hated it and even took the initiative to always put Ayen between them.

Khal’s expression went serious. He did not continue the topic about the unknown observer. For him, it was not worth mentioning at all.

Ayen and Devion were already aware of what Khal was about to ask next.

For Khal, Devion’s curse was far more sinister and terrifying to contend against.

Devion knew Khal would worry about him, and before Khal could ask, he already told him the truth. The fact that the curse appeared and grew stronger because of the restriction in his abilities, and how it immediately messed with him the moment he woke up.

"Is it here?" Khal’s question was almost similar to Ayen’s. Only that his expression was more intense.

"About that," Devion glanced at Ayen, as if asking for his permission. Ayen nodded at him.

Khal furrowed his brow and also glanced at Ayen. He was not sure what was going on, but he did not speak a word, only waiting for Devion to speak.

Devion was acting normal, but Khal had been deceived too many times by his seemingly normal smiles and reactions. Devion was the type who preferred to suffer silently rather than burden others.

Wasn’t the reason he left Khal after being afflicted by the curse?

This time, Khal always asked, even if he became annoying. He never got tired of asking Devion about his state.

"The curse did appear. But it retreated now into my subconscious."

"Retreated? How?" Khal became confused. Devion glanced at Ayen again. Khal turned to Ayen; an assumption suddenly emerged in his mind. "Wait... Don’t tell me, Ayen is...?"

Khal found himself lost for words.

Devion sighed and recounted what happened to him.

"Ayen connected with the curse somehow." Even now, Devion still felt it was quite unbelievable. Yet, it did happen.

Khal paused, processing what he said. His mouth parted as if to say something as he stared at Ayen, but he closed it again.

"I don’t know how I did it," Ayen spoke up by this time. He tried to explain, but he was also not sure how to do so.

Just like when he first discovered he could guide the two after sensing their mana wavelength, and how he instinctively wanted to guide them both at the same time.

It was the same this time around. Ayen had only accidentally encountered the anomaly inside Devion’s wavelength.

"But, maybe I have always encountered it, but I haven’t noticed it before. I only noticed because of Devion’s current body." Ayen proceeded to explain his thoughts.

In a way, this situation they were in also helped in finding this out. Otherwise, who knew when Ayen finally noticed that part within Devion.

Devion was there when Ayen did it, but he was still surprised by it. So, Khal’s emotions must be more turbulent hearing Ayen’s words.

Khal was truly stunned; he could not utter any words for a moment. What was he feeling at this moment? Or what should he feel?

Happy? Should he be happy that there was finally hope to lift the curse that tormented Devion for a decade? That should be reasonable enough.

Khal never stopped searching for a way to remove the curse. The amount of healing artifacts and miracle herbs he got piled up in the warehouse.

More than half of his forces were also tasked to search, with a whole team only dedicated to this mission. Khal could even say he poured all his resources into this.

He did not care about the cost. Money or life, Khal was willing to spend or sacrifice them all.

That was how desperate he was to help Devion remove his curse.

This had become his life mission.

Yet, why did Khal only feel conflicted with this information? His gaze at Ayen became heavy. Actually, he knew the answer.

Before he realized it, Ayen had truly engraved his presence alongside Devion in his heart. It might not be at the same intensity of his feelings for Devion, but it was there... slowly cementing its position.

Just like Devion, Khal was also worried about the consequences of letting Ayen try to lift Devion’s curse. It was not a simple guiding session; there were risks involved.

Khal knew just how terrifying the curse that afflicted Devion was. It tormented an SS-class esper for years. If it were any other esper or, worse, an ordinary person, they would have already succumbed to its corruption long ago. They would not even last a day.

He saw Devion suffer; he was there suffering with him. So, how could he let Ayen be implicated by it? It was already hard enough to let Ayen also share this torment, but to dare and risk his life as well...

"We can’t risk you, Ayen." Khal let out a heavy sigh. "Not because we can’t lose a guide."

Khal reached out and held Ayen’s hand and tenderly squeezed it. He glanced at Devion, who seemed unsurprised by his reaction. Devion already expected it.

He was feeling the same. So, he did not let Ayen continue. Devion was more transparent, but deep down, he was harder to move than Khal.

However, he did not know why, but it was easy to get lost in Ayen’s presence. It was not hard to like him. These feelings were not yet deep, but Devion did not resist and let them take root within him.

Under their gaze, Devion reached out and gently held Khal’s and Ayen’s already clasped hands. The two shifted their gaze to their hands and naturally let him join.

Devion did not say a word, but Khal had understood the meaning he wanted to convey. At least, this time, they were agreeing on the same thing.

Ayen swallowed; his heart was a little overwhelmed. He did not know what was going on, but he had the feeling that what Khal was about to say would take their relationship a step forward.

And his apprehensions would be completely erased.

"We can’t lose you, Ayen."

Khal’s words were slow and clear and sounded very sincere. With his hand wrapped between their palms, Ayen felt it even more.

Wow. His heart was bursting with so many emotions. Ayen could not distinguish each one, but one thing was clear.

He was so happy.