The X Guide-Chapter 137: Training (2)

"Huh?" Devion always had an explosive temper in his youth. It was especially so if the one criticizing him was someone he claimed to be his one and only rival.

"What did you say?" Devion stopped and glared at Khal, who was sitting on the ground in front of him. His red hair appeared to emphasize his mood.

Khal was not easily intimidated. His expression remained unchanged, and he repeated what he said. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Your position’s too stiff."

Devion’s lips twitched slightly, speechless that Khal really did repeat what he said. Sometimes, this ice block really felt like that.

Someone without any emotions at all.

Devion took a deep breath to calm himself. He could not start a fight just with that one comment. Or he would appear too childish.

"How did you know?" Devion crossed his arms to his chest as he tilted his head slightly and looked down at Khal. "Heh. Don’t think you know more than me. I’m a close combat fighter than you are."

In a way, that was correct. Devion specialized in close combat more than Khal. While Khal could still fight in close combat, he thrived with long-range fighting.

At least, at this point in time when they had yet to truly master their abilities.

Khal was not easily provoked. He only met Devion’s gaze, expression not changing, which pissed Devion off more. The corner of Devion’s lips twitched.

This ice block...

"Do you want me to show you?" Khal merely asked, his tone stable.

Devion frowned. Why was he so calm? Come to think about it, Khal was not one to lie and provoke him either.

But... he refused to acknowledge that he was doing anything wrong at all. Still, he motioned as he sneered.

"Sure, go ahead." Devion tilted his head to the side and pointed at the training equipment.

It was one of those specifically designed to capture esper’s mana, and so its levels changed according to their ranks.

Let’s see what you’re up to.

Khal stared at Devion’s gaze as though he could see through his thoughts. He got up and passed by Devion, and gave him a side glance.

For some reason, Devion felt a chill behind him, and so he could not help but rub the back of his neck. Strange.

He could not dwell on that for long, as Khal was already in the equipment. Devion stared seriously; he was ready to point out any mistakes.

Khal did not say anything and soon started demonstrating; his blue pupils met Devion’s shocked ones, and the corner of his lips hooked up. As if to say, how was that?

Devion was pissed when he noticed it. But he could not say anything because... Damn, why was Khal better than him?

He immediately noticed something and compared it with his own. It seemed... Khal was right. Devion bit his lips. Soon, Khal stopped and stared at Devion.

Despite the obvious defeat, Devion did not drop his attitude. Otherwise, he would look more pathetic in front of this ice block.

Fuck, how come he could use it better? Devion could not accept it.

Suddenly, Khal said something, his blue pupils never leaving Devion.

"Huh? Can you repeat that again?" Devion was a bit dumbfounded and acted like he did not hear it.

Khal was unusually patient and repeated again.

"I can help you train."

What shamelessness. Devion huffed and wanted to immediately refuse, but... he said something else.

"How can you train me?" After all, they were both SS-class espers and basically knew the same thing.

Khal’s eyes were a shade darker somehow. Devion did not know if it had significance, though.

"We can help each other," he simply said.

Devion did not immediately respond. He stared at Khal, and the other met his.

He pondered. Well, not like it was a bad idea. They were using the training ground these days, and coincidentally, they happened to always be together.

Devion hated to admit it, but Khal truly utilized the training equipment and handled his mana much better than he did.

"I can agree. In one condition."

Khal’s expression shifted slightly.

"What condition?"

Devion ignored the changes in Khal’s expression. He could only say that he was naive at that time because he never once thought in that direction at all.

"No one should know. That you’re my training partner. I don’t want others to see us training together."

Devion loved the rival stories going on between them. And also, he had no intention of letting others know that Khal was better than him in one area.

Khal’s gaze became deep as he nodded.

"Don’t worry. This is our secret." For some reason, these words were the very first time Devion heard obvious emotions in his voice.

Of course, Devion was dumb enough to fall into his trap. Although he found it strange, he still agreed.

For the next few days, they were dispatched to some missions, so they had not seen each other. They had managed only to take a break and meet.

"Are you sure this is correct?" Devion hesitated and asked. He felt awkward. It was not the usual equipment he used. He preferred it when it showcased his strength.

However, the equipment had something to do with mana wavelength control. His hands were hanging in the air, holding the other end of the equipment.

He only needed to pull it as much as he could.

Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him. Then, a whisper against his ear. Devion nearly shivered; his ears felt itchy at the contact.

"What the fuck, dude? " he exclaimed, startled. He was about to withdraw his hand from the equipment to push Khal away when he was stopped before he could do so, while the other held his waist.

"Make sure your lower body is firm." Devion felt Khal grip his waist as though to demonstrate. "Your hands should hold the connector tighter," and Khal also grasped his hand.

One in his hands and the other at his waist. Devion could also feel his chest against his back.

Was there a need to be this close?

Devion found it strange somehow, but...

Khal seemed to only explain seriously to him. After all, Khal was an absolute ice block. It was already commendable for him to help Devion train.

Thinking of this, Devion calmed down the suspicions in his mind.

He moistened his lips, gripped the equipment tighter, and stood firmly as he turned his head slightly.

"Like this?"

Khal leaned a bit but not too much. Still, their eyes met. His blue pupils were a shade darker.

"Yes, just like that."