The X Guide-Chapter 22: Guiding Session (5)

It was more important to finish guiding Devion first. Since the condition was the same as Khal’s, he calculated when to stop according to the earlier guiding session.

With little experience, Ayen could afford some of his focus to observe the difference in their wavelengths. Unlike the manifested wavelength around them, connecting with theirs directly, giving a deeper impression.

Khal’s wavelength was more solid, and the structure was also balanced. But it was harder and thicker. While Devion’s was more fluid and smooth, its structure appeared complete and not out of place.

Ayen could not compare with others, as the two were the only espers he had managed to guide. He could confirm that Devion’s and Khal’s, despite the chaos around them, were by far the most perfect wavelengths an esper could have.

This was probably because their wavelengths were different from those of the espers ranked below them. It was fascinating to see that Ayen’s interest was piqued.

If Ayen knew that this discovery of his, the fact that he could see them, was already something that would make the whole world go into an uproar. Those scientists would definitely love to invite him for a meeting once the knowledge spreads.

SS-class espers were still a mystery to humanity, even after so many years had passed, the same as with their monster counterparts. Which, fortunately, not a lot appeared.

Ayen’s decision to be a low profile was absolutely a good decision.

Even as he thought of this, he did not stop guiding Devion. Sweat had also begun to form on his forehead. Ayen bit his lips, brows creasing, but pressed on.

Perhaps it was the stubborn side of him that would not let Devion lack the guiding energy that Khal received. Or he also began to view the two on equal footing, not wanting either side to receive less from him.

Or more like, he did not want to hear Devion bickering with Khal over this. They were the ones to argue with that. Their impression of Ayen was so poor that they were judged based on that after being together for a few days.

In any case, Ayen was stubborn enough to go with that.

Khal, who was watching (guarding) the guiding session, noticed the beads of sweat on Ayen’s forehead and the struggle on his face. This was Ayen’s first time guiding someone, and two SS-class espers at that.

His control and efficiency were lacking, and despite enough energy, Ayen would not be able to keep up with himself.

Afraid to interrupt, Khal tiptoed and held his breath, walking towards a bag. They did not think of bringing a lot, since they did not think of staying for long.

He quickly got a small white sleeveless shirt; he did not know if it was his or Devion’s, as both of them sometimes swap clothes. He crumpled it; finding it smooth enough, Khal decided to use it when a handkerchief was not available.

Khal returned to the couch, glancing at Devion’s state of bliss and then Ayen’s struggling expression, and he shook his head in worry.

Ayen did not stop, and Khal could not forcibly end the guiding session, or the guide would suffer a backlash, the esper too, but it was the former who would suffer more.

Khal held his breath and used the folded shirt to wipe Ayen’s forehead; he was careful not to make skin contact. An unawakened person could touch a guide during a guiding session, but an esper would interrupt and distract the guide if they did so.

He also wiped the sweat that trickled down Ayen’s cheeks. Once he was done, Khal glanced at Devion and did the same thing. He carefully wiped the sweat off the two every so often.

Soon, Ayen suddenly let out a heavy breath. He began catching his breath, his chest moving up and down. His eyes opened slightly, meeting Khal’s, who began to wipe his sweat again.

Ayen licked his lips, which had dried at some point. His appearance was no different from the feverish appearance of the two espers during and after the guiding session.

He did not refuse the gesture, as he already felt the same thing earlier. One person in this room could do it.

Exhausted, Ayen opened his mouth slowly.

"Water," he murmured.

Khal was quick on his feet and fetched the water. There was bottled water, and holding the bottle, the water immediately chilled.

Unfastening the lid, Khal offered, "Here."

Ayen nodded and uttered a small thank you. He drank the water slowly, enough to ease the heat he was feeling.

"How are you feeling?" Khal asked after taking a seat beside Devion, who still needed some time to recover from the aftereffects.

Ayen swallowed, sipping some water first before answering.

"Not good," he honestly answered.

Khal’s expression turned to worry.

"It’s probably the backlash coming," Ayen told him, not to ease his worry but to inform.

Was Ayen the person who would hide his pain for the sake of others’ peace of mind? Definitely not.

"What should we do?" Khal had also heard about it.

The satisfaction of having experienced Ayen’s guiding cooled, and he began to worry. Ayen was now too important to them; nothing should happen to him.

"Huh?"

Devion’s hoarse voice sounded, and he now woke up from that blissful expression and witnessed the exchange. He immediately noticed the Khal’s worries and Ayen’s condition.

With a still feverish expression, Devion sat up straight, brows furrowing. It was as though the moment Ayen said what they needed to do, he was already prepared to accomplish that.

Ayen still held Devion’s hand and was too weak to pull away. Devion seemed not to have the intention to pull his hand away yet.

He sighed and shut his eyes. "I don’t know what the backlash will be."

Every guide had a different backlash. Ayen could feel that his energy was not exhausted or depleted, but for some reason... He had a premonition that guiding these two would evoke some kind of backlash, no matter how light.

And it might be different in degree each time. Guides could feel it vaguely at some point; Ayen was no different.

"Ayen..." Devion called in a low tone, urging, but also too soft to be called one.

Ayen opened his eyes, wanting to glare at the two for being so troublesome, but he was also to blame. He was too tired to argue, and not like he had the mood before.

"I..." Ayen licked his lips and watched as the two who still held flushed faces like drunkards waited for him to continue.

Ayen had the inkling that if he wanted the two to bark, they would.

This is bad. Ayen calmed himself, throwing such thoughts away. This was also an aftereffect, different from the espers.

"I want to eat vegetable soup," Ayen finished, for now, he was craving Devion’s cooking so bad.