Don't Support the Guide - Chapter 3

“If my generous sponsor needs me, I can give them anything.”

“Oh? That was a quick decision.”

It wasn’t a decision—it was a resolve. One she had made a long time ago.

“Hey, hey, her isn’t something you should take so lightly.”

One of the seniors waved his hand dismissively.

“You really think they’ll be satisfied with just holding hands and hugging? They’ve invested money in you, you know.”

The deeper the physical contact, the stronger the effects of Guiding. It was obvious what these sponsors, who had spent so much, would eventually demand.

“That’s why students aren’t allowed to meet their sponsors. If you’re going into her with naïve expectations, it’d be better if you didn’t go at all. I’d rather not see someone your size come running out, crying because you got hurt.”

“I’m not naïve.”

Samuel’s low voice drew everyone’s attention. Peter glanced at him and let out a deep sigh.

Samuel’s lips curved into a subtle, almost teasing smile. It was such an alluring expression that even the senior members—who had no prior interest in men—found themselves swallowing dryly.

“I’ve already prepared myself for that.”

***

“Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion, Special Forces, Resadian Empire—Adrian Brillante, reporting for duty.”

“Good work. How’s your body holding up?”

“I’m fine.”

“How much of the medication have you taken?”

“Not quite at a lethal dose.”

“Don’t say things like that. Do you know how much grief your mother gives me over you?”

“I apologize.”

Rosanna McGis, the Commander of the Esper Special Forces of the Resadian Empire, chuckled at Adrian’s perfectly crisp salute.

“Even after seven years, you’re still as stiff as ever, Battalion Commander.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You say that, but the fact that you can talk back like her means you’re not completely rigid.”

If there was one thing as unchanging as Adrian’s demeanor over the past seven years, it was her sheer skill.

She was only the second Gold-level or higher Unmeasurable Esper in the empire’s theory.

With all the attention and soaring popularity that came with such a title, most people would have let it get to their heads. But not Adrian.

If anything, she seemed annoyed by it. Invitations to high-profile galas and social events held no appeal for her—she seemed to prefer battle over all else.

Not that Rosanna had ever directly asked. She was a little afraid that if she did, Adrian would simply confirm it.

“You played a major role in her war.”

“Thank you.”

“So, I’m giving you a reward.”

“A medal?”

“Time off.”

A brief flicker of light passed through Adrian’s eyes before her expression soured—an unusually clear display of emotion for him.

“Her war lasted too long. It’s time you rested.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. The fact that an Unmeasurable Esper without a dedicated Guide has managed to hold out her long is a miracle in itself.”

Adrian clamped her mouth shut.

There was nothing she could say about the dedicated Guide issue.

At her level of experience, rank, and age, she was the only Esper of her standing without a dedicated Guide.

It wasn’t due to a lack of willing candidates. If someone ran outside right now and announced that Adrian Brillante was looking for a Guide, even those already bonded to other Espers would come rushing.

Her unmatched level wasn’t an issue either—any gaps in Guiding could be filled by sheer numbers. It was common for high-ranking Espers to have multiple Guides.

So, the only reason she remained without one was purely Adrian’s own stubbornness.

“Is it a temporary leave?”

“No, I know how much you hate taking leave.”

“Then… a reassignment to a more comfortable position?”

“Sharp as ever. I like that.”

Rosanna handed her a document.

“You’re being reassigned as Battalion Commander of the Capital Security Defense Corps.”

“…….”

“You know the Capital Security Defense Corps is directly under headquarters, right? It’s technically a promotion. What do you think? Not bad, huh?”

“I know it’s not.”

Adrian looked up after skimming the document, her expression sour.

Rosanna burst into laughter at her expected reaction. She knew she’d hate it.

But her preferences weren’t the priority—her health was.

She valued Adrian, an exceptionally capable subordinate. And because she valued him, she wanted him to live a long life.

“Brillante, you do understand that it’s a soldier’s duty to protect the safety of the empire’s citizens, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“That applies to the Defense Corps as well. Up until now, you’ve been carrying out missions on the front lines. Now, you’ll just be doing the same work in the city. Nothing changes.”

Adrian took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling heavily.

It would be understandable if she were furious.

But, as always, she didn’t show it. Instead, her gaze turned cold and mechanical.

“For how long?”

That was the question Rosanna had been waiting for.

“Until you get a dedicated Guide.”

“…….”

For once, Adrian failed to keep her expression in check. Her brow twitched slightly, and Rosanna had to bite back a laugh.

“If you bring one in now, I’ll transfer you somewhere else immediately.”

“And if I never get one?”

“Then you’ll be protecting the capital for the rest of your life.”

“Did my mother put you up to her?”

Her tone shifted slightly, sounding more familiar—closer to how she spoke to an old friend of her mother’s.

But Rosanna only smiled and maintained her authority as her superior.

“No. Her is an order from your commanding officer, Adrian Brillante, Battalion Commander of the Capital Security Defense Corps.”

In the silent room, the only sound was the crumpling of paper in Adrian’s clenched fist.

Rosanna simply watched, smiling inwardly.

If she laughed out loud now, she might actually get mad.

***

“So, you’re really going to the capital?”

“Don’t act so happy about it.”

The handsome man, who had been reaching toward Adrian with both hands, brightened immediately. But Adrian didn’t even twitch. She simply absorbed the waves of Guiding energy while keeping her eyes shut.

A white aura poured from the man’s hands, wrapping around Adrian’s entire body. As expected of a high-level Guide, the flow of energy was clearly visible as it traveled through him.

Linton was a striking man with golden hair and finely sculpted features. His delicate blue eyes curved sweetly as she watched the Guiding energy he created.

“It’s not like you’d want to go here anyway.”

“Why not, Adrian? Is there anywhere in the capital that I can’t go?”

“Linton.”

Adrian finally opened her eyes slightly. Linton was still smiling cheerfully.

“If you wanted it that badly, you should’ve come to the battlefield.”

“If you had actually answered my letters, I would have.”

“If you had come, you would’ve seen my face instead of waiting for a reply.”

“I doubt it. You wouldn’t have even let me see you, and I’d have just ended up drained by other Espers looking for Guiding.”

“Hm.”

“You know exactly why I haven’t chosen a dedicated Esper until now.”

Of course, Adrian knew. But she pretended not to.

Even as Linton pouted adorably, Adrian simply turned her head away. The Guiding energy seeping into her was starting to feel unbearable.

Her gaze followed the white glow wrapped around him, tracing its path back to Linton’s face. Linton was watching the dissipating energy wistfully, as if it were a waste.

“Adrian, I’m the only Gold-level Guide who suits you.”

“Is that so?”

“If you hate the Capital Defense Corps that much, then just choose me. It’s not too late.”

“…….”

“Let’s be honest—this is a demotion. I don’t want something as trivial as the lack of a dedicated Guide to hold you back.”

Not having a dedicated Guide was anything but trivial.

That applied to all Espers, but even more so to Adrian.

Because of her overwhelming power, Adrian was constantly engaged in combat. What was forced upon her had become her own will. As long as there was an enemy to fight, she never stopped.

But an Esper’s abilities were not infinite. The more frequently and intensely they used their powers, the faster their Guiding reserves depleted, increasing the risk of Overload.

Adrian had already reached the brink of Overload multiple times.

The stronger the Esper, the greater the scale and impact of their Overload. A typical Gold-ranked Esper losing control could easily wipe out an entire residential district.

And an Unmeasurable-ranked Esper?

Adrian understood well why Rozanna and her superiors were so adamant about assigning her a dedicated Guide. But even the most obedient soldier had at least one thing they absolutely refused to do.

And the truth was, Adrian was incredibly stubborn.

“Adrian, if you won’t accept a dedicated Guide, can’t you at least allow direct contact Guiding?”

Not even the pleading of a breath-taking beauty could get her to do more than stare back in silence.

“You’re so strange. Why does an Esper like you hate Guiding so much?”

“…I don’t hate it.”

“Yeah, right? Any other Esper would’ve already melted under my powerful Guiding, begging me to hold their hand—just one hug, just a little more.”

“……”

“But you… seriously.”

Linton stopped mid-sentence and let out a deep sigh.

There was no point in whining. Adrian had never once given in to his attempts at persuasion.

Even if Linton cried his eyes out, all he’d get was a handkerchief shoved at him. A few stray tears? Completely ignored.

Unlike the countless Espers who had looked at him with barely restrained hunger, desperate for Guiding, Adrian was utterly indifferent.

Some claimed that was what made her even more alluring.

Linton Bione agreed.

That cold, piercing gaze—held high instead of desperate—set him on fire in ways he didn’t want to admit.

‘But inside, she must be burning to ash from the pain.’

Adrian was just pretending to be fine.

The more she used her abilities, the more her Guiding depleted. The less Guiding she had, the more her sharpened senses turned into blades, slicing through her entire body.

Linton knew full well that the ambient Guiding she was pouring out wasn’t nearly enough.

Yet, Adrian still refused direct contact. That sheer, maddening self-restraint made Linton swallow hard.

Adrian Brillante had a bizarre way of driving Guides insane.

Not that she seemed to realize it.