Chapter 50: Guide Circumstances

Cars were mostly run by mana cores, and so they were rarely used in the stronghold, and most only walked. The two could not possibly walk all the way to the institute and so were permitted to use one.

The drive was not long, and soon enough they arrived at the institute building. Most of the work was left to the institute personnel, but Ayen and Lucian did not leave Nolan.

After some tests and administering some medicine, Nolan was settled in a shared room. The doctor, specialized in Guide treatments, sighed and looked at Nolan. Then shifted her gaze to Ayen and Lucian, who were standing beside the bed.

“The patient is under a guiding strain.” She only confirmed their suspicions. “As per confidential agreements, we won’t be able to see his records without his permission. Please tell him when he wakes up, and we will immediately contact his esper to conduct a guiding session between them.”

There was also another method, and that was to contact Nolan’s esper directly to come if anyone knew who he was. However, Nolan was a newcomer, and so they had no clue who had that information here.

Ayen clasped his hand and looked at Nolan; his face looked more peaceful now because of the injection. Although that would only be temporary.

Backlash and Guiding Strains were natural symptoms that did not have actual medicine, just as how mana toxins could only be cleansed by the Guides, Guiding Strains could only be alleviated by an esper.

She smiled stiffly. Nolan’s condition was not considered rare but still uncommon. These were the circumstances that mainly involved actual relationships between guides and espers that made it hard not to speculate.

Maybe Nolan’s relationship with the esper had gone awry.

“Tell him… this is for his condition.”

After saying that, she left the room.

Lucian’s exhalation could be heard as he sat in the small chair beside him. He held his jaw and looked in absolute disbelief.

He was about to say something, then his eyes glanced at the other side of the room before closing them again. They were not the only people inside the room, and so it was inappropriate to talk about Nolan’s affairs out loud.

Ayen lifted his gaze under Lucian’s gaze, and he closed the curtains around the bed. Not enough for complete privacy, but better than nothing.

“You heard her,” Ayen spoke after sitting on another chair.

“Huh?” Lucian looked at him, confused as to who he was talking to. But he was the only one there; it could only be him.

Ayen glanced at him and gestured towards Nolan.

Lucian pursed his lips and also looked at Nolan. His eyes widened slightly, stunned. Nolan was actually awake.

“How did you know?” Lucian asked in shock. He had not noticed at all.

“His eyelids moved,” Ayen lied. He did not see any signs; he merely guessed that Nolan was awake.

Nolan seemed to see through his lie; his chapped lips curved into a small smile. “You got me.” He spoke in a more stable voice this time.

Lucian only looked clueless between the two.

“Will you give your permission?” Even though he asked that, Ayen had expected the answer.

Nolan’s smile faded, then he looked at the ceiling.

“No.”

Lucian frowned after hearing that. “Why?”

Ayen did not stop Lucian from questioning Nolan. Sure, it was not their place to question Nolan’s intentions, but this was also for his health.

Nolan fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly in deep thought, and then he blinked. He turned his head once more to look at Ayen and Lucian.

“I don’t want to see him.”

“Your esper?” Lucian instinctively asked.

A Guide could guide a lot of espers, but only one esper could be considered as ’theirs.’

“Why?” Ayen stared at Nolan’s eyes. This was probably the first time that he was asking them about anything, and Nolan stiffened slightly.

Ayen also thought it was a bit uncharacteristic of him to ask, but he could not help it. Suddenly, he wanted to know how someone like Nolan would choose to suffer rather than call an esper and alleviate his pain.

If he were to ask, Ayen would not do something as foolish as that. It seemed he had already forgotten his initial plan.

Nolan’s lips trembled; he bit his lips, suppressing his emotions.

Lucian’s expression hardened, and so did Ayen’s. He was more used to Nolan being carefree. Somehow, he found himself caring more and more for others.

“Is he a scum?” Lucian darkly asked.

Ayen frowned at the word.

Nolan chuckled slightly, so out of the blue, considering the mood. It did not last, though, and he sighed.

“He’s not.” Nolan opened his mouth and finally answered. His eyes glimmered with memories before he blinked them away. “But it’s the reason I ran away.”

Lucian and Ayen exchanged glances for that second. Lucian’s eyes shone with different thoughts than Ayen’s.

“Ran away?” Suddenly, Lucian looked more invested in the story.

Ayen almost facepalmed because of it.

“I knew you’d be interested.” Nolan almost rolled his eyes at Lucian.

“You need to see him for your condition.” Ayen directly addressed the issue.

No matter the circumstances between them, he would not pry more than what was already said. However, Nolan’s condition would only get worse if he did not guide that person.

“And even if you don’t, the association can decide for you once your condition becomes critical,” Ayen added.

He was not pressuring Nolan or trying to downplay the emotion he had. However, instead of being forced without his consent, it was better for him to call the esper himself.

The Guide Association might need permission when the Guide was conscious, but once he was unable to do so, they could access the records to save the Guide at all costs.

“You really…” Nolan sighed once more. He closed his eyes and spoke in a resigned voice. “Please get my phone. I’ll call him.”

Ayen noticed and understood that Nolan was unwilling but was forced by the circumstances.

“I’ll get it.” Lucian stood up and volunteered. Ayen did not argue with the task and let him.

Ayen stared at his clasped hands, then his gaze landed on the bracelet on his wrist.

Suddenly, he wondered how long it would be before the two found the ring and visited him. He wanted to guide them…

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