Chapter 71: Recognized (1)

“Where are you staying?” Lucian asked, watching Ayen put some of his clothes in his bag. Although it was only for appearance, as most of his clothes were in the space artifact.

Ayen had merely left a message for them yesterday and had not met them. Since the two might find him if he did not return without telling them.

“Not far from here,” he vaguely answered.

Lucian tilted his head with an expression of bewilderment. He was about to ask again when someone rested an arm on his shoulder.

“Don’t ask too much.” Nolan grinned. He could read the room more than Lucian.

In the first place, Ayen was not one to share everything with them. Still, that meant he was also curious.

“Huh? Am I asking too much?” Utterly bewildered, Lucian forgot to remove Nolan’s arm from his.

Ayen hung the bag on his shoulders; he faced the two. His gaze landed on Nolan, and he noticed that his complexion had become normal. Resting for a whole day yesterday must have helped his condition.

His gaze shifted to Lucian. While he was indeed gossipy, Ayen had benefited from it somehow, even though Lucian had no idea about it.

He stayed in this room for a month and had known them for the same amount of time. If it were the old Ayen, he might not even remember their names, much less talk to them.

Ayen did not think he changed a lot within less than two months, but he knew that something was changing within him.

“Actually…” Ayen spoke, then he paused. Should he have said it? Ayen was torn between bragging about it and hiding it for the sake of a peaceful life.

He also realized that his view about his relationship with Devion and Khal was changing.

The two looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Ayen’s mind shifted; he straightened his posture and spoke.

“I’m staying with my espers.” Ayen averted his gaze immediately, not wanting to see their expressions. As a result, he failed to witness their comical expressions; their eyes went wide, and their mouths parted in surprise.

It was not because Ayen had an esper but because he said it in such a soft tone, like he was too shy to even mention it, but he braved himself to share it with them.

As Nolan said before, he loved Ayen’s relaxing tone, and he asked if he wanted to become a Vtuber. Even if he only read them books on stream, Nolan would become a fan immediately.

Not to mention, he said ’espers,’ like plural. That meant… Ayen was acknowledging two potential espers to imprint him. Sure, nowadays, imprinting is not as common as years ago.

Yet, Guides only called espers ’theirs’ when they acknowledged the connection and compatibility between them. A Guide could guide a lot of espers, but only one of them could be called truly ’theirs.’

Two acknowledged espers were rare, not because of the guide’s circumstances but also because espers were possessive, and who among them would truly want to share a Guide? Unless the espers also acknowledge each other.

Nolan and Lucian were guides, and so they understood it immediately. Despite curiosity, no one brought it up or asked who his espers were.

“Then, enjoy.” Lucian grinned, moving his brow up and down playfully.

Nolan laughed at the side, but he did not make fun of Ayen. Otherwise, the hot seat might return to him.

Ayen chose to ignore that playful expression, but his mind betrayed him, instantly replaying the scene of last night. If it was before, Ayen could maintain a serious expression since they were only holding hands.

Yet, the memories and traces of last night were still fresh in both his mind and body. His lips pressed into a thin line, but an obvious heat rose up to his cheeks once more.

He thought he would not be too affected, but how could that be? That was still his first experience, though not as sensual as what Lucian and Nolan suspected.

With their teasing expressions, the two send him off downstairs. Ayen could not say anything to protest; if he did, the two would surely think he was only embarrassed.

Since Ayen was not leaving yet, the two accompanied him beside the association building.

“Will they fetch you?” Nolan asked, and cold smoke blew out of his mouth as he spoke. His eyes roamed into the distance, looking out for arriving espers.

He did not ask, but he was still curious.

Ayen nodded. Though he only expected Khal to come. The three remained in their position, occasionally talking about this and that.

However, their eyes were actually shifting into the distance, looking at the people coming and passing by.

Since it was already late in the afternoon, few civilians could be seen on the streets. Daylight was short compared to night, and so the warm street lamps were already lit up.

“Wait, is that them?” Lucian was first to speak, almost pointing in one direction.

Nolan and Ayen also saw the two figures approaching them. Ayen even became confused. Why did Devion come with Khal? It was only unexpected, not that he disliked it.

They were bundled up; unlike when Khal accompanied him earlier, he also had a hood lowered.

“It’s them,” Ayen confirmed, nodding.

Nolan and Lucian fell silent; for some reason, the two could not tease Ayen as they planned earlier. They watched as the two arrived and walked closer to Ayen.

Since they were beside Ayen, they also could see the two espers more clearly. Nolan and Lucian froze where they stood, eyes darting around at each other.

What the fuck?

Lucian was screaming inside. Nolan was already pinching his leg to know if he was dreaming or not.

While Devion and Khal had hoods on their heads to hide their features from afar, slight movements, especially when they were close, could reveal their features clearly.

Ayen did not even notice the two any longer, or he had no time to care about their reactions.

“You came?” Ayen asked, looking at Devion.

“What? Don’t you want me to come?” Devion teased, reaching out his hand and fixing Ayen’s coat.

Ayen quickly shook his head. He did not want Devion to think of him that way.

“No, I just didn’t expect it.”

Devion chuckled. He was only teasing Ayen since his coming was not planned at all.

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