The X Guide-Chapter 105: To Find Companions (4)

In the first place, that was not hard to guess. Ayen looked at the three, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.

The three could not help but get nervous, feeling something different about Aurelle. Even so, they could only wait on Ayen’s decision. After all, he was not part of the association, and guiding the A-class espers was not his responsibility.

Ayen was not thinking about whether to agree or not, but more about whether he should come to them first or leave and check the situation by leaving the vicinity of the town.

Visiting the Guide Association was also part of his plan since this anomaly started when they entered the building. Doing so might also help to find Khal and Devion.

He paused for a moment and decided. His silence made the three more than anxious, so they began exchanging glances again.

"Young Master...?" The woman finally called again.

Ayen turned to her. She seemed quite startled and almost lowered her head again. Ayen’s gaze was intimidating somehow; she could not describe the reason why she felt that way.

Ultimately, Ayen made a decision.

"I’ll go." Ayen set aside checking the situation for now; it would not be too late to check later. Hopefully.

The three had an obvious sigh of relief. After getting Ayen’s answer, they quickly led the way lest Ayen change his mind.

Ayen remained silent along the way, his eyes continuing to subtly sense and observe the surroundings. He was more or less familiar with the way, especially if he compared most of the buildings to their destroyed counterparts.

None of them started a conversation with him either.

It was not long before they arrived in front of the branch building. Ayen looked up and stared at the building. This was even more familiar to him as the building was not damaged at all when he first laid his eyes on it.

Comparing, the one in the present time had an even better condition than the building before him.

The three gestured to him in silence, and Ayen nodded, following them inside. Ayen quickly swept his eyes around. He only saw it from the outside, and when they entered the building, they were already transported to this place.

So, this was his first time entering and seeing the situation inside. Still, there was not much difference between the association branch buildings he was familiar with.

Perhaps the main difference was the lack of personnel inside. Ayen had always been dispatched in a large city; even the stronghold always had huge activity every day.

Aside from some ordinary staff, Ayen had only seen three lower-rank espers and two guides.

"They are inside!" One of the guides, seeing their group, quickly motioned to the guiding room.

"Is there someone assisting them inside?" the woman asked the guide.

"Julius is in there," he answered.

Ayen’s brow twitched slightly at the mention of the name, but he maintained his composed expression.

He noticed the woman’s expression soured. However, she did not respond anymore and turned to Ayen. Her expression also changed quickly.

"Young Master Aurelle, this way, please." Her voice maintained her polite tone.

Ayen subtly glanced at the other people present to see how they would react to the woman treating him that politely. He then looked away after getting his answer.

None of them found it strange.

They then greeted Ayen as well, and Ayen nodded slightly in response. With her and the two espers leading the way, Ayen went to the indicated guiding room.

Once they entered the door, Ayen was quickly greeted by three beds, two of which were occupied. His eyes first landed on the only person standing inside.

He looked strangely lost, but he kept his composure and stood just near the entrance. When they arrived, pairs of eyes were drawn to them, except for the one lying with his back facing the door.

The man’s expression obviously changed upon seeing Ayen, but he quickly recovered and shifted his gaze to the woman.

"Diana," he called, and was about to add something when the woman, Diana, cut him off.

"How are they? Young Master Aurelle is here with me and agreed to help."

The only esper who was awake clearly sighed in relief. He likely knew that Aurelle was someone capable of guiding him.

The man narrowed his eyes. "How can you bother the Young Master with our affairs?"

Diana was left speechless, and so were the others. The A-class esper even looked at the man with displeasure.

"Julius! Are you even hearing yourself?"

It was clear she was about to say something more, but she took a deep breath and calmed herself.

"Our manpower is tight; the headquarters aren’t sending A-class guides yet." She turned to Ayen and apologized. "I’m sorry about my colleague’s attitude. Please help us guide the espers, Young master."

While it was possible for B-class Guides to guide an A-class esper, it also required certain compatibility with that. If it were not enough, multiple B-class guides would do.

However, it was not as effective as when a genuine A-class Guide guided them. Especially so when there were two A-class espers, and it was not that other espers did not need guiding either.

They could not afford to focus all their manpower on the two espers while ignoring the other espers.

Ayen sensed the malice from those eyes, but he ignored them. He could not care less about Julius’ feud with Aurelle, regardless of whether it stemmed from jealousy or something else.

At least he confirmed that this Julius truly had a motive to harm Aurelle, or technically, him.

"Don’t pay attention to him." The A-class esper finally speaks up this time. "Please guide me."

Although he was not yet at a dangerous level, the accumulated mana toxins were uncomfortable. Soon, he would return to the front lines, and so he needed to be guided.

Ayen did not answer, but he walked towards him. He was actually observing this man. He could not recognize him. Probably because he was not famous, and they had not met.

There was also another possibility. He might have perished in this town as well.

Another reason he observed him was to see if something was amiss with him, similar to his situation. However, Ayen was disappointed to see that he did not appear to be a different person.

So, his chances of being Khal or Devion were zero.