However, reality was cruel.
Banteon was the first in the Esrante family to awaken as a Guide. The first direct descendant of the Esrante family—holders of absolute power over the world—had manifested as a Guide. The shock to both Banteon and the family was beyond words.
While the rights of Guides had gradually improved, that progress was only meaningful in comparison to the past. Even at the time of Banteon’s awakening, society still largely viewed Guides as nothing more than accessories to Espers.
During those days, he didn’t want to see anyone. With the bitter sense that he’d been abandoned by the world, he refused to step outside his room and shut himself away, lost in solitude. Only after the calendar had turned twice did he finally manage to end his long period of drifting and decide to enter the Center.
During all that time, Tearot came to visit Banteon every single day, waiting outside his door. Even though he knew Banteon wouldn’t see him, he waited without fail until evening.
Years later, Tearot awakened as an Esper.
On a night lit by a bright full moon, Tearot, barely conscious from the surging heat within his body, came looking for Banteon. His face, having awakened as an Esper, was twisted and contorted beyond recognition. On a day that should’ve been filled with joy and congratulations, Tearot instead fell to his knees before Banteon, weeping.
Even now, Banteon could clearly recall the sight—Tearot sobbing hoarsely, unable to even reach out, kneeling just a step away.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because… I became an Esper all by myself…”
Tearot’s speech was thick with tears, his words slurred and drowned in sobs. For a long time, he cried uncontrollably. Then, he made a vow to Banteon.
“I’ll never let anyone wield you around just because you’re a Guide. I’ll protect you—until the day an Esper appears who truly exists for you, just as you want.”
“Idiot. I’m Esrante. No one would dare treat me poorly just because I’m a Guide.”
Young Banteon had answered curtly.
Saying Tearot was just rambling from the fever, he’d gently calmed him down, summoned the attendant who had arrived belatedly, and had him escort Tearot out. From the trembling back that slowly receded, the unresolved energy flowed out in sorrowful waves.
After that, Banteon returned to his room as if nothing had happened. Yet that night, the moonlight streaming in through the window felt unusually cold.
Though he hadn’t told Tearot, Banteon cried a little by himself that night. Because he was grateful for his friend’s heart—and because he envied the vivid energy that clung to him.
Lost in the distant past, Banteon looked at the Tearot of the present. Once, he’d had his own kind of childlike charm, but now he’d grown into a shameless old man.
“Other Guides will resent you. You’ve made a perfectly decent Esper wander around for life.”
“Not really? I’m not exactly popular with other Guides.”
“As if. An A-rank in perfect condition—no way you’re unpopular.”
Banteon clapped Tearot hard on the back. That kind of extreme modesty was absurd. He was capable, came from an unblemished family, and had decent manners. He was the ideal match for any Guide.
Tearot simply scratched the back of his neck, showing no sign of discomfort.
Even Tearot, who had been grumbling about training at dawn, had been placated—Banteon’s business was done. He tossed the used medicated patch into the trash and got up from his seat. His schedule had changed suddenly, and now a mountain of work awaited him.
Just before leaving the room, he looked back one last time at Tearot.
“If there’s still a decent Guide out there, hurry up and match with them. I’m fine now.”
“……”
Tearot, who usually talked too much, merely smiled without a word. Beyond his signature sly gaze, a heavier emotion flickered. A person’s own stubbornness couldn’t be broken by someone else. Shaking his head with a sigh, Banteon finally left.
The mountain path, long deserted, was rough and uneven. Even military vehicles with gears pushed to their limit struggled to ascend. Despite the thick cushions, the ride was jarringly bumpy.
“Ride quality is awful.”
“This is actually not bad. At least it’s a drivable road. There are places where you have to carry cargo and walk.”
“Horrifying.”
“Why’d you even apply for this mission? Still not gonna tell me?”
“……”
Unable to explain the real reason, Banteon kept his mouth shut and stared out the window. Better to suffer in silence than speak it aloud.
Tearot, clearly frustrated, kept asking, but Banteon brushed it off like wind passing by the glass.
“Fine. Have it your way.”
Tearot gave up with a sigh, shoulders slumping.
The dense forest blurred past outside the window. As the two of them talked, the military vehicle gradually began to slow down.
“We’re finally here.”
Beyond the vehicle, which had now come to a complete stop, a human silhouette appeared. A soft knocking followed shortly after. When Banteon unlocked and pushed the door open, the person on the other side greeted him with a bright expression, propping the door open with the latch.
Banteon looked at the man before him. His hair was cut extremely short, just a few centimeters from the scalp, and his slightly tanned skin left no doubt he was someone who worked in the field. Confirming the insignia on the man’s chest, Banteon slowly stepped down and adjusted his attire.
“Welcome. I’m Sotenru, commander of the operations here. You must be Banteon Esrante?”
“Pleased to meet you.”
They shook hands slowly. Tearot, who had followed behind, gave a light, respectful nod in greeting.
“To think you came all the way out here—I can’t begin to tell you how shocked I was when I first saw your name on the roster.”
“I’m only sorry it took me this long to make it. Thank you, as always, for your hard work.”
With a polished, businesslike smile, Banteon responded. Seeing it, Tearot, who had been standing slightly off to the side, quickly turned his head to hide the laughter threatening to burst out.
“No, no. It’s an honor just to have you here. Morale has soared since word got out that Banteon-nim himself would be joining us.”
“I’m not so different from anyone else. I only hope I can be of some use.”
“May I show you the Subjugation Squad facilities first?”
“Of course.”
Commander Sotenru stepped forward, saying he’d lead them to a good vantage point to look over the squad. As they followed at a leisurely pace, they reached a higher ground that indeed offered a clear view of the entire operation base.
“That over there is the command post. There are some convenience facilities nearby. Do you see those small tents on the opposite side?”
Following Sotenru’s pointing finger, they saw an open field just beyond the main command area. Tents, each roughly four pyeong (approx. 13 square meters) in size, had been neatly set up in a row, keeping a respectable distance from one another.
He gestured toward one slightly apart from the others, explaining that this would be Banteon’s temporary lodging. Though they’d done their best, the limited supply situation of the Subjugation Squad meant it might not be as comfortable as hoped.
“I stay with the others at the Center too. There’s no need to worry.”
When Banteon answered with a gentle smile, Sotenru let out a breath of relief.
“Then please rest well. Tearot will explain the rest in more detail.”
With sharp formality, Sotenru offered a crisp salute, then marched off with the discipline of a trained soldier. Only after he left did Tearot finally open his mouth.
“Guy shows up and immediately puts you to work. Typical.”
“You know him?”
“We were assigned to the same mission once. I know him well enough. But really—your change in attitude still throws me off no matter how many times I see it.”
“You’ve seen it more than enough by now.”
Though Banteon usually kept his replies short, in public or official settings, he donned a flawless mask of professionalism and courtesy. A skill for smooth social survival.
Tearot, lighthearted whether in public or private, shook his head as if exasperated.
“Ugh. I could never pull that off. The Subjugation Squad’s facilities are all basically the same, but is there anything you’re curious about?”
“The shower. I doubt there’s a private one inside the tent.”
“Knew it.”
Chuckling, Tearot took the lead, saying it was just like Banteon to prioritize cleanliness.
Unlike the makeshift tents used for lodging, the main base facilities had been constructed as proper buildings. Banteon pressed a hand to the wall made of a strange material that resembled concrete. It was quite solid—clearly not a temporary structure.
Rounding a corner between buildings, they came to a door marked with a blue symbol.
“This should be it. They usually place it near the lodging area. Let’s see if anyone’s using it.”
Tearot pressed his ear to the wall, checking for the sound of water inside. At the Center, soundproofing had always been meticulous, designed for Espers with heightened hearing. But these temporary facilities didn’t offer such fine-tuned construction.
His expression shifted after a moment of listening. A touch of discomfort crept onto his face.
“Looks like someone’s inside right now.”
He had wanted to check out the place in advance but wasn’t interested in undressing with someone else present. He decided to look again later and was about to turn away—
When the bathroom door suddenly burst open.
A figure stepped out, shaking off moisture, then froze like a statue the moment they saw the two people standing at the entrance.
The surprise wasn’t one-sided. Banteon stared blankly, equally caught off guard by the unexpected face.
The person emerging from the shower was none other than Keslan—someone Banteon used to spend time with occasionally back at the Center. With his charming features and the way he’d clung to Banteon with such trust, he had been an adorable student Banteon had often patted affectionately.
“T-Teacher?”
“It’s been a while.”
“Oh, right! I heard you volunteered for this! I’ve missed you so much!”
Face flushed, Keslan looked like he was about to wag his tail as he beamed at Banteon. He stretched out his arms to pull him into an embrace—
Only for Tearot to step in and block him.
