The Center, visited again after a long time, was in disarray. As people bustled through the corridors, those idling nearby collided with them, each annoyed by the other.
Banteon and Delroz. The two who were always at the center of attention had returned to the Center after several months, drawing a crowd. People would have peeked around even if the two had merely stopped by, but today, word had spread that they were here for an official match, making such a reaction inevitable.
The moment they expressed their intention to enter into an official partner contract, the news swept through the entire kingdom like wildfire. Understandable. The kingdom was in dire need of heroes right now.
With Rohan’s emergence and the massive explosion in the desert, the kingdom’s atmosphere had plunged into the worst state.
All regular classes at the Center had been suspended. The Center’s security system underwent a complete overhaul, and an updated emergency manual was created to prepare for future disasters. The approach to monsters had also changed. Previously, the goal was to monitor and contain monsters near dungeons; now, the Center had declared a full-scale subjugation policy.
Those who had grown complacent in peace finally began to move in order to ensure safety for the future. It would’ve been ideal if such measures had improved the situation, but public unrest had deeper roots.
The real problem was that the Royal Court had failed to respond to the myriad of incidents erupting across the kingdom.
People began placing their hopes not in the Royal Family, but in Banteon and Delroz—the ones who had defeated Rohan, the mysterious figure commanding monsters. It was likely that among the crowd hovering nearby, many were outsiders, journalists, or storytellers who had snuck in using personal connections.
‘Well, let them use me a little.’
Banteon’s own kidnapping incident had also contributed to the public’s unease. Showing himself in good health would have a reassuring effect.
Offering a diplomatic smile, he gave a slight nod to those around him. The murmurs that followed were accompanied by people covering their mouths, whispering to one another. The gazes cast at him weren’t just filled with curiosity and admiration—they now brimmed with reverence. He deliberately walked into the densest part of the crowd.
Acting this way might stir the Royal Court, who had always kept Esrante in check. With Pellato, the one who had balanced the family’s standing until now, no longer around, the burden of such scrutiny would likely fall on Banteon.
Under normal circumstances, he would have acted cautiously, but that was no longer necessary. Banteon would soon succeed the position of family head. Things were different from when the family was being managed under proxy. Rather than modesty, it was more advantageous now to flaunt his position openly and keep others from daring to challenge him.
Even those who were familiar with seeing Banteon at the Center couldn’t help but stop and stare, captivated by the unusually bright smile he wore today.
“Um, Banteon Esrante-nim?”
A young man stepped through the hesitant crowd and approached. Shrinking his shoulders under the weight of the attention directed at him, the youth bowed his head deeply.
“The Center Director sent me. I’ll be guiding you.”
They followed the guide, who pushed through the crowd. The Esper, small in stature, wasn’t someone Banteon had seen around the Center Director before. Studying the young man closely, Banteon wondered if he was newly assigned to the secretary’s office. Feeling the weight of Banteon’s gaze, the Esper ducked his head even further. He looked quite young—likely in his early twenties. To be placed directly under the Center Director on his first assignment meant he was either highly skilled or had significant backing.
As they walked, they entered a building with restricted access. It was odd that they weren’t heading to the usual Director’s office but somewhere more secluded. This place was typically used for executive meetings or confidential matters.
Banteon had only visited here a few times in his early days at the Center. Under normal circumstances, it was rare to meet the Center Director in this location. Since access was limited, there were fewer people observing Banteon’s group compared to outside.
Those passing by were mostly administrative officials handling key Center affairs or aides to high-ranking executives. Even so, it felt like there were more people present than usual.
“Did the Center Director summon me here?”
“Yes. He’s waiting in the room.”
Turning a corner in the corridor, a wooden door came into view, tucked between thick stone walls. The modestly carved room was in the most secluded part of the building.
“Um, Banteon-nim.”
The guide, walking ahead, cautiously spoke and lifted his head slightly.
“I once took one of your classes.”
“Did you?”
Since Banteon had taught the advanced classes for students nearing completion of their Center education, it wasn’t surprising that many Espers in their early twenties had taken his lessons. He had even encountered former students while dispatched with the Subjugation Squad.
The guide, fidgeting with his fingers, brought up the rather unremarkable fact. His small lips moved as he nervously continued.
“I just wanted to say it left a deep impression on me… Uh… and also…”
Being placed directly at the Center headquarters after graduation, without prior experience, suggested considerable ability regardless of background. But contrary to that, his behavior felt stifled.
“Actually, I had to submit a leave of absence back then, so I wasn’t able to finish the class. I always hoped I’d get to meet you someday.”
“…I see.”
“I-It’s an honor to guide you today and, um, also…”
The guide awkwardly smiled while sharing unsolicited personal details. To be holding casual conversation during an errand from the Center Director with someone he just met—perhaps the HR standards at the Center were slipping. As Banteon pondered this, a warm sensation spread across the back of his right hand.
“Delroz?”
When he turned to look, Delroz—who had been standing silently beside him the entire time—took Banteon’s hand. Without a word, he gently pressed their palms together and laced their fingers. Startled by the sudden gesture, Banteon looked up, but Delroz only offered a soft smile without giving any explanation.
Across from them, the guide flinched ever so slightly. Banteon could sense that even the footsteps of those nearby had slowed down.
So that’s what this is. He smiled inwardly, realizing that Delroz was openly marking him as his Guide. Even if Delroz had come to terms with his feelings, he clearly wasn’t the type to be pleased by Banteon spending time with other Espers. Even if he couldn’t articulate it, Banteon could tell Delroz was bottling it up inside. There was no need to make him uneasy over something trivial.
“Do you have any other business with me?”
“A-Ah, no! Nothing like that…”
“Then we’ll find our way from here.”
Banteon’s abrupt words left the guide visibly flustered, his mouth hanging slightly open.
“I’ve been here before. It won’t be a problem. I’ll inform the Center Director myself. I’d prefer to look around quietly on the way.”
“Th-Then just take the right turn at the corner up ahead. I—excuse me, I’ll take my leave…”
Wearing an unmistakably disappointed expression, the guide bowed deeply before vanishing down the hall. Banteon gave a light tug to the hand clasped with Delroz behind him. When he turned, Delroz was staring directly at him, eyes fixed and unblinking. A wrinkle formed between his brows, betraying his displeasure. Even after the guide had gone, the frown remained.
“Still bothered when there’s another Esper around me?”
“…That’s not it.”
Yeah, right. Banteon let out a soft laugh at the belated denial. He reached out and gently pulled Delroz’s head closer.
Slowly following the movement, Delroz lowered his head, and Banteon brushed his lips against Delroz’s cheek in a light kiss. The warm contact landed softly and then withdrew. The smack echoed subtly in the quiet corridor, and a few passersby who remained nearby froze mid-step.
In the wake of such a public display of affection, Banteon could feel jaws dropping and see shocked eyes widening around them.
“……”
Even someone directly in front of him had lost their words. Delroz, clearly not expecting it either, stared at Banteon with a blank, dazed expression. The slight part in his lips looked so endearing that Banteon briefly considered kissing him on the mouth too.
“Did you not like it?”
“As if I wouldn’t.”
Delroz’s expression softened instantly as he gave his answer. The furrow between his brows smoothed out, and a lock of hair drifted across his forehead. Apparently irritated by it, Delroz roughly swept it back with a large hand. His expression hovered somewhere between bashful and embarrassed as he dropped his gaze.
“It’s pathetic how quickly my mood turns around.”
“What got you in a bad mood to begin with?”
Delroz tightened his grip around Banteon’s hand. Then he started walking faster, dragging Banteon by the arm. Turning a corner in silence, they arrived at a secluded area with no one else around. Delroz wasted no time pulling Banteon into a tight embrace.
He stayed like that for a while, arms wrapped around Banteon’s back as if drawing warmth from him. Breathing deeply, he closed his eyes briefly, as though savoring Banteon’s scent, before pulling away.
“I know it sounds childish, but… That Esper just now. Isn’t he your type?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Small, cute, sly—he seemed exactly like the kind of guy you’d go for.”
At Delroz’s comment, Banteon belatedly recalled the guide they had just spoken to.
Come to think of it, he was on the shorter side for an Esper. Banteon had to look slightly downward to meet his eyes. His skin was pale with a hint of pink. Not that Banteon liked sly people, but he did have a soft spot for quiet, perceptive types. Thinking back, the guide did fit that profile a little.
Young, innocent-looking, and yeah, his face was on the fair side too. Huh, he did have those features, didn’t he?
It was only then that Banteon realized what Delroz had been trying to say. His lips parted slightly in surprise.
