# Chapter 40
Though not as busy as Haeil and Jaeyoon with their hectic schedules, Dojoon had also begun to appear in the media. Of course, they had asked for his consent, and since it was a proposal that came while he was viewing Jaeyoon’s enthusiastic Esper promotion activities positively, he didn’t refuse. Even so, he didn’t step out publicly like Haeil and Jaeyoon did.
Even demonstrating his abilities and giving interviews in secure locations consumed considerable mental energy. The rest of his time was spent confined to the research lab.
The reason was clear. Unlike other Espers, Dojoon’s mana flow returned almost to its original state after a night’s sleep, and most researchers were devoted to figuring out why.
Unlike other Espers, Dojoon’s mana returned almost to its original state overnight. Without Dojoon’s unique situation, experiments would have had to be conducted inside dungeons. But thanks to experiments being carried out directly in the laboratory, meaningful data was accumulating quickly.
“Wow, did it really return to its original state in just one day? That recovery speed is unbelievable.”
“Could it be because Esper Joo Dojoon’s mana quantity is significantly greater than other Espers?”
“Without some sleep recovery ability, it couldn’t become this clean.”
“There must be something different. Maybe eating habits, or perhaps the surrounding environment.”
Though no one said it directly, everyone thought of the people Dojoon returned to stay with at the dormitory every night, even if late.
His sister Joo Dorim and friend Seo Jaeha. Opinions were constantly suggested that perhaps one of them might have had an awakening related to this. However, this wasn’t made official due to the strong stance of Kwon Haeil and Seo Jaeyoon, who had cautioned about Seo Jaeha. Additionally, Joo Dojoon himself kept his mouth firmly shut.
They didn’t want to unnecessarily upset Joo Dojoon, who would be the standard for the S-class that hadn’t emerged yet. When someone tried to suggest testing Dorim and Jaeha to Dojoon, who smiled kindly even when tired, they received such a cold look they wondered if he might be a cold-energy user.
But this was just the perspective of researchers who had to deal with Dojoon directly. The Association, which had smelled money, wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
Chairman Kwon Haesung realized that Seo Jaeha was the likely cause as soon as he received the report about Joo Dojoon.
“Mana purification? That’s insane. Bring him in immediately for grade testing.”
“He’s a regular person being watched by several Espers. He used to be brothers with Esper Seo Jaeyoon, who is publicly active, and Esper Kwon Haeil is also paying attention to him.”
“What does it matter if that bastard son is interested? And Esper Seo Jaeyoon?”
Chairman Kwon Haesung’s twisted smile deepened as he rubbed the corner of his mouth, which was just beginning to wrinkle.
“That one, I hear his face looks decent but his mana quantity is only at C-grade level. They announced him as B-grade just for the public image.”
“His grade may be that, but his ability utilization is said to be A-grade or higher.”
Jaeyoon had quickly established his position. What Jaeyoon demanded from the Association was that they not exert any influence over Jaeha. Haeil also strongly advocated for this, but the Chairman paid no attention. Mere B-grade Espers baring their teeth could not even inflict the smallest scratch on the power Kwon Haesung held.
“Tsk, isn’t Joo Dojoon the real A-grade? Plus, his mana quantity is at the highest level, so they could announce him as S-grade.”
Kwon Haesung’s mouth corners rose endlessly as he put down the report as if throwing it on the desk.
“Such a being freely using his powers in reality? Isn’t identifying the cause a priority?”
Using an Esper who could immediately become A-grade or higher continuously was far more beneficial than having a B-grade figurehead. Above all, the possibility of making mana usage possible outside dungeons—Kwon Haesung’s eyes were spinning with the opportunity to gain intangible power.
* * *
Bang bang.
Jaeha, who had been taking care of Dorim in place of Dojoon who was absent all day, was startled by the rough knocking. After briefly noticing a uniformed figure, Jaeha grabbed the doorknob.
“Who is it?”
“Mr. Seo Jaeha, you and Joo Dorim need to undergo some tests.”
The large man who spoke his business without introducing himself as soon as the door opened was the guard who had previously provoked Jaeha. Even now, though his words were polite, his annoyance was evident. Unlike the uniformed guard, Cheonoh in a black suit standing behind him couldn’t meet Jaeha’s eyes. Seeing this, Jaeha felt something suspicious about the situation.
“I was told to stay in the room for now.”
“You were told to stay in the dormitory, not just the room. The test room is inside the center, so it’s the same as staying in the dormitory.”
Jaeha got goosebumps at Kim Byungtae’s sarcasm, openly indicating that they were constantly checking the CCTV. Although he had covered the CCTV camera whenever Dorim changed clothes, he felt disgusted, wondering if their claim that they only watched when necessary was a lie.
“I thought you only watched when there was a danger? That’s what Gilma Hyung told me.”
Kim Byungtae flinched at the mention of Haeil, but that was all.
“You just need to go into the test machine once and come out, so let’s go quickly.”
“If it’s that simple, it can be done anytime. I’ll ask Dorim’s guardian and decide, so please leave for now.”
“Come on, this is for the Espers who are sacrificing for the country, and you’re being so strict.”
At the mention of helping Espers, Jaeha immediately thought of Jaeyoon. He remembered how Jaeyoon had seemed to be enduring something difficult when they met recently. Though Jaeyoon hadn’t complained much when Jaeha touched him directly, it had been bothering Jaeha since then.
Jaeha turned to Cheonoh, who was standing behind Kim Byungtae with his head down.
“It’s not a painful test or anything, right? It really only takes a moment?”
“It takes less than 5 minutes, you’re really suspicious.”
Despite Kim Byungtae’s grumbling, Jaeha recalled the scene of Jaeyoon’s examination that Haeil had shown him on a tablet. If the test time was as quick as they claimed, there would have been no reason to give Jaeha separate accommodations during Jaeyoon’s test. Responding to Jaeha’s doubt, Cheonoh nodded.
“The mana test takes 5 minutes.”
“Really?”
“The new awakening test has been improved for real-time confirmation, so it won’t take long.”
“Okay. That’s fine for me, but for Dorim, I’ll only do it with Dojoon’s permission.”
“Yes, yes, whatever. Then I’ll escort you.”
Kim Byungtae led the way casually, and Jaeha followed, holding Dorim tight.
Fortunately, Dojoon was in the examination room they anxiously arrived at. As soon as Dojoon saw Jaeha and Dorim, he welcomed them with a warm smile.
“You’re here? Dorim must have been sleeping.”
“She fell asleep on the way. But if you had told me you were here, I would have come faster.”
If they had informed him that Dojoon was there from the beginning, there would have been no need to argue upstairs. He tried to glare at Kim Byungtae in displeasure, but he had already disappeared. Seeing only Cheonoh standing there nervously, Jaeha relaxed his expression and approached Dojoon, who had electrode patches attached to his body.
“Are you being tested too?”
“Yes. They said my changes when I’m with you are important.”
“What? Then Dorim could have slept comfortably in the room.”
As Jaeha soothed Dorim, who was stirring in his arms, Dojoon reassured him that it was fine.
“There’s a space to rest in the next room. Please ask that guard to take care of Dorim, and you come this way.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. I can use my power here.”
As Dojoon answered, Jaeha’s hands holding Dorim spread apart. Jaeha, now appearing to be holding a round, transparent egg, handed Dorim over to Cheonoh, who left the room with a determined, serious face.
“But won’t she feel suffocated like that?”
“It’s fine because once they enter the room, I’ll surround the entire room with a defensive barrier.”
“Wow, no matter how many times I see it, your ability is really the best.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Jaeha.”
While Jaeha was taken aback by Dojoon’s unexpected statement, a researcher approached and began attaching patches. They said they would be testing inside a machine, but this seemed similar to the method used for his brother’s examination.
Jaeha wanted to ask if this method would take long, but seeing the serious expressions of the researchers, there was no opportunity to speak. When Dojoon reached for his hand, Jaeha, who would normally have shaken it off saying it was gross, quietly offered his hand.
Graphs appeared on several monitors, and after a researcher quickly manipulated a few things, they nodded. It seemed that holding hands was part of the experiment, so Jaeha remained still as the researcher left. It was strange that they left the two of them alone, but seeing Dojoon’s usual kind expression, Jaeha smiled back.
“Hey, isn’t this really awkward?”
“Is it? I find it really grateful and nice.”
“Ugh, what are you saying? That’s embarrassing.”
Watching Jaeha say anything out of awkwardness, Dojoon thought that perhaps he should have been more careful about this matter.
Dojoon had wanted to hide Jaeha’s existence for a while. But even the Association Chairman had stepped in. The Chairman’s interest was immense, having confirmed that Jaeha was the reason for Dojoon’s good mana efficiency.
Faced with the Chairman’s greedy attitude of wanting to examine and experiment on everything from head to toe, Dojoon had stepped forward to cooperate directly. When Dojoon stepped in, the Chairman backed off a bit.
Dojoon believed he could also ensure Jaeha’s safety, confident that he was still the strongest among the Espers.
“Jaeha, you probably heard on the way here…”
“Huh? Heard what?”
— Esper Joo Dojoon, Mr. Seo Jaeha, thank you. Thanks to your cooperation, we have obtained the contact data through touch.
So there was a reason for the awkward hand-holding. At the mention of the data being collected, Jaeha quickly withdrew his hand.
Just as he was about to stand up thinking it was over, Jaeha sat back down at the continuing voice.
— Your cooperation today will be of great help to the future of the nation. Now, we will proceed with the contact test again.
Despite the researcher mentioning the future of the nation, Dojoon showed no reaction. Jaeha, wanting to respond, struck a fighting pose.
“Of course. This is for the country. I’ll work hard.”
— This time, we will test areas with thinner skin.
“Haha, I grew up delicately, so my palms are thin.”
Though Jaeha deliberately mentioned his hands again, the researcher was merciless.
— The thinnest skin on the human body is the lips. Please proceed immediately.
“What kind of alcohol?”
I can’t kiss even for the sake of the country.
Jaeha answered with his eyes.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
