#1

The thin pages of the book turned. A breeze that slipped through the slightly open window brushed over the open book. The pages, marked by the owner, fluttered aimlessly and then flipped to a random page.

Unaware of this, the book’s owner remained focused on the person in front of him.

“Teacher….”

“It’s been hard, hasn’t it?”

A young man, who seemed just past his boyish years, rubbed his cheek against the other’s knee. His desperate movements suggested that touching the other was his only means of survival. Banteon leisurely watched this display, gently stroking the back of the young man’s neck with his fingers. The young man’s body trembled slightly with each touch.

Such a cute thing.

“It would be nice if you were my guide, teacher. Or at least a temporary guide….”

“Indeed. It’s a pity.”

Finding it insufficient to just lick the fingers, Keslan grasped Banteon’s wrist and kissed his palm. Like a kitten suckling, he sucked on the plump part beneath the thumb. Starting from the palm, he moved up along the wrist to the elbow, causing Banteon’s eyes to slightly narrow.

It was always a satisfying moment.

He carefully swallowed the urge to take him to bed and roll around all night.

Before he knew it, his partner had reached his elbow and buried his head in the inside of Banteon’s forearm. Banteon subtly supported Keslan, who was clinging and staggering like a child, by gently hugging him. Even the slightest touch elicited a moan as he leaned in. Feeling the increasing heat, Banteon glanced at the clock.

4:45.

‘Maybe I should stop soon.’

It was regrettable, but it was almost time for class. Banteon lifted his foot and pressed against the thigh of his kneeling partner. Though Keslan’s firm, muscular body didn’t budge easily, pressing a bit higher on his heated core made him let out a groan and step back.

“You’re too much.”

“Getting aroused in such a short time, aren’t you holding too much in? Didn’t the guide we tested recently suit you?”

“You’re better, teacher. Please, just one more matching test next time.”

“We’ve already done that.”

“But still….”

In a previous test, their matching rate was 32.8. This was an unacceptably low number for a temporary guide.

Banteon recalled this and tousled Keslan’s head roughly, smiling meaningfully.

“You’ve calmed down a bit now. Go on and get back to training.”

“It’s really strange. It feels so good, so why is the rate so low?”

“The machine can’t be wrong, so maybe your sensor is broken.”

“…It’s not.”

“Your energy has settled, right? Now, get back.”

Banteon lightly kissed Keslan’s smooth forehead and patted his disheveled hair.

Grumbling continuously at being treated like a child, Keslan obediently opened the door and disappeared. His still-excited, staggering figure was quite a sight. As the door closed with a soft sound and the sunlight poured into the room, it finally became quiet. Banteon sank deep into his chair, lost in thought.

It wasn’t the first time an Esper with a low matching rate clung to him. Since joining the center, this had happened five or six times.

The reason was obvious. The prestigious families must have ordered the matching rate to be reported lower.

Even among the nobles entering the Royal Esper Center, the Esrante family of Banteon was exceptional. The Esrante family had produced numerous top-level Espers so far. Judging by the numbers, they might surpass the royal family.

Banteon was the first guide born in such an Esrante family.

Unlike other guides, he couldn’t just bring in a suitable Esper due to a high matching rate. In the Esrante family, the term “suitable partner” simply didn’t exist.

A guide protected by the state had two choices: find a matching Esper or stay at the center and work in a related field.

Among these options, Banteon chose to stay at the center as a teacher. Working as a teacher freed him from the obligation of being a temporary guide. The only constraint was that he had to undergo regular matching tests.

Even the Royal Esper Center, which boasted fairness, was meaningless in the face of power. If Banteon did a matching test with an unremarkable Esper, the results would be reported as a low matching rate of 40% or less, regardless of the actual outcome.

‘I wonder what the real rate would have been.’

Since it had been a while since someone clung to him like this, the actual matching rate might have been high. It could have been a formal match, considering it was better than the current temporary guide.

Banteon turned his head without any regrets. Though he lived this way due to his family’s judgment, he was quite satisfied with his current situation. He was well aware that he wasn’t the type to settle down in one place, and he preferred enjoying his freedom rather than sticking to one Esper. Hence, he overlooked his family’s tampering with the matching rate.

‘Keslan is cute like a puppy, but he’s a bit persistent.’

Leaving a short review of the one who had just left, Banteon leaned back in his chair.

“It’s a mess.”

Only then did the desk come into view. He sighed at the sight of documents blown away by the wind and books with pages turned. Banteon deftly rearranged the papers and inserted a bookmark. The newly bought bookmark was loose and didn’t hold up to its price. Indeed, others’ recommendations weren’t reliable. Irritated, he pulled out the bookmark and threw it into the trash can.

An uninvited guest quietly entered through the slightly open door.

“Why do you look so displeased? You seemed to be having fun just a moment ago.”

A man with dark brown hair tinged with red and a sturdy build, unmistakably an Esper, grinned slyly. Banteon’s brows naturally furrowed.

“Teeroth. Aren’t you tired of playing guard?”

“That’s harsh. I barely managed to find time to visit, and you can’t even welcome me properly.”

“Tsk.”

The unwelcome guest’s appearance made Banteon click his tongue and turn his head. Teeroth, undeterred by his host’s indifference, leisurely scanned the study while leaning against the door. Showing up right after Keslan had left, it was clear he’d come to spy after getting word of the visit.

Teeroth, who had no intention of hiding his surveillance, wandered around the spot where Keslan had knelt moments ago.

“He couldn’t even hide his energy properly when he left. Did he enjoy it that much?”

“Do you want to take the Esper ethics class again?”

“To think I’d hear that from Banteon, who disregards the center’s rules the most.”

Teeroth grinned slyly as he scraped the floor with the sole of his foot. The energy of another Esper wasn’t a welcome sensation. If managed well, it wouldn’t clash, but leaving such a thick sense of possessiveness was highly unpleasant for other Espers.

After rubbing the floor for a while, Teeroth lifted his head in satisfaction and plopped into the chair closest to Banteon with a thud. Banteon’s face slightly wrinkled.

“That chair is hard to come by.”

“Such a miser for someone so wealthy.”

“I have no reason to be generous to you.”

“Alright, alright.”

Teeroth exaggeratedly dusted off the chair as he stood up, his actions clearly mocking. Banteon ignored his taunting demeanor. Reacting would only drag him into a tedious banter.

“I doubt you came just to lecture me.”

“Of course not. I came to share some interesting news with our dear Banteon.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Well, I have some news I think Bante would like. Interested?”

The playful use of his childhood nickname was something Banteon was used to. Teeroth always used that nickname when he had mischievous plans.

Though he didn’t particularly like the nickname from his childhood, Teeroth often shared intriguing information when he used it. Even Banteon, who had little interest in the world, would listen closely to these new events.

Finally willing to listen, Banteon turned his attention to Teeroth, having finished tidying up his desk.

“Sit.”

“Finally, I get permission. It’s so hard to sit in a chair here….”

“If you’re dissatisfied, you can leave.”

“You’re really going to be like that? I promise it’s a story you won’t regret hearing.”

Teeroth puffed up his chest with a triumphant expression as he sat down, his demeanor full of playful mischief.