14

While the influence of bloodlines on guides was said to be minimal, it wasn’t entirely irrelevant.

Banteon couldn’t help but wonder: if he had manifested as an Esper with such abilities…

Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, Banteon decided it was better to keep moving than to dwell on pointless speculation.

Although there were no injured guides yet, the number of Espers arriving on mounts with injuries was steadily increasing. While unstable auras could be managed through guiding, physical injuries required more than just guiding. As the number of injured increased, the depletion team’s defensive line also became more precarious.

With the number of vacant beds in the infirmary dwindling, the atmosphere within the depletion team grew tense and sharp. However, there was good news as well. The exploration team had advanced to the mid-point of the abandoned mine, with Commander Sotenlu and Teeroth leading the way. They were progressing faster than expected.

Upon receiving support, Banteon found the situation of Team 3 to be dire. The room was filled with the entangled red auras of the Espers, while the guides’ auras were faint. Surveying the surroundings, Banteon gently reassured the exhausted guides and sent them back to their quarters.

Banteon set aside his outer garment and rolled up his sleeves, preparing for guiding. The person who had requested support looked troubled and pointed to a small room.

“Um… there’s no available guiding room at the moment. Please wait a moment.”

Guiding was a delicate process. The guide’s emotional fluctuations and fine adjustments could introduce many variables. Typically, guiding was conducted in a soundproofed room where only the Esper and the guide could focus solely on their energies.

But these were not typical circumstances. The workday was long over, and many Espers were still waiting. Those able to stand were better off; some were leaning against walls, groaning in pain.

It was uncertain how many more guides would be sent for support, but at this rate, working through the night seemed inevitable. New patients would surely arrive tomorrow.

Delaying for the preparation of a guiding room was out of the question.

“It’s fine. I’ll do it here.”

“Here?”

Banteon gestured to the most unstable-looking Esper and removed his gloves. These gloves, which blocked special energy waves to prevent accidental guiding, were mandatory for center guides to wear at all times. With his white, bare hands, he reached out.

“Over here.”

“Y-Yes.”

The Esper quickly approached, and Banteon took his hand. Focusing intensely to single out one person’s aura amidst the mixed energies required significant concentration. However, Banteon was unfazed. He could see the auras and focus on them visually.

As he smoothly guided the red energy, the chaotic aura of the Esper gradually calmed down. The onlookers stared in amazement.

With the aura visibly stabilized, Banteon identified the next person. The waiting Espers, taking the cue, began to line up on their own.

Time passed, and the number of severely affected Espers was halved. It looked like he would finish before the moon rose.

Though he might end up with a fever tomorrow, Banteon had no choice but to keep going. He rolled up his sleeves and moved swiftly.

The task concluded around the time Banteon had expected. Before the moon fully rose and the sun completely set, he had finished his work. Stretching his stiff shoulders, he got up.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

A guide from Team 1 approached Banteon.

“You’ve been doing extra work for three months now. While we’re all grateful, we worry you might collapse.”

“I’m fine. I can still manage.”

“You’re truly incredible.”

Hearing the genuine admiration in the guide’s voice, Banteon was reminded of his own capabilities. Despite countless guiding sessions, he had never reached his limit. The only time he had felt overwhelmed was during his brief encounter with Delroz, but otherwise, he had never found guiding difficult.

“Thank you for saving us.”

Banteon responded with a light nod to the people bowing deeply to him.

“If it weren’t for you, Banteon, we would have been in serious trouble.”

“No, it’s just what I needed to do.”

He wore a public-facing smile that would have made Teeroth gasp. Those unaware of this façade looked at him with moved expressions, nodding fervently.

“Actually, I attended your classes at the center, Banteon.”

“Me too.”

Recognizing their faces, Banteon realized they were students from his classes. They excitedly recounted their experiences, explaining that many had volunteered for the third depletion team just to have a chance to be guided by him.

They even shared an exaggerated story of how people were willing to spend their own money to join the team after reading testimonies from Espers who had been guided by Banteon. Smiling lightly at the embellished tales, Banteon caused the two to stomp in exasperation, insisting the stories were true.

“By the way, is there any news about the third depletion team?”

“Oh! There is, but it doesn’t seem like it will be as large a deployment as the first and second teams. They can’t afford to leave the center unguarded.”

“There’s a rumor that an S-rank will be deployed.”

Banteon nodded.

The abandoned mine was proving to be more problematic than anticipated, with not only an increasing number of monsters but also more formidable ones. The number of injured had visibly risen, making the deployment of an S-rank a necessary decision.

“Then it should be resolved soon.”

“I hope so. But will just one S-rank make a difference? There are already a few A-ranks here, and things haven’t improved much.”

Seeing an S-rank Esper was rare even for those who spent their lives at the center. Many didn’t know the true capabilities of an S-rank. Banteon reassured them.

“If an S-rank is coming, things will improve.”

“I hope you’re right. Oh, I have an emergency alert. I have to go.”

“I have one too. Thank you for everything today!”

The students hurriedly bowed and took their leave. Banteon returned the gesture with a small nod, listening to their urgent footsteps.

The sound of metal wheels dragging patients outside and the shouts of people filled the air. At this rate, the depletion team could soon be paralyzed by exhausted guides and injured Espers.

He looked up at the overcast sky.

The once refreshing air now carried the stench of smoke and dust. The roars of large monsters had become a familiar morning alarm. What began as a refuge had proven to be a harsh reality.

More challenging and intense than expected.

Blood was spilled, and people fell in this place.

“…Tsk.”

Banteon felt an uncomfortable sting in his stomach. He had once casually brushed off Teeroth’s question about why he had volunteered, claiming it was to fulfill his noble duties.

Banteon had lived his life far removed from notions of justice. He believed that simply existing and producing heirs was fulfilling his duty, passing on his high-potential bloodline to future generations. That seemed enough.

His terminal buzzed with an end-of-shift notification. He paused, about to log his additional work hours. Helping another team doubled the recorded work and increased leave time upon returning to the center.

Despite knowing this, he didn’t feel like documenting it.

After a moment of hesitation, Banteon closed the screen. Only his regular work schedule was logged in his terminal.

Reinforcements needed to arrive soon, as the guide he had just met had hoped.

Cracking his stiff neck, he felt a dull ache. His eyes, unusually dry and sore, hinted at the toll his exertion was taking. Frowning at the unfamiliar sensation, he headed back to his tent.

The battlefield was a place where even Banteon, who had always been skeptical of powerful Espers, found himself hoping for the arrival of an S-rank.

Someone had to come and support this situation. With that thought, he made his way to his cozy quarters.

---

Finally, the day had arrived for the promised reinforcements to join them. Among the eagerly waiting crowd, a single military vehicle appeared. It was a paltry number for additional reinforcements.

“I’m Peton from the third depletion team. There are only two of us, but we look forward to working with you.”

“No need to be humble. Thank you so much for coming.”

People swarmed around the military vehicle like bees, their heads bobbing with excitement.

The long-awaited arrival of the third depletion team naturally drew everyone’s attention. When Banteon had arrived, there had been many people lingering around, but now the crowd was even larger.

Sotenlu, feeling awkward about the zoo-like crowd, smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry for the commotion. I tried to keep it under control…”

“No, no, I understand. We’re used to drawing crowds.”

“It’s noisy.”

“…He’s not a bad person.”

Commander Sotenlu greeted them with a composed face, the only one among many maintaining such calm. The people watching were filled with shining eyes, reflecting a mix of admiration, awe, and various complex emotions.

The rumor about an S-rank joining was already widespread. Given the mine’s conditions, deploying a highly skilled individual alone was more efficient than sending many.

People’s expectations were accurate. However, instead of the anticipated S-rank, an SS-rank had arrived.