#2

“You’re aware a subjugation squad was formed recently, right?”

“Yes, I heard about the ridiculous incident of gathering Espers just to handle a single mercenary group.”

“But what if the purpose wasn’t simply to deal with the mercenary group?”

In territories where monsters occasionally appeared, mercenaries were hired to guard the walls. There was a story about a grain-producing region that had spent a fortune to hire a famous mercenary group.

Espers affiliated with the center were trained and deployed for handling large monsters or managing dungeons. For smaller conflict areas, mercenaries were used as expendables to resolve issues. It wasn’t uncommon for territories to personally hire mercenaries.

A conflict arose between such a mercenary group and their employer, escalating beyond mere insubordination to the point where the head of security was killed. The head of security of a territory was at least a semi-noble. The center had sufficient grounds to intervene.

“So much fuss over a few mercenaries. Did they start a rebellion or something?”

“Not a rebellion. The problem is the leader of the mercenary group. He dueled the head of security one-on-one.”

“A duel with a mercenary… that’s laughable.”

The idea of a mercenary, who had no honor, engaging in a duel was absurd to Banteon, born a noble through and through, who laughed insincerely.

“It’s no laughing matter. The deceased head of security was a D-rank Esper.”

The information Teeroth shared next was not something to be taken lightly. Banteon’s hand, which had been lifting a teacup while laughing, halted.

Ordinary people couldn’t defeat an Esper.

This was an unchanging premise. Even an F-rank Esper possessed twice the strength of an ordinary person. If a mercenary had defeated a trained D-rank Esper in a one-on-one duel, it was highly likely that the mercenary leader was also an Esper. No, it was certain.

“A commoner Esper…”

The fact that Esper abilities were hereditary was common knowledge, even to children. Although there were occasional records of commoner Espers, most were illegitimate children of nobles. It was common for nobles, who valued bloodlines, to have children outside to expand their influence.

However, exceptions existed.

Rarely, a commoner with no noble blood whatsoever would manifest as an Esper.

While illegitimate Espers were numerous enough to be difficult to count, the latter held an entirely different significance.

“Are you saying this person is a naturally occurring Esper?”

“You’re quick on the uptake.”

Teeroth’s straightforward answer made Banteon frown.

“No wonder they recruited so noisily.”

“As expected. Among the elite subjugation squad, two A-rank Espers were injured, and five B-ranks were hospitalized.”

There were even those in critical condition. Banteon slowly stroked his chin. Considering the injuries sustained against a naturally occurring Esper, the center seemed to have prepared thoroughly.

Judging by the lack of further news, they must have successfully captured the naturally occurring Esper, who would soon be brought to the center for training….

“It’s going to be noisy for a while.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“What more is there to say? Even if there are injuries, they eventually captured him. He’ll receive some training and be granted a family name.”

This naturally occurring Esper, appearing for the first time in 300 years, would become the center of attention, not just for receiving a family name but for all sorts of reasons. The center would be bustling with various factions, but it was of no concern to him.

Since the founding of the nation, there had been several naturally occurring Espers who had established new families, but none had ever threatened the Esrante family.

Banteon was about to leave when Teeroth, now urgent, called him back.

“Wait a minute, think it over. This isn’t the time to be so nonchalant. He’ll be brought to the center soon after the examination, so you need to be cautious.”

“What do I have to be cautious about? It has nothing to do with Esrante anyway.”

“Maybe not for the family, but for you, it’s different.”

Tilting his head at the ambiguous words, Teeroth pounded his chest and said.

“Among the guides remaining at the center, you’re the most desirable. Naturally, you’ll be the first chosen for the initial matching test, right?”

The crude expression ‘desirable’ made Banteon’s mouth set in a hard line. Though blunt, it was a straightforward way to understand the situation.

Among the guides without an Esper at the center, Banteon had the most prestigious family. Naturally, people’s attention would focus on him, and those wanting to gain favor would first propose a matching test to him.

A mercenary leader who was a commoner Esper. Considering a few conditions, Banteon answered nonchalantly.

“I’ll just refuse.”

“It’s not that simple, is it?”

“If he’s a mercenary, he’s probably old and rugged. Absolutely not.”

“I know you prefer younger, cuter ones. But this is a naturally occurring Esper.”

“I’m not interested in that. I’m living comfortably without it.”

“…True, but it’s still really annoying.”

Banteon looked at Teeroth, who was whining like a child, with pity. Though intriguing, there was no need for the powerful Esrante family to take such a gamble.

“Amateurish fools will rush in greedily, and I won’t have to deal with it.”

“Is that how it’ll be…?”

“Stop making unnecessary assumptions.”

“Then why do I feel so uneasy…?”

Despite the objective facts, Teeroth was not easily convinced. Although he had excellent intuition typical of an Esper, he was wrong this time. Banteon patted Teeroth’s back lightly as he worried about something that wouldn’t happen.

“Are you done talking? It’s almost time for class.”

From Keslan, who came wagging his tail, to the bothersome observer. Today had been full of disruptions. Keslan was at least cute, while Teeroth was both annoying and useless.

Recognizing the effort Teeroth made to bring interesting news, Banteon refrained from kicking him out and instead waved his hand to signal his departure.

“Goodbye.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m going. Honestly, with your personality, how would you survive if you weren’t an Esrante?”

“You live off your family name too.”

“Tsk.”

Teeroth, a branch member of the Esrante family, clicked his tongue. Having manifested as an A-rank Esper thanks to his good lineage, he couldn’t argue.

Grumbling as if he didn’t want to leave, Teeroth dragged his heavy steps out of the study.

Banteon chuckled at the sight. Despite his antics, there was something endearing about Teeroth. If it weren’t for his large build, Banteon might have played with him more, but he had no interest in someone half a head taller than him.

‘A naturally occurring Esper…’

It was the emergence of a being he had never even considered. Though he had reacted lightly in passing, he knew better than anyone that it wasn’t a trivial matter. A complex web of power dynamics unfolded in his mind. Several foolish candidates who might covet the naturally occurring Esper were identified, and a few plausible hypotheses emerged.

“I hope it passes quietly.”

He hoped the person would be content with the position given and know their place. Banteon wrapped up his messy schedule and tidied his desk. He entered the code to open the secret drawer containing his academic materials and restored the study to its original state.

He gathered the materials needed for his class and put on the glasses he had momentarily removed. The study, now tidy and orderly, stood in stark contrast to the recent chaos.

Never lose composure. Always maintain a consistent demeanor. These were the first lessons a noble learned. Despite his playful teasing of immature Espers and pursuit of small pleasures, the principles instilled from birth remained unchanged for Banteon.

---

“Hello, teacher!”

“You look great today, as always.”

“Wait a moment. I’m not late.”

A cacophony of chatter greeted him as he entered the classroom. Though the students completing the advanced course were mostly in their late teens, they behaved like eight-year-olds.

“Take your seats and open your textbooks.”

“Aww…”

A half-hearted, listless sound responded. They were the cutest when they were this downcast. As he arranged the textbooks and scanned the room, he noticed something unusual. Unlike the usually packed classroom, there were scattered empty seats.

“Where is everyone?”

“Many students have visitors today.”

“They all submitted absence notices.”

The responses chirped back like little chicks. Banteon opened the attendance register below the lectern. Just as the students said, many were absent for visits. Most of the absent students were guides.

“It’s chaotic right now.”

“……”

“Teacher, you have a wrinkle on your forehead!”

His daily routine was already disrupted by someone who hadn’t even arrived at the center yet. It was a bad omen. The rumor of a naturally occurring Esper had evidently sent the guides’ sponsors rushing over.

They were probably trying to pair their sponsored guides with the naturally occurring Esper.

‘Like prize studs.’

An exceptionally high-quality stud with no owner. The tumultuous days ahead were clearly visible.

“Teacher, tell us about naturally occurring Espers.”

“We covered that at the beginning of the term.”

“I don’t remember! Teach us in more detail.”

If only their academic enthusiasm was always this high. Usually, they wore sullen faces, flipping through textbooks, but now their faces were animated with interest.