“At the time, when they said I’d be doing a matching rate test with you using Jinhwan, I was really nervous.”

Unlike me, Park Geonwoo seemed lost in a pleasant memory. Had he forgotten what his father said to me that day?

Well, I guess it’s like they say—those who hit remember nothing, while those who are hit never forget. Not that Geonwoo was technically the one who hit me...

“I see.”

I answered lightly, and as I spoke, the final door opened and Jinhwan came into view.

They say a lot of people are caught off guard when they see it in person. I certainly was.

Since it’s a tool capable of measuring massive amounts of mana in an instant, most expect it to be enormous. But in truth, Jinhwan was surprisingly compact—slightly smaller than a volleyball.

Of course, this is common knowledge nowadays, thanks to endless coverage on TV and YouTu*. But even for those who know this, the sight before them can still be surprising.

The most famous photo of Jinhwan is of it being stored in Gyeongbokgung Palace in the early 1900s.

After the establishment of the Republic of Korea, it was rarely displayed to the public. As a result, people tended to imagine Jinhwan with the old-fashioned elegance of the Joseon era.

But now, Jinhwan sat surrounded by cutting-edge equipment, with an appearance closer to something out of a sci-fi movie than a historical drama.

When we arrived, the security devices encasing Jinhwan disengaged. However, the cable connected to its base glowed brightly, running off toward the computer room in the right-hand corner. Through the glass, I could see part of a massive computer—completely different in size and form from any standard PC.

This supercomputer not only maintained Jinhwan’s security, but also quickly decoded and recorded the data it produced. They said it was a product of combining not just modern science but also several other treasures. Whatever those were, they weren’t visible from here.

“We’ll begin the matching rate test. Esper Park Geonwoo to the right, Guide Lee Yeonsu to the left.”

Following the staff member’s directions, we stood facing each other.

“Place your right hand over Jinhwan. Spread your palm completely and grasp it as if to encircle it, but do not apply any force.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Listening to the staff’s instructions, we placed our hands on Jinhwan. A blue light rose from it, then quickly faded.

“The test is complete. Please remove your hands.”

When we stepped back, the staffer glanced toward the computer room.

“The results will be ready shortly. Please wait.”

Aside from the process of getting here, the test itself was far simpler than with any machine.

About ten minutes later, the door to the computer room opened and a young man in glasses stepped out.

“Seventy-seven point two one zero percent.”

He spoke in a flat, mechanical tone.

Seventy-seven percent was still very high for S-rank, but it was eight percent lower than before.

“That’s quite a drop. Is it because of the attack this morning?”

If Jinhwan really had been damaged, this was serious. Even Geonwoo’s previously relaxed expression hardened.

“No. The result is accurate. The drop is because your matching rate has decreased.”

The man’s reply was as stiff as a robot’s before he turned and went back inside. The atmosphere instantly cooled.

“We need to prepare for the next matching rate test. Let’s go.”

The staffer by our side hesitated briefly, as if gauging our mood, but offered no words of comfort before moving on to the preparations.

We followed him out. As soon as we left Jinhwan’s chamber, the first door sealed shut behind us.

“Guide Lee Yeonsu, please wait here. Esper Park Geonwoo, please wait in the car.”

“...Understood.”

Geonwoo stared at me like he wanted to say something, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» but in the end, he kept his mouth shut and strode off.

Once he and the staffer left, the opposite door opened and closed again.

I was left alone in the barrier-filled space. Was it really fine to leave me here alone? What if I decided to go after Jinhwan? Their guard seemed awfully lax.

Well, they were probably monitoring me via CCTV or mana surveillance.

And even if I did target Jinhwan, I wouldn’t pose any threat to it anyway...

As I stood there, the result of my matching rate test with Geonwoo still in my mind, the door opened and Seunghyuk came in with a staff member.

“Seunghyuk.”

“Hyung, why do you look so down?”

“It’s just...”

The words stuck in my throat. I bit my lower lip, and the staff member spoke.

“I’ll just check if preparations are complete.”

She gave a slight bow before heading into Jinhwan’s chamber.

Even though she was only going in for a quick check, the heavy door opened and closed again with a deep thud.

“Did something happen?”

Seunghyuk didn’t spare the staffer a glance—his eyes stayed on me.

“...My matching rate with Park sunbae dropped by eight percent.”

“You sad your matching rate with that bastard went down?”

His voice turned cold in an instant. Before, I might have trembled, but now I knew.

He wasn’t angry at me. And I knew with certainty that he wouldn’t harm me.

“No, I’m scared... What if our matching rate drops too?”

“You’re worried it’ll drop with me?”

“Yeah. I’m worried.”

“Don’t be. There’s no way it will.”

He looked me straight in the eyes. How could he be so sure?

“You think so...?”

“Yes. It’ll come out fine. Even if it doesn’t, I don’t care.”

“I still don’t want it to go down.”

“Why? You think I’d change if our matching rate was low?”

“No.”

I shook my head. I didn’t think he’d turn away from me over that. I trusted him now. But...

“I just want to be someone who’s strong for you.”

Regardless of his feelings, I wanted our matching rate to be high. I wanted to be a Guide he could be proud of.

“That alone is enough for me.”

His gaze was unwavering, and in those unusually large pupils, my face was all that was reflected.

Carefully, I reached out toward his hair. I’d always wanted to touch it, but had been too afraid, like touching a predator’s whiskers.

At last, my hand brushed his hair. It was soft, and so thick it felt almost fluffy. I smoothed down the jet-black strands, and he stared down at me.

Was he annoyed at me touching his head?

Feeling self-conscious, I started to pull away, but he grinned and lowered his head, as if to say I could touch it more.

A smile crept onto my own lips.

“Seunghyuk, let’s finish the test quickly and go eat something good.”

The Director General had only asked us to check Jinhwan’s condition via the matching rate and mana test—he hadn’t asked us to help catch the culprit. Our work here would be done after this.

“Are you hungry? Want to go now?”

“No, not exactly. But there’s something I really want to tell you over dinner.”

Once the test was done, I was going to confess my feelings to him. Whatever the result, I’d lay my heart bare.

“What is it?”

His pupils trembled. He was worried about what I might say. I deliberately smiled wider and swept his hair back.

“Something I really want to say. Something I hope will make you happy.”

“Then we’d better eat soon.”

He took my hand firmly, and I gripped back just as hard.

Then the door slid open, and the staffer approached.

“The matching rate test is ready. This way, please.”

Following her lead, we stepped inside.

It had been a while since Seunghyuk had seen Jinhwan, but even in the presence of the Republic’s New National Treasure No. 1, he seemed completely unmoved.

“We’ll begin the matching rate test. Esper Joo Seunghyuk to the right, Guide Lee Yeonsu to the left.”

We stood facing each other, and the staffer repeated the same instructions as before.

“Place your right hand over Jinhwan. Spread your palm completely and grasp it as if to encircle it, but do not apply any force.”

There must be a fixed protocol for these tests.

As I reached to place my hand on it, a different kind of tension welled up in me than before.

“Hoo...”

I took a deep breath, and the corner of Seunghyuk’s mouth lifted.

“Don’t worry.”

“Mm.”

Hearing him say that eased my mind a little.

We locked eyes as we placed our hands on Jinhwan together.

At that moment, it began to glow red.

Why red? 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

I’d heard that when measuring mana, it glows green for Espers, yellow for Guides, and blue for matching rate tests.

And that’s how it had been. When my mana was measured, it was yellow; when I tested matching with Geonwoo, it was blue. So why...?

As I wondered, the red light spread outward, filling the entire space.