The incident where Joo Seunghyuk fought against several high-ranking Espers became a major topic, even getting reported by foreign media.

It was nothing short of grim.

The Board suspended Seunghyuk’s matching rate tests. All efforts to find him a new Guide were also put on hold.

Today, Seunghyuk said he’d be going to the headquarters of Seonghan Guild. I allowed myself a sliver of hope that perhaps Seonghan had found a Guide for him—but honestly, the odds were slim.

Even Chairman Joo couldn’t bend Seunghyuk’s will. If things had followed the original plot, Chairman Joo would still be forcing his son around with brute authority, but the relationship between the two had changed significantly since that day seven years ago. Because of me...

In any case, Seunghyuk wasn’t around today, and I was free! I should go to the library and read as much as I want for the first time in a while.

Ever since getting entangled with Seunghyuk, I hadn’t been able to read a single book in peace.

“Lee Yeonsu!”

I was headed to the library after class when I heard a familiar voice. Turning around, I saw someone I was happy to see.

“Hyukjin-hyung!”

It was Do Hyukjin, an S-Class Esper and master of the YL Guild. He had originally been affiliated with Seonghan, but branched off three years ago to establish a new guild.

“What brings you here?”

“What else? I came because I missed you.”

Hyukjin-hyung smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. His face always wore a smile, and just looking at him lifted my spirits.

“Our Yeonsu’s gotten even prettier in the short time I haven’t seen you. You might as well marry me now.”

“I’m telling Chaea-noona.”

Hyukjin-hyung often made jokes like that and always ended up getting scolded by Chaea-noona, who was also an S-Class Esper.

“Yeonsu, I’m sorry. Please don’t tell Kim Chaea. I’ll buy you something delicious.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I crossed my arms and pretended to consider it, then chuckled softly.

“Is there something you want to eat?”

“What about you, hyung? Do you have anything in mind?”

“I eat just about anything. You choose.”

“How about Golden Pig?”

‘Golden Pig’ was Hyukjin-hyung’s favorite restaurant.

Even before I enrolled, he’d always tell me to check it out if I ever came to the Board.

“Golden Pig sounds great. I was craving it again the moment I got here.”

“Then let’s go.”

We headed to Golden Pig. It was packed, probably because it was dinner time, but the atmosphere was lively in a good way.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. It was just mana depletion. I’m perfectly fine now.”

“I should’ve come sooner. Sorry. I was on a business trip and just got back today.”

Guilds are broadly split into two types: ‘corporate guilds’ like Seonghan or KN, run by large companies, and ‘independent guilds’ founded by individuals.

YL was a young guild, just three years old, but it grew rapidly by aggressively recruiting high-level talent. Now, it ranked among the top five of all independent guilds.

“Today? Then you came straight here without resting?”

“Yup. Rushed over from the airport to see our Yeonsu.”

Hyukjin-hyung winked as he picked up the tongs and scissors.

“You really didn’t have to. Oh—hyung, I’ll grill the meat.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. You must be tired, so let me do it.”

I took the tongs and scissors from his hands.

“Our Yeonsu’s all grown up now. Even knows how to grill meat. Feels like just yesterday you were tiny as a bean.”

“I was always good at grilling. It’s just you and the others wouldn’t let me.”

“How could we let a middle schooler do it? That’s child abuse.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

“Those days running Gates with you were the best.”

“Same for me.”

Adult Espers were required to participate in national Gate subjugations for a certain period depending on their rank, regardless of affiliation.

But high-level Espers sometimes started Gate missions as early as high school.

They justified it as early training for gifted individuals, but that was just a nice-sounding excuse. The truth was they were short on manpower and willing to exploit even minors.

I participated in my first Gate subjugation in the first year of middle school. I never actually entered the Gates—only provided guidance from outside—but even so, I was far too young.

The original Yeonsu never joined any national Gate missions before coming of age. Seonghan rejected the government’s requests, citing his minor status.

But I had refused an exclusive contract with Seunghyuk and hadn’t joined any guild or company. So when the state requested my participation, I couldn’t easily say no. (Refusing required a written statement, and that form was absurdly complicated for an individual to handle.)

Rather than consider my situation, the Center exploited a powerless kid. It was infuriating. But I didn’t hate the missions themselves, so in the end, I accepted.

Since I had awakened, I wanted to become a capable Guide. I didn’t want to end up like the original Yeonsu—mocked and discarded for acting out just because of a high rank.

Contracts with corporations meant money, sure, but more importantly, you got training suited to your temperament and rank.

But that was only possible if you signed a contract. With things as they were, I had to learn through fieldwork.

Of course, that was just my mindset—Espers had a different perspective.

“Hello, I’m Lee Yeonsu.”

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen. First year of middle school.”

“Middle school?”

“He’s just a kid.”

They were visibly taken aback at how young I looked.

As the eldest son, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) I’d always been told I was mature for my age. But to the Espers, I must’ve looked like nothing more than a child.

“Are you serious? This little kid is supposed to guide us?”

“What the hell...”

Everyone seemed displeased with me, and I shrank back. But I couldn’t back out now.

I bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

“I may be young, but I’ll do my best. Please take care of me.”

“We’re the ones who should take care of you.”

A female Esper helped me up and introduced herself.

“I’m Kim Chaea. Mental-type Esper. S-Class. I’m twenty-one. Call me noona.”

Following Chaea-noona’s lead, the other Espers introduced themselves. The last one, a man standing off in the corner, gave a small wave.

“Hey. You know who I am, right?”

“Yes. Esper Do Hyukjin.”

He was S-Class Esper Do Hyukjin. Twenty-two years old, spatial-type, and affiliated with Seonghan Guild.

I had met him before during the exclusive contract process with Joo Seunghyuk.

“Just call me hyung.”

Hyukjin smiled lightly. He was the one who had witnessed up close when I tore up the contract and walked away. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

I thought he might’ve held a bad impression of me—but thankfully, he didn’t seem hostile.

“Yes. Hyukjin-hyung.”

After introductions, we began the guiding.

Guiding was a private act. Outdoors, small tents for two were typically set up, or a large tent divided with partitions to block visibility.

But my guiding sessions were different. The Espers surrounded me, each stepping up in turn to receive guiding. It was to prevent any potential accidents in advance.

“Do we really have to do all this? I don’t want anyone seeing my face when I get turned on.”

“You’re saying you get turned on by a kid? Do Hyukjin, die!”

When Hyukjin-hyung grumbled, Chaea-noona kicked him in the shin.

“Ow! No, I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant my expression, regardless of who it’s with—”

“Die now!”

“Esper Do Hyukjin, I’m disappointed.”

“Yeah! Stop making excuses and just die!”

“Throw that bastard Do Hyukjin out! Restraining order!”

Even the Guides who had come to instruct me started throwing insults.

Even after guiding officially began, the chaos didn’t stop.

If an Esper even held my hand a bit too tightly, they got yelled at. Looking back, I think I was guided under extreme overprotection.

It was like that until I graduated middle school. Not just Espers—the Guides too doted on me, kindly teaching me how to guide.

In hindsight, I was in a blessed environment. I got help from many people, but especially from Hyukjin-hyung and Chaea-noona.

“The first time I saw you sitting in that guiding tent, I swore out loud. No matter how rare S-Class Guides are, asking a kid to do free guiding? I thought the Center had finally lost it.”

Hyukjin-hyung shook his head at the memory.

“I must’ve caused a lot of trouble for everyone.”

“Trouble? The moment people received guiding from you, they understood. There was a reason the Center bent the rules. We were grateful to receive guiding from you. You were the one who had it rough.”

“No, I learned so much back then. And everyone treated me so kindly—I never once thought it was hard.”

I cut the meat, which had been grilled just right.

“Hyung, it’s ready. Go ahead.”

“Wow, our Yeonsu even grills meat well now.”

“I told you, I’ve always been good. You guys just wouldn’t let me. From now on, feel free to ask.”

“How could I? If Seunghyuk hears I made his Guide cook meat for me, he’ll raise hell.”

“......”

My hand stopped mid-cut. I moved my lips slightly before barely managing to speak.

“It’s only temporary. It’s not like it’s going to last.”