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Join the Server“Hey, anyone can see the Lord of the Cloud family just came out of the restaurant.”
Ignoring the sarcastic remarks, Ethan confidently strode towards Huey, his expression brazenly familiar as he latched onto him.
“Huey Cloud, Instructor, you see, the Commander insisted on including me in the joint training scenario.”
For a moment, Huey stood dumbfounded.
However, Ethan’s exaggerated gestures and explanation quickly clarified the situation for him.
Huey, his hands still adorned in pristine white gloves, raised one to dismiss his entourage.
With a respectful bow, they vanished, their eyes betraying a hint of fear as they watched his hand.
A flicker of contempt crossed Huey Cloud’s eyes as he slowly scrutinized Victor Frankl, who was dressed in a standard squad member’s uniform.
“A training commander, moving with regular squad members under the pretext of being an infiltration unit. Truly, a rare sight.”
Ethan, who had intended to provoke Victor and Huey, hoping to prevent Huey Cloud from abandoning him, widened his eyes at the unexpectedly harsh tone of criticism.
‘Oh, if things continue this way, I’ll have very little to do.’
Victor Frankl, however, remained unfazed by Huey Cloud’s condemnation, as if such remarks were an everyday occurrence.
He even displayed the composure to casually retort.
“Oh, is our astute Huey Cloud also deeply interested in the training program? If so, why not join in directly, just as I have? I hear there are quite a few bruised Esper squad members in the western district.”
His accompanying squad members erupted in laughter, echoing his boisterous mirth.
“We, too, are at a loss as to why a treatment center is maintained for such tedious and pointless training.”
“Surely, operating only general clinics for the Metropolitan Police Department would significantly reduce budget wastage.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed as he observed their posturing, their remarks laced with arrogance.
Having grown accustomed to the polite members of Bliss Moore’s Antares and Arthur Swan’s Procyon, he had overlooked the fact that some Procyon guards, bearing the ‘stray dog’ emblem, behaved like common ruffians even within Morapolio City.
“If we weed out Procyon’s substandard personnel and integrate them with the Metropolitan Police Department’s exceptional regular staff, the budget will shrink, and my weekends might even improve.”
His gaze, fixed upon them, unmistakably conveyed that *they* were the very individuals to be ‘processed’.
“What—what did you say?!”
Just as their anger flared and they prepared to step forward without fear, Victor Frankl issued a command in a low, resonant voice.
“Stop. Unless you genuinely desire to be ‘processed’.”
Immediately, the men who had appeared so unruly snapped into the disciplined posture of soldiers.
Ethan let out a long sigh, casting a sidelong glance at Maxon.
Sure enough, Maxon’s eyes trembled as he stared blankly at the ‘stray dog’ emblems emblazoned on their suits.
Even to Maxon, who yearned to reclaim Procyon and restore the Ancaster family to its rightful place in the central ranks, Victor Frankl’s command over Procyon appeared undeniably formidable.
Observing their transformation, Huey’s lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile.
“A fitting display for the leader of a pack of stray dogs.”
“Thank you for the compliment. Now, why don’t you hand over that Guide? And please, spare me any excuses about merely having tea at the restaurant you just exited, or claiming it’s still too early for a meal.”
“That, I cannot do. As Ethan’s educational supervisor, I bear the responsibility of ensuring the ceremony is conducted without incident.”
“How utterly inflexible.”
Huey shot him a sharp glare, signaling him to cease his pointless remarks, for Victor’s words carried the implication that he would inevitably have to hand Ethan over once the festival concluded.
However, Victor merely flashed a wide grin, deliberately surveying their surroundings.
Maxon and Ethan, their heads turning to follow his gaze, watched their eyes widen in alarm.
Not a single person was visible moving around the restaurant.
At least two Espers with Interference abilities were at play.
Among the Procyon squad members accompanying Victor Frankl, at least two Espers possessing Interference abilities had subtly, yet effectively, redirected everyone away from the vicinity.
“…Say, you like dogs, don’t you?”
From somewhere, the sound of dogs barking reached their ears. The distant, approaching clamor was a chorus of many voices.
Woof! Woof woof! Woof!
The shapes drawing ever closer were none other than the pack of stray dogs Victor Frankl frequently employed.
“Ethan! Quickly, flee into the restaurant!”
Maxon stepped forward, placing himself squarely in front of Ethan.
Though the golden-eyed Ancaster was a unique Esper whose abilities grew with training and effort, repelling the summons of an S-grade Summoner was far beyond his B-grade capabilities.
Nevertheless, at this very moment, he was the only one capable of physically protecting Ethan.
Woof woof! Woof!
Just as Maxon, having squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, prepared to unleash his full power, a chilling sensation swept through his entire body from behind.
Ilwol, who could manifest their form during direct combat, subtly emerged, intending to display their magnificent presence.
However, at the sight of Ethan’s raised brow, they meekly tucked their tail, opting instead to unleash a powerful bark.
Grrr. Roar!
Whoosh—
As everyone present felt a chilling presence sweep past, the charging pack of stray dogs let out strange, pained yelps before vanishing.
Yelp, yelp, yelp! Whine!
“…!!”
“What happened?!”
“Why did the summons disappear?!”
However, Ethan’s eyes perceived it clearly.
A colossal, grayish-white wolf was seizing the necks of the stray dogs, which appeared no more than a mouthful, and shaking them violently.
With every movement of the wolf, a swirling blizzard danced as if carried by the wind.
Ethan feigned surprise alongside the others, all the while showering endless praise upon Ilwol for obeying his command so perfectly.
‘Well done, my little rascal. If only you’d always behave like this. And stop listening to Dongja.’
Victor swiftly deployed his personal field.
The other Procyon members present immediately lowered their stances, their senses sharpened to discern whatever had intruded upon their domain.
“There’s no Summoner nearby!”
“…It seems so. But… what on earth….”
His gaze then shifted to Huey. Huey was the only Esper remaining, yet even he displayed unmistakable signs of shock.
“Could it be an Esper not registered with the Center?!”
Victor’s eyes sharpened, his interest abruptly shifting entirely from Ethan to the powerful, unknown Summoner.
In that opportune moment, Ethan gently guided both Maxon and Huey into the restaurant.
“Come on, let’s eat.”
“…!!”
Even as they were drawn into the softly opened doorway, the Procyon squad members and Victor remained on high alert, their senses keenly attuned to their surroundings.
****
“Haha. If I were to be kidnapped during training, wouldn’t it be fitting to add a scenario where the Cloud family’s ambulance and Esper security detail come searching for me?”
Guided by the manager, who appeared somewhat weary from the commotion outside, they took their seats.
Among them, only Ethan seemed truly excited, ordering a lavish array of dishes.
Hah….
Huey, his arms crossed, watched Ethan and Maxon eat while leisurely sipping his wine.
Though he had inadvertently found himself protecting Ethan due to his animosity towards Victor Frankl, he still sat there, utterly perplexed as to why he was observing their meal and footing the bill.
“So, if Procyon constitutes the infiltration team, then the regular Metropolitan Police Department will naturally assume the role of defense, correct?”
“…Presumably.”
“Civilians against Esper unit members… Ugh!”
Ethan, mid-sentence, suddenly doubled over, clutching his waist in agony.
Maxon immediately sprang to his feet, rushing to support him.
“Ethan!”
“Ugh…!”
Clutching his chest, Ethan gasped for air.
His heart, which had been beating with an erratic pulse, gradually settled.
Hah, hah. His chest, which had been heaving violently, slowly found its normal rhythm.
“Drink some water, Ethan.”
Ethan drained the glass of water Maxon offered in a single gulp, only then letting out a long sigh as his face regained its composure.
Huey, who had been observing him with a hint of surprise in his eyes, subtly furrowed his brow and inquired.
“…Only a few days ago, you were healthy enough to boast an Esper’s appetite. Why, then, are you suddenly experiencing these respiratory attacks now? The sensation of constriction seems to be originating from your heart.”
Ethan shook his head.
“I don’t know. Lately, my pulse has been racing frantically, and my heart feels as though it’s being squeezed. My limbs ache intensely, as if blood isn’t circulating through them. Ah… could my heart truly be under such strain? Perhaps I should consult Doctor Sera.”
As Ethan murmured, gently rubbing the spot that had just caused him pain, Huey offered advice in a tone bordering on exasperation.
“If your heart is indeed unwell, it would be far better to consult a specialist for ordinary people. These symptoms you’re displaying are, after all, common ailments even among those without abilities.”
“…I suppose I should. I’ll ask Doctor Sera to recommend a cardiologist. The attack cycle has already shortened somewhat, you see.”
“……What.”
The attack cycle is shortening.
Forcibly inducing respiratory and cardiac arrests, gradually shortening their intervals, and ultimately leading to death from exhaustion within those attacks.
This was precisely the new substance he had created for Devon years ago, utilizing his ‘Drug’ ability.
Slowly, the expression drained from Huey’s face.
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