Chapter 29: A Pact in the Ballroom

‘Focus, Ethan. There’s no way he could be a Multi-Guide like you.’

A sharp voice from Dongja sliced through Ethan’s mind. He had been trailing Enoch and Scott like a dazed, breathing doll.

Regaining his composure with effort, Ethan tilted the champagne glass he hadn’t realized was in his hand and drained it in a single gulp, then shook his head.

A Multi-Guide.

This referred to a Guide with multiple aptitudes and a high matching rate. Depending on their abilities, such Guides possessed at least two, often several, aptitudes, typically exhibiting miraculous matching rates of over 50% with Espers.

While Multi-Guides appeared sporadically worldwide, those with more than three aptitudes were even rarer. The Han clan village records stated that only two individuals in 500 years had possessed multiple aptitudes simultaneously, as Ethan did. He was the third. These were the generally known criteria and records for Multi-Guides.

However, the Han clan village categorized Multi-Guides further, splitting them into three distinct types.

The first was the general definition: a Guide with multiple aptitudes and a high matching rate.

The second type inherited the Han clan’s blood, received a Guardian gwi, and could utilize both guiding abilities and gwi abilities. Even with a single aptitude, their ability to command gwi made them ‘Multi-Guides.’ Most Multi-Guides born into the Han clan belonged to this category.

The third type was a Guide possessing both multiple aptitudes and the ability to command gwi. This combined the features of the first and second categories. While this classification existed in theory, Ethan was the first known instance.

Ethan’s coming-of-age ceremony, where he was to receive his Guardian gwi, had been performed as a heaven-defying ritual, with his mother and the elders sacrificing their lives. The ritual itself was forbidden, but as Ethan danced to summon gwi in the center of the Bagua, all eight elders’ gwi converged upon him, transforming him into a Guide unlike any classified even within the Han clan village.

Such a Guide, one forged by sacrificing eight lives and tearing open the heavens to be cast elsewhere, could not possibly exist again.

‘…Indeed. It couldn’t possibly exist.’

By the time Ethan had collected his thoughts and returned to his calm demeanor, the count and countess, hosts of the banquet, ascended the low stage prepared at the front.

‘He really doesn’t want to come to an event where his younger brother is the main character, does he?’

Enoch curled his lips, thinking of his elder brother who had yet to arrive. Everyone knew this event was Enoch’s declaration of retirement from acting and entry into the succession race, alongside the acknowledgment of his manifestation. His attendance was less crucial than making a good impression on the relatives who held the right to elect the family head.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have graced the Cloud family estate today. This evening’s banquet is a small celebration. As you all know, my wife, Sabrina, and I were blessed with excellent Esper parents, yet sadly, we did not inherit their abilities. Still, we were not concerned. When our son was born and reached the age of twelve, he hadn’t undergone his first manifestation, but even then, we felt no worry. This is because, for generations, Espers of the Cloud family have exhibited delayed manifestation, typically manifesting between the ages of twelve and adulthood. And as you are all aware, our eldest son, Huey Cloud, manifested at nineteen, possessing truly incredible abilities.”

‘So, even delayed manifestation can be hereditary.’ As Ethan unconsciously leaned in, he overheard Enoch’s murmur standing beside Scott.

“Incredible abilities that even their parents can’t handle. A nice facade, indeed.”

Scott grasped Enoch’s hand, patting it with a touch of sympathy.

Ethan watched them indifferently, refocusing on the Count’s speech.

“…Then, something remarkable happened. Just a few months ago, even Sabrina and I, his parents, learned of Enoch Cloud’s manifestation through a broadcast. You all know that my second son had been pursuing an acting career during a brief sojourn. While I deeply apologize for a family matter being disclosed to the public first, I now have something I wish to share with you directly.”

‘A brief sojourn.’ Ethan wondered how a star as popular as Enoch Cloud could consider his acting career a ‘brief sojourn,’ but Enoch suddenly led Scott and him forward, cutting short his thoughts.

Only Enoch Cloud ascended the small stage, but its height was negligible, placing Scott and Ethan effectively standing before him. As Ethan’s face flushed with surprise, Enoch offered a perfectly composed smile and began to speak.

“I am a fortunate Esper. I found my Guide in a secluded rural village, far from the prying eyes of cameras. When I experienced a seizure after my manifestation, my Guide, Scott Kent, and his friend, Ethan Prescott, were both there. This was when everyone else was heading to the shelters.”

He spoke as if their meeting were destiny, leveraging his actor’s flair to effortlessly capture everyone’s attention. Yet, Ethan’s expression hardened. Though introduced as Scott Kent’s friend, the statement made it sound as though he, too, had played some role in the seizure incident. It was an ambiguous remark, implying he might also be a Guide, depending on the interpretation.

“My sentimental words have gone on too long. I’ve decided to trust this good fortune. And for many of you relatives, it has been a long time, hasn’t it? Since the direct lineage has two Esper successors. I will use this opportunity to formally state: Enoch Cloud, son of David Cloud and Sabrina Cloud, will retire from his acting career and wishes to contend for the position of family head. I ask the heads of the various branch families of the Cloud clan to consider my elder brother and me as candidates to succeed my father as the family head…”

“Is there truly a need for comparison when the answer is already so obvious?”

A chilling voice cut through Enoch’s eloquent speech. A stir rippled through the crowd, parting like water as two men entered.

“We greet His Royal Highness, Second Prince Devon Green!”

A striking beauty with fiery red hair and olive-green eyes, resembling Enoch but far colder, passed through the path of bowing nobles. She greeted Devon Green with a respectful bow before arriving elegantly before Enoch.

Ethan awkwardly pressed down on Scott’s frozen head with his hand, forcing him to bow, and then pulled him aside. As they moved, Ethan’s gaze met Devon Green’s. Unlike the startled Ethan, Devon’s eyes passed over him as if he were an inanimate object.

Ethan’s face burned with humiliation. He had seen that look before, once. Marchioness Annabelle Moore—she, too, had treated him as if he were nothing more than an object.

“Welcome, Your Highness. You needn’t have troubled yourself for a weak Esper who would lean on your power.”

Enoch bowed, his gaze flicking to his elder brother, who stood behind Devon Green with a frigid expression. Huey Cloud, however, did not bat an eye as he disparaged Enoch.

“Isn’t my dear younger brother an actor by profession? How many times has the Director of the Cloud Pharmaceuticals’ New Drug and Brand Division actually shown up for work?”

“You must have forgotten my appearances in Cloud Company’s brand advertisements. I contributed significantly to the brand’s recognition.”

A sneer played on Huey’s lips at Enoch’s words. Watching them, Devon Green let out a languid chuckle, reprimanding both.

“This is like a childish game.”

“Rare ability Espers truly are different, it seems. Even royalty personally intervenes.”

“Is it not natural for me to show interest in matters concerning my Esper?”

“There’s no particular reason why Your Highness’s Esper must become the family head.”

Cold emerald green and warm olive green eyes clashed. Without breaking their intense stare, Devon issued a warning.

“Enoch Cloud. You’ve been an actor for so long, it seems you can no longer distinguish between the virtual world and reality. I welcome your return to reality, but perhaps you should pay more attention to the improved Esper painkillers. If you’ve utilized the Center’s data, isn’t it time for some tangible results to emerge, for the betterment of Espers’ and Guides’ lives?”

“You speak like my father at a Cloud family gathering.”

Huey Cloud’s brow furrowed at Enoch’s retort. As the head of the Esper Guide Center, Devon Green naturally held an interest in the Cloud family, which developed Esper and Guide-related medicines. Enoch framed Devon Green’s interest as the Prince coveting the Cloud family’s primary businesses, thereby stirring caution among the surrounding relatives.

“You’re arrogant simply because you’ve found a Guide. Who would trust the responsibility of a clown who can simply step off the stage?”

“There’s a rumor that company employees entering your brother’s office always go in pairs, to avoid being subjected to lie detection.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I understand the reason. Those who enter in pairs already have something to hide from me.”

****

As their verbal sparring continued, people’s attention shifted to Scott and Ethan. Standing a little apart from Enoch, Huey, and Devon Green, they found themselves encircled by nobles, who gradually closed in, eager to converse.

“Are Mr. Scott Kent and Mr. Ethan Prescott truly from the same village?”

“Goodness, how did you manage to be there when Lord Enoch Cloud experienced his seizure?”

“When did you manifest?”

Questions poured down on Ethan and Scott, who had become the target of those seeking easy entertainment.

****

Bliss had slipped in quietly around the time the Count began his speech, settling on the terrace, far from the crowd. By suppressing his presence, he found a rather comfortable refuge.

‘Where is Ethan?’

Scanning the ballroom, Bliss’s eyes widened when he spotted Ethan standing beside Enoch. Ethan was even more conspicuous than Scott, who was dressed in similar colors.

‘I understand now why I didn’t find him sooner.’

His lustrous, jet-black hair was neatly styled, fully exposing his blue eyes, and a perfectly tailored designer suit fell smoothly along the line of his straight back. For Bliss, who remembered Ethan in comfortable t-shirts from their rural village, this utterly transformed appearance was somewhat shocking.

Enjoying Ethan’s changed appearance, Bliss leaned against a shadowed pillar. Enoch’s announcement drifted to his ears. Being bothered by crowds was something he thoroughly detested. Since Huey Cloud and Devon Green were not yet visible, he had deliberately chosen the terrace, planning to make his entrance at the right moment to support Enoch when they arrived. However, the more he listened to the announcement, the more a strange unease settled over him.

“What are you doing, Enoch Cloud?”

Just as Bliss pressed his temples, a flicker of irritation crossing his face, Huey Cloud and Devon Green appeared. Bliss crossed his arms, waiting for the opportune moment, when he noticed the groups beginning to divide. The noblewomen, in particular, subtly started to surround Ethan and Scott. Unconsciously, Bliss took a step or two out from behind the pillar, revealing himself in the ballroom.

“Lord Bliss!”

“Oh, we didn’t realize you had arrived!”

“How is it that you’re here? I heard about the contract His Grace, Marquis Douglas, secured recently.”

“Are you experiencing a headache? That’s quite serious.”

“You must find a Guide as soon as possible.”

“I have a Guide daughter. She’s a bit young, but she possesses a water aptitude, so perhaps a matching test…”

“I heard the Marchioness is seeking Guide young ladies.”

‘Ha.’

Bliss’s face hardened. His relentless mother, it seemed, had shifted her strategy to finding a female Guide from a noble family. Relatives from the Cloud family, who had marriageable daughters, flocked around him, effectively forming three large groups in the ballroom.

Ethan’s face, belonging to the most troublesome of these groups, turned pale. The noblewomen were subtly linking Scott and him together. Though the conversation wasn’t entirely inaudible, Enoch, feigning engagement with his brother, made no effort to correct the misunderstanding directed at Ethan.

“Uh, Ethan is just my friend. Enoch’s Guide is me.”

Scott, sensing the abnormality, also tried to explain.

“Oh, really? We’ll keep that in mind.”

They nodded, claiming to understand, but their eyes betrayed no such comprehension.

‘Damn it, at this rate, I’ll be branded as the silver-haired monster’s Guide, completely helpless.’

Chewing on his lip, Ethan turned his head at a stinging gaze from somewhere. There, he saw a pair of blue and gray odd eyes, belonging to Bliss, who had appeared at some unknown moment.

Bliss, enduring the throbbing in his head and the needle-like pricks that fragmented his entire body, spoke in an emotionless voice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I am not Lord Enoch’s Guide.”

‘I want to give that silver-haired monster a big middle finger.’ As of today, he was saddled with an unwanted ‘Guide’ label, like a tail he couldn’t shake. At the very least, he keenly felt that these noblewomen were far more cunning than Aunt Mary from his village. He needed a greater power, something that would silence these noblewomen, something that would render matching rates and all other trivialities utterly moot.

In the fleeting moment their gazes met.

“I am merely here today to claim my Guide.”

“I am Lord Bliss’s Guide!”

In a surge of defiant exasperation, an impromptu pact was struck.

“…!!!”

“That’s, that’s impossible…”

Scott’s eyes, which he thought couldn’t get any wider, bulged like saucers.

“Bliss’s Guide?”

Enoch Cloud’s and Devon Green’s faces twisted into a satisfying grimace.

‘”Hey! You idiotic blockhead! I knew your temper would get you into trouble, but not like this!”‘

Dongja, who had resolved not to speak for at least a month, bellowed in exasperation.