Chapter 79: The All-Type Guide

Doctor Sera, with Ethan and Bliss seated before her, picked up a tablet chart and offered a faint smile.

“So, both of you,” she began, “have you been adhering to my instructions regarding physical intimacy?”

“Of course.”

Bliss’s immediate, unhesitating reply was utterly brazen. Doctor Sera, seemingly having anticipated such a response, maintained her gentle smile.

“And there have been no incidents?”

“If you’re referring to the incident at the banquet—”

Before Bliss could even finish his sentence, Sera shook her head.

“No, I’ve already been informed of that by Philip. You both know precisely what I’m referring to, don’t you?”

Her tone implied there would be no subtle evasion. Above their heads, Dongja floated, tattling loudly toward Sera in a voice only certain individuals could hear.

[They did it?! Wow, two dark-haired men, all tangled up, and both of them were stiff! What exactly is so good about that?]

Ethan’s and Bliss’s gazes simultaneously shot upward, fixed on the empty air. Sera followed their line of sight, yet saw nothing but an expanse of vacant space. She instinctively rubbed her arm over her clothes, then tapped her tablet chart impatiently with her pen.

“Since the banquet… there have been a few kisses…”

Ethan’s eyes rolled evasively as he reluctantly offered his reply. Doctor Sera, maintaining an impeccably professional demeanor, was their attending physician, making honest disclosure paramount. Yet, Dongja’s incessant chatter from above completely shattered the serious atmosphere Sera had attempted to cultivate, rendering further confession an agonizing task.

“Progress has gone beyond kissing, but not yet to s*x.”

At Bliss’s calm, even voice, Ethan’s face flushed crimson. Dongja, letting out an “Oh dear!” of exaggerated surprise, began to grumble.

[What a guy. What a guy, indeed. How utterly boring!]

“Lord Bliss, the guiding you received from Ethan during both the banquet and garden incidents was exclusively through mucosal contact via kissing, meaning Ethan himself did not directly initiate the guiding, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“So, even as your physical intimacy progressed further, Ethan still hasn’t directly initiated any guiding?”

“Yes…”

Doctor Sera, who had been diligently filling out the blanks on her tablet, abruptly paused, her pen hovering as her eyes gleamed with sudden insight.

“Then, shall we take some measurements first? The test device I’ve brought hasn’t received official approval yet, but it’s imminent, so I don’t foresee any issues. I’m keen to check the difference in your matching rates before and after Lord Bliss initiates the imprinting phenomenon with Ethan.”

“I think it’s an excellent idea. Ethan, what are your thoughts?”

“I don’t mind at all. However, if we proceed with the test, won’t it also reveal my multiple affinities?”

Doctor Sera nodded confidently.

“Of course. We managed to analyze the gwi remaining on a mere piece of cloth; if Ethan himself participates, it will naturally be revealed. However, for public tests, I’ll adjust the machine slightly so it doesn’t recognize all general affinities. Since this is just between us, I’d like to see the full scope. After all, is there truly anyone in this house who remains unaware that Ethan possesses multiple affinities…?”

There was.

“Maxon Ancaster.”

At Bliss’s words, Sera, who had been poised to execute her plan without hesitation, suddenly encountered an unexpected obstacle. She began to argue, clearly displeased by this unforeseen complication.

“Lord Bliss, if you’ve decided to bring in the third son of the almost forgotten Ancaster family—a golden-eyed Ancaster, no less—haven’t you considered Ethan’s guiding to some extent? Frankly, I find it hard to believe he possesses a unique trait that responds only to multi-type Guides. His purported amplification ability is equally dubious.”

“It is, indeed, difficult to believe. He himself has only heard whispers of it, never truly experiencing it, which naturally fuels his skepticism. Yet, I considered this a far better approach than allowing him to recklessly charge at Devon Green, attempting to touch him without thought, as he did with Ethan, all in a desperate bid to resolve his doubts.”

“Well, that prince would likely choose to accept an Esper with a truly amplifying unique trait over tolerating such random, rude advances. Ethan, what are your thoughts on this?”

Ethan chuckled softly, observing Bliss, who was subtly gauging his reaction. It was almost touching to witness this man, whose expressions were usually so guarded, fully reveal his emotions each time—a sight that never failed to move Ethan.

“I was completely unaware that Maxon’s abilities would amplify if he received my guiding. I only learned of it much later, but personally, I’d like to believe that assertion is true. After all, it’s supposedly recorded that Princess Anna Green’s very first Esper was a golden-eyed Ancaster.”

Doctor Sera shook her head, a clear gesture of dismissal.

“While the golden eyes are accurate, the records concerning the Ancaster family are riddled with too many peculiar entries. It’s almost on par with the lore surrounding the Han Dynasty, I’d say. From my perspective as both an Esper-Guide researcher and a medical professional, the Ancaster family’s traits are nothing more than a series of mutations. Yet, they’ve introduced superstitions like ‘Divine Tree’ to romanticize them.”

“‘Divine Tree?'”

Ethan’s eyes widened, startled by the utterly unexpected term. Doctor Sera, however, merely offered a dismissive shrug.

“I heard about it ages ago, but I don’t recall the specifics. There’s so much nonsensical talk surrounding it, and I have no desire to delve back into it. Frankly, seeing the two of you lately has nearly shattered my scientific convictions. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to simply ask Maxon himself? But more pressing, I wish to return to our crucial decision.”

Her intense gaze, practically vibrating with urgency, implored them to make a swift decision, as though she longed to rush off and prepare for the test at once. Ethan decided to heed her counsel.

“If my multi-type status isn’t revealed, Maxon can remain a general Guard, effectively avoiding unwanted public attention. Should he receive my guiding in an emergency, his abilities would suddenly swell. We can’t keep such a formidable ally completely on our side while concealing this forever. Frankly, Bliss, isn’t that precisely why you’re keeping him close to me under the guise of friendship? However, to achieve an amplification effect, rather than mere pain reduction, I would have to guide him directly.”

“We’ll simply ensure a situation requiring direct guiding never arises.”

Ethan let out a short, audible laugh at the forced compromise, one that Bliss himself seemed far from pleased with. The moment both men agreed, Doctor Sera sprang to her feet.

“This will be a historic day!” she declared. “Both of you, could you please come down to the laboratory in a couple of hours?!”

As she rushed out, her cheeks flushed with excitement, Bliss’s head turned towards the spot where the voice had originated just moments before. Dongja, unseen by him, scoffed.

[Hey, I’m not there anymore.]

“It seems the effect of an entire cake doesn’t even last for more than a few days.”

As Bliss mumbled, Ethan nodded vigorously, conveying his profound agreement.

“Precisely. There’s simply no need to be overly kind to them. It’s not as if I haven’t attempted various approaches myself. While not on Bliss’s grand scale, I’ve certainly tried numerous smaller tactics.”

“Is there truly a way to prevent that rascal, Yuwol, from appearing?”

Ethan sighed, a long, lamenting sound.

“Bliss, these aren’t abilities Espers possess; they are literal ghosts. While they cling to me as ‘guardian spirits,’ their methods and intensity for ‘protecting me’ are entirely at their discretion. That’s precisely why incidents like the one in the royal garden occurred.”

[Samwol did well! Except for making water gush from the unperforated penis of a statue.]

Bliss chuckled softly at Ethan’s suddenly contorted face, then gently caressed it.

“I’ll have to devise another approach.”

“Actually, if the Ghost General, Palwol, were to manifest, everything would be fine…”

Startled by a strange sensation that swept through his entire body, announcing Palwol’s presence as if they had been waiting just to be called, Bliss instinctively deployed a Shadow Field to scan his surroundings. He clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.

“Dongja would be preferable.”

“Exactly. That’s precisely why I feel this way,” Ethan mumbled weakly.

****

The test was conducted in an underground laboratory, specifically outfitted with the necessary equipment.

“Doctor Sera,” Captain Chase began, having arrived in a hurry. “This device is military equipment and, prior to official approval, it ought to remain within the Antares Unit for inspection.”

Bliss’s aide, Captain Chase, having rushed to the scene after receiving the call, mumbled his protest. Yet, despite his recitation of formal regulations, his eyes gleamed with an unwavering resolve not to miss a single moment of the proceedings.

“Precisely. That’s why I summoned you, using the convenient excuse that you can retrieve it once today’s checks are complete.”

“Cleverly done. However, the device does appear somewhat different.”

“This equipment was developed by Moore Corp, so it naturally won’t be identical to the center’s. It’s merely designed for slightly easier operation than the standard center equipment, yet all the criteria and standards upheld by the center have been fully integrated.”

Bliss handed Ethan the data he’d received from Philip, which detailed Violet’s and Milo’s test results, knowing Ethan’s curiosity. Then, he placed a hand firmly on Maxon’s shoulder, who stood rigid and tense, frozen in a daze.

“Ah!”

Maxon, startled enough to practically leap at the mere touch on his shoulder, directed his gaze towards Ethan, who was, at that moment, examining the unfamiliar device while discussing Doctor Sera and Milo.

“Ethan could be my Guide, you know.”

“No. Ethan is *my* Guide. And you, Maxon, are an Ancaster who doesn’t require a Guide.”

Bliss corrected him with an unwavering tone, effectively blocking Maxon’s view. Maxon tried to twist his head to see Ethan, but Bliss effortlessly and naturally obstructed him, delivering a stern warning.

“Let me reiterate: be a proper friend to Ethan. I would appreciate it if you maintained that position. I already find it difficult enough to tolerate Ethan guiding Hans, who is family.”

Maxon’s eyes narrowed into angry slits as his attempts to peer around Bliss’s large frame were repeatedly thwarted.

“No matter what you say, it doesn’t feel real. Last time, I went to all that trouble, even causing a commotion, just to hold Ethan’s wrist, and I felt nothing at all.”

“Lord Bliss! Please come over here!”

Doctor Sera called to him. Bliss, still wearing a reluctant expression, turned his body and let a final remark slip.

“We’ll see about that.”

The capsule’s cover slid open smoothly, revealing its interior.

“Lord Ethan, we’ll begin with the affinity compatibility test. I believe the official matching test will also include an affinity test, so I want to follow that procedure. Although for the public test, we’ll adjust it to only show reactions to rare affinities, for now, between us, I want to see everything. For this first part, only you need to enter the capsule, Lord Ethan.”

As Ethan entered and lay down, the cover closed, and a water-like liquid began to fill the capsule. The capsule slowly ascended into the air, tilting as several robotic arms simultaneously extended, connecting various lines to it.

Despite having heard the explanation, the liquid steadily filling the capsule evoked a terrifying sensation of drowning. As Ethan held his breath, watching the capsule fill, Doctor Sera, operating the system from behind the safety wall of Ekaneum and thick special glass with the researchers, opened the microphone connected to the capsule.

[Ethan, it’s alright. You can breathe inside. Don’t think of it as water; just slowly inhale.]

Still overcome with fear, Ethan resisted until he could no longer hold his breath and began to struggle. Suddenly, he found himself breathing.

Ethan, who had squeezed his eyes shut, slowly opened them. He felt like a fish in an aquarium, but he was undeniably breathing. Through the transparent capsule cover, he could see researchers busily moving about.

[Lord Ethan, if you can hear me, please wave your hand.]

Ethan waved his hand as instructed, and Maxon, mirroring him, also waved. A laugh escaped Ethan, though no sound was produced.

[You can even take a comfortable nap if you like. Just try not to snore. Are you ready to retract Oweol’s shield now?]

Doctor Sera’s lighthearted joke eased Ethan’s tension considerably. He curled his fingers into an ‘OK’ sign, retracted Oweol’s shield, and closed his eyes once more.

“Physical affinity reaction test commencing!”

With the researcher’s report, a faint light shimmered along the lines connected to the list of physical affinities. After about three minutes, lights illuminated next to the list.

[Fire]

[Water]

[Ice]

“As expected, a multi-type. To think he even possesses a water affinity.”

Philip’s delight was genuine, but Doctor Sera and Captain Chase stared intently at the list.

[Wind] [Electricity] [Shield] [Psychokinesis] [Camouflage] [Teleportation]…

Subsequently, the blinking green lights continued, illuminating every entry on the physical affinity list before finally ceasing.

“Now, mental affinity reaction test commencing.”

The researcher stammered.

After a long while, the monitor displayed a massive message, all lights illuminated across the physical, mental, rare, and miscellaneous categories, plunging everyone into silence. Maxon’s gaze lingered slightly longer on ‘Interference’ among them, but with all affinities lit up, it was no longer surprising that Ethan also possessed an interference-type affinity.

[MULTI : ALL TYPE]

“M-My goodness.”

Someone’s faint murmur broke the heavy atmosphere, allowing everyone to breathe again. Doctor Sera and the research team, with a sense of trepidation, attached the connecting line between Bliss’s capsule and Ethan’s, then began the matching test. However, the matching rate for the two, who hadn’t even imprinted, astonishingly came out to be 81%.

Despite the astounding number, Bliss did not smile.

“Lord Bliss, I think it might be best to postpone the imprinting…”

Doctor Sera cautiously advised. An All-Type Guide! The term ‘All-Type Guide’ was something found only in fairy tales, like the story of the Han Dynasty’s first king, who was said to be an All-Type Guide. Even Devon Green was not an All-Type Guide. Naturally, they had assumed Ethan would be similar and had planned to adjust the test device to only react to ‘rare affinities.’ If they had done so, it would have created a bizarre and suspicious situation where he appeared to possess all rare affinities.

It was already uncommon for a Guide to have Shadow as an affinity, yet they were in a situation where they had to manipulate the machine. And then, an 81% matching rate? It was enough to turn the Empire upside down.

Since the matching rate was bound to increase if Bliss imprinted on Ethan, Doctor Sera’s advice was entirely reasonable.

Bliss Moore, who had observed and experienced this entire situation, issued a quiet command.

“Manipulate it.”

“……”

Ah. He clearly wouldn’t compromise on the imprinting. Captain Chase clutched the back of his neck for the first time in a while. Resignation settled in the eyes of the researchers, who would have to practically dismantle and reassemble the machine for an unprecedented manipulation to reduce the displayed value.