Chapter 45: Ch 45: I am not trying anything wrong

Noah finally got time to relax once the trio returned to their classes. But his body still hurt too much for him to relax.

His training allowed Noah to brave the pain, but he was currently acting like a B-class guide. Normal people in his condition were usually not good at handling pain. So that meant that Noah was supposed to complain about being in pain.

Luckily for Noah, he was a great actor, and after watching over a hundred documentaries (movies), he was ready to play his part.

The second Riku walked into the room, Noah decided to complain.

"Doctor, it hurts too much. Can’t you give me something for the pain?"

Noah asked, feeling ready to hear the doctor curse at him and tell him to brave through the pain. That was what the doctors back at the labs would have him do to build a pain tolerance.

He watched with keen eyes as Riku walked over to him, but instead of grabbing his face and telling him to endure, he pushed a small pill against Noah’s lips.

"You must have a godly pain tolerance for being able to still be conscious. Or maybe you are one of those freaks who enjoy pain? Anyway, suck on this and it will make you feel better. If you feel like sleeping, then don’t hold back either. Just close your eyes and do it, alright?"

’Tsk, who in the world enjoys pain? And even if I do enjoy it, it’s not this kind of pain!’

Riku’s instructions were different from what Noah expected, but he did not say anything or complain about what he was thinking.

Instead, he accepted the sweetness of the candy. The care made him feel a little warm inside, and he realized that he had never felt this comfortable in a medical wing before.

Usually, coming to the medical wing meant that it was time for experiments and results. And the scientists in the lab were never gentle with him.

Noah knew that it was not his fault that he was treated like that, but after a while, it was just better to become numb to it all.

’This is...not good. I should...stay awake for a bit longer...’

But his body was starting to shut down, and he realized that the candy he had been given had a strong sleeping medicine mixed into it.

Noah would have usually been able to fight the medicine off, but not this time. Soon, he fell asleep once more.

...

’Finally, he’s asleep. Now I can focus on taking his readings.’

A person was at their most vulnerable when they were asleep, and Noah was no exception. So this was the perfect time to take his vitals and check on the power he was hiding.

Riku knew that this was a breach of trust, and if Noah were to find out, then he would likely never want to speak to him again.

But Riku was still curious, and he could throw his morals away if it meant he would get his answers. And if Noah turned out to be a high-class guide...then what?

What was he willing to accomplish? It was not like his deceased guide would come back. Nor was he scum enough to make someone 15 years younger than him his partner.

All this would do was put Noah in danger due to a physical record of his powers existing. And yet, he had to take this chance.

"This is for research. I just need to confirm that what I felt was right."

His grip tightened around Noah’s wrist, and his hand shook as he drew some blood. But his hand refused to move even after he was done.

The faint trace of that addictive guiding was calling out to him, telling him that he could take as much as he needed.

Noah was like a honeypot that did not mind giving as much as you needed. But unlike most honeypots, this one felt endless, like you could keep taking and never feel empty.

’Just a little bit! I just need a little bit more, and then I can-’

Knock

"Doctor Riku, are you in? We need to see Student Noah. Please wake him up so that we can discuss the situation. We also need him to sign some papers."

There was urgent knocking at his door, which made the doctor snap out of his daze. And once he realized what he had been doing, he quickly stepped back and let out a groan.

"Ugh, what did I almost do? Have I lost my mind? How could I almost assault someone 15 years younger than me?"

He questioned himself, but he already knew the answer in his heart.

It was because Noah felt addictive. His guiding was attractive, and unlike most guides, he did not put up any resistance.

He was the perfect guide anyone could think of, with only one flaw—his class. But Riku’s instincts were telling him that it was all a facade.

"Doctor, please open up!"

The banging grew more insistent until Riku had no choice but to head out and check on it.

He opened the door, only to see the teacher in charge of the drills standing there with an annoyed expression.

"What are you doing here? If you are here to disturb my patient, then come back later."

Riku felt protective of Noah. But more than that, he was suspicious of his fellow teacher.

He knew from experience that no one in this school facility was a decent person, and that included him. But unlike him, who had rare powers and was here out of necessity rather than by choice, the others were firm believers in the academy’s system and beliefs.

It was a given for espers since these rules favored them, but what surprised Riku were the guides.

The teachers who were selected firmly believed that their oppression during their academy days helped them build character and learn their place.

And even now, they often bent over backward for those who had powerful abilities or were espers.

It was disgusting, but this was the kind of world this academy was.

’But it’s not like the outside is any different. In the end, only those deemed worthy survive and make it big. The others get buried under the rubble.’