The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]
Chapter 89: She’s Your... What?

Chapter 89: She’s Your... What?

The issue still weighed heavily on Lane’s mind when he returned to the Association Headquarters as Xavier for his compatibility testing appointments. How could it not? Damien, who already had been a dangerous variable ever since that moment in the Restricted Zone, suddenly became an even more menacing presence... There was no way Lane could just leave it alone.

But what could he do? Eliminate the man?

No... That didn’t seem to be a good idea. Lane dismissed it as quickly as it appeared. Eliminating Damien in any way, shape, or form was completely out of question, because of... reasons.

Yeah, there must have been plenty of reasons. As to what they were, there was no need to be specific, was there? The point was that there were some, so Lane would have to come up with a different solution.

Even though, for the first time in years, he was feeling stuck, with no way out in sight.

"Congratulation! Your matching rate is 72%," the machine operator announced, snapping Lane out of his thoughts. "Would you like me to register you two as a match?"

"Hmm." Lane glanced at the Guide opposite him, a B-ranker around Xavier’s age. There was nothing remotely interesting about her. Not just her looks, but even more so her personality and bearing. He knew her back from his time in the General Staff, and, well, let’s just say they didn’t get along all that well. Of course, it didn’t matter as long as their matching rate was high enough, since they didn’t need to be involved with each other outside of their guiding sessions, but...

"I have one more test scheduled right after this, so perhaps I should try it first?" he suggested, wiping the liquid Mana stone from his hands. "The Guide might have already arrived, so it would be rude to just send them off, don’t you think?"

"...I suppose it should be alright, since the test has already been approved," the operator agreed.

The Guide crumpled the paper towel she used into a ball, tossing it at the bin. It hit the edge and fell on the floor, rolling around a bit and leaving a trail of jelly-like substance behind. Although the woman clearly had seen it, her gaze pausing for a moment, she still chose to ignore it, leaving the testing room without a word.

"Your turn." Her harsh voice drifted from the hallway.

And a moment later, another head popped in. "Um, hello? I am scheduled for a matching rate test..."

Oh?

Lane’s brows lifted up, recognizing another familiar face - even more familiar than the woman before.

Samantha Moore, the timid and clumsy girl he attended the Combat Training with as ’Aidan’ before, entered the room, quietly closing the door.

"Please wash your hands and take a seat, we will start in a minute," the operator said automatically, draining the basin at the top and refilling it with fresh liquid Mana stone.

Soon enough, everything was ready and they started the test. Dipping her hands in the liquid, Samantha activated her ability, her guiding flowing toward Lane...

Before he even heard the loud gasp that escaped the machine operator’s mouth, Lane already knew. She was the one.

"96! 96%!" the operator exclaimed, yelling out loud in shock. "That’s! Almost perfect!"

A wide grin stretched out Lane’s lips. It was a higher compatibility than he ever had with anyone before. And to top it all up, Samantha was such a gorgeous girl... Although he wasn’t planning on hitting up on her - she was a tad too young for that - at least she could serve as an eye candy during their guiding sessions. And perhaps a decent distraction. Because Lane needed it a bit, to take his mind off a certain hot frowny man...

"I will register the two of you as assigned par, is that alright? You can’t really get a better match than that..."

"Ah, yes, of course. As long as the Guide is also fine with it?" Lane glanced at Samantha.

She didn’t raise any objections, only nodding her head. "Yes, please do."

The operator didn’t seem to even pay any attention to them though, already typing the results in the system, as he muttered under his nose, "Damn, I’m so jealous... I want a match like that as well..."

Well, to be fair, their consent wasn’t really needed, it was mostly out of politeness that they were even asked in the first place. It was their job, after all, so they couldn’t reject the assignment without any proper justification. Therefore, if it wasn’t for his test with Samantha being scheduled right after, Lane would have been just paired up with the other Guide.

Luckily, it didn’t come to be. He smiled at Samantha, extending his hand. "Hi, my name is Xavier. Nice to meet you."

"Samantha. Nice to meet you as well." The girl’s hand was smooth and soft, and very tiny, completely enveloped in Lane’s hand. "I look forward to working with you."

"Yeah. About that," Lane paused, pushing the door open before the girl as they walked out of the testing room. "Do you have time now?"

"Yes, why?"

"Do you mind if we have our first guiding session now? You see, I’ve only just returned from a raid this morning..."

Although Lane had received some guiding from Ava back in the lab, it didn’t have any effect on Xavier’s body, which had only received enough to remain stable from the Guides on his team. A bit more was needed for him to truly feel good.

"Oh, of course. Should we go now then?"

"Yes, please!" Lane’s smile instantly widened.

They headed to the Guiding Center together, entering the elevator. Lane’s hand hovered in front of the buttons for a moment. 5th floor was his favorite, as it had the biggest couches... But the last time he was there, was when he had his argument with Damien...

"Xavier?" Samantha tilted her head, looking up at him. "Is there something wrong?"

"Ah, no." Lane shook his head, settling on the 4th floor. "I just spaced out a bit."

The elevator set off, going up for a moment, before opening up with a Ding!

"After you." Lane gestured with his hand, bowing lightly in a gentlemanly fashion. He followed Samantha as she led them to one of the empty rooms...

"Sammy?"

At the sound of the low, mellow voice coming from behind them, Lane instantly faltered in his steps, flinching, his breath halting in his throat.

What was up with today? First running into Miles, and now Damien... Neither of whom he wanted to see, at least not right now. Shaking his head with a sigh, he was just about to turn around...

But then he realized that it wasn’t him whom Damien called.

And... ’Sammy’?

He couldn’t help but glance at Samantha with curiosity.

Samantha was already facing Damien though. "Oh, hi! What are you doing here?"

"I’ve just had a guiding session with Elly. What about you?" Even though Damien’s question was seemingly directed at Samantha, his gaze shifted to Lane, piercing and inquisitive.

"Uh, hello, Team Leader." Lane cleared his throat. "It’s, uh, nice to see you again. I didn’t know the two of you knew each other?"

"Yes, well. She’s my sister."

Lane nodded his head in understanding. "Ah, your... what?" Damien’s words only now seemed to have fully reached him. Stunned speechless, his eyes widened, shifting between the two. "She’s your what?"