Does Spring Come Even for a Dying Esper

He looks even younger in person.

Lucas’s first impression of Iberis was that he looked even more youthful than in the documents he had seen. Before coming here, he had thoroughly investigated Iberis with the help of Lieutenant General Bismarck. It was only natural to understand the Esper and patient he would be taking care of.

Fortunately, there was an abundance of information about Iberis. As S-class Espers were valuable assets to the Defense Force, the Central Intelligence Agency had meticulously recorded his physical condition and activities.

Among these were quite a few videos of Iberis using his abilities to fight monsters and photos taken at military events. The medical records from the military hospital were also impeccably detailed.

Thanks to this, Lucas had learned a lot about Iberis in just a week. However, meeting him in person gave a different impression.

Belying his age of twenty-five, Iberis boasted a much more boyish appearance than Lucas had seen in videos and photos. Even considering that Asians tend to look younger than Westerners, he didn’t look like he could be the same age at all. Early twenties at most?

However, contrary to his young and gentle appearance, the aura surrounding Iberis was cool and sharp. Lucas sensed in him the unique energy of a soldier who had been through thick and thin.

…This won’t be easy.

Lucas inwardly clicked his tongue as he met the transparent eyes gazing at him steadily. He read wariness towards himself in Iberis’s gaze.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Iberis Hyun.”

While Lucas was evaluating his superior officer and future Esper, Iberis was also sizing up the man who had come to be his guide and primary physician. He didn’t trust Lieutenant General Bismarck. Although he had received a lot of help from him when he reported Livio, that wasn’t reason enough to trust Winfried.

He might be a good person both officially and personally, but there must be some reason for sending Lucas. Even if there wasn’t a specific purpose, he must have judged that saving Iberis, who was terminally ill, would be beneficial to him.

So Iberis wasn’t pleased with Lucas’s appointment. For this reason, as soon as he received the official document, he had Brenda investigate Lucas, but they didn’t find out as much as expected.

Luke Illum. 25 years old. Captain in the World Defense Force. Position: Military Doctor and Guide.

A distant relative of Lieutenant General Bismarck and a young master from a noble family in England. Lost his parents in a dungeon break accident in England during childhood and was taken in by the Lieutenant General.

Awakened as a guide in his early teens, but being intelligent as well, he skipped grades repeatedly and entered medical school early. Following the wishes of his legal guardian, the Lieutenant General, he enlisted in the Defense Force a few years ago…

The background of Lucas written in Brenda’s report was barely scratching the surface. In the end, Iberis accessed the internal military network to look for records.

But even there, he didn’t gain much. Most of the information about Lucas was restricted. Given that even Iberis, a Major, couldn’t access it, it seemed someone higher up had intervened.

Iberis easily guessed who had placed the access restrictions. It must have been Winfried, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. Naturally, his wariness towards Lucas increased further.

While it was understandable that an exceptionally rare S-class guide, sponsored by Lieutenant General Bismarck since childhood and scouted with special provisions to be groomed as his successor, would receive special treatment, it still felt unsettling.

In the end, Iberis concluded that he had no choice but to meet and assess Lucas in person. Whatever Lieutenant General Bismarck’s intentions might be, if he noticed anything even slightly amiss, he planned to send Lucas straight back to central headquarters.

So today, facing Lucas, Iberis’s impression was that this man was not to be taken lightly, either on the surface or beneath.

He’s beautiful and handsome.

Iberis unconsciously admired the appearance of the man standing before him. While it’s not good to judge others by their looks, Lucas had an impressive appearance that anyone would acknowledge.

It was common for Espers and Guides to have more attractive appearances than ordinary people. This tendency became more pronounced with higher ranks.

Some argued that this was because ability users were evolved humans. They claimed that upon awakening their abilities, their appearance and physique changed to the most ideal form for them. Whatever the reason, Lucas’s appearance captivated Iberis’s gaze, befitting his reputation as an S-class guide.

Hair that shimmered softly as if woven from starlight, deep and neat eyes, a straight and well-defined nose bridge, moist lips with a healthy complexion, and an elegant jawline.

Overall, the man had distinct yet subtly soft features. Lucas’s appearance was so extraordinary that even Iberis, who had met countless Espers and Guides, unconsciously admired it.

“I’m Luke Illum.”

Lucas calmly introduced himself using his alias and saluted. Then he extended his hand to Iberis without hesitation.

“…!”

Iberis’s eyes trembled slightly at Lucas’s action of initiating a handshake. For the first time since their encounter, a crack appeared in his calm expression.

“Major?”

Lucas called out to Iberis with a puzzled voice as he just stared at his outstretched hand. Shaking hands after reporting for duty was a greeting that meant “let’s get along well from now on.”

“Ah.”

Iberis blinked as if coming to his senses at Lucas’s call, his small lips moving as if to say something. But he soon closed his mouth again and slowly raised his hand. It was a very careful movement with a slight hesitation.

“Welcome to our unit.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

Lucas slightly raised an eyebrow at Iberis’s action of gently grasping his hand without removing his gloves. By his standards, it was clearly a breach of etiquette.

But having just been assigned, it wasn’t his place to freely criticize the behavior of the superior officer he would be serving.

Lucas swallowed the words that had risen to his throat and respectfully grasped Iberis’s hand.

Flinch.

At that moment, Iberis’s shoulders visibly trembled. He stared at their perfectly overlapped hands with a strange expression. The silver-gray eyes visible between his long lashes quivered slightly. He seemed somewhat confused.

“Is something wrong?”

Lucas, who hadn’t missed Iberis’s reaction, carefully asked. As he gently applied pressure to their joined hands, the thin shoulders flinched again.

“Major?”

“Ah… um, no, it’s… are you alright?”

Finally, Iberis’s gaze left their joined hands. Slowly withdrawing his hand, he examined Lucas’s face as if searching for something. His slightly furrowed brow seemed to express concern for Lucas.

“…I’m fine.”

Lucas, not understanding the meaning of the question, answered curtly. Then he twitched an eyebrow at the follow-up question.

“Your hand doesn’t feel cold or prickly?”

Iberis asked again, seemingly not reassured by the “fine” response. This time the question was more specific.

Was it cold? Lucas briefly pondered, lightly clenching and unclenching the hand he had used to shake Iberis’s. He had felt a slight coolness, but as Iberis said, his hand didn’t feel cold or prickly.

“No, it doesn’t.”

“…Is that so?”

Iberis still seemed half in doubt despite Lucas’s answer. He couldn’t help it; for the past few years, everyone who shook hands with him had similar unpleasant reactions. They were usually surprised or intrigued by Iberis’s lower-than-average body temperature. Some even felt pain from the cold mana that naturally leaked out.

For this reason, Iberis never initiated handshakes when meeting someone. Keeping his gloves on was also his way of being considerate to others.

Meanwhile, Lucas recalled Iberis’s characteristics and finally understood his reaction. He remembered what he had read in the file summarizing the testimonies of guides who had guided Iberis.

“I have rather dull senses, so I don’t feel cold or pain very well. There’s no need to worry.”

“…You have dull senses?”

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

Iberis nodded slightly at Lucas’s explanation. He thought it might be less about dull senses and more about Lucas being less affected by his mana as an S-class guide, but it didn’t matter either way.

It was warm.

Iberis gazed down at his own hand, recalling the warmth he had just felt. It had been a very long time since he had properly felt someone else’s warmth. Quickly composing his expression, he looked back at Lucas. His gaze was considerably less wary than before.

“You must be tired from your long journey, so unpack and rest well in the quarters today. I understand your adjutant, Second Lieutenant Caleb Denver, was also assigned with you…”

“That’s correct. He’s waiting outside right now.”

“Hmm, tell him to come in. Once the lieutenant’s transfer report is complete, Lieutenant Cali will guide you both to your quarters. You can also hear from her about our unit’s regulations while you’re at it…”

“No, I don’t need rest.”

Lucas gently cut off Iberis’s words and looked directly at him as he spoke.

“Before unpacking, I’d like to examine you, Major.”