Does Spring Come Even for a Dying Esper

The main act in level 2 guiding is kissing.

In modern society, guiding is basically divided into 4 levels, with level 1 – which Lucas and Iberis are currently doing – involving hand-holding and hugging.

Level 2 guiding goes further, allowing kissing and slightly more intimate physical contact. Level 3 guiding involves foreplay-focused sexual activities excluding penetration, which is when the level of physical contact significantly increases.

The final level 4 is sexual intercourse, commonly called sex. While it used to be the most common method in the past, now it’s absolutely forbidden without the consent of both the Esper and Guide.

Perhaps because of this, even when Espers and Guides agree to go beyond level 1, they usually stop at level 2 or 3 guiding. However, some classify guiding into just 3 levels, arguing that the boundaries between levels 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 are ambiguous.

This is because kissing can often lead to more intimate touching when excited, and mutual caressing can unexpectedly progress to full intercourse. Conversely, some countries and institutions strictly divide the acts into hand-holding, hugging, kissing, caressing, etc.

Regardless of how it’s classified, it’s undeniable that from level 2 guiding onwards, more intimate and sexual acts take place. It’s also well-known that higher levels of physical contact increase the effectiveness of guiding.

For this reason, guiding beyond level 1 is still often performed depending on the Esper’s physical condition. Some even argue that simply pressing bodies together is easier, faster, and more efficient than the delicate mana control required in level 1 guiding.

In fact, Lucas knew that level 2 or higher guiding would be more effective given Iberis’s physical condition. Yet he stuck to level 1 guiding because he was confident in his abilities. He had never failed at guiding since becoming a Defense Force guide.

That’s why he confidently declared to Iberis that he would only perform level 1 guiding. Little did he know it would come back to haunt him.

‘I only perform level 1 guiding.’

‘Of course, if level 1 guiding isn’t sufficient, we might have to consider going further… but personally, I hope that won’t be necessary.’

‘Unless it’s an emergency, I won’t be performing level 2 or higher guiding.’

Lucas winced as he recalled his words to Iberis on his first day. In hindsight, it seemed incredibly arrogant and presumptuous.

“This has become troublesome…”

Lucas massaged his throbbing temples and rubbed his face. His insistence on level 1 guiding wasn’t due to being a premarital purity advocate as he had claimed to Iberis, but stemmed from his determination not to form any attachments until he avenged his parents.

Lucas knew well that sharing warmth and intimacy naturally leads to emotional bonds. Hadn’t he already grown quite fond of Iberis in just a month?

The more intimate the contact, the higher the chances of a peculiar emotion sprouting between Esper and Guide. He had seen countless cases of romantic entanglements while working at the central headquarters over the past few years.

Of course, there was also a strong aversion to performing lover-like acts with someone he didn’t love. For Lucas, who grew up watching his happily married parents, sexual contact was something to be shared only with a loved one.

That’s why Lucas chose to draw a clear line from the start. Claiming to be a premarital purity advocate was a good excuse to keep people at bay. Fortunately, being an S-class Guide, level 1 guiding had been more than sufficient so far. In fact, it was often excessive. Most Espers who received guiding from Lucas expressed strong satisfaction.

Moreover, there were frequent cases of Espers who were overly attracted to Lucas’s appearance and skills, making advances on him. Although less common than before, there were still many ability users with sexually open tendencies, and Lucas was subject to numerous temptations.

Naturally, he cut off not only passionate confessions but even simple expressions of interest towards him with a single stroke. His attitude was resolute, as if not wanting to give even the slightest opening. Sometimes this behavior provoked Espers into abnormal obsessions, but fortunately, there hadn’t been any serious problems so far.

But now, for the first time in his guiding career, Lucas had hit a wall. He had met someone for whom level 1 guiding was not enough.

“What should I do?”

Unable to find direction, Lucas chewed on his lower lip. A feeling akin to defeat crept up in his chest. He didn’t want to admit that he had failed.

No, to be honest, it was ambiguous to call it a failure. From the start, Lucas had estimated that Iberis’s treatment would take at least half a year. Possibly even a few years.

It had only been a month.

Given that he was treating someone with a terminal diagnosis, and that the treatment wasn’t completely ineffective, there was no need to be impatient yet. If he continued guiding and treatment steadily without wavering, there would surely be signs of improvement.

While thinking this logically, Lucas kept considering moving to level 2 guiding. As if he desperately wanted to cure Iberis quickly.

But he still hesitated. Level 2 guiding meant breaking his resolve to dedicate himself solely to revenge outside of work. There was one more thing bothering him.

‘Level 1 is fine. I’ve never received higher-level guiding myself.’

‘It was prohibited to receive level 2 or higher guiding before becoming an adult… and when I turned 20, there was hardly anyone who could handle me…’

One of the reasons Lucas hesitated to proceed with level 2 or higher guiding was that Iberis had no experience in that area. For different reasons than his own, Iberis, like Lucas, had never kissed anyone or engaged in intimate physical contact.

“How would the Major react if I suggested level 2 guiding?”

Creaking, Lucas sank into his chair and imagined proposing level 2 guiding to Iberis.

Rather than disgust or dislike, he’d probably be flustered. He might roll his eyes, not knowing what to do. Then he’d sigh and say he understood.

A chuckle escaped at the imagined reaction of Iberis. Perhaps because they had seen each other daily and shared various conversations over the past month, Lucas could surprisingly well picture Iberis’s response.

“It feels somewhat like pricking my conscience…”

Iberis Hyun. Lucas wrote Iberis’s name on a blank paper with his fountain pen. Although they were the same age and Iberis was his superior, Lucas sometimes felt as if Iberis was younger than him. It was probably due to his youthful appearance and the occasional display of innocence.

‘I’ve never been on a trip. During my time in the special investigation team, I visited some countries like the U.S. and Germany for missions, but I never had time for leisurely sightseeing…’

‘Could you tell me more about Korea?’

‘A university festival… that must have been fun. On TV, it seems medical students only live in the library, but I guess that’s not always the case?’

Having lived in the slums of the defense zone as a child and grown up in the Defense Force after awakening, Iberis’s world was very narrow. Lucas had many conversations with him during their weekly psychological counseling sessions. Recently, these sessions had turned into times where Lucas would share various stories with Iberis.

Initially, it was an attempt to open up Iberis’s heart, but Iberis showed more interest than expected, so Lucas couldn’t help it. As they talked, new information or inner thoughts would unconsciously emerge, making it difficult to stop.

Through these casual conversations, Lucas learned that Iberis was incredibly pure and naive for his age. While he was as cold as an ice sculpture that wouldn’t bleed even if pricked with a needle when fighting monsters or giving orders to his subordinates, in other aspects, he was as soft as a fluffy cotton doll.

“A kiss…”

Level 2 guiding, kissing, or acts beyond that. Lucas scribbled random words on the paper while fidgeting with his own lips with his other hand.

Iberis’s small lips always had white flakes or dark scabs on them. Thanks to applying medical lip balm whenever possible over the past few weeks, they had improved a lot, but they quickly dried out, probably due to his cold body.

Still, they were softer and more pliable than expected.

Lucas recalled applying lip balm to Iberis’s slack lips after finishing guiding a few days ago. As he remembered the sensation of the rough skin becoming soft and moist under his fingertips, a strange thirst arose within him. If those cold, dry lips were to become warm and moist…

What am I thinking just now?

Lucas, who had been unconsciously wetting his lower lip with his tongue, suddenly stopped. As if reflecting his surprise, a black line streaked across the white paper with a scratching sound. Ink from the fountain pen, which had stopped abruptly, spread out, creating black droplets.