Friendship benefits

Zephyr held the glass of water that Lucien suddenly placed in his hands.

Since Lucien had introduced himself with his name, he hadn't said another word to him—and Zephyr couldn't help but wonder: did that make them at least friends now?

But then again, did simply knowing someone's name make them friends?

Zephyr had rarely, if ever, had any friends.

Back in school, the few who did introduce themselves vanished soon after, once they realized he was no fun—just a quiet, boring bookworm who spent all his time studying, yet still managed to score the lowest.

And in prison, making friends was nearly impossible. The inmates were too hostile. He had tried a few times to befriend them, but every attempt just ended in a fight.

Well, at least he learned how to fight.

He brought the glass of water to his lips, his thoughts swirling. Did Lucien not like him? Was it because he was too ugly?

Back when he could still see, he knew he looked… good enough. But maybe all that time in prison had changed everything.

Zephyr knew that once he recovered, he would be sent back to prison. After all, he still had two years left before his sentence was complete. That's why… he wanted to learn more about Lucien, so that when he found a way to get out, he could find him.

He liked him. That was already clear. He wanted to stay close to him, if possible.

His thoughts came to a halt when Lucien finally spoke again. Instantly, every sense he had zeroed in on the sweet voice to his right, where someone had just sat down.

"My name is not Cien. It is Lucien."

Zephyr blinked at him, the lashes framing his eyes casting faint shadows. At last, he could finally tell the difference between the whisper echoing in his mind and the words Lucien was actually speaking aloud.

Lucien was lying—Zephyr could tell, thanks to the small portion of information related to his passive lie-detecting skill he had just managed to process from the vast data the Gaya system had transferred into his head.

Still, Zephyr nodded along with him. If Lucien wanted him to believe it, then he would. He had just awakened, after all—who knew if his skills were accurate?

"Oh… I see."

Lucien stared at his face, thoughtful.

He did not actually mind hearing his real name—if anything, he kind of liked it. And Zephyr's voice… was oddly pleasant.

He cleared his throat.

"Still, you can call me Cien."

Zephyr's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Okay… Cien."

Lucien's eyebrow twitched. Was it just him, or did the way Zephyr articulated his name just now sound far too affectionate...?

"Anyway, I am not a healer-type Esper."

"I'm a Guide—I just gave you guiding."

Zephyr let out a surprised 'Oh'.

"Then who fixed my body? I'm pretty sure those beasts in the dungeon tore through most of it. Did your guiding heal me?"

Lucien's eyes widened.

How could someone talk so easily about their body being eaten by beasts without even a flicker of emotion on their face?

Was Zephyr really okay?

"No, my guiding didn't heal you. It only purified your corrupted energy."

He hesitated, then continued.

"Maybe when you awakened, the surge of energy rebuilt you a new body from scratch—and possibly even wiped out the beasts."

Zephyr finally looked somewhat shaken, and Lucien instinctively tensed—ready to comfort him if needed. But what Zephyr asked next left him speechless.

"Am I a very powerful awakened?"

Lucien facepalmed. Right—unlike his Gaya Skill, Zephyr did not possess any ability to view his own or anyone else's status. And considering he was blind, even if he had one, it would not be of much use anyway.

The only way for Zephyr to actually know his power rank was to visit the Awakened Association and get it officially assessed.

But before Lucien could even respond, Zephyr threw out another question.

"Then... can we be friends?"

Lucien instantly grasped his hands.

Sure, he was disheartened about Zephyr being blind—but at the end of the day, he was still a powerful SSS-rank Esper. And being friends with someone like that?

Honestly, not a bad deal at all. Also, if he trained him properly, wouldn't this man be the key to getting everything he wanted?

So, he said with conviction.

"We're already friends!"

Zephyr was surprised by the sudden warm touch, but he did not pull away. It felt nice.

Instead, he nodded quietly.

Honestly, he already knew he wanted more than just friendship—but starting there was the safest. He did not want to scare Lucien away. Not to mention, he still had to find a quick way to get out of prison—and soon.

While Zephyr no longer cared much about being an Awakened, he still hoped he was at least a strong Esper—strong enough to have an excuse to keep coming to Lucien, even if only under the pretense of needing guiding. That way, they would grow closer.

Lucien, completely unaware of the intense gaze locked onto him or the dark thoughts swirling in Zephyr's head, gave his hands a soft pat—like a clueless sacrificial lamb.

Then, he declared with a smile.

"I will even give you free guiding!"

"It's part of our friendship benefits!"

Zephyr pressed his lips together to hide a smile. Lucien was so kind, almost too kind. Surely, it would not hurt to take advantage of that softness, right? He had never been the greedy—but for once, he was tempted.

While the two men continued their silent game of bait and hook, suddenly the door to the observation room burst open—and in stepped two familiar faces, right on cue, as if the stage had been set just for them.

Erick's gaze instantly landed on Lucien's hands—still holding Zephyr's. And before Nana Parker, who had followed him after seeing him at the Association, could even greet the patient, he stepped forward in a flash, swiftly separating the duo. His voice was firm, his gaze stern as he spoke.

"Lucien, what are you up to this time?"

"Zephyr is a patient!"