Chapter 58: Evan’s Hearing

Lumi stared at the television in front of her. The news about Evan had been everywhere these past few days after they were discharged from the hospital.

Evan was supposed to rest at home, but almost every day, he was called to the headquarters to be questioned about the two Rampage incidents that had happened within such a short period.

The first had occurred during their Fated Bonding Ceremony.

The second had happened inside the dungeon.

Two Rampages in less than a week, with one of them nearly costing Lumi her life.

Naturally, the Imperial Sentinel Committee could not simply ignore something like that.

Lumi sat quietly on the sofa, watching the news reporter speak about Evan’s situation while holding a cup of warm tea between both hands.

"According to the latest information released by the Imperial Sentinel Committee, SSS-Rank Sentinel Evan Caesar has been undergoing a series of evaluations following two consecutive Rampage incidents..."

Lumi’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

The screen changed to footage of Evan leaving the Sentinel headquarters.

There were reporters everywhere.

Cameras flashed from every direction while several security personnel tried to keep them away from him.

Evan walked through the crowd with his usual expressionless face, wearing a dark coat and sunglasses that concealed his eyes.

He didn’t stop for interviews.

He didn’t answer any questions.

He simply kept walking.

"Mr. Caesar! Is it true that the Committee is considering suspending your Sentinel license?"

"Are you still considered fit to participate in high-level missions?"

"Is your Fated Guide responsible for stabilizing your condition?"

"Are you planning to resign from active duty?"

Lumi’s expression became increasingly uneasy.

She had seen enough of these reports over the past few days to know that the questions were becoming more aggressive.

The Committee had not officially announced anything yet, but everyone seemed eager to speculate about Evan’s future.

Some claimed that an SSS-Rank Sentinel who had lost control twice in such a short period was too dangerous to remain active.

Others argued that Evan was still the Empire’s strongest Sentinel and that removing him from duty would weaken their defenses.

There were even people debating whether his Fated Guide should be replaced.

Lumi’s eyes dropped.

’Replaced...’

She immediately shook her head. "No."

The word slipped out before she even realized she had spoken.

She looked back at the television.

A panel of commentators had appeared on the screen, each discussing Evan’s condition as though they were analyzing some distant political issue rather than a person’s life.

One of them leaned forward.

"Perhaps the biggest question is whether the recent appearance of his Fated Guide has actually improved his condition. After all, Sentinel Caesar had already experienced Rampages before meeting her."

Another commentator nodded.

"That’s true. His Fated Guide was officially classified as a mere citizen with no detectable Guiding energy. From a medical perspective, there are certainly questions about whether this connection can provide long-term stability."

Lumi’s grip tightened around her cup again. She knew what they were talking about.

They were talking about her.

"However," the first commentator continued, "there is also speculation that Sentinel Caesar may be considering a deeper bond with his Fated Guide following the recent incident."

Lumi nearly choked on her tea.

"Cough!"

She hurriedly placed the cup on the table. Her face slowly turned red.

’Why are they talking about that?!’

The commentator continued calmly, completely unaware that the person being discussed was sitting less than a few meters away from the television.

"Some sources claim that the two may eventually become life partners, which could potentially provide Sentinel Caesar with greater stability..."

Lumi instantly switched off the television, frowning before puffing out her cheeks.

"What to do?" She sighed, pulling her knees to her chest before resting her head against them.

She still hadn’t given Evan an answer to his question, and they hadn’t even completed their Fated Bonding Ceremony yet.

’Would it be better if we completed the ceremony first?’

Lumi frowned at the thought.

The Fated Bonding Ceremony was supposed to formally establish their connection as Fated Guide and Sentinel, but she still wasn’t sure what it would mean for them.

She already knew Evan needed her when he entered Rampage, and she knew their connection was different from an ordinary Guide-Sentinel relationship. Yet marriage was something else entirely.

If they completed the Fated Bonding Ceremony first, would that make her decision easier?

Or would it make everything even more complicated?

She buried her face deeper against her knees.

’Why does being his Fated Guide have to be so complicated?’

And then there was the biggest problem.

’What if he only wants to marry me because I’m useful to him?’

The thought made her chest feel strangely heavy.

She knew Evan wasn’t cruel. He had never forced her to do anything, and when he proposed, he had specifically told her that the choice was hers.

But that didn’t answer the question that had been quietly bothering her ever since.

’If I couldn’t stabilize him anymore... would he still choose me?’

Lumi remained curled up on the sofa, completely lost in her thoughts. She didn’t notice the sound of the front door opening.

She only heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Why are you sitting like that?"

Lumi’s entire body stiffened. She slowly lifted her head.

Evan stood near the entrance, one hand still resting on the door handle, staring at her with a puzzled expression.

His gaze moved from her flushed cheeks to the television that had been switched off.

Then back to her.

"What happened?"

"Nothing..." she answered weakly.

"Bored again?" he asked, heading straight toward the sofa.

She shook her head and forced a small smile. "How was the... hearing?"

Evan simply nodded. "Nothing much..."

"By ’nothing much’?" Lumi blinked, glancing at him as he took a seat beside her.

"Well... I mean, if they’ve already decided to suspend me, whatever I say..." He shrugged lightly. "It probably won’t change anything."

She simply looked at his face, and he instantly smiled.

"Why?" he asked.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Totally fine." He turned his body slightly to face her. "I guess this is also good. If I’m taking some time off, I can help you with your Guide studies... right?"

"Can you teach me how to Guide?" Lumi asked in confusion. After all, he was a Sentinel.

"Well... I know a few things. We Sentinels still need to learn about Guiding."

Lumi simply gazed at him in silence.

"Before that... should we complete our Fated Bonding Ceremony first?"