The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 437: Check Up

Lane’s first instinct was to close his eyes and pretend to sleep.

But he knew that it was too late for that. Their eyes had already met. And even if they hadn’t, since she had gone out of her way to visit him at the hospital (which most certainly wasn’t out of care or concern, or anything like that), she would surely wake him up without any hesitation, not caring that Lane should be resting.

Besides, it actually worked in his favor this time. It was probably the first and the last time since he was a little child that he was glad to see his mother.

Not because he wanted to see Catherine Allen, not at all. He still disliked, no, hated her, just like all the Allens (his twin sister aside, of course). The mere sight of her face instantly soured his mood.

However... If Catherine were here in person, she would be able to see just how badly injured Lane was. There would be no room for the Allens to doubt his terrible state, citing the hospital staff’s incompetence which might have led to inaccurate medical reports. No, if she were going to check Lane’s injuries herself, the Allens wouldn’t be able to question them.

And that would serve as solid proof that Lane wasn’t at fault for the accident or Ethan’s losing his arm (even though he totally was).

Catherine looked him up and down without a word. Not much could be deduced from simply looking, though, not even for an A-rank healer like her, especially since Lane was covered up with a blanket, only his head wrapped in bandages peeking out from underneath it. So, she approached the bed, and after briefly glancing at Jasper lying on the other bed, she leaned over Lane.

She didn’t even bother to take a seat. As if she wanted to get it over with and leave as soon as possible. To deal with other things. More important things, not some trivialities like, for example, her badly injured son...

"Ouch!" Lane hissed, wincing the moment Catherine’s hand touched his cheek, as if it was causing him unbearable pain.

Which it did, in a way - although he had no wounds on his cheek, his mother’s touch made his stomach turn so much that it hurt. It was utterly disgusting! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Catherine didn’t retract her hand, though. "Bear with it," she just said coldly, activating her ability. It wasn’t like she wanted to touch Lane either, physical contact was simply a necessary condition for her to use her ability. Without touching Lane directly, she wouldn’t be able to even assess his condition...

That’s not to say that she was disgusted by it or anything. Unlike Lane, she didn’t feel strongly about it in any way, neither positive nor negative. It was something that she had to do, and that was it.

Lane scrunched his face, but didn’t say anything anymore. Did he want his mother’s healing? Not really! Well, it would be convenient if she did heal him, since he would be able to leave the hospital soon (which was rather important, especially since he wanted to participate in the next raid that Damien would have to go on), but more importantly, he wanted her to give him a check up, and see how miserable he was! It was just that he didn’t want her to know that he was happy about it, and that’s why he had exaggerated his displeasure.

Catherine’s Mana flew into Lane’s body through his cheek, slowly spreading through his body and giving him a chilly feeling. Just like her character, Catherine’s ability was also cold, even though it was lifesaving healing... Not like the abilities had much to do with a person’s character. Take Damien, for example - he was actually a very warm person, even though his ability was literally freezing, while Miles, on the other hand, controlled fire, even though he was cold like Catherine... And Catherine herself - how could such an uncaring person be suited for a healing ability?

Even the way that she healed was unpleasant and uncaring... Although that probably had more to do with the fact that her intention wasn’t to help Lane as soon as possible or to alleviate his pain, but rather to investigate him. She was using her ability slowly, focusing more on assessing the degree of his injuries rather than on mending his bones and damaged tissues...

Then again, Lane didn’t know what Catherine’s ability felt like. It was the first time he had ever experienced it personally, only having seen it from the side before.

Time seemed to drag on forever. Lane was looking to the side, listening to the ticking of the clock, which also seemed unbearably slow...

Until finally, Catherine let go of his cheek and took a step back. "This should be enough for you," she said, still in the same cold and emotionless tone. "You should be able to recover from the rest with the Recovery Pills."

Lane scoffed, rolling his eyes. OF COURSE she wouldn’t heal him fully. Even though with her abilities, she totally should have been able to.

And the Recovery Pills? Yes, Lane had a lot of them, but... If he were only living off his salary from the Association, he would have never been able to afford it.

He didn’t say anything, though. He just showed his disdain through his expression. Talking could lead to him saying something he shouldn’t... So, at least at that moment, he should try to avoid it as much as possible.

And ignoring Catherine without even saying ’thank you’ was also a viable option. Perhaps not something he would typically do, but still.

He let out an ostentatious yawn, and took out his phone, starting a game. He waited until his mother finished giving Jasper a quick healing session (which lasted incomparably shorter than Lane’s) and left the room, before letting out a relieved sigh...

That should be enough to secure him a strong alibi.

Perhaps it would work out just fine. Without an arm, Ethan would no longer be able to work as a Field Agent. Even if he stayed at the Association, he could only give Damien guiding at the Headquarters, nothing else. It wasn’t as good as completely eliminating him, but...

At least it was an improvement.