The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Mental Barrier Training (2)

They settled into the ring and began training in earnest.

Vesper and Sabel squared off first, trading blows that rattled the reinforced barrier surrounding the ring. Kane pulled out a small device from his bag and set it on the ground.

"This replicates a Sentinel’s raw psychic pressure," he explained to Aisha. "It’s used for training Guides to build mental barriers and eventually work on stabilizing their chaotic energy."

He activated it and stepped back until he was a foot away from it. Then, a faint shimmer spread outward from the device, a humanoid figure forming from it.

Kane closed his eyes, furrowing his eyebrows in concentration. A moment later, a translucent bubble formed around him, wavering slightly at the edges.

Aisha watched closely. This was the first time she’d seen someone use their guiding ability against a simulated threat, and she found herself studying every detail of what he was doing. An ordinary person might not even see what he was doing. Only a guide or a sentinel can pick up the translucent wall that rose around Kane.

Kane’s face grew paler as the seconds ticked by. Sweat beaded along his hairline and his hands trembled slightly where they hovered near his chest, as if bracing against some invisible weight.

Then he reached forward and pressed his palm flat against the shimmering surface of the replica’s projected form.

A small holographic readout appeared above the device, numbers ticking downward.

Mental Pollution: 61%... 55%... 47%...

Kane’s breathing grew ragged. The barrier around him flickered, threatening to collapse entirely. It looked like a bubble about to pop, but he held on with teeth gritted.

Mental Pollution: 39%.

An automated voice announced the result of his training when he finally stopped. Kane staggered back a step and nearly collapsed.

Aisha caught his arm before he could hit the ground.

"Are you okay?" she asked, steadying him.

Kane nodded weakly, catching his breath. "I’m fine. Just... give me a second." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

That had been exhausting, but he was not discouraged by it. He got a result of 39 percent, a drastic 10 percent difference from his previous trial a month ago.

He straightened after a moment and managed a tired smile. "Your turn."

Aisha guided him to sit down before approaching the device herself. She picked a fresh replica and activated it the same way she’d watched Kane do.

"Build your mental barrier first," Kane called out, still catching his breath. "Before you try to touch it."

"I understand," Aisha replied.

Guides generally channel their aura or energy to calm, stabilize, and replenish Sentinels to prevent them from being overwhelmed by chaotic psychic energy. This was different from purifying, which only aims to purify and cleanse miasma.

However, a guide should always have their own protection against Sentinels and miasma. And to do this, they must use mental barriers before even using their guiding and purification abilities.

She closed her eyes, trying to recall the sensation of pulling her guiding energy inward instead of releasing it outward. This was something she hadn’t done when she first guided Nykos. Back then, she’d thrown herself directly into his mental landscape without any kind of protection first. No wonder she’d nearly been overwhelmed by the chaotic psychic energy and corrupted miasma clawing at her from every direction.

Several seconds passed. But nothing happened.

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