Since it was getting late, Wooyoung ordered some food for Yunho to the dorms before driving him there. Now that Yunho was officially part of the team, his new colleague brimmed with questions.

"What is Auresce like? I only hear the story from our espers, but I've never been part of it," he babbled after asking Yunho his name, age, place of origin and which school he went to as if this were a cross-examination.

Yunho was nervous to share all this information with him, but just as with Auresce, he would live with those people now. And getting asked allowed him to bond with Wooyoung instead of just having his data checked without his explicit consent.

"It's high-end, that's for sure. Lots of famous faces. They have superb facilities." Yunho wondered about the difference in organisation, both internal and out at the rifts. He hadn't heard of Tenebra before, but Lux sounded as if their unexpected appearances bothered Auresce often.

Wooyoung nodded along with his eyes on the street. He had taken off his sunglasses and his voice was friendly and unabashed. He told Yunho they were the same age. In general, Wooyoung wasn't afraid to share his experience in return, so it was easier to warm up to him.

"Our most famous esper is San, though Mingi is more well-known to the public," Wooyoung hummed with a secretive grin when he pulled them into a side street. Tall residential buildings crowded here, but they looked orderly with small gardens and areas for children to play in, guarded by security booths at the gates.

"My roommate San?"

"The one and only." With that, Wooyoung ducked his head out of his window to chatter with the security personnel. He was full of smiles and laughter, easily making the people around him comfortable. In a way, he reminded Yunho of Bora. He missed her.

After an extensive conversation about the security guy's day and his kids, Wooyoung sunk back into his seat and steered them into the garage. While Yunho gathered his belongings, he parked lazily in across two spots, not minding the lines. At Yunho's hesitation, he threw him a grin.

"I'll leave soon anyway," he waved it off. Only a few cars were around, so Yunho believed him. Wooyoung would know who came and left.

They made their way up in an elevator, and Wooyoung hummed under his breath. Yunho shuffled in his spot nervously.

He had a lot of questions about Mingi, but he didn't dare word them. Somehow, even the thought of him made Yunho shy. He didn't know what to ask and how to play off his intrigue as casual colleagues. But he still had time to figure that out.

They arrived on the ninth floor and found a white bag in front of a room down the hallway. Wooyoung picked it up with a cheer.

"Dinner for you!" He handed it to Yunho and opened the door with a number code. With a grand gesture, he pulled it open.

"I will write the code for you later. That's safer than sending it."

Yunho wandered inside and was met with the bathroom door right to his side. The other was a closet. Two beds tucked left and right of the room. One was covered with clothes, snack bags, books, and gaming equipment. The other was untouched, apart from a jacket haphazardly thrown on it.

Yunho's new roommate wasn't in tonight, even after Wooyoung called around for him. Then he shrugged.

"Well, he won't mind if we come in. I sure hope he cleans up once he gets home."

Worrisome, but Yunho was down to get to know such a person.

Wooyoung marched in first to toss San's jacket back onto his bed. They had two desks for studying and a small drawer each for personal belongings. San had a gaming setup on his desk and maybe he and Yunho would get along better than expected.

After making some space, Wooyoung directed Yunho around their little room.

"You have a rice cooker outside on the balcony and can grill there as well. The laundry is in the basement and free if you use your key card. Ah, that's also what you want to show Mister Kim at the security gate."

After multiple attempts to loosen the tight knot of the delivery bag, Wooyoung ripped it with a bothered huff. He unveiled some hearty bean stew, gimbap and a side of chicken, all comfort foods.

"Did you eat?" Yunho asked when Wooyoung generously positioned Yunho's drink in front of him and broke his chopsticks apart. He really got the full set.

Wooyoung hesitated, but the greedy shine in his eyes was telling. Yunho snickered at him.

"Come on, let's share. I can't eat too much right before bed."

"Thanks for the meal," Wooyoung grinned, and Yunho knew he did the right thing.

They bonded over food and ate everything to the last crumb. Wooyoung left Yunho alone afterwards, assuring him San would be back on the next day. After he departed, Yunho cleared away his humble belongings.

This room didn't feel so lonely. Though he didn't know the neighbours, Yunho was glad to have a roommate, and he sounded like a good guy as well. Someone to bond with.

After his long day of excitement, Yunho fell asleep instantaneously thanks to the cosy lights, looking forward to the next day.

-

Since it was his first official day, Wooyoung picked Yunho up in the morning, chipper as always. He explained the bus route to him, but Yunho would have to walk up the hill unless he invested in a vehicle. When Wooyoung chuckled that it was morning exercise, he wasn't wrong.

Today, no Yongguk greeted Yunho. Instead, Wooyoung brought him right to the right corridor, where more letters on the door gave away the infirmary. Not knocking, Wooyoung marched right in and got a glare from the blond man in the lab coat inside. He was working on some labels and though the eyes behind his glasses were sharp; he looked nice in his airy, cosy space.

"This is Yeosang, our lovely quack. You want to suck up to him or he won't give you pain killers when needed," Wooyoung introduced them. He beckoned back to Yunho to name him as the new guy.

Though Yeosang bowed to Yunho politely, his withering glare on Wooyoung persisted.

"When is your next field trip?" He asked with a sugary tone in his deep and soothing voice. Apparently, those people assembled here.

Wooyoung stuck his tongue out at the doctor.

"You wish I would grace your presence, but I'm just too good at what I do," he mocked, almost getting taken out by a box of flying latex gloves. Yunho caught them and sheepishly put them back in their place.

The medic smiled at him.

"Thanks. Just call me Yeosang. I'll help you when you have any troubles."

Wooyoung leaned into Yunho's space.

"Just make sure to stay on his good side. You see what a witch he can be," he whispered, too loud to be subtle. Yunho ducked when the box came flying again and Wooyoung laughed it off.

"Come around these days for a checkup, Yunho. You look a bit battered. We will also talk about your rank," Yeosang invited, exasperated with the cheeky secretary. Yunho smiled back, finding kinship and fun in their squabbling.

"I will."

"Then to the next stop we go! Buckle up and enjoy the sights!" Wooyoung spun on his heel to lead Yunho back out, and he waved at Yeosang before he pulled the door shut quietly.

This time, they made their way downstairs. The basement was generously modern and Yongguk briefly showed Yunho around. It was a gymnasium, both with an area for games and for workouts. It wasn't near as well-equipped for many people as Auresce, but it had the necessities.

Wooyoung beelined past a game of volleyball and cheered on the players, who grinned back at him. Some espers were occupied with the training equipment, but Wooyoung steered for the boxing ring in the back area. A broad man was training another guide, hailing punches and kicks at his body. It looked brutal and Yunho didn't want to interrupt, but Wooyoung dangled right in the ropes.

"You go! Get him!" He cheered on the trainee, distracting him successfully. A moment later, he landed flat on the ground, heaving for breath. The trainer turned to Wooyoung with that same glare.

Seemed like he was everyone's most favourite nuisance.

Wooyoung cackled at the vision. When he stepped back, the trainer slipped from the ring and reached for his water bottle. He wore shorts and a shirt, exposing tan skin glistening with sweat. Other than Wooyoung, he looked muscular and ready for any fight.

"This is Jongho, your trainer, from now on. He looks like a big meanie, but he is actually really sweet." Wooyoung yelped in protest when a foot kicked him gently in the butt. Then he was right back to his teasing.

"He's a guide, and he's often out there with us, so don't worry, he will have an eye on you."

"Wow," Yunho said before he remembered to be polite. He had seen some bulky guides, but they usually improved their agility to make it through the demons.

"I'm Yunho."

"Mingi's new B-rank, right?" Jongho asked as he wiped his sweat with a towel. His face looked much nicer and rounder than the rest of him. Messy hair stuck out in all directions.

"The one and only," Wooyoung replied in Yunho's stead. He felt his fingers over Jongho's straining muscles and made a face at their clammy feel.

Unperturbed by the game in the background, Jongho faced Yunho. Finally, a proper trainer. Yunho didn't know how to tell him he was already part of a centre and learned nothing. One would think Auresce had an elite program no one else had access to. Well, perhaps for the higher ranks.

"What is your power?"

"I, uhm, I can stop demons from moving by controlling their limbs, but then I also stop moving. I take damage when they do. And I'm not good at using it," Yunho explained to the best of his ability. Then, when Jongho's face remained blank, he added a muttered: "Like Voodoo."

"Rad," Wooyoung said, dangling in the ropes again because he was bored.

Now, Jongho conceded with a nod.

"You could likely reach level B and protect the people around you by stopping any incoming enemies, but you are too scared of your own powers to harness them properly. It's common when you just recently awoke," he explained, and Yunho fumbled with his fingernails. He felt awkward, big and responsible looking as he was, too afraid to use his superpowers.

"I think I am instinctually afraid to get hurt. If I am really a B-rank, I didn't have the right guide so far and I took some vicious hits," Yunho confessed, but Jongho didn't sneer at him. He placed his bottle back in its spot.

"You aren't a punching bag for enemies. You could even make them harm each other. However, you need to learn your timing and your defence. Otherwise, you die first. This is a team project. I will have you work with others to understand when you need to let go and how to use your body to protect us without wearing yourself out so quickly."

That was great news. When Yunho lit up with hope, Jongho chuckled at him. A coo came from Wooyoung.

"Bet Auresce told you to just take it, huh? No wonder Mingi picked you right up."

"Concerning guides, do you pair people in sets here as well?" Yunho asked, clueless whether he would train with his guide for said timing as well.

But Wooyoung shook his head as he freed himself from the ropes.

"Not quite. We are usually pretty flexible and whoever is available helps. There are, however, pairs that form naturally because people get along well or they are a perfect pair. In that case, we arrange for you to work together. So just tell me if someone catches you eye. Remember, B-rank. I can give you a list of people so you can get to know them once your diagnosis is set."

When Yunho nodded enthusiastically, Wooyoung spun on his heel.

"Then let's go sign you up for some classes. You're going to love them. Chances are you get a great teacher or an absolute hag."

Somehow, Yunho looked forward to it. So much personality here.

He bowed his goodbye to Jongho, and the man lifted his hand, gloved again to resume his training.

"See you soon, Yunho."

Giddy to start his new training, Yunho ran after Wooyoung once more to finish his welcoming process step by step.