I’m Addicted to your Pheromones from the First Moment We Met - Chapter 20

The two of them rushed to the next classroom. Mecha Theory was another core course where skipping was simply not an option.

Many students had scheduled their classes back-to-back just like they had. The group that had just finished physical training crawled along the walls, dragging themselves to the next room, only to collapse onto the floor the moment they arrived.

The other students who hadn’t taken the previous class looked on in shock, offering words of concern.

“Whoa, why can’t you guys move?” “Physical training was torture, just let me die.” “Is it really that scary? My 8 AM tomorrow is physical training.” “No wonder they say PT is the ‘Enemy of Freshmen.'”

After entering, Yu Zhouyao and Mu Mingyue leaned against the wall, resting in silence. When the bell rang, Instructor Colin entered the room on time. With a high ponytail, goggles perched on her head, and a tight-fitting combat suit, she looked incredibly efficient.

She skipped the roll call entirely.

“Time is short, and the workload is heavy. I won’t be taking attendance,” she announced. “This is Mecha Theory (Introductory). Despite the name, this course uses a combined theory and practice approach. The first twenty minutes will be for theoretical knowledge, followed by two hours of direct hands-on operation.”

Yu Zhouyao’s eyes sparkled. Hands-on? Heck yeah!

Instructor Colin tapped the back door of the classroom. The mechanical lock hissed open, revealing rows upon rows of mechas. They were orderly, aesthetic, and utterly inviting.

“Today’s goal is to familiarize you with mechas quickly. You will learn the names, functions, and principles of each part, and most importantly, establish a connection with the machine. Please spread out. One mecha per person.”

As she spoke, the mecha fleet drifted out from the back door and settled in the center of the classroom. Yu Zhouyao signaled to Mu Mingyue, and they chose two machines side-by-side.

“Everyone, look at the mecha beside you. We are using the Q745 Training Model. It’s an old model from thirty years ago, primarily used for training in military academies. Mechas are generally divided into three categories:

1. 1. Combat Mechas: For military use, high performance, specialized weaponry.

1. 1. Training Mechas: Balanced performance, downgraded versions of old combat models with safety limiters. Both of these fall under ‘Combat-type’ mechas.

1. 1. Specialized Mechas: Everything else domestic models, medical assistants, etc.”

Instructor Colin’s fingers flew across a virtual keyboard at the main console.

Clang, clang!

The mechas’ lights flickered to life. Yu Zhouyao’s mouth hung open as she stared at the giant machine next to her. She couldn’t help but place her hand on the alloy shell. “Whoa… this really is cool…”

“The cockpit is usually located in the upper-middle section,” Colin’s voice continued. “The power core is at the rear bottom. Please climb into the cockpits now.”

Yu Zhouyao leaped into the cockpit with practiced agility. The space was small—smaller than a shuttle’s cockpit—designed for one person. The dashboard was currently dark.

Essentially, a mecha is just a single-person interstellar flight suit with weapons, Yu Zhouyao mused. How could it not be considered a flight vehicle?

The hatch hissed shut. The equipment began to glow.

“I trust you are all seated,” Instructor Colin’s voice broadcasted inside the cabin. “Now, we will attempt to start the mechas. This requires the pilot’s mental power. The higher your rank, the stronger and faster the link. Please slowly release your mental power. Use a meditative state to wake the connection between yourself and the machine.”

Yu Zhouyao nodded, ready to “fall asleep” and enter her mental space. Before closing her eyes, she sent a message to Mu Mingyue.

Welcome Wealth: Stay safe. Welcome Wealth: I’m here. Welcome Wealth: Call me if you need anything. A Full Moon: Okay~

With that, Yu Zhouyao let her consciousness drift.

As her awareness sank into the “deep sea” of her mind, she felt like a nimble fish returning to its nest. It was comfortable, soothing, almost like a scalp massage.

Suddenly, a sassy mechanical voice rang out. “Hey, hey, hey! You aren’t actually going to sleep, are you?”

Irritated at being woken up, Yu Zhouyao reflexively shoved a wave of mental power toward the source. “So annoying. Who is that?”

“Ouch! You’ve got no sense of moderation! You don’t know how to cherish me at all. You should be nicer to your elders!”

Yu Zhouyao rubbed her eyes and sat up or at least, her consciousness did. “Who are you?”

“What a total brat. You’re a complete white-belt, aren’t you?”

Yu Zhouyao looked around. She was still in the cockpit. The classroom outside looked the same as it had five minutes ago. No wormhole kidnappings, no hallucinations. That left only one answer, no matter how ridiculous.

The mecha was talking to her.

“Kid, watch your mouth,” the voice said with a huff. “I’m not just a ‘mecha.’ I am a mecha with autonomous consciousness.”

Ahhhhhhh! Yu Zhouyao screamed internally. Instructor Colin didn’t say anything about this! Why did I pull a heart-reading old monster out of this blind box?!

“Who are you calling an old monster?” the voice grumbled. “I’m only three hundred years old… I’m hardly an antique in the mecha world.”

Yu Zhouyao face-palmed. Fine. Mecha Grandma.

“Grandma? I like that. It sounds lively.”

Yu Zhouyao cleared her throat. “Hello. My name is Yu Zhouyao. How should I address you?”

“Just call me Grandma.”

“Alright, Grandma.” Yu Zhouyao paused, unsure where to look. “Are we in a state of consciousness-linking right now?”

“Yes.”

“This is my first time. I’m curious, do other mechas have this much personality?”

“Bad kid! I can hear you calling me loud! I told you, I have my own consciousness.”

Yu Zhouyao froze. It was confirmed: this senior could read her every thought. She was a glass house.

“Is it so bad to understand your pilot?” the voice chuckled. “Why the long face?”

“Well… in combat, being able to read commands instantly would be very effective,” Yu Zhouyao admitted.

“Hehe. Of course, I’m amazing!”

Yu Zhouyao decided to check on someone. Just as she went to open her optical computer, the voice chimed in. “Ohhh, I knew it! You’re worried about her, right?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. That girl is doing fine. The guy next door isn’t as soulful as me, but he’ll take good care of her. Rest easy.”

Yu Zhouyao looked up at the mechanical ceiling. “Grandma, you can feel the status of other mechas?”

“Of course! In this room, none of them can put up a fight against me. I’m the strongest.”

Yu Zhouyao played along. “Alright, you’re the most legendary Mecha Lady!”

“Heck yeah! Mecha Lady! I’m amazing.”

Mechanical characters flashed on the dashboard, forming a smiley face: (^▽^)~

“Alright, enough talk! Let’s move! I can’t wait to stretch my joints!”

With a single thought, the mecha moved. It felt like an extension of Yu Zhouyao’s own body perfectly fluid. There was no sense of weightlessness or loss of control. It was as if she were born to fly.

“Woohoo! Flying feels great!” the mechanical voice shouted. “It’s been so long!”

Yu Zhouyao laughed out loud. “Haha, Grandma, then let’s fly a little higher!”

With that, she piloted the mecha and soared toward the ceiling.

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