I’m Addicted to your Pheromones from the First Moment We Met - Chapter 29

After that weekend hug, the relationship between Yu Zhouyao and Mu Mingyue underwent a subtle transformation.

The Eldest Miss Mu used to be intimate in her words and actions, but there was always a sense of performance as if speaking through heavy curtains. Now, her behavior was much more restrained. Though they appeared more distant in public, the spiritual connection between them had tightened.

Yu Zhouyao considered this a positive change.

Another engineering class ended. The Dean had long since vanished, leaving behind a mountain of assignments. Mu Mingyue knocked on the door right on time.

“Zhouyao, open up. I’m here.” “Mhm, coming.”

They called it “arriving as agreed,” but they had never made a formal agreement. It was a silent pact to meet at the same time and place. After one particular banter session on their optical computers, Mu Mingyue had teased out Yu Zhouyao’s schedule and started surprising her with drinks. Now, they met in this empty classroom every week to discuss coursework, judge the taste of various snacks, and gossip about teachers.

While Yu Zhouyao hand-assembled parts, Mu Mingyue worked on her own assignments nearby. Once the mecha homework was “fudged” through, they would dive into the sea of data on their devices, searching for a needle in a haystack: a cure for mental instability.

They visited Dr. Pei occasionally for check-ups, and frequented the library, splitting up to search for “Pheromones” and “Mental Power” respectively. After a month of hard work, they finally struck gold.

Mu Mingyue pointed at her screen. “Yu Zhouyao, look!” Yu Zhouyao leaned in close, their faces almost touching. ” ‘A Brief Analysis of the Formation Mechanism of Mental Blood-Burning.’ A research paper?” “Yes. And look, the author’s name is hidden, but the affiliation is a military research institute.”

Yu Zhouyao’s interest peaked. she slid her chair over to sit right next to Mu Mingyue. “The author argues that ‘Mental Blood-Burning’ is when a user actively mobilizes their mental power to reach their upper limit in a short time. Seems consistent with what we know.”

“Look further, Zhouyao. It says here that before training, the user’s mental power upper limit must be detected.”

Yu Zhouyao’s gaze sharpened.

Mu Mingyue read aloud: “In theory, before training for ‘Mental Blood-Burning,’ soldiers must have their limits tested to estimate intensity and duration. In practice, the military has failed to personalize training, leading to high injury rates and a heavy burden on the medical system.”

“It’s logical,” Yu Zhouyao nodded. “And the affiliation is an institute under the Second Army.” “The Second Army? I’m only familiar with the Thirteenth Army at the border.” “The First Army is the Royal Guard, and the Second Army is the Central Guard,” Mu Mingyue explained. “They protect the capital. The Second Army is famous for its mental power attacks. The Royal First and Second Military Academies are legendary for this kind of training.”

Yu Zhouyao smiled. “I see. It must have taken a lot of effort for you to get your hands on this paper, Miss Mu.” Mu Mingyue blinked. “You could say that.” They shared a knowing look. They were officially co-conspirators.

While Mu Mingyue focused on research, Yu Zhouyao spent her Individual Combat Training classes pestering Instructor Liu Jiang.

“Yu Zhouyao, why are you asking about that?” Liu Jiang roared. “You haven’t even mastered basic maneuvers and you’re already trying to fly?” “No, no! It’s a misunderstanding! I’m just a diligent student!” Liu Jiang snorted. “Diligent? You hold back in every drill. Are you not eating enough, or just afraid of getting tired?” “I’m just… curious! About the mecha accident last month. Those students fell because of mental control issues. I figured ‘Mental Blood-Burning’ is the peak of control, so I should study it as a precaution.”

Liu Jiang exhaled. “I heard about that. Kids these days have such fragile mental power. Worrying about risk is good, but Blood-Burning is dangerous. You aren’t ready.”

Yu Zhouyao put on her most pitiful face. “But Teacher Liu, you said I’m the most talented student! With you watching me, how could I get hurt? An amazing teacher like you produces amazing students, right?”

The flattery hit the mark. After a bit of internal struggle, Liu Jiang grumbled an agreement. “You brat, you’re more trouble than you’re worth. Fine, but only because you have potential.”

For the next three weeks, Yu Zhouyao trained like she was possessed. She exhausted herself in every session, completing the entire “Introductory” curriculum in record time.

Liu Jiang laughed in spite of himself. “I knew you were slacking before! I finally caught you.”

Because of the nature of the training, he took her to the mecha classroom. “Pick a machine and get in.”

Yu Zhouyao hopped into the Grandma Mecha immediately. As her consciousness hit the “shallows” of the link, the mecha’s snarky voice greeted her. “Oh? What wind blew my ‘dear granddaughter’ here on a weekend? Did your conscience finally wake up?”

“Good Saturday, Grandma. I’ve decided to be reckless and learn ‘Mental Blood-Burning.'”

“Are you insane?! I told you that’s military stuff! It’s dangerous!”

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Yu Zhouyao smiled. “Besides, I have a teacher right outside.”

Grandma’s radio waves sputtered in anger and then went silent. Liu Jiang’s voice came through the comms. “Listen up, Yu Zhouyao. I’m only saying this once. To start, you need to mobilize your mental power. Close your eyes. Feel it flowing like water. I’ve set an alarm on your mecha; if your vitals drop for five minutes, I’m breaking in.”

“Got it, Instructor!”

Yu Zhouyao didn’t close her eyes yet. She continued whispering to Grandma. “Respectable ancestor, tell me the secrets. What should I watch out for?”

“I~ won’t~” Grandma teased.

“Then I’ll guess. We’re doing this in a mecha, an intelligent mecha so that if I lose control, the machine can absorb the excess power to stabilize me, right? And usually, my limit should be tested first. Did Teacher Liu forget, or does he think I’ll fail anyway?”

A giant period [。] flashed on the main screen. “Yu Zhouyao, you already know the answers, why ask me?” “I feel better hearing it from you.” “Hmph. You aren’t learning this for yourself. You’re doing it for Mu Mingyue.” “I don’t deny that. But more skills are never a bad thing.”

The mechanical voice fluctuated with emotion. “Question one: Yes, but training mechas usually aren’t intelligent. Only combat ones are. Question two: I don’t know, I’m just an intelligent mecha pretending to be normal. And third Yu Zhouyao, you’re going to hit a massive wall trying to learn this.”

Yu Zhouyao blinked. “Why?” “Close your eyes and you’ll see.”

Yu Zhouyao pushed her doubts aside and slowly closed her eyes.

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