I’m Addicted to your Pheromones from the First Moment We Met - Chapter 31

Consciousness dove into the deep sea; the fish opened its eyes on the ocean floor.

Yu Zhouyao felt the mental link between herself and the mecha, wasting no time in adapting to this new machine. She could tell immediately that this mecha was a hollow shell—just a collection of mechanical parts bolted together, devoid of any spark.

Instructor Colin’s voice crackled through the broadcast:

“Everyone, today we will learn how to operate mecha weaponry. Every unit is equipped with pulse weapons. Your task is to activate the pulse weapon and fire at the designated target at a specified frequency. The weapon is part of the mecha. Operating it is part of piloting. Release your mental power, feel it, and control it. For safety, we will enter the small training rooms in pairs.”

Yu Zhouyao and Mu Mingyue entered their private training bay.

“Zhouyao, this mecha…” Mu Mingyue’s voice came through the comms. Yu Zhouyao chuckled. “Ah, is it a bit noisy?” “Mhm… it’s completely different from mine. Is this truly an intelligent mecha? Wait, how could a military-grade intelligent mecha be in a school…” “Don’t dwell on it, Miss Mu. As long as it works well, right?” “I suppose.”

Grandma’s mechanical voice cut in: “Yu Zhouyao! I hate you! Don’t think that just because you’re in another machine, I can’t curse you. I’ll nag you to death through the network cables!” Yu Zhouyao shrugged it off. “Yes, yes, my most respected Ancestor, nag away.”

Banter finished, they began mobilizing their mental power. Yu Zhouyao hesitated before suggesting, “Miss Mu, let’s take turns. That way we can look out for each other. I’ll watch over you while you mobilize yours.” “Alright, Zhouyao. You go first.”

Yu Zhouyao closed her eyes. Following the flow of her consciousness, she raised the pulse weapon and aimed at the bullseye. Bang— With a simple thought, the pulse hit the center perfectly. It wasn’t as hard as Instructor Colin made it sound. After weeks of failing at “Mental Blood-Burning,” her control over the basic flow of energy had actually become much more refined. She practiced several more times, even while moving at low speeds, hitting the target every time. It felt like her old days of shooting space debris while piloting her ship.

“Zhouyao, you’re amazing!” Mu Mingyue cheered from the side. Yu Zhouyao slowed to a halt. “I’m done. Miss Mu, please be careful.” “I will~”

Mu Mingyue closed her eyes. Yu Zhouyao released her own mental power to monitor the situation. At first, the waves were steady, like a machine warming up. But within seconds, Mu Mingyue’s mental power began to surge violently. It was like a massive dam burst; her energy exploded in all directions.

“Grandma!” Yu Zhouyao shouted. “I know! I’m trying to absorb it! Her mental state is a mess…” Grandma replied urgently.

Mu Mingyue’s mental power was leaking from the mecha, reaching Yu Zhouyao. A faint scent of blood filled the air, wrapping around the machine. “Damn it!” Yu Zhouyao gritted her teeth. She spread her mental power wide, trying to contain the violent waves from the outside.

As the instability peaked and the scent of blood thickened, Yu Zhouyao jumped out of her cockpit and ran toward the Grandma Mecha. “Grandma, open the emergency hatch and let me in!”

“I can,” the electronic voice was frantic, “but the pressure inside is extreme right now. I’ll swallow what I can, but you’ll have to bear most of it!” “Understood. Thanks.”

Yu Zhouyao squeezed into the small cockpit. Mu Mingyue was deathly pale and unconscious. “Miss Mu…” Zhouyao worked quickly, plunging a suppressant needle into Mu Mingyue’s vein. The violent mental energy thrashed against the cockpit walls like a caged beast. Slowly, the suppressant took hold, and the attacks weakened.

Minutes passed. Yu Zhouyao crouched in the cramped space, staying by Mu Mingyue’s side until her breathing steadied.

“Phew, I’m exhausted,” Grandma’s voice returned. “Her mental power is toxic. It’s hard to swallow and incredibly aggressive.” “Thank you.” “By the way, the ‘taste’ of your mental powers… they are polar opposites.”

Yu Zhouyao asked distractedly, “Oh? How so?” “Yu Zhouyao, you are aggressive, but your mental power tastes fresh and sweet, like fruit. This little girl, who looks so lovely… her mental power is rare. I couldn’t find the word before, but now I have it. It’s rust. Like biting into ten tons of oxidized metal.”

Yu Zhouyao’s eyes sharpened. The description of their mental power matched their pheromone scents perfectly. It was no longer a theory; they were one and the same. “So… what does that mean?” “It just means yours is easier to digest,” Grandma replied.

Mu Mingyue stirred. “My head… it’s spinning. Did I lose control again?” “Mhm. But you’re okay now.” Mu Mingyue sat up slowly, looking defeated. “Maybe I just wasn’t meant to pilot mechas. My body can’t handle anything beyond basic flight.”

Yu Zhouyao felt a pang of heartache. “Don’t say that. I’m staying here for a bit. The cockpit is big enough for both of us.” “Mhm, whatever you want,” Mu Mingyue whispered, closing her eyes to rest.

Silence fell. Yu Zhouyao turned to Grandma Mecha in her mind. “Grandma, why is the perception of pheromones by humans and mental power by mechas so similar?” “I don’t know,” the radio waves sighed. “I’m not a mad scientist. But I can tell you this: in my age, I never saw a mental state as dangerous as hers. I’m worried about her too.”

“I think she’s resisting my comfort right now,” Yu Zhouyao mused. “Probably. Oh, and about how pilots handled Blood-Burning ‘crashes’ in the past? My memory of that part was wiped. Sorry.”

Yu Zhouyao looked at Mu Mingyue. The young miss had already put her “mask” back on, her face showing no trace of the earlier breakdown. “What is it, Zhouyao?” “Nothing. Class is almost over. Let’s sneak out early and get some milk tea.” “Hee, the star student wants to skip? I’m telling Instructor Colin!” “Miss Mu, have mercy! I’ll buy you the most expensive tea on the menu.” “Then I’m ordering every single topping. I’ll drink you into bankruptcy!”

That’s fine, Yu Zhouyao thought. As long as you’re smiling, I don’t care about the cost.

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