Chapter 30 Psychic Power

Chapter 30: Psionic Power

Ji Anzhi looked at Qi Yanshen's mech.

The main body of the mech was silver-white, about seven or eight meters tall, a humanoid-type mech. It had a streamlined build. Although he didn't understand mechs very well, it was definitely A-rank or above.

Qi Yanshen controlled the mech to lower the cockpit entrance. Because his hand was injured, preventing him from leaping up, he had it lower so he could step inside.

Ji Anzhi followed behind, climbing up in a few steps and entering the mech cockpit.

The scent of gardenias greeted him, likely Qi Yanshen's pheromones. Inside, there was about nine cubic meters of activity space, which was quite spacious and ample.

The console displayed a dazzling array of data, and the various buttons on the panel were a dizzying array.

But if he wasn't mistaken, it seemed there was only one pilot seat?

Qi Yanshen sat in the pilot seat, linked his psionic power to the mech, and activated it. The Intelligent Mech, seeing its pilot injured, asked with concern, "Xiao Yanshen, how did you get hurt?"

As he initiated a system check, Qi Yanshen replied calmly, "It's nothing. I was a bit slow to react during a spar."

"You were slow to react?"

Does he think I'm easy to fool?

Just as it was about to expose Xiao Yanshen's lie, it received a covert message via Xiao Yanshen's psychic link.

"Watch what you say."

The Intelligent Mech looked at the other person in the cockpit through its sensors—a bookish-looking beta who seemed unsuited for mechs.

"Who is he?"

"The future head of the Third Legion's Star Chart Department."

"...Did he agree?"

"No."

"So this is kidnapping and fraud?"

"Shut up. Remember not to speak carelessly when he's here."

If the Intelligent Mech could take a humanoid form, it would be shaking its head right now. Why did its pilot give off the vibe of a kidnapper?

Meanwhile, Ji Anzhi was momentarily stunned when a clear, youthful voice brimming with emotion came from the control room. He then realized—could this be an Intelligent Mech?

He'd heard that only a few interstellar nations could develop Intelligent Mechs, with the best ones coming from the Sco Federation, which was also the origin of Intelligent Mechs.

Small countries like Suo'ao'er certainly didn't have them, so this was Ji Anzhi's first time seeing an Intelligent Mech. The voice just now, in terms of emotional expression, felt no different from a real person.

This was the Federation's Intelligent Mech...

A spark of keen interest ignited in Ji Anzhi's eyes. He wondered what the core structure of an Intelligent Mech was really like. If he had the chance, he'd really like to take one apart and see.

"This is my Intelligent Mech—Thor."

Ji Anzhi snapped back to attention and inquired, "So, this is an Intelligent Mech? What rank?"

Before Qi Yanshen could reply, Thor spoke up first: "I am an S-rank Intelligent Mech, but I can later grow into an SS-rank or even an SSS-rank Intelligent Mech!"

SSS-rank mech?

Ji Anzhi asked curiously, "Mechs can grow?"

This time, it was Qi Yanshen who explained to Ji Anzhi, as Thor had just been forcibly silenced.

"Yes, my mech is a growth-type mech. Later, by replacing its components, it can be upgraded to an SS-rank mech."

Ji Anzhi nodded. "I see!"

A growth-type, evolving Intelligent Mech was rare. He wondered how many the Federation actually had. If there were many, maybe he could get his hands on one to study.

Gathering his thoughts, Ji Anzhi asked Qi Yanshen how they should practice.

Qi Yanshen motioned for Ji Anzhi to stand on his right side and said, "S-rank mechs can be controlled using psionic power. You're a beta, so your psionic power is likely very weak. Therefore, it's better to use a neural link with manual button assistance for operation."

"Psionic power control?"

Ji Anzhi was puzzled. He knew about psionic power—it varied in strength, and improvement through training was determined by innate strength.

Generally speaking, omegas' psionic power was generally higher than alphas, while most betas were born with only one-tenth the psionic power of an alpha. This was also why there were very few betas and omegas in the Mecha Combat Department—one group lost out due to psionic power and physical constitution, the other due to physical constitution.

But wasn't psionic power used to soothe a partner's anxious moods during their heat cycles and rut cycles? It could also control mechs?

Ji Anzhi's confusion was evident. Qi Yanshen explained, "The more common understanding of psionic power is its connection to Alpha-Omega compatibility, used to soothe anxiety between Alpha and Omega partners and provide a sense of security, which is why there are more omegas in the Medical Department."

"But in reality, psionic power can also be used for combat and interrogation."

"If visualized, psionic power can be understood as threads, also called psionic threads. Linking them to a mech makes reactions twice as fast as a neural link. Moreover, if problems arise, as long as there is a highly compatible omega to help sort out the psionic flow, the issues aren't major. Compared to a neural link, which could easily damage the neural pathways, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

"Furthermore, powerful psionic power can invade others' minds, retrieve or alter memories, and even destroy another's psionic power, turning them into soulless vegetables. However, the requirements for such psionic power are extremely high, with only a handful of individuals capable of it."

"These are things only state-run military academies tell their students. We'll cover it in our second year. By then, you'll understand that psionic power is not simply what the general public thinks."

After listening, Ji Anzhi understood. Psionic power was something with both advantages and disadvantages. Its drawback was that it could make ordinary people fear those with strong psionic power. If individuals with strong psionic power learned to use it but went astray, society would be in constant turmoil.

No wonder he hadn't heard before that psionic power could be used for purposes other than Alpha-Omega partnership matters.

On one hand, it was because he was a beta with weak, almost negligible psionic power, so he hadn't paid much attention to it. But he shouldn't have been completely in the dark.

"I see, I understand. So, you operate via a psionic link?"

Qi Yanshen: "I can, but right now, it's mainly a neural link plus manual."

As he spoke, Qi Yanshen demonstrated. He pressed something, and neural interface pads appeared on both sides of the seat, automatically attaching to the temples.

"This is the basic neural link. It's sufficient for practice for you."

Ji Anzhi said, "Got it. Will your hand affect the operation?"

Qi Yanshen: "A bit, but it's not a big problem. You stand on my right side and press the buttons when needed."

"Okay."

Ji Anzhi steadied himself standing to Qi Yanshen's right. After he was steady, Qi Yanshen used neural control to make the mech start walking.

The steadily walking silver-white mech stood out conspicuously among the many other mechs practicing physical exercises, leaving Teacher Ji Ma utterly speechless.

Inside the mech cockpit, Qi Yanshen controlled the mech's movement with ease while speaking to Ji Anzhi: "Actions like walking, running, and jumping can all be operated via a neural link. Manual buttons are mainly for emergencies and weapon firing. Emergencies include situations where psionic power and a neural link cannot be used; manual operation then becomes a matter of life and death."

"So everyone starts by learning manual operation. I've already got it down. If you're interested, you can give it a try too."

Ji Anzhi politely but firmly turned it down: "Not interested, don't want to. I'll just watch you operate."

Three refusals in a row. Qi Yanshen understood that Ji Anzhi truly had no desire to operate, so he used his neural link to command the mech to start running.

Once running, the cockpit got a bit bumpy and shaky, but with focus, one could still maintain balance.

However, when Qi Yanshen controlled the mech to practice combat techniques, Ji Anzhi squatted down, holding his head, which felt like it was going to bruise, his eyes teary.

So betas really aren't cut out for mechs...

Qi Yanshen froze in the pilot seat, seeming completely at a loss. He hadn't expected Ji Anzhi to be unable to stand even this level of shaking. He'd been able to adapt and keep his footing through worse since he was eight.

"Look, you hurt him. Why not just let him sit with you in the pilot's seat? He's not an omega anyway."

"No, that would send the wrong message."

"...I really don't understand you humans. Women are out—'men and women shouldn't be too familiar.' Alphas—you end up clashing and fighting over pheromones. Omegas—Alphas and Omegas shouldn't be too intimate, it's bad for an omega's reputation. Betas won't do either. Then why did you bring him up here? For entertainment?"

Qi Yanshen ignored Thor. He hadn't meant to make a spectacle of him. He hadn't realized how poor Ji Anzhi's physical condition was. Bringing him up rashly was indeed his own oversight.

Qi Yanshen's tone was slightly tense as he asked with concern, "Are you okay? Should I open the rear auxiliary seat for you to rest?"

Hearing this, Ji Anzhi looked up puzzled, eyes still watery, and asked, "Don't you need help?"

Qi Yanshen said softly, "Don't worry. I'll call you if I need you later."

Hearing that, Ji Anzhi, now reassured, walked to the back. Thor had already opened the auxiliary seat. Using the mech's internal speaker, Thor spoke to Ji Anzhi in a gentle, youthful voice, patiently explaining how to use the seat, down to the last detail.

After Thor finished, Ji Anzhi sincerely said into the speaker, "Thank you, Thor."

Thor's core data froze for a moment at this thanks, then his youthful voice replied shyly, "Don't mention it."

Outwardly shy, but over the mental link to Qi Yanshen, Thor was still gushing.

"Xiao Yanshen, did you hear that just now? He thanked me!"

Qi Yanshen continued piloting the mech, replying when he had a moment.

"I heard."

"Such a pity. You're my current pilot."

"When are you going to the Zerg battlefield? I want to change pilots."

"...Ask me again when I'm two hundred and on my deathbed."

"Can't you die earlier?"

"...Shut up."

Unable to bear it any longer, Qi Yanshen silenced Thor. Indeed, this was the downside of a growth-type intelligent mech—too naive... and asking for a beating.

Seeing he had nothing to do in the back, Ji Anzhi opened the recording Andrew had sent him that morning to listen to the lecture. Fortunately, the auxiliary seat was equipped with shock absorption, allowing Ji Anzhi to listen to the recording content peacefully.

Thus, for the next hour and a half, Ji Anzhi spent ninety percent of the time listening to the recording. The remaining ten percent was spent helping Qi Yanshen, who was attentively learning mech operation in class, press some hard-to-reach buttons and controls.

Just before class ended, due to prolonged neural interface operation, suddenly relaxing, and being injured in the first place, Qi Yanshen's pheromones had a minor surge.

Instantly, the space was filled with a strong scent of gardenias. Qi Yanshen himself, focused on operation and accustomed to his own pheromones, didn't notice. It was Ji Anzhi, overwhelmed by the intense floral fragrance, who discovered it.

Fortunately, Ji Anzhi was a beta, unable to pick up or react to the biological cues in pheromones; otherwise, there would definitely have been a problem.

Approaching to remind Qi Yanshen, Qi Yanshen realized the pheromone scent in the cockpit was off. He needed to immediately apply an isolation patch to block pheromones, preventing further leakage that could trigger a pheromone surge and an early onset of rut. But with his left hand unable to apply the patch, Ji Anzhi had to step in and help.

However, Ji Anzhi had never paid attention to the location of an alpha's gland and didn't know where it was or if there was a distinct bump on the back of the neck.

Ji Anzhi asked somewhat awkwardly, "Um... could you point to your own gland? I can't find it."

Qi Yanshen placed his left hand on the back of his neck, pointing to the gland area by feel.

"Here."

Ji Anzhi quickly applied the isolation patch. Knowing how sensitive glands were for Alphas and Omegas, Ji Anzhi's hand was steady, succeeding on the first try.

Worried Qi Yanshen might be uncomfortable, Ji Anzhi said, "If you feel uncomfortable, you can adjust it yourself."

Qi Yanshen nodded: "Mm, thank you."

Ji Anzhi slightly shook his head: "It's fine. I already agreed to take care of you. It's no trouble."

Hearing this, Qi Yanshen's stern face wore a clearly visible smile for the first time, like spring water in March. Such contrast made Ji Anzhi freeze.

Just then, Teacher Jima outside notified everyone to store their mechs and assemble.

Qi Yanshen said, "Still, thank you. Class is almost over. Let's go."

That fleeting smile vanished in an instant. Ji Anzhi almost thought he was seeing things, but he was certain he wasn't mistaken.

He never expected someone usually so calm and aloof could smile so gently.

When disembarking the mech, Ji Anzhi was rather unskilled. It was Qi Yanshen, the injured one, who supported him to land steadily.

Seeing Qi Yanshen and Ji Anzhi like this, Lu Yan had mixed feelings. For some reason, he felt the atmosphere between them was a bit off...

Lu Yan didn't overthink it, figuring it was probably just an illusion because it was the first time he'd seen his semi-stoic childhood friend actively making friends. Such a feeling was perfectly normal.

Others on the training field also thought it was an illusion.

They watched Qi Yanshen, known among the descendants of the Federal Military Department for being cold to outsiders, not only allow a beta into his mech cockpit today but even reach out to support him when disembarking!

People in the training room speculated that Qi Yanshen was staking a claim, letting everyone know the Third Legion was determined to have Ji Anzhi and other forces shouldn't interfere.

After all, the incident between the Third Legion and the Fifth Legion two months ago caused quite a stir. Now, which powerful family or faction in the Federation didn't know the Third Legion's Star Chart Department had been poached?

But the way it was done felt... as if Qi Yanshen was trying to woo his roommate?

Everyone briefly considered this conjecture before dismissing it. One was an alpha, the other a beta—impossible.

Not to mention Qi Yanshen was the only alpha descendant of General Qi's family. Just the fact that AB pairs cannot mark each other, and betas cannot provide alphas with a sense of security or mental comfort meant AB pairs were destined not to be together.

It was probably just Qi Yanshen's method of staking a claim. After all, in the upper echelons of the Federation, people look at the final outcome. As long as the methods used don't cross the line, who can say anything?