Zeroy hugged Patchouli from behind—
"Here, hold these handles, and feel it with your mind. H.A.M.P. doesn't have a complex console—it uses a more sensitive, convenient mental control system."
Zeroy's hands gently wrapped around Patchouli's, guiding her slender fingers to the cold metal grips.
The cockpit was so cramped it was suffocating, their bodies pressed tightly together. Zeroy's chest pressed against Patchouli's back, soft warmth seeping through the thin fabric.
"Mind-control may be tricky, requiring special training, but don't worry—I'm here." Zeroy's clear, earnest voice carried over her shoulder, golden hair brushing against Patchouli's and carrying a faint fragrance. Her breath stirred against Patchouli's ear, tickling like feathers.
"With my support, the difficulty drops a lot. This mecha is like an extension of my body. So, Patchi, calm down and feel it…"
Patchouli's violet eyes trembled. She tried to concentrate, yet her thoughts scattered from the intimate closeness.
They were like two mermaids squeezed into the same shell! Never having had such contact, she couldn't ignore it—not out of desire, but out of unfamiliarity. Zeroy's palms radiated heat, making her fingertips tremble. The soft pressure behind her grew stronger with each of Zeroy's unconscious movements, smothering her thoughts.
"Think of H.A.M.P. as your body, and try to move… Patchi? Your shoulders are stiff. Your heartbeat's fast too—I can hear it. Nervous?" Zeroy chuckled softly, cheek brushing Patchouli's like teasing a child. "I get it, totally. Take a deep breath. First time piloting can make you dizzy."
"…" Patchouli bit her lip, forcing herself to breathe deeply.
Even so, that only made Zeroy's scent stronger, blush blooming across her cheeks. Like a shy shut-in confronted with sudden enthusiasm—she felt embarrassed despite no deeper feelings.
Feel the mecha? No—all I feel is you pressed against me!
Oblivious, Zeroy continued teaching, green eyes shining with passion for the machine. Patchouli sat in silence, caught between logic and panic, drowning in Zeroy's whispers and the stifling atmosphere.
Time passed; still, H.A.M.P. showed no response. Zeroy tilted her head, golden hair brushing Patchouli's neck. "Strange, it should be easy to sense. Eh? Why's your face so red? Is it too hot?"
"…" Patchouli gave no reply. Her eyes closed—and she fainted.
"Patchi?!" Zeroy checked quickly—no harm, just emotional overload. Diagnosis: too excited from piloting a mecha.
"As expected, no one can resist the charm of giant robots." Zeroy mused.
Since Patchouli was fine, Zeroy didn't wake her. She kept her close while continuing to cleanse the pests. Stronger than before, she tore through cities—millions purged in hours. Sometimes Hellfire, sometimes slaughter, sometimes H.A.M.P.'s destructive power.
Patchouli awoke later, only to be pulled into piloting again. This time, she managed, connecting with H.A.M.P. and, with Zeroy's guidance, helped annihilate an entire city.
Abruptly, at the next, she refused. Killing was fine; however, massacres like that repulsed her. Unlike Zeroy, her bloodlust wasn't so strong—unless provoked, she had no urge to kill. She preferred knowledge over carnage.
Zeroy soon had another thought. "Patchi, you can refine human bodies into Philosopher's Stones, right?"
"Yes, but it doesn't involve souls. Only flesh into Pseudo–Philosopher's Stones that store Mana. Nothing more." Patchouli assumed Zeroy was back to the Ten-Thousand Soul Banner idea.
"How do you make a real Philosopher's Stone?" Zeroy asked curiously.
"It's complicated. You need an elaborate ritual and the essences of all things—sun, moon, plants, rivers. Human vitality alone can't make one. That only produces pseudo-stones, distorted trash of lesser alchemists."
"Hmm… I see. Then never mind." Zeroy ended the topic casually, though Patchouli noticed her hesitation.
"You want a true Philosopher's Stone? They're troublesome, though I have a few. I could give you one—more if you supply materials."
"That's not necessary… and sorry. I didn't realize how much you disliked those stones. I made you refine so many before." Zeroy lowered her gaze, guilty for ignoring her friend's feelings.
"It's fine. I'm not that sensitive."
"Really?"
"Otherwise, I'd have refused outright."
"Good. Hehe… then I'll keep exterminating pests. Still lots left."
"…" Patchouli didn't let it go. She disliked half-finished talk, especially while still adjusting to a new partner. For future harmony, everything needed clarity. So she simply stared at Zeroy with calm violet eyes.
...
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