Psionic Revelations and Lingering Doubts

Regarding psionic abilities, Little Nightingale recounted in full what she had secretly learned in the Void Realm. She also confessed to Ming Yu that she possessed psionic abilities, though she concealed some of the instances where she had secretly used them.

Connecting Little Nightingale’s account with the memories of Jörmungaṇḍr, even Ming Yu, who had always harbored doubts about supernatural powers, found herself compelled to re-examine her beliefs. She began to ponder past strange occurrences from an entirely new perspective.

If that were the case, then the so-called ‘Void Realm’ they had experienced during their virtual reality session was, in fact, real?

And if so, then Nicolaus, and Vera…

Could Vera also be real?

Recalling the little insect girl, Ming Yu subtly frowned, her thoughts coalescing in her mind. She had largely confirmed the burgeoning idea within her.

It seemed she, too, had likely acquired psionic abilities.

No wonder she could understand White Feather’s words; it was through ‘telepathy’ all along.

Given this, it was highly probable that all the strange incidents that followed were inextricably linked to psionic energy.

Ming Yu nodded faintly, her thoughts flowing with increasing clarity.

Furthermore, according to Little Nightingale, the people of Sky City had categorized psionic abilities into distinct levels.

Ming Yu gazed at the empty plate before her. After a moment of thoughtful silence, contemplating the psionic strength test Little Nightingale had mentioned, a sudden urge to try it herself arose.

Practice was the sole criterion for verifying truth. If everything proved true, she would harbor no further doubts.

“Little Nightingale, that ‘psionic user level test’ you just mentioned—levitating objects—how exactly does one perform it?”

Ming Yu winked at Little Nightingale, a faint smile gracing her lips.

At this, Little Nightingale froze, her chewing movements halting mid-motion. She instantly became utterly lost in Ming Yu’s winking smile, unable to pull herself away.

Perched on her head, Luna’s gaze remained fixed on Ming Yu’s face.

“Meow~ (╹◡╹)”

‘Ming Yu seems to have become even more beautiful…’

Ming Yu’s blood-red pupils, like crimson whirlpools, firmly captivated Little Nightingale’s gaze. She couldn’t help but swallow the food in her mouth, responding dazedly:

“I-I need to think…”

****

The attempt itself was not smooth, yet it delivered a significant impact to Ming Yu.

Under Little Nightingale’s simple guidance, Ming Yu focused entirely, her attention fixed on the plate before her. She vividly imagined an invisible hand lifting the porcelain dish.

Though she couldn’t fully levitate it, one end of the plate suddenly tilted up by a few centimeters, only to drop back down with a soft ‘thud’.

Little Nightingale propped her cheeks with her hands, muttering thoughtfully:

“The maximum load capacity is around fifty to eighty grams, with an average stable load of at least ten grams. Conservatively estimated, this should be Level 2 psionic strength…”

“Oh, right, when you first start using psionic energy, it puts a strain on your brain. You feel incredibly tired, suddenly wanting to sleep… Ming, Ming Yu? Are you alright?”

As she spoke, Little Nightingale suddenly noticed a change in Ming Yu’s condition. She frowned slightly, asking with concern.

As Little Nightingale had anticipated, after ending the psionic levitation, Ming Yu felt her mind go utterly blank. An inexpressible drowsiness and profound fatigue surged through her, a sensation eerily identical to when she had received Jörmungaṇḍr’s memories.

“Mm-hm, it’s alright, just a little sleepy…”

She lightly covered her mouth, stifling a small yawn. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and in their hazy depths, faint traces of tears glistened.

“Level 2 psionic strength…”

“This feeling is quite marvelous…”

She shook her head, trying to rouse herself, then began clearing the dishes from the table. Rising, she swayed slightly as she made her way towards the kitchen.

Little Nightingale’s face was etched with worry, fearing Ming Yu might accidentally stumble or bump into something. She hurriedly rose and followed her.

“Ming Yu, are you alright? You should rest.”

“Mm-hm, perhaps. Just let me finish these first…”

“It’s alright, just leave it to me. Go get some proper rest.”

“…”

Under Little Nightingale’s gentle persuasion, Ming Yu, battling her weariness, lay on her side on the sofa. She reached for the rabbit plushie beside her, pulling it into her embrace and curling up into a ball.

Soon, her breathing grew faint and even.

Little Nightingale squatted beside her, gazing at Ming Yu’s serene sleeping face. She couldn’t resist extending her index finger to gently poke Ming Yu’s soft, smooth cheek. Her fingertip brushed past, tracing the curve of those alluring red lips.

For some inexplicable reason, she felt an urge to delve deeper, to venture inside.

Her restless finger then traced the curve of Ming Yu’s lips repeatedly, picking up faint traces of glistening moisture, continuously testing the unspoken boundaries.

Suddenly, a sharp sting shot through her fingertip.

Little Nightingale withdrew her finger, staring in astonishment at the bleeding wound. Her gaze flickered back and forth between her finger and Ming Yu’s red lips.

It was then that Ming Yu, her eyes still tightly closed, suddenly extended the tip of her tongue, licking away the trace of blood from her lip.

The action startled Little Nightingale. She had initially thought Ming Yu was awake, only breathing a sigh of relief after confirming otherwise.

Seizing the moment, Little Nightingale noticed Ming Yu’s two prominent canine teeth. Glancing back at her own finger, a sense of understanding instantly washed over her.

Cautiously, she leaned closer, staring at Ming Yu’s lips for a long moment. Still unable to steel her resolve, she instead leaned to the side and lightly pecked Ming Yu’s fair, porcelain-like cheek.

Her cherry lips touched and immediately left Ming Yu’s cheek. A deep blush instantly bloomed across Little Nightingale’s face, spreading all the way to her earlobes before finally receding.

****

This nap stretched directly until dusk settled.

More than sleep, it felt akin to a brief unconsciousness.

Ming Yu, clutching her still-dizzy head, slowly sat up. It was then that she noticed the rabbit plushie cradled in her arms, remembering it was meant to be Little Nightingale’s birthday gift. She helplessly clicked her tongue.

Little Nightingale’s birthday had already passed, and now, she felt too embarrassed to present such a belated gift.

Alas…

She would have to find other ways to compensate.

As she pondered, Little Nightingale’s busy figure entered her line of sight, humming a tune as she carried the dinner dishes.

Dinner was brief and sweet. At least, it was for Little Nightingale.

Ming Yu, however, felt a pang of conflict. She gazed at Little Nightingale’s vacant eyes and spoke softly:

“Little Nightingale, perhaps you should let me handle these things from now on. After all, your eyes… they’re not very convenient.”

“Mm-hm, is Ming Yu looking down on me because I can’t see…?”

“No, of course not. How could I possibly…”

“I’m just kidding! Even if Ming Yu did look down on me, I wouldn’t be sad, because you’re still willing to stay by my side…”

“I’m just worried you might have an accident since you can’t see…”

“Mm-hm, actually…”

Seeing Ming Yu’s worried expression warmed Little Nightingale’s heart. Yet, not wanting Ming Yu to fret too much, she found herself inwardly conflicted about whether to reveal that she could, in fact, see.

During their time together, Little Nightingale wouldn’t claim to fully understand Ming Yu. However, she trusted that Ming Yu would unconditionally accept her, even as an otherworldly being, and would never cast her out.

Just as Little Nightingale was about to confess, Ming Yu suddenly brought up another matter.

“Oh, right, Little Nightingale, after I left, did Qing Shui come looking for you?”

“Qing Shui Ling Yin…”

“Yes, her. You’ve met her. I asked her to take you to the academy for a while, but I didn’t expect you to stay home,” Ming Yu paused, sounding a little perplexed.

“Did she come to find you?”