His Match Is an Interstellar Monster

Chapter 23: Mental Entity Sensory Connection

In the parlor.

Xiao Sa sat at the dining table, shoving a sandwich into his mouth while quickly scanning the report files on his holoscreen.

Although he was not familiar with the Wenser family's industries, back when he was studying on the home planet, financial and management courses were mandatory for the family’s elite descendants, in addition to combat-related majors.

During his time at the advanced academy, Xiao Sa's grades were mostly among the top students.

The only exception was the AO knowledge physiology class, which didn’t count toward graduation and in which he had no interest. He either sneaked off to the training ground to spar or dozed off to catch up on lost sleep, resulting in two consecutive years of failing grades.

With Haino's help, he efficiently extracted key data curves and other relevant information.

Xiao Sa had always been a quick learner. Given time to adapt and study, handling these daily business documents wasn’t particularly challenging. After all, he only needed to provide a general overview; the actual management was done by the executive managers below him.

Until the unexpected visitor, Black Flame, suddenly appeared in the parlor.

Xiao Sa immediately put down his light computer, his eyes practically glowing as he stared at the black lion—he had been coveting Landis's battle pet for a long time. A majestic and handsome furry feline, who wouldn’t love it?

It must be said that although people in the star sea region lacked pheromones and the multiple genders of the ABO system, and aside from strong individuals like Landis, most people’s strength was negligible, relying more on auxiliary devices such as mechs in battle.

But what Xiao Sa envied the most was that everyone had their own battle pet, or rather, mental entity.

Like his favorite cartoon from when he was a child, Wonder Beasts, where you could summon all kinds of magical companions to fight with you, capable of both offense and support, and even companionship. They grew up together, making them incredibly versatile companions.

As a teenager in his rebellious stage, Xiao Sa had been envious to the point of obsession, dreaming of owning his own Wonder Beast. He collected countless figurines and plush toys, spending all his pocket money on them, never losing interest.

Previously, the black lion always appeared beside Landis. The only time it appeared alone was when it attempted to attack him on the warship.

This left Xiao Sa itching to pet it but unable to do so, his heart aching with desire. This time, he finally got his chance. Now that Landis was in a meeting in the conference room, he definitely wouldn’t have time to look after his battle pet.

Xiao Sa would reluctantly take care of it.

Black Flame walked over with his thick tail held high, stopping a meter away, his dark golden vertical pupils glancing at Elton, who felt his hair stand on end under that gaze.

Despite the strange food Xiao Sa had maliciously given him, Elton had no choice but to gulp it down, wanting only to get away as quickly as possible.

Black Flame's gaze first fell on the bowl of soup, then he glared at Elton, displeasure wrinkling his nose.

Xiao Sa, not minding the details, waved at Black Flame. Black Flame hesitated for a moment but eventually walked towards him.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Black Flame got close, Xiao Sa wrapped an arm around its neck.

"Your fur is black and shiny, sleek and well-groomed. You're really well taken care of," Xiao Sa praised, first stroking Black Flame's head and then running his hand through the thick mane.

He then proceeded to pet Black Flame from its furry forehead all the way down to the tailbone, and grabbed the thick black tail, smoothly stroking it to the tip.

Taken aback by the full-body petting, Black Flame: "!!!"

Its dark golden vertical pupils suddenly widened, freezing the large cat in place as if it couldn't move.

"They say cats love being touched under the chin, is that true?" Xiao Sa scratched Black Flame's chin, and sure enough, the black lion narrowed its eyes and even tilted its head to rub against his palm.

Encouraged by this, Xiao Sa began to pet even more enthusiastically.

Elton and the others were already stunned, and after receiving another glare from Black Flame, they no longer dared to use files to trouble Xiao Sa. They immediately fled, wishing they could have gone blind.

※※※

On the other side, in the bathroom adjacent to the meeting room.

Landis locked himself inside and rested his hands on the black marble washstand. The cold stone did little to cool his palms, and soon the edge was warmed by his grip.

In the mirror, Landis’s furrowed brows mirrored his distant gaze, which seemed to focus on nothing in particular, as if he had suddenly found the marble patterns fascinating.

The heat from his body grew more intense, and he loosened his tie and undid the collar button with rough movements.

His neck, now reddened, was exposed, and a large patch of redness on the side of his neck, near his collarbone, was still unsubsided, with two faint tooth marks clearly visible.

When his fingertips lightly touched the marks, an immediate itch and slight sting tingled through his nerves.

Soon, the itching sensation began to spread to other parts of his body, particularly his chin. He couldn’t help but tilt his head back, revealing a long, slender neck and a moving Adam’s apple.

Xiao Sa touched here...

This realization, transmitted through the mental link with his mental entity, was startlingly clear in his mind.

Whether human or animal, the throat, both vulnerable and vital, should never be easily exposed to others, as it means entrusting one’s life to them.

Landis had no time to think about these things. He breathed lightly, his fingers uncontrollably brushing over his Adam's apple, trying to alleviate the inexplicable itchiness.

It was like scratching an itch through a layer of cloth; no matter how much he rubbed, his neck turned red, but he found no relief.

Suddenly, Landis stiffened, inhaling sharply, his pupils dilating slightly, as if the blood in his veins surged passionately.

Strangely, despite the lack of any scent in the bathroom, he could have sworn he smelled Xiao Sa's strong, spicy, and intoxicating scent. It was as if he had just taken a sip of tequila.

At that moment, the black lion in the hall was faring even worse than its owner.

Defeated by Xiao Sa's teasing and the surrounding pheromones, the black lion could no longer maintain its cold and aloof S-class mental form.

Its massive body slumped into Xiao Sa's arms, its tail wrapping around his calf. It rolled and rubbed against him, purring softly, its wet nose twitching as it tried to catch more of the pheromones.

While humans from the Star Sea region normally couldn't smell pheromones, their mental entities could. They could also emit pheromones to convey emotions such as affection, fear, or the need for help.

Xiao Sa's pheromones smelled like tequila: when attacking, they became sharp and fierce like a blade; when calm, they were clear and rich like a woody liquor; and when joyful, they were sweet with a fiery heat that could easily captivate anyone who tasted them.

Landis's mental entity, already deeply marked by these pheromones, was naturally even more addicted.

Watching the large, drunk-like cat in his arms, utterly lost in the skilled caresses, meowing for more, Xiao Sa's preferences were thoroughly satisfied.

The black lion's furry head nuzzled against his neck, its two black paws hugging his neck, it gave his cheek a fierce lick.

The long whiskers and mane brushed against his neck, making him laugh from the tickling sensation.

When Xiao Sa looked up to wipe his face, he realized that all the attendants had left, and even the butler was gone.

"Huh, where did everyone go?"

Xiao Sa continued to stroke the black lion's belly fur, and the lion immediately curled up, its hind legs kicking him lightly before resigning itself to his touch, which made Xiao Sa laugh heartily.

This was too much fun!

"Big cat, is your owner aware of how sensitive your belly is?"

"Xiao Sa, Landis knows," Haino's teasing voice echoed in his ear, dutifully answering his question.

Xiao Sa froze for a moment, realizing that there was a telepathic connection between the mental entities and their owners.

"Touching someone else's mental form is a very intimate act, usually only happening between lovers."

Xiao Sa raised an eyebrow, but that's not a problem. Their relationship is even closer than that of lovers; they were already married.

But if there really is a telepathic connection…

He asked, "How would Landis feel? Would it make him uncomfortable?"

For instance, would he feel as though someone is constantly touching his hair?

This time, Haino was silent for a moment before slowly responding, "If it's an outsider, it definitely wouldn't work, but if it's his partner… he would likely feel very comfortable."

"Oh, I see."

Xiao Sa nodded. He had thought he might have unintentionally disturbed the other's work, but if it felt good, then he was relieved. It’s probably similar to grooming the mind, isn’t it?

With a sly smile, Xiao Sa stroked the black lion’s belly fur and sneakily reached for the adorable large bell.

He had only pinched the bell of a small cat before; the bouncy, soft texture was quite enjoyable, but he had never had the chance to pinch a big cat's before.

"I’ve only heard that you shouldn’t touch a tiger’s behind, but what about a lion’s?"

※※※

In the restroom.

Bracing himself against the marble counter, Landis's leg muscles were strained to the limit and he was gradually losing strength.

His military jacket had slipped down to his elbows, wrinkled.

The buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, revealing his chest and abs drenched in a fine sheen of sweat, rising and falling rapidly with his deep, restrained breaths. Bathed in the warm, yellow light, his skin glowed with a light honey hue.

Below the marble counter, the crisp 'click' of a belt buckle echoed.

Landis lowered his head, his sweat-soaked brows tightly furrowed. His long back involuntarily curved, and the hand gripping the edge of the counter tightened into a fist. His knuckles turned white from the strain.

"Xiao Sa…"

An unconscious, hoarse sigh escaped his throat.

If Xiao Sa were here, he would smell the more intense cedar aroma from Lan's neck, where he had been bitten, filling the air.

An unknown amount of time passed when the bathroom door was knocked by Caro.

His adjutant's worried voice came from outside the door: "Commander, Commander, are you alright? Is your mental state acting up again? Do you need a sedative or should I call a doctor?"

Inside the room, Landis let out a deep breath, lifted his head, and opened his eyes. His disheveled reflection in the mirror immediately caught his gaze.

His fine blonde hair was drenched in sweat, clinging to his forehead and temples, and his flushed neck extended to his ears and the corners of his eyes.

"No need..." his voice rasped, only to realize his voice was unusually hoarse.

Outside, Caro paused, as if doubting the answer, and asked again, "Should I bring your partner in?"

Landis stiffened, leaning heavily against the sink, his hand pressed to his forehead.

Clearly embarrassed, he was striving to remain composed, repeating through gritted teeth, "No need!"