Chapter 14 - Energy Infusions

Yukio closed the door behind him and locked it. Then, he turned around and approached Ambrosia. She was reading her book. She closed it, and set it aside, before speaking to Yukio.

"So, do you think your exam went well?" asked Ambrosia.

"You tell me, you were basically the deciding factor in this whole ordeal!" said Yukio.

"Well, I couldn't see what you were doing, only feel it. So, you tell me! How did it go, Yukiiiooo?" asked Ambrosia once more.

"Well, obviously it went better than I expected it to. What did you do to me that last time? It felt like my blood was moving all funny." said Yukio.

"Oh? How so? I wasn't doing anything differently, at least not that I could tell."

"Well, it felt like you were controlling my blood, it made me kinda stiff, but I overcame it. I thought for a second that you were just going to move my body for me," said Yukio.

"Hm, if it felt like I was controlling your blood, then that was an oopsie on my part. You see, I was trying to infuse energy into your legs and arms only, to make you faster. It seems I might have done a bit too much though."

"Well, to me it felt like you were trying to take control of my whole body. Ease up on the energy transfers okay?" said Yukio in rebuttal.

"Heh, sure thing. But I need to tell you this now so you don't go relying on me all the time. I can only give you energy infusions when I'm within a mile of your location, so if we're separated, you're going to have to toughen up and deal with your own problems." said Ambrosia.

"Wait, are you offering to help me out all the time? I'm confused now, why are you even infusing me with your energy?" said Yukio.

"I'm offering you these infusions to try and draw out your power. It needs something of a similar level to channel through, and if I can match its power, then it will naturally come out and manifest itself in your body," said Ambrosia.

"Wait, so my abilities that you said were locked away in my body, you believe that by infusing me with energy until it matches them in power, you will be able to draw them out?"

"Precisely."

"Damn, well does it seem to be doing anything? Are you feeling anything?" asked Yukio.

"Not a dent. I'm going to need to pump you full of energy to even have a chance of drawing it out. But your body isn't ready for such an overflow of energy, so that's why I'm asking you to train on your own, and you and I will build you up together through these regular infusions, mkay?" said Ambrosia.

"Sure, sounds good, but what do you mean by regular infusions? Are you wanting to do this more often?" asked Yukio, confused. He was getting strange vibes from Ambrosia.

"Well, simply put, I can infuse some energy in you every day, and slowly build you up stronger and stronger until you're ready to harness your ability. It's basically a locked power that you need to level up to unlock. I'm offering you "Daily EXP" if you will." said Ambrosia.

"Ahh, I see. That's actually very thoughtful of you, Ambrosia."

"Well, I'm thinking about the entire camp, not just about you. If you can help us out, I wanna make sure you do it right, and don't die," said Ambrosia.

"So, how will these infusions work?" asked Yukio.

"Well, we will need to make physical contact every single day so that I can transfer energy to you. Physical contact is much stronger than telepathic connections, so all I'll have to do is hold your hand for a few minutes each day, and infuse energy into you," said Ambrosia.

"Interesting... how will we go about making these arrangements?" asked Yukio.

"If you want, I can set up a private line when you receive your RCD, and you and I will be able to communicate that way. If your RCD fails for some reason, I'm sure my esper senses will track me to you," said Ambrosia.

"Ah yeah, that's right, I'll be getting an RCD if I become a hero. They seem so cool, being able to connect with other heroes on the fly," said Yukio.

"Yeah, they're pretty nice. But you're going to have to set up your connections on your own, so I'd get to know the heroes in your level very well, you'll be relying on them a lot for group work."

"I assumed as much. I'll set up that line with you when I get my RCD though, so don't go anywhere," said Yukio.

"I don't plan to. If I can, I'll try to stay close to your location at all times, unless I'm absolutely needed for a quest. Speaking of which, considering your physical score, you're probably going to be given a level 3 quest. Just be prepared." said Ambrosia.

"Ah jeez, they're going to throw me into the fire immediately. Well, if I can pass, then I'll secure a spot in level 2 at least," said Yukio.

"Most likely. Hey, let's try one of those infusions now to see if your body can handle it or not. Come here and hold my hand. Relax, this won't hurt." said Ambrosia.

"Alright, I trust you..." said Yukio.

Yukio walked over to Ambrosia and held her hand. It was small, and her skin was soft. Ambrosia closed her eyes, and let out a deep breath. Then, she opened them and revealed her heterochromatic eyes, one pink and one yellow. An orange glow began to emit around her body, as well as Yukio's. Then, Yukio began to feel the energy coursing through him.

"I'm infusing just a little bit right now, I don't wanna accidentally kill you," said Ambrosia.

Yukio widened his gaze, and he was met with a feeling of slight euphoria, almost as if he was getting high off of Ambrosia's energy. It felt nice, leaving him refreshed.

"You know, this actually feels pretty nice. I feel refreshed and awake," said Yukio.

"Good, that means you can handle more. Hang on a sec, tell me when it becomes too much, okay?" said Ambrosia.

"Sure thing. Go ahead and gimme some more of that good stuff," said Yukio.

"Gosh, you sound like an addict," said Ambrosia. She then increased her output, and Yukio began to glow brighter. His eyes widened... something was changing. Yukio was suddenly seeing things appear in front of him which he had never seen before.

"Ambrosia, what are these things I'm seeing? Are you seeing them as well?" asked Yukio.

"Ah, shit... don't mind those, those are my memories. You're infusing with me, as well, Yukio, so my powers and yours are linked, meaning whatever I think of, you can probably see play in front of you. Don't pay attention to them." said Ambrosia.

Yukio smiled smugly and paid as much attention to them as possible. He saw Ambrosia's memories, things such as what she ate this morning, where she walked, who she talked to, including the CEO of the Hero Camp, however, he had no way of knowing what they were talking about, as he could not hear them.

"I said don't look at those! You're invading my privacy!" shouted Ambrosia, kicking Yukio.

"Ow! Well, as an esper, you're able to invade everyone's privacy whenever you want!" said Yukio.

Ambrosia then pouted and shook Yukio's hand violently. She was annoyed, but accepting of the fact that she could not prevent this phenomenon from occurring.

"Ambrosia, I'm starting to feel the effects now. I think this is good enough," said Yukio.

"Very well, I will cease," said Ambrosia.

Ambrosia stopped her infusion, and Yukio was left feeling refreshed. He let go of her hand, and Ambrosia sat back down in the chair and placed her book in her lap. She then spoke."

"If we perform these infusions once a day, I think we will be set up for success. It's unfortunate that nobody around us knows of your circumstances except you and me. But maybe that's for the best. I won't tell anyone, just make sure to make contact with me every day, mkay?"

"Absolutely, thank you, Ambrosia," said Yukio.

"You're welcome. By the way, Yukio, where are you from? Both of us understand that you were summoned here, but not even I can access your memories prior to your arrival at the flower fields. Do you come from another land?" asked Ambrosia.

"Well, I come from a planet known as Earth. It's similar in style to this place, except it doesn't have monsters running around, and it's a bit more developed," said Yukio.

"Ah, it sounds nice... perhaps if inter-dimensional travel is ever understood and studied better, I could travel there. Considering you were summoned here, it's definitely possible to go back," said Ambrosia.

"I suppose anything can be reversed if you try. By the way, what's this world called? I never learned the name of it." said Yukio.

"It's called Etheria. I've called it home for 28 years now, but gosh, it's only felt like 5. How old are you, Yukio?"

"I'm 19, but I'll be turning 20 soon..." said Yukio.

"Interesting...you have the physical appearance of a 17-year-old, meaning you're young and healthy."

"Pfft, you're telling me about young physical appearances? Look at yourself!" said Yukio.

"Heh, I suppose you're right, although I am 28, so don't go assuming that I won't be able to handle myself in dangerous situations, I'm Level 7 Rank 2," said Ambrosia.

"Yeah, you're crazy powerful... by the way, what should we do now?" asked Yukio.

"Well, if you want, I can show you around Camp Alpha. I feel like if we're going to be spending a lot of time around each other, we should at least get to know each other, right?" said Ambrosia, smiling smugly.

"Ah, perhaps you're right. So what, you're gonna follow me around, and give me a tour?" asked Yukio.

"Yep! Here, follow me, we can go looking around together!" said Ambrosia, hopping out of her chair, book in hand. She walked over to Yukio and grabbed his hand. Then she closed her eyes and uttered an odd sentence.

"-And now we go, with our minds..."

"Wha-" suddenly, Yukio and Ambrosia began to phase out of the room, becoming transparent. Yukio felt a rush of cold air blow past him, and then saw a flash of bright colors. When it ceased, he found him and Ambrosia standing outside of the administration building. They had just teleported.

"You can teleport!?" asked Yukio.

"Well, I couldn't really call it teleporting. It's more complex than that. But to put it bluntly, sure, I can teleport. I felt like it would be a much cooler way to exit, rather than just walking out." said Ambrosia.

"Damn, how did you even learn to do that? You seem to be the only one in this camp that I've seen who can use such abilities," said Yukio.

Ambrosia glanced down to the ground and tightened her grip on her book. She seemed to be not wanting to answer his question.

"Does it have anything to do with that book you're holding? You've had it with you every time I've seen you. Is it powerful?" asked Yukio.

"I cannot go into the details, but this book is something that's very important to me..." said Ambrosia.

"I see. No worries, everyone has their secrets, and I respect that. Hey, let's go look around camp alpha, I can take you to my friends." asked Yukio.

"Sure, I'd like to meet them. I remember them from Theta, but I never got the chance to talk to them," said Ambrosia.

"Follow me!" said Yukio. He grabbed Ambrosia's hand, and together, they wandered through Camp Alpha, searching for Yukio's friends.

As they went, numerous heroes turned their heads and gazed at the pair. Some higher-level heroes widened their eyes, and some groups even spoke amongst themselves. It seemed that Ambrosia being with someone was a rare occurrence.

"Yo, who's Esper Witch with?"

"You don't think that's her brother, do you?"

"She has a brother?"

"No, y'all are wrong, clearly that's her boyfriend."

"I doubt it, Esper Witch hates everyone. Pfft, what makes this asshole so special?"

Being an esper, Ambrosia could hear everything that was being said. She turned toward the group of heroes, and gave them a stern look, sending shivers down their spine. They ran away with their tails between their legs. Yukio then spoke.

"Hey, there's my friends! Let's go say hi, Ambrosia!"

Yukio and Ambrosia approached the group, and Cyprus turned around. Mayumi and Yui followed suit. Yui, noticing the pair holding hands, turned slightly red and gritted her teeth. Mayumi spoke.

"Welcome back Yukio! Did you retrieve what you left behind?" asked Mayumi.

"Sure did. I forgot my journal back in the room, I keep it with me to record my daily activities. Also, everyone, I'm sure you've seen this face before, I'd like you all to meet Ambrosia!" said Yukio.

"Call me Esper Witch, it's my hero name. But it's nice to meet you all..." said Ambrosia, glancing into the eyes of Yui. Ambrosia had a neutral expression on her face, but Yui was annoyed. The tension immediately rose between the two.

"Well, it's nice to meet you! So, what are you doing with Yukio?" asked Cyprus, curiously.

"I'll explain that now..." said Ambrosia...