Who Is the Partner?
How many minutes had passed since Seres began her interview with Rien regarding the partner swapping? Since it would be his turn right after hers ended, Netoru had been killing time nearby, reading the paper Asuna the maintenance chief had given him.
The paper recorded information on the coupling wavelength between Seres and Netoru.
Match Rate ─ 29.5407%
"…Higher than I expected."
Netoru muttered absentmindedly upon checking the coupling wavelength match rate. Considering that his first coupling with Karen had recorded a wavelength match rate of 14.3499%, this was a considerable figure. It was more than double. Even the match rate with Karen, which had risen over the past few days, didn't surpass this. No wonder Seres's sensitivity had been exceptionally high… Seeing this number made it easy to understand why her sensitivity was so acute. There had been quite a bit of her petulant whining for some reason, but surprisingly, their compatibility seemed solid.
…Or was it something special about yeogisa after all? This was Netoru's first time coupling with a yeogisa, so it was hard to judge rashly. Was this just because she was a yeogisa, or was Seres particularly exceptional…? Perhaps the yeogisa's inherent submissive tendencies still lingered in her. Thinking back now, she'd followed his commands smoothly throughout the battle.
In any case, one thing was clear from today's events. The mana nerve system built inside Seres's body was more intricate than any woman's he'd coupled with so far. It was beyond comparable levels—another realm entirely. Had the nobles been hiding something like this? A complex, precise mana nerve structure unseen in pilots from the organization… It was certainly worth researching enough to force a swapping attempt. Seres's mana nerve system had that much value. Her body delivered a fresh shock that shattered at once the limits Netoru had envisioned for so long.
To etch that shock into memory, Netoru closed his eyes briefly and recalled the coupling with Seres. In that instant, countless mana nerves forming her inner body surfaced in his mind. Dozens, hundreds of lines bent and branched repeatedly in his head, drawing a beautiful form. It was akin to a blueprint. Intricately intertwined and woven lines forming— the blueprint of a Holy Knight.
Depending on the mana nerve system a woman built inside her, the Holy Knight's capabilities changed as well. Thus, the mana nerve system constructed in a female pilot's body could be called the Holy Knight's blueprint.
What Netoru ultimately pursued now was altering that blueprint to his desires. An ideal female pilot embodying his preferred style exactly… For that, he'd been researching mana nerve systems and coupling with numerous female pilots up to now. It had piled up various unsavory rumors, but the results were satisfying regardless.
"…One time really isn't enough."
Recalling Seres's mana nerve system, Netoru smacked his lips in regret. He hadn't fully grasped her body yet. No matter how skilled Netoru was, fully comprehending such a complex structure from a single coupling was impossible—especially one he'd never encountered before. So, he needed to keep coupling until he became completely familiar with her body. Moreover, was it because the battle today had been low-stakes? He hadn't even fully activated her mana nerve system, let alone grasped it. In other words, he still hadn't properly checked how far the Holy Knight's output could climb.
To grasp the mana nerve system, he needed to probe its limits clearly. From Netoru's perspective, who'd deliberately pushed Seres to her limits like he had with Karen during their first coupling, this was quite surprising.
──Thud, thud.
At the sound of footsteps from inside Aegis, Netoru lifted his head. Seres was walking toward him. Her interview with Rien must be over. Which meant it was his turn now. He stood to pass by her—
"Let's talk after your interview's done."
Seres boldly grabbed his arm and said so.
2. Aside from the showers, the base had a large bathhouse for soaking. It wasn't used often due to base circumstances, but on specific days, it was recommended for use with the commander's permission. Soaking in warm water greatly helped relieve fatigue accumulated in the mana nerve system from battles. So on those days, the female pilots always made sure to visit the bathhouse.
Not that any woman hated bathing to begin with, even without such reasons.
"…So that's what happened?"
In the steamy bathhouse, amid faint mist rising from the water, Karen narrowed her eyes, her head peeking just above the surface. It was because of Rin and Ran's story.
"Yeah! You have no idea how shocked we were."
Rin grumbled as she dipped her foot into the bath. Soon, a splash echoed, followed by a pleasant, short moan. Piloting a Holy Knight was exhausting, after all, one way or another.
"Mm… Still, thanks to Mr. Blackie and Sister Seres, the battle ended smoothly. It felt like we were just handling cleanup, you know?"
Ran, who had tested the water temperature by dipping her hand first, slowly submerged her body and said so.
"……Mm."
Listening to the twin sisters like that, Karen sank up to her chin in the water, lost in thought. From the story, Netoru had clearly fought brutally as usual, yet it was hard for her to believe the two had returned without much conflict. Every pilot had their tendencies, and Seres's battle style matched her personality—she never pushed too hard. She preferred stability. Their styles were polar opposites. Even Karen, who'd grown accustomed to aggressive fighting because of Natsuo, would cringe thinking of Netoru's style… She hadn't gotten angry for nothing during their first coupling.
…No matter how I think about it, they don't match at all.
Even during the swapping, there'd been a strange tension between Netoru and Seres. So why had they emerged looking so chummy? It made her feel foolish for worrying about them. And hearing about Netoru from someone else like this felt oddly off. Their battle details sounded extraordinary too, making her even more concerned. If it were anyone else, she'd dismiss it as exaggeration.
"…Rin. Did that guy Netoru really breakthrough hundreds of meters alone with mana release?"
"Yeah, he did."
"Is that even possible? On their first coupling, no less?"
"Dunno. If it worked, he did it. It's the first time I've seen mana release used that skillfully since Brother Kamijo and Sister Sanae."
"……"
Kamijo… Sanae… Once the ace pilots of the 393rd Unit. To Karen, who survived thanks to their sacrifice long ago, they were dearly missed names. She'd even admired them wholeheartedly alongside Natsuo back when they were alive. They were exceptional, as aces should be. Karen had witnessed them fighting with mana release multiple times. That's why she knew. Just how incredible Netoru's method was. Reckless as it was, it wasn't something an ordinary person could do.
"……They're amazing."
Imagining Netoru in Seres's Holy Knight collapsing the enemy's front lines in one go, Karen unwittingly gave a wry smile. Especially since she'd coupled with him multiple times, it felt all the more unreal. That guy could do that? Maintaining mana release while a lone Holy Knight breakthroughs hundreds of meters was no easy feat. And it wasn't just Netoru's skill. The male pilot needed that much mana and focus, but the female pilot had to endure it too. Neither partner could afford any shortcomings.
In that regard, breaking through the front lines alone while sustaining mana release was impossible for Karen now. Setting aside coupling wavelength issues, mana release itself was still beyond her. She trained daily to grow, but the mana nerve system in her lower abdomen hadn't reached that level yet.
…Mana release.
It was undoubtedly a huge help if she could use it. One of the few powers that could neutralize bug attacks. Stroking her lower abdomen as she recalled her own mana nerve system, Karen gave a bitter smile. Realizing her own limitations wasn't pleasant. But it was unavoidable. Even as a recognized pilot in the unit, Karen was still just a girl not yet fully an adult. The unit's low average age let her play grown-up here, but elsewhere, she'd be treated like Pera or Kyoko—plenty kid-like. She might not even be seen as proper combat strength.
A third-year pilot's limits were clear in reality. Especially compared to someone with long knight order experience.
She's from the knight order, after all.
Karen felt anew just how formidable Seres's skills had been. A yeogisa who hadn't found a fitting partner and thus couldn't fight properly… Now she'd finally found one matching her prowess. A big boost to the unit's strength. Then… what came after? If they were an ideal pair, swapping made sense, but if it ended like this?
──Splash.
Brooding on such thoughts, Karen dunked her head fully underwater. It made her past struggles feel somewhat ridiculous. She'd written all sorts of black history over the past few days just to couple with that guy. For Karen, who'd inwardly viewed their coupling negatively, this was unexpected. It felt like her efforts were completely negated.
Letting out an internal sigh, she slowly lifted her fully submerged body from the water—
"…Karen. What're you thinking so hard about?"
Splash, splash. Ran approached closely in the bath and asked. Feeling Ran's water-slicked skin touch naturally, Karen shook her head.
"…Nah, nothing."
"Nothing? Your face looked dead serious."
"Mine?"
Karen unconsciously touched her face. Of course, touching it didn't reveal her expression. But apparently, it looked serious to others. Surprised, she blinked.
…Am I going crazy?
Thinking seriously again, today's events were far from bad. Even if it dimmed her efforts, this swap boosted unit strength and spared her body strain going forward. She just had to wait for Natsuo's return like this. The only issue was whether she'd have a coupling partner in the meantime…
Her thoughts reached there—
"…Ngh?"
Karen clutched her lower abdomen and groaned. Sudden needle-like pain stabbed her uterus. And simultaneously, heat began rising inside her body. The cause of these symptoms was obvious. The timing was awful. Why now, while bathing?
"…Again, huh."
Seemed the suppressed overheat was flaring up again. Sighing once, Karen pulled her body from the bath she was soaking in. She needed treatment.