In his Mental Mind mode, Tristan scanned from the descending aircraft, feeling ecstatic like Superman flying among the clouds. Realizing they were above the sea, he couldn't see any land in his Mental Mind's view.
Struggling to push his mind further, Tristan pivoted around the aircraft but found only clouds and seas.
'Valeria, where are you? I couldn't go beyond this point, so I circled around the aircraft.' Tristan asks. He hoped Valeria, though invisible, would hear and respond.
'I'm opposite you, Tristan. I couldn't see your mind's body but sensed your location. This power is amazing!' Valeria said.
Tristan sensed Valeria's excitement about her new Mental Mind level.
'Congratulations Valeria. I wish I had reached your level. It would be wonderful to hear your voice and gaze into your captivating eyes in the realm of the mind. Only hearing your voice without seeing you drives me crazy.'
'What?'
Tristan's impulsive remarks shocked Valeria and, a few seconds later, even surprised Tristan himself.
'Uh, haha... What did I just say? Staying too long in this realm twisted my mind—' Tristan couldn't hide his embarrassment, though Valeria couldn't see him now.
'Yeah... I felt the same way too—' Valeria's voice sounded gloomy.
'You did' Tristan was shocked by her answer. 'I meant you could see my body in this realm.' He added, trying to clarify.
'No, I wasn't talking about that. I meant staying too long in this realm.' Her response made Tristan want to hide and cry. But his logic snapped him back.
'I was once Tristan Quinn, a special forces soldier, a great detective, a gentleman. Why am I thinking and feeling like a teenager? I hope she can't read my thoughts in the realm of the mind. If she can, damn it.' Tristan talked to himself and decided to focus on Uncle Alex's instructions and discuss only their duty with Valeria, not talk about his personal feelings.
'Valeria, have you seen anything suspicious?' Tristan asked, trying to sound cool while asking.
For nearly a minute, no response from Valeria. This upset Tristan immensely. Suddenly—
'Tristan! Stay where you are. I'm coming to your position. Is that okay?' Valeria's question had a mix of command and genuine concern.
'Sure—' Tristan answered briefly. Valeria's sudden question surprised him.
A few seconds later, Valeria's voice reached his ear softly, saying hi, and Tristan wasn't surprised.
'I'd like to try something. It may help you perceive yourself in this realm.' She said it gently and caringly.
'You... you would do that? Thanks... I guess.' He stammered, unsure of what to do.
'Get ready. I'll hold your hand. Let me know if you can sense my touch. Focus on your hands.' Valeria's instructions were clear, and Tristan decided to follow through. 'My hand is squeezing yours. Can you feel it?'
Valeria's voice disrupted Tristan's concentration initially. But with determination, he closed his mind's view and focused solely on his hands. After a minute of intense focus, a warm sensation spread from one of his hands throughout his body, even his hair.
'Open your eyes, Tristan.' Her voice now had a subtle tone of ecstasy.
Tristan followed her instruction without hesitation, slowly opening his eyes. He saw his whole body now perceivable in the realm of the mind. He observed Valeria's hand tightly gripping his, both glowing as if she channeled power through the touch.
'Valeria! I can perceive my body... and I can perceive you too! We're flying close to the sea!' His excitement grew as he met Valeria's gaze, their joy merging.
'Don't let go. The energy flow I'm pushing into your Mental Mind isn't stable yet.'
'I'll never let go.' Tristan's impulsive answer surprised both Valeria and himself. 'Unless you ask me to, of course. Uhmm…. Let's scan the surroundings together, shall we?' He hurriedly added, trying to avoid awkwardness.
Tristan and Valeria scanned the aircraft's surroundings, holding hands, their combined power enabling them to travel farther than alone. They acrobatically maneuvered between clouds, flying close to the sea's surface. Tristan even touched the sea but felt only a warm sensation.
Uncle Alex's sudden loud voice interrupted them, startling Tristan and Valeria. 'Enough with the acrobatics, lovebirds. Return to your physical body. NOW!'
Within seconds, Tristan and Valeria exited their Mental Minds, awakening from their suspended animation and turning to Uncle Alex.
"Guys. I found a suspicious drone seemingly flying and tailing us. Its position is very far away from the aircraft radar's detection. But I'm confident it's following us." Explained Uncle Alex with a firm voice.
"Wait, we have drones in this world?" Tristan exclaimed suddenly. His remark caught everyone's attention on the bridge, their faces filled with curiosity looking at him. He suddenly realizes the meaning of his remarks.
"Yes, Tristan. We have flying drones in this world. Did your amnesia strike again? Valeria, please touch Tristan's forehead. Maybe he got a fever again." Uncle Alex quickly responded with a smile.
But Valeria didn't move a finger. Something still bothered her. And it's likely not Tristan's remarks.
Luckily for Trsitan, Uncle Alex's swift response has helped everyone ignore Tristan's quirk remarks.
"So, what are we going to do, Uncle Alex?" Asked Valeria suddenly.
"Nothing for now or in the next couple of hours." Prince Alex replies quickly.
"Don't be upset, princess." Says Lady Ayana." There is nothing we can do now. We're still above the sea. Changing our course would only alarm our enemies." She adds.
"Lady Ayana is correct, Valeria. We will do nothing until we fly above the land, which will be in a couple of hours. We will fly low, too, so the Kingdom of Phaenon won't detect our presence in their territories." Adds Prince Alex.
"Princess Valeria, Tristan, get some rest. Okay? Practicing your mental mind on an advanced level for that long must be draining your energy so much." Lady Ayana said caringly.
"Yeah, you two. I'm going to need you fresh and full of energy when we're executing our new plan." Prince Alex said while looking out the sky through binoculars.
"May we know your plan now, Uncle?" Asked Tristan curiously.
"No. I will only tell you a minute before we execute it. Now get some rest." Uncle Alex said it calmly and without even looking at Tristan.