Chapter 14: Alchemy & Engineering Part 1

[Mersa: Haaaaaaaah!]

The strike made by the white M-Armor connected, creating a dent in the opponent's armor.

Every M-Armor is custom-made. It is carefully crafted to reflect the image of the user. When one operates an M-Armor, their mind controls the Photon Core and distributes the photons. The greater the resemblance to the user, the higher the affinity and control the pilot will achieve.

One's body is accustomed to its shape; therefore, for proper photon circulation, it only needs to be a humanoid shape. However, there can be some 'improvements.' For example, there are M-Arms with built-in weapons, laser ports on the palms, and other similar modifications.

Rarely does a pilot request a significant modification, such as an additional limb. One or two is the limit for most, as this requires an incredible amount of concentration and training. Imagine suddenly growing an arm—now move it... and move it with enough proficiency to fight.

There are special models with more limbs, but they are operated by special sub-races, such as Arachnids, who receive additional subconscious help from their lineage.

Mersa opted for a standard model with no gimmicks—just a sword and her claws as her weapons. Right now, a group of engineers was swarming around it, making minor repairs and performing usual check-ups. The similarity between her and her M-Armor was outstanding...

[Celina: Seems like you are in perfect form.]

Celina was a 16-year-old chief engineer of a team responsible for several M-Arms, including Mersa's. A Tiger Mid sub-race might not immediately impress you, but she was plainly cute. Just like other sub-races, the only difference from her human ancestors were her ears and the presence of a tail. In other words, she was a tiger-type nekomimi!

[Mersa: Ehehe~]

[Celina: Let me guess~ Is it because of your lover?]

One of the characteristics of sub-races is their ability to make a partial transformation, usually a limb; the most gifted are capable of changing all four at once!

[Mersa: *blush* L-l-lover? *blush level 99*]

[Celina: Haha, you don’t even deny it. I heard that boy saved your life, huh? He must value you a lot.]

While Mersa was still overheating, the tiger girl thought back to the events from a day before.

***

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The 'powerless' came to the workshop. At that moment, several groups were working on one of the Colloses.

[???: Hey! This area is only for registered group members.]

A voice called out to him. In an elite school such as Athena's, there is a possibility of sabotage; therefore, several Mechs had already surrounded Vorst.

[Vorst: I see...]

[???: Please leave.]

[Vorst: Actually, I came here looking for someone.]

[???: I’m sorry to inform you that the Wolf Princess is not here.]

Even on his first day of transfer, Vorst was already known by all the girls in school. The only boy, powerless, and his image had been broadcast for the past three days with an announcement prohibiting bullying him.

[Vorst: I know. I’m actually looking for a girl named Celina Za.]

[???: Za-chan? What do you need her for?] Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

[Vorst: I’m interested in her invention.]

[???: Oh? Controlled Bots? *After a little thought.* Za-chan! The powerless is here to meet you!]

[#1: Powerless?!]

[#2: Oh, the rumored boy?]

[#3: He is here?]

[#4: Hmm... "He is less skinny than I thought he would be."]

A crowd gathered immediately. Most of the eyes looked at him with contempt, but a few looked at him with interest. From the crowd, a tiger girl appeared.

[Celina: What do you need me for? I’m quite busy, unlike some powerless.]

Her attitude was quite harsh; in her eyes, Vorst was merely leeching off the Wolf Princess.

[Vorst: My name is Vorst. I wanted to see your Controlled Bot.]

Celina squinted.

[Celina: My Controlled Bot? What do you need it for? Even if you wanted it as a toy, you won’t be able to use it.]

That was true; control over her invention was incredibly difficult, and so far, only she could use it with enough proficiency to be actually useful.

[Vorst: Can you let me see it?]

[Celina: Heh, do you think you can really use it? Okay, come here.]

With a mocking smile, she led him away from the hangar to avoid disrupting others. With a gesture, a metallic object flew over to Vorst. It was round, about twice the size of a basketball, with all kinds of tools attached to it. Thanks to this bot, Celina’s pace of work had increased tremendously. While others had to input commands to their Engineering Bots, she could instruct it with her mind, and it completed the work with higher accuracy.

The boy stepped towards the ball and touched it with his hand...

[Vorst: Hmm... As I thought... Close... definitely...]

As he mumbled, she giggled. She had no idea what the 'powerless' wanted to do; she just thought he was trying to move it but failing. After several seconds, the boy lifted his head and his green eyes looked straight at the tiger girl.

[Vorst: Thank you. You saved me years of time.]

[Celina: Wh-wha?]

That answer was completely unexpected.

[Vorst: Still, it is a bit incomplete.]

[Celina: I-Incomplete?!]

The mechanic was totally shocked. Her bot was known for being hard to control or even unwieldy, but never incomplete!

[Celina: W-WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT TO CA-... ]

Her shout was cut off as the sphere suddenly started spinning at high speed, then abruptly stopped.

[Vorst: Anyone exerting control over it can manipulate it. Plus...]

The bot suddenly dropped to the ground.

[Vorst: With a disruption of the control, it fails. That is a major mistake; what if it causes an accident when you suddenly pass out?]

Silence.

[Vorst: As a thank you, I can provide you with a bit of help. The control problem can be solved by adding a slight modification to it. The most efficient method will be a dual core. Add a supplementary core mainly responsible for assisting with the flight system; it will lessen the burden on the user and secure the bot if the user forgets about it. As for how to limit others from using the bot... I don’t have any suitable method for you. You will need to research it yourself. Now that I’ve finished what I came here for, please excuse me.]

Silence remained as he turned around. Her eyes stayed on the silhouette of the boy until he disappeared behind the closing doors. Then the bubble burst—his control was definitely higher than hers...

***

[Celina: Anyway, unlike yesterday, your concentration today was top-notch. Keep up the good work.]

[Mersa: Hehe~ Thank you.]

Mersa recalled the conversation with Vorst that morning.

***

On one of the lawns inside Athena's main headquarters, there were two beings. This time, it was Vorst’s turn to lay on the lap of the wolf girl.

[Mersa: ... I see...]

[Vorst: Yes...]

[Mersa: Well... Since you’ve already decided, then it’s alright...]

[Vorst: ... Something is bothering you?]

[Mersa: Um... *blush* I-I-I just thought that I will miss looking at Vor-chan holding a sword...]

[Vorst: Oh. I never said I’d give up the sword!]

[Mersa: Eh?]

[Vorst: Heh, besides, if you slack off, I might become a Swordsman before you.]

[Mersa: E-eh?!]

Officially, the gap between her and Vorst had become even bigger, but as she gazed into those emerald eyes, she felt that overflowing confidence. It reminded her of the old days when he timidly confided in her about his goal. With a shy voice, gray-eyed Vorst had said, "I-I-I want to become a Swordsman!" The green-eyed Vorst, on the other hand, confidently declared, "I will become a Swordsman. That's set in stone." She admitted that the latter looked more manly. He even threatened that he would surpass her. That was cute.

[Vorst: I just thought I’d focus a bit on Engineering for now; it caught my attention.]

[Mersa: Okay, I’ll ask Headmistress-sensei to provide support for you.]

[Vorst: Thank you. Just a workshop will be fine.]

[Mersa: Mhm, do you need anything else? A team?]

[Vorst: No, I just want to try something out. No need to involve anyone else.]

[Mersa: Okay~~]

[Vorst: When I get good at it, I’ll build you something!]

[Mersa: Hehe, I’ll be waiting~]

Time peacefully passed as she played with his black hair.