51: Chapter 51 The Secret of the Mechs (Part Two)

"Of course... this is also where Martial Artists are most impressive. Even in the depths of space, a Martial Artist can use Internal Energy because it doesn't require a medium; the Martial Artist themselves is the greatest medium."

"You're wondering why it's so hard to break through an opponent's shield in the Mecha Training Base, right?"

Lu Qingfeng nodded.

"Because your mecha doesn't have a weapon. Using your fists definitely won't work. Also, regarding Internal Energy, if it's attached to the fists, the Internal Energy can't penetrate energy shields."

"However, if it were a Super Alloy Long Blade, it would be a different story."

"Do you know what a Super Alloy Long Blade is?"

Lu Qingfeng shook his head. This was a blind spot in his knowledge concerning mechas.

High schools didn't teach you this at all, and there were no tutorials online.

It was too core.

"The earliest alloy longswords couldn't conduct energy, though they were still quite powerful. But later, it was discovered that adding a special metal—we call it vibranium..."

"This metal is extremely precious. It was discovered on a special planet in Andromeda."

"vibranium. Once this metal is added, it becomes the current Super Alloy Long Blade. Not only can it conduct energy..."

"...but it can also ignore energy shields. Moreover, it makes the warblade even sharper. Don't you think that's impressive?"

"Of course, some people have tried to use vibranium for thermal weapons, but it didn't work. vibranium is too scarce."

"The total amount of vibranium discovered by the Human Alliance is less than ten tons. It's the most precious super strategic resource."

"A single Super Alloy Warblade only needs a few dozen grams mixed in to conduct energy."

"So, the most expensive part of a mecha is its weapon, not the mecha itself."

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng finally understood. Put that way, he wanted a weapon too.

By then, a Level 6 Ability User?

Wouldn't he be able to go on a killing spree?

What about Level 7?

It seemed he didn't know the specifics of Level 7 abilities yet, but to be called King-tier, there must be something different about them.

He remembered that Fusion rate hadn't been discussed yet, so he continued to ask:

"Dean... you haven't mentioned the Fusion rate yet?"

"What's the rush? I'm thirsty. Kid, you call me Dean when you need something from me, and Great Master when you don't, right?"

Xiao Jingdao glared at him.

Lu Qingfeng wasn't embarrassed at all. Everyone was the same; who was he to talk?

But he still obediently poured him a cup of water.

"Let's continue."

Xiao Jingdao took a sip of water and continued:

"I just mentioned that the earliest mechas required two people with a mental connection to control. Until one day, a Psychic Esper discovered he could easily control a mecha alone."

"From that moment on, scientists discovered something called Mecha Fusion Rate."

"Simply put, it's how much the mecha and the Mecha Combat Master have achieved Fusion."

"Take you, for example: 100%. Since you're thick-skinned anyway, there's no harm in telling you. A 100% Mecha Fusion Rate is unprecedented in history."

Lu Qingfeng blinked. Was he really that impressive?

Had he broken another record?

Had he become a pioneer?

Hahaha... He would definitely be recorded in the history books, his name remembered for eternity, bringing honor to his ancestors.

He'd bring great pride to Old Lu and Mother Lu.

Xiao Jingdao glanced at him and continued:

"Don't get cocky yet. I initially theorized that a Martial Artist's Mecha Fusion Rate would exceed a Psychic Esper's because of their complete Spirit."

"But a new problem has arisen: the Nutrient Solution. Don't you think it's being consumed too quickly?"

"Do you know how much Nutrient Solution for repairing the Spirit costs? I'm afraid you'll go bankrupt just piloting a mecha."

Gah...

Money again?

Lu Qingfeng was speechless. He wondered if he was cursed when it came to money.

Wait, that's not right...

"Dean... even if I need Nutrient Solution later, won't the Human Alliance or Huaxia provide it?"

"After all, I'm fighting in the sea of stars for humanity. I can't be expected to pay for it myself, can I?"

"You have a point. Under normal circumstances, that's how it works. Mechas are provided by the Human Alliance, and since you're fighting for humanity, the supplies are naturally handled by the authorities."

"However..."

Xiao Jingdao chuckled.

"Did you know? Powerful Mecha Combat Masters who reach a certain level of merit..."

"...can retire and enter the reserve forces, and the mecha will belong to you."

"At that time, will you be able to afford it personally? Unless you never retire, but that's impossible because being a Mecha Combat Master is too hard and too dangerous."

"How hard? How dangerous?"

Lu Qingfeng suddenly became tense upon hearing this.

Mother Lu was out in space; how could he not be nervous?

"Because Mecha Combat Masters are too versatile. They have to fight in space against various enemy warships."

"They also have to fight on planets against all kinds of races and monsters, in harsh environments, where combat is incredibly brutal."

"Therefore, Mecha Combat Masters are in extreme shortage and are constantly being replenished."

"But for humanitarian reasons..."

"...they still allow those who have earned enough merit to retire and enter the reserve forces."

At this point, Xiao Jingdao sighed.

"The situation in space is becoming increasingly complex. In the Chaos Galaxy, the Intelligent Humans have begun to ally with alien races. Their desire to destroy humanity never dies."

"Kid, when you go to space in the future, always remember one thing: 'Those who are not of our race are bound to have different hearts.'"

Lu Qingfeng nodded, but his heart was filled with constant worry.

"Alright, let's not talk about those distant matters. Just remember, the peace we have in the rear is bought by countless heroes fighting bloody battles on the front lines, risking their lives."

Lu Qingfeng nodded. The school had always said this, and he understood.

There are many races in space, and for survival, war is inevitable.

Humanity must sacrifice many ancestors to secure today's peace in the rear.

"Let's get back to the Mecha Fusion Rate. Even I didn't expect a Martial Artist to reach 100%."

"We predict that if the Mecha Fusion Rate reaches 100%, then you are the mecha, and the mecha is you."

"It can be controlled at will. Such a Mecha Combat Master is terrifying. Do you know what the highest known Mecha Fusion Rate for humans is currently?"

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

"It's the Legion Commander of the newly established Calamity Legion. He and his Calamity Mecha have a Fusion rate as high as 72%."

"That is the highest known Mecha Fusion Rate for humans currently."

"An average Psychic Esper's Fusion rate with a mecha is around 60%."

"As for Elemental Ability Users, they can only control a mecha alone once they reach Level 4 and a Fusion rate of 30%."

"Most Elemental Ability Users don't have high Fusion rates; they mainly rely on their elemental abilities for combat. The highest, Emperor Tianhuo, only has a Mecha Fusion Rate of 68%."

"Ordinary Elemental Ability Users spend their entire lives hovering around a 50% Fusion rate."

"Don't underestimate this Fusion rate. Even a one percent difference is a gap. At a critical moment, you might fail to react and be counter-killed."

Lu Qingfeng nodded. He understood, of course. A tiny discrepancy can lead to a huge error; he knew this principle well.

Ps: Here, I'm drawing inspiration from the mechas in Pacific Rim.

The earliest mechas were probably like those.

Friends who haven't seen it can go watch the movie.