Chapter 76: Too Young, Too Naive
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
The young technician still couldn’t fully grasp the subtleties of Lu Yao’s words, his face full of curiosity. But Lu Yao had already returned his attention to the data, only sparing a bit to chat.
“After Director Yang retires, someone will need to take his place. That will likely be chosen from the heads of the second or third R&D bases. Once that person leaves, the Chief Engineer position will become vacant, and someone will need to succeed. This competition is a chance to test potential successors.”
The technician glanced toward the two teams, trying to identify the candidates who might become the next Chief Engineer of the base. “What about us?” Lu Yao’s fingers didn’t stop moving. “Us? We still have many years. No rush.”
“But…” the technician hesitated, “why is the director’s successor chosen from them? Don’t you have any intention, Chief Engineer Lu?”
“It’s not my turn yet.” Youthful talent was Lu Yao’s brightest mark, but in certain competitive situations, relative lack of experience and connections could be a weakness—especially when facing a position like the Mecha Research Institute Director, where strategic planning and management mattered more than pure technical skill. This position, for now, had nothing to do with him.
Shen Zishen teased the young technician. “Even if Chief Engineer Lu became the institute director, you and I wouldn’t instantly rise to fame; we’d just have a new Chief Engineer managing us.”
“Focus on work.” Lu Yao’s order immediately returned everyone to their diligent, busy state, leaving only the hum of machinery and the flicker of light on the screens.
Gradually, the sunlight slanted, marking the approach of the twelfth day’s end of the first round. But suddenly, a commotion arose nearby.
Conversations between journalists and staff occasionally echoed in the arena, along with teams’ internal discussions. Everyone thought this quarrel would soon pass—but the noise grew louder, and countless hurried footsteps moved in that direction.
Lu Yao’s thoughts were interrupted. He blinked, pressing his fingers to his brow. “What’s happening?”
“It seems Verrièr Gran is arguing with the staff.” Shen Zishen, holding his coffee during a brief break, had seen the situation from the start.
Mecha design competitions were far less thrilling or visually striking than full-scale mecha battles. Especially in the Hephaestus competition, with digital model construction included, repetitive data input could seem inevitably tedious to spectators.
This was standard in mecha design work. Though the researchers and technicians were used to it, after long hours, they still needed occasional breaks and diversions. It wasn’t just Shen Zishen. Other competitors also glanced at Verrièr, whispering among themselves.
“I don’t know what they’re arguing about. Chief Engineer Lu, can we temporarily turn off the noise-canceling mode?” Shen Zishen asked.
“Do it.” Lu Yao pinched the bridge of his nose; staring at the screen too long had strained his eyes. Torque lay on top of a heated machine case, curled up with his tail around himself, asleep.
Lu Yao suddenly thought of the snow leopard brought onto the Ares by Zhou Yunchen. A few days ago, the military had announced to the public that another Beast Tide might occur, and the fleet exercise codenamed “Valiant Hawk” had already begun. He wondered whether the snow leopard would be startled by the starship’s cannon vibrations and leap into the air like a floating feline pancake.
“You need more A101s? How many?”
“Five, maybe six.”
“The rules don’t allow us to give competitors extra A101 units, Mr. Gran. Please, understand that we must follow the guidelines.”
“But the rules also don’t say we can’t provide more.” A familiar, authoritative voice suddenly joined the argument, drawing Lu Yao’s attention.
Jiang Wei stood in front of Verrièr and the staff. “Each team only gets one A101. That has been a fairness requirement from the start. There won’t be more.”
As the Chief Mecha Designer, Jiang Wei didn’t need to mock a newcomer, but his posture conveyed a subtle air of superiority and condescension.
Verrièr, a young, small-statured omega with a tender demeanor, faced Jiang Wei and the staff, asserting his point with urgency. “The rules don’t say a team cannot request additional computing devices, as long as the type is A101.”
He repeated himself, but the staff and Jiang Wei’s attitude remained resolute. Even some onlookers from other teams began whispering. They said no one could break the rules, it was all for fairness, and little Gran shouldn’t ask for more…
The crowd’s eyes, overt and hidden alike, pressed like blades. Verrièr had never faced such a situation. His ears flushed red as he stammered. Then, a cold voice came from outside the circle. Everyone’s expressions changed. They seemed to realize something and fell silent.
“He wants five A101s? Give him five.” Footsteps, almost drowning out the crowd’s muted breaths, approached. Eyes followed the sound, and the throng automatically parted, clearing space for the slowly advancing Chief Engineer Lu.
Verrièr looked at Lu Yao, emanating an icy aura, and bit his lip in silence. Jiang Wei frowned and stepped forward to confront Lu Yao. “Chief Engineer Lu, this violates the rules.”
Lu Yao looked at him calmly. “It seems Chief Jiang didn’t read the competition guidelines carefully. The organizers did not limit the number of A101 units a competitor could use.”
“That’s unfair to everyone else.” Jiang Wei’s tone shifted, still trying to suppress Verrièr’s request. Murmurs spread among the crowd.
“Do you think the uniform A101 is meant to benefit only you and me?” Lu Yao countered.
“What do you mean?”
“The uniform A101 is to ensure that Mr. Gran, who lacks funds and technical support yet has genius ideas, can start on a fair footing,” Lu Yao explained. “These rules are meant to help, not restrict. As long as all competitors use the same model, giving Mr. Gran a few extra A101s does not break fairness. If a design truly has potential, it will eventually get more powerful computing anyway. The competition should allow that potential to be realized.”
“You—”
“If Chief Jiang or other competitors need more units, they can also request them,” Lu Yao said, turning to the staff. “I’m sure the generous Helios Group will be happy to provide support.”
The crowd fell silent. With Lu Yao’s clear reasoning, the staff had no excuse to refuse, nor to slight him.
“Fine. We’ll prepare more A101 units for teams in need. Please, register if you want them,” the staff announced.
Verrièr was the first to register. Seeing this, Jiang Wei’s team quietly asked if they should request extra units, but Jiang Wei only snorted and stormed off in frustration. Other competitors, tempted by the extra computing power, eventually registered as well.
Verrièr did not immediately return to his workstation. He looked around and finally spotted Lu Yao alone behind the thick crowd. Verrièr struggled through the crowd. “Chief Engineer Lu, please—wait!”
“Is there something else?” Lu Yao stopped.
To Verrièr, Lu Yao remained an icy, untouchable figure. Even now, his expression was indifferent, showing no sign of personal attachment. Verrièr bit his lip nervously. “Aren’t you going to add the units yourself?”
“No need.”
“But… your mecha designs have always been learning templates for students in the chassis design department. I’ve analyzed some of your mecha models. One A101’s computing power isn’t enough to run them.”
Lu Yao glanced at him. The kid was intimidated by someone who only existed in textbooks, but when discussing professional matters, the spark in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
“Have you studied micro-mecha?”
“Exoskeletons?”
“They’re not exactly the same. Micro-mecha are still mecha, but their intelligence level and connection methods differ from purely exoskeletal equipment. Some research has been done, but it has never been widely implemented.”
“Is it because scaling down the computing requirements is practically too difficult? After all, the internal computing equipment of a single mecha occupies at least fifty cubic meters.”
“No. No matter how difficult a technology is, it’s always possible to realize it. If a technology hasn’t been researched or adopted, it’s often just because it wasn’t needed,” Lu Yao explained. “Micro-mecha cannot meet the demands of Beast Wars or space exploration, so research in this area has been minimal. But that doesn’t mean miniaturization or simplified computation is impossible.” His words left Verrièr deep in thought.
After returning to his own workstation, Shen Zishen looked at Lu Yao, hesitating, before finally asking, “Chief Engineer Lu, why did you step in for Verrièr Gran?”
In his memory, Lu Yao had never been inclined to champion others’ causes. Surely this wasn’t just to argue a few points with Jiang Wei.
“Gran is very young,” Lu Yao said. Shen Zishen opened his mouth slightly. Indeed, Verrièr was young, talented, and an omega. Could it be that Lu Yao saw in him a reflection of his own solitary struggles and hard-fought learning, and thus wanted to lend a hand?
Shen Zishen felt a pang of emotion. Then he heard Lu Yao continue: “And naive.” Lu Yao’s tone did not seem complimentary of this naivety.
“He doesn’t yet know to encrypt his data and designs. A few days ago, I glanced at his work—it is worthy of the term ‘genius,’ but I fear others have also seen his designs,” Lu Yao said. “Shen Zishen, go back and tell HR to prepare a special appointment agreement. Recruit Verrièr… no, quickly contact the Ninth Military Academy and secure him before someone else claims him.”
Author’s note:
Today, Chief Engineer Lu is “picking up the kid.” Don’t worry, the reveal has been arranged.
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