Mecha Chapter 35: Black Chert

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

Luo XiaoLou first separated out the Red Little stone and other materials which were to be used in the next few days for making energy boxes. The Grade 2 materials in the other several big boxes could not be used before he went through the Grade 2 materials with Old Man Yan. Since the quantity was large, it could not be wasted.

Instead, Luo XiaoLou looked over the random box of things. This was what 125 wanted? Blue thread grass, green tin ore and other simple Grade 1 ores… Those were the only ones that could be named so Luo XiaoLou turned his attention to those black stones.

“Oh my god, Black Chert with a purity of ninety-nine percent! I never thought I would see this, this miracle on such a backward planet!” 125’s shocked voice stubbornly came out from beneath his shirt.

“Uh, tell me what these treasures are, and let me see if it’s worth owing Yuan Xi such a large sum of money for them.” Luo XiaoLou reached out and squeezed the piece of jade.

The emerald green jade gave out a white light. Luo XiaoLou recently found out this was when it was rolling his eyes at him, but he pretended not to see it. He picked up the stones and put them inside the testing instrument.

After waiting for a while, Luo XiaoLou didn’t come to plead with him, so 125 gave up and said, “Ah, we all know that your knowledge is far from mine. I’ll tell you more about it. First of all, this is a stone with no grade. In the eyes of the people of the Federation, it has almost no use.”

Luo XiaoLou was about to vomit blood, “You’re actually really out of your mind. Why didn’t you let me borrow the money to buy those Red Grasses instead? That thing at least improves the success rate and we’ll be able to use it right away!”

“What are you going to do with Red Grass?” 125 said in an extraordinarily surprised tone, “Please use a bit of common sense. You have the most advanced Blue Origin Star Exotic Beasts people’s genes. With a little Source of Consciousness power, the success rate and effective application rate of what you make will be quite high. Red Grass is of no use to you at all.”

“So it can be used like that. No wonder the effective application rate of those things I’ve made is so high. However, even if Red Grass is useless, didn’t you just say that this star doesn’t have it either?”

125 proudly moved in Luo XiaoLou’s hand and said, “But it’s different with me here. This kind of unranked stone, on our Blue Origin Star, can also be said to be the highest grade stone. Let’s put it away. If you use this Black Chert, the energy box you give to Yuan Xi will be raised by several grades. Moreover, the Black Chert is also an essential item for the energy box I asked you to help create for me. This ore has very single properties on its own, and even after processing it, it’s hard to have outstanding uses. But once it’s fused into other materials, it can serve a million wonderful purposes, and that is circulation.”

“Circulation?” Luo XiaoLou looked at the bland stone in his hand in surprise.

“Yes, it’s what you’re thinking of. If you’re making energy boxes, if you have one that allows energy to circulate over and over again, then there’s almost no way for it to run out of energy. In the extremely resource-rich Blue Origin Star, when they saw this kind of stone, they would all fight for it. I guess these were just randomly brought back by the Federation humans who didn’t have common sense. Tsk, what a waste.”

Luo XiaoLou was stunned. An energy box that repeatedly circulated energy and had unlimited use? If Yuan Xi used it, along with his perverted level and amazing abilities, wouldn’t that make him invincible?

“Of course, it’s not as simple as you think. You’re only at the beginner level of the Source of Consciousness power, so if you make it now, you’ll only be able to make the energy cycle about ten times better than a normal one. If you reach the middle level, you’ll be able to make energy boxes that circulate the energy at least a hundred to a thousand times. And if I reach the high level, then you’ll be able to create energy boxes that can match my original one.” 125 said with yearning.

Hey, 125, you’re feeling really good about yourself…

Luo XiaoLou glanced at it and said, “Even so, a material like Black Chert can be called a kind of miracle, and you know so much about it.”

125 quickly flashed and seemed to puff out its chest, saying proudly, “Of course.”

“Then, I hope you have enough patience to wait for my Source of Consciousness’s power to rise to an advanced level. Hopefully I’m not too old by then to help you make the energy boxes. Then, starting tomorrow, I’ll begin preparing Yuan Xi’s gift.” Luo XiaoLou happily made his plans and picked up the four drawings 125 had prepared for him to browse through.

“Ah, but, but while you’re preparing gifts for Yuan Xi to tempt him, you could totally prepare a few for me as well?” 125 stammered, and its pride was replaced with anxiety, “Even if it’s a low-grade energy box, I can still use it. You, you can’t do this, you’re forgetting your friends. Oh no, or maybe it is — okay, okay, I won’t say anything. But you have to make me a few, I’ve even prepared the drawings for you.”

Seeing Luo XiaoLou’s face start to look ugly again, 125 carefully shut up.

“Pass me a copy of how to use the Black Chert.” Luo XiaoLou darkly placed the e-book in front of 125.

125 passed over the information as he nagged about yellow e-books.

Luo XiaoLou went out of the study to print it out, then was surprised to find that such an unorthodox property needed a usage that was not much. According to the volume calculation, to manufacture the energy box, thirty grams would be enough for each use.

“Geez, with this — this much Black Chert, how many energy boxes can we make?!” In front of Luo XiaoLou, winged federal coins had begun to line up to practice their formations. Luo XiaoLou muttered to himself, “I’ll be able to pay back what I owe to Yuan Xi in no time.”

“I advise you not to be so shortsighted. If you take out the Black Chert and sell it, you’ll be able to sell a lot of things later, but Black Chert is an unattainable commodity!” 125 couldn’t help but warn as it couldn’t believe Luo XiaoLou had such plans. Oh, it must be the influence of those shameful half-human genes!

Luo XiaoLou smiled, “I know, it will cause more trouble than bring me any profit if I really took it out and sold it. I can’t even begin to explain about the Black Chert alone — wait, why is there only one left?!” There were a dozen on the table! Even if he didn’t know just now, he now knew that it was almost priceless.

125 moved in his chest, drawing Luo XiaoLou’s attention, then whispered, “I was scared that you would sell it, so I put it in my space…”

Fuck, 125, you’re just an A.I.!

“I remember you saying last time that you didn’t have any more space for me to use.” Luo XiaoLou said, trying to be calm and collected.

“That’s right, it’s fortunate that there’s still this little bit of room for the precious Black Chert, or I’d die of regret!” 125 said movingly, completely unaware that his master’s face had begun to twist.

What do you call this?! In other people’s stories, they had infinite space, and there were so many things from the outside that could be stored. But this 125 didn’t give it to him, and it even hid his things secretly. What’s going on!?

“Give it to me, or I’ll hand you over to Yuan Xi right now,” Luo XiaoLou threatened through gritted teeth.

“Wh, what?! How could you do that?! I’m at least considered your foster family, okay?” 125 shrieked in horror.

What an honor! You’ve finally figured out who you are! You’re not my adopted child, and you don’t moonlight as my little housekeeper!

Looking at Luo XiaoLou’s taut face, as if he was really determined to give it away, 125 cried out, “Look, you only need to use 28.5 grams at a time, and that piece on the table is enough for you to make thirty energy boxes. And your Source of Consciousness power is too low right now, so making too many will only waste the precious Black Chert. I’ll just keep it for you, and I’ll give it to you when you need it, I swear!”

Luo XiaoLou rubbed his eyebrows helplessly. What was this? He still had to deal with a computer that cried?

“Shut up, I’m going to start looking at the instructions now.”

125 immediately shut up and quietly cheered: win!

Luo XiaoLou squeezed the four drawings in his hand. He now had to be thankful that Master Yan demanded high standards from him, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to read them, let alone make something. After studying two of them thoroughly, Luo XiaoLou looked at the time. It was already very late and in a little while, Yuan Xi would leave the virtual network.

Luo XiaoLou stretched his legs, got up and walked out the door. But when he reached the door, he suddenly turned around again and put the necklace on his chest on the table.

“Hey, you can’t do this to me —” 

Ignoring the screams behind him, Luo XiaoLou turned around and headed for the master bedroom. Luo XiaoLou gently climbed into bed. He was really already being careful enough, but with Yuan Xi occupying two-thirds of the bed, physical contact was unavoidable.

Almost immediately, Yuan Xi opened his eyes, and he turned his head to look at Luo XiaoLou with a smug grin on his face, “I knew you couldn’t help it. Mn, I’ll reluctantly help you again.”

“Hey, I didn’t —”

Luo XiaoLou’s struggles were really weak in the face of the psychopathically strong Yuan Xi… 

He was only met with a sarcastic, “Stop being petulant, I’ve already helped you before!”

Luo XiaoLou’s heart was in tears. Why had they done something like helping each other jerk off?!

In the end, Luo XiaoLou’s eyes went blank. His whole body was surrounded by that hot body heat, and he had to admit, mn, it didn’t feel too bad, helping each other and all that…

After an indeterminate amount of time, Luo XiaoLou finally came to his senses. Then he realized that Yuan Xi was practically on top of him and continuously kissing his neck and chest.

“Hey!” Asshole, that’s enough!

Yuan Xi lifted his head from his chest, “Alright, come on!” Excitement glistened in his eyes along with a plea for help and relief.

Before they finally fell asleep, Luo XiaoLou thought angrily that it was such a big loss. Though he didn’t want to admit it, someone was indeed bigger and lasted longer than him, and his hands were so sore…

The next day, as they were driving to school, Yuan Xi said somewhat unhappily, “During the two month period between today and the final exams, the school informed me that I have special training in the afternoon.”

Luo XiaoLou quickly understood what Yuan Xi was trying to say, “Meaning I can’t go to simulation training with you?”

Yuan Xi didn’t look very good and just handed over a card, “Use my card and you can go by yourself. I’ll finish the special training early and then we’ll continue training together.”

Luo XiaoLou was reassured. Even though he was a mecha maker, the simulation training was very helpful in improving his Source of Consciousness power, and it improved faster each time he reached his limit. Now he could clearly feel the power that came from the spiritual aspect, and it was also slowly increasing after each training session.

Even if he couldn’t become a mecha warrior in the future, this kind of power was too practical for a mecha maker.

“Why do you need this special training? Are there many people participating?” Luo XiaoLou asked casually.

“About a dozen people. It seems to be for the field training after the final exams, and those who go to special training now will become the leaders of various groups later.” Yuan Xi said, “Although the special training is boring, the field training arranged by this school is right up my alley.”

Hmmm, Yuan Xi is going out for the summer? That seemed to be a good thing for his part-time job as well. However, if Yuan Xi went out to train by himself, he would starve to death according to his idiotic character. Luo XiaoLou didn’t realize that he was worried about the person who was oppressing him.

In the afternoon, Luo XiaoLou, Yates and Tian Le were together again at Tian Le’s house. While the three of them were having drinks and chatting, Luo XiaoLou looked at Yates, “Why don’t you stay at the Mecha Department for training? Doesn’t your department have field training in the summer?”

Yates and Tian Le immediately looked back with disdain from across the room, and Tian Le spoke up, “I say, you don’t even know what Saint Miro Academy is all about? It’s not just the Mecha Department, it’s all the faculties that have to train accordingly in the summer.”

Luo XiaoLou was stunned, “Us too? So where is the Mecha Manufacturing Department going? I still have a part-time job. I don’t want to quit since it helps me a lot.”

Yates couldn’t stand it any longer and ruffled Luo XiaoLou’s hair vigorously, “You’re usually a serious and good student, why don’t you have any common sense? The Mecha Manufacturing Department is going to be training with the Mecha Department.”

“Huh?” Luo XiaoLou’s mouth twitched. It looked like he would have to take a leave of absence from Master Yan. Training together? Is it to show that the mecha makers were a subsidiary profession of the mecha warrior?

Yates suddenly looked at Luo XiaoLou and Tian Le unkindly, and said, “I heard that they are all free teams, I don’t think your Class 10 mecha makers will be able to find mecha warriors willing to take you.”

Tian Le wasn’t happy, “Your Mecha Department also has a Class 10. It’s hard to say if you’ll find mecha makers willing to go with them.”

As they bickered, Luo XiaoLou thought of something else. If he could make a better energy box in time for this, it might be very helpful to Yuan Xi.

As for whether or not any mecha warriors would be willing to take him on a team, Luo XiaoLou didn’t really care. Yuan Xi wouldn’t take him — in all seriousness, it seemed like he was always seen as a bad student to Yuan Xi, and Yuan Xi had also warned him to study hard so as not to embarrass him for it — maybe Yuan Xi wouldn’t really choose him.

Luo XiaoLou was confident that he was as good as any student in the Mecha Manufacturing Department, except for his basic subject knowledge. Should he consider wooing Yuan Xi then? Wouldn’t it be too humiliating if it didn’t work out? Luo XiaoLou began to worry.

Tian Le suddenly asked Yates, “Speaking of which, how are you going to conduct field training when you don’t have your own mecha yet?” 

Yates’s brows furrowed and he sighed, “I can only apply for the most common mecha from the school.”

Tian Le shook his head, “The school’s mecha are all antiques from a number of years ago, and usually new mecha are in the hands of second and third years.”

Yates was bummed too, but he couldn’t afford to buy another mecha for himself right now. And, as he told Luo XiaoLou, he hadn’t even asked for money from his family all year.

After talking for a while, Tian Le and Yates went on to battle against each other in the virtual pod, while Luo XiaoLou started trying to build the energy box.

He took out the materials he had brought with him today and started processing them with the equipment in Tian Le’s lab. He had some simple equipment of his own, but those were for processing Grade 1 mecha materials. Fortunately, Tian Le’s lab was one which his wealthy and generous father had built for him. There were many advanced instruments, which was why Luo XiaoLou especially liked to come here.

All the processed materials were collected into storage boxes, and since it was his first time making them, Luo XiaoLou was a little nervous, and strictly followed the ratio given by 125. Furthermore, he decided not to add the Black Chert yet, since it was too precious, and he would rather wait until he was sure that he could make four types of energy boxes.

After the parts came out, Luo XiaoLou started to assemble it. The structure of the energy box was very complicated. The core part of it was the Core Particle Reaction, and this part of the material was responsible for providing the energy of the energy box.

This time, Luo XiaoLou did not choose the most ordinary energy stone, but the fourth-grade material Gold River Crystal.

Strictly speaking, although Gold River Crystal was rare, most mecha makers wouldn’t use it as a core energy stone. While Gold River Crystals could also react energetically on their own, this valuable material was more suitable for superconducting magnetic fluid thrusters, and there was a more suitable energy stone, Heavy Radium, in the quaternary material.

However, the price of Heavy Radium was much higher than Gold River Crystal. But even if Gold River Crystal was used as an energy stone, it was still much higher than the low-grade uranium stone, so Luo XiaoLou simply chose Gold River Crystal as a compromise.

When the combination was complete, Luo XiaoLou was very apprehensive. The appearance of the energy box he made himself did not seem to be very good, and the energy was still unclear.

He put the energy box into the reactor and took it out after five minutes, and then saw that the energy box showed the number 4500 Luo.

Luo XiaoLou was pleasantly surprised. Oh my god, a Grade 3 mecha energy box was 5,000 Luo, and this was only his first finished product.

He was skeptical, but now he was already looking forward to it.

“Good, I guess the reason for the error appearing is that you don’t have enough experience yet, and the reaction apparatus is rough.” 125’s voice came out of his shirt.

“In that case, I’ll take some to Master Yan’s on the weekend and borrow the reaction apparatus during my time off, since the apparatus there is the most advanced I’ve ever seen. It’s a pity I don’t have the money, otherwise I must get a set as well.” Luo XiaoLou said yearningly.

Putting the first completed energy box away, Luo XiaoLou then casually sorted through the ‘junk’ that Heavenly Winter had sent this month. He had no choice but to sort it because even if Tian Le’s lab was big, it couldn’t withstand the truckloads of deliveries there.

Leaving the useful ones behind, Luo XiaoLou just threw the useless ones Luo XiaoLou into the recycling station.

125 commented in a critical tone, “You’re getting more and more mecha parts, and this place is almost like a humble mecha repair shop. As a master mecha maker, this is so degrading, only the most downtrodden mecha makers would open small-scale repair shops on the streets.” 

Luo XiaoLou, who had just successfully made his first Energy Box and was in an extremely good mood, didn’t bother to argue with 125 and just said, “What’s wrong with a down-trodden mecha maker? They can still assemble a mecha — wait, 125, it just occurred to me that if I can help Yates assemble a mecha, he can do without the old school antiques.”

125 scanned the room for mecha parts and replied, “It’s somewhat feasible, and even though it’s all old parts, it’s not impossible to assemble with my help.” 

“Mn, there’s still plenty of time, and it’s very likely that Master Yan will let me assemble the mecha once I’ve almost learned the Grade 2 mecha parts,” Luo XiaoLou got excited, “Of course, it’s still too soon to tell Yates. And if it doesn’t work, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

125 suddenly said slowly, “Not to beat you down, but I just scanned it and you’re missing the two most expensive things in here, the engine and the weapons.”

 

“……”