Mecha Chapter 36: Growth

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

Luo XiaoLou was eagerly looking forward to the weekend for the first time, and this time he had done his homework in advance, going over all four methods of making the energy box no less than dozens of times. However, except for the first two, the latter two were a bit stilted.

Luo XiaoLou obviously felt that the latter two options were more difficult than the previous two. He even went to the virtual Internet to look up relevant information, but he didn’t find any information about these four design options.

Instead, Teacher Song was quite pleased to know that he was going to build his own energy box.

Before leaving that day, Teacher Song called out to Luo XiaoLou and hesitated for a moment, saying, “Chushi, we only met on the Internet, so I shouldn’t care but I’d like you to sign up for the beginner’s mecha contest in two months, which is mostly about Grade 1 mecha parts. The contest is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. You’re considered a beginner, so signing up as a beginner is most appropriate.”

Seeing that the young man across from him was listening attentively and didn’t feel resentful, Teacher Song was satisfied in his heart and continued, “Don’t underestimate the virtual network, this kind of contest is quite famous, and if you enter the top three, it will be your important seniority in the future.”

Teacher Song actually had another thought, he had already slightly mentioned Chushi to his teacher, and if Chushi competed this time and made it to the top three, he would be able to ask his teacher to help introduce Chushi to a good mentor. Although Chushi was just a teenager whose real name he didn’t know, Teacher Song had always liked him. He was hard-working, spiritual, and much better than his real-life students. If he could, he would be more than happy to see the young man succeed.

But many young people didn’t take this kind of exam seriously, and as for those who did know that this kind of exam was not as shallow as they thought, the simple knowledge was still difficult and it would be the cause of many people’s defeat.

Luo XiaoLou’s eyes lit up. He thought about it, and asked, “Teacher, is there any prize money in this knowledge competition? If not, there’s always a prize, right?”

Teacher Song looked at the excited Luo XiaoLou speechlessly. Was this, was this the most important thing?! However, he couldn’t help the smile on his lips as he said urgently, “Only the top three spots have prizes, and the amount of prize money is small as compared to the intermediate and advanced levels. The prizes are random, and sometimes advanced materials are also given.”

“That’s fine, I’ll register for it later.” With 125’s perverted training, he could assemble those six hundred Grade 1 parts with his eyes closed, and Luo XiaoLou was confident in his knowledge of Grade 1 mecha parts. He had put so much into Grade 1 parts, he had to earn something back. Thinking about the advanced materials that wouldn’t cost him anything, Luo XiaoLou was tempted.

After signing up and thanking Teacher Song, Luo XiaoLou got back to work on the design of the energy box.

Early Saturday morning, Luo XiaoLou went to Kane with four drawings and all the materials he needed. He passed through Master Yan’s exclusive lab, passed through four doors, and then stopped in front of the fifth door — yes, this was already the fifth room he had organized. Working here for more than three months now, it was a bit tiring, but the rewards were tremendous.

After Luo XiaoLou entered the room, he started to organize the Grade 2 parts. Because 125 was helping him, he secretly copied down the knowledge of the Grade 2 parts from the chip every time, thus saving the time to learn here. His progress was much faster than the first month, and Luo XiaoLou was worried that Master Yan might notice something strange, or think he was a genius.

Master Yan, as usual, never gave him a word of praise, except for a sarcastic remark or a growl, but when Luo XiaoLou finished one room, he would give him a new chip and tell him to move onto the next. Luo XiaoLou quickly assembled the Grade 2 parts in the morning, and the communicator reminded him that it was noon before he stopped.

Luo XiaoLou glanced out the door. He wasn’t going to eat at noon, he was going to use the hour to hide in the room to process materials.

Shen Yuan wasn’t here today, and no one would be calling him to join them for lunch.

Luo XiaoLou closed the door and began to bring out the materials from his bag. There were countless pieces of parts that used to give Luo XiaoLou a headache, as well as a full set of advanced equipment that made him drool.

As he began to process, Luo XiaoLou noticed the difference from Tian Le’s side almost immediately. He couldn’t help but notice the speed, and that the results were not at the same level. If Tian Le was satisfied with 60 percent of the materials he processed, he was almost 99 percent satisfied with the materials he processed this time.

Luo XiaoLou giggled in excitement, and 125 was satisfied with the equipment, so he didn’t need to be reminded.

Originally, according to Luo XiaoLou’s estimation, he could process three materials in one hour, but he finished it in half an hour. Luo XiaoLou put away all the materials with satisfaction, and hesitated for a while, but finally he couldn’t hold back and took out one of them and started processing it quickly. He really wanted to know what kind of effect the energy box would have this time.

Luo XiaoLou sat in front of the lab table, assembling faster and faster, with almost no need to look at the drawings. When he finished one step, the next step flashed in his mind. Luo XiaoLou himself was extremely satisfied with the assembly process this time. It was only when Luo XiaoLou had completed all of the assembly that he noticed that the room had been unusually quiet since just now, and 125, that raucous fellow, wasn’t even talking anymore.

“Finished?” A deep voice sounded beside him.

Luo XiaoLou was so scared that he almost jumped up from his stool, he turned his head stiffly, and sure enough, Master Yan was looking at him from the side with his arms folded.

Luo XiaoLou’s legs went weak. He, he used the equipment in the lab to process his own stuff, and he was caught by Master Yan…

Damn 125, usually so talkative that he wanted to hit it, but not a word at the critical moment!

Luo XiaoLou cleared his throat with difficulty and said, “Master Yan, I-“

“Show me the thing.” Master Yan interrupted Luo XiaoLou and spoke up, his voice not sounding happy or angry, but there was no precursor to violent anger.

Luo XiaoLou opened his mouth, but still obediently handed over the energy box that had just been created, and hadn’t had time to start the particle reaction, to Master Yan.

Master Yan took it in his hand and looked at it for a few times, then put it in the reactor. He took it out five minutes later, took a glance at the energy numbers on it, then looked up at Luo XiaoLou, “You’ve been working on this since morning?”

Under that stern gaze, Luo XiaoLou fought back a shudder and carefully corrected, “No, I was sorting out the Grade 2 parts in the morning, only doing this at noon. I know it’s not allowed, I…”

“Process a few more.” Master Yan suddenly commanded.

“Huh?” Luo XiaoLou was a bit confused. Shouldn’t he be up in arms, then pick him up and yell at him for half a day before going back to work?

“It looks like the core energy stone in your energy box has been replaced with a fourth-grade material.” Master Yan looked down for a moment, his gaze shifting from the energy box in his hand to Luo XiaoLou.

This Master Yan’s status as a Master really wasn’t a cover, no questions, affirmations, and went all in.

Luo XiaoLou reluctantly took a glance at the energy box that Old Man Yan obviously did not intend to give him back and said, “Mn, I used Golden River Crystal.”

Perhaps because he was thinking, a softened expression appeared on Master Yan’s taut face as he nodded to Luo XiaoLou, “I’m very satisfied that you have such an innovative mind.”

Luo XiaoLou almost suspected that there was something wrong with his ears, no matter how fast he sorted out the materials he usually handled, how perfectly he processed the parts, Master Yan never said anything. But just now, he had actually complimented him! Or because of the innovation – God knows, he was trying to save money!

“You can stay here this afternoon to manufacture energy boxes, make as many as you can, and I’ll have Shen Yuan come help you later.” Master Yan gave Luo XiaoLou a satisfied glance and made arrangements for him to work this afternoon.

Luo XiaoLou couldn’t help himself this time, and said uneasily, “I can handle it myself.” He couldn’t afford to have Shen Yuan as his assistant, that was his senior okay!

Master Yan’s eyes glared and his voice immediately took on the smell of gunpowder, “I’ll arrange it how I want. Why so much nonsense? First get out of here and go eat, then come over with Shen Yuan later!”

Luo XiaoLou was practically blown out the door, and now that it was past break time, the many assistants outside had taken their places, and everyone couldn’t help but watch Luo XiaoLou fall. Master Yan was indeed hot-tempered, but – he was furious with the new little assistant! It seemed to be especially frequent!

Luo XiaoLou ate his lunch alone and then walked back dejectedly. What the hell is going on here? You’re not going to investigate? Or is Old Man Yan planning to take all the energy boxes he’s processed? That’s a lot of money…

When Luo XiaoLou came back, Shen Yuan was already there, but compared to Luo XiaoLou’s guilt and anxiety, Shen Yuan was much more at ease, he smiled and patted Luo XiaoLou’s head, “Master Yan asked me to come over and do you a small favor. You helped me avoid a disaster. Come on, if we fail to finish Master Yan’s mission, he won’t spare you.”

Luo XiaoLou knew Shen Yuan was trying to comfort him and settle him down a little. No matter what, now that he was exposed, he might as well take this time to practice his skills, next Friday was Yuan Xi’s birthday.

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth curled up as he thought of Yuan Xi’s birthday present. I don’t know what his face would be like when he received the energy box, but this kind of thing is probably what Yuan Xi needs most.

The entire material Luo XiaoLou brought with him was actually only six copies, and he could process three at a time, he had planned to process those three again if anything happened to them. These simple processes were too small for Shen Yuan, the head disciple of mecha’s research department, so he quickly helped Luo XiaoLou process the materials.

But Shen Yuan didn’t leave, sitting next to Luo XiaoLou and watching him assemble and process. Luo XiaoLou, on the other hand, was so engrossed in the assembly that he had forgotten there was someone else beside him.

The one that Master Yan took away was assembled using the first design, and Luo XiaoLou tried the second one this time. An hour later, the second energy box appeared.

Luo XiaoLou put the energy cartridge into the reactor and stared at it for a minute before realizing there was another person next to it. Busily turning his head, he saw that there were already three processed parts neatly placed on the table, and that the effect was much better than his ninety-nine satisfied one.

Luo XiaoLou, with a blush on his face, thought that Shen Xuan was too big to be working with him as an assistant, and that Old Man Yan had gone crazy. Luo XiaoLou thanked Shen Yuan, but Shen Yuan looked at Luo XiaoLou with bright eyes, smiled and said, “No, you’re busy. Let’s talk after you’re done, don’t interrupt your thoughts.”

There wasn’t really anything to interrupt, he already had it firmly in his head anyway.

After five minutes, Luo XiaoLou took the energy box out of the reactor, and then they looked at the number on it together: 5900 Luo.

Luo XiaoLou looked at that number in a daze, 5,900! My God, it was getting close to the standard figure and the last time it was only 4,500, and it’s just the instrument that’s so different! And the one that Master Yan had just taken away, Luo XiaoLou still didn’t know how much energy it contained, Master Yan had forgotten to leave it for Luo XiaoLou – he had obviously done it on purpose.

At that moment, Luo XiaoLou heard another energetic voice ringing in his ears, “Not bad, immediately qualified. Yuan Xi will be very, very satisfied. After you succeed this time, be sure to thank me. After all, my presence is quite helpful in promoting the relationship between the two of you…”

Luo XiaoLou’s hand squeezing the energy box began to push. Fuck you! Who asked you to promote feelings! Who wants it?

He decided that no matter how much this bastard computer cried tonight, he was going to discipline it.

However, Shen Yuan was right beside him, and no matter how angry Luo XiaoLou was, he didn’t dare to show it. He could only put down that energy box and began to continue assembling it.

Luo XiaoLou didn’t use the third option, although the last two were not very skilled, the fourth one seemed to be slightly better than the third one. Because the solution was too complicated this time, it took two hours before Luo XiaoLou breathed a sigh of relief and finally finished it.

Rubbing his somewhat stiff back, Luo XiaoLou was about to stand up when a fair hand reached out beside him and helped him feed the energy box into the reactor.

“Thanks.” Luo XiaoLou was glad that it was Shen Yuan. If it was anyone else, he would not have done anything.

During the waiting time, Shen Yuan turned his head to look at Luo XiaoLou. Slightly pale due to fatigue, he had a contented, even happy, smile in his eyes, and the hidden dimple on one side of his cheek was showing again.

For the second time, this handsome young man gave him such a shock!

And this time it was different from the first one. Luo XiaoLou had grown, and grown too fast! This energy box was different from those simple parts, complex in construction, and very important to the mecha.

Shen Yuan suspected that it wasn’t an improvement at all, but a new solution. Did he come up with it as well? If that’s the case, then this young man-

At this time, Luo XiaoLou turned to look at Shen Yuan and said regretfully, “I didn’t expect that it was already the end of the day and only two had been manufactured, it seems that the materials you prepared for me can only be used next time.”

Shen Yuan laughed and shook his head, “It’s already very good, Master Yan will definitely be satisfied. By the way, when I was helping you with the materials just now, I saw that you used Golden River Crystal.”

“Mn, it was used to replace the heavy radium, because it’s too expensive.” Luo XiaoLou said not too kindly.

Shen Yuan didn’t mean to mock him at all, but said thoughtfully, “No wonder Master Yan likes you so much. Do you know that the two most famous makers in Federation often quarrel with each other because of their different views, and they can be called enemies. One of them is Master Yan, and the other is Master Hebrew.”

“Master Yan is an advocate of constantly introducing new things, while Master Hebrew is adept at building on the original. Recently, the two quarreled again over an engine material, and Master Yan boldly invoked a new type of material this time. And your solution this time, XiaoLou, is very much in line with Master Yan’s innovative ideas.”

Luo XiaoLou opened his mouth wide, “One of the two major makers? Master Yan is so powerful ….” Then, since it fits Old Man Yan’s temperament, he probably won’t punish him.

“Alright, let’s take a look at the energy this time.” Shen Yuan smiled and grabbed the energy box from the reactor, seemingly more anxious than Luo XiaoLou.

“How much?” Luo XiaoLou saw that Shen Yuan was standing there without moving and asked in confusion.

Shen Yuan suddenly turned around and hugged Luo XiaoLou excitedly, “XiaoLou, that’s amazing! Quickly look at the energy this time.”

Luo XiaoLou was a little surprised to be held by the always steady Shen Yuan, but good thing Shen Yuan quickly released him, Luo XiaoLou looked at the energy box: 6700 Luo.

Luo XiaoLou was stunned, Shen Yuan exclaimed in his ear, and even Master Yan, who was standing at the door, raised his eyebrows.

Master Yan looked at the energy box in Luo XiaoLou’s hand and suddenly, “What are you planning to do with this?”

Luo XiaoLou regained consciousness, barely suppressing his excitement, and told the truth.

Hearing that it was a gift for his cohabitant, Master Yan said reminiscently, “That young man? Ah, he helped me last time. So, come over tomorrow and I’ll give you a fourth grade energy stone, some heavy radium, maybe it will even work better.”

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth twitched: Hey old man, your savior from last time was also me okay! Don’t have selective memory loss!

Master Yan didn’t punish Luo XiaoLou, other than forgetting to return the first energy box to him, Luo XiaoLou was simply a little flattered. Luo XiaoLou was still a little happy when he walked out of Kane’s gate, 6,700 Luo, what was surprising wasn’t the number, but the cost of it!

A 6,000 Luo XiaoLou Grade 3 Energy Box was 140,000 Federation Coins, and while Luo XiaoLou’s materials were worth about 130,000 Federation Coins, those materials could make seven Energy Boxes, which meant one cost only 20,000!

Even if he didn’t use Black Chert, he could still make these Grade 3 energy boxes himself to sell for money. Luo XiaoLou decided that he would contact Manager Gao in a few days when he wasn’t busy anymore. Luo XiaoLou was literally floating with happiness at the thought that there would be deposits in his account again.

When Luo XiaoLou was about to arrive at the bus stop, a familiar figure appeared in front of him. It was Luo ShaoFan, who stopped him last time, with two men.

Luo ShaoFan was also stunned when he saw Luo XiaoLou, he immediately told the two people beside him what to do, and then walked over to Luo XiaoLou by himself.

“I never thought I’d meet you here, I’ve been looking for you these days, but the people who are keeping you have been watching you too closely.” Luo ShaoFan said in a strange tone while looking Luo XiaoLou up and down. Based on looks alone, Luo XiaoLou was not bad looking, but definitely not stunning. Although Yuan Xi was also a genius, his taste was average.

Luo XiaoLou coldly looked at Luo ShaoFan, he didn’t have any good feelings towards the Luo family, the bloodline of the Luo family was nothing to him, let alone the one in front of him who didn’t even have a bloodline.

Seeing that Luo XiaoLou wasn’t going to pay any attention to him and was about to leave, Luo ShaoFan immediately stopped him again and said, “Hey, I’m looking for you for something! Don’t you have any manners? You really are a bastard.”

 

Luo XiaoLou looked up at him blankly, and Luo ShaoFan coughed and said, “Ms. Jin – that is, your mother – asked me to ask you for a necklace.”