Mecha Chapter 79: Situation

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

On the way back, Luo XiaoLou passed the Star River Mall, which was displaying a large advertisement for discounts. Looking at the natural food on it, Luo XiaoLou had to stop. 

He had only trained for three hours, with a twenty-minute break in between, and he was still too tired to move. But Yuan Xi’s training must be even harder, as he had practiced all afternoon like when he took Luo XiaoLou there before.

Luo XiaoLou hesitated and then headed inside, deciding to get some nutritious food. He was comforted by the fact that he was now using the money on Yuan Xi’s card to feed his family, ignoring the fact that he was becoming more and more like a housewife. When he returned home, Luo XiaoLou prepared a rather sumptuous dinner and then went to the lab above.

Luo XiaoLou looked at the materials used to make an energy box, considered for a moment, clicked on the communicator, and contacted Manager Gao. Not too long after, the laughing voice of Manager Gao was heard, “What, Luo XiaoLou contacted me so early this month, is he planning to deliver early?”

Luo XiaoLou’s face turned red and he replied somewhat not too kindly, “No, the energy box is not expected to be mailed over for another two days. It’s really intrusive to contact Manager Gao at such a late hour, but I have something I would like to ask you to help me with.” 

“Oh? Little Brother Luo, just say it, I will definitely not refuse if I can help.” Manager Gao said enthusiastically.

After hesitating for a second, Luo XiaoLou said, “It’s like this, I need some money right now, but I’m a little nervous. Can I advance some money from you first, and replenish it with the energy boxes month by month? In addition, for the money withdrawn in advance, Manager Gao can deduct my consignment fee at thirty percent.” 

Manager Gao immediately asked, “How much does Little Brother Luo need?” 

“Twenty million.” Luo XiaoLou said. For this amount, he didn’t want to touch Yuan Xi’s card.

There was the sound of Manager Gao’s laughter again, and he quickly said, “No problem, I’ll transfer the money to you later. I’ll still charge only 10% for the consignment fee, since I trust Little Brother Luo’s character. Moreover, I found out that Little Brother Luo is actually Master Yan’s disciple. As expected, such a master as a teacher brings out a great disciple.” 

A few days ago, Master Yan announced his new junior disciple in a high-profile manner, and the mecha manufacturing world was left in an uproar. As the administrator of a major auction house, Head Manager Gao was naturally well-informed. At that time, he became determined to get on good terms with Luo XiaoLou; a technical-level talent like him was hard to come by.

As long as Luo XiaoLou opened his mouth, just by virtue of his title as Master Yan’s disciple, people would definitely compete to lend him money, even if he didn’t return it. Of course, Manager Gao would seize this opportunity to draw closer, and who knows if he would do this future mecha manufacturing genius anywhere in the future.

“I’ve just paid my respects to my master, and I’m not as good as master. I just hope I won’t embarrass the old man in the future. Thank you so much for today.” The big stone in Luo XiaoLou’s heart finally fell to the ground. Tomorrow’s money was in his hands, and after seven months, he would probably pay off the debt on Manager Gao’s side.

Not too long after ending the communication, Luo XiaoLou received a message. Checking the balance on his account, it was now twenty million and five thousand.

125 picked it up and looked at it, then carefully said, “You can’t blame this on me.”

Luo XiaoLou glanced at it, “I’m not saying I’m going to blame it on you, but in the future, and in that club, you’d better be an honest stone for me. An immovable, hard, but absolutely reassuring stone — do you understand?”

Intimidated by the rare stern glare from its fosterer, 125 cringed and, after a few seconds of rare silence, aggrievedly asked, “Are you not going to take care of me?”

“Of course not. I just don’t plan on seeing you get stepped on again.” Luo XiaoLou replied as he gathered his materials.

The equally brainy 125 was moved to tears, it trotted a few steps, came over to hug Luo XiaoLou’s arm and vowed, “I will never let you lose. Believe me, we can take this chance to fill up your vault. There’s still a month to go, I’ll help you train.”

“…Okay? That would be very much appreciated.” Luo XiaoLou said with little hope. He didn’t think he could improve from Group 8 to Group 5 in a month. Picking up the obstructing 125 and putting it aside, Luo XiaoLou began to make the energy box.

It was still early, and Yuan Xi wasn’t here, so he wanted to see how much his Intermediate Source of Consciousness had improved from the Beginner level.

Luo XiaoLou still hadn’t touched his recyclable Black Chert, using heavy radium as his core energy stone instead. He also used all of his Source of Consciousness throughout the crafting process. He had stored enough Source of Consciousness since he had returned.

It didn’t feel like there was a big difference, except that the particles seemed to move more slowly when he closed his eyes and applied the Source of Consciousness, giving him plenty of time to sort out the fusion. And, for some reason, the production process was extremely smooth. He didn’t even feel exhaustion from the consumption, only comfort.

When Luo XiaoLou opened his eyes, he was appalled to find that the slowing down of the movement of the particles might have just been his illusion, and that making the energy box still took half an hour, but not longer.

He put the energy box into the reactor and started to wait.

After applying Source of Consciousness before, the highest energy an energy box could reach was 21,000 Luo, which belonged to the middle Grade 4.

Thinking about the important role of Source of Consciousness, Luo XiaoLou suddenly thought of another question, “Right, 125, I see that you have a Source of Consciousness option for driving the mecha on the control interface, can I?”

As he paid close attention to the reactor, 125 said, “In fact, the vast majority of exotic beasts control exotic beast mecha with their Source of Consciousness, so that they are more resonant with their mecha. Your Source of Consciousness is now at the intermediate level, but your control of it is unstable. Without a mentor around, I’m not taking any chances yet and suggest you control it manually. If your Source of Consciousness improves to a higher level, we can give it a try.”

“Hmm, I see.” Luo XiaoLou said. It seemed that the most important use for the Source of Consciousness in his hands was in mecha making, and he really couldn’t be more peaceful and meek than an exotic beast. Luo XiaoLou didn’t forget to brag about himself at the end.

At this time, the reactor rang, and Luo XiaoLou took the energy box out and went to look at the display on it.

“God, 35,000 Luo! As expected, almost double what it was before!” 125 shouted in surprise.

Luo XiaoLou looked dumbfoundedly at the energy box in his hand. Energy boxes over 10,000 Luo belonged to the Grade 4 category, which Kane was selling on a large scale, while energy boxes over 30,000 Luo were a Grade 5 category! The energy box he made had risen another level!

The corners of Luo XiaoLou’s mouth curled up uncontrollably. Now that Yuan Xi was in mecha training, he hadn’t bought another energy box since he knew Luo XiaoLou could make energy boxes.

What better way to give another energy box to Yuan Xi than with a more advanced box! But just in case Yuan Xi found out, it would be best to give it to him on Saturday after visiting Master Yan, and saying it was the result after Master Yan had instructed him on how to use Spiritual Power.

At that moment, there was the sound of the door opening downstairs, and Luo XiaoLou went down in a cheerful mood, leaving the Grade 5 energy box on the table for 125.

“You’re back! Go shower first, then we can eat.”

Seeing Luo XiaoLou’s smile and hearing him greet him voluntarily, Yuan Xi raised his eyebrows in surprise, almost beginning to wonder if the little slave had hooked up with someone while he was away.

But seeing Luo XiaoLou in warm house clothes made him feel extremely comfortable, and he took two steps forward, hugging Luo XiaoLou, who was about to go to the kitchen. He hung his head down, sniffing the familiar and reassuring smell, and wiping his own sweat on Luo XiaoLou in the meantime.

Luo XiaoLou tangled and stroked Yuan Xi’s hair, having already hugged two members of the family in one day…

Were they all so lacking in love and care, well, if both of them could be a little more cost saving, he could consider it. Well, such a family of three would actually be pretty good if it could be maintained.

“You stay at home honestly. No going out during this period of my training, no bringing anyone back without my permission, no talking to strangers.” Yuan Xi scuffled enough to announce in Luo XiaoLou’s ear.

“……” Well, actually, the cozy life and all that was really just one-sided.

“Wait, what’s with the red mark on your neck?” Yuan Xi suddenly frowned and asked.

Luo XiaoLou subconsciously shuddered, then remembered, and hurriedly explained, “That’s what 125 did.”

Yuan Xi paused for a second and bellowed, “Where is that fatty?”

Luo XiaoLou could have sworn he heard the crisp sound of a stone drop from the table upstairs and hesitantly said, “Probably dead…”

“It better have that realization, or I’ll clean it up sooner or later.” Yuan Xi cursed hatefully, pulling Luo XiaoLou around and heading for the bathroom.

 

After class the next day, Luo XiaoLou greeted Tian Li and ran out of school. Tian Li looked at his back and mumbled, “What has this kid been up to lately?” It had been a few days since he and Yates had an appointment with Luo XiaoLou. His lab had once been his favorite spot.

As soon as Luo XiaoLou reached, he saw Luca waiting for him with a few people in front of him. Luca said with a leathery smile, “So late, I thought you were too scared to come.”

Luo XiaoLou looked at him with a cold face and clenched his fists, “Because of your words, not yet.”

Luca’s face stiffened and he smirked, turning and walking inside, “Cut the crap. Let’s go to the registration office now.”

Luo XiaoLou followed Luca forward. He didn’t leave not because he wasn’t afraid of a duel with Luca. In fact, his palms were sweating now. Just the thought of dueling someone with a mecha for real made him want to tremble. But since he was planning to practice mecha and had paid so much money, he felt he had to stay.

These would have to be faced sooner or later, and he wasn’t driving a mecha to look good or sightsee. It was to participate in the mecha competition, for his own dreams, and to improve himself… or to help Yuan Xi in the future.

If it was unrealistic for him to help Yuan Xi, then at least he would slow down the enemies when Yuan Xi encountered dangers like the Level 7 bug beast in the asteroid cave.

As for switching to another mecha club, Luo XiaoLou didn’t have such an idea. Firstly, because he was distressed that he had already paid so much money; and secondly, because other clubs weren’t as effective as Radiance, so who could guarantee that other mecha clubs didn’t have such trash?

When they arrived at the registration office, the referee frowned at Luo XiaoLou, but didn’t say anything. He collected a deposit of twenty million each for the two men, then arranged a time and place for them to fight.

By the time they headed out, it was decided on a duel in a month’s time, and Luca, no longer hiding his malice, stroked his chin to look at Luo XiaoLou and said again, “By the way, if you lose, you can use the mecha to offset the twenty million.”

Luo XiaoLou scanned him and said, “If you lose, I don’t want your mecha. I prefer the twenty million.”

Luke’s eyes narrowed and said sarcastically, “That depends on whether you have that too.” 

As soon as Luo XiaoLou left, two people immediately came around and asked, “How’s it going, Luca?” 

Luca cursed angrily, “That loser is fine. He can actually afford to pay the deposit. But doesn’t seem too willing to change the winning prize.” 

The tall and thin man said, “Luca, I could tell when he was training, I think his mecha is at least a Tier 3 mecha, or maybe even higher than a Tier 3 mecha.”

One million for a Tier 1 mecha, five million for a Tier 2 mecha, and ten million for a Tier 3 mecha. This was only just enough to cover the price of a ranked mecha, and if there were any special weapons or special materials on the mecha, the price would be much higher again. As for a Tier 4 mecha, it was at least fifty million, and the higher ones could even be in the hundreds of millions, and they were hard to buy on Planet Anse.

Luca looked at the tall and thin guy suspiciously and said, “Even if it’s a Tier 3 mecha, I might lose it. As for a Tier 4 mecha, it’s even less likely that the kid owns one.” 

The tall and thin guy also hesitated. Although he thought the mecha looked exceptionally perfect, but if that was his illusion and it ended up being just a Tier 2 mecha or something, and he caused Luca to suffer, Luca would not spare him.

Luca snorted, “Forget it, it’s still money. But we can talk to him then and exchange his mecha for ten million. I think the person who is beaten and loses to me wouldn’t dare to say no to me.” These words came out and the two people around immediately laughed.

Luo XiaoLou, who was completely unaware that his mecha had been set up, was looking across at Rocky, who was frowning at him, “I remember I told you not to participate in any matchup in the near future.” 

After the two of them registered for the matchup in the club, it was displayed on the club’s message panel. Many people paid attention to the information about the matchup as they were keen on it. They saw it as an opportunity to watch and improve, and some large battles would even open a betting game.

Luo XiaoLou bowed his head and guiltily said, “Coach, I didn’t want to fight against him either, but the situation was such that it couldn’t be helped.” 

Rocky sighed. How could he not know that people like that existed in the club. He just didn’t expect that someone like Luo XiaoLou, who seemed to have no money, would fall into the radar.

“Forget it, I know how difficult it is for you. After this time, if he bothers you again, come straight over to me and I’ll go to his coach and warn him.” Rocky said. That said, coaches may not be able to control their students in the end. Not to mention, Luca’s coach was the same Coach Todd who looked down on Rocky.

Luo XiaoLou thanked Coach Rocky and remembered another question, “Coach, why did Luca choose to fight in a month’s time?” 

Rocky said, “In the club, Luca doesn’t dare to act too arrogant. If he finds newcomers who have just come in to immediately fight against, causing the club to have losses, the higher-ups won’t care.”

Luo XiaoLou nodded. Thinking of 125’s guarantee, he hesitantly asked, “Coach, there’s still a month left, if, and I mean if, do you think I have a chance of winning?” 

Rocky thought about Luo XiaoLou’s training video from yesterday. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he finally said, “Just do your best.”

Luo XiaoLou then started his training, and this time he continued his mecha and physical training for an hour and a half. For mecha training, Luo XiaoLou practiced the same moves he did yesterday, and although he still wasn’t up to standard, he did improve from the beginning. For the physical training, Luo XiaoLou ran for half an hour as usual, then started to build up his arm strength.

When Luo XiaoLou walked out of the club at seven o’clock, he already wanted to lie down on the ground. He was just about to head to the free hover station when 125 suddenly whispered, “Wait, we’ll go over there later, it’s a little inconvenient right now.” 

Luo XiaoLou froze, looked up and was startled.

On the overhanging parking lot of another luxury building, Yuan Xi, who shouldn’t be there at this time, was standing there impatiently, seemingly waiting for someone.

Luo XiaoLou was beginning to wonder if he was exposed when a man had already come out of that building, smiling and greeting Yuan Xi.

Luo XiaoLou stared blankly at the person. It was the first time he had ever seen someone who was as good looking as Yuan Xi, tall and poised, with profound features that were more neutral than Yuan Xi’s, but beautiful to the point of having a voluptuous effect.

Luo XiaoLou even noticed that the person’s gaze remained on Yuan Xi after seeing him.

The man walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. Yuan Xi did not push him away, although there was some impatience on his face.

Yuan Xi then turned around and opened the door, letting the man get into the car first — he had never opened the door for Luo XiaoLou before — and then got in himself, before driving off and leaving dust behind.

Luo XiaoLou had not yet regained consciousness when a message came from the communicator on his wrist.

Yuan Xi: I’m busy tonight and won’t be back for dinner.

“How could he do this to you, this is just — an affair!” 125 said angrily. ¹