MORIC - Chapter 123
Chapter 123: Whoops, I Accidentally Matched with a Mecha
In the school history of Guyun Academy, not much ink was spilled on the "War God" mecha.
On the contrary, the internet viewed this mecha through a thick filter, always believing it still possessed its former ability to dominate the battlefield, and in turn forgetting that a mecha relies on its pilot's spiritual power to operate. No matter how powerful it was, it was the power of the pilot themselves.
Unfortunately, Xi Zhoumeng, who was seeing this mecha in person, found the thing utterly hideous.
The outer shell's paint was peeling, and the early-generation DNA verification system wasn't very sensitive. Although the cockpit design was very advanced, it felt like a mecha with nothing presentable to offer besides its materials.
The oppressive aura, however, was one-of-a-kind, making anyone who saw it feel immense pressure.
Xi Zhoumeng hadn't originally planned to go to the academy's mecha storage room with Wen Xinghuo. She was busy preparing for the matter the system had assigned her.
The fully restored future consciousness carried a hint of Chi Yueshan's flavor, which made Xi Zhoumeng feel a little guilty when facing her own Chi Yueshan.
But she had always been thick-skinned. If you were to say her mind wasn't deep, she wouldn't have done what she did back then.
【Everyone was stunned when Wen Xinghuo activated the mecha back then.】
【Oh, you have no idea what a sensation it was. The forums exploded.】
The system started chattering again.
The fully data-restored entity was always talking about the future. Xi Zhoumeng couldn't tell if it was smuggling in its own biases, but she always felt this thing still really liked Wen Xinghuo.
This was a data stream from the future Chi Yueshan's consciousness.
She's already bonded with me, we even have a child, so why is she still talking about Wen Xinghuo all the time?
What's so great about Wen Xinghuo?
Just looking at her is annoying.
The system didn't really detect its host's anger levels.
After all, this data had no reliable source; it was all just her own nonsense.
As a result, it was completely unaware of Xi Zhoumeng's anger at the moment.
Instead, it was Xi Shuang, who had come along, who sensed Xi Zhoumeng's displeasure and asked, "Zhoumeng, what's wrong? Is it too crowded?"
Why is she staring blankly at Wen Xinghuo?
Even though Xi Shuang wanted to think the best of it, she could still feel that Xi Zhoumeng was completely displeased with Wen Xinghuo.
Wen Xinghuo was at the entrance, registering to go inside.
It was called a mecha storage room, but it actually occupied an entire building. After all, mechas were huge and required a large space for display.
Many students had come to see the mechas. Wen Xinghuo stood in the crowd like a motionless post. Unaware of what was happening, she even smiled at Xi Zhoumeng and Xi Shuang.
The open house hours were tight, and most of the visiting students were there for the War God mecha.
Those without S-rank spiritual power wouldn't even try, for fear of embarrassing themselves.
But some with S-rank spiritual power had tried, and no one from any year had been able to hear the sound of DNA confirmation.
There were many people coming and going. Besides the War God mecha, other donated mechas were also very eye-catching.
The second most popular mecha was the silver-white "Moon-Swallower" mecha, which looked like a work of art.
But even with its age, one could tell that the mecha's owner was quite vain, having even installed external sightseeing equipment.
Even though it couldn't be activated due to its age, one could still imagine its splendor upon activation.
Xi Shuang followed Wen Xinghuo, vigorously egging her on to give it a try.
That girl Ling Xun had just left a few minutes ago. She also had high spiritual power but had departed in disappointment.
Wen Xinghuo had come specifically for this mecha, so naturally, she went to get in line.
Unexpectedly, the Alpha with A+ spiritual power in front of her lost all heart to even try upon seeing her, turning around to queue for the best-looking mecha instead.
The verification was done with an external device; all one had to do was press a fingerprint.
The teacher in charge of supervising the mecha was also stunned to see Wen Xinghuo.
Everyone in the Alpha division knew of Wen Xinghuo's strength.
Whether in theory or in actual combat, she was in a league of her own, able to defeat those with exclusive mechas even without one of her own.
【Is that Wen Xinghuo? Am I crazy, or do I actually think she and this mecha are a good match?】
【It's probably her skin tone. Although the mecha's paint is peeling, you can still see it was once a perfect, seamless black.】
【You guys are so mean. Wen Xinghuo isn't that dark.】
Chi Yueshan was also eager to come here and see the excitement, but a mishap in her divination elective's practical session held her up. Xuan Ping had to specifically wait for her.
The two of them ran until they were out of breath, and when they thought about splurging on a ride, they found there was no chance.
Most people had gone to queue up.
Even though Wen Xinghuo had heard about the future from Sheng Yangkui and Xi Zhoumeng, she was still very nervous at this moment.
However, she rarely showed her emotions. At first glance, she appeared calm and steady. Only Xi Zhoumeng, a mother in a certain sense, noticed her slight trembling.
Xi Shuang felt that Xi Zhoumeng's cold snort carried a hint of mockery.
Didn't these two make up?
What's going on?
She could only change the subject, making nonsensical small talk. "Zhoumeng, I think this mecha is quite good-looking. It's very much your style. Hey, I remember this is the one your Xi family ancestor used, right?"
Xi Shuang was talking about the artistic-style mecha next to them, which also had a long queue.
Xi Zhoumeng lifted her eyelids. "I'm not an Alpha."
A first-year girl spectating nearby chimed in, "It's okay, Senior Xi. You can register to go inside the cockpit and have a look."
But everyone who went had to undergo fingerprint authentication, only to be cruelly met with the mechanical voice announcing, "No activation qualification."
For prideful Alphas, it was practically a public execution. But a social death shared by many isn't a social death at all, and right now, that sound effect could be heard from all directions.
Wen Xinghuo's finger pressed down. The blue light of the fingerprint scan spread across the screen, and the beeping sound was indistinct amidst the noisy environment.
But Xi Zhoumeng knew that the hero's armor would still fall into Wen Xinghuo's hands.
【Activation successful!】
【Activation successful!】
【DNA sequence input in progress…】
【Pheromone analysis data loading…】
...
This mecha was ancient, its DNA verification not very sensitive. The voice sounded like an unoiled clockwork spring, complete with stutters.
Yet, it managed to silence the entire noisy hall.
Even though Wen Xinghuo knew the result, she couldn't help but widen her eyes in astonishment.
Xi Shuang: "Holy shit!"
Not satisfied after saying it once, she cursed again and leaned in closer.
The registering teacher also stood up in surprise. Countless gazes fell upon Wen Xinghuo.
Even the students queuing by other mechas crowded over.
Xi Zhoumeng moved against the human tide, instead turning to size up the mecha beside her, which was countless times better-looking than Wen Xinghuo's.
The mecha at home, custom-made by Xi Mingguang the year she was born, also had a sense of age, but it was still very young compared to something a century old.
Xi Zhoumeng fell in love with this mecha at first sight.
The display plaque below listed the year, name, original pilot, and donating family.
【Do not fear the known future】
The first pilot was friends with the original pilot of the War God mecha.
But while the War God mecha had at least seen a second person bond with it, this mecha named "Moon-Swallower" had no second pilot's registration card.
The exterior was heavily damaged, and Guyun Academy, which collected mechas, had always preserved their original state. Unless a new matching pilot appeared, it would not be repaired.
Besides, the craftsmanship of that era was completely different from today's. It was less about preserving its original state and more about being unable to find a matching mecha technician.
Nowadays, the barrier to entry for mecha technicians wasn't high, but the certification requirements were many.
The Mecha Technicians Guild from many years ago had long since been disbanded. The top mecha technicians of the Empire were all in the military, with absolutely no time to come and repair a mecha that no one could use even if it were fixed.
No matter how famous its name, no matter how glorious its past.
The teacher managing the "Moon-Swallower" mecha was also eager to see the commotion over there.
But she held back. Seeing Xi Zhoumeng come over alone, she smiled and asked, "Student, would you like to try?"
The teacher managing the mecha happened to be Xi Zhoumeng's mecha theory instructor.
Xi Zhoumeng was the only Omega in the academy with S+ spiritual power and also had a connection to this mecha.
These teachers would chat in their spare time about students and courses.
Since Xi Zhoumeng had nothing better to do, she nodded.
It was so noisy anyway, no one would hear the "No activation qualification" voice.
Xi Zhoumeng touched her finger to the light screen, her eyes lowered to watch the path of the blue fingerprint light as it spread.
Unlike the blue light pattern for Wen Xinghuo, this one actually spread out in the shape of a flower.
The teacher explained, "They are all set according to the initial image of the core program."
Wen Xinghuo's was a long saber.
This one was actually a flower, and from its shape, a rose.
That was just too flashy.
The blue light rippled, but it loaded very slowly.
Chi Yueshan, pulling Xuan Ping along, finally managed to get in, just in time to hear a very loud mechanical voice announce—
【DNA sequence match successful!】
【Soul Chain verification in progress…】
【Spiritual power calculation in progress…】
【Activation qualification obtained!】
【Activation successful!!】
There were so many people inside that Chi Yueshan couldn't see Wen Xinghuo for the moment, but that didn't stop her from being happy when she heard this voice.
She turned excitedly to Xuan Ping and said, "It's Senior Wen, right?! She's so War God-like! It's a perfect fit!!"
The next second, there was another mechanical voice.
【Outer hatch detected as open】
【Shallow open state. Please select close or remain open】
【Mecha activated】
Chi Yueshan let out a loud "Huh?!" and exclaimed, "What mecha is this?!"
A crowd of people moved like a tidal wave, all shifting to the side.
Chi Yueshan looked blankly at Wen Xinghuo, who was finally visible.
Then she saw the petrified Xi Shuang.
"Pingping, why does that girl surrounded over there look a little familiar?"
Xuan Ping blinked. "Why is it Senior Xi?"
Immediately after, a wave of gasps erupted in the warehouse.
Xi Shuang was about to go crazy. She couldn't even be bothered to congratulate Wen Xinghuo on bonding with the War God mecha.
She grabbed Wen Xinghuo's wrist in shock. "Isn't Zhoumeng an Omega?!"
Wen Xinghuo was also stunned.
She felt as if this scene was strangely familiar.
This scene was like boiling water. If the venue were a bit larger, with a dome for a ceiling.
And a few more detection instruments.
It was just like…
Just like…
"This is just like that day you and Senior Xi tested for 100% compatibility!"
Xuan Ping said suddenly.
Wen Xinghuo heard her and subconsciously nodded.
Xi Shuang pushed her way through the crowd. Wen Xinghuo, being tall, even cleared a path for Chi Yueshan.
Xi Zhoumeng was still standing in front of the light screen.
The wild rose pattern was so eye-catching that it made all the onlookers think—
If this isn't Xi Zhoumeng's mecha, whose could it be?
Wait, isn't Xi Zhoumeng an Omega?
What does she need a mecha for!
Xi Zhoumeng was stunned.
The teacher was also stunned.
The people around them were well past the point of whispering—
-Pinch me!! Am I crazy?! Am I still dreaming?!!
-It's like the start of last semester all over again…
-This has to be a mistake!!! A mecha matching with an Omega??!!
-This mecha belonged to the First Commander in the war that divided the upper and Lower Worlds and pushed back the Zerg!!!
-Sob sob sob, I remember learning about this in middle school history!! But there were never any photos, they said it never made an official appearance. But this isn't that strange, right! It's a Xi family mecha…
-Senior Xi's spiritual power is S+, right… If she were an Alpha, she'd be perfect, my dream A, sob sob sob.
-Wait, isn't this supposed to be Senior Wen's special moment for matching with the War God mecha?
【Xi Zhoumeng: Why didn't the future you showed me include this part?】
The system seemed to have crashed. It hesitated for a few seconds before saying firmly—
【You didn't find a suitable mecha in the future either. After you reunited with Yueshan, she originally wanted to build one for you, but she hadn't finished it yet…】
After all, the timeline was a complete mess.
At that very moment, Xi Zhoumeng felt a familiar pull.
She subconsciously turned and saw Chi Yueshan walking over, following the path Wen Xinghuo had cleared.
It was like the day of the 100% match, but with their roles reversed.
This time, it was she who watched Chi Yueshan slowly approach.
They walked into the rest of each other's lives.
This new chapter in their rebooted destiny.
Everyone was shocked by the absurdity of an Omega matching with a mecha. Only Chi Yueshan couldn't hide her excitement.
She was on the verge of tears.
This mecha was so damn beautiful!
Seeing it online before, she thought it looked good even in its dilapidated state. The restored, complete version was simply first-class cool.
In comparison, the War God mecha next to it looked too much like a coffin.
Chi Yueshan was the only one present who knew that Xi Zhoumeng was an Alpha.
In that case, doesn't that make me the best person to research this mecha?
Xi Zhoumeng watched as Chi Yueshan's eyes grew misty.
Xuan Ping noticed it too and asked Chi Yueshan in a low voice, "Why are you crying?"
Xuan Ping thought Chi Yueshan was envious that Xi Zhoumeng, also an Omega, could match with a mecha.
She had lost count of how many times she had heard Chi Yueshan say things like, "If I could, I'd want to pilot a mecha onto the battlefield too."
Chi Yueshan let out a little sob and lowered her voice.
"These are tears of happiness."
Amidst the loud discussions and the teacher's frantic phone calls, Chi Yueshan shouted Xi Zhoumeng's name, unable to control the surging excitement of the moment—
"I love your mecha so much!!!!"
Comments
Post a Comment