Chapter 215: Three?!

Words : 1218 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 215: Three?! Maybe they should’ve tested on a desolate planet. Or maybe they shouldn’t have tested this at all, well, not at least until the mecha could walk properly. For this was a disaster. Although it started as an actual scare. Since this was the second time they were going to do this, they figured it would be easier this time around. When Sid activated his reactor, he almost had a meltdown and was certain that the moment the foreign energy circulated through his system, mountains were likely to fall. But what was this? Not only was there no overload and that intense need to discharge, but there literally was nothing. No response. "Was it also like this last time, brother? I don’t think this is how it went with Sid?" Asked Ollie, who tilted his head as he watched the unchanging scene. "No, because Sid turned into a metal worm after the Energy Crystals were placed, brother," Luca answered, wondering what was wrong with this. Did he fail to connect the reactor properly? After all, this was one thing that they didn’t get to test when he was piloting the mecha. But the indicator flashed the correct color when he placed the crystal earlier. "Master, is it possible that instead of having excess energy, D-29 is lacking it?" It was Sid. And Luca stopped as he thought about the possibility of this happening. Come to think of it. D-29’s biomecha body should be classified as an Advanced Mecha if Luca managed to install all those components properly. If that were the case, the energy requirement might have increased. And so, they tested it. Adding one more Energy Crystal as carefully as possible. Nothing. "..." "..." It was one awkward silence. Unless you count that indicator light flashing for a split second. "Does that mean we should put in another crystal?" Asked Ollie, who was on his tippy toes trying to see the Synapse Reactor from where he stood. "Three Energy Crystals? Is that how much energy is needed to power such a mecha?" mused the anxious dragon whose golden eyes had been scanning the mecha like crazy, trying to look for possible issues. However, it wasn’t 3. It was something like 2.5. Or some magical value that was definitely between 2 and 3. It was just that there was no way to split these crystals unless one was willing to tank a small explosion. And so it happened. The moment the third crystal settled into place, the biomecha’s core pulsed. A low hum reverberated outside the hangar, growing into a deafening roar as the golden light from the Synapse Reactor flickered, then surged. The sound was almost alive, like something waking from a deep slumber. And for a split second, it looked perfect. The circuits lit up, energy flowing seamlessly. But then— The biomecha convulsed. "Host!" D-29’s voice rang out, filled with frantic static. "Host, it’s too much!" Luca jolted forward, wanting to check what it could do from the outside, but Xavier stopped him. If this was similar to what the guardian mecha described, then something was bound to happen. Just like what was being unveiled before their eyes. Sure enough. "D-29, try to stabilize—" "I can’t, Host!" The little system’s voice cracked. "I—I don’t know how! Everything’s buzzing!" And it really was. The energy coursing through the biomecha far outpaced what the system could handle. In fact, it was something that it should’ve never had to handle! And normally, this would’ve caused weapons to fire indiscriminately, but who told them not to have a budget for it?! Or maybe being poor just saved them from one tragic disaster? But with no weapons to vent the excess, the mechanical arms flailed futilely. The precision tools — the only functioning mechanisms — revved and spun wildly, whirring through the air in a supposedly harmless display of panic. Thank heavens Luca didn’t get close enough, or one little chipmunk would’ve been the new addition to the dissection board. "That’s not good," Ollie mumbled, ducking behind Kyle for cover. "Not good at all." "..." But the worst part? The power consumption barely budged. It seems that the precision tools from the trove were too energy efficient, so there was no noticeable movement even when D-29 looked like a commercial tool showcase. At this point, one little system was trying to re-think the need for a physical body. Wasn’t it much more comfortable then? When nothing could hurt it, and there was no such discomfort! Was this pain?! No wonder those mothers grunted and screamed when they were giving birth! And to think, D-29 even collected information about this event! D-29 was attempting to replicate how Sid discharged energy, but it was purely theoretical. And this was the first time the little system understood the concept of being theoretically brilliant. The aspiring mecha had advised others countless times but never physically executed it. So it didn’t know. And now it did. The result? Total disarray. "I-I’ll try the thrusters!" "No, wait!" Luca’s eyes widened. Too late. With a sputter and a sharp blast, the biomecha’s back thrusters ignited. But instead of a graceful lift, the force sent the giant mecha jerking uncontrollably. Its feet barely skimmed the ground as it shot forward. "Turn it off, D-29!" Shouted Luca, who had a feeling this would happen. The mecha had not been calibrated to fly like this! In fact, the plating for the thrusters hadn’t even been installed! D-29 yelped. "I’m trying, Host! But it’s—" The biomecha veered. The steel colossus spun, heading straight for the edge of the hangar and the large field beyond it. The distant trees seemed far too close for comfort. Luca’s heart pounded. "D-29, try the emergency shutdown!" "I can’t, Host! It’s not cooperating!" It was pure chaos. But then, when everything seemed hopeless, one guardian mecha decided to do its good deed for the decade. "Master, please release me." It was Sid. And Xavier was surprised to hear the mecha volunteer, considering their rather ambiguous relationship. "You have a way?" Asked Xavier, who wanted to know what the mecha was even planning. "Unsure, Master. But I do have a way to at least stop D-29 from blowing up the space." For if D-29 wasn’t stopped, Tortie wouldn’t be the record holder by the end of the day. A shimmering light exploded from it, and a familiar hulking form emerged almost instantaneously. Sid. The ancient guardian mecha towered as his massive metallic coils unraveled. Despite the urgency, his expression—if a mecha could even have one—screamed of reluctant obligation. This was beneath him. But so was nearly everything that happened since he got here. And yet, he was still going to do this. Because at least now, D-29 had a physical body. Now, Luca was surprised to see Sid suddenly outside. And was even more confused when the guardian mecha shot into the air before it grabbed onto D-29. "Hold still!" Sid lifted the writhing biomecha without much difficulty. The chaotic thrusters sputtered once more, but Sid twisted mid-air, steadying them with ease. And so, just like that, D-29 was unceremoniously hauled away like a wayward cub. "Congratulations on your first flight." Then maybe, if this little guy survives, they can have their very first welcome sparring tomorrow.

Chapter 215: Three?!

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