Chapter Five
The Mecha Armors utilized by the Knights vary in size and abilities. There are four different size spectra: Colossal, Gargantuan, Huge Hugo, and Large. Knights wear these suits based on their ranks and proficiency in handling them. The training armor falls into the Large category, standing at 9ft tall and weighing between 800 to 1600lb.
These Mecha Armors connect with their users in various ways. There are two types: one powered solely by an aeirstone, and the other a hybrid suit that combines aeirstone power with mage-linked aeirstone elements.
The hybrid Mecha Armor, integrating aeirstone with a mage, assists in defense and primary element control, such as Air, Water, Fire, and Solid.
Each mage is assigned a level based on the number of elements they can control, with four tier levels established. The first tier is the Prince, who controls a single element, typically starting with the fundamental water element. The second tier, King, requires mastery of water and a second element. The third tier, Imperial, demands control over three elements, a milestone reached by most Aurelians in their magical journey.
Finally, mages in the god tier level possess the ability to merge with their users through a mental and neural link, uniting pilot and mage within their bodies. To achieve this, the mage must undergo an out-of-body medium, a potentially perilous process for both parties. These mages are known as Avatars or God tiers, having mastered all four elements. Only a select few, like Queen Zaman, the deceased emperor's wife, have attained this level.
The Large Mecha Armor worn by Weilson and Eve features a spectrum design incorporating Duralloy Armor, providing flexible mobility akin to an exoskeletal motion. In contrast, Carlos resides in the King tier.
Weilson had already heated the dagger, capable of easily piercing through Eve's Armor. As she lunged at him once more, attempting to execute the same move, he struck first, aiming for her rib cage within the armored area with the weapon, unbeknownst to Eve that Weilson had tampered with it. Stepping back, Eve realized the damage inflicted upon her Armor.
Carlos rushed in to aid her but was impeded by the remaining members of Weilson's group. "That's cheating," Carlos challenged, struggling against his captors.
Despite his efforts, Weilson flaunted the dagger with a smug grin of satisfaction for his deceptive act.
Recognizing the danger, Eve retreated, realizing that Weilson could reach her vital organs within the Armor. Sensing the futility of the fight, she instead grabbed three of the balls Weilson had used against her.
Laughing, Weilson taunted, "You think that will make any difference?"
"It's not for you, idiot," she said, redirecting her attention to the remaining group assaulting Carlos. With precision, she hurled the balls at them, catching them off guard and freeing Carlos from their clutches.
"Hey, eat this," Weilson exclaimed, tossing the heated red dagger at Eve.
"Watch out," Carlos warned, but it was too late.
As the weapon hurtled toward her, Eve raised her hands in a futile attempt to defend herself. However, something strange occurred. The dagger rebounded off her Armor as if an invisible shield had been conjured by her mage, striking Weilson and rupturing his elbow.
Weilson's agonized cry drew nearby Knights to his aid, while Eve, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, couldn't explain what had transpired, as Carlos's magic shield hadn't been activated.
Carried before the Knight Commander of the Orielian Empire, who oversees their region, they awaited judgment.
They stood before him, enduring his disdainful gaze.
"Eve and Carlos, you two have earned yourselves three months suspension without pay," the Knight Commander decreed.
Stepping outside, Carlos spotted Eve waiting by her truck, but he had no interest in connecting with her. Ignoring her wave, he recalled his earlier advice for her to let it go. However, Eve approached him anyway.
"Hey, Carlos," she called out.
Without a word, Carlos headed for his scooter bike, intent on avoiding any further confrontation. Eve, however, intercepted him, seizing his keys.
"I don't have the energy for drama right now, Eve. Just give it back," Carlos implored.
Disregarding his plea, Eve flung the keys across the parking space. Despite his frustration, Carlos retrieved them calmly.
"You can't blame me for what happened," she retorted.
Carlos returned to his scooter, reigniting it, but Eve attempted to repeat her action. This time, Carlos swiftly removed his keys.
"What do you want, Eve?" he asked, exasperated.
With a pleading expression, Eve replied, "I need you right now. I don't understand what happened in there."
"Firstly, I didn't ask you to fight my battles. Secondly, I warned you, but you never heeded my warnings, especially considering I'm your mage. Imagine if we were in a real battle; I wonder what would have happened. I just hope you continue to ignore everything I say; maybe that might teach one of us a lesson," Carlos stated firmly.
With those words hanging in the air, Carlos climbed onto his scooter and rode off, leaving Eve behind without a backward glance.
Eve stood there for a moment, processing Carlos's words, before finally retreating to her truck and driving away. Unbeknownst to her, someone was already spying on her for unknown reasons.
Later in the afternoon, Sasha and Tesh were having a blast with their Mecha Armor. Their Large Armor, powered by an aeirstone, was easier to control, and the kids reveled in their newfound freedom. As Tesh examined the armor's mechanisms, he discovered that it lacked any installed weapons.
"It's your turn, Sasha," he called down to his friend, eager to continue their adventure.
Sasha climbed onto the armor, following Tesh's instructions meticulously. However, the Mecha Armor suddenly stopped moving.
"Tesh, what's happening? Why is it not responding?" Sasha asked in frustration, attempting to press multiple keys to restart it to no avail.
Realizing they were at an impasse, Sasha dropped down from the Mecha Armor, and Tesh climbed up to investigate the issue. Despite his efforts, they couldn't find a solution.
Suddenly, they heard Femi's voice, but they knew they had to return the armor to its original position.
"Sasha, you should wait here while I go see him," Tesh suggested before rushing off to the house not to bring any suspicions.
Meanwhile, Tesh entered his house and searched for his father. Unable to find him downstairs, he proceeded upstairs to his room. There, Femi greeted him and gestured for Tesh to sit beside him on the bed.
"Tesh, I want to talk to you," Femi began, noting the boy's rapid growth.
"You've been gaining weight and height quickly for a three-year-old. Sometimes I wonder if you're older than you appear."
Meanwhile, inside his mind, Tesh reflected on the perception of others, acknowledging that his reincarnation often led people to view him as a young genius due to his knowledge and abilities.
"Tesh, your mother and I have been considering sending you to stay with Aunt Omelia in the capital," Femi disclosed.
Confused by the sudden proposal, Tesh wondered if he had done something wrong or if it was because his parents were expecting their first child. However, he decided not to jump to conclusions.
"Why?" Tesh asked, seeking clarification.
Femi's response caught Tesh off guard. "I know you've been tinkering with the Mecha Armor for a while now. Did you think I was unaware?" his father revealed.
Surprised by his father's insight, Tesh treaded cautiously, aware of Femi's reputation as a formidable individual.
"One reason I've allowed it is because the Mecha Armor is an industrial type, relatively easy to operate. But for someone your age, I'm impressed," Femi remarked.
Tesh pondered the realization that he had been struggling with an industrial Mecha, reminiscent of the version he had used when he was Alex.
"That type was once used for combat, but now it serves as an industrial aid. It still possesses the invincibility cloak, which comes in handy," Femi mused to himself.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air from Reyan's room. "Femi, my water has broken!" Reyan cried out in urgency.
Femi dashed to her side, then hurried downstairs to start the car.
Meanwhile, Tesh glanced out of his window, knowing that when they returned, they would likely be accompanied by his younger sibling.
Observing the commotion outside, Tesh noticed that Sasha hadn't emerged from the barn yet, as her parents were assisting his family in getting Reyan into the car.
Deciding to investigate, Tesh retrieved his father's mechanical tools, hoping to potentially fix the Mecha Armor. Upon entering the barn, he found the armor toppled over, and Sasha was nowhere to be seen.
"Sasha, where are you?" he called out, but received no response. Concerned, he searched around and spotted a lifeless body underneath the Mecha Armor. Recoiling in fear, Tesh was reminded of the terror he had felt during his previous encounter underneath the lake.
Struggling to lift the Mecha Armor, Tesh realized that while he may have matured mentally, he wasn't yet physically prepared for such a task. Panicked, he dashed outside to the Tenbud Household, hoping to find assistance, only to discover that they too had gone to the hospital.
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, Tesh stood there, grappling with the weight of the situation. He understood the fear of death all too well and couldn't bear the thought of losing his only friend in such a tragic manner.