Arriving at the hangar bay, Andrew was surprised.
Unlike usual, they were not the only ones in the hangar bay this time.
About 20 of the high-ranking administrators of Lucius Industries were gathered at this moment. Some of them, Andrew knew and had met before but others, he had only heard about.
Not just that, a cameraman was present at this moment, seemingly there to film the events of what was to happen in today's test.
He looked up at the boss with surprise on his face.
Lucius Volstad revealed a big smile. "I like that message that you sent to me, the confidence in it left me thrilled for today's test".
"I feel that something iconic would happen and is why I invited them".
"I don't want to witness this moment alone".
"So, tell me Andrew," Lucius Volstad looked into his eyes. "Are you confident?"
Mech Pilot Zigar was also shocked on arriving at the mech hangar. On seeing so many high-ranking people, he knew the boss' intentions immediately but what this did was pump him even more to defeat Andrew swiftly.
To him, this was a chance to prove himself before the people present here since it would likely open opportunities for him.
As soon as the boss asked the question, he looked at Andrew.
Andrew noticed his opponent's gaze and he also looked at him. He smiled slightly before inclining his head to look back at the boss.
"Yes, I'm confident," he nodded. "I'll win today".
"Good," Lucius Volstad laughed. "Good, I can't wait for it!"
This was when he finally paid attention to his ultimate prize today.
{Property of Lucius Industries!}
{1st Generation Modern Mech!}
{Poseidon's Gaze V-I}
{Weapon Systems: GT- Automatic Shotgun, Laser Rifle!}
This mech was a sleek mech that seemed like a Mercedez Benz to Andrew.
This was the same gaze that he used to look at them when the rich blokes in his previous world cruised past his street with their Mercedez Benz, the rumbling sounds of their engines that always made his sleep so much sweeter then.
Andrew pointed a finger at the mech, then he grinned. "I'm coming for you baby!"
He looked at mech pilot Zigar one last time before going closer to climb the cockpit of his mech. Once he was inside the mech, he took a deep breath to calm down even as the giant metal machine booted to life.
~Booting process successful~
~Checking systems…, systems check~
~Trying to establish neural connection…, waiting for signal…~
~Mech connection established~
HUM!
The Lombubos Knight III geared to life.
Like Lucius Volstad already theorized, Andrew's current form of existence that was closer to a mech than a human made his connection with mechs tighter.
Establishing a neural connection with his mech was far faster than normal.
His machine already geared to life while mech pilot Zigar was yet to establish a connection with his own mech.
The competition already started, and Andrew would not drag his feet.
Bam!
Kicking against the floor, under Andrew's control, this massive knight mech roared to life as it charged towards the nearby Spearman mech.
And finally, the eyes of the opposition mech glowed red, coming to life.
Mech pilot Zigar established a neural connection with his mech only to see the enemy already charging towards him.
It was inevitable, he panicked slightly.
He never expected it.
Reacting instinctively, Zigar showed his skill as he stabbed forward with his spear. His weapon had a longer reach and was his advantage.
Originally, Andrew would have retreated in panic on seeing this but not this time. Immediately after the spear thrust out, his mech's metallic left arm that held the huge knight shield moved.
WACK!
With his shield, Andrew smacked the spear to the side, exposing his enemy.
The Spearman mech's torso was now openly exposed for a counterattack.
Inside his mech, Zigar's eyes widened. That first attack was impulsive, he did it only because of the shock of suddenly seeing his opponent before him.
It was too late to regret it though.
At this moment, he had either of 2 options. Abandon his spear and retreat, or struggle to keep hold of his spear and give Andrew the chance for an attack.
'F*ck! Since when did he learn to use his head?' He cursed in his mind.
Mech pilot Zigar refused to leave his spear.
The knight mech's right hand wielding the sword moved, Andrew aimed ruthlessly at the energy reactor of this mech that was hidden in the torso.
He knew because as a qualified mech technician already, he had enough knowledge about his opponent's Spearman mech.
BAM!
At the last moment, mech pilot Zigar moved his mech.
It was what saved his mech.
His energy reactor survived but a significant portion of his mech's torso was just torn to bits by the razor-shape sword blade of his opponent.
Mech pilot Zigar gritted his teeth angrily. 'This f*cker!'
Having just attacked, there was a recovery time before Andrew's heavier knight mech could readjust for another attack.
Using his experience to calculate this, instead of retreating due to his injuries, mech pilot Zigar instead pressed on the offensive.
HUM!
His mech hummed powerfully with energy as it pounced.
It was another deadly spear stab.
Andrew could see the danger of this attack, and this was when he did it.
"Coby, simulate damage and contingency". He ordered.
The next moment, an image superimposed in Andrew's vision.
He saw exactly where this spear would strike through his mech. There was no critical system there, but there were certain wires there and circuits that enabled the smooth movement of his mech's legs.
And the contingency, all it needed was a deviation of 0.5 meters and the spear would still stab inside his mech, but it would be literally harmless.
No important circuits would be affected.
BAM!
Mech pilot Zigar's spear stabbed through.
To his shock though, his enemy's mech showed no signs of slowing down despite the damage as Andrew now took advantage of the heaviness of his mech.
At this moment, Andrew did something stupid.
Clang!
He threw his knight shield down, freeing his mech's metallic left hand.
"...what the f*ck!" Mech pilot Zigar voiced his thoughts in shock.
And before he could understand what was going on, with his free left hand, the knight mech grappled the spearman mech.
"…!" All the spectators were surprised.
Using its heavier weight and strength, the knight mech overpowered the spearman mech, enabling it to tip it over.
The Spearman mech fell on its back.
This was a trick that Andrew learned from the boss.
'Once you fall on your back on a mech, in mech combat, it's over'.
'Your cockpit will be exposed'.
'Critical systems of your mech will be exposed'.
'And considering the responsiveness of a mech on its back, unless it has installed nitro boosters to get back up quickly, recovering fast enough to continue fighting is nigh impossible'.
With his mech suddenly on its back, mech pilot Zigar was disoriented.
When he finally reacted, his mech blasted warning alarms at him and focusing on it, he saw his opponent's sword directly on top his cockpit.
Andrew stopped right before it could pierce the cockpit.
"…"
"…"
"…..!"
Shock and silence dominated this mech hangar.
"Hey, did you get that?" Lucius Volstad stared at the cameraman.
"Got it boss".
"Good!" Lucius whooped excitedly.
The winner was decided.
The winner was Andrew McTate.