Chapter 26 - Ch:26

The lurking man chuckled darkly as he watched Raika's battle unfold through a holographic display. His eyes narrowed with intrigue and a hint of admiration.

"Very good, Raika," he murmured to himself, his voice laced with satisfaction. "What a complex cyborg that girl is."

He tapped a few commands on his holographic wrist, analyzing the data streams and recordings from the skirmish. The glowing screens flickered with information, detailing Raika's movements, strategies, and the capabilities of her Phailax mech.

"Hahaha," he chuckled again, a twisted grin forming on his lips. "This will be interesting."

He glanced down at his holographic wrist display, his smile taking on a more sinister edge. "How do I make her mine?" he mused with a perverted smile. "I'm rather fond of her, and that body of hers... hahaha."

"Raika will be mine at any cost, even if the world stands against me," he muttered darkly, his eyes glinting with determination.

With a final glance at the holographic display, the lurking man disappeared into the shadows, his mind already plotting the next move in his mysterious game.

Raika stood under the shade of the sakura tree outside the academy, the delicate pink petals falling around her like a gentle rain. As she admired the serene beauty of the moment, Nana approached with a bright smile.

"Hey, Raika!" Nana greeted cheerfully, tapping Raika on the shoulder with both hands. "Miss me much?"

Raika smirked playfully. "Nope."

Nana pouted exaggeratedly. "Hmm! How about me? Did you not miss me?" she teased.

Raika chuckled awkwardly, caught off guard. "Where did that come from?" She turned around and affectionately patted Nana's head, trying to diffuse the teasing.

Nana pointed to herself proudly. "Of course, you missed me!" She chuckled, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

Just then, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class. Nana grinned. "Time for class! You better head in, okay?" She gave Raika a playful nudge.

"Alright," Raika replied with a smile. "See you later, Nana."

"Bye!" Nana waved as Raika headed back towards the academy building, the sakura petals dancing in the wind behind her.

Raika listened intently as her Assistant relayed the information through their mental connection. The gentle rustling of the sakura leaves provided a serene backdrop to their conversation.

"Master, I searched the android's data and found evidence using my nano machines," the Assistant explained.

Raika furrowed her brows slightly. "You can do that without my permission?"

The Assistant nodded. "Yes, but only to assist and ensure your well-being, Master."

Raika nodded, understanding the necessity of the Assistant's actions. "Alright, carry on. What did you find?"

"It appears that the android you fought last time was not created by your original creator. It seems to belong to another enemy," the Assistant reported.

"Another enemy?" Raika echoed, a hint of concern in her voice.

The Assistant continued, "I dug through the android's data stocks and gained access to the recording data."

Raika's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, you're quite powerful," she remarked.

The Assistant responded humbly, "Yes, my abilities derive from your own, Master. Your super-advanced design allows me to perform these tasks effectively."

Raika took a moment to process this information, realizing the implications of facing a new adversary. As she glanced up at the sakura tree's blossoms fluttering in the breeze, she braced herself for the challenges ahead, knowing she could rely on her Assistant's support in uncovering the truth.

Raika made her way back to the engineering class, navigating through the bustling corridors of the academy. The walls were adorned with vibrant displays of student projects, and the distant hum of machinery echoed through the hallways. She soon found herself face-to-face with Nana once more, who greeted her with a mixture of frustration and pride.

"Hello again, Raika. It's engineering class again, and I hate it so much," Nana complained, gesturing towards the door with a mix of irritation and determination evident on her face.

Just then, Mia and Lina arrived, having overheard Nana's lament. Mia couldn't resist teasing, "Oh, look who's here, Nana?"

Nana puffed up proudly, replying, "Of course, I'm here!"

Lina chuckled and teased, "Wow, Nana, I thought you were only good at brute force."

Nana's cheeks flushed bright red, steam metaphorically rising from her ears as she protested, "N-No, that's not true!"

Mia and Lina burst into laughter at Nana's reaction, their amusement filling the corridor. Raika watched the exchange with a knowing smile, silently enjoying the camaraderie of her friends.

"Haha, sometimes I can't quite follow their conversations," Raika thought to herself with an amused grin, before joining them as they all headed into class.

As they headed to the classroom, Raika couldn't help but express her amazement. "Oh, Teacher Satori, you're the one teaching us again?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

Satori, standing at the front of the classroom, greeted them with a proud smile. "Yes, of course," he replied confidently, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. The classroom itself was a marvel of modern engineering, with holographic displays flickering to life and various prototypes lining the shelves. The walls were adorned with schematics and diagrams of advanced mechs and electronic circuits, reflecting the specialized nature of the class.

Raika, Mia, Nana, and Lina settled into their seats, eager to learn from Satori, who was renowned for his expertise in electronic engineering. His lectures were known to be both challenging and enlightening, often pushing students to think beyond conventional boundaries.

As the class began, Satori launched into an animated explanation of the latest advancements in plasma technology, capturing the attention of his students. Raika listened intently, fascinated by the intricate details and practical applications of the subject matter. She occasionally glanced at her friends, noticing their varying levels of engagement and curiosity.

Amidst the lesson, Raika couldn't shake her sense of admiration for Satori's teaching prowess and the depth of knowledge he imparted. It was clear to her why he was highly respected among the students and faculty alike.

When some students become bored Satori, sensing the students' interest piqued, switched the topic with a smile. "Do you know how jet propulsion works? Particularly in mechs, it's fascinating how they defy conventional physics," he began, capturing everyone's attention.

He proceeded to explain the basics of jet propulsion, breaking down the concept into digestible parts for the class. "Jet propulsion relies on Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," Satori explained, gesturing animatedly as he spoke. "In mechs, jets expel high-speed gases backward, generating thrust force that propels them forward or in any desired direction."

He illustrated with holographic diagrams, showing the intricate mechanisms within a mech's propulsion system. "By expelling gases at high velocities through nozzles, mechs can achieve incredible speeds and maneuverability," he added, emphasizing the practical applications of jet propulsion in mech combat and exploration.

The students, including Raika, Mia, Nana, and Lina, listened attentively, absorbing Satori's simplified explanation of a complex engineering concept. They exchanged curious glances and nods of understanding, intrigued by the interplay of physics and technology that underpinned mech operations.

As the lesson progressed, Satori's passion for the subject shone through, making even the most intricate details of jet propulsion accessible and engaging to his eager students.

Raika raised her hand tentatively, drawing Satori's attention. "Umm, sir Satori, if you're an electrical engineer, how do you know so much about the mechanics of mech jets?" she asked curiously.

Satori chuckled warmly, adjusting his glasses with a knowing smile. "Ah, I was a mech engineer too, of course," he replied, his voice laced with pride in his dual expertise. "Understanding the mechanics of mechs and their propulsion systems was an essential part of my training. It's fascinating how different disciplines intersect in engineering."

Raika nodded, impressed by Satori's breadth of knowledge. His explanation bridged the gap between electrical and mechanical engineering, illustrating how his diverse background enriched his understanding of advanced technologies.

The class continued to listen intently as Satori delved deeper into the intricacies of jet propulsion, weaving together principles from both electrical and mechanical engineering to explain the marvels of mech technology. His ability to connect theory with practical applications left the students with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of their futuristic world.

After Satori finished lecturing, all the students sat there, their faces mostly blank and dry with information overload—except for Raika. Her eyes were wide with fascination, and a slight grin played on her lips, showing her genuine enthusiasm for the subject. While everyone else looked somewhat drained, Raika seemed ready to build a jet-propelled mech of her own right there in the classroom.

Raika carefully analyzed the virtual hologram depicting the jet propulsion system and its energy consumption. As she simulated various scenarios in her mind, an idea began to form. She raised her hand confidently.

"Sir, I have an idea to demonstrate," Raika said, her voice filled with excitement.

Mr. Satori looked intrigued. "Go ahead, Raika. What do you have in mind?"

Raika stepped forward, projecting her calculations and diagrams onto the classroom screen. "I've been thinking about optimizing the jet propulsion system for energy efficiency," she began, pointing to specific parts of her diagrams. "By adjusting the fuel intake and optimizing the nozzle design, we can potentially reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. Here's a simulation of how the new design would work."

She manipulated the holographic controls, showing a side-by-side comparison of the current system and her proposed modifications. The class watched in awe as the efficiency gains became clear.

Mr. Satori nodded thoughtfully, impressed by Raika's ingenuity. "That's quite impressive, Raika. You've thought this through well."

Raika beamed with pride, addressing the class. "Imagine if we could implement this in our mechs. We could extend operational ranges, reduce fuel costs, and even lessen environmental impact."

The class buzzed with excitement and curiosity, amazed at Raika's innovative approach to mech engineering.

After the class finished, Mia, Lina, and Nana stood there with their jaws practically on the floor from Raika's detailed explanation of jet propulsion engineering. Mia couldn't resist joking, "I'm starting to doubt if you're a cyborg or a robot, Raika. Your brain is just too efficient!"

Lina chimed in, laughing, "Yeah, Raika, you've got the whole smarty-pants thing down to an art!"

Nana, looking impressed but still a bit incredulous, turned to Mia and Lina, asking, "Is Raika really that smart? She came up with a better plan than even Mr. Satori!"

Mia and Lina exchanged knowing smiles. "Oh, you'll get used to it," Mia teased.

Raika joined in the laughter, trying to play it cool. "What are you talking about?" she said, feigning innocence, but her grin gave her away.

They all burst into laughter together, marveling at Raika's unexpected brilliance and enjoying the lighthearted moment after the intense class discussion.

As Raika and her friends walked down the hallway, a group of boys passed by, their gazes lingering on Raika. They murmured among themselves, "Wow, Raika is really smart and good at fighting too. It's like we have a perfect goddess at our school."

Raika overheard them and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Her cheeks flushed a deep red. She thought to herself, "Maybe it's because of my inhuman abilities." Despite the praise, she couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious about her unique nature.

Mia and Lina noticed Raika's reaction and exchanged amused glances, while Nana just grinned, enjoying the attention Raika was receiving.

As they walked down the hallway, Nana playfully slung her arm around Raika's neck and grinned. "Wow, I'm jealous. What's your secret? It looks like you have everything—beauty, strength, smarts, and kindness."

Raika felt even more awkward, her blush deepening. "It's not really like that..."

Mia, noticing Raika's discomfort, interjected, "Stop it, Nana."

Nana chuckled and raised her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I was just joking." She gave Raika a playful wink, and the group continued down the hallway, the mood light and cheerful.

As they walked down the hallway, Raika turned to Lina with a warm smile. "You know, Lina, you're always so focused and determined. I really admire that about you."

Lina blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thanks, Raika. I try my best. But honestly, you set the bar so high. You're always so calm under pressure and have such a clear vision."

Raika shook her head modestly. "We all have our strengths, Lina. You're incredible with your precision and your ability to stay cool in any situation. I'm lucky to have you as a friend."

Lina smiled brightly. "Thanks, Raika. That means a lot coming from you. We all learn from each other, right?"

Nana grinned, adding playfully, "And we all make a great team. Beauty, brains, and brawn—what more could you ask for?"

And then they all laughed at Nana's remark.

"Beauty, brains, and brawn—what more could you ask for?" Nana repeated with a grin, causing another round of laughter.

Raika, still smiling, added, "It's true. We do make a pretty awesome team."

Mia chuckled, "Yeah, we do. And with you leading us, Raika, we can handle anything."

Lina nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Together, we're unstoppable."