_Cloud Peak Manor_
In the open space in front of the villa, a colossal figure appeared, drawing everyone's eyes.
People gathered around, looking up at the crimson mech with awe and excitement. Their hearts pounded, and their scalps tingled. Mouths hung open, tongues nearly falling out!
Among the crowd, young people gazed at the mech with stars in their eyes.
"Holy cow, this is amazing!"
"My eyes are blinded by this 24k titanium awesomeness!"
"This is a real eye-opener!"
"Mom, why am I kneeling to look at this mech?"
Exclamations of amazement echoed through the crowd.
Especially the younger ones, who couldn't hide their admiration for the massive machine in front of them. Even the older folks were captivated, their imaginations running wild with the thought of piloting it through outer space.
Mechs are the true romance for men!
But not just men; women were also enchanted by the mech's imposing presence. Some young girls couldn't stop exclaiming, "So cool!"
Molly sat on the ground, dazed and muttering to herself, "Is this... is this real?"
"No, it can't be. No matter how realistic it looks, Regine couldn't possibly afford a real mech. Lachlan can't even make one, let alone the Xia Kingdom!"
The entire manor was immersed in the awe brought by the giant mech, so much so that they even forgot about the birthday banquet.
Mr. Princeton cleared his throat and gently tugged Mr. Patricio. The two walked over to the equally bewildered Regine and pulled her aside.
To the untrained eye, it was just a spectacle, but to the experts, it was a marvel of engineering.
Just by looking at the exterior of the mech, you could tell it was extraordinary.
"Regine, be honest with Grandpa Princeton, where did you get this mech from?"
Regine's big, expressive eyes blinked twice, her gaze a bit vacant.
She didn't answer, appearing to be deep in thought.
"Regine?"
"Regine??"
Regine jolted, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Grandpa Princeton, if I told you I paid $300,000 to have a master welder build it, would you think I was lying?"
"Why would you say something so silly, dear? Good kids don't lie!" Mr. Princeton spoke kindly, though his brows furrowed slightly.
"Grandpa Princeton, I knew you wouldn't believe me!" Regine pouted, unsure of how to explain.
"Regine, are you saying that the person who called you earlier at the villa, Master Nelson, welded this?" Mr. Patricio, knowing his granddaughter never lied and was a bit of a simpleton, believed her words must be true.
"Yes, his name is Nelson, and he's a top-tier welder," Regine nodded, adding a bit more detail.
Mr. Patricio and Mr. Princeton exchanged glances, both seeing the deep confusion in each other's eyes.
This mech clearly surpassed the realm of ordinary models, with many parts adhering to aerodynamic principles.
"This mech model looks so cool!"
"Too bad it's just a model. If it were a real mech, that would be amazing."
"Don't be so sure. It might be our country's latest, cutting-edge technology!"
"Are you kidding? This thing is obviously fake, just an empty shell with some paint to look impressive!"
"Who says? I think the cockpit looks like it can fit a person. Maybe it can actually move!"
After some heated discussion, everyone focused their attention on the cockpit in the mech's chest.
A crowd of people pointed and gestured at the cockpit, full of anticipation.
Eventually, someone started chanting.
"Get in the cockpit!"
"Get in the cockpit!"
Molly, who had been silent for a while, was helped up by a servant, gradually calming her inner shock.
All the attention today had been stolen by the mech that Regine had gifted.
She finally understood that this giant mech model was something Regine had prepared well in advance.
Regine's earlier expression was definitely an act!
"Manipulative witch!" Molly thought to herself, her lips curling into a mysterious smile.
A model is just a model, all show and no substance. Once the cockpit is opened and people see the mess inside, they'll definitely be disappointed.
With a smile, she addressed the crowd, "Everyone, don't worry. Regine will definitely open the cockpit and won't let you down!"
She then turned to look at Regine.
"Right, Regine?"
With someone leading the way, the crowd's clamor grew louder. Regine had no choice but to give it a try, though she was certain the guests would be disappointed.
According to Master Nelson, it seemed she could control the mech with a simple phone app. She opened her phone, found the app package Nelson had sent, and installed it with a single tap.
As Regine clicked to run the app, the program started, and the interface unfolded. Immediately, the mech's interior emitted a series of mechanical "clack-clack" sounds, causing everyone around to take two steps back in fear and surprise.
Their faces were tense and filled with apprehension.
Molly sneered and muttered under her breath, "They even installed sound effects. They really went all out to show off."
"Be careful, Regine!" Mr. Patricio warned. He sensed something was off. The mechanical connection and physical braking sounds were very similar to those he had encountered while researching exoskeleton armor.
Regine swiped her fingers across the interface, realizing that only the start button was operational—there was no command button to open the cockpit.
Holding her breath, she gently tapped the start button.
Ding!
A loud notification sound suddenly exploded above everyone's heads.
The previously dormant mech's eyes lit up with a bright red glow.
Immediately, a mechanical voice emanated from within the mech.
"Pilot authorization confirmed."
"Coolant injection complete."
"Mini hydrogen engine activated."
"Phased array situational awareness system online."
"Scarlet Sky Unit 1 successfully initiated!"
"Scanning pilot..."
A red beam descended from the mech's eyes, pinpointing Regine's location.
The mech's arm then extended toward her, half-supporting, half-grabbing her, lifting her to chest level.
In her extreme nervousness, her phone slipped from her hand and fell below.
Click!
The sound of an airlock opening echoed, and before Regine could react, she was sent into the cockpit.
The hatch closed.
Regine, clutching the holographic helmet, sat in the pilot's seat, her heart racing.
Staring at the unfamiliar control sticks and console in front of her, she was completely dumbfounded.
Even her breathing became shaky.
"This is so realistic! Totally worth the money!!!"
Below the mech.
When the cockpit had opened earlier, many people had seen the internal structure.
Molly was the first to be stunned.
This was nothing like what she had imagined.
If the exterior of the mech was already stunning, then the interior of the cockpit was nothing short of a sci-fi marvel.
The model was so meticulously crafted that not only the exterior but even the cockpit was incredibly lifelike!
Even the arms could move, surpassing her wildest expectations.
"Make it fly!"
"Make it fly!"
Hundreds of people, as if injected with adrenaline, shouted excitedly.
The atmosphere was electric.
Molly's face, however, was a picture of gloom, as dark as a stormy sky.
Her fingernails dug into her palms from clenching too tightly.
Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "I refuse to believe it can actually fly!"