"Puff puff." Aksel was breathing hard after being defeated for the nth time in a row. "This bastard concealed his skills very well," he thought after glancing at Nioh, who was calmly tweaking the weapons they had used in their training practices.
"How does the axe feel today?" Nioh asked without looking up.
"Like an extension of my arm," Aksel admitted in an interrupted pace obviously still catching his breath. "But I don't understand—why do you want me, as an aegis-class, to be the main damage dealer? I'm a hundred times slower than you."
"What do you know about biocores and Mecha classes?" Nioh replied effectively sidestepping the question.
"I know that every biocore is unique, and the abilities it grants are based on the binder's physiology, mental state, and experiences. The biocore then, confers the binder the ability to morph into a biomechanical machine called a Mecha," Aksel explained.
"Yes, and?" Nioh pushed trying to get a more complete answer.
"The biocore grants powers that also manifest outwardly through the Mecha, essentially turning the Mecha into an extension of the corebinder's body.
But the corebinder still needs a high-grade body frame, and stable synchronization with the biocore to pilot a Mecha, because, in the end, the Mecha is still a machine."
"Good. Now, if each biocore is unique, and by default, each Mecha is unique, why do we have Mecha classes?" Nioh questioned.
"I... don't know." Aksel stammered feeling confused.
"Mecha classes exist for identification or classification purposes and to suggest 'best-in-slot' alternatives.
Let me explain. There are form-swappers, humanoid Mechas, and aerial Mechas—those are designations of type.
An aerial Mecha, for instance, can be tanks, stealth, or artillery-focused. The same goes for humanoid Mechas." He explained.
"While classical roles are expected based on Mecha type, the ability of the corebinder, the nature of the biocore, and the state of the battlefield ultimately determine a Mecha's role."
"I still don't get it." He replied.
"Ugh." Nioh sighed in exasperation " Your Mecha is of the colossus class too big to go unnoticed on the battlefield. But it can regenerate, and that makes it the ideal meat shield.
Going punch for punch with any assailant, is better than adopting a defensive strategy, especially since there's no one to protect. You don't need to deal consistent damage—just hard-hitting damage to create openings for me to finish the job."
"Ah, that makes sense! But… what is your Mecha class and ability?"
"After all these weeks, you haven't figured it out?" Nioh smirked.
"Well, we've never fully morphed since it's against regulations, but the level of skill you display isn't a support-class level speed or skill. Why don't you plan to join a more active unit?"
"Don't worry about that. We are not at a stage where we can sustain fully morphing" Nioh said, packing up his tools. "Tomorrow is D-Day. Just deliver a solid performance." Without another word, he left for his dorm.
"I don't understand his goal," Aksel thought as he strutted out of the training area. "But I'll make the most of this opportunity. Forgive me but life is all personal gain."
"He is pretending to be stupid to flatter your ego" Ekoh spoke after Aksel left.
"I know he is a minor character, used to scheming. He will make a good stepping stone" Nioh replied insidiously
--
At 4:00 AM, all senior students participating in the university exam received a message on their communication devices:
Gather at the launch area for imminent departure.
ETA: 15 minutes.
– Lieutenant X.
As if he'd been waiting for the signal, Nioh slid out of bed like a machine, slipped on his shoes, and grabbed his small backpack mechanically. He opened the door to the common area to see Aksel struggling to pull on his pants. Aksel looked at him in shock noting he wasn't expecting Nioh to be up.
"Start the counter," Nioh said to Ekoh and while ignoring Aksel entirely he jogged at a steady pace toward the rendezvous point.
Screams and panicked voices echoed through the halls as the senior students scrambled to get ready for the assignment. By the time Nioh reached the launch area, there were already a dozen students in line, standing at attention and holding military salutes.
"Twelve minutes, ten seconds," Ekoh reported quietly marking Nioh; record.
Nioh scanned the students ahead of him. None looked exhausted or unprepared. "Bunch of Cheaters," he thought as he joined the lineup and saluted.
Standing before the assembly was a military officer wearing a purple bodysuit marked with his division and rank. A classical military apparel. His tall figure exuded an oppressive and wild aura. "It must be the one mentioned in the files," Nioh thought.
The officer's sharp eyes scanned the growing crowd as he repeatedly checked his watch. It was difficult to tell if he was waiting for the last students to arrive or for the clock to turn.
As the clock struck the appointed time the officer gave the boarding signal without hesitation. The platform lifted into the sky, leaving behind those still trailing. Just like that, they had failed their exams.
When the platform rose high enough, a transport ship appeared. The ship's shape was aerodynamic and the central body was robust, housing compartments for cargo, weapons, and personnel. Two massive propulsion units flanked the rear, emitting a low sound and glowing faintly blue with plasma energy. At its base were retractable landing gear reinforced with shock absorbers, ensuring smooth landings even in hostile terrain.
The students boarded in silence out of a hundred students, only sixty made it onto the ship.
The mysterious officer finally broke the silence. "I am Lieutenant X. You will receive your team number on your communication devices along with the rules. You will jump in succession according to your assigned number."
His curt explanation left the students uneasy as whispers filled the room. The students were joining their groups while murmuring about the lack of details.
Nioh glanced at his device as the notification appeared:
Team 19: Nioh + Aksel Brigan
Rules:
Winner: The team with the most points after extraction (10 hours).
Rank F = 1 point
Rank E = 2 points
Rank D = 4 points
Rank C = 10 points
Eliminating a team = 20 points
Surviving until extraction = 20 points
"Why are the rules so vague and short?" Ekoh asked his tone analytical. "Probably designed to test information analysis and gathering. Wouldn't be surprised if we all got different rules." Nioh stated.
Ekoh scoffed. "That's just great."
Suddenly, Aksel rounded on Nioh, his frustration boiling over. "Nioh! You left me in the dorm—I almost didn't make it!"
"Weren't you going to do the same? Spare me the crap and prepare for dropping" Nioh replied flatly, not sparing his temporary partner a glance.
"Dropping? What the hell are you—" Before Aksel could finish his sentence, a loud clang echoed through the ship as a trapdoor beneath their feet opened without warning.
The students plummeted through the air like pollen scattered by the wind. Their shouts and gasps were completely drowned out by the sound of the rushing wind.