Chapter 28: Meet Agis

The chest of the massive Mecha opened with a mechanical hiss.

Arthur stepped forward.

He was now dressed in an all-white pilot suit, its design fitting tightly around his body as he approached the cockpit.

As he reached the open chest cavity, Genesis’s voice suddenly echoed within his mind.

〘Master, are you not going to enhance the Mecha first?〙

Arthur paused.

She has a point.

He glanced toward the Type-Vanguard.

But I don’t want to take that risk.

What if it’s like the Named Blade situation?

I’d rather not discover that I need to become freakishly strong just to use this thing properly.

Genesis fell silent for a moment.

Then...

〘You have a point, Master.〙

Another voice suddenly echoed within Arthur’s mind.

It was distinctly male.

Mechanical.

Calm.

〘I doubt that will be the case, Master.〙

Arthur’s expression changed slightly.

〘After all, the Mecha was designed specifically with you in mind.〙

〘Therefore, it should not possess some generic power threshold that determines whether its designated pilot is sufficiently powerful to operate it.〙

Arthur glanced toward the two assault drones hovering nearby.

Then his gaze shifted slightly farther away.

There, only Arthur could see it.

A massive third drone hovered silently in the air.

Its body resembled a distant star, with a single enormous eye embedded within its center.

Eclipsion.

It was the name it had gained after Arthur had upgraded it from its original state as the VX-9 Adaptive Combat Drone Suite.

It was now...

〘Eclipsion Divine Adaptive Combat Suite.〙

Divine Grade.

Arthur stared at it for a moment.

"I understand your intentions, Eclipsion."

His gaze returned to the Type-Vanguard.

"But I’m not willing to take that risk just yet."

The massive drone’s eye flickered once.

〘Understood, Master.〙

Arthur turned back toward the open cockpit.

"Let’s see what this thing can really do first."

Arthur made his way inside and settled into the pilot’s seat.

The moment he was properly seated, the cockpit closed around him.

Now inside...

A singular golden ring-like device descended from the ceiling.

Complex circuitry patterns covered its surface as it hovered above Arthur’s head before gently lowering itself until it rested around his forehead.

Several cables extended from the back of the device, automatically connecting themselves to designated ports throughout his pilot suit.

Then...

A loud, deep male mechanical voice echoed throughout the cockpit.

〘Neural wave patterns identified and detected.〙

〘Biometric signatures confirmed.〙

〘Neural interface synchronization initiated.〙

〘Cognitive response patterns detected.〙

〘Pilot compatibility: Confirmed.〙

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The mechanical voice continued.

〘A DNA sample is required to authenticate the designated pilot and complete the binding process.〙

Arthur looked around.

A small mechanical arm suddenly descended from the ceiling.

At its end were three slender mechanical fingers.

A tiny needle extended from the center.

〘Please press your thumb against the designated contact point.〙

Arthur raised his hand.

He pressed his thumb against the needle.

A brief sting of pain followed as the needle pierced his skin.

A tiny bead of blood emerged.

The mechanical arm immediately retracted the needle before retracting back into the ceiling.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then...

〘DNA sample acquired.〙

〘Genetic authentication in progress...〙

〘Genetic signature confirmed.〙

〘Pilot identity confirmed: Arthur Ashbourne.〙

〘Binding protocol initiated.〙

The golden circuitry patterns surrounding Arthur suddenly illuminated.

One by one, the lights throughout the cockpit changed from blue to green.

〘Binding complete.〙

〘All primary systems operational.〙

〘Type-Vanguard is now synchronized with its designated pilot.〙

Soon, Arthur noticed the dimly lit cockpit suddenly becoming transparent.

His eyes widened slightly.

He could see everything outside the cockpit.

The hangar.

The technicians.

The enormous interior of the facility.

It was as though the metal framing surrounding the cockpit had simply become transparent, allowing him to see directly through the Mecha’s body.

Arthur slowly raised his hand.

The Type-Vanguard raised its hand as well.

He moved his fingers.

The Mecha’s fingers moved in perfect synchronization.

Arthur’s expression gradually changed.

He shifted his weight.

The Mecha shifted its weight.

He took a small step forward.

The enormous machine moved exactly as he intended.

Then Arthur felt something strange.

Cold.

A faint sensation of metal.

He could feel the steel floor beneath the Mecha’s feet.

He could feel the resistance of the joints as they moved.

He could even perceive the subtle vibrations traveling through the machine’s frame.

Arthur froze.

I can feel it...

He could actually feel the Mecha.

It was almost as though the Type-Vanguard had become an extension of his own body.

Arthur slowly clenched the Mecha’s massive fist.

His eyes widened with amazement.

"This..."

A genuine smile spread across his face.

"This is fucking incredible!"

〘Pilot, if you will, please grant me a name.〙

The mechanical male voice echoed throughout the cockpit once again.

Arthur thought for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"Agis."

He paused.

"Your name is Agis."

A purple system interface suddenly materialized before Arthur.

〘AGIS〙

〘Type-Vanguard Combat AI〙

The mechanical voice responded.

〘Thank you, Pilot.〙

Arthur grinned.

"Please, just call me Arthur."

〘Understood... Arthur.〙

Suddenly...

The thrusters mounted along the back of the Type-Vanguard opened.

Golden energy began pouring from their exhaust ports, forming shapes that almost resembled enormous golden wings.

The energy rapidly intensified.

Sinclair’s expression immediately changed.

"Young Master!"

"Since this is your first time piloting the Type-Vanguard, I recommend taking things slowly."

"You should get accustomed to the controls and familiarize yourself with the Mecha’s systems before attempting anything too—"

"Come on."

Arthur interrupted him.

"Only losers do that."

Sinclair’s face twitched.

"Young Master..."

Seraphina stepped forward, concern evident in her expression.

"Young Master, I think it would be best if you listened to Sir Sinclair."

"He’s the head engineer. He knows what he’s talking about."

Arthur sighed.

"You worry too much."

He glanced around the hangar.

"Besides, if you really want to help..."

The golden energy behind the Type-Vanguard intensified.

"Open the gates of the hangar."

Seraphina’s eyes widened.

"Arthur, what are you planning?"

Arthur grinned.

"I’m taking Agis for a ride."

There was a look of reluctance exchanged between Sinclair and Seraphina.

Neither of them seemed particularly convinced that this was a good idea.

But after a moment, they both decided to trust Arthur.

One of the engineers was already at the controls.

Following a nod from Sir Sinclair, he activated the hangar doors.

The moment the gates opened...

A sudden gust of wind exploded throughout the hangar.

Golden particles of energy accompanied the blast, swirling around the Type-Vanguard and forcing everyone present to shield their eyes.

The sound of roaring thrusters echoed through the massive facility.

Then...

Silence.

Everyone slowly lowered their arms and opened their eyes.

The Young Master was no longer in the hangar.

Neither was his Mecha.

Arthur and the Type-Vanguard were already soaring high through the air.

Sinclair couldn’t help but fold his arms, a look of disbelief appearing on his face.

"First time piloting a Mecha..."

"And the Young Master did it on his first try."

A proud smile slowly appeared on his face.

"I must say..."

"This is quite a sight for me."

He gazed toward the distant Mecha.

"His learning curve is just as monstrous as I remember."