First Spar
[Skill: Heat Slash]
[The mech heats up the particles within the metal blade of the dagger, allowing for a more deadly, seamless slash. The heating lasts for 25 seconds.]
The skill sounded good and would be useful against mechs. Simply bashing metal against metal wasn't gonna do much but if he could use heat to go through that metal, he would be a deadlier warrior.
Removing the module, all he had to do was use his imagination to control the manipulation of his mech. Mechs were usually kept at the spine because this was where the mech would originally bond to.
This was done to make sure that the control of the mech was seamlessly done by its host.
The same dagger that he had been training with formed out of no where and he just chuckled in astonishment.
'This thing is amazing!' He thought, taking different views of the newly created weapon.
Most people would spend their initial years of using their mech being fascinated by it. Alonso had missed out on all those years, so he was having that time now.
It felt almost surreal to have this mechanical object follow his commands with just a thought.
'Open Stats!'
[User: Alonso Del Valle]
[User Level: 2]
[XP: 0/200]
[XP Boosts: 0]
[Mech Level: 1]
[Skills] [expand]
[Traits] [expand]
[Mech Details] [expand]
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't really paid much attention to his XP Boost stat.
'What does this do?' He wondered.
"The XP Boost can be applied to a specific stat within the Mech details to improve one's mech. Placing more XP Boosts into the user's mech will increase the speed at which it levels up." The system elaborated.
Promptly, he opened the mech details and was met with a wide, square-like panel.
[Type: N/A]
[Strength: 1]
[Speed: 1]
[Amorphousness: 1]
[Durability: 1]
[Power: 88%]
[Efficiency: 25%]
[Damage Status: None]
[Temperature: 37°C]
[Modules] [expand]
The stats were lengthy but he analysed each one. The strength and speed were easy to discern and so was amorphousness -that was basically just what mechs were- but efficiency and type seemed slightly more complex.
'What does efficiency and type mean?'
"Type refers to which form of mech one possesses. There are transformer types, bruiser types, speed types but your mech is currently of no type."
"Efficiency refers to how much energy that is supplied to your mech will be used as useful energy." The system explained.
Type made a lot of sense since it was a term that people in society used anyway. Efficiency was totally new to him and it dawned on him his lack of knowledge of mechs.
He had never gone to a mech repair shop, and had simply not had his mech for long enough.
'Put my XP Boost into efficiency!'
"The user is too low level to place the XP Boost into efficiency."
'Okay? Place it into durability.'
[Complete!]
Type: N/A]
[Strength: 1]
[Speed: 1]
[Amorphousness: 1]
[Durability: 2]
[Power: 88%]
[Efficiency: 25%]
[Damage Status: None]
[Temperature: 37°C]
[Modules] [expand]
Some mechs had some crazy abilities, such as shooting laser beams and using explosive projectiles. Durability was something that he needed in order to be a successful fighter.
After seeing this small, but clear growth, it motivated him even more. He clenched his fist while staring at these panels, then pumped his chest.
"Nobody can stop me now!" He whispered, smiling.
The next day, the students were stood in the same stadium with the hexagonal roof across it. Surrounding the central white platform was a field of grass, and the area was illuminated by the golden sunlight that shone down on them.
They had their mechs equipped -as per the instructions given to them- and Mr Piedrabuena faced them.
"Now, for the first time, we get to do spars as a full class. I have given you all nice challenges, so for the stronger students don't think I've let you get by today. The brackets should be on your devices. Come down to the fitting rooms when it's your turn and go to the platform as usual." He explained.
Alonso felt an uneasiness in his stomach as he heard this announcement. After all of his training on his body, he hoped it would help him in using his mech.
"Alonso, you're first up! Lennox, go easy on him. He's new to his mech so let him learn." He explained.
A mischievous grin grew across his face and he soon put on a neutral expression.
"Yes, sir." He said with a bow.
Lennox had very short grey hair and tanned skin, with a dark grey mech that was of a lighter shade than Mr Piedrabuena's.
His looked slightly more bulky and was similar size to Bernando's.
He was 6'2, but he was quite slim under his mech. However, he was still a bruiser type and possessed lethal power.
Soon, the students went off the platform and entered the stands to watch this fight. Lennox was not a weak student by any metric and the students were just waiting for the inevitable beatdown.
Alonso remained hopeful and clenched his fist, as his helmet manifested.
"Begin!" Mr Piedrabuena called out.
Lennox was arrogant and didn't see a need to protect his face. He simply charged in at Alonso and cocked back for a punch.
However, Alonso stepped to the side and punched him in the face with a textbook right straight. His fist whipped through the air and knocked Lennox right onto a hand and knee.
He gave his jaw a light jiggle with his free hand and then saw blood drip out from his mouth and nose.
"Don't be arrogant, Lennox! He hasn't had a mech but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to fight!"
Some students snickered under their breath upon seeing this and Lennox just looked at all of the reactions with a look of growing fury on his face.
Alonso was totally flustered and had never had somebody charge at him with such speed and ferocity to attack him.
Even when he would spar at Rex's gym, people would never use their mechs and those fights were much easier to handle.
Lennox just grunted under his breath in annoyance and nodded to his teacher with a forced smile before he formed his helmet.
The two fighters slowly closed the distance and Alonso took the opportunity to land two straight shots. They were precise and landed well, but Lennox didn't seem fazed.
He bent and dropped his upper body before driving up an uppercut to his gut.
He then walloped Alonso in his face to drop him onto his bum.
"Mech Damage: Minor." The system reported.
As Lennox advanced, Alonso swiftly backed away but even though Lennox's mech was much larger and heavier, he moved faster than him.
Lennox chased him down like a starving predator chasing prey. After the embarrassment from taking a hit from Alonso, he let out all of his pent up anger on him.
He took punch after punch and there was little that he could do.
"Mech Damage: Moderate." The system stated.
'Darn it! I can barely track the guy!' Alonso thought to himself.
He formed his dagger from his mech, and aimed it right at the approaching Lennox before charging forward.
In his mind, he thought of activating his only skill and as he did so, the blade heated up until it was a fiery orange.
Fwoosh!
The air hissed as he whipped his dagger but Lennox was simply too quick. He evaded the attack before landed yet another gut punch that rattled Alonso. He had taken serious beating at his gym, but nothing of this level.
His previous sparring partners knew to hold back, but Lennox was out for blood.
He coughed out blood in his mask before receiving a final blow that hurled him right off the arena.
Mr Piedrabuena landed right beside Lennox, before shoving him back. Just this shove nearly launched Lennox off his feet, and he gave his student a stern glare before rushing to Alonso's aid.
As he released his helmet, he began coughing profusely, and his mech was slightly vibrating as it rushed to the points of injury.
"Take this module." His teacher stated, handing a mech core-shaped object.
It was significantly smaller in size and upon attaching it to his mech, the pain he felt soon started to vanish. The module was a green colour and gave his mech suit unique green textures in places.
The cuts and bruises in his flesh and skin faded, then Alonso removed the module from his mech. The green textures collected over his suit and started to detach itself, forming into its usual core shape.
"I told you to go light! His mech level is 1 and, for god's sake, your mech is Level 4 already!" He shouted.
Once mechs were discovered and made, their properties weren't immediately understood very well. When inspecting these mystical synthetic life-forms further, they were found to have 25 distinct levels.
Once a mech had been trained with enough, it would level up and receive a boost in its overall strength, amorphousness and functionality. Having higher amorphousness just allowed it to be more easily formed into various shapes.
Most people would only reach Level 3 or 4 with their mechs but Lennox had already reached Level 4 at 16 years of age.
"I apologise, sir. I did get carried away." Lennox replied, in a bow.
He couldn't hide the arrogant grin that grew over his concealed fist, and the following spars then ran as usual.