Chapter 965: Perfect Mechanical Sense (Revised)

Chapter 965: Perfect Mechanical Sense (Revised)

Bearing the inaugural graduating class of the Black Star Superpower Academy, the vessel coursed through the transit network, swiftly traversing from the frontier Purple River System to the Sigma System at the heart of Black Star’s domain, summoned for an audience with their sovereign.

Over the past six years, the Black Star Army had poured immense resources into territorial development, erecting a secondary headquarters within the Sigma System—a colossal space fortress comprised of seven mechanized fortress planets and countless defensive orbital rings, widely revered by the legion’s ranks as the Black Star Pavilion.

As the ship drew near and settled at its charted coordinates, the silhouette of the Pavilion emerged against the observation glass; beholding the leviathan of interlocking steel, the students’ jaws fell slack, their faces etched with sheer awe.

This monolith dwarfed the floating Dragon Tan Isles that once graced the skies of Azure Star!

Each fortress world was girded by multiple defensive rings canted at varying angles, crafting a flawless symmetry, while the planets themselves were arrayed across seven concentric orbits, all revolving in unison around a central nexus like a miniature star system.

Yet at its heart lay no sun, but a gargantuan metallic sphere, sheathed in silver-black and polished to a mirror’s gleam, resembling a lightless dark star whose purpose remained an enigma.

Subject to routine inspection, the vessel docked at the Seventh Fortress Port along the outermost orbit; the moment Nilo and his classmates stepped onto the gangway, a familiar figure caught his eye.

“Uncle Fudin?!” Nilo’s face lit up with delight, and he hurried forward on his short legs, breaking into a brisk trot.

“Hello there, Nilo.” Fudin offered a gentle smile, reaching out to ruffle the boy’s hair.

“Did you come all this way just to wait for me?”

“Indeed. It has been five or six years, and you have grown.” Fudin kept his hand on Nilo’s head, looking him over with a sigh of nostalgia. “A pity you haven’t grown much taller, though.”

“…Let’s not dwell on that, or we won’t be able to have a pleasant conversation.”

Nilo’s expression darkened; his stunted height remained a perpetual thorn in his heart.

Infused with the life energy bestowed by Aurora and regularly imbibing dragon blood elixirs, he should have shot up like a sapling by all rights, yet he could not fathom why his development lagged so severely, especially since his father Bennett’s genes were hardly short!

Nilo had once suspected that the crushing weight of his studies had literally compressed his stature, leaving him brimming with quiet resentment.

“Come to think of it, Uncle Fudin, you haven’t changed a bit. You’re still as handsome as ever.”

Fudin shook his head with a chuckle. “It is only natural. Those at the Calamity Grade can regulate their own metabolism; preserving one’s youth is a trivial matter. Six years to us is but a few months to ordinary folk.”

At that moment, a martial arts track girl clad in a form-fitting suit stepped to Nilo’s side, her large eyes fixed upon Fudin as an involuntary blush crept across her cheeks, betraying her sudden nervousness.

“And who might this be…” Fudin turned his gaze toward her.

“Ah, allow me to introduce Mia Moroto. She is my… my… ahem, a very close female classmate of mine, and the foremost standout among this year’s martial arts graduates.

Mia, this is Fudin, personal guard to His Excellency Black Star. He is an elder who watched me grow up. You… wait, why are you blushing?”

“I am not blushing!” Mia hastily covered her cheeks, her voice flustered.

She was the very same dark, slender girl who had crossed paths with Nilo during the academy’s opening ceremony on Azure Star; as the old saying goes, a maiden transforms beyond recognition with age, and after six years of rigorous study and training, her figure had blossomed, her features turned lovely, her skin warmed to a healthy wheat tone, radiating vibrant vitality.

Witnessing yet another young woman captivated by his allure, Fudin wore an expression of resigned helplessness as he extended his hand. “Greetings. I am Fudin.”

“H-hello. You are honored to meet me… ah, no… I am honored.” Mia stammered in her nervousness, hastily grasping his offered hand as the crimson on her face deepened.

Nilo glanced at Fudin, then at Mia, feeling as though he had bitten into a raw lemon; a sour, bitter ache bloomed in his chest, prompting him to cough heavily, pry their clasped hands apart, and abruptly change the subject:

“By the way, where is my godfather?”

“He is already aware of your arrival. Proceed to his throne to meet him.”

“His throne?”

“Right there, that massive black sphere at the center.” Fudin chuckled softly. “Speaking of which, how much have you progressed these past years, Nilo? He will certainly test your studies shortly, and if you fall short… do not expect me to plead on your behalf.”

At the mention of mechanics, Nilo instinctively shrank his neck, unpleasant memories surfacing as he replied uncertainly, “I believe my improvements are quite substantial. Godfather should be satisfied, I hope.”

“You can ask him yourself. Do not keep him waiting; we shall catch up once you are done.”

Fudin smiled, turned on his heel, and took his leave.

As the retreating figure faded into the distance, Nilo turned to speak, only to find Mia still gazing longingly in the direction Fudin had departed; irritation flared within him, and he snapped crossly:

“He’s already gone, and you’re still staring?!”

Only then did Mia reluctantly withdraw her gaze, excitedly poking Nilo in the ribs. “Hey, how is your uncle so utterly captivating? His smile is breathtaking; I was completely mesmerized.”

Jealousy gnawed at Nilo’s heart as he replied sourly, “Why have you never looked at me like that?”

Mia instantly scrunched her face in disdain. “How long has it been since you looked in a mirror? What gives you the audacity to compare yourself to your uncle?”

“…”

Nilo was rendered utterly speechless.

His heart ached.

After six years side by side, the two knew each other intimately; Mia had gradually shed her reclusive shell, blossoming into a lively spirit, and though they bickered constantly, their bond remained strong, akin to that of siblings.

After a bout of playful squabbling, the group finally cleared their routine inspections, transferred to a secondary shuttle, and set course for the great black sphere at the heart of the Pavilion.

As the vessel drew near, a small aperture dilated upon the sphere’s surface, revealing a docking tunnel perfectly sized to swallow their craft.

The shuttle glided into the passage and came to a halt, flanked by seamless, airtight walls devoid of any docking platform.

Just as confusion began to ripple through the passengers, one of the walls suddenly split open.

Rumble—

Countless nanites and mechanical components shifted and interlocked, materializing a pristine docking bay before their eyes, extending into a solitary pathway.

“A dock constructed in real time?”

To these students, the spectacle bordered on miraculous; they stepped onto the platform in wonder, glancing about only to realize the bay offered but a single route forward, every other direction sealed by obsidian metal bulkheads.

Exchanging wary glances, they steeled their nerves and pressed onward, the path continuously unfolding beneath their feet with every step.

“Gulp.”

The sharp sound of a swallowed lump echoed through the group, and only then did they realize that, at some unmarked moment, all conversation had ceased, plunging everyone into silence.

The atmosphere grew taut, illuminated only by pallid lights that stretched along the corridor; with each advancing step, the weight upon their chests compounded, birthing a dread of the unknown ahead.

Where once their hearts had brimmed with the thrill and anticipation of meeting a titan, that excitement had now wholly transmuted into nervous reverence.

Though Black Star himself remained unseen, his suffocating presence already permeated the very air around them.

After an indeterminate stretch of walking, the corridor abruptly widened, spilling them out into a vast, circular chamber.

At the chamber’s heart rose a tiered dais, upon which rested a mechanical throne; beneath it, arcs of blue-gold mechanical energy crackled like lightning serpents, spreading outward in a shimmering, pulsating web.

Seated upon the throne was a man draped in black robes, his head tilted slightly, one hand propping up his chin while the other rested lazily on the armrest, observing them with a placid gaze.

That mere, unadorned look sent a crushing pressure plummeting onto the students’ hearts, turning their legs to water.

“Your Excellency, Black Star!”

“So this is the aura of a Beyond Grade A… It’s terrifying.”

Many could not help but swallow hard, courage faltering as they desperately wished to turn tail and flee, putting as much distance between themselves and this place as possible.

Before their arrival, countless students had yearned to witness a Beyond Grade A, yet in this very moment, most realized they had merely loved the illusion of the dragon, not the beast itself.

“G-Godfather.”

Nilo offered a cautious greeting, muttering inwardly to himself.

After a few years apart, his godfather’s presence had grown only more staggering…

Yet his appearance remained utterly unchanged, as youthful and handsome as he had been six years prior.

Before Fudin, Nilo had dared to jest and tease, but standing now before Han Xiao, he found himself involuntarily gripped by tense reverence, even if the Black Star was his own godfather.

What is going on, am I really that terrifying... Watching the crowd's pathetic display, Han Xiao furrowed his brows.

He glanced down at the Mechanical Throne beneath him, and only then did understanding dawn.

He had nearly forgotten that this wretched contraption amplified his aura; no wonder it left these young leeks trembling in fear.

Han Xiao retracted his aura and rose to his feet; only then did the crushing pressure vanish abruptly, leaving the crowd to gasp for air, their backs already drenched in cold sweat.

Casting a sweeping glance, Han Xiao spoke slowly, "You are the first cohort of outstanding graduates since the academy's founding. Since you have chosen to serve the legion, I welcome you all on its behalf..."

At these words, the tension in their hearts gradually ebbed, giving way to excitement; receiving personal encouragement from a Super A-Class left many feeling profoundly inspired.

After offering a round of encouragement, Han Xiao finally dismissed the exhilarated students the way they came, keeping only Nilo and Mia behind.

Stepping down from the dais and approaching the pair, Han Xiao looked down at the crown of Nilo's head and nodded. "Being short is actually quite advantageous. It makes for a smaller target, and as a Mechanic, you are less likely to be struck by the enemy."

Nilo's mouth twitched.

What was wrong with these people, and why did they all insist on harping on his height?!

Though he grumbled inwardly, seeing Han Xiao tease him so casually allowed Nilo's taut nerves to relax, and a smile broke across his face:

"It has been a long time, Godfather. I have missed you dearly."

I, on the other hand, have not missed you in the slightest... Han Xiao sighed inwardly.

With an observation marker in hand, he could spy at any moment; he even knew the exact average duration of Nilo's bathroom visits.

Over these past six years, Han Xiao had mostly remained in the Shining World to accumulate his foundation, spending nearly all his stored experience to raise his personal level to 303, while pouring the rest into skills and synthesis blueprints.

His raw combat power had not grown dramatically, but his mechanical legion had seen a comprehensive and massive leap forward!

This obsidian sphere, nearly the size of a planet, was the Mechanical Deity forged from his legion!

Maintaining its planetary silhouette like a dark star, Han Xiao would frequently activate this ability and sustain it for extended periods, honing his mastery over the Mechanical Deity without ever slacking.

Nor had he been idle in crafting machinery; he had already established a sub-dimensional factory, continuously refining and expanding it to provide himself with an endless stream of troops.

During these six years, the mechanical civilization had advanced by leaps and bounds; over eighty percent of Apostle Star's surface was now completely blanketed by mechanical metropolises, and mechanical lifeforms had been incubated up to the eighth generation.

Due to the iterative decay of the Spark energy, performance had declined significantly from the sixth generation onward; as reproduction continued, later generations became the commoners of this mechanical civilization, fit only as cannon fodder, a limitation inherent to all such civilizations.

Yet the first-generation mechanical lifeforms remained the finest elite, with the many Apostles, including the Ancestor of Shadows, standing as the most formidable; their social structure gradually mirrored the cosmic order, for the universe has always been thus, where commoners form the vast majority, while pre-sixth generation lifeforms served as the Espers of this realm, wielding terrifying individual might and commanding reverence.

The Black Spirit race continued to digest their newfound knowledge; compared to six years ago, accomplished researchers had emerged across various fields, beginning to impart wisdom to their kin as the effects of the psychic network started to manifest.

How could the tedious efficiency of textbook pedagogy compare to the visceral thrill of the Black Spirits' direct mental transmission? It was the stark contrast between straining in constipation and the sudden, violent release of diarrhea.

The legion's power expanded steadily, the educational initiative progressed smoothly with more academies established, and the first cohort of students had graduated, precisely Nilo's class...

Reflecting on this, Han Xiao looked Nilo up and down, then turned his gaze to Mia beside him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Misinterpreting Han Xiao's intent, Nilo hastily introduced his companion. "This is Mia, a female classmate of mine. She is quite formidable as well."

"H-hello... uh, greetings, Your Excellency Black Star."

Mia appeared visibly flustered; the aura Black Star projected was entirely different from Fudin's.

Fudin felt like a gentle spring breeze that stirred the heart, whereas Black Star instinctively commanded awe and reverence, instilling a fear that forbade any presumption.

"I know of you. You possess great potential."

Han Xiao had recognized this former-life follower of Hela years ago, another fine leek, so he felt no surprise now, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

"Thank you." Mia was instantly overwhelmed with favor, her heart racing at the unexpected recognition from such a towering figure.

"Wait outside for a moment. I have some words to share with Nilo."

"Y-yes, sir."

At this, Mia cast a glance at Nilo before reluctantly turning to depart.

Watching Mia retreat into the distance, Han Xiao withdrew his gaze; with only the two of them left in the room, he dropped his formal demeanor, studying Nilo with keen interest as he teased:

"Well, well, boy. Has puberty finally struck?"

Nilo's face instantly flushed crimson as he stammered in defense, "Nonsense! I-I am not..."

"Enough, spare me the explanations." Han Xiao cut him off with a wave of his hand. "It has been years. Let me inspect your progress. If you have been so busy romancing that you neglected your studies, hmph."

With that, before Nilo could protest, Han Xiao simply tapped him, pulling up his combat interface.

Scanning the opened panel, Han Xiao gave a slight nod.

The boy's potential was indeed solid; he had already reached the C+ rank, and would likely attain B-Class before turning twenty.

Glancing down at the ability column, Han Xiao's eyes suddenly ignited, beholding exactly what he had long dreamed of.

Nilo's Mechanical Sense specialization had finally evolved into [Perfect Mechanical Sense]!

The leek he had nurtured for so long was finally ripe for the harvest!

'It took nearly a decade, but he finally manifested this ability. Not easy, truly not easy!'

Overjoyed beyond measure, Han Xiao slapped Nilo's shoulder vigorously, breaking into a delighted laugh.

"Good, very good. I am thoroughly satisfied with your progress!"

Nilo's shoulder throbbed with pain, his bones feeling as though they might shatter, and he could not help but grimace. "A-as long as you are satisfied, sir."

Han Xiao could not resist kneading Nilo's round cheeks, his heart swelling with glee.

He had not let puppy love derail his studies; what profound comfort to my soul!

The leek was fully mature; now came the matter of how to reap it!

That insufferable prick Leonard was utterly unyielding, refusing to trigger quests no matter what, but Nilo was different; blessed with a high-tier Lucky Aura destiny, having just graduated and standing at life's threshold, he held countless future storyline quests waiting to be triggered, making the odds of extracting [Perfect Mechanical Sense] from him exponentially higher.

If all else failed... he could always orchestrate scenarios for Nilo, tossing him into perilous situations and devising every manner of trial by fire.

According to Master Han's experience, as long as Nilo needed something from him, the chances of triggering a quest would skyrocket.

Of course, such maneuvers required a plausible pretext.

The excuse of practical combat training seemed rather fitting... Han Xiao's eyes darted around cunningly.

If that still proved insufficient, Han Xiao held one final trump card: Nilo's potential surpassed Leonard's, so he could cultivate him further, and then... publicly beat him to a pulp!

As various schemes flashed through his mind, Han Xiao's gaze toward Nilo grew increasingly amused, a wicked chuckle echoing in his heart:

'Little one, what awaits you next is the true abyss. You will come to realize just how blissful your academic days truly were.'

Sensing the ill-intent in Han Xiao's gaze, Nilo suddenly shivered, a foreboding premonition taking root.

He could not shake the feeling that a wave of malice had just swept over him...

Scratching his head, Nilo asked cautiously:

"By the way, Godfather, there is another matter I wish to ask your help with."

Han Xiao's eyes lit up instantly.

Ho!

Just look at him, so wonderfully cooperative, making requests right off the bat; he was leagues ahead of that obstinate Leonard.

"Speak, what do you need my help with?" Han Xiao asked, his expression gentle and amiable.

Nilo fidgeted awkwardly, his voice trailing into hesitant stammers:

“Mia is a martial artist, and when her temper flares, her strikes land with dreadful force. I-I wish to learn how to fortify my flesh, Godfather. You are a grandmaster in such arts; might you teach me how to properly endure a thrashing?”

“...Get lost!”