CHAPTER 541: HUMBLE APPLICATION

Well, ideally, the pilots shouldn’t concern themselves with Luca finishing on schedule.

Because the chipmunk on the streets, dictator in the bay, was a stickler for deadlines.

However, just because he was, doesn’t necessarily mean that the Mecha Registration Department was, too.

After all, someone like Luca was now required to register his creations.

See, about a week after the selection exam, Luca had gone to change his status from a moonlighting mechanic to an official (and licensed) mercenary mechanic.

When he submitted his application, Instructor Moore actually cheered him on. But he was just one of the many instructors.

And not everyone had the same opinion when it came to the unbelievable prodigy.

They, of course, couldn’t deny his skills when it came to piloting, not after Instructor Falco gave up and showed them the footage of the exams as well as their classes.

The poor instructor was about to end up bald because of the doubts, and wanted to end those odd speculations.

And he did.

Up until Luca came to school with another gremlin (emotional support) to apply for another mercenary license. Only this time, he was going to take the mechanic exam.

The mechanic exam.

Under the prestigious Mecha Manufacturing Division.

One of the prides and joys of the Royal Military Academy.

And here was a student who had never taken a class but was claiming he’d take the exam.

They attempted to reject him.

However, Instructor Moore then stated that no rule prohibited him from doing so. Therefore, how would they enforce such a thing?

"Huh?"

Obviously, that had to be the biggest bull—

Crap. There really was none.

And in trying to make themselves feel better, the others said that it’s not like he’d be the first to have two licenses.

That’s true. He wouldn’t have been the first.

Other geniuses had accomplished this before as well.

But that wasn’t the issue.

The issue was how Luca Soren Kyros hadn’t taken a single unit under the Mecha Manufacturing Division.

Those geniuses who ended up with such distinguished accolades had double majors because they literally went for two courses. Taking one after the other.

But Luca wasn’t even taking them together; he wasn’t even going to class. For both courses?!

Sure, he, like his guild members, remained enrolled in their respective divisions, but only the Belgrave boy actually attended class!

And yet every time they returned, they’d get the top scores and then vanish once again like ghosts.

Or maybe vengeful spirits?! Because who comes to school just to disrupt the peace in the academy?

Today, it was Luca and his blonde spokesman, Ollie, who were sitting peacefully outside the level advisor’s office like well-behaved kids.

Meanwhile, said advisor was trying to talk to as many instructors to determine the best course of action.

Honestly, the First Year Advisor was losing her mind.

It was great having geniuses in her batch—really. Wonderful. Incredible.

But did they have to shorten her lifespan in the process?

"I suggest we allow him to take the exam," she said carefully.

"That’s sacrilege!"

Advisor Tori Arlow already saw where this was going. She rubbed her temples and finally spoke up, voice laced with strained patience.

"If you’re so sure he won’t pass, then what’s the harm in letting him try? Those who don’t deserve it won’t make it anyway, right?"

Silence.

A dangerous kind.

Instructor Moore cleared his throat and used the opportunity to step forward. "I was the one who advised him to take the exam."

Gasps. Literal gasps.

"What?! Why would you do that?!"

"Have you lost your mind, Moore?!"

"Have you no respect for our craft?!"

Moore didn’t flinch. "Sir, with all due respect, I’m doing this because I respect our craft. And I believe that boy has what it takes to prove it to all of you."

All eyes turned to another.

"Instructor Falco. You’re his direct supervisor, aren’t you? What’s your opinion?"

Falco looked dead inside.

"Yes, Sir. And like Instructor Moore..." he sighed. "Except unlike Instructor Moore, I don’t even have the strength to disagree."

The other instructors blinked.

"With that bunch," Falco added, "the only way to survive is to have no expectations. It’s the only way to appreciate their... uniqueness."

He did not elaborate.

Mostly because he was still recovering from explaining to the sophomore instructors why a chunk of their most promising second-years had failed the usually easy examination.

The group tried to debate about it. But because there was no point in really gate-keeping the exam, they settled on a compromise.

While they’d allow him to take it, he’d have to either take supplementary classes to catch up or prove that he did not, in fact, need the lessons.

Moore felt conflicted about that condition.

While he was sure about Luca’s ability to pass the usual mercenary exam, he wasn’t sure about the specialized task they wanted him to do.

And although they offered to allow him to take supplementary lessons instead, the current teachers were sure that it’d be difficult with how in demand he really was.

Were those geezers trying to force him to make a choice?

And more importantly, would Luca be able to make mecha parts? While he’d be allowed to buy materials from the lab because this was such a last-minute thing, Moore wasn’t sure if Luca had ever learned at least that much.

But maybe if the instructor knew about the real state of things, then he wouldn’t be as conflicted as Advisor Arlow, who thought she had to be the bearer of good and bad news.

Luca and Ollie finally met her after waiting for a while.

Advisor Tori Arlow stared at the two boys across from her desk.

Luca sat with his back straight, hands on his knees, looking like the very picture of a polite and eager student.

On the other hand, Oliver Mylor sat beside him, legs swinging slightly, expression relaxed and supportive, like he was tagging along just to cheer for his brother.

It should’ve been a normal meeting.

But somehow, it wasn’t.

"So..." Arlow began, flipping open her tablet with a sigh. "After much discussion, the masters and instructors have decided on your certification."

Luca tilted his head. "Yes, ma’am?"

She glanced at Ollie.

Then back at Luca.

Why did they look so calm?

"Right," she muttered. "They’ve agreed to let you take the exams. But it comes with... conditions."

Luca didn’t even blink. "Okay."

"The original request to simply take the certification without enrollment was rejected," she said carefully. "Which was expected."

"Oh...I see," Luca said, voice soft and honest, his disappointed tone bothering the advisor who really didn’t want to make things difficult.

She blinked.

"The first option is to take just the first exam, then enroll for supplementary classes."

"But if that’s not something you could do, then you could instead take two exams," she continued. "The first is the standard certification—the same one other participants take. You’ll be given a mecha to repair and improve if possible."

Luca nodded, focused.

"And the second is a specialized assessment. Unique to your case. You’ll have to build a mecha part from scratch to demonstrate your understanding of both theory and application."

"That way you could prove that you don’t need to attend any more lessons."

She paused to let the weight of it sink in.

Ollie leaned forward with interest.

Luca just smiled. "That’s very fair. Thank you."

Arlow stared at him.

"Because this is so sudden," she added, "you’ll be allowed to buy materials from the lab for the test."

"That’s very kind," Luca said sincerely. "But if possible... may I also use materials I already own?"

Arlow tilted her head in surprise. "You... already own materials?"

The fresh-faced boy nodded. "Yes. I believe I have some that would work, Ma’am. I think they’d be more compatible with the build I have in mind."

She blinked again. "Build?"

Then slowly nodded. "That’s... actually allowed. We usually let students use whatever they have access to. It’s just rare that anyone has anything they’re willing to use."

"Oh, then that’s perfect," Luca said, clearly relieved. "That should save a lot of time."

"Isn’t this great, brother! Not only would this save time!" Ollie added brightly. "It’s also way easier than we thought!"

Arlow just stared at them.

"You two... do realize this task usually takes months of training, right?"

Luca nodded politely. "Mm."

"Alone."

Nod again.

The emotional support friend gave her a thumbs-up. "Don’t worry, ma’am. My brother’s really good."

She opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Then just stared.

Why did this feel backwards?

"...Would you like some time to prepare?"

"No need," Luca said. "Can we head to the testing venue now?"

Arlow blinked. "Now?"

"Yes, please."

Ollie was already stretching. "You’re ready. Right, brother?"

"Right," Luca replied, calm and glowing like he wasn’t about to take two of the hardest exams in the program.

"...I’ll come with you," Arlow muttered.

And so she did.

As they walked down the hall together, she kept glancing at them. Two boys. One oddly cheerful. One eerily serene.

The silence wasn’t tense.

It was... suspiciously peaceful.

Almost too peaceful.

And somewhere in that quiet, Advisor Arlow had a terrible realization.

Why does this feel backwards?

Why did she feel like the one being comforted?

"...I must be losing my mind," she muttered.

Ollie turned to her with that gentle, sunny smile.

"Don’t worry, Advisor. You’ll do great."

She stopped.

Her mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again.

"Hey! I’m not the one taking the test!"

Neither of them reacted.

Not even a blink.