"Hmph. He knows that with war looming so close, he'll be untouchable. Well he's right. Let him play with his reservists. In fact, I think he's got the general idea right. Tell your brother I want the mecha cap for the top clans tripled immediately. He should be able to pass a Presidential War Order and bypass the Parliament for that." The Ancestor told Jeanette Wen.
"Yes Ancestor." Jeanette Wen replied with a nod.
"And tell all the top clans in no uncertain terms that they are to prepare for a long war. Immediately intensify pilot recruitment and training, I want them ready when we call. And make sure you get a real handle on that virus Justin mentioned. I don't want to be caught with our pants down when they finally unleash that virus en-masse on us."
"Yes Ancestor." Jeanette Wen replied again.
The Ancestor turned to me and dropped the final surprise he had in store for me that day.
"One." He raised a finger at me.
"I will allow you to absorb ONE Mecha Disciple and its core." The Ancestor told me as his lips curled very slightly to form the tiniest of smiles.
"Deathscythe." I replied immediately without a shred of hesitation. Unlike the Ancestor, I did not hold back my lips, and they had fully unleashed a wide, wide grin.
The connection I had with the Dark Trio was incredible. I could feel its entire being just resonating with mine. I knew for certain that if I could successfully absorb Deathscythe, my power would undergo a tremendous leap.
I had a stronger connection with the Primordial Chaos Emperor for some reason, but I doubt that the Ancestor would release their strongest Mecha Guardian for me.
"You can test them out first if you want." The Ancestor offered obligatorily.
But both he and I knew that the decision was made.
True mecha pilots just… Know. When they've found the one.
I shook my head.
"I want the Deathscythe." I repeated myself.
"Good. Absorb it, and then proceed to meet me at the basement. I have one final gift for you." The Ancestor said.
"I… can't absorb it now." I admitted sheepishly. "I am still very "full" from absorbing Amelia Dragonos's white mecha. I doubt I can absorb any more white mechas until the red mecha core somehow upgrades itself or I find a reliable way to upgrade it. Right now, the only method I know to upgrade the core is by feeling authentic and powerful emotions."
"That's fine as well. Let Bruce know as soon as you're ready." The Ancestor nodded in understanding. "If that's the case, then my final gift for you will have to wait as well."
"Thank you Ancestor!" I bowed deeply to him in gratitude.
"Today is a good day. Both dragons are identified. And although we might have to go to war, the Federation will definitely come out stronger." The Ancestor sighed in satisfaction.
"But prophecy or not, life remains at the hands of reality. And the reality of this world is governed by one thing and one thing only. Power. Without power, dragons can get murdered before they can learn how to fly. Without enough power, even dragons can fall." The Ancestor warned me seriously.
I nodded to show that I understood.
Of course I will power up. The Federation may consider me as their dragon.
But I never considered glorifying the Federation as MY goal. No sir, my goal is to be a Mecha Emperor.
Of the whole world, thank you very much.
But of course the Ancestor didn't need to know that.
"Your task for the next six months is to power up as much as possible. If you can get first place in the Triannual Mecha Tournament, I will give you a powerful treasure as a reward." The Ancestor encouraged me.
"A treasure? Why not just give me the Primordial Chaos Emperor as the reward?" I asked cheekily.
"HAHAHA! He's my brother alright! Shameless! Direct! Greedy! Good! Very good!" Bruce praised me lavishly.
And then he gave me a heavy handed smack on my head!
PIAK!!
"OWW!! Why did you do that? I thought you said that it was good!?" I exclaimed in pain.
"Good! But the Ancestor is the Ancestor. You are not allowed to be so impudent with him!" Bruce laughed out loud. "Consider that smack a lesson for you to learn how to pick the targets of your shamelessness properly! Now, thank him for his generous offer! The Ancestor is not stingy, his reward will still be awesome! Don't you fret, little brother!"
"Fine. Thank you for the offer of a reward, Ancestor." I muttered.
"Alright. We're done here. Again. Now go before Russel starts wondering why you're not back yet. I don't want him barging in here to look for you. And make sure that you DO NOT reveal your power to anyone, at all costs." The Ancestor sat down on his work chair in his bare-bodied state and shooed us away. "Bruce, remain. We have much to discuss. Jeanette, kindly bring the boy back to Russel."
"Yes Ancestor." All three of us bowed in acknowledgement of his instructions.
"We will be taking our leave now Ancestor." Jeanette said and then quickly led me out of the room and made our way back to the main auditorium.
Where Tes, Emma and James were waiting impatiently for me.
The main auditorium was already empty, and all of the kids had gone home, and they were seated near the auditorium exit. All three were sucking on lollipops happily when I entered through the door near them.
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG!" James hollered when he saw me appear.
"Hey guys! You're still here! Thanks for waiting for me!" I cried out happily.
For the past few years, I never had people waiting for me with good intentions. The only reason people waited for me was to rob me blind and then beat me within an inch of my life.
It was nice to have people waiting for me for no other reason than to go home together with me.
Really nice.
It'll be better if the ones waiting to go home with me didn't just have their fake mental projections try to kill me and my parents, but hey. Life gives you what life gives you. It's up to you to make the best out of it.
It's still nice.
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