The Mech Lord

"That was tiring.." Leo fell on his bed in exhaustion. He was really tired with everything that had happened today.

[You still have your evening practice pending..] Arthur's voice rang in Leo's mind, and he realized that the horror had yet to truly end.

'Can't I take a break?' Leo asked with a pitiful look on his face.

"No breaks for you-nya." Aiden replied before Arthur as he sat there on the sofa wrestling with a teddy bear which was stolen from Amelia's room.

"What are you trying to do?" Leo couldn't help, but ask him in confusion.

"I feel pretty useless in this body. So, I am trying to see if I can create some way of combat.." Aiden muttered calmly as he concentrated on his opponent, the stationery teddy.

'Can we reduce the routine today?' Leo asked Arthur as a last request. If he started his routine now, he wouldn't be getting much sleep.

[No..] Coach Arthur was as strict as usual. Leo had previously agreed to his request of him taking control of the training schedule, so there was no running away now.

Before Leo knew, he was already dragged in through the [Virtual Projection] and found himself stranded right in the middle of a dessert.

There were two suns on this planet, and both were shining with all their might, and Leo almost felt his skin searing in the heat.

A drop of sweat slid down his chin. And, the moment it touched the ground, it evaporated into thin air.

[Today's training is endurance and stamina related. Start running.. ]

Leo could only sigh as he took a step forward.

…

The next day..

"Yawnn!!" Leo woke up in the morning as usual, he had barely slept. But, it wasn't as bad as he thought. It seemed levelling up was showing its effect.

In the garden, he met with Edgar practicing his sword as usual. He sure didn't miss a single day.

"Yesterday sure didn't go as planned.." Edgar smiled at him helplessly. They had planned to visit a pet shop, but with the Emperor and Christina's parents' sudden arrival, it sure had all gone down the wrong way.

"I don't have time this week," Edgar gave him an apologetic smile as they got out of the mansion to take a walk around.

"But, I have talked to one of my friends who owns a beast shop in the city. Aaron had found his from the same place. Just go and pay him a visit when you have time.." He further added with a smile.

Leo gave him a nod.

He then followed his usual routine around until it was time to leave for the Academy once again.

"Where is Vanessa?" Leo asked in surprise when he didn't see her around. She was a teacher in the Academy, so she should have been a regular to the Academy for sure.

"Don't you know Instructors have to arrive earlier than all the other students?" Amelia asked in surprise, and it only made Leo frown.

"What about yesterday?" Leo asked in confusion. She sure had travelled with them yesterday.

"Initially I thought that she had gotten late yesterday, but I think she just wanted to prank you." Amelia shook her head with a smile, and Leo's face twitched.

He could only sigh inwardly. But, he decided to not get angry at her. She had been a jerk in all but she didn't let out the fact that he hadn't been attending his classes to the family.

That sure had helped him to avoid unnecessary trouble. So, he had to give that to her.

"How are your preparations going? There is only three days until your fight.." Amelia asked him in curiosity. "You won't embarrass me, right?"

"I will try my best.." Leo calmly replied.

…

The Car finally landed on one of the parking spots, and the two of them quietly got out.

Amelia walked ahead of Leo as usual, maintaining a proper distance from him. There was no change in this aspect.

"Hmmn?" Leo brows tightened a bit when he noticed a small crowd of students ahead at the main gates.

Amelia stopped near the same place, and Leo soon caught up to her.

"What's going on?" He asked her.

Amelia turned to look at him with a little pale face, "They are saying a student was found dead inside.."

Leo's eyes immediately widened and he turned his head towards the gates.

At this moment, Professor Benard appeared at the gates of the Academy, and the crowd of students finally turned silent.

"The unfortunate incident that had occurred today is still being investigated. The Academy will continue to function as usual today. But, we would like the students to remain vigilant." He announced while looking at the students and soon a similar message was sent onto every student's smart link.

"Are you not going to take responsibility for our protections? What do you mean to remain vigilant?"

"Yeah! He is right!"

Similar voice erupted among the students.

"It seems you don't get the picture.." The Professor looked at the students and shook his head with a smile. "Did you guys forget the waiver you signed while taking admissions?"

Everyone immediately froze remembering that. There certainly was waver like which made the students aware of the danger in the course. There were after all a lot of chances of mishaps when you were in this field.

But, that certainly was different with this situation, wasn't it?

Everyone had the same thought, but the man in front of them surely proved them wrong.

"All the other departments except for yours had been closed."

That sure made people's eyes widen in surprise.

"That's unfair!"

"You are discriminating us!"

People screamed in a similar manner.

But, the Professor just shook his head, "Don't you guys know how much better you are treated than the other courses? We spend our major funds on raising you people. So, why don't I hear you complain about it then?"

His words immediately shut everyone's mouth.

"I won't ask you to attend the classes. It isn't mandatory."

People knew that it wasn't the problem here. Everything here affected one's career. And, they were sure that this would happen in this case as well. It might even be taken as a major criteria in judging them, no one knew what could happen.

"Besides, I assure you that we are working on it and have increased security several dozen times. There should be no problem as long as you handle this situation calmly."

A lot of people still didn't seem very impressed.

"One more thing, the one who could help the Academy in solving this case will be rewarded as well. Only if you do it before us though.." The Professor smiled, and a few student's eyes immediately lit up.

The Academy gates were then allowed to be open.

It was now the student's decision whether they wanted to go inside or not.

Leo suddenly noticed a person move from the corner of his eyes, and a complicated look immediately appeared on his face.

It was Rebecca.

People immediately made way for the Princess, and she was the first one to walk in with Serina closely following behind her.

With her taking the lead, it was very obvious what was about to come next. A lot of people immediately followed after her.

Still, there were a few who turned around to leave.

Amelia seemed to be hesitant about it, but in the end, she took a step forward after making up her mind.

"Grip!"

Suddenly, she felt a grip on her hand and saw Aiden hold her wrist.

"I told you not to act familiar with-"

"Return back home.." Leo replied with a serious gaze.

Amelia obviously wanted to retort saying that she wasn't scared, but when she saw that grim look in Leo's eyes and the stance which was not going to take no for an answer, she reluctantly gave in.

"Hmph!" She stomped her feet on the ground before turning around and leaving.

Leo couldn't help but sigh seeing her behave like that. But, he wasn't willing to take a chance.

He then turned his head towards the person standing near the gates smiling at him.

It was this man that had made him fear the worse for this incident and led him to send Amelia back.

It was Jack, the Librarian.

Leo slowly walked towards the man.

"Is it that thing?" He asked him with a serious look on his face. If it really was Zest, that would be serious trouble.

"Should we go into the library?" Jack asked with a smile, but Leo sure wasn't feeling happy at all. "This doesn't seem like the right place to talk.."

"You sure don't seem affected by it. It should be your fault to begin with.." Leo muttered as he followed behind him.

"We don't talk like that in our field. If you are weak, then you are the one at fault. Besides, you and your friend were the one to release that thing. So, don't put the blame on me."

"If I am right, you were in there to look for the cleaning devices. Did those jars look like one to you? If not, why touch them?" Jack asked with a snort, and Leo surely felt his tongue tied.. There was no way you could beat this shameless person with his words.