Battle Armor Explained

The academy gave them one day to recover and settle in. Grade One Zero Class officially began classes the next day.

Of course, even though classes had begun, they were incomplete. After all, three of the six students were injured, and all of them had fractures. For now, they could only attend theory lessons.

Grade One Zero Class's classroom seemed somewhat empty. It was no different from an ordinary classroom, but with only Nan Fusheng and the other five students, it felt especially spacious.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi sat on one side, while Nan Fusheng and the other three sat on the other. The six of them were clearly divided.

Zhang Yangzi had his legs propped up on a chair, his face dark. Wang Jinxi remained as taciturn as ever, though his gaze occasionally landed on Tang Wulin without meaning to.

Wu Changkong entered the classroom with a cold expression and stopped in the center, his eyes sweeping over the six of them.

"Starting today, your curriculum will undergo some changes."

His words immediately drew the attention of all six students. Even Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi greatly admired this powerful Cold Arrogant Male God. They had both watched Wu Changkong's battle against Guang Biao.

Wu Changkong said, "Given your current physical condition, cultivation will be delayed for a while. We'll begin with theory lessons. Today, we'll discuss mecha."

Mecha?

Hearing those two words, the six of them could not help looking at one another.

The darkness on Zhang Yangzi's face seemed to fade somewhat. He could not help asking, "Teacher Wu, isn't mecha taught only in the Advanced Division? We've only just entered Grade One! Isn't this too early?"

Under the traditional teaching system, the six years of an Intermediate Soul Master Academy's Primary Division were meant to build foundations. Students only began studying mecha-related knowledge in the Advanced Division. After graduating from the Advanced Division, they would apply to different advanced academies according to their chosen fields of study,

then pursue further education. Anyone capable of graduating from an advanced academy was among society's top elite students.

They had six years in the Intermediate Academy's Primary Division, and they had only just entered Grade One. Yet they were already starting to learn about mecha? Wasn't that rushing things?

Wu Changkong said, "Your mecha lessons will only cover knowledge about mecha, giving you a general understanding of it. There will be no practical instruction.

So there will not be many classes. Among you, is there anyone who does not want to become a Mecha Master in the future?"

The six of them fell silent at once. Mecha Masters had become synonymous with the strong and were now the mainstream.

Wu Changkong said, "In that case, listen carefully." He glanced at Zhang Yangzi, and Zhang Yangzi immediately felt a chill run from head to toe. He did not dare make another sound.

"The development of modern mecha began ten thousand years ago. At that time, after several thousand years of development, Soul Tools had become increasingly widespread in their application.

"All technology was initially researched for war. Soul Tools were no exception. Only after Soul Tools saw widespread use in war did they gradually transition into civilian use."

"At the time, Soul Engineers wondered whether Soul Tools could be used to comprehensively enhance Soul Masters, thereby making them stronger. They began experimenting with mecha research in various ways."

"In the ancient era tens of thousands of years ago, Soul Masters were the most mainstream profession. Yet not only were Soul Masters few in number, but the overwhelming majority could only remain at low ranks and could not become strong.

"The emergence of Soul Tools gradually changed that situation. They allowed some low-level Soul Masters, especially support-type Soul Masters, to gain combat ability through the combination of their Soul Power and Soul Tools. The arrival of Soul Mecha made that change even more apparent."

"Soul Mecha used Soul Power storage devices to inject Soul Power, allowing their users to wield strength far beyond their own. The earliest Soul Mecha developed toward larger sizes.

"Because the larger they were, the more Soul Power storage devices, weapons, and equipment they could carry—or so Soul Engineers believed at the time."

"As technology advanced, even ordinary people could pilot Soul Mecha as long as they were physically strong enough. Thus, Soul Mecha became the mainstream of modern armies."

"The history of Soul Mecha development went from initial miniaturization to large-scale models, then gradually toward medium-sized models, eventually becoming the mecha you commonly see today. That is a brief overview of mecha development.

"The entire process involved constant testing and change, including the refinement of Soul Arrays, various innovations, and leaps in technology. The importance of mecha in warfare continued to rise."

Nan Fusheng listened intently. This was the first time he had systematically learned about mecha. Since his offensive abilities were somewhat lacking at present, mecha was also a good option for him.

It was just a little expensive. Although Nan Fusheng did not know how much it cost to build a mecha, it was definitely not something a poor bastard with only a little over a million Federal Coins could afford.

Nan Fusheng was currently extremely short on resources. Nor did he have some miraculous method of becoming rich overnight like the protagonists in certain stories.

As he thought about it, Nan Fusheng could not help shedding tears of poverty. When he had the chance, he definitely needed to use Parasitism on a high-level Blacksmith, Soul Engineer, or some other profession that could make him rich easily.

At that moment, Wu Changkong said from the front of the classroom, "A true powerhouse will not make their body larger. Mecha exist to enhance their users, not to turn them into bigger targets.

"Therefore, all mecha above Purple Grade are developing toward miniaturization. Because they have become as small as armor, they are called Battle Armor!"

When Nan Fusheng heard Wu Changkong mention "Battle Armor," his wandering thoughts immediately returned. Battle Armor was an alternative kind of Soul Tool that could directly enhance a Soul Master's strength.

The other five were likewise drawn in by the novel term Wu Changkong had spoken: Battle Armor! The new concept easily captured their attention.

Mecha that resembled armor were the most advanced kind.

"As everyone knows, aside from Mecha Masters who operate mecha, there is also the profession of Mecha Manufacturer, which holds an important position in the human world.

"Mecha Manufacturers are divided into three types: Mecha Designers, Mecha Manufacturers, and Mecha Repairers. Starting today, I will teach you knowledge related to mecha. One important purpose is to help you choose the direction of your future Secondary Profession.

"I suggest that each of you choose one of these three as your Secondary Profession. This is a necessary path to becoming strong."

Gu Yue asked in surprise, "Teacher Wu, shouldn't we be focusing our efforts on cultivation, perhaps with the addition of learning mecha operation? Why do we need to choose a Secondary Profession?"

Wu Changkong said, "If you want your Battle Armor to become powerful, then it must suit you. Therefore, truly top-tier Battle Armor Masters must be extremely close to their own mecha.

"Either they design it themselves, make it themselves, or repair it themselves. Only then can they gradually become one with their Battle Armor.

"If you do not study a Secondary Profession, you will never be able to create the Battle Armor most suited to you, nor will you ever ascend to the altar of greatness."

"The purpose of establishing Zero Class is singular: to push you toward that altar. This process is difficult and long. Perhaps you will spend your entire lives striving in that direction. What I must do is help you avoid detours in the earliest stages and let you see your path clearly."

"There is no need to rush when choosing a Secondary Profession. You still have plenty of time to think. But by Grade Three at the latest, you must make your choice. With your talents, you must also be ahead of ordinary people in this regard. The earlier you begin, the earlier you will reap the rewards. Therefore, give me your answers within three years."

"Of course, the three options I have given are merely what I consider the best choices. They are not absolute. There are also other professions related to mecha that can serve as your Secondary Profession. In fact, someone among you has already chosen one."

As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Tang Wulin.

Secondary Profession? Tang Wulin immediately understood. Teacher Wu was referring to his blacksmithing.

"Wulin chose blacksmithing. He chose his Secondary Profession very early, so I believe he should have a special talent in that area. Blacksmithing is also a Secondary Profession I suggest that you consider.

"Because no mecha above Purple Grade can do without blacksmithing. No matter which Secondary Profession you choose, if you can reach five stars or above, it will provide you with sufficient resources for cultivation."

Tang Wulin was the most settled among them. He had already chosen his path, so he certainly would not consider changing it. He was now a three-star Blacksmith Grandmaster and highly valued by the Blacksmith Association. Moreover, the deeper he delved into blacksmithing,

the more he felt the profound depth of the craft. His father had taught him since childhood that no matter what he did, he had to devote himself to it wholeheartedly and could not be half-hearted.

The other five did not say anything. Clearly, choosing a Secondary Profession was not easy.

They were all still young and could not yet decide what they truly liked. Fortunately, they still had more than two years to think it over. At least they had plenty of time.