Rhine

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Rhine (莱茵)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Imperial Court Academy; Federation Government's Thirteenth Legion
Occupation / Role	Mecha pilot, military officer, and field commander
Status	Active 599

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Barbarian Mecha pilot	113	Chose the Barbarian for Mia's training match; his rushed opening attack missed, and his Mecha collided with Zhang Yi's during the failed encirclement.
Third Generation Mecha · Gun Knight	313	Charged a pirate Level 3 Battleship through missile fire, using the Gun Knight's speed and concealed Beam Cannon to attack its energy shield.
Fourth Generation Mecha · Lei Yu	406	Piloted a Lei Yu alongside three other officers to eliminate remaining Imperial Army Mechas.
Pseudo V-generation Mecha · Mad Shadow	414	Received Mad Shadow from Su Ming; its original gun was replaced with two Plasma Light Blades to fit Rhine's preference for melee weapons.
V-generation Mecha · Gray Hunter Envoy	526	Led veteran pilots in the Gray Hunter Envoy while defending the Guang against the Mechanical Race.
V-generation Mecha · Dragon Soul Envoy	566	Led a major reinforcement force in the fully equipped Dragon Soul Envoy, supported by V-generation, Pseudo V-generation, Fourth Generation, and Third Generation Mechas.

Personality

Rhine is outspoken, impulsive, and intensely loyal to his friends. He readily voices frustration with poor leadership, bureaucracy, or perceived injustice, whether confronting Mia over neglected classes or challenging officers who mistreat his subordinates. 110 112 523

Despite his brashness, he is practical and quick to learn. He collects information on academy affairs, military credits, teachers, and current events, then shares it freely with his classmates. His early overconfidence in Mecha combat gradually gives way to an understanding of caution, coordination, and responsibility. 104 236 284 308

His defining trait is his devotion to Su Ming. Rhine consistently chooses Su Ming's unit over safer or more advantageous postings, accepts responsibility for the team during Su Ming's absences, and reacts strongly whenever Su Ming is endangered. 325 329 362 478

Abilities & Skills

Mecha Piloting

Rhine is a close-combat-oriented Mecha pilot who favors direct charges, Beam Sabers, Plasma Light Blades, and high-speed assaults.

• Initially displayed poor aim and coordination in the Barbarian, but continued fighting after Mia exploited his mistakes. 113
• Used the Gun Knight's mobility to weave through missile fire and attack a pirate battleship at close range. 313
• Led boarding forces against the Level 4 Battleship Wind Rider after Su Ming disabled its bridge. 334
• Destroyed a Type IV General Class Chilami with Mad Shadow after its AT Field was broken by supporting fire. 431
• Engaged the VI-generation General Class Nightmare Beast Diluk in the Dragon Soul Envoy, despite the enemy's overwhelming strength. 577

Unit Command

Rhine develops from a vocal class representative into a field commander trusted with troops and operational responsibilities.

• Organized classmates to confront Mia about their delayed instruction and had already located her dormitory before approaching Su Ming. 110
• Served as Su Ming's vice-captain, responsible for Mecha watch rotations and assuming command if Su Ming was absent. 313
• Led the First Brigade in the Slock Star Sea Campaign and later commanded 500 personnel in a flank ambush formation. 332
• Was promoted ahead of schedule to captain by Major Faka because of his strong overall performance. 329
• Took charge of Su Ming's troops during Su Ming's advanced studies, receiving responsibility for the unit, its Mechas, and operational funds. 362
• Reported the Third Regiment's full strength of 2,280 personnel before its Tidal Star Sea support mission. 461

Tactical and Practical Knowledge

Rhine is notably well-informed about military systems, academy personnel, and operational details.

• Reported the Remnant Light Legion's severe losses in the Abyss of Perdition, including 45% damage to its flagship, the Star Hidden. 104
• Recognized that Fourth Generation Mecha impose especially demanding physical requirements on pilots, leading him to reconsider Mia's harsh physical training. 118
• Explained that Imperial Court Academy academic credits can be exchanged one-to-one for military rank upon enlistment. 284
• Distinguished between nominal majors and majors with real command authority, using Major Gene as an example. 305
• Maintained Mecha security, arranged logistical work, supervised cargo transfers, and protected valuable materials for Su Ming's unit. 313 396 535

Equipment

• Pseudo V-generation Mecha · Mad Shadow — Gifted by Su Ming; equipped with two Plasma Light Blades after its original firearm was removed. 414
• V-generation Mecha · Gray Hunter Envoy — Low-spec model repaired and operated under Rhine's command after Su Ming's disappearance. 502 526
• V-generation Mecha · Dragon Soul Envoy — Fully equipped Mecha used while leading reinforcements at the Nether Moon defense line. 566
• XCC-02 Automatic Pistol · Night Ghost — Rhine's treasured sidearm, used to fire a warning shot during the confrontation with Major General Naz's officers. 449
• Eternal Metal teeth — Three pieces recovered from a captured Pseudo V-generation Mecha; Rhine kept one and distributed the other two among his comrades. 414

Relationships

• Su Ming — Class monitor, commander, and Rhine's closest superior. Rhine follows Su Ming from the academy into the Thirteenth Legion, rejects another captaincy to remain under him, and later manages Su Ming's unit during his advanced studies. 305 329 362
• Mia — Teacher. Rhine frequently challenges her conduct and teaching methods, but gradually recognizes the purpose behind her demanding training. 112 118
• Zhang Yi — Classmate and longtime comrade. The two often serve together in Rhine's units and share both battlefield losses and lighter moments with the group. 113 334 524
• Anka Jia — Classmate and fellow officer. Anka Jia routinely serves alongside Rhine in combat, logistics, and command duties. 325 407 566
• Eleria — Temporary commander of Rhine's unit during the Tidal Star Sea support operation; Rhine accepts her authority without hesitation after Su Ming orders the team to cooperate with her. 460
• Major Faka — Former superior in the Seventh Regiment. Faka promoted Rhine early to captain and tried to retain him, but Rhine chose transfer to Su Ming's team instead. 329

Story Role / Major Arcs

Imperial Court Academy

Rhine first appears as one of Su Ming's classmates and an important source of local military information. During the academy memorial visit, he explains the Remnant Light Legion's losses to students unfamiliar with the situation. 104

When Class 3 falls behind because Mia has not begun instruction, Rhine organizes the class, tracks down Mia's dormitory, and asks Su Ming to lead their complaint. His confrontation with Mia leads directly to the Mecha-combat wager and the class's practical training. 110 112

In the first arena battle, Rhine opens the attack in the Barbarian but misses Mia and is manipulated into colliding with Zhang Yi. The loss highlights his impulsiveness, while later lessons establish his willingness to question his assumptions and improve. 113 118

Practical Exercises and Enlistment

Rhine joins Su Ming's practical exercises, learning that real war demands more caution than the classmates initially expect. He later commits to enlist in the Thirteenth Legion with Su Ming, Zhang Yi, Anka Jia, and the others, even ignoring calls from his family to remain with the group. 233 325

After enlistment, he becomes a Second Lieutenant and is assigned command responsibilities. Although initially overwhelmed by being a captain, he trains his personnel seriously and earns the respect of those under him. 326 329

Slock Star Sea Campaign

During the Slock Star Sea Campaign, Rhine commands Mecha forces in support of Su Ming's assaults. He covers Su Ming's advance on the DX-06 defense outpost, leads a flank force against the Gray Spear Legion, and pursues retreating enemy units after the destruction of the Kaba. 332 333

Rhine's most difficult operation is the attempt to pin down the Wind Rider. He loses personnel under the battleship's missile and beam fire but holds his force together, coordinates with reinforcements, and leads the boarding action once the bridge is destroyed. 334

Command of Su Ming's Unit

When Su Ming leaves for advanced studies, Rhine is entrusted with command of the unit, access to the Red Butcher and Gun Knight, and one billion Federal currency for the team's needs. 362

After Su Ming is believed to have fallen into a black hole, Rhine assumes control of the Guang and its troops. He repairs the captured Gray Hunter Envoy, recalls personnel from the Crimson Country, and spends the unit's five-trillion-credit requisition order on Mechas, weapons, and ammunition. 478 502

By Su Ming's return, Rhine has expanded the unit to 5,000 Mecha combat personnel and armed it at full strength. 524

Later Wars

Rhine continues to serve as a senior battlefield commander through the wars against the Divine Kingdom of Apocalypse, the Dark Star Empire, the Mechanical Race, and the Chilami.

• Led Mad Shadow and supporting Mechas in boarding the pirate Mothership Vicious Fang. 413
• Helped defend the transport fleet against V-Type Mechanical Race threats, ordering lower-generation Mechas to withdraw from Pavik's attacks. 450 451
• Led veteran Mecha formations from the Guang during the defense of the Eye of the World. 526
• Commanded forces during the Red Light Campaign ruins operation and the discovery of the Grey Angel. 533
• Arrived with an advanced reinforcement formation during the battle against Type VI Emperor Class Chilami Komih, substantially strengthening the collapsing defense line. 566
• Returned with Su Ming for a final mission against the Dark Star Empire after resuming advanced studies. 599