President Yang Tian

Xu Mengqing stood in the lobby of the East Sea Mecha Designer Association, the corner of his mouth twitching violently as speechlessness filled his heart.

Damn it~ So this Level 1 mecha designer certification is basically useless, huh?!

Fuck, this is what Level 1 mecha design commissions are like? Mass-production designs aren't available to me, custom commissions are all divided up internally, and a Level 1 mecha designer without any backing like me doesn't even get the scraps.

So much for my money-making plan. I might as well learn Forging from Tang Wulin!

Seeing Xu Mengqing's expression of helpless amusement, the receptionist in white felt somewhat sorry for him and hurriedly added gently, "Little brother, don't be too discouraged. These kinds of commissions do come up sometimes."

"Thank you, big sister." Xu Mengqing sighed helplessly. "Big sister, can I take the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment now?"

There was no other choice. He could only take the Level 2 assessment. After all this time studying, his theoretical knowledge had actually reached Level 3—his father's level, in other words. That was only in theory, of course, but passing the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment should not be a problem.

The receptionist in white was stunned for a moment, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Little brother, are you sure you want to take the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment directly? This isn't something to joke about. The Level 2 assessment is much harder than the Level 1 assessment." The receptionist could not help reminding him, afraid he was acting on impulse.

Xu Mengqing took a deep breath, suppressing the frustration in his heart. His gaze became incomparably resolute. "I'm sure. Please help me handle the assessment registration, big sister."

Seeing how determined Xu Mengqing was, the receptionist stopped trying to persuade him. She nodded and said, "All right, then. Follow me. I'll take you to register for the assessment."

Following the receptionist across the lobby, Xu Mengqing arrived at the assessment registration desk. After hearing that he wanted to take the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment, the staff member in charge of registration was equally astonished. Only after confirming it twice did he take out a form for Xu Mengqing to fill in.

After completing the procedures, Xu Mengqing was led by the staff member into a separate assessment room. The assessment was divided into two parts: first, a written theory test, followed by practical design.

The written theory test was indeed several times more difficult than the Level 1 assessment. It covered numerous obscure and complicated areas of knowledge, including the structural principles of core Mecha components, energy transmission circuit design, and the compatibility of Mecha parts made from different materials. Any other designer of the same level would likely have been tearing their hair out. Yet Xu Mengqing began writing the moment he picked up his pen, knowledge of Mecha Design continuously surfacing in his mind. In less than half an hour, he finished the entire thick exam paper and handed it in without even checking it.

He passed the theory assessment with an unsurprising eighty percent accuracy rate. Next came the practical assessment. The staff handed Xu Mengqing a set of basic soul-guided design instruments and required him to complete a blueprint for an energy-buffering component for a Level 2 Mecha within an hour. Not only did the structure have to be sound, but it also needed to meet actual assembly requirements and possess practical value.

Xu Mengqing took the instruments without hesitation, his fingertips rapidly sketching across the soul-guided screen. His train of thought was exceptionally clear. Drawing on his understanding of Mecha structures, he discarded the cumbersome structure used in conventional market designs and optimized the energy transmission patterns, making the component smaller while significantly improving its energy-buffering efficiency.

The moment the hour was up, Xu Mengqing completed the design blueprint and submitted it to the examiner.

The examiner carefully studied the blueprint, becoming more startled the longer he looked. Not only did the design fully meet the standards for a Level 2 Mecha component, but in many details, it had even reached the threshold of a Level 3 design. Its creativity and practicality were beyond reproach.

"Pass! You have passed the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment!"

As the examiner announced the result, the tension Xu Mengqing had been holding finally eased. A relieved smile appeared on his lips.

Before long, a brand-new Level 2 Mecha Designer badge was delivered into his hands. Delicate Mecha patterns were engraved on the silver badge, and it had a satisfying weight in his palm.

Holding the badge, Xu Mengqing returned to the commission hall. This time, the receptionist was noticeably more enthusiastic and proactively asked, "Little brother, congratulations on passing the assessment! Now that you're a Level 2 designer, you can accept corresponding custom commissions. I'll check the latest commission list for you right away."

This time, there were indeed quite a few commissions suited for Level 2 Mecha Designers. Most involved improving privately customized Mecha components or designing small Mecha auxiliary devices, and the rewards were quite generous.

After carefully making his selection, Xu Mengqing prepared to accept a commission to improve a Mecha leg thruster. The reward was a full fifty thousand Federal Coins, and the requirements were not particularly complicated. With his ability, he could finish it in two or three days.

Just as he accepted the assignment, inside an office on the top floor of the East Sea Mecha Designer Association—

In the top-floor office, a middle-aged man leaned back in his chair, quietly reading the assessment materials his subordinate had just submitted.

When his gaze reached the age column, he abruptly straightened up, his pupils shrinking slightly.

"What? Nine years old?! A nine-year-old Level 2 Mecha Designer?!"

The words nearly burst from his mouth, his voice filled with shock and disbelief.

The next moment, the middle-aged man could no longer remain seated. He sprang to his feet and strode toward the door, speaking gravely into his communicator as he walked.

"Find a way to keep him there. I'm coming down now."

Just as Xu Mengqing finished accepting the assignment and was about to leave the East Sea Mecha Association, the receptionist seemed to receive a call. She then quickly approached him.

"Little brother, it's like this. Our president wishes to see you."

Xu Mengqing asked, "The president wants to see me?"

The receptionist nodded.

Xu Mengqing was slightly startled, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes. Had passing the Level 2 Mecha Designer assessment alerted the president of the Mecha Master Association?

Though he had doubts, he had no reason to refuse. In Eastsea City, the president of the Mecha Master Association was an influential figure, far surpassing ordinary people in both status and Mecha Design expertise. Xu Mengqing nodded and said in a deep voice, "All right. I'll go with you."

Delight immediately appeared on the receptionist's face. She quickly stepped aside to lead the way, her tone becoming even more respectful. "This way, little brother. The president has already come down personally."

They had only taken a few steps when steady footsteps sounded from the depths of the lobby. The Mecha Designers who had been busy with their work all stopped what they were doing and looked toward the newcomer with reverence.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark formal suit strode over. He stood tall and upright, with resolute features and the authority of someone long accustomed to a high position between his brows. A gleaming golden badge was pinned to his left chest, engraved with intricate Mecha patterns and seven dazzling stars—the symbol of a Level 7 mecha designer. Even within the entire East Sea Mecha Designer Association, that represented the very highest standard.

"President!" The receptionist hurriedly bowed.

The surrounding Designers also greeted him in low voices, their gazes filled with respect.

The middle-aged man gave a slight nod, his gaze falling directly upon Xu Mengqing. He looked the nine-year-old child up and down, the shock in his eyes not yet fully gone, replaced by unconcealed appreciation and eagerness.

He took the initiative to step forward, his tone mild yet deeply solemn. "Little friend, you're Xu Mengqing, right? I'm Yang Tian, president of the East Sea Mecha Designer Association."