Mark I, also known as Planner Feng.
In terms of combat, it basically had no means of offense other than ramming. The problem was… this thing was disgusting!
It had high physical resistance, and its magic resistance wasn’t bad either. While balancing both, its mobility was that of a top-tier expert. Its acceleration was more ridiculous than an electric car, and its top speed could soar to over 70 mph.
When this thing first appeared in the main storyline, very few newbies took it seriously. To put it simply, it was just a big hunk of iron with six steel legs! Its head was pointed, making it look not particularly bright, and the label “Heavy” was displayed over its head—the iconic classification for defensive monsters.
‘Wait, if your defense is maxed out and you only have one attacking skill, shouldn’t I be able to beat you just by kiting?’
Theoretically, yes. But this thing also had Taunt!
Imagine being rooted to the spot while bathed in the high-beam headlights of a heavy truck, only able to watch as it charged toward you at 70 mph…
“High speed, massive tonnage, and Taunt for crowd control…”
Recalling the fact that he used to have ten-pulls full of gold only to be met with “divine justice” from the mysterious one-hundred-ton King, Lomio suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed.
‘Previous life’s enemy, current life’s teammate!?’
“Is giving me this not considered cheating?” Lomio looked toward Ankat.
What he saw was the latter swinging her feet, her head swaying with the buzz of the alcohol, looking completely indifferent.
“As an instructor, how could I break the Academy rules?” Ankat’s speech began to grow slurred. “With so many unexpected things happening during this exam, the Headmaster has completely lifted the restrictions on mutual aid between teachers and students.”
“Oh?”
This was entirely beyond Lomio’s expectations. Was this part of the game’s plot?
“Right now, every instructor knows that the Elite Squad took down a Rank 5 magical beast and the Dark Mage who invaded the testing grounds,” Sylvia added in a timely manner. “I’m afraid it’s not just this school year; seniors from higher grades must have noticed Master’s abilities by now, too.”
“Aren’t you a third-year student yourself…?” Lomio glanced at her.
‘Why is this old lady acting like a young girl!’
Sylvia was indeed a beautiful girl. But was being only two years older not considered old? Of course it was! This was definitely not a deep-seated hatred for her “God-Man” behavior! Rather, it was because Classmate Lomio, who treated men and women equally as potential talent, hated double standards the most!
“Anyway!” Ankat tapped the alchemical golem next to her with her wine bottle.
The dull sound of glass hitting metal also made the golem’s small expression look somewhat aggrieved.
“In the Academy right now, no one doesn’t know…”
“Yes, I’ll be careful…” Lomio picked up the thread of the conversation and nodded slightly.
No matter how one looked at it, the fact that a Dark Mage could appear at the testing grounds meant there was definitely a problem within the Academy. What made it even more difficult was that not only people from the Duchy but also famous powerhouses from other nations held positions at the Academy. Even Altemis, a top-tier powerhouse on the continent, couldn’t simply kill everyone on suspicion.
For the Elite Squad, wasn’t this a case of the enemy being in the dark while they were in the light? Although she was a drunkard, Ankat’s protectiveness of her students was written into the plot. Looking at it this way, she really was a good teacher.
“No one doesn’t know that the squad I, Ankat, taught is invincible within their year! Funding, materials, fine wine! Woo-hoo!”
It seemed her nerves had completely snapped under the influence of alcohol, as Ankat revealed a silly smile.
“…”
Lomio felt the blood rush to his head, his face heating up rapidly. He took three deep breaths before swallowing the words at the tip of his tongue.
Cursing people was wrong. It was even more wrong to curse someone right after receiving a gift. Lomio spun the alchemical card, which shimmered with rainbow patterns, between his fingertips. The card felt cold, its metallic texture trailing up from his fingers.
Ankat curled up on the sofa clutching her wine bottle, the liquid dripping from the mouth of the bottle onto the workshop floor, soaking into a small, dark stain. She hummed an out-of-tune folk song, her feet swinging back and forth, hitting the alchemical golem next to her with a *clunk, clunk* sound.
Sylvia leaned in, the tips of her hair brushing against Lomio’s shoulder. Since she had cut her hair short, her temperament had lost some of its previous softness and gained more efficiency. Only her gaze toward Lomio remained the same, filled with undisguised fervor.
“Does Master want to try it?” Sylvia’s voice was very low. “There’s a private training ground behind the workshop. It’s soundproof and magic-proof, so it won’t disturb anyone.”
Lomio’s fingers paused. He really did want to test the quality of this card. The shadow of being sent flying by a Mark I in his previous life was still etched into his mind. He wanted to see just how much power this thing could exert now that it was his own alchemical card.
“Let’s go.” Lomio tucked the card into his pocket and turned to walk toward the back of the workshop.
Sylvia quickly followed, grabbing the blanket by Ankat’s feet to cover the drunk girl before hurrying to catch up with Lomio’s pace.
The training ground wasn’t large, surrounded by thick anti-magic metal plates. Various testing targets and equipment hung on the walls. Lomio stood in the center of the training ground, pulled out the alchemical card, and injected it with spiritual power.
The rainbow patterns instantly lit up, and the card’s surface grew hot. The next second, a dark shadow over two meters tall appeared in the center of the training ground.
Six thick steel legs supported it, with a round iron body and a pointed conical head. A bright headlight was mounted on top. The overall design was indescribably goofy, looking much like an enchanted construction vehicle.
Lomio’s mouth twitched. It was exactly like the model from the game in his previous life—identifiably ugly.
After landing, the Mark I turned its pointed head, and the headlight on top swayed, locking onto Lomio while emitting a buzzing sound.
“This is it?” Sylvia frowned, reaching out to tap the Mark I’s steel leg. “It doesn’t look like anything special. It feels like it could be shattered with one axe blow.”
Lomio didn’t speak. He drew the Dragon Sword from his back; the 40 pounds of weight felt light as a feather in his hand.
“Stand back,” Lomio said, tilting his head toward Sylvia.
Sylvia hurriedly retreated to a corner of the training ground, leaning against the wall to watch. Lomio gripped the Dragon Sword, pushed off with his feet, and lunged forward. The blade whistled through the air, hacking straight toward the Mark I’s long leg. The force of this strike was enough to shatter the skull of a Rank 3 magical beast.
*Clang!*
The piercing sound of metal clashing exploded. Lomio used the momentum to retreat, only to see that there wasn’t even a white mark on the leg!
Having been struck once, the Mark I didn’t retreat. Instead, it turned its head, and the headlight on top instantly reached its maximum brightness. Blinding white light flooded the area, instantly making Lomio’s vision blur. His movements faltered for half a second.
‘It’s the Taunt skill.’
Just as the thought flashed through Lomio’s mind, he heard the roar of a motor. The Mark I retracted its six steel legs, and the entire iron hunk charged straight at Lomio like a cannonball. It moved so fast it was nothing but a black blur.
“Hah!”
Utilizing the Flying Swallow Slash to move his body, Lomio broke free from the Taunt. The moment he escaped, he used offense as defense, swiping past the golem at high speed. At that same instant, the Mark I nearly brushed his shoulder as it zoomed past, slamming into the anti-magic wall of the training ground with a loud boom that shook the entire room.
A massive dent appeared in the anti-magic wall. The Mark I bounced back, spun around, and aimed at Lomio again, its headlight brightening once more.
Lomio was prepared this time. The moment the light flared, he closed his eyes, pushed off the ground, and leapt into the air. The Dragon Sword hacked down toward the headlight on top of the Mark I.
*Clang!*
Another massive sound. Although the headlight erupted in sparks and a significant crack appeared, it was restored to its original state following a ripple of metallic flow! The entire self-repair process took no more than 5 seconds!
“Wow, she really went all out!”
Seeing this, Lomio finally cracked a smile. He had used 40% of his strength in that strike just now. Given his Dragon Ninja constitution combined with the weight and sharpness of the Dragon Sword, let alone a Rank 4 alchemical creation, even a Rank 5 defensive magical tool should have been left with some marks. To think it was repaired so easily! This Mark I’s defense was definitely not the standard version from the plot!
The Mark I seemed to be having the time of its life, chasing Lomio all over the training ground. One moment it was charging to ram him, the next it was sweeping its steel legs. The headlight on its head never stopped flashing, annoying Lomio to no end.
“Alright, stop!” Lomio retreated to a corner and raised his hand to signal a halt.
Dammit, if he broke it, he’d have to fix it himself! Those were all school credits!
The Mark I immediately ceased its movements and turned its head. The headlight dimmed, and it stood obediently in place like a student being scolded. Lomio walked over and patted its body, which was made of some unknown alchemical material. It was ice-cold and ridiculously hard.
“Good! From now on, you’ll be responsible for taking the bullets and blocking the blades!”
Ibuki Rei was a warrior who focused on high-speed attacks. Although she had defensive martial arts, she was generally more offense-oriented. He himself was a Dragon Ninja, a “cheater” who didn’t count. Annie, the Assassin, basically focused on helping teammates recover from the shadows while picking off targets. Cafnir had her means, but they all consumed mana and couldn’t provide sustained defense.
Now they had the Mark I. Its defense was high enough, its speed was fast enough, and it had Taunt for crowd control. It perfectly filled the tank position the squad lacked most. In future missions, with the Mark I pulling aggro in the front, the entire squad’s combat power would more than double.
That little girl instructor! Although she loved to drink—and drink heavily—when it came to giving stuff, she really delivered!