Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva-Chapter 1635 - 86: The Voices of the Children of the Stars
[The 167th test flight operation begins, data recording...]
...
[Candidate 017’s status is good, passed the Third Stage assessment]
Half an hour later, an exhausted Biao Xing stepped out of the cockpit, feeling as if every muscle was soaked and weakened, aching and powerless. He could barely walk a few steps before he had to lean against the railing to catch his breath.
"Good job." The familiar seaweed-haired researcher appeared in front of him, handing him a bottle of nutrition and energy drink.
The cool, sweet liquid poured down his throat, then spread its chill throughout his limbs and body. This feeling made Biao Xing more aware than ever of the process of cells gradually being filled with energy.
After a short while, he stood up, downed the remaining drink in one gulp, and finally responded.
"Thanks."
"Your physical condition is quite impressive. After such high-intensity piloting, you’re still keeping up with the pace." The current prototype mecha’s power has reached the threshold of 30 million Mana power, which for a Sequence 6 pilot is close to the human record limit.
"To go further, you’ll need to advance to Sequence 7 to handle it." The seaweed-haired researcher handed over the advancement plan for him to review.
"A six-month special tutoring program, with several Master Level individuals helping you analyze and sort out the key steps. Isn’t that exciting, haha?" He adjusted his glasses and sat down with Biao Xing on the same bench.
"Phew." Biao Xing looked up at the starry sky beyond the dome.
"There’s always a sense of urgency." If it were just an ordinary research experiment, progress wouldn’t be so rushed.
"You seem like the big, honest type, but you have a remarkably meticulous mind." The seaweed-haired researcher turned his head, a faint smile on his face.
"It seems I can’t hide it from you. You’re right, we do have reasons for the rush. Just know that. Due to confidentiality requirements, I certainly can’t disclose the specifics." The seaweed-haired researcher shook his wrist.
"It doesn’t really concern you. Knowing too much isn’t good."
"Hmm." Biao Xing just asked casually; he truly isn’t the ambitious type.
Their conversation gradually turned to daily life.
"So you have a sister?" the seaweed-haired researcher asked with interest.
"Yeah, she’s still in high school now. I don’t really know how things are for her at school. Every time I contact her, she doesn’t seem interested in talking about her life in detail."
"Haha, that’s how the rebellious phase is. She probably finds you annoying and doesn’t feel understood by you."
"What about the rest of your family?"
...
"Are they all just average...?"
"It’s still a happy family." The seaweed-haired researcher remarked.
"... Just like many families in the Federation now."
"Sometimes I think being an ordinary person is nice. You don’t have to worry about many things." The seaweed-haired researcher remembered something, tapping his fingers on the clipboard.
"Sadly, not everyone can live such a carefree life..." he removed his glasses and sighed as he wiped them.
"Someone always has to take on certain responsibilities, keeping watch on the horizon, planning courses, worrying about potential dangers and disasters miles away... Even though everything we do might end up in vain, we still have to put in the effort to avoid even the smallest probability of disaster."
"And this kind of effort, placed on an individual, usually consumes a lifetime." He stood up and patted Biao Xing’s shoulder.
...
In the following months, aside from training and studying, Biao Xing’s schedule was devoid of anything else. Every minute and second needed to be squeezed out and utilized, focusing on every tiny improvement and avoiding slack.
Finally, the time for advancement came.
"Are you ready? Quite a few people are waiting for your good news today. But don’t stress too much; conservatively, even advancing within three tries is considered not lagging behind." The seaweed-haired researcher patted Biao Xing.
"Go on, this quiet room is set up with the best ritual magic circle, allowing you to gather your will and stay clear-headed. Next to it are rescue and medical personnel on standby, ensuring that unless you’re beyond saving, you’ll be rescued."
"So, go ahead bravely!" he concluded with a laugh.
Biao Xing nodded, glancing at the group of professionals specially waiting outside the glass window, feeling a sense of calm and peace inside.
There really wasn’t much to worry about... he thought at the moment.
Though there were relatively difficult and unsmooth areas in the advancement process, overall, it proceeded smoothly. By the time he truly completed the Transcendent Core of Sequence 7, Biao Xing felt as if he were dreaming.
Am I really Sequence 7 now? This was progress and achievement he never dared to imagine before. According to his seniors and teachers, someone of his talent would generally have the qualification to tackle the Sequence 7 Realm at about 40 to 50 years old. Yet he’s not even 30 and has already reached a pinnacle many dream of.
Stepping out from the advancement room, the sound of celebratory fireworks burst, ribbons and confetti rained down, covering his sweat-drenched body.
The seaweed-haired researcher set down the confetti launcher, smiling as he walked over.
"Congratulations, Biao Xing." Beside him were many other familiar colleagues, all smiling at this moment.
"Congratulations."
"Quite the rare genius."
"Well, an extraordinary lucky one too."
"Now the research progress can be significantly accelerated."
"We should be able to have a big meal tonight."
"I told you, putting so many resources into it, there had to be results."
"Come on, let’s take a group photo."
Saying so, they surrounded Biao Xing in the middle, taking a commemorative photo together.
