Chapter 1, Janitor of Zhaor Mecha University
Li Meng will be able to enter his desired martial arts school in two years, while Liu Fei has a much longer journey ahead. The tuition fees for Zhaor Mecha University are astronomical for Liu Fei, and for someone of Liu Fei's humble status, gaining admission to the highest institution of learning in the Zhaor Star Domain is essentially an impossible task
The young man chuckled twice, put his arm around Liu Fei's shoulder, and the two of them walked out of the laboratory, joking and laughing as they left amidst the sound of the impending closure alert from the lab
Cleaning the optical path and optical brain laboratory is the most painful task for Liu Fei. Apart from the optical path and optical brain, Liu Fei is interested in almost all courses related to mechas. However, he has been assigned to the optical path and optical brain laboratory
At this time, dusk had already fallen, and the entire school had become quiet, evoking a sense of emptiness. The two individuals traversed half of the campus and entered a lush forest.
"Well... well... next month when I get my salary, I will treat you to a grand meal." The young man blushed and said awkwardly
Liu Fei is not a student of Zhaor Mecha University; he is merely a lowly janitor. His task is to clean and organize this laboratory every morning and evening. Of course, he occasionally assists the professors with some physical labor, such as moving heavy machinery and equipment
With one year remaining, Liu Fei will qualify for admission to the school. However, Liu Fei's savings are still less than half of the tuition fees. Nevertheless, Liu Fei is not worried, as he discovered a way to generate income two months ago
According to the data provided by the school, in the past twenty years, only five children from impoverished areas have entered school, and among them, one benefited from the teacher's financial assistance. The actual data shows that out of these five children, only one was able to complete four years of university, while the other four dropped out for various reasons
This is the auxiliary engine of the Warrior-11 mech, weighing 5,600 grams
Like Li Meng, Liu Fei also has his own dreams
After the last student left the laboratory, Liu Feihe, who had been dozing in the corner, suddenly stood up, his movements exceptionally agile and vigorous, like a fierce beast that had just awakened. In just one hour, the chaotic laboratory had transformed into an orderly space, with all the instruments and equipment polished to a shine, reflecting the unique luster of various metals. The windows were bright and clean, and even the floor was spotless.
"Alright, I hope it's not just another nutrient solution," Liu Fei seemed to harbor no extravagant expectations in his tone
Liu Fei suppressed the urge to study carefully, positioned the engine properly, and silently memorized the engine's serial number
Liu Fei raised his hand and glanced at the ancient watch; today it was slightly ahead of yesterday by seven seconds. He was quite pleased with this achievement, as it is worth noting that after two years of optimization, even completing a task one second earlier is a remarkable feat. The fact that today he managed to finish a full seven seconds ahead was enough to make him proud
What kind of engine is this
Out of humanitarian considerations, as well as to provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to enter the prestigious institutions of the Zor Star System, or to enhance the school's reputation, Zor Mecha offers a job each year to young people from impoverished areas, granting them access to the school.
After sliding down from the tree, the strong youth greeted Liu Fei and rushed excitedly towards a densely populated slum area, his expression showing immense excitement
This is an abandoned ancient mech, measuring a standard twelve meters and weighing seventy tons, appearing particularly bulky. Production ceased half a century ago. In the slums, there are many houses modified with this type of mech, which have become a unique sight in the area.
Thank you, Brother Fei
Although the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School has fallen into decline and relocated to a slum area, with fees becoming exceedingly low, for the orphan Li Meng, even that inexpensive tuition remains an astronomical figure
This is the highest institution of learning in the Zhuoer Star Domain, and the students who can enter this school are either wealthy or noble. Although Liu Fei has been working in this laboratory for two years, almost no one has noticed the presence of this handyman. It seems that the transformation of the messy laboratory into a clean and tidy space the next day is taken for granted
... ...
Certainly, the closing time of the laboratory can be advanced
"Fei Ge." That guy let out a long sigh of relief upon seeing Liu Fei, his face filled with joy.
"Hmm, you take a break for a while, I'll handle it," Liu Fei said as he walked up to the young man and took over the cleaning device
Students who are able to enter the highest institution of learning in the Zhaor Star System all come from distinguished families. Whether in terms of material wealth or spiritual fulfillment, they possess a sense of superiority that is unattainable for ordinary individuals. One can imagine how excruciating it must be for a child from a slum to live among these exceptional talents for four years.
The basic sanitation was quickly completed, and I began to organize some tools
However, although this luxurious laboratory is related to mechas, there are not many fully developed mechas, as the primary focus of this laboratory is the research of optical pathways and optical brains
According to Li Meng's plan, it will take at least another two years for him to earn enough for three years of tuition and living expenses. After all, if he enrolls in a martial arts school, he will have to give up his cleaning job at Zhuoer University. He needs not only the tuition but also three years' worth of living expenses.
An hour and ten minutes later, Liu Fei had completed all the organization and sanitation work in this large laboratory
This is the handle of the starlight mech, weighing seven hundred and thirty grams
No, no ... ...
The young man did not notice that Liu Fei was not merely tidying up and cleaning. Every time a component of the mech slipped through his hands, his eyes were filled with a fervent focus, giving the impression that those mech parts seemed to possess a life of their own
In the mecha modification laboratory, amidst the towering mechas, a strong and simple-looking young man is busy sweating profusely. His clumsy hands are grasping a cleaning device, and he is moving about in a flurry, with a patch of black grease on his face, making him appear particularly disheveled
After glancing at the watch, Liu Fei showed no hesitation, entered his access password, and closed the thick steel gate of the laboratory. Then, like a gust of wind, he slipped into the adjacent mecha modification laboratory
As he watched the boy's disappearing figure, a hint of warmth appeared on Liu Fei's indifferent face.
This laboratory is located in the highest institution of learning on Zor Star: Zor Mecha University
Faced with Li Meng's fervor, Liu Fei could only smile wryly. He wanted to tell Li Meng that those divine skills were merely the fantasies of a profession known as "writer" from ancient Earth, conjured up during moments of boredom. However, Li Meng was deeply entrenched in his beliefs and held those divine skills in high regard. Liu Fei's kind advice was met with harsh words, leaving him with no choice but to give up.
Liu Fei does not care about the discrimination from the students; what he cares about is entering university and gaining access to more knowledge related to mechas
In fifty minutes, the laboratory door will automatically close, as Liu Fei's authority to clean the laboratory is limited to two hours. This is strictly controlled by the school's main computer, with no margin for error. After the laboratory closes, the defense system will be activated; even a fly will trigger the alarm, and within one minute, fully armed guards will rush to the laboratory to capture the fly
For this job, Liu Fei is already quite familiar with the tasks at hand. He can close his eyes and know exactly where each tool should be placed. Any instrument that is in his hands can be found immediately in its designated position. Over the course of two years, he has never made a mistake, even with the most complex optical components, which he understands thoroughly.
In fact, many children from the slums enter Zhaor Mecha University through this channel; however, this proportion is exceedingly small. Even though Zhaor Mecha University waives a significant portion of the tuition fees, it remains very difficult for children from the slums to bear the substantial expenses of the school. More children from the slums merely view three years of work as a means of making a living
Watching Li Meng's figure excitedly disappear along with the *illustrated* book into the intricate alleys of the slums, Liu Fei also quickened his pace towards his residence
The young boy nodded repeatedly, gazing with a silly smile at Liu Fei's agile body. He enjoyed watching Liu Fei's actions of cleaning and organizing, which were filled with rhythm, much like a dance. Liu Fei's hands seemed to possess a magical power, as any tool in his grasp found its suitable place.
Li Meng's daily life is quite simple. After completing his schoolwork, he rushes to the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, standing by the pitifully small training ground, attempting to secretly learn a bit of the legendary martial arts secrets.
Of course, Liu Fei need not worry about this, because according to the regulations of Zhuoer Mecha University, as long as Liu Fei has worked at Zhuoer Mecha University for three years, he will be eligible to enter Zhuoer Mecha University. This regulation was personally issued by the second president of Zhuoer Mecha University to reward underprivileged children who have made contributions to the school
Thank you, Brother Fei, in the next life I will definitely dedicate myself to you, hehe said the strong youth with a flattering smile
More than one hundred years ago, the Zor star system experienced a large-scale alien invasion, with the Zor Mecha University serving as one of the main battlefields on the ground. It is said that the conflict between humans and the alien entities lasted for fifteen years, resulting in a staggering death toll of two billion. This was the largest and most devastating war since humanity ventured into space. It was during this war that the existing political system of humanity completely collapsed, ushering in a terrifying era of cosmic warlords... and the advent of the mecha age... The death toll reached two billion, marking it as the largest and most brutal war since humanity entered space. It was precisely during this war that the original political system of humanity was utterly dismantled, leading to the emergence of a dreadful era of cosmic warlords... and the beginning of the mecha age...
The two individuals, well-acquainted with the route, climbed a tree in succession, leaping from its branches onto the wall, and then sliding down from a branch of another tree outside the wall, arriving at the impoverished area just a wall away.
"It has been two years; can we have something practical?" Liu Fei said淡淡.
Armor plates, sensors, drive shafts, engines... Watching those cumbersome and complex tools and machinery flow effortlessly back to their rightful places in Liu Fei's hands, the boy's eyes were filled with immense envy and admiration.
This is a shortcut that Liu Fei occasionally discovers, with lush trees in the forest and a wall surrounding it; beyond the wall lies the impoverished area where Liu Fei resides
By utilizing this shortcut, Liu Fei can save thirty-three minutes of time
Li Meng takes great delight in discussing extraordinary martial arts such as the Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi and the Jiu Yang Shen Gong. He has mentioned those fictional skills from ancient martial arts novels to Liu Fei more than once, stating that once he masters these divine skills, he will roam the rivers and lakes, uphold justice, and punish the wicked while promoting the good.
Liu Fei's dream is to enter Zhaol University of Mecha, and he is most interested in mecha.
Five minutes later, Liu Fei wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, glanced at his watch, and let out a quiet sigh. Today was eleven seconds later than yesterday. It seemed that he still could not achieve the ethereal state unaffected by external influences. Clearly, his previously smooth movements had been interrupted by the appearance of the miniature engine, causing a delay in time
Li Meng and Liu Fei have very different interests. Li Meng is very fond of ancient martial arts, and his greatest dream is to earn enough money to practice ancient martial arts. In the slums, there is a martial arts school with a grand name, "Zhenyuan Universe Martial Arts School." It is said that during the chaotic era of the Great Cosmic Migration, Zhenyuan Universe Martial Arts School experienced a period of glory, but later declined for various reasons.
Liu Fei looked at a miniature auxiliary engine in his hand. This was an engine he had never seen before. The engine was extremely small, flat in shape, and less than one-fifth the size of an adult's fist. It felt very light in his hand, weighing less than 300 grams. If it were not placed in the engine area, Liu Fei would not dare to believe that this was a miniature auxiliary engine. In his memory, humanity had not yet developed such a miniature mecha auxiliary engine. After all, compared to mechas that often weighed dozens of tons, the power provided by this miniature auxiliary engine was very limited.
Time is no longer sufficient for him to conduct a thorough study; there are only ten minutes left before the mecha laboratory will close
After a swift run, Liu Fei returned to his residence. Rather than calling it a residence, it would be more accurate to describe it as a mech.
The strong youth is his only friend in the slums, named Li Meng. Li Meng is of similar age to him and has lost his family since childhood, growing up in the slums.