Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 17
An Alpha’s Mental Power could be enhanced through combat experience.
However, there was no documented method for improving a Mecha Pilot’s Mental Power.
Throughout the galaxy, it was widely believed that a Mecha Pilot’s Mental Power could not be improved.
But Luo Le refused to accept this. He vaguely recalled someone mentioning that it could be enhanced.
Of course, the materials used also affect a Mecha’s performance. The military district’s Jinglou Pavilion provides D-grade Mecha materials free of charge. You can claim them in my name for practice. Today, I’ll teach you the techniques for crafting Mecha arms.
Alright, follow me…
Bai Feifei nudged Luo Le, whispering, Why is Admiral Huo always looking over here? Does he know someone in our team?
Luo Le had been lost in thought, oblivious to his surroundings.
Hearing Bai Feifei’s words, he glanced back and realized Huo Lanjing was no longer there.
Maybe, he replied.
Bai Feifei had only asked out of curiosity, his interest quickly waning.
Why did you choose to join the First Legion? I came to escape my family, and he’s just here to keep me company.
Luo Le pursed his lips. Perhaps because… I was bored.
Bai Feifei smirked. Darling, even if you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to be so dismissive.
At first glance, it was clear they were two young masters experiencing life outside their privileged bubble.
If he were recognized as Madam Huo, the General—the laughingstock of the Empire’s StarNet—it would undoubtedly stir up more trouble.
Luo Le didn’t bother explaining, turning his head to watch the scenery blur past the window.
Besides, what he’d said was true. Now that he was on vacation, he really was bored.
Seeing he wouldn’t respond, Bai Feifei stopped pressing the matter.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Room 1, Mecha Bay 21, Star Pan Building.
Yang Liqing reviewed some mecha basics with them, demonstrated how to assemble a mechanical joint, and then had them practice, encouraging them to ask questions.
Luo Le stared listlessly at the materials before him, his thoughts drifting far away.
His mecha had been shattered during a Starburst.
Perhaps due to his frail constitution, he’d never been able to activate any commercially available mecha.
It wasn’t until after enrolling in the academy that his instructor, after half a year of work, finally found a solution adding several custom components and two complex programs to the mecha.
At last, he could pilot mecha, starting with E-grade models.
Through years of relentless effort, Luo Le had finally advanced to piloting C-grade mecha.
Now, he wanted to build another C-grade mecha.
Not long ago, Huo Lanjing had insisted he get a pregnancy checkup. Who knew if he’d soon be ordered to return to the Empire?
If Huo Lanjing sent him back to the Empire, StarNet would undoubtedly erupt with speculation, and the military district would be abuzz with rumors.
If it came to that, he’d leave on his own.
He’d claim he’d gone on an interstellar journey and never even came here.
That way, he could avoid Huo Lanjing’s uncle’s cold taunts and ridicule.
That was the plan, but his mecha was currently broken.
Only C-grade mecha or higher could support interstellar travel.
Right now, he could only obtain D-grade materials, though he knew Huo Lanjing certainly had the authority to access higher grades.
But after their recent unpleasantness, asking would be futile.
What are you doing? It’s practical training time. Everyone else is assembling mechanical arm joints, and you’re just daydreaming?
Luo Le snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of the voice and looked down at the untouched materials on his desk, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
I’m sorry, I was just lost in thought for a moment.
Yang Liqing had been watching Luo Le since the start of class. Lost in thought for a moment? You haven’t been paying attention to my lecture at all!
Don’t think apologizing will get you off the hook. You’re staying after class to inventory the mecha parts. All those components over there haven’t been logged yet.
Luo Le followed Yang Liqing’s gaze to a forty-square-meter room filled to the brim with mecha components.
It would take hours to sort through them all.
But knowing he was at fault, Luo Le didn’t argue.
After the afternoon training session ended, everyone else left.
Bai Feifei wanted to stay and help Luo Le, but Yang Liqing forbade anyone from assisting him and personally guarded the room.
Helpless, Bai Feifei could only pat Luo Le’s shoulder with a look of sympathy before leaving.
Instructor Yang had strictly forbidden anyone from helping Luo Le and insisted on personally overseeing the task himself.
Feeling helpless, Bai Feifei had no choice but to leave as well.
Before departing, he patted Luo Le’s shoulder with a conflicted expression. Poor darling, see you tomorrow.
Luo Le looked exasperated. This man was far too familiar, calling him darling on their very first meeting. Anyone would think they were close.
The thought of him continuing to use that nickname made Luo Le uncomfortable.
Um, could you just call me by my name? I don’t really like being called that.
Bai Feifei, thick-skinned as ever, patted his shoulder and joked, Don’t worry, I’m not trying to hit on you. I have plenty of ‘darlings’ already.
Luo Le blushed, though that wasn’t his point at all.
Yang Liqing snapped, What’s taking so long? Get going already!
Bai Feifei sighed. Darling, I’ll see you later then.
Seeing he couldn’t persuade him, Luo Le gave up. Okay.
After all, it’s not my problem when he realizes I’m the Madam General everyone on StarNet mocks and regrets his actions.
Soon, only the two of them remained in the room.
Yang Liqing led Luo Le over, and together they began organizing and moving the parts and materials.
But before long, someone suddenly called him away, leaving Luo Le alone.
The golden rays of the setting sun streamed into the room, bathing Luo Le’s face in an orange glow. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, dripping down his temples.
Luo Le had already recorded most of the components, now only the mecha’s legs and arms remained.
Gazing at the massive limbs, each nearly as tall as himself, Luo Le sighed.
He crouched down, straining to lift one of the heavy limbs. As he was about to set it down, his name was suddenly called from the doorway.
Startled, he instinctively turned around, accidentally bumping into a stack of mechanical axles.
The heavy metal axle crashed down, striking Luo Le’s shoulder with a sickening thud.
He cried out in pain, Ah…
His grip faltered, and the component he was holding clattered to the floor with a loud clang.
Huo Lanjing …Am I some kind of monster? Why is Luo Le so terrified of me?
Luo Le watched Huo Lanjing stride silently toward him and effortlessly lift the mecha limb.
Where do you want it? Huo Lanjing’s voice was deep and resonant, like it had been steeped in strong tea and smoked over a fire.
Luo Le raised his uninjured left hand and pointed to a slightly more spacious area on his right.
Only after he’d done so did he realize How did Huo Lanjing even get here?
He watched Huo Lanjing set down the first limb and immediately pick up another.
I’ll help you, Luo Le said, trotting over eagerly, grateful for the assistance.
Get out of the way, Huo Lanjing snapped, his gaze dismissive.
Luo Le recoiled a step. Oh…
After finishing the move, Huo Lanjing glanced at the empty space. Let’s go.
Instructor Yang hadn’t returned since leaving earlier. He probably won’t be back, Luo Le thought, nodding in agreement.
They walked to the door, Luo Le locking it behind them.
A dull ache throbbed in his shoulder, likely bruising, while his arm felt both sore and numb. He rubbed it occasionally with his uninjured hand as they walked.
Huo Lanjing noticed Luo Le’s sweat-dampened hair clinging to his forehead, his lips pale. The faint bruise peeking from his right shoulder was a poignant sight.
Huo Lanjing paused, then looked away and asked, Did you do something wrong?
His tone was accusatory, devoid of genuine concern.
Luo Le chuckled bitterly, tilting his head to meet Huo Lanjing’s gaze. Great General Huo, rest assured, no one knows about our connection. I won’t embarrass you.
Huo Lanjing’s brow furrowed, his voice low and tense. Speak properly.
Am I not speaking properly? Huo Lanjing, did I ask you to come here? Did I ask you to help me move?
Huo Lanjing’s heart sank. He had come to pick Luo Le out of kindness, yet he hadn’t received a single kind word in return. What was with Luo Le’s attitude?
Huo Lanjing stopped in his tracks, his face darkening as he shot Luo Le a cold glance. Then he turned and strode away, his steps swift and purposeful, showing no intention of waiting.
Luo Le didn’t want to chase after him and make things worse. The mere thought of Huo Lanjing’s icy expression made him feel suffocated. He turned and walked in the opposite direction.