This Setup Is Broken - This Setup is Broken Chapter 11: Hard Training

Bai Shi’s expression becomes serious.

“How much do I want to become a mecha pilot?” Almost as soon as he asks himself this question, a thought flashes through his mind: “The protagonist controls a top-tier mecha, dominating the universe and achieving great victories.”

This question doesn’t need an answer. The protagonist’s fate was set the moment the story began. Even if some details change, the core of the story remains unchanged. As a writer himself, Bai Shi understands how much emotion an author pours into the protagonist. Every word, every plot twist serves the ultimate goal of shaping the protagonist into who the author imagines, making them the focal point of the story.

Though Bai Shi didn’t write this novel, ever since he became the protagonist, his instincts as a writer make him feel that completing the story is his duty. He later decided that clearing the plotline became his mission. So, for him, it’s not a matter of wanting to become a mecha pilot—it’s something he has to do.

“Grandpa.” 

Bai Shi says, looking at Chi Haitian with a seriousness he’s never shown before, “I will definitely become a mecha pilot.”

Chi Haitian stares back, his gaze heavy with unreadable emotions. “No matter what the cost?”

“Yes!” Bai Shi nods firmly. Putting aside the protagonist’s fate, over the past six months, as he’s learned more about mechas, he’s grown to love them. He wants to become stronger and see how far his efforts can take him.

Moreover, he wants to finish the plotline and go home. No matter how difficult it may be, he has to try. His determination to become a mecha pilot will never waver. With that resolve, he puffs out his chest, reaffirming his decision.

Chi Haitian, somewhat pleased, reaches out to ruffle his hair. “I quit my job.”

Bai Shi is taken aback. “Huh?”

“The red mecha appeared at the very end. We went to the mine, and there were signs of battle there. That was your doing, right?”

Bai Shi nods, unsure how this relates to Chi Haitian quitting.

“You’ve only been training in the simulation pod for six months. Yet during your first real mecha fight, you performed that well. You have a real talent for this.” 

Chi Haitian says: “So I’ve decided to take you away from here for professional training.”

Bai Shi is stunned for a few seconds before his eyes light up. “Are we changing maps? Did I just push the plot forward a little?”

He had imagined that when it was time for him to go on a journey, Chi Haitian might give him some hints. But he hadn’t expected that he would personally take him for further training! For someone who doesn’t fully know the plot, this is a gift. Bai Shi looks at Chi Haitian, deeply moved. 

“I’ll definitely be good to you, old man! Even if I clear the plotline and go home, before I leave, I’ll make sure my gang takes care of you! Don’t worry, old man!”

Chi Haitian, slightly grossed out by Bai Shi’s intense gaze, frowns. “What are you standing around for? Wash your hands and eat. After that, pack your things.”

Bai Shi has no complaints. He rushes to the bathroom, then helps bring the dishes to the table and respectfully hands the chopsticks to Chi Haitian. Chi Haitian chuckles at his behavior, but after a moment, switches to a more serious tone. “Let’s be clear. The training ahead will be ten times harder than what you’ve been doing. Don’t come crying later.”

Bai Shi stiffens but grabs his bowl determinedly. “I won’t!”

He shovels rice into his mouth, thinking, “Crying won’t help anyway. This is my fate. I just need to keep reminding myself that I’m not human.”

After dinner, they pack their things and say goodbye to the repair shop crew. Uncle Xiao pats Bai Shi on the head, telling him to be obedient and listen to his teacher. He encourages him to work hard and aim to get into one of the top five elite military units. Bai Shi nods, uncle Xiao pats his head again before turning to Chi Haitian.

They chat briefly before Chi Haitian hands over the house keys, asking him  to give it to Chi Zuo when he comes home on break. Without lingering, Chi Haitian and Bai Shi leave. As they walk, Bai Shi hesitates before speaking. “Grandpa.”

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you going to visit Xiao Zuo?”

The youth academy has a five-year program, with the first two years being strictly closed off, allowing only one break a year. Parents are allowed to visit, but Chi Zuo had left in the summer and spent the New Year at school. At that time, the repair shop had been busy, so they hadn’t gone to visit. 

Now, with only a few months left before Chi Zuo’s return, Bai Shi feels uneasy about the long separation. He was mentally prepared for a long time apart since he had planned to wander the universe. But now, even Chi Haitian would be gone when Chi Zuo comes home. “Will Xiao Zuo cry when he returns and finds no one?”

“We’ll see.” Chi Haitian says after a brief silence. 

“He can take care of himself. Don’t worry.”

Bai Shi looks at his grandfather’s serious face, sensing that the chances of them visiting Chi Zuo are slim. If something unexpected happens, like another change of maps, Bai Shi might not see Chi Zuo again until the mecha competition five years from now. The two walk to the bus stop, take a bus to Keli Town, and then transfer to a flight that spans three large cities. Eventually, they arrive at a small town.

Chi Haitian seems to have arranged everything in advance. Shortly after they arrive, a hover car pulls up in front of them. The door opens, a handsome young man steps out, smiling as he nods at Chi Haitian. “Uncle Hai.”

He looks at Bai Shi. “Is this your grandson, Xiao Zuo?”

“No.” Chi Haitian replies. “Xiao Zuo’s at the youth academy. This is Bai Shi, my other grandson. You can call him Ah Bai.”

The young man smiles, nods, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, drives them up a mountain road, heading toward a private estate. During this time, Bai Shi understands the general situation. Before settling in Keli Town, Chi Haitian had visited this place and met the young man. Now that Chi Haitian brings Bai Shi here for training, they plan to stay for a while. The young man agrees happily, personally driving them to the location.

Although the estate is small, it looks very comfortable, far better than their old cabin. Bai Shi feels especially content and satisfied. The young man has business to attend to, so after sharing a meal with them, he leaves. Bai Shi and Chi Haitian rest for a night and wake up early the next morning. After breakfast, they head into the mountains.

Bai Shi follows closely behind Chi Haitian, thinking: “Till this day, why do those legendary masters still prefer living deep in the mountains? And if there really is a master, why didn’t the old man bring Chi Zuo as well?”

As he walks, Chi Haitian suddenly stops and says: “We’re here.” 

Bai Shi snaps out of his thoughts and looks around. He’s surprised to find not even a simple hut in sight. “Where’s the teacher?” He asks.

“I am the teacher.” 

Chi Haitian replies, pulling out a book, flipping through a few pages, and glancing at Bai Shi. “Got a problem?”

Bai Shi sees that it’s the same book Chi Haitian got to help them improve their physical abilities. Feeling a bit cheated, he pauses for a few seconds before asking: “Didn’t you say we were doing professional training?”

Chi Haitian nods. “The things in this book are all professional. We just didn’t have the right place for it before. Now we do.”

“What kind of place?” Bai Shi wonders. “The mountain? Keli Town had mountains too, right?” Confused, but he will soon know the answer.

There’s a sloped path leading straight to the mountain top. Running up it is far more exhausting than running two laps with sandbags tied to him. When he finally reaches the top, Chi Haitian hands him a backpack filled with stones. He tells him to slowly slide down the path, the slower the better. The weight of the stones and the downward pull of gravity make the experience even more grueling.

By the time Bai Shi finishes the first round, he’s completely exhausted. Chi Haitian lets him rest for 20 minutes before calmly instructing, “Continue.”

Bai Shi scratches the ground in frustration. “Dang! I really feel like dying!”

He shakily gets to his feet, looks up at the path, and mentally repeats “I’m not human” several times. Then, with a deep breath, he charges back up with great determination. By the end of the second round, it’s already lunchtime. Chi Haitian, brought energy pills and has no intention of returning. After eating, he sets up a tent and tells Bai Shi to rest.

Bai Shi feels so tired that even breathing is exhausting. He slowly crawls into the tent and collapses into sleep instantly. Chi Haitian watches him for a while before taking out a small device. After connecting it and pressing the switch, the results quickly display on the screen. Mental Power Level: B. 

He had tested Bai Shi’s mental power twice before, and both results were B-level. This time is the same, confirming that Bai Shi’s current level is stable. The previous spike temporarily to level S was due to a life-threatening situation. But it indicates that Bai Shi has the potential to reach that level through targeted training.

The higher the level of the mecha, the higher the mental power required to control it. S-level mental power is extremely rare, even rarer than S-level genetic potential. Despite Bai Shi having a C-level gene, his S-level mental power qualifies him as a genius.

“A promising talent.” Chi Haitian thinks. He puts away the device, pats Bai Shi’s head, and quietly watches over him. Bai Shi, who has a set biological clock, wakes up soon after. Chi Haitian first has him do some simple exercises to relieve muscle soreness, then takes him to another location.

Bai Shi soon discovers that this mountain has more than just one challenging terrain—it’s filled with other, even more torturous areas. It seems like they were designed just to make life miserable. Bai Shi feels a wave of frustration and secretly swears that when he becomes powerful in the future, he’ll blow up this mountain.

“How do you quickly skip over a time period in a novel?” Bai Shi muses. “You can use phrases like ‘time flies’ or ‘seasons come and go’ or something more poetic if you want to get emotional. Or just gloss over it in one sentence if you want to keep it brief. But in real life, I have to endure every single day.”

For three whole months of grueling physical training, Bai Shi often feels like he wants to grab a bomb and take everyone down with him. But realizing he has no way of returning home yet, he grits his teeth and holds on. 

One day, as usual, Chi Haitian takes Bai Shi into the mountains and glances at him. “How do you feel after this time?”

Bai Shi, completely numb, replies: “Not bad.”

The training is beyond what someone with a C-level gene should be able to endure, yet Bai Shi has survived it all. Chi Haitian gazes at him deeply, then pats his head in approval and hands him something. “From today, we’re adjusting the training. This is for you.”

Bai Shi freezes in surprise and slowly accepts it. The object in his hand is old but unmistakably a space button. “…A mecha?”

“Open it and see.”

Suppressing his excitement, Bai Shi quickly activates it, and the moment the mecha appears, he gasps in awe.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Mini-Theater:

Chi Haitian: S-level mental power. Genius.

Bai Shi: You’re too naive, old man. Did you know my genes are actually S-level too?

Chi Haitian: …

Bai Shi: Did you know I might have all my stats at S-level?

Chi Haitian: …

Bai Shi: I’m basically the fighter jet of S-levels, did you know?

Chi Haitian: …

Bai Shi: Tremble before me, old man!

Chi Haitian: Go run 250 more laps.

Bai Shi: …

Bai Shi: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻