Mecha Simulator 1

Qiao Shishi lay on the bed, her voice faint from sheer exhaustion.

"I think so too."

Wen Jiu agreed. She hadn't expected the students and teachers to be so enthusiastic. Initially, she had planned to take things one step at a time, intending to hire someone for dishwashing and cleanup only when she could no longer keep up on her own. She hadn't anticipated that by the second day of business, she would already feel like she was at her breaking point. Previously, she only cooked for herself, but now, cooking for over a hundred people while handling the dishes as well had left her truly overwhelmed.

With this in mind, Wen Jiu opened her smart ring and sent a message to Zhou Sen.

【"Wealthy Beyond Compare 9": Teacher Zhou, may I ask which teacher I should approach if I want to apply to hire someone to help at the window?】

It was lunch break, and Zhou Sen replied quickly.

【"3047 Zhou Sen": Go see Teacher Li.】

A second later, Zhou Sen forwarded Li Qinzhen’s contact information to Wen Jiu.

Li Qinzhen was just preparing for a nap when her smart ring flashed. She opened it to find a friend request, but the username left her puzzled.

【"3047 Li Qinzhen": Hello, is there something you need?】

Wen Jiu typed rapidly on the panel.

【"Wealthy Beyond Compare 9": Hello, Teacher Li. I am Wen Jiu, the student in charge of Canteen Window 18.】

Li Qinzhen then realized that this strange account belonged to Wen Jiu, though she couldn't fathom why the girl had chosen such a nickname.

【"3047 Li Qinzhen": Hello, Wen Jiu. Is there something you need help with?】

Wen Jiu pondered for a moment before briefly explaining her request.

【"3047 Li Qinzhen": Understood. I will submit the application for you. I will let you know when there is news. Good afternoon.】

Li Qinzhen had a good impression of Wen Jiu, partly because of her excellent performance in class, and partly because the meals she prepared were truly impressive. Naturally, she hoped Window 18 could hire more help, so Wen Jiu would have more energy to focus on creating even better food.

After resolving the hiring issue, Wen Jiu lay down on her bed to nap. It wasn't until the smart ring’s class notification chimed that she scrambled up and rushed out.

Qiao Shishi had no classes that afternoon, so after seeing Wen Jiu leave, she simply turned over and went back to sleep.

Wen Jiu sprinted all the way to the classroom. Fortunately, she still had a few minutes before the bell, so she quickly found an empty seat and sat down. This class was Mecha Piloting, and she was full of anticipation.

A moment later, a burly, stern-faced male teacher walked in.

"My surname is Zhang. Just call me Teacher Zhang," Zhang Heling said, scanning the classroom. "Is everyone here?"

He had a cold expression and a long scar beneath one eye. Just standing on the podium was enough to command awe from the students. Everyone sat in silence, not daring to speak, each sitting perfectly straight.

"Since everyone is here, let's start by watching an instructional video."

Similar to Li Qinzhen’s teaching style that morning, they used holographic projections to help the freshmen grasp the theoretical foundations. Wen Jiu sat obediently, watching the images with rapt attention. However, since freshmen weren't yet allowed to touch real mecha, they had to start with simulated piloting; thus, the video focused primarily on the methods for operating within a simulated cockpit.

When the video finished, Zhang Heling said expressionlessly, "Five minutes for a break. Once it's over, line up in the hallway."

When he finished speaking, few dared to actually rest. Everyone hurried to the hallway to line up, and Wen Jiu joined the queue. After counting the heads, Zhang Heling led them toward the simulation training room.

"This is the Mecha Simulation Room. Do not move unless I tell you to start practicing," Zhang Heling said, lifting his chin. "Now, everyone, find a simulation pod and take a seat."

Wen Jiu looked around. The oval, egg-shaped cockpits were arranged in an orderly fashion throughout the spacious room. She walked up to an unoccupied pod and, just as she was wondering how to open the hatch, a red dot on the silver door began to flash.

"Scan successful. Opening hatch."

The silver door slowly ascended, revealing a cockpit designed for one person. Wen Jiu carefully stepped inside and sat on the leather pilot's seat. Recalling the video, she buckled the safety harnesses. Only after she was securely seated did the hatch slowly lower and lock shut.

Wen Jiu wasn't a mischievous child; she didn't fiddle with the control panel, instead focusing on identifying the various buttons. Although the console was labeled, the video had explained that piloting was primarily a test of one's mental capacity, as real mecha relied on the pilot's psychic strength.

"Students, we will now officially begin learning how to pilot a mecha."

Zhang Heling’s voice echoed inside each pod, and everyone listened intently to his instructions.

"First, press the green button on the left armrest of the pilot's seat and put on the headset."

Wen Jiu followed his instructions. As she pressed the button, a small compartment at the front of the left armrest slid open, containing a compact headset. It looked rather like a modern wireless Bluetooth earbud. She picked it up and inserted it; the moment it touched her ear, it molded like modeling clay, sticking firmly in place no matter how she shook her head.

At that moment, she heard Zhang Heling explain: "These are made of special materials and will not fall out, no matter the situation. When piloting standard mecha, everyone must wear this to receive orders from the commander. To remove it, just press the small dot on the end of the earpiece, and it will detach automatically. Now, please press the blue button on the control panel and enter your student ID on the light panel."

Wen Jiu followed the steps one by one. As soon as she entered her ID, the buttons on the console began to glow with an otherworldly light, and the cabin’s interior lights dimmed. A large, transparent display screen materialized before her, filled with scrolling data and values.

"Alright, place your right hand on the control stick and begin training."

As soon as Wen Jiu grasped the stick, she felt a strange force pulling at her consciousness.

【Noah at your service. Simulation training is about to begin.】

In an instant, Wen Jiu felt as if her mental energy had merged with the mecha system. The exterior window, previously pitch-black, lit up. She wasn't looking at the familiar classroom, but rather at a vast, empty expanse of sand.

【Simulation training has begun. Student 1318, please focus your mental energy. Simulated combat is about to commence.】

Wen Jiu tensed her body and tried taking two steps forward; the scene before her shifted accordingly. Before she could even get used to the controls, a massive star-beast appeared in front of her.

【Star-beast: Burning Flame. Level: One. Skill: Fireball attack. Weak point: The tail.】