"Very well. Your opponent will be a level five mech warrior, using the same model as yours—Notting Type-E. You only need to last three minutes to pass. Of course, the longer you endure, the higher your score." The examiner seemed to quite admire Endymion Lin, explaining patiently.
Finally, he asked, "Any questions?"
"None!" Endymion answered without hesitation. He couldn't wait to start.
"Alright, let's begin!" With a wave of the examiner's hand, a mech stormed out from the combat tunnel, facing off against Endymion.
Endymion's heart raced with excitement. Strictly speaking, this was his true first mech battle. His previous "battle" with Tan Bingbing had involved him assisting remotely. As for the training center, though it simulated combat scenarios, it wasn't quite the same.
His opponent didn't strike first—likely giving him the courtesy of the first move. After all, he was a level five mech warrior, and Endymion wasn't even officially ranked.
Unfortunately, Endymion didn't appreciate the gesture. He had no intention of attacking. He had already made up his mind—during the first three minutes, he would focus solely on defense. Once he passed the test, he'd worry about offense.
Though eager to experience real mech combat, passing the test was the priority. After dozens of sparring matches with Gentle Rose at the training center, he had gained confidence that if he only dodged, he could last three minutes. If he attacked recklessly, he might lose everything in an instant.
"What the hell, start already!" the crowd muttered in frustration. They were here to see a fight, not two statues posing.
Still, Endymion held his ground. Eventually, his opponent lost patience and charged in.
There wasn't much finesse to the attack, but the impact was strong. Endymion wasn't foolish enough to take it head-on. With a swift sidestep, he evaded.
For the next three minutes, the level five mech launched repeated strikes, all easily dodged. Compared to Gentle Rose, this opponent was clearly less capable. Once the timer passed the three-minute mark, Endymion struck.
"Trash is trash, passing the exam by playing dirty!" Meng He snarled from the stands, eyes cold. Though he was out of the hospital, his injuries hadn't fully healed.
"Don't judge too soon, Meng He. You may have underestimated him," Murong Yan'er said coolly.
As if to prove her right, Endymion's mech suddenly surged forward.
"Hmph, so now he wants to go head-to-head? He'll only dig his own grave," Meng He scoffed. To him, Endymion looked like he was rushing in for a desperate final blow.
Everyone thought the same—even Endymion's opponent. Fed up with the evasive tactics, the level five warrior was eager for a direct clash.
Hmph. You want to trade blows with me? he sneered internally, pushing his mech to full throttle to ram forward.
But just as their mechs were about to collide, Endymion vanished.
In the blink of an eye, his mech slid ghost-like past the opponent's, brushing along the side with astonishing precision—and struck. One clean, devastating hit.
The level five mech stumbled and then powered down. It was over.
"What… what just happened?" The pilot was stunned. He had lost. Lost to someone who had failed the mech exam three years in a row—someone who, by all rights, shouldn't even be certified. Worse yet, he didn't even understand how he had lost.
He was clueless, but the audience had seen it all. Just before impact, Endymion had executed a near-impossible maneuver, skimming past the opposing mech and delivering a lightning-quick attack from the side. One hit—one win.
"Endymion Lin, you have perfectly passed this assessment. From now on, you officially hold the rank of a level one mech warrior. Your certification will be delivered shortly." The examiner's calm voice echoed across the arena. "However, based on your performance, you're eligible for higher-level testing. Would you like to continue?"
"No, thank you." Endymion climbed out of the cockpit, drenched in sweat. He had pushed his limits; his body couldn't endure a longer battle.
He left the arena quickly, ignoring the sea of stunned eyes. Yes, this result was unbelievable. Some had wagered he might pass, but no one imagined how he would do it.
He had defeated a level five mech warrior. Sure, a level five wasn't elite—half the mech students could beat one—but Endymion was never counted among that half.
A "waste" who couldn't even pilot a mech just a month ago, now victorious in live combat? It defied logic.
Even the examiner, once Endymion had gone, frowned and asked the old man beside him, "President Mo, there's only one Endymion Lin in your academy, right?"
The man, Mo Ke—the headmaster of Notting Academy—nodded. "Li Gang, I know what you're thinking. But I assure you, this is the same Endymion Lin—once deemed the disgrace of the prestigious Lin family."
"Incredible," Li Gang murmured. "Just a month ago, I heard he still couldn't even operate a mech. Something must've happened to him…"
Joy, tinged with bitterness—that was Endymion's mood. Finally, he had become a true mech warrior. It should've been cause for celebration, yet years of hardship flooded back. The road had not been easy.
As night fell, Endymion returned to the Purple Bamboo Grove. This time, he didn't train. He simply lay on the ground, gazing up at the endless stars.
It had been a month since he fused souls with Grant. In that short time, his life had changed beyond recognition.
"Grant… Endymion Lin…" he murmured to himself, "It feels like I've become Endymion completely."
But maybe that wasn't a bad thing. Grant's life had been dull—buried in endless magical research. Endymion's life had been painful—crushed under mockery. But now, things were different. His days were no longer dull, and he no longer lived in shame.
Now, he would live with dignity—live brilliantly. He had that power.
Soft footsteps approached. He didn't need to look. A familiar icy aura told him exactly who it was.
"I couldn't find you. Fang Yang said you might be here—and you really are." Tan Bingbing sat beside him. "Is the ground that comfortable?"
"Not as comfortable as your bed," Endymion replied without thinking—then immediately regretted it. That sounded way too suggestive.
Tan Bingbing's cheeks reddened slightly. Luckily, it was night and not too obvious.
"Did you tell Snow-sis about passing the exam?" she asked, just to keep the conversation going.
"No." Endymion sat up and shook his head. He had thought about telling Yu Xue'na when he passed. But in the end, he didn't. For some reason, he felt… she might not want him to become a real mech warrior.
"Vacation's coming. What are you planning to do?" Tan Bingbing asked.
"Same as always," Endymion replied casually. What else could he do? Daytime for qi cultivation, nighttime for magic. His priority was still getting stronger. Everything else could wait.
Suddenly, his wrist computer beeped.
"Auntie?" Seeing the familiar face on the screen, Endymion was surprised. Tan Bingbing had just mentioned her, and now here she was—speak of the devil.
"Xiao Lin, did you pass the final exam? Are you now a level one mech warrior?" Yu Xue'na's voice was filled with urgency.
"Yes, Auntie. What's wrong?" Endymion frowned, a faint sense of unease creeping into his heart.