Chapter 28 - Blade Wing

Professor Bao's classes were always held in the simulation room, and today was no exception. The room buzzed with an electric hum, its walls lined with sleek panels that glowed faintly under the harsh white lights above. Every time we met for the Tutorial Subject, there was something fresh, some new revelation about Weaponry Enhancement Engineering Bios. I felt a jolt of excitement as I wondered what kind of weapon we'd get to handle at Level 5.

"Good morning, students. Today is Monday, which means you'll be advancing to Level 5 clearance," Professor Bao announced, her voice calm but carrying a note of anticipation that piqued everyone's interest. "However, Level 5 is different. In fact, it's the most unique level among all the others. And because of that, there will be no tutorial tests today."

A collective sigh swept through the room, breaking the usual silence. Tests, both written and practical, had become our constant companions, especially on Mondays, and not all students were happy about it. The tension that built with each test was palpable—especially for those who dreaded another chance to flunk.

For Myrrh and me, however, these tests were a tightrope act. We had to hit the top scores in every practical exam, partly to keep up her scholarship and partly to balance out our struggles in advanced calculus, where a recent pop quiz had nearly tripped us up. The prospect of an exam-free Monday felt like a gift, a reprieve in our rigorous schedule.

I glanced at Myrrh beside me, catching the subtle way she clutched her chest and let out a quiet sigh. Then she flashed a small smile my way—prideful, yes, but unexpectedly softened by relief. At moments like this, her usual confidence gave way to something more vulnerable, more... human.

"The reason for the no-test policy today," Professor Bao continued, as she tapped her tablet, her fingers flying across the screen, "is that Level 5 grants you access to a new weapon—the Ultimate. Unlike the previous enhancements, the Ultimate has no fixed form. Instead, its nature shifts, adapting to each WAIFU's innate abilities."

The professor's words hung in the air, stirring a wave of murmurs among the students. My gaze lingered on the professor's tablet, where diagrams flashed in rapid succession, hinting at the powerful technology we were about to encounter.

Suddenly, a sharp beep echoed from every WEEB device, breaking the silence. A series of holographic messages appeared, pulsing with a faint blue glow in front of each of us:

[Clearance Level Up!]

[New Weapon Unlocked]

[Level 5 - Ultimate]

Professor Bao's voice cut through the murmurs of excitement. "Now, all WAIFUs, proceed to the red line and assume your Frame Unit forms."

The WAIFUs moved with a smooth, mechanical precision, each stepping in sync to the crimson line that stretched across the simulation room floor. One by one, they raised their morphers high, metal glinting under the stark lights.

"Frame Unit, Awaken!" they called out in unison. In an instant, pillars of radiant light erupted around them, blazing up like neon columns reaching toward the ceiling. The room was filled with a hum of power as their silhouettes grew, metal plating forming around them, gears locking into place. When the light faded, they stood transformed, towering in their massive robotic forms, eyes gleaming with an intense, almost otherworldly light that commanded the room's awe.

Just as we were absorbing the sight, a new alert flashed across the WEEB screens, interrupting the Level 5 display:

[Level 5 - Blade Wing]

Professor Bao continued, her voice steady and commanding. "These Ultimates adapt based on your linked WAIFU partners. This means that after midterms, when the pairings are reshuffled, each Ultimate will change. These weapons are unique, granted only to specific WAIFUs and tailored to enhance their individual strengths." She gestured toward the WAIFUs lined up along the red line. "Now, support units, equip your partners with their Ultimates."

Without hesitation, we support unit students pressed the glowing [Level 5] option on our WEEB devices. My left arm immediately lit up, circuit patterns flaring into existence, tracing lines of blue energy up my forearm. I pointed my arm toward Myrrh, feeling a surge of power as I called out, "Blade Wing, Equip!"

A shimmer of white light enveloped Myrrh's massive robotic form, pulsing as her body responded to the command. In an instant, wings of pure steel materialized on her back, each wing composed of five gleaming swords, their edges as sharp as a honed blade. The swords emitted a golden aura, particles drifting off like embers from a fire, casting a warm glow that filled the room.

Myrrh's eyes widened as she took in her new weapon, her awe clear even through her mechanical frame. "Wait... is this... mother's?" she murmured, her voice almost lost in the hum of the Blade Wing's energy.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"What is it, Myrrh?" I asked, watching her reaction with curiosity.

Slowly, Myrrh raised her new wings, the swords shifting with a smooth, fluid motion as if they were part of her very body. She tested their weight, flapping them gently, almost like a fledgling testing its wings for the first time. "Blade Wing was my mother's Ultimate," she explained, her voice tinged with a mixture of wonder and nostalgia. "But her wings... they were green, not white."

Intrigued, I asked, "What does that Ultimate do?"

"If I remember right, I should be able to do... this," Myrrh murmured, concentrating as she spread her sword wings wide. Golden particles shimmered around her like stardust, and slowly, she began to lift off the ground, rising smoothly as though propelled by an invisible force. Her wings flared, keeping her steady in the air, and in a graceful arc, she launched into a series of acrobatic maneuvers, twisting and spinning as if in a dance, her sword wings glinting with each turn.

I watched, impressed but curious. "Isn't that a little redundant? I mean, we already have the jetpack at Level 4."

She gave a small, defiant smile mid-air. "The handling's way better. Sure, it's slower, but it's a lot more precise." As if to prove her point, she suddenly dove downward, her wings trailing streams of golden light that crackled like charged particles. Just before she hit the ground, she pulled up sharply, her wings slicing along the floor and leaving a clean, gleaming line behind her.

"These blade wings... they're like dual-purpose weapons," I marveled, realizing the power she held in her hands.

Myrrh landed gracefully, her boots clanking softly against the ground. With a smooth motion, hilts emerged from her sword wings, and she reached over, drawing two gleaming blades free. Standing tall in her mech form, Myrrh now held a sword in each hand, the polished metal gleaming under the overhead lights.

It was breathtaking—she looked like a warrior from a legend, a robot ready to take on the world with unmatched grace and power. I felt a strange thrill, an admiration that made my heart race. Somehow, I'd fallen in love all over again—with a robot, no less. It wasn't physical, but there was something undeniably magnetic in her strength and confidence.

I glanced around the simulation room, taking in the unique array of Ultimates that had transformed our partners. Some mechs had spawned dragon heads on their right arms, their jaws occasionally opening to reveal a fiery glow. Others now wielded massive cannons, their barrels humming with barely contained energy. A few had even transformed into towering cargo trucks, heavy-duty and built for raw power. Each Ultimate was as distinctive as Professor Bao had promised, every one of them a marvel of engineering.

And yet, with Myrrh standing in front of me, dual-wielding those elegant, deadly swords, none of them quite matched the awe I felt in that moment.

I turned my attention to Fei Xian's Frame Unit, now radiating a massive rainbow-hued energy halo behind her. Her hands glowed with a fierce orange light, and as she pressed them to the ground, a thin mist of smoke rose where her fingers met the metal floor. When she lifted her hands, the imprint of her robot's fingers was scorched into the earth—a mark of sheer power.

"That's incredible, Fei Xian!" her partner Neil exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with pride. "How does it feel?"

Fei Xian gave an experimental bounce, her mechanical form moving with surprising agility. She shifted into a boxing stance, her fists punching the air in controlled, quick bursts. "I feel so much lighter!" she said with excitement, a smile audible in her voice. "And my fists... they're faster than ever. I think... I think I'm a boxer now!"

"Cool!" Neil laughed, clearly thrilled. He looked over at Myrrh, who was practicing fluid sword slashes, her giant blades cutting through the air in graceful arcs. "That one's pretty epic, too. What's it called?" he asked, glancing over at me.

"Blade Wing," I replied, admiring the precision and power Myrrh wielded. "But what about Fei's? It doesn't look like a traditional weapon—more like an enhancement."

Neil beamed, clenching his fists in solidarity. "It's called Divine Fists," he said proudly. "With this, I'm confident we're gonna dominate the upcoming tournament and finally earn those licenses!"

Just then, Professor Bao strode purposefully across the room, passing right between Neil and me. Our eyes followed her as she stopped a few steps away, in front of our short, ginger-haired friend Remuel.

Remuel was fixated on his hologram screen, eyes narrowed in deep thought, yet he hadn't pressed a single option. His WAIFU partner, Cindy, stood beside him, her eyes filled with a mix of impatience and concern. Her robotic stance seemed tense, her gaze sharp as she watched him, waiting for a sign that he'd finally make a decision.

Something about their silent exchange made me pause.

"Mister Remuel Parsley." Professor Bao's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, pulling his attention.

"Y-yes, Professor?" Remuel stammered, a forced smile on his face. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and his knees were visibly shaking as if they could give way at any moment.

Professor Bao fixed him with a stern gaze, one hand resting on her hip. "Why haven't you activated your WAIFU's Ultimate yet?"

Remuel's smile wavered, his eyes darting to Cindy and back. "W-well, because... I can't," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cindy's mechanical voice cut through the silence, her tone both irritated and impatient. "What's the hold-up, Remmy? Come on! I want to see my Ultimate already!" Her robotic frame bristled, clearly eager for action.

"A-are you sure you want me to activate it?" Remuel stammered, voice trembling. "Don't blame me if something happens..."

Cindy let out an exasperated mechanical sigh. "I will blame you if we fail this course, even though it's not a test!" Her eyes gleamed, urging him on.

Professor Bao's gaze narrowed. "Mister Parsley, activate it. Now."

With a resigned sigh, Remuel nodded. "Okay then..." He raised a shaky hand to his hologram screen, eyes widening as he tapped the Ultimate option. His left arm glowed, circuitry lighting up in bright patterns as he shouted, "Self Destruct, Activate!"

"The—what?!" we all exclaimed, our jaws dropping in collective shock.

In an instant, Cindy's green Frame Unit flared with a blinding light, and, before any of us could react, there was a deafening boom as she exploded in a flash of energy and smoke, fragments flying across the room.