From Scrap Mecha to Sci-Fi Heaven

After the meeting concluded, as Zhao Xing, the person in charge, left, everyone gradually dispersed.

However, Lin Yu found himself cornered by Old Zhang.

"I really don't have time, I want to read…"

Lin Yu looked at Old Zhang, who was being persistently clingy, and felt a headache coming on.

To be honest, he had been avoiding him for the past few days.

Ever since he showcased his skills to acquire the Fighting skill last time, Old Zhang's enthusiasm for him had increased tenfold. Sometimes, Lin Yu even suspected that Old Zhang had some peculiar obsession.

"Those basic theories can be read slowly; they won't be of much use in real combat. Learning from me, an old man, is where the real skills lie. You don't need to formally apprentice, right…"

Old Zhang earnestly persuaded him, his face wrinkled like a bitter melon.

What a ridiculous situation.

Zhao Xing had begged to learn from him, and he had barely paid attention, yet here he was, begging to teach, and Lin Yu didn't want to listen.

If one were to say that Old Zhang didn't like being a pilot, that would be one thing.

But Lin Yu was clearly very interested in being a pilot; he had been either modifying Mechs or diligently studying the foundational textbooks on piloting.

He couldn't understand why his lifetime experience as an S-class Mecha Pilot wasn't more attractive than those basic theoretical textbooks.

"What exactly do you see in me?"

Lin Yu was thoroughly exasperated by Old Zhang, but seeing his pitiful, frail appearance, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

"Of course, it's your talent! You're a genius. Trust me, if you…"

Seeing that Lin Yu seemed open to a serious conversation, Old Zhang immediately perked up.

"Zhao Xing isn't much older than me; he's already a formal Mecha Pilot in the Mecha Pilot Association, has his own Mech team, and comes from a well-off family. What makes him better than me?"

Lin Yu was speechless.

"…"

Old Zhang fell silent for a moment.

But seeing that Lin Yu seemed ready to leave, he spoke up, "Being able to independently create a Mech from scrap parts proves that you're a genius in Mech Engineering. You're a versatile talent, able to adapt to harsh environments and make the best use of everything around you."

"So, you only see my potential as a Mech Engineer?"

Lin Yu was even more speechless after hearing this.

You, a Mecha Pilot, are trying to take me on as your apprentice to teach me how to be a Mecha Pilot because you see my potential as an engineer?

"Exactly! Being able to do all this means you have a thorough understanding of Mech structures. You can repair your Mech in any harsh environment, ensuring its combat capability, and design a Mech that best suits your combat style."

Old Zhang said with a complex expression.

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be the same if you found another Mech Engineer?"

Lin Yu frowned.

"It's different. Ordinary engineers create Mechs based on the materials they need to purchase and customize, while you create Mechs based on the materials you have at hand, adapting as needed, and you can do it all by yourself."

Old Zhang shook his head slightly, "In real battlefields, there won't always be logistics engineers available to repair Mechs, nor will there be materials to choose from at will. You can adapt, but others cannot."

He sighed softly, "Moreover, engineers are civilian roles, while pilots are warriors, so they also need to possess both temperament and martial skills.

I originally thought that since you can survive well in the Wasteland, you must have the necessary grit. Your ability to create Mechs to fight against the Serio organization also supports this. If I can teach you some piloting and combat experience, you would be an exceptionally outstanding pilot."

"Originally?"

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, noncommittal.

"Exactly, originally!"

Old Zhang looked at Lin Yu, his expression gradually becoming excited: "I didn't expect you to be far more outstanding than I imagined. Your combat talent even surpasses your Mech Engineering talent. With just a little training, you will absolutely be the perfect Mecha Pilot!"

At that moment, the light that surged in his murky eyes, filled with excitement and hope, made Lin Yu feel somewhat dazzled.

Lin Yu paused for a moment and asked, "Why must it be perfect? Human energy is limited, but the knowledge to be learned is endless. Therefore, the development of technology and society is inherently becoming more specialized."

The model of Mecha Pilots with logistics teams was already a well-established one in the Federation, where pilots would go into battle in Mech teams.

He had an upgrade panel and could indeed achieve the versatility that Old Zhang hoped for, but he didn't understand why Old Zhang pursued the idea of shaping a so-called perfect pilot who was both a Mecha Pilot and an engineer.

It's important to note that under normal circumstances, such a requirement is nearly impossible to achieve.

As technology becomes increasingly complex, human energy remains limited.

It's like playing a game with a skill tree; there are many skills, but skill points are limited. To master one branch deeply, one must inevitably give up on others and focus on one.

Nowadays, it's not an exaggeration to say that even the manufacturing of a screw has its own specialized industry or discipline.

Demanding versatility, unless one is like him with a cheat, would only lead to mediocrity in everything.

A pilot who can adapt to harsh environments and repair or even create their own Mech sounds wonderful, but it's not practical.

Moreover, the need to reach such a level is rare; in most cases, pilots come with logistics teams, and even those logistics teams will have specialized repair capabilities and protective Mechs.

"Just consider it an obsession of this old man."

Old Zhang's expression was complex as he looked at Lin Yu, and there was even a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"You…"

Lin Yu paused and asked, "Will you teach shooting?"

Old Zhang perked up, saying urgently, "Yes, of course! From basic thermal weapon shooting to the use of various onboard weapon systems, I can teach it all!"

"I was just planning to do some shooting training."

Lin Yu nodded, putting away the tablet he had been using to study the basic piloting textbooks.

With the skill upgrade panel, training and learning on his own would be like taking the long way around.

After all, his skills weren't like those vague game skills; they were truly learned and much more comprehensive.

But…

He was going to try to acquire shooting skills anyway.

Acquiring shooting skills first and finishing the reading of the basic textbooks were not much different.

The only difference was that it would make an old man with a frail appearance and a pleading look smile brightly with joy.

"Great, great! Let's go right now! I just saw a shooting range next to this hotel." 

Old Zhang was incredibly excited, pulling Lin Yu out the door with a beaming smile.

The transformation from a desolate plea to a face full of joyful wrinkles made Lin Yu wonder if he had fallen for Old Zhang's sob story.

"Wait, I need to say hello to Qiao Wa (Jova) and the others first."

Heaven's Port was a neutral force, and they hadn't truly clashed with their target yet. It wouldn't b

e a problem to go out for a stroll, but out of courtesy, he still needed to inform Qiao Wa (Jova) and the others.

(End of Chapter)