Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

"Five days remain until the Fifth Fleet arrives at the Sharp-Snout Shark Star Domain." Tilan sat beside the desk by her dormitory bed, writing this line in her diary.

For the current Federation Main Body, the entire Western Star Domain seems cloaked in black fog with unknown circumstances. Although it's hard for significant changes to occur, this unknown situation also raises some people's concerns.

Closing the diary, Tilan moved to the mirror, adjusted her hair slightly, then donned a black beret and exited the room.

"Have you considered joining the development of new-style mecha, Tilan?" Yarnasha found the girl yesterday and mentioned recent events.

"Several research institutes have learned about your situation and want to invite you to participate in experiments. For now, I have blocked these requests, but among them are some decent options. If you're interested, I can send you the details."

Thus, today, Tilan met with representatives from a few chosen research institutes.

Entering the conference room on the side of the Practical Combat Camp, Tilan immediately saw several representatives in research uniforms. Each wore different badges, and their styles varied greatly. After brief introductions, everyone sat down.

Having read the materials they handed over, Tilan nodded slightly, gaining a general understanding.

Among them, the best options were three research institutes: 'Holy Feathered Snake Research Institute,' 'Sixteen Prism Research Institute,' and 'Red Lotus Research Institute.' Slightly lesser but still matching her ability style were those she contacted earlier: 'DS Research Institute,' 'Three-Phase Sword Research Institute,' 'Time Seed Research Institute.' The other institutes were either too simple in capability or stingy in benefits, making them less appealing.

Then, Tilan closed her eyes, recalling what the representatives of these remaining six institutes had said. She felt the 'Sixteen Prism Research Institute' representative was hiding something, so she crossed it off the list. Among the others, 'Red Lotus Research Institute' focused on weapons related to 'Burning Fire' and 'Annihilation,' while 'Holy Feathered Snake Research Institute' specialized in aspects like 'Brilliance,' 'Thunder,' and 'Giant Snake,' which didn't align well with her, so she silently crossed them off. 'Three-Phase Sword Research Institute' was almost entirely focused on close combat, too narrow in scope, also silently crossed off.

Of the remaining two, 'DS Research Institute' concentrates on Frost freezing, and 'Time Seed Research Institute' is one of the few that involves space-time technology.

"Let's choose 'Time Seed Research Institute.'" After hesitating for a long time, Tilan still opted for this one. Although they haven't produced particularly outstanding products before, they are rare in their involvement in the space-time field of research.

However, if the conventional weapons are lacking, she could turn to 'DS Research Institute' to supplement them, though it's uncertain if they are willing to collaborate.

...

"It's a pleasure to collaborate with Miss Hecate, and we greatly appreciate your trust." The blond man with gold-rimmed glasses bent over in a bow and then guided Tilan through the Time Seed Research Institute.

"Our institute is funded and sponsored by the two giant enterprises, 'Alice's Pocket Watch Maker' and 'Lonely Ascending Star.' We also participate in the Military's projects, having completed several advanced military projects, such as the core architecture of large Titan Class flagships."

"Regarding mecha projects, although it's our first involvement, we've done our homework thoroughly, not only involving engineers with years of experience in mecha design but also receiving technical support from the 'Lonely Ascending Star' enterprise."

"'Lonely Ascending Star' is currently the most advanced Super Space-Time Engine manufacturer in the Federation, standing out in the fields of space and speed. This is the confidence that drives us to venture into new territories."

On the walls of the Institute's main hall, the Rabbit Pocket Watch and rising Rocket icons are displayed side by side, with the certification of the Eighth Fleet below.

"We sincerely welcome your arrival."

In the following two days, besides attending daily training, Tilan came to the institute to assist with data collection and adapt to the experimental mecha cockpit.

"This cockpit is connected to a Magic Resonance Furnace with a power of 40 million Mana. Once you sit in, you input your magic power into the furnace, and it will ignite and start."

"The Magic Furnace will gradually resonate with you. Then, you should mentally control its internal core, coordinating together slowly. The magic power produced by the furnace will gradually align with your own magic frequency."

"Forty million Mana." Tilan blinked, recalling that the Four-leaf Crystal equipped elite mecha 'Black Messenger' had only about 10 million Mana, and this one had directly quadrupled, indicating the Central Star Domain's technical level and superiority far exceed the local star domains.

"Let me give it a try." After all, the training mecha she typically used had a power around 2 million Mana; this one was directly 20 times larger, like simultaneously driving 20 training mechas.

"No problem." The researcher trusted Tilan's abilities more than she did.

Thus, Tilan sat in the cockpit and began connecting her neural signals.

[New driver detected, starting to record data, building a profile, temporarily named 'Suitable Candidate No. 004']

[Neural connection successful, commencing synchronization check...]

[Synchronization successful, please proceed with magic power input.]

[Magic power input detected, starting Magic Furnace boot-up...]

Then, Tilan felt the seat behind her turn slightly cold, like a black hole absorbing mana, unable to make ripples no matter how much she put in.

Fortunately, this sensation didn't last long. After about 30 seconds, a strong energy conducted out from the Magic Furnace, lighting up the entire cockpit. Data appeared in blue grids on her side, revealing the surrounding view. But this wasn't enough; the light circles like vortexes on the sides of Tilan's helmet transformed colors, shifting from white to blue, from blue to purple, then from purple to deep red, finally into a continuously flowing golden ring.