Chapter 364: Era of Mecha?

“The blueprint he gave us… is for something he calls a Mecha.”

Bruce’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. A thought crossed his mind, quiet, but clear.

’Mecha? Mechs?!…This world is accelerating too fast. It hasn’t even been two months…’

Yet here they were. Standing on the edge of something that shouldn’t have come this soon, he had already checked Velmora’s history in the past, and he was shocked to discover that Automobiles were invented this year, then there’s holographic screens, then smart bracelet, TVs and now mechs all discovered in one year, and it’s not like earth’s invention that mostly grew from bud stage and developed as times go on, each technology invention of Velmora even the prototypes can compare with the Earths best version of that same tech, smart bracelet was like smart watch but completely beats it, Velmora’s automobiles are hover type using anti magnetism, and the list goes on, maybe it’s because mana, magic is involved, but if one thought about it carefully, it was indeed a crazy thing that all these are invented by the Thorne family all in one year.

Meanwhile, Ozai, unaware of the exact nature of Bruce’s thoughts, continued as his fingers traced across segments of the schematic.

“It utilizes dungeon grade materials. Extremely dense metals. Core integration systems. Array formations designed to stabilize and amplify output.”

His tone was calm, but there was weight behind every word.

“I’ve checked the blueprint, The Thorne family analyzed it thoroughly.”

A brief pause.

“It’s feasible.”

Another.

“And we’ve already begun constructing the first prototype.”

Silence followed.

Not empty.

But full.

Of implications.

Then Bruce spoke.

Simple. Direct. Unaffected.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

Ozai didn’t hesitate.

“Because Duke told me to.”

A faint breath left him.

“And as for Sophie…”

His gaze shifted toward her, just briefly.

“I decided to include her myself.”

There was no attempt to soften it. No effort to frame it differently.

Just truth.

“Both of you are… relevant to what comes next.”

He stepped closer to the desk, resting his palm lightly against its surface. The faint ease from earlier was gone now.

What remained was intent.

“What I need… are resources.”

His voice remained steady.

But there was a quiet pressure beneath it now.

“Dungeon cores.”

“Dungeon graded black metals.”

“Anything you can obtain from high level dungeon environments.”

A pause.

Measured.

“My family will not cheat you. Everything will be purchased at a fair price.”

His gaze locked onto Bruce’s. Unwavering.

“This isn’t just business.”

Another breath.

“It’s preparation.”

Something darker flickered at the edges of his expression.

“You see… invaders don’t just appear randomly.”

“They target.”

“Specifically Awakened above certain thresholds.”

His eyes dimmed slightly, not with fear, but with understanding.

“And they rarely possess bodies below B Rank… unless they’re desperate.”

The silence that followed was heavier this time. Because now, There was context.

Then, He tapped lightly against the schematic again.

“But this…”

His voice shifted.

Subtle.

But unmistakable.

Conviction.

“This changes that.”

“These Mechas…”

“They allow the mundane to fight.”

“To stand on equal ground.”

“To become something more.”

Each word carried weight now. Not hope. Not ambition.

Possibility.

“Depending on the core used, the operator can reach strength comparable to Awakened of the same tier.”

Sophie’s expression shifted, just slightly. Her gaze lingered longer on the blueprint now.

Calculating.

Considering.

“And with higher grade cores…”

Ozai continued, his voice dropping just enough to draw them in further,

“They can contend with S Ranked… even SS Ranked opponents.”

That… lingered.

Because it wasn’t just power.

It was balance.

Or the breaking of it. TThe collective strength of the world would be increased, the line between the weak and strong could be blurred, though there’s the question as to whether normal people can afford to buy it, it still gives them options…

“They can withstand pressure. Authority. High speed combat.”

His tone deepened, steadier than before.

“The mundane… will be able to participate in battles they were never meant to survive.”

A longer silence followed.

And in that silence, The weight of what he was saying truly settled.

Not just weapons. Not just machines. A shift in the structure of the world itself.

“The potential of this…”

His gaze dropped briefly to the blueprint, fingers resting against its edge.

“…is unimaginable.”

Another second passed. Then he looked up again. Steady. Resolved.

“This is Duke’s solution.”

“The best way to prepare for what’s coming.”

His voice didn’t rise. It didn’t need to. “For the day the veil of Velmora is breached.”

The words didn’t just settle, they lingered, pressing into the air like an unseen weight. The room felt smaller for it. Tighter. As though even the walls understood the implication behind that single line.

Ozai didn’t rush the silence that followed.

He let it breathe.

Let it sink in.

Then, calmly, almost casually,

“So… what do you think?”

There was no force behind the question. No urgency. But expectation was there. Clear. Unhidden.

Sophie was the first to move.

“I’ll support you, Ozai.”

Her voice cut through the stillness, smooth, controlled, carrying the quiet authority of someone who had never needed to raise it to be heard. She didn’t lean forward. Didn’t shift. But something in her presence sharpened.

“And I can get the Reign to support you as well.”

A slight pause followed, deliberate. Measured. Her gaze held his without wavering.

“But what we want in return isn’t monetary compensation.”

Ozai’s eyes narrowed just a fraction. Not in resistance. In focus.

“Mechas,” she continued, tone unchanged. “Equivalent in value to the resources provided by the Reign family.”

A beat.

“And make sure your Thorne doesn’t go overboard.”

There it was. Clean. Direct. No embellishment. No attempt to soften the edge.

Even in cooperation, this was still a negotiation between two Great Ancient Families. Rivalry didn’t vanish. It simply… changed form.

Ozai didn’t react negatively. If anything, The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

“Don’t worry.”

His voice remained even.

“If trust is the issue… we’ll fulfill our end without fail.”

A faint pause.

“The Thorne is willing to bind this agreement with a blood contract.”

The words landed with quiet force, the fact that The Thorne were willing to go this far spoke a lot

And then, just as easily, the edge faded from his tone.

“And besides…” his gaze flicked briefly toward Bruce, “…I’m well aware that irking you is the same as irking Bruce.”

A small breath of amusement.

“That’s not something I’d dare test.”

Sophie’s lips curved, faint but satisfied.

“That’s more like it.”

For a moment, Silence returned.

But this time, it wasn’t heavy.

It was settled.

And then, Bruce spoke.

“I’ll support it too.”

No build up.

No drawn out reasoning.

Just a statement.

Simple.

Final.

Yet,

That simplicity carried weight far greater than anything elaborate.

Because it was him.

Ozai’s gaze shifted fully to Bruce.

Studying.

Measuring.

Then,

He nodded.

Once.

That was enough.

He extended his hand again.

Bruce met it without hesitation.

Their handshake this time was different.

Not a greeting. Not familiarity. Instead it was agreement. Understanding. A line crossed. A deal sealed.

Ozai released his grip and straightened, the tension that had subtly filled the room easing as his posture relaxed.

“Well then…”

A faint smile returned, lighter now.

“Since that’s settled,”

He gestured toward the door.

“Allow me to personally handle your purchase.”

Sophie’s gaze flickered briefly toward Bruce, a silent check. But Bruce…

Remained exactly as he was. Calm. Unreadable.

“I’m still deciding.”

His tone carried no resistance.

No disinterest. Just… patience. Ozai didn’t mind.

If anything, Something in his eyes sharpened with interest.

“Then that works out perfectly.”

There was a hint of anticipation now. Subtle. Controlled.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to show.”

He turned without waiting, already moving toward the exit. Bruce followed. Sophie beside him.

The moment they stepped outside, Bruno straightened immediately, posture snapping into place with practiced precision, but Ozai lifted a hand lightly.

“I’ll take it from here.”

Bruno bowed without hesitation and stepped aside.

Ozai led them past the main display, bypassing rows of polished builds and refined designs. The path shifted. The atmosphere changed with it.

Quieter.

More contained.

Fewer vehicles occupied this section.

But each one, Felt different. Less commercial.

More… intentional.Purpose built.

Then, He stopped.

Right in front of it.

The vehicle stood in stillness.

And yet, It didn’t feel still.

Sleek lines curved along its body like flowing metal, each angle precise, each edge deliberate. Its surface carried a deep, dark metallic sheen that caught the light just enough to suggest movement, even while unmoving.

It didn’t touch the ground.

It hovered.

Suspended effortlessly, held in place by a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate through the air itself. Anti magnetic mana currents pulsed beneath it, invisible yet undeniable.

No wheels. No supports. Nothing unnecessary. Just control.

Ozai stepped closer, his hand resting lightly against its frame. For the first time since they’d entered, something shifted in his expression.

Pride.

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