Emily Scott only then remembered that her dad was a senior mecha pilot—if she didn’t know, her dad definitely would. She couldn’t help but lay out everything that had happened today. When she mentioned how YC kept losing but kept fighting, David Scott nodded in appreciation, “Not bad, this YC really is a courageous person!”

When Emily Scott talked about the last time YC advanced with that strange, elusive movement that was somewhat similar to the Lone Form Step, Daniel Scott’s expression grew serious. He then carefully asked a few detailed questions about it, and with her father’s reminders, Emily Scott recalled many details she had overlooked at the time.

Daniel Scott said gravely, “If your description is accurate, then what YC used might be the Disordered Waveform Leap. This set of evasive maneuvers is usually only used by senior mecha pilots, because it not only requires extremely high manual operation skills, but also a sufficiently advanced mecha. Only the advanced AI systems equipped on high-end mechas can handle the complex calculations involved.”

Emily Scott asked in confusion, “But he was using a Blackbird!”

“That’s exactly what surprises me. By all rights, the Blackbird shouldn’t be able to pull off those moves. Even if his manual skills are up to par, the Blackbird’s AI isn’t. So there’s only one possibility: he modified the Blackbird and installed a powerful AI system.”

Emily Scott pouted, “But I think he’s a newbie!”

David Scott chuckled, “So what if he’s a newbie? Newbies can’t modify mechas? Besides, maybe his teacher or an elder specially modified it for him to suit his fighting style! Still, this YC is pretty impressive, being able to pull off such a difficult set of maneuvers.”

Emily Scott still didn’t believe it. “Then why didn’t he use those moves from the start? Why wait until he lost so many times?”

David Scott was stumped. “Ah, that question… uh… that’s because… because… ah… Emily, let’s eat first, let’s eat, look, the food’s getting cold!”

David Scott’s wife watched her husband with a smile as he awkwardly shoveled food into his mouth.

Although her father’s explanation made some sense, Emily Scott still felt it wasn’t quite right. But if you asked her for a reason, she couldn’t say—she just had a vague intuition!

But just as Daniel Scott never considered that someone could rely entirely on manual operation, completing that set of maneuvers without any AI assistance, Emily Scott also never had such an “impossible” idea cross her mind.

Emily Scott irritably patted her head, which ached from overthinking. Forget it, she thought, I’ll just ask him next time I see him!

Section Eight

Brian Clark’s situation was not good at all!

When he climbed out of the cockpit, Brian Clark looked as if he’d just been fished out of water, completely drenched.

But that wasn’t the only aftereffect. Brian Clark looked at his hands, which appeared perfectly normal, without the slightest sign of anything wrong, yet he was deeply troubled.

Pain! It was a pain that cut to the bone! Waves of spasms kept assaulting Brian Clark’s brain. Even with his remarkable endurance, he couldn’t help but gasp sharply from time to time, his face pale with agony.

Strangely, though, his hands showed no signs of swelling or cramping. In fact, they were so intact that not even a single hair was out of place!

After examining Brian Clark, Logan Carter said expressionlessly, “This is a side effect of excessive use of your consciousness. The nerves in your central nervous system that control your hands have exceeded the threshold formed by your consciousness and your hands, resulting in pain. There’s no actual harm to your body; you’ll recover with proper rest.”

Brian Clark, gasping in pain, retorted sarcastically, “Rest? How am I supposed to rest when it hurts like this? I’ll probably wake up from the pain even in my dreams!”

Logan Carter said, “I have a way to spare you the pain.”

Brian Clark’s eyes lit up. “Really?” The endless torment of pain had left him desperate, so hearing that Logan Carter had a way to stop it was like rain after a long drought.

Logan Carter continued, “This method requires no medication, no injections, it’s safe and effective, with immediate results, implemented on the spot…”

Brian Clark’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he immediately interrupted Logan Carter, who showed no sign of taking action, “Then, hurry up and do it!”

Logan Carter paused, looked down at Brian Clark, and asked, “Are you sure you want to use this method?”

For some reason, as Brian Clark looked at Logan Carter, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck. But the intensifying pain made him grit his teeth and decide, “I’m sure!”

Bang—a gust of wind struck hard at the artery on the side of Brian Clark’s neck.

Everything went black for Brian Clark, and the only thought in his mind before losing consciousness was—Well, it really doesn’t hurt anymore!

Logan Carter’s calm voice echoed in the room, “Procedure complete!”

When Brian Clark woke up, he could clearly feel changes in his body, especially his hands. It was as if his body was always a beat slower than his mind, making him feel awkward and far less in control than before.

Logan Carter explained, “This is because your consciousness and body are out of sync. Your consciousness has improved, breaking through its previous limits, but your body hasn’t changed and can’t keep up with the speed of your mind. So you feel your body is slower than before, but actually, it’s just that your consciousness is faster now!”