“Study mechatronics.” Dad said, “Now that mechas and robots are on the rise, they will become the dominant force in society in the future. If you master manufacturing technology in this field, your livelihood will be much more secure…”

Jason Carter nodded indifferently, without giving a direct response. In fact, his dream was to become a powerful and noble mecha warrior, but now it seemed completely impossible.

In the modern world, nuclear weapons have been completely destroyed. The mecha warriors, who emerged thirty-five years ago, have now almost become the decisive force in determining the outcome of ground wars.

The current number one world power, the Sith Federation, has become the military hegemon of the world precisely because it possesses fifty thousand mecha warriors. And the Great Eastern Alliance, where Jason Carter lives, also stands among the first-class powers only because it has thirty thousand mecha warriors.

The entire Eastern Alliance, with a dozen or so member republics and a population of over a billion, has only thirty thousand mecha warriors. This shows just how strict the selection is—intelligence, agility, strength, athletic reflexes—none can be lacking.

Mecha warriors need to be proficient in electronics, neurology, and weaponry in order to better operate their mechas.

A mecha warrior must also have an incredibly strong body. Or to put it another way, a mecha warrior is first and foremost a warrior, and only then a mecha warrior.

Because even the most advanced mechas can hardly withstand the fire of energy cannons or laser guns. Therefore, mecha warriors are required to have extremely agile reflexes, able to dodge enemy fire in an instant.

When encountering enemy mecha warriors, fierce battles are inevitable. Two mechas of the same level fighting is equivalent to two warriors engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Because whatever move the warrior inside the mecha makes, the mecha makes the same move. How to attack, how to dodge—this is the most important part for a mecha warrior: martial arts in combat.

In other words, whoever is stronger in reality will be stronger after putting on a mecha—of course, assuming the mechas are of the same level and both operators have equal skill.

Whoever has greater endurance, strength, and speed in reality will, after donning a mecha, hit harder, move faster, and last longer in battle.

Therefore, to become a mecha warrior, intelligence, physical strength, explosive power, and athletic reflexes must all be one in a million. And that’s just for a basic mecha warrior; to become an advanced mecha warrior, it all depends on talent and martial arts comprehension.

And in all these aspects, Jason Carter was not outstanding in any.

“I’m full, I’ll go out for a walk.” The more Jason Carter thought about it, the more frustrated he became. The more he thought, the further his dreams and his dream girl seemed to drift away, and he lost his appetite. Pushing his bowl aside, he went out to clear his mind.

※※※

Jason Carter lay on the riverbank, gazing up at the star-filled sky. After a while, those twinkling stars seemed to turn into Catherine Newman’s eyes, blinking at him.

“Whoosh!” Suddenly, a strange sound came from the horizon, like the whistling of a flute. Jason Carter quickly turned to look, and immediately saw a meteor falling from the sky.

Jason Carter hurried to make a wish, because if you finish your wish before the meteor lands, it will be especially effective.

“I hope Catherine Newman can love…” Jason Carter had just made half his wish when he felt something was wrong. How could he be so lovestruck and forget his parents’ nurturing grace?

So, Jason Carter quickly changed his wish: “I wish my dad and mom good health and long life.”

The meteor still hadn’t disappeared. Aren’t meteors supposed to vanish in an instant? So, Jason Carter quickly extended his wish.

“And for myself, my wife, and my children to all be healthy and live long.”

The meteor still hadn’t disappeared, so Jason Carter added more: “Happiness, joy, and prosperity.”

The meteor still hadn’t disappeared, so Jason Carter added again: “I hope Catherine Newman can love…”

“Boom…” Maybe the heavens thought Jason Carter was too greedy and wishful. Not only did the meteor disappear, but it also let out a series of heavy, angry rumbles.

“Huh, the meteor seems to have fallen really close.” Jason Carter suddenly realized, then looked up.

Oh my god, the meteor was right above his head, bringing scorching heat, whistling down from the sky, aiming straight for his head.

Jason Carter ran for his life, and a few seconds later, the meteor crashed into the spot where he had just been standing. After sprinting dozens of meters, Jason Carter finally stopped and turned to look at the meteor.

Strangely, it wasn’t a meteor at all. It seemed… it seemed to be a humanoid figure. Then, Jason Carter’s vision blurred, and that thing was already in front of him, and his own body was lifted into the air by some invisible force.

Jason Carter was both shocked and amazed.

“What is this? Ultraman? An alien?” Jason Carter saw clearly—it was a humanoid machine, over five meters tall, looking even more like a robot.

It had metal wings on its back, sharp barbs on its shoulders, and looked imposing and majestic. Its surface gleamed with a cold luster, flickering faintly, as if it could burst into dazzling light at any moment, or vanish into thin air at any time.

No, this was a mecha—an unparalleled mecha. However, it was definitely not one of those mechas Jason Carter had seen in magazines or online.