CHAPTER 455: KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

Instructor Moore leaned against the worktable, tapping his stylus thoughtfully.

"If you’re still unsure," he said, "you could always start by taking the mercenary mechanics license. It’s definitely less formal than the full engineer certification, but it gives you the right to work on field commissions, join expedition crews, and legally build and repair for guilds as an actual mechanic."

Luca looked intrigued. "You mean I could do that now?"

Moore chuckled. "Well, not today, but during the usual monthly licensure exams. With the way you calibrated that last mecha? I’d say you only need to have more hands-on experience when it comes to repairs."

He meant it as encouragement. A gentle push. Something to help this brilliant, glowing mystery of a student explore other paths.

What Moore didn’t know, however, was that somewhere close by, Instructor Falco—who was calmly reviewing the reports on the buildings—sneezed violently.

He paused, eyes narrowing.

A chill crept down his spine.

There was no draft in this place.

No open window.

Just...a bad feeling.

Falco rubbed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "...Someone must be up to no good."

He didn’t know it yet, but one of his top students was being unofficially poached by the mecha department, under the guise of "testing interests" and "alternative licenses."

Back to the studious group, Instructor Moore, still marveling at the walking miracle that was Luca Kyros, tapped thoughtfully at his terminal before clearing his throat.

"Well," he said, "since you’ve so generously shared your calibration methods, it’s only fair I offer something in return."

Luca and Ollie perked up like twin cats hearing the sound of a treat bag.

"I could give you access to some of the research materials we’ve compiled in the Mecha Manufacturing Division," Moore offered. "Old prototypes, experimental blueprints, even theory papers. And if you’ve got questions, I’d be happy to try answering them."

Luca glowed. "Really?! That’s so generous of you, Instructor!" He couldn’t believe such a windfall! While he enjoyed learning from the training halls, he also wanted to gain insight into the perspectives of people today.

Beside him, Ollie was already mentally constructing a spiritual shrine in Moore’s honor. Not only did he save them from utter social death, but he was also giving them access to something like this! Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all!

But what caught him off guard wasn’t their excitement—it was what they asked for.

"Do you happen to have hypothetical or conceptual designs?" Luca asked, his tone careful. "Not just working ones, but those that were shelved or...marked impossible?"

The confused teacher blinked. "You want the ones that can’t be built?"

Ollie nodded earnestly. "Yes, please. Especially those that failed due to power constraints or a lack of precise control. Or, you know, just wildly ambitious ones."

The instructor tilted his head. Most students would beg for access to the prestigious archives, the private blueprints of famed engineers, or the academy’s legacy builds.

But these two?

They wanted the broken dreams.

"Alright," Moore said slowly. "We’ll schedule a time to visit the restricted wing of the mecha library once they give a go signal for the structural integrity of the buildings."

"Thank you, Sir!" both chorused.

They all stood, clearly expecting the visit to end there—but...no one moved.

A long moment passed.

Moore blinked. The students blinked. Then everyone stared at each other as if waiting to see who would make the next move.

Finally, the instructor asked hesitantly, "Is there...something else?"

And then—miraculously—the same students who would normally rush to leave class with their valid permits suddenly straightened their backs and gave a very heroic, very determined nod.

"We’d like to study," Luca said.

"Hard," Ollie added, sounding like someone volunteering for war.

Moore stared.

"Now?" he asked.

They nodded again, and Luca added sweetly, "I want to review with my brother. It’ll help him catch up... and maybe I can use the material for the mercenary mechanics exam."

"Uh?"

Technically, Luca had no obligation to do any of this. His upcoming test was for Mecha Piloting only.

But Moore was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth—especially when one of them had historically been one of his most absent students.

"Alright then," he said, recovering. "Let’s get you a crash course. I’ll give you a summary of what you missed while you were away."

And just like that, Instructor Moore, unknowingly turned temporary refuge, began a full revision lecture—while two psychologically wounded students sat attentively, as if their very survival depended on how long they could avoid returning to public view.

Back at the hall, another spiritual barrier quietly shimmered to life around Xavier and his team.

No one really batted an eye. Not anymore.

By now, the appearance of a hush bubble around them didn’t even register. People just assumed someone had gossip, a grudge, or both, and politely minded their own business.

Well, mostly.

Inside the barrier, Xavier glanced sideways at Kyle and asked, voice laced with dry curiosity, "What’s with the vengeful ghost who is currently directing bloodlust toward you?"

Kyle sighed.

"Still checking. It started with that box from yesterday." He nodded at them before explaining what happened with the "gifts".

"Mn."

"It’s the same one that cornered Ollie’s roommate. And is practically following his scent trail like a bloodhound."

Xavier raised a brow. "And?"

"She attempted to shower him with gifts again."

They exchanged knowing looks, the kind that only people in perilous situations could understand.

Then, from the side, Jax, who had been silently chewing through dried fruit like it was keeping him sane, finally spoke.

"Are you talking about that one? The one that’s been giving people a stink eye?"

"Probably. I wasn’t exactly paying attention earlier." Said Kyle, who was admittedly busy with his charge earlier.

"Hmmm..."

"Wait... isn’t that the same kid who’s been following you since we were kids?"

Kyle frowned. "Huh? What kid?"

"You know. The one who hides behind potted plants and bushes. Always lurking."

Xavier gave him a questioning look.

"Well, Captain, she wasn’t following you around so you probably didn’t notice, but she was practically a fixture for so long already."

Kyle squinted. "What? From way back? How are you sure?"

Jax nodded seriously. "Same eyes. Same aura. Creepy little intensity. You get used to it after several gatherings."

There was a beat of silence.

"Oh," Kyle said flatly.

"It’s either she likes you or detests you. Not sure because she always looked constipated from what I remember." Jax added unhelpfully.

"Thanks, I dislike both options."

"Well, if anything, maybe she likes Ollie now, you said she gave him gifts, right?"

The prince, however, just looked at his adjutant. "Check that list."

Kyle stiffened. "List?"

Xavier gave him a deadpan look. "You know—the one you always ignore. The one with the names of people you avoid like the plague."

Kyle grimaced. "Captain, you say that like it’s not your list, too. They just don’t know you yet."

Jax snorted in disbelief. "It’s still there?"

Unfortunately, well, they could get rid of it.

Simple. They just have to go back to the capital and show them their actual partners.

Yeah. Let’s see how that goes when, just today, they’d have to go around looking for those little escapists.