Silver Wing Angel

Old Bell lent the Silver Wing Angel to Reno.

He didn't expect Reno to master the system he named "Shen Yao," but the fifty-six neural connections were a learning experience for Reno. In fact, even without using the control array system, he could still control the mech with just fifty-six neurons.

After all, these fifty-six neurons controlled the core central part, while the control array system handled the details.

Of course, this made the Silver Wing Angel appear somewhat "clumsy" and "awkward." Although it didn't meet the requirements for actual combat, it at least met the training needs.

So, during the idle afternoons at the Belgrade Machine Repair Factory, it was common to see such a scene - a silver, exquisite mech walking laboriously in the empty space behind the repair shop, like a toddler learning to walk, stumbling and falling from time to time.

Its clumsy posture didn't match its elegant physique at all, so much so that every time David saw it, he would disdainfully express his contempt.

"I bet he'll never be able to control that piece of junk in his lifetime." Sitting on the flowerbed, swinging his legs, David evaluated the Silver Wing Angel in this way.

In his eyes, old Bell lending the Silver Wing Angel to Reno wasn't helping him but torturing him.

But Reno didn't mind. He didn't give up because of the Silver Wing Angel's difficulty in control. Instead, he enthusiastically studied and adapted, never giving up despite the failures and falls.

Bang!

Another heavy fall.

Even though he was wrapped in a heavy iron shell, Reno's head was still dizzy from the impact.

Because of the limited number of neurons and Reno's inability to utilize the control array system, he didn't enjoy the reduced physical strain of the system. Instead, he was forced to exert all his energy to control the mech, resulting in even greater fatigue than a regular mech.

After a period of use, his spirit was at its limit, and every muscle in his body felt extremely sore.

Despite this, he gritted his teeth and stood up.

Giving up was not his style. The inhumane training from the mad dog instructor had instilled in him a strong will to face all difficulties. Even if he might faint the next moment, as long as he still had consciousness, he would stand up!

This was the instructor's creed, simple yet brutal.

As a student, all he had to do was follow it!

Boom, he stood up again, continuing to walk laboriously, and after the next second, he fell again, then got up again...

"I think he can do it," the straightforward Rademore watched the determined Reno and said, "Mom says, liking and persisting are the shortcuts to success."

"Oh, really? Rademore, do you like repairing mechs?" David asked in a sarcastic tone.

Rademore scratched his head and replied, "Of course, I like these big guys. When I see them walking on land, flying in the sky, I feel awesome."

"But you can't even repair a water pump!" David laughed heartily.

Rademore felt embarrassed, "I'm a bit slow to learn."

"So, talent is the most important thing. Rademore, you're not cut out for this job!" David replied seriously.

"No!" Hearing this, Rademore became visibly angry. He waved his huge fist and said, "I won't allow you to say that about me."

"Hey hey, why are the kids arguing again?"

Fortunately, at that moment, an elegant voice came over.

Turning around, they saw a middle-aged man wearing a top hat, holding a pipe, and sporting a two-pronged mustache walking towards them. Although he was walking from the messy playground, his gait resembled that of a dancer crossing a ballroom.

"Gadd!" Seeing the middle-aged man, David hurried over, taking the opportunity to avoid Rademore and also to tattle, "I just said Rademore isn't suitable for this, and he got all worked up."

The newcomer was Imogen Gadd, another partner of the Belgrade Machine Repair Factory.

"Oh, making a hasty judgment about someone's beloved profession isn't a good thing," Gadd said with a smile, shaking his head.

"I'm just telling the truth," David muttered, "Rademore is too slow, he really doesn't have the talent for it."

"Talent has never been the key to success. Boys, stop arguing. Come back in ten years and see, maybe then we can determine who's right," Gadd said with a smile.

In the distance, the struggling Silver Wing Angel finally stopped.

Reno emerged from inside.

Although the Silver Wing Angel moved like an elderly person about to die, Reno's head was covered in sweat, as if he had just completed a marathon, his legs were even trembling as he walked.

But his eyes remained bright and confident.

Approaching Gadd, he bowed, "Mr. Gadd, you're here."

If old Bell was a mech expert, then Imogen Gadd was a versatile person.

Unfortunately, this versatile guy didn't use his abilities for good at first - he used to be a fraudster, with the most brilliant record being thirty-eight frauds in a month, and successfully escaped afterwards.

And the reason he conducted so many frauds at the same time wasn't for money, but just because he wanted to set a new record in the history of fraud.

It was because of this reason that he fell during an attempt to break a higher record.

That year he was only twenty-three years old.

After spending nearly twenty years in prison, Imogen Gadd finally obtained parole.

But facing such a habitual fraudster, few dared to use him. It was old Bell who used him, back when old Bell hadn't gone bankrupt yet.

After old Bell went bankrupt, everyone left him, but Gadd didn't. On the contrary, he started this repair shop and named it Belgrade, then invited old Bell to preside over it. Although he was the true owner of the shop, everything was done under old Bell's leadership.

"Ah, little Reno, you seem to have a lot of energy," Gadd said, shaking his pipe with a smile, "It seems like you have a strong interest in piloting mechs."

"My real dream is to pilot starships, but I don't exclude mechs. Personally, I see them as a distinction between profession and interest," Reno replied.

"What about repairing? Profession or interest?" Gadd asked.

Reno thought for a moment and replied, "It's a part-time job, sir."

Gadd laughed heartily.

After the laughter subsided, he said, "So, are you interested in earning some extra money?"

"Extra money?" Reno was puzzled.

He looked at Gadd, and old Bell, who was looking over from a distance.

"It's like this," Gadd said, "You know, there are dozens of mech competitions of various sizes in Shigwani every year. These competitions come in all shapes and sizes, and usually, the winners can get a certain amount of prize money..."

"No, Gadd, don't let that kid participate in the competitions!" Old Bell roared from a distance, his face showing displeasure, "He's just a beginner, he knows nothing, and he can't possibly win in competitions!"

Gadd shook his

 head, "Hey, Bell, don't think I don't understand anything. I've seen this kid's mech piloting data. He's very talented and learns fast. Look, he's only been learning to use the Silver Wing Angel for seven days, and he's already able to make it stand up and walk a few steps. As long as you're willing to increase the neurons of the Silver Wing Angel and reduce the complexity of the control array system, relying on the power of the Silver Wing Angel, this kid can fully participate in some small competitions. He doesn't need to win the championship, just getting a certain ranking can earn him prize money, and we can also use it as an opportunity for publicity."

"But those competitions are mostly dangerous. I will never let this kid take risks. That's irresponsible to his life," the old man said angrily, walking over to pull Reno away.

Watching his retreating figure, Gadd shook his head helplessly, "Damn old man, always so stubborn."

No matter how Gadd persuaded, Bell ultimately did not agree to let Reno participate in the competitions.

But Reno understood what it meant to increase the neurons.

This was a training system that Bell designed due to the excessive complexity of the Silver Wing Angel. This system added ninety-one neurons to the Shen Yao system, bringing the total number of neurons to one hundred and forty-seven, only one less than the standard system. At the same time, the control array system was simplified to the point where it only needed a few simple operations to compensate for the missing neuron.

Trainees would start with this system and gradually adapt through adaptive training. As the training intensity increased, neurons would be reduced, and control array system functions increased, gradually adapting to this dual system.

However, when old Bell designed this system, he had already gone bankrupt, and he lost contact with the original owner, so this training system failed to be promoted.

But this training system was still retained.

The reason Bell didn't give this system to Reno was because he was worried that Reno would participate in the competitions because of it.

"Listen to me, kid, I lent you the Angel because I hoped it would help with your training, not so you could go to those underground mech combat fights and risk your life. You're young, with a bright future ahead of you. You shouldn't gamble your fate for a little money; that's not a smart choice for a wise person. Gadd isn't a bad person, but he's too eager for money. The fanatical pursuit of money can make people shortsighted, impatient, and even pollute the soul."

"Keep your soul pure, kid, that's the biggest advice an old man can give you!"

Reno looked at old Bell and replied earnestly, "I promise you, Mr. Bell, I will never casually go to those mech combat fights."

Old Bell didn't notice that there was a small trap in Reno's words. He only said he wouldn't go casually, but didn't say he wouldn't go at all.

Reno didn't intend to go against old Bell's good intentions; he just instinctively felt that he should leave himself some leeway in everything.