Facing the sudden appearance of two dark figures, Jing Mingqiu was startled and instinctively raised his hands.
Zhong Hui pressed against Jing Mingqiu's arms, intending to push him down first and restrain him on the ground.
However, with his full force, Jing Mingqiu tilted back forty-five degrees, his momentum exhausted. The springs in the simple mechs on Jing Mingqiu's legs accumulated enough elasticity and rebounded from the ground.
Jing Mingqiu instantly righted himself, while Zhong Hui was instead sent flying, colliding head-on with another instructor.
"Ouch, ouch!"
The two immediately became rolling gourds.
Jing Mingqiu finally reacted, his face full of confusion: "Instructor, what are you doing? I don't remember combat being part of military training!"
After unloading the force by rolling, Zhong Hui quickly got up and stared intently at Jing Mingqiu: "Student, what is that on your legs? Take it off quickly, don't do anything rash!"
"This?" Jing Mingqiu scratched his head, rolled up his pant legs, and revealed the full appearance of the auxiliary mechs. "Instructor, this is just a simple auxiliary device. I remember the military training rules didn't seem to prohibit the use of such auxiliary equipment!"
Zhong Hui approached cautiously, half-believing, and examined it closely. After confirming it was indeed not a weapon, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's acceptable. However, military training isn't just about standing at attention or practicing squats. We'll also be practicing military boxing and the goose step later. Doing these while wearing a suit of armor won't be easy!"
Jing Mingqiu was very confident: "You don't need to worry about that, instructor. This equipment of mine basically has no restrictions on body flexibility."
"If you can't do it, say so early," Zhong Hui waved his hand. "It's not good to get injured by pushing yourself too hard."
After a brief explanation, Zhong Hui and the instructor from the adjacent formation temporarily left.
Military training continued. Compared to the bright sunshine of the morning, a cloud drifted across the sky in the afternoon, obscuring the sun. Coupled with the autumn breeze, it was considerably cooler.
The military training projects also changed accordingly.
"Left step, march! One, two, one, one, two, one..."
Zhong Hui directed the dance department's formation away from the shade towards the training ground. Along the way, his attention was mainly focused on Jing Mingqiu, wanting to see how he would handle this situation wearing his suit of armor.
From the goose step to team runs, and then to military boxing…
Throughout the entire training session, Jing Mingqiu's performance greatly surprised him. If it weren't for the glint of cold metal from his ankles when he lifted his legs, Zhong Hui would have suspected that Jing Mingqiu had secretly removed his leg armor.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, most students were exhausted, and Jing Mingqiu's stomach also began to growl. The second day of military training officially concluded.
As Zhong Hui announced dismissal, the students' erect postures instantly slumped. They walked out arm in arm with their newly made friends.
Jing Mingqiu stretched lazily, moved his limbs, and was about to leave when Zhong Hui called out to him.
"This student, please wait a moment?"
Unlike other students who held some fear towards instructors, with the system in place, having hosted national-level projects, and met the country's highest leader, Jing Mingqiu had long developed a strong heart. His tone was calm.
"What is it, instructor?"
Zhong Hui was very serious: "This student, where did you buy this armor you're wearing? I feel it can greatly enhance a soldier's physical fitness. Would it be convenient for you to lend it to me for observation?"
"This isn't armor; it's an auxiliary mech that I modified myself. It doesn't have an independent power system; it only provides special support during certain movements."
Mid-sentence, a flash of sharpness appeared in Jing Mingqiu's eyes: "Instructor, are you intentionally finding an excuse because you saw me training too easily today and want to take my auxiliary mech?"
"Instructor, senior students from the second and third years will be getting off class soon. To avoid missing out on food, I'll be leaving now!"
Just as Zhong Hui was about to explain and before he could open his mouth, Jing Mingqiu, using dinner as an excuse, darted away…
Comparing the huge difference in Jing Mingqiu's performance between the two days, Zhong Hui hesitated before finding his class monitor, Wu Yuanzhou, and reporting the matter.
It was too bizarre for an ordinary university freshman to be able to create mechs, but Zhong Hui seemed so certain that it didn't appear to be a fabrication.
Finally, based on the principle of seeing is believing, Wu Yuanzhou decided to accompany Zhong Hui to the military training site the next day to observe Jing Mingqiu's performance.
Meanwhile, Jing Mingqiu, having finally managed to eat at the cafeteria and preparing to return to his dorm to play games, discovered two enormous express boxes completely blocking his dorm room door.
"Whose express delivery is this? Move it quickly, it's in the way!"
Hearing the commotion, Tang Bei and Xia Zhongtian, carrying a similarly large express box, poked their heads out from the end of the corridor.
"Boss, these are the mech parts you asked me to buy. There's another box; Yun Pengtao is carrying it from behind."
Seeing Xia Zhongtian's lack of stamina and the box starting to tilt, Jing Mingqiu quickly went to help. At the same time, he asked Tang Bei, "Didn't you just place the order last night? Even with express delivery, it shouldn't be this fast!"
"Well," Tang Bei gave an embarrassed smile, "My dad runs a machining factory. I asked him for help and got a few boxes of parts from the warehouse."
Jing Mingqiu realized with a sudden understanding: "No wonder you chose to major in mechanical engineering; it's a family legacy! Will I have to call you President Tang from now on?"
"I wouldn't dare," Tang Bei quickly shook his head. "I'm not good at managing a company. I prefer making various machines. Rather than being a boss, I'd rather pilot a mech and save the world..."
Amidst their banter, Yun Pengtao walked over carrying a large box.
Jing Mingqiu opened the door, and after the four of them jointly moved all the mechanical parts into the dorm, Jing Mingqiu glanced at Tang Bei: "I can't make giant mechs like in the anime yet."
"For small mechs that can only provide strength assistance for movement, I can try if I have enough materials."
"Boss, everything is up to you!" Tang Bei's face was filled with fervor. "Tell me what materials you need, and I'll do my best to get them for you."
Jing Mingqiu opened the system's memo and looked at the modification plan for the simple auxiliary mechs, chuckling softly, "Don't worry, they are all ordinary parts. Come on, lend me a hand. Before it gets too late, let's try to finish all the remaining three auxiliary mechs today!"
Unpacking, sorting, processing, assembling…
Under Jing Mingqiu's direction, the construction of the auxiliary mechs proceeded in an orderly fashion.
By the time lights out, three mechs emitting a cold glow were successfully completed.
These mechs were custom-tailored to each person's physique. When worn, they would not significantly impede movement, but by controlling them, they could provide additional support during certain actions.
After instructing the three to put on the mechs, Jing Mingqiu spent considerable time teaching them how to operate them. The three became more and more excited as they played.
It wasn't until late at night that they reluctantly took off the mechs and returned to their beds to rest.
As dawn broke, signaling a new day, Jing Mingqiu, wearing his auxiliary mech and having finished breakfast, arrived at the military training ground only to be immediately surrounded by a group of people…