My Mecha System

The cadets filed in to the large structure with 200ft ceilings and a huge open floor used for an indoor shooting range and storage facility for mobile infantry and stood in formation. Everything had been moved out of the massive space and stored in separate warehouses for the big event. The mecha for training were also kept here but were being used in the landing field conducting exercises while the cadets went through their evaluation.

The cadets were organized by group into what was called a platoon. Each platoon was composed of 30-40 cadets and there were at least 20 platoons standing in formation awaiting further instructions. In front of each platoon were 4 pods that cadets would be entering and evaluated on strength, dexterity, and stamina and general potential. How the pod determined potential was unknown to cadets at this point in time.

Everyone had a system, but certain systems weren as good as others. The system class was measured by the pod and displayed to the person being tested and the individuals monitoring the testing. It was usually kept confidential to keep the cadets free from being hazed and ganged up on before they had time to develop their various skills and learn new ones. System classes started at D rank and went up to S rank. There were rumors that there may be a rank above, but no one present had personally verified the claims.

The system was broken down into ranks as certain systems leveled up faster and gained more skills. For instance, D rank systems gained its first inherent skill at level 20, while S rank systems gained its first skill at level 10. the other systems fell in between that gap. Better grade systems learned user initiated skills quicker as well. It may take a D rank system 5 years to retain a skill a user was trying to learn while it would take an S rank system a fraction of the time. This also worked the same for stats as well, and stats were some of the most important aspect of the system and job placement. If you didn have the stats to operate certain equipment efficiently, you were moved to another job were you would excel. Its worth mentioning that the system didn always grant skills that were useful to the users current position, rather it granted skills that were more compatible with the individual whether they liked them or not.

Arthur continued to stand in formation patiently waiting for his name to be called and thought about everything that had transpired between leaving home and now. The system had awarded him an extra stamina point after the grueling time he had spent awake and running around since he got to the academy. He was grateful as it did seem to make a difference and make the physical training aspect bearable at least.

Arthur thought back on his past life and wondered how everyone here had a system while those from his home world did not. He didn even know if he was in the same dimension or reality anymore thinking about it. It just all seemed to far fetched.

From what his new parents had told him, his system was rated above a B, which meant he had a very good chance to get in the mecha program if he applied himself. Systems here were a shortcut compared to his past life, but then again, everything here was built to take system users into account. You still had to work hard to excel in certain categories. Arthur might have an advantage, but if he got lazy, someone with a B rank system could still out perform him with enough hard work and dedication.

His father had a C rank system while his mother had a B rank system. His father had worked extremely hard to make it into the mecha pilot program but with a C rank system and his handicap on system learned skills, the gap became to much and he eventually washed out never to return to the cockpit again.

Mecha were built for high stat users with abilities that complimented the mecha they piloted. Without these unique abilities, you would not have an edge in the battlefield and may as well be a sitting duck to the more specialized pilots. James, unfortunately, had terrible luck and was granted a couple of skills that did not increase his battlefield proficiency, but instead gave him some amazing repair capabilities. Paired with his stats that were starting to lag behind others, a mechanic was the best fit for him.

”You may wonder why these pods have the capability to rate your systems ” said the testing coordinator. ”Your systems were a manufactured device made centuries ago during the last great war. We needed an edge as neither the Calderian empire nor us could break the stalemate. A decision was made to test a new AI that could enhance our bodies and unlock our full potential and here we are now. As time has gone by, systems have been classified into categories as each individual has a different compatibility with the AI that governs the system. Its made to help us grow and unlock abilities as we get stronger, faster and more agile which is why we all have levels. Lets begin the evaluations now. ”

”Cadet Strong! ” yelled the test coordinator. Strong quickly fell out, had a hand and retina scan conducted and slid into the pod to start his evaluation.

”Cadet Arthur! ” Yelled the coordinator. Arthur fell out pf formation and did the same thing Strong did before sliding into the pod.

Upon entrance, the pod lit up and a pleasant voice proceeded to ask Arthur to place the neuro link band on his head. Arthur also placed his 2 arms into slots that clamped down and held him firmly in place.

”Evaluation commencing ” said the pleasant AI voice.

Arthurs stats were quickly displayed.

[Name: Arthur Wright]

[Race: Human]

[Level 5]

[11,250/50,000 EXP]

***Primary Stats***

[Points Available 0]

[HP 16/16]

[Strength: 9]

[Dexterity:6]

[Stamina:8]

***Skills***

Breaking Point

”Calculating system class… ”