283 Pilots and Mech Frames

"Whoa... Is this a commercial model of the Steel Knights?!"

"No way... The Steel Knights I've seen made by those large companies were trash compared to these... This must be the latest design..."

"But this doesn't look like they were suited for battle... Just look at how expensive the materials used. It seems to me that they were only for decoration and not for combat..."

"Decoration?"

"Yes... To show off their status. I've seen a Steel Knight before and I'm familiar with the aura exuded by a Molten Core. But I can't feel its presence in any of those five..."

One of the players said after analyzing the five Steel Knights in front of them. They were obviously surprised to see these war machines but it also made them curious about each of its components.

The five Mech Frames were made with different models and by using simple detection spells, each part of the war machine easily informed them how expensive they were. 

Luckily, the five weren't activated so they can still use mana spell to appraise its external appearance. Of course, Ace planned this as well as he wanted them to try and see the difference of his Mech Frame and the Steel Knights. 

However, it seems that not even half of the players here have seen a real Steel Knight and had only seen them through other forms of media.

The most eye-catching Mech Frame was the one at the center. It was a red and black Mech with a bulky armor. It even has two large shields mounted on its hands. Some were even curious about whether it could take a single step.

Looking at it closely, its main weapon seems to be the machine guns mounted everywhere. 

But they were sure that these Steel Knights have laser blades hidden somewhere.

They can even imagine that the bulky Steel Knight at the center could remove its armor if it's out of bullet or had a badly damaged armor already... so it could combat in close range to give a surprise to the enemy.

Of course, their imaginations were like these thanks to the Alien Invasion game. This game allowed them to have many expectations for these Steel Knights. 

Ace was satisfied with the reaction of the players as he glanced at his masterpiece.

The Mech Frames were all giving off different majestic aura to everyone standing in the plaza.

The models he made weren't purely made of advanced technology but almost half of the system was through magic or mana-related functions. 

If there was one thing that the Empire doesn't possess, it was the ability to maximize the potential of mana.

So Ace had to heighten its usage in every chance possible.

However, it would also limit the A.I.'s ability as it doesn't have a refined method to use mana spells at all. Thus, the pilots were crucial.

Avalon was still unable to quantify mana so it was impossible to control all its functions.

Veda was also not willing to learn combat techniques with Avalon, it was telling that it defied its main existence if it had to learn to fight. 

After giving them some time to admire his creations, Ace started to explain the event. 

"I have Mech-- or Steel Knights as you can see... I can proudly announce that they are way better than any Steel Knights you've seen... Well, at least you can compare them to the Steel Knights within the game."

There were suddenly whispers going around the plaza as they were stunned to hear Wallace praise his creation that much. 

'He really thinks that he was way better than the Arcanists who created many Steel Knights used by the military...'

'I like it... He has guts...'

'No, its confidence due to the result he had created...'

'Do you think that he already did a sparring match against the military's Steel Knights?'

'Who knows? Maybe that was why he was confident...'

Ace didn't want to brag but he wanted them to treat his Steel Knight differently. 

"Alright, enough about that... I needed the best pilots... Once you're selected, you'll have a chance to own this thing, however... there will be a simple contract... Only those who passed will learn about it. Anyway, I believe that everyone here had passed the Pilot Licensure Exam from Freya... Correct?"

The players looked at each other before nodding. Well, these were top 500 players so it was natural that they all passed that exam.

Aside from that, even if they were selected, it seems that they can still refuse the contract so there was no harm in joining the Pilot Selection. 

Ace then started to let them enter a simulation. However, this simulation would happen inside the Mech Frame.

It sounded simple but it must be remembered that the Mech Frames he created had Quantum Brainwaves Control System.

By utilizing this together with the simulation program from Avalon, a minute inside the virtual world would be half an hour in real life. 

That's right... It was one of the best functions when using QBCS... The only downside is that it can't be used every time as it won't be healthy to the people.

Ace didn't explain it to them as automatons assisted everyone to have a try. Anyway, they are all magicians who had brain-boosting magic so it wouldn't cause any problems at all. 

***

Ace was resting on his seat as he let the players observe and touch the Mech Frames while the first batch of magicians goes in for the simulation. 

'Let's see... I wonder if Avalon was already on the moon...'

He looked at the time and noticed that it was still early and it may still be traveling and was only about to land. 

Anyway, he now has the time to check Avalon's message...

"Asteroid?"

As soon as he reads the report, he did not know why, but he felt a foreboding that this sudden calamity heading on Earth wasn't as simple as it seems.

Ace suddenly gulped at this as he treated this matter seriously.