The next morning, Kirran barely slept.
Not because he was excited.
Absolutely not.
Okay.
Maybe a little.
“You’ve checked the clock seven times.” Kirran glanced at Raymond.
“I have not.” “You literally checked it ten seconds ago.” “I was making sure it still worked.” Raymond laughed.
“Sure.” The hover-van drifted through Citron City’s industrial district.
Kirran tapped his fingers against the armrest.
Today was the day.
Today he would finally see the finished upgrades.
Today he would officially begin training.
Today he would take the first real step toward becoming something more than a teacher.
The thought made his stomach twist with anticipation.
Soon, Gear’s Workshop appeared ahead.
The giant building looked exactly as questionable as it had yesterday.
Definitely not because he was excited.
One section of the roof appeared to have been repaired using sheet metal and optimism.
Another section was smoking.
Kirran decided not to ask.
The large garage doors slid open.
Gear stood waiting inside.
And beside him— Mach.
Kirran stopped.
The chair looked incredible.
Its purple armor reflected the workshop lights.
Smooth reinforced plating covered the frame.
New thrusters rested along the rear.
Subtle blue energy lines glowed beneath the surface.
The weapon compartments were almost completely hidden.
It looked faster.
Stronger.
More powerful.
Yet somehow…
It still looked like Mach.
It still looked like Mach.
Mach’s icon appeared.
“Good morning, Kirran.” Kirran laughed.
“You look amazing.” “Thank you.” Mach paused.
“You appear aesthetically acceptable as well.” Gear burst out laughing.
Gear burst out laughing.
“He practiced that.” “I did not.” “…Whoa.” It still looked like Mach.
Mach’s icon appeared.
“Good morning, Kirran.” Kirran laughed.
“You look amazing.” “Thank you.” Mach paused.
“You appear aesthetically acceptable as well.” Gear burst out laughing.
“He practiced that.” “I did not.” “You absolutely did.” Mach’s icon immediately vanished.
Which only proved Gear’s point.
Kirran couldn’t stop smiling.
The upgrades had transformed Mach into something extraordinary.
For the first time, the dream actually felt possible.
◇ ◇ ◇ “All right.” Gear disappeared behind a workbench.
When he returned, he was carrying something folded beneath one arm.
Kirran immediately leaned forward.
“What is that?” “A surprise.” The object unfolded.
Purple.
Black.
Silver.
Kirran’s eyes widened.
A suit.
A real suit.
Not a school uniform.
Not casual clothes.
A genuine hero suit.
Kirran carefully took the suit.
The material felt lightweight.
Flexible.
Durable.
Protective armor reinforced the shoulders and chest.
The design matched Mach perfectly.
Purple trim ran along the sleeves.
The emblem on the chest mirrored the icon displayed on Mach’s interface.
“This is for me?” Gear nodded.
“Custom-built.” Kirran stared at it.
A part of him expected someone to tell him it was a joke.
Nobody did.
For the first time in his life, he held something that felt like it belonged to a hero.
◇ ◇ ◇ Several minutes later, Kirran emerged from the changing room.
The suit fit perfectly.
Maybe a little too perfectly.
He looked down.
Then looked up.
Then looked down again.
“I look ridiculous.” “You look awesome.” “I look ridiculous.” “Those things are not mutually exclusive.” Kirran pointed at Gear.
“You’re not helping.” Raymond walked around him once.
Then twice.
“Huh.” “What?” “You actually pull it off.” Kirran blinked.
“Really?” “No.” The room erupted with laughter.
Kirran groaned.
“You’re all terrible.” ◇ ◇ ◇ Then Gear produced another object.
A helmet.
Kirran immediately forgot about everything else.
The helmet looked sleek and aerodynamic.
A reflective visor covered the front.
The design matched both the suit and Mach.
Kirran carefully accepted it.
“This is awesome.” “You’re going to need it.” “Why?” Gear smiled.
The kind of smile that usually meant danger.
“G-forces.” Kirran paused.
“…What?” ◇ ◇ ◇ A few moments later, Raymond lowered the helmet onto Kirran’s head.
The visor immediately activated.
Data flooded the display.
Altitude.
Speed.
Navigation.
Diagnostic readings.
Targeting systems.
Kirran’s mouth fell open.
“Oh.” “Oh wow.” Everything looked different.
The workshop felt alive.
Machines displayed hidden information.
Equipment labels appeared automatically.
Diagnostic readings floated above nearby devices.
Mach appeared inside the visor display.
“Can you see me?” “Yep.” “Excellent.” “This is incredible.” Gear folded his arms.
“Wait until you fly.” Kirran paused.
“Fly?” “Oh yeah.” Gear pointed toward the rear of the workshop.
“About that.” ◇ ◇ ◇ The massive hangar doors opened.
Kirran rolled outside.
Then stopped.
The training field stretched as far as he could see.
Launch pads.
Flight lanes.
Testing grounds.
Obstacle courses.
And floating throughout the sky— Hundreds of glowing rings.
Kirran stared.
“…What is that?” Gear smiled proudly.
“Your first lesson.” The rings formed a twisting path through the air.
Some hovered just above the ground.
Others floated hundreds of feet overhead.
The course zigzagged across the entire field.
Kirran swallowed.
“How long do we have?” Gear checked his tablet.
“One minute.” Silence.
Kirran blinked.
Mach blinked.
Both slowly turned toward Gear.
“One minute?” “Correct.” Kirran pointed at the endless obstacle course.
“To do all of that?” “Correct.” Mach’s icon appeared.
“I have concerns.” “So do I.” Gear simply smiled.
“Just do your best.” Kirran looked back at the rings.
Then at the sky.
Then at Mach.
The chair hummed softly beneath him.
For the first time, he realized something important.
The upgrades were finished.
The suit was finished.
The equipment was finished.
Now came the difficult part.
Actually learning how to use it.
And judging by the size of the course ahead…
That was going to hurt.