Reborn in The Legendary Mechanic

The noise of the training room greeted me like a warning. Mistakes cost too much here. The clanking of metal, the short shouts, the blows echoing off the walls-all of it creating an inexorable rhythm that you either obey or quit, leaving ambition and honor behind.

Gravity, magnified one and a half times, pressed down on my shoulders, making every movement a challenge. I could feel the pain in my muscles with every step. Even in this enhanced body, which was regenerating at inhuman speed, I still felt my superiority over ordinary humans-and my helplessness before the supers.

Garth stood against the wall like a block of stone, glaring at me. His massive figure inspired confidence, and the slight grin on his lips was irritation.

- So, genius, are you going to prove to us again today that you're not hopeless? - He smirked, rolling the practice hammer in his hand.

I let his words pass. Giving in to irritation meant I'd lost before I'd even begun.

Rickard stepped forward, light and confident, as if anticipating another lesson. He held his practice swords, one of which he held out to me.

- Do you want it? Or are you just going to stand there and think about your grand plans? - His voice sounded calm, but his gaze was cold.

I took the sword, feeling its weight. No strength or speed made up for the lack of technique.

- Come on, surprise me, - Rikard grinned, taking a stand.

The first blow was swift, too fast for my perception. I didn't even notice the movement until the vibration echoed in my fingers and the sword flew out of my hand.

- Slowly. Clumsy, - he commented, not even changing his expression.

I raised my sword and lunged, but Rikard dodged easily. His blade knocked the weapon out of my hand again.

- Are you going to keep your center of gravity somewhere in space for much longer? - He asked mockingly.

- Wider legs, - Garth added, stepping closer. His muffled voice sounded tired. - Hold the weapon for at least five seconds, and then we'll see what you're good for.

I squeezed the hilt, trying to suppress the rising anger.

- Ready? - Rickard asked, adopting a new stance.

- Come on, - I mumbled, preparing for the next round.

We repeated the moves over and over until my muscles were burning with tension. Rickard stood across from me, his posture perfectly straight, and every step, every movement seemed calibrated to the millimeter. He moved so smoothly that it was as if his body was being controlled by some kind of internal metronome.

I tried to repeat after him, but my attempts looked pathetic. My hands were shaking, my stance was collapsing under my own weight, and my punches were too slow to seriously threaten him.

- Too slow, - he repeated over and over, his voice calm, but it only made the remarks more annoying. - You're waiting for me to attack instead of setting the rhythm yourself.

Gritting my teeth, I raised my sword. My gaze met his: there was no contempt or mockery, only cold appraisal.

- All right, try this, - Garth interjected, unable to bear the sight. His massive figure appeared from the side, and he grabbed my arm roughly, forcing my sword down. - Do you even know how to hold a weapon?

- I kind of do, - I said, though I felt like a kid in a class with a strict teacher.

- Yeah? That doesn't sound like a yes, - he mumbled, adjusting my stance. - Listen to this. First of all, you're spreading your legs too wide. With that balance, you could just get kicked and fall over.

He moved my feet closer together, forcing me to shift my weight to the front of my feet.

- Second, the arms. You're holding the sword like a flagpole, not a weapon. Arms closer to your body, elbows slightly bent. You have to be compact. Ready for any strike.

His rough corrections were uncomfortable, but I obediently repeated after him until Rickard shifted forward.

- Let's see how this goes, - he said, raising his sword to a fighting stance.

His attack was lightning fast, as always. But this time I was able to fend it off, albeit barely. The blades met with a thud, and the vibration of the collision traveled down my arms like a warning.

- Progress, - he said, taking a step back. - But it's a start.

I tried to throw a punch, remembering how he'd shown me the proper move, but Rickard ducked easily.

- It's too obvious. You're attacking as if you're warning me.

Garth chuckled to the side, watching my unsuccessful attempts.

- He could use a little rage, - he said, shaking his head. - You move like a mechanical puppet, genius. Where's the excitement? Where's the desire?

Rikard paid no attention to his words. He continued:

- Your sword is not just a tool. It is an extension of you. If you don't feel it as part of your body, you'll never be able to use it properly.

His words were annoying, but true. I raised the sword again, trying to focus.

- Repeat after me, - he said, stepping forward.

He showed me the basic movement: a smooth transition from a stance to an attack, then a parry and a quick counterattack. It looked so simple, so elegant, that I felt as if I could repeat it without difficulty.

But my attempt came out snaggy again. My hands moved too slowly, my feet got tangled, and the sword nearly slipped out of my palm.

- No, no, no! - Garth shouted, stepping closer. - You're too tight! Relax your shoulders, move naturally!

He corrected my arms, then raised the practice hammer himself and lunged. His movement was sharp but controlled, and I was able to block the blow with my sword in time.

- That's it! - he said as he stepped back. - Now use this!

Rikard attacked again, his blows getting faster and faster, but I had time to react. My movements weren't perfect, but I was starting to feel the rhythm.

- Better, - he said when I was able to make the first counterattack. - But you're still too slow.

We continued for several more hours. I fell down, got up, endured taunts and received valuable instruction. My body burned with exertion and my breathing became heavy, but the only thing on my mind was: "One more time. Try again."

By the end of the training session, I was able to fend off three punches in a row, even launching a counterattack that nearly reached its target.

- He's not hopeless, - Garth concluded, putting the hammer away.

- It was obvious from the start, - Rickard added, smiling slightly. - If he keeps this up, maybe we'll see a real mercenary.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, feeling the fatigue creeping in, but somewhere inside I felt pride. It was only the beginning, but I had already taken the first step.

The hours of training seemed like an eternity, each moment fractured into pain and effort. Every movement felt like a searing pain in my muscles, as if my body was protesting against the strain. I fell, got up, fell again, feeling the whole world shrink to one arena, one sword in my hand and the target in front of me.

- Get up, you're still alive! - Garth's voice broke the silence of my thoughts, his tone both mocking and demanding.

I stood up, breathing hard, feeling my muscles burning under the unfamiliar tension. It was at that moment that I noticed Kate, who walked silently to the edge of the training room. Her gaze was sharp, as if she saw not my movements, but every slip and weakness.

- Ellarion, - her voice sounded unexpectedly soft, but there was a stern note in it, - you're spending too much energy on blocks.

I looked at her, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

- You try to stand like a rock, but that's not your forte.

- What is mine then? - I exhaled, feeling my legs shaking with fatigue.

Kate stepped forward, picking up a practice sword from the weapon rack. Her movements were quick and graceful, like a bird of prey ready to dash.

- Evasion, - she said, raising her sword. - You're not Garth, and you're certainly not Rickard. Your strength is in your brains. Move in such a way that the enemy can't predict where you'll end up.

She began to demonstrate how to dodge, her movements smooth and precise. She seemed to glide across the surface without even touching the ground.

- Imagine you're dancing, - she added, taking a light step to the side, dodging the imaginary blow.

I tried to do it again, but my movements were jerky, angular. My legs felt as if they refused to obey, and every step was accompanied by pain in my knees and feet.

- No, smoother. Move with the flow, not against it, - Kate said patiently. Her voice was calm but firm.

I tried it again. A step to the left, then a roll to the right, but each time my movements looked clumsy.

- You're too stiff, - came the voice of Rickard, who was standing nearby, watching us try. - Relax your shoulders, stop trying to control everything.

- Easy for me to say, - I mumbled, feeling my breathing getting heavier.

Kate frowned, but instead of rebuking me, she moved closer, showing the movement again, slower.

- Imagine you're in a stream of water. Every blow from your enemy is a wave. You're not countering it, you're flowing around it.

I closed my eyes, trying to visualize it. A blow. Evasion. Counterattack. It all has to be a single movement.

I took another step. It went a little better this time.

- Better, - Kate said briefly, stepping aside. - But we won't stop there.

At that moment Garth intervened. His massive figure stepped closer, and he hummed loudly.

- If he doesn't even pick up a sword tomorrow, your dancing will be useless, - he said, his arms folded across his chest.

- Are you suggesting that he become like you? - Kate asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

- No. But he has brains. Let him use them.

I nodded silently, feeling my body shaking with fatigue. But there was a desire burning inside me. A desire to be better. Every stroke, every piece of advice was a new step forward, however small.

Today was only the first day.

***

The second day started the same way as the first - no, not with an obsessive thought of pain that wasn't there, but of what lay ahead of me. But once I was in the training room, I realized that today's challenge would be very different.

Brann was waiting for me in the center of the arena, leaning habitually against one of the terminals. His smirk was cocky, but there was no malice in it. Six drones circled around him, their streamlined bodies resembling metal wasps. Every movement of the machines was graceful, almost predatory, and the green optical sensors flickered as if searching for a weakness.

- Good morning, future champion, - Brann said, tossing one of the drones into the palm of his hand with ease.

- Today you will dance. And this dance is not for the weak.

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to hide the tension.

- Are these your toys? - I asked, nodding at the drones.

- Toys? - Brann laughed, tossing the drone away, which immediately soared upward. - They're multi-functional combat drones. Fly faster than you think, and attack more painfully than you're prepared for.

- What am I supposed to do?

Brann turned to the console, activating the training program. A holographic field flickered above the arena, slowly filling with scenery. Mangled metal panels resembling ruins appeared. They scattered chaotically around the hall, creating the illusion of a post-apocalyptic battlefield.

- The mission is simple, - Brenn explained, looking at the console screen. - Destroy all six drones. But that wasn't all.

Holograms began to appear in the arena: soldiers with rifles, swift fighters with swords, and even massive robots armed with heavy weapons. Their movements were frighteningly realistic, and I forgot for a moment that they were just projections.

- The holograms won't hurt you, but every hit they take will be your downfall. And the drones," he grinned, - will bring pleasure to me and pain to you.

I looked around. The battlefield seemed alive. The hologram panels cast light, and the space seemed larger than it really was. I checked my gear. In my right hand was a practice sword, and on my left was a gauntlet with blunt claws. Even without the sharp edges, they looked impressive.

- Ready? - Brenn asked, putting his fingers on the control panel. His voice sounded calm, but I could feel him savoring this moment.

- Always, - I answered, clenching the hilt of my sword. My voice trembled, but Brann pretended not to notice.

He activated the drill, and the drones immediately scattered in different directions. Their movement was fast and chaotic. One of them dived sharply downward, as if testing my reaction.

- Go, Ellarion! Dance or fall! - Brenn shouted.

The drones scattered instantly, their movements swift and erratic, like birds of prey looking for prey. One of them darted toward me, releasing a bright energy charge. I rolled to the side, but immediately felt a holographic shot whiz past me. It sliced through the air just centimeters away from me, making my heart clench.

- Too slow! - Brenn shouted, his voice full of irritation. - Move faster, or they'll eat you alive!

I jumped to my feet, trying to keep all the enemies in sight. It was harder than I expected. The drone attacked from my right flank, moving so fast that I barely had time to draw my sword. Metal met metal, and I felt a vibration in my hand. But before I could counterattack, the drone dodged and circled around me as if taunting me.

- Aim for the articulations! - came Kate's sharp voice from the observation post.

Her words forced me to focus. The next drone was diving overhead. I instinctively threw my claws forward. The blades collided with the hull of the machine, slicing it apart. There was a grinding sound, and oil spurted out of the collapsing drone like blood from a wound.

- I got one, - I exhaled, trying to catch my breath.

But there was no time for joy. Counterattack. It all has to be a single movement. I took another step. It went a little better this time.

- Better, - Kate said briefly, stepping aside. - But we won't stop there. At that moment Garth intervened.

His massive figure stepped closer, and he hummed loudly.

- If he doesn't even pick up a sword tomorrow, your dancing will be useless, - he said, his arms folded across his chest.

- Are you suggesting that he become like you? - Kate asked, raising an eyebrow slightly. - No. But he has brains. Let him use them.

I nodded silently, feeling my body shaking with fatigue. But there was a desire burning inside me. A desire to be better. Every stroke, every piece of advice was a new step forward, however small. Today was only the first day.

The drones began to act more coherently, their movements perfectly coordinated. They surrounded me, attacking from different directions. One of them fired a volley from the left, and the other one came at me from behind. I dodged the shot, and then, without wasting time, jumped up, evading the attack of the second one. I spun around in midair, swung my sword, and sliced through the drone's hull.

- Not bad, - Brenn said. His voice sounded restrained, without apparent approval. - But it's still too slow.

There are two drones left. They'd obviously changed tactics, synchronizing their attacks. One was distracting me from a distance while the other was getting closer. I pretended to lunge at the distant one, but at the last moment I abruptly changed direction. The claw strike struck the engine of the closer drone, crushing its sensor module. It collapsed to the floor, making a final clicking sound.

The last drone tried to keep its distance, firing to keep me away. I quickly slid to the left, dodging its volleys, then leapt forward. My sword slammed into his hull with force, and it was over.

When the fight was over, I fell to the floor, trying to catch my breath. My lungs burned, my muscles shook, and sweat dripped down my face.

- You did it, - Brenn said, stepping closer. His voice was calm, but there was a touch of respect in his eyes. - But speed is still your enemy.

- Will it be harder tomorrow? - I asked, wiping my face with my hand.

- Naturally, - he grinned, turning back to the console. - Welcome to reality, Ellarion.

I barely had time to catch my breath when the arena began to change. The holograms disappeared, and the hall was empty again. The metal floor shook beneath me, as if anticipating the new torture that awaited me.

- Well, Ellarion, - Brenn's voice came out. - Do you think that's the end of it?

I gave him a tired look, but I didn't even speak.

- The answer's wrong, - he continued, winking at Kate, who was standing off to the side, rubbing her hands together. - Now we're going to work on where you fail the most.

Kate took a step forward, her gaze focused and her smile chilling. Literally. She swung her hand, and icy streaks began to appear on the floor.

- Balance, dodge, and control, - she explained, activating a series of holograms that began to swirl around me.

- Control, huh? - I muttered, trying to regain my breath.

Kate didn't answer, instead raising her palm, and a thin layer of frost rose around me. The metal floor became as slippery as ice on a winter lake.

- Your task is simple: move, don't fall, and dodge anything that comes flying at you. It will help with balance and coordination.

The holograms activated instantly. The first two opponents appeared in different corners of the hall and immediately began to attack. One threw an energy projectile at me, while the other pulled out his sword and rushed forward.

I jumped to the side, trying to avoid the projectile, but the slippery floor made my feet separate. Keeping my balance, I took a step forward, trying to meet the swordsman. The sword in my hand was surprisingly heavy, but I managed to parry the blow, albeit with difficulty.

- More flexibility! - Kate shouted, watching me.

I tried to shift my weight to my left foot, but I slipped again. The holographic swordsman took advantage of the moment, hitting me in the shoulder. The light on the training shield flashed red.

- One hit, - Brann noted. - Not bad for a start.

- That was the first hit! - I snapped at the second holographic enemy.

The holograms started moving faster. I tried to dodge, but the icy floor made every move an ordeal. My sword seemed to grow heavier by the moment, and my arms shook with fatigue.

- You need to move differently, - Kate said, moving closer. - Use the power of your body, not just your legs. Gliding can be your ally.

She gave me an example, gliding effortlessly across the room like a dancer on ice. I tried to do it again, but my movements were abrupt and clumsy.

- Smoother. Imagine that you're not fending off blows, but directing them. Use your opponent's energy to keep your balance.

I concentrated, trying to follow her advice. When the next holographic swordsman lunged, I didn't block the blow directly. Instead, I let his sword slide over my blade, drawing it away. It worked. Not only did I avoid the blow, but I kept my balance.

- That's better, - Kate said.

Meanwhile, Brann had stepped up the program. Now it wasn't just swords, but energy charges as well. I ducked, fell, got up again, each time trying to improve my movements.

The training lasted over an hour. When it finally ended, I literally collapsed on the icy floor, feeling my whole body screaming with fatigue.

- You're starting to understand how to use your surroundings, - Kate said, coming closer. - But there's still a lot of work to do.

Brann nodded, turning off the program.

- This is just the beginning. Tomorrow we'll work on speed. In the meantime, rest, Ellarion. You'll need it.

I nodded, still lying on the cold floor.

***

The training room greeted me with a new, truly brutal challenge. The air was dense and thick, like it was trying to resist my every breath. Three times the gravity was pressing on my shoulders and chest, every movement requiring effort beyond my usual limits. My steps felt incredibly heavy, as if I were trying to navigate a swamp filled with viscous syrup.

The floor beneath my feet was mirror-smooth and deceptively beautiful. Thin streaks of frost pierced the surface of the arena, creating intricate patterns. It was Kate's work - her magic was already beginning to make itself known. The cold seeped through the soles of my boots, traveling up my legs, only to be stopped by an unpleasant burning in my chest.

I involuntarily clenched my fingers on the hilt of my training sword. The weapon seemed too light, too unreliable in this environment, where even breathing was difficult.

In the center of the arena stood Rickard. His posture radiated relaxed confidence. His sword rested on his shoulder as if it were a decorative element rather than a weapon. The mocking smile on his face left no doubt: he was already certain of my defeat.

- You're going to work your ass off today, - he said, stepping forward. His movements were smooth, almost graceful, like a predatory animal sure of its prey.

- I don't doubt it, - I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.

Kate stood at the edge of the arena. Her figure resembled a conductor directing a cold chorus of invisible elements. Her hands moved subtly, but with a kind of frightening precision. The ice continued to spread across the floor, turning the arena into a trap.

- Is that it? - Her voice sounded tinkling, like a mocking bell. Her eyes glittered with anticipation. - I hope you don't freeze until you learn to move.

She made a wide sweep of her arm, and the frosty breath of the arena became more tangible. New icy patterns ran across the floor, connecting the loose areas into a single field of mirrored, deadly smoothness.

I felt my lungs begin to work faster, releasing clouds of vapor into the air. A frosty mist began to billow around me, creating an atmosphere of even greater isolation. There was no one here and now but me and my opponents.

- Here we go! - Brann shouted from the observation post, his voice cutting the silence like a knife.

Rickard raised his sword and took the first step forward. His movements were effortless, as if gravity existed only for me. My body tensed, my muscles working to the limit, and my mind prepared for the inevitable challenge.

His sword flew toward me like lightning, leaving a faint glow in the cold air. I raised my blade to parry the blow, but the force of the collision sent a searing pain through my palms. My fingers were numb, and I could barely hold the sword.

- Focus, - Rickard said with that annoying teacher's tone that only added weight to my efforts.

He stepped forward in a deceptive motion. His blade, as if alive, rushed at my defenses once more. I ducked, but the slippery ice beneath my feet played its part. My legs parted, and I lost my balance, barely managing to keep from falling.

- Slow, - he commented, taking a step back, as if to give me a chance to correct my mistake. - You're too predictable.

Kate's laughter came from upstairs. Her voice was as cold as the frosty wind, leaving no doubt that she was enjoying my failures.

- Catch, - she said with a sneer.

The next moment, a block of ice flew toward me. I tried to dodge, but gravity made it slow and hard to move. The ice projectile shattered next to me, and the shards dug into the surface of the arena, creating deep cracks.

- Let me cool you down some more," Kate continued, and a wave of frosty air rose around me. The cold was getting under my skin, slowing even my thoughts.

Rikard lunged forward again. His sword was not just a weapon, but an extension of himself. Every movement was perfect, every move calculated to the last detail. I tried to parry, but my blows looked pathetic against his finely honed technique.

- Are you waiting for me to make a mistake? - he asked mockingly, blocking my attempted counterattack. - It was useless.

I raised my claws, hoping to catch him off guard. However, my lunge was predictable, and he easily dodged, making me lose my balance again.

At that moment, an icy spike burst out from under my feet. I barely had time to jump back to avoid the impact, but the slippery ice played tricks on me again.

- Don't forget your surroundings, - Kate said, her voice full of irony.

- Thanks for the advice, - I hissed, sweat beading in my eyes.

Rickard was relentless in his onslaught. Each of his attacks matched me with Kate's perfectly coordinated blows. She created ice barriers, blocks and spikes, leaving me with less and less room to maneuver.

But despite the pain and fatigue, I began to notice a pattern. Their actions were connected. Rickard was trapping me in Kate's traps, her magic forcing me to open myself to his attacks. They worked as one, and I knew the only way to survive was to break that bond.

I pretended to exhale, slowing my movements. It gave them a false sense of superiority.

Rikard immediately tried to seize the moment, but I shifted to the right, avoiding his attack, and counterattacked. My claws met his sword, catching the hilt and causing it to lose rhythm.

- Better, - he admitted, but there was a strained restraint in his voice.

Kate raised her hand, and ice spikes began to grow around me, creating a dangerous environment. But instead of avoiding them, I used them to maneuver, sinking my claws into one of the spikes and tumbling over it to dodge another attack.

- Not bad, - she said, but there was something like respect in her gaze.

Every move I made was difficult, but I was beginning to feel gravity becoming a part of my body. The training continued, and I realized that even though I was losing, I was getting stronger.

Kate raised her hand again, her magic swirling ice spikes around the arena, turning it into a dangerous field of traps. My movements became increasingly cautious: any mistake risked falling or being hit by an icy projectile.

Rickard continued to advance, his sword moving at an alarming speed. I fought off his blows, but I could feel my muscles shaking with fatigue. He was relentless. Each attack forced me to use up strength I was already struggling to find.

- Ellarion, you're doing well, - he said, but his tone was far from complimentary. - But that was all.

As he threw another punch, I noticed that Kate lost concentration for a moment, creating a new ice spike. This was a chance.

I pretended to rush toward Rickard, but at the last moment I changed direction, rushing toward Kate. The ice beneath my feet creaked and crumbled, but I used it to accelerate, sliding across the surface.

- Look out! - Rickard shouted, but too late.

Kate managed to raise a protective barrier of magic, but her claws dug into it, leaving deep cracks. I struck again, sword and claws at the same time. Her barrier failed. My blade stopped a few centimeters from her neck, and the training shield flashed a bright "defeat" signal.

She backed away, barely breathing, her gaze a mixture of annoyance and surprise.

- Didn't expect that? - I asked, trying to catch my breath.

- You're learning, - she replied, her voice harsh, but there was no anger in it. - But that wasn't all.

Rickard was already at my side. His sword slammed into my defense before I could turn around. I barely deflected the blow, feeling the vibration run through the hilt of my sword.

- I warned you, - he said, attacking again.

It was a one-on-one fight now. The ice was no longer restraining me, and I was able to focus on Rickard. His style was fast, precise, each blow calculated to exhaust and wear me down.

But I was beginning to understand his rhythm. He sacrificed defense for speed, and that became my goal.

I made a few false lunges, forcing him to move in a circle. His steps became a little shorter and his breathing a little heavier. I waited for the moment when he would make his mistake.

And he did.

When Rickard threw a sharp blow, I dodged to the left, leaving his side exposed. My sword met his armor, activating the strike signal. His training shield flickered, but it wasn't out yet.

- Good, - he said, backing away.

I lunged forward, hoping to end the fight. But he was ready. At the last moment, his sword deflected my blow, and then he stepped forward, closer than I expected.

- And now it's my turn, - he said.

His blade delivered a series of blows, each one calculated to break my rhythm. I tried to block, but his strength and speed outmatched mine. The final blow knocked the sword out of my hand, and his claws lodged in his defenses.

I was left unarmed, and his sword was already at my neck.

- Nice try, - he said, lowering his blade. - You almost won.

I stood there, breathing hard, feeling the icy air burning my lungs.

- Not nearly enough, - I said, trying to catch my breath.

- For the third day? More than enough, - Kate interjected, stepping closer. - You've shown more than expected.

Rickard held out his sword to me, and I took it, realizing that the fight was over.

- Tomorrow will be harder, - he said. - But you'll be fine.

I nodded silently, realizing that each new day was not only a challenge, but a step toward becoming stronger.