"Impossible—Geim System!?"
Hagane's squad reeled over the comms, hearing Thurisuz's declaration. Understandable—they fought Valsion Kai's Geim System in the last war and rescued Princess Shine at Riksent. They know its danger.
Thanks to canon knowledge, I knew Bergelmir had it. Unfazed, I drew Gun Rapier, deploying beam gatlings and linear railgun.
"Think your attacks can hit me with Geim System active?" Thurisuz sneered.
I smirked back, dripping contempt. "New humanity, huh? All talk, no action. Your mouth's the only thing superior."
"You dare mock me, lowly human!?"
His enraged rifle shots came, but Geim System or not, his hot-headedness dulled any threat. If they're new humanity, they should fix that temper. Canon says Machinery Children—except Originator Uruz—were designed unstable, test cases for the real thing, not true new humans.
Dodging his shots with small maneuvers, I taunted, "New humanity can't land a hit on an old human? Is that the spec?"
"Shut up! You're a century too early to lecture me!"
Thurisuz's Bergelmir deployed semicircular thunder-drum-like gear, forming a spinning ring, firing magatama-like projectiles.
"Tch, Adaman Harpe, Nine-Tail Mode!"
Whips slashed four magatamas; vulcan pods destroyed one. One left.
"T-LINK System, full contact! Psychic Field, max output!"
The last magatama hit my field. I reverted Harpe to scythe mode, slicing it.
"A mere human blocks my attack so easily!?" Thurisuz gaped.
Using Chronos's boosters, I dove into his guard, deploying railgun and Lanze Kanone.
"New humanity? Know your place!"
Gun Rapier took the right arm, railgun the left, Kanone both legs—Bergelmir a limbless husk. Grabbing its head, I commed Ansuz's Bergelmir.
"Self-proclaimed new human Thurisuz lost pathetically. Your move, Ansuz."
"Fine, I'll retreat. But I'm reporting this to Papa."
"Do it. Feff okayed force."
Ansuz glared hatefully, then fled to Earth Cradle. …Wait, what about Thurisuz? I'm stuck with him?
Sighing at the unconscious Thurisuz—out from Geim System strain and damage—I assumed Ansuz would take him. Good thing I brought Ladybird.
To Hagane: "Sorry for the ruckus. I'm out."
Spotting Bildbilger among them, I added, "Arado Balanga, that's you."
"Huh? Me? What's up?"
"That guy I fought will target you relentlessly. Keep flopping like last time, and you won't protect what matters most."
"I know! I'll take back Zeola and Ouka!"
"Good. Get stronger—past them, Inspectors, me. Then your twin birds will soar."
"What's that mean?"
Ignoring his confusion, I deployed ASRS, vanishing.
"Mass-produced W, you there?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Meet at the rendezvous."
"Understood."
Bergelmir's limbs, Machine Cell-enhanced, were half-regenerated. Feff's deal was Uruz's safety—Thurisuz could die. Tempted to absorb him; Machinery Children have the Genius skill—unlearnable, boosting hit, evasion, crit. Normally, I'd absorb without question.
But Machine Cells, derived from Aerogater's Zfylud Crystals, self-regenerate and evolve. Absorbing risks a Devil Glowseiver scenario—me as its bio-part. No thanks.
"Another round here, and Hagane spots us. Accelerate!"
Grabbing Bergelmir's head, I sped to Ladybird.
Docked Glowseiver in Ladybird, tossing Bergelmir to a corner. Its limbs and magatamas nearly fully regenerated.
"Repaired, huh? Could ditch you, but I captured you."
Exiting Glowseiver, I kicked Bergelmir's armor.
"Stop faking. Out."
Its cockpit popped; Thurisuz lunged with a knife, swift as expected of "new humanity." But my stats and skills aren't for show.
Dodging his thrust with a half-turn, I kicked his elbow, shattering it—rebirth growth and Infight LV.8 at work.
"Gah!"
Thurisuz clutched his arm, crouching. I kicked his face upward, grabbing his throat.
"Guh!"
Machine Cells or not, he couldn't move, only glare.
"What's wrong, new human? Getting schooled by a lowly human?"
His eyes burned with hate.
"No remorse, huh? Needs more discipline. Machine Cells regenerate, right? As long as you live, injuries don't matter."
Tightened my grip—enough to rip flesh on a normal human. His body held, but his eyes shifted from hate to fear.
"Choose: more discipline, or obey."
"I… obey," he choked.
Releasing him, I slammed him against the wall.
"Even Machinery Children learn there's always someone stronger. Think before you speak. Got it?"
Thurisuz nodded frantically, hitting the wall.
"Do what you want till Earth Cradle. Feff gets you there."
Left the hangar. He'll either grow stronger or retreat into his shell. His choice.
"Captain Axel, sorry for the trouble," Feff greeted at Earth Cradle, Uruz at his side, eyeing me defiantly—likely knowing Thurisuz's fate.
"No big deal. They ignored orders, so force it was, as discussed."
"Fair. I agreed to it."
Bergelmir was unloaded, Thurisuz likely in the cockpit.
"Thurisuz called himself new humanity, but he's emotional, unstable. Is that their trait?"
"No. Only Uruz is a true Machinery Child. Others are experimental," Feff explained.
So, Thurisuz is just a prototype.
"Got it. Try not to waste my time again."
"I'll be careful. Thanks."
Feff hid his intent—using me to test his Children—but his thanks were flawless. He's the real threat.
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