Mecha Engineers Are Surprisingly Terrifying

Mecha engineers are great, mecha engineers are wonderful, and mecha engineers make a ton of money.

Holding the admission notice from her school, which had accidentally assigned her to the mecha engineering program instead of the mecha infantry program because of a System error,

Chi Xi, who had been poor all her life, immediately thought of that catchy slogan. Only an idiot would choose to be a mecha infantry soldier, risking their life for a death benefit. True talent belonged in mecha engineering.

Dreaming of being a mecha engineer who could count money until her hands grew tired, Chi Xi arrived at school with a smile and cried when she saw the first question on her entrance exam:

[As shown in the image, briefly describe the performance and characteristics of this heavy, winged mecha, and explain your understanding of its functions.]

She understood each word on its own. Put together, though, how could they be so hard to understand?

If one question didn't work, she could try the next:

[Candidates, please give a brief assessment of the new trend in beetle mechas on the market, including but not limited to their performance, assembly, and materials.]

"…"

Thanks for asking. After reading the whole exam, her only takeaway was that she had a sudden attack of conscience. She'd feel much better collecting a death benefit.

She couldn't stand another day of this godforsaken mecha engineering life.

But the school wouldn't refund her tuition. A penny can stop even a hero, and mecha engineers did get pretty good benefits. They even got paid, unlike mecha infantry soldiers, who only got death benefits.

Thinking about it, Chi Xi gazed at the distance with a world-weary look.

"I get it now. This whole world is forcing mecha infantry soldiers to retrain for new jobs!!!"

So, at the Interstellar Academy League, held once every four years, everyone watched as the supposedly frail mecha engineer charged ahead and punched the opposing mecha infantry soldier's mech to pieces.

Afterward, she didn't forget to hide behind her team's leader and whimper, redefining what it meant to be a delicate mecha engineer.

Interstellar netizens were silent: "I don't get it, but I'm deeply shaken."

The competing schools: "Oh no, I think we've been stabbed in the back."

The mecha infantry soldiers who got punched to pieces: "Who knew mecha engineers could be this terrifying?"

Theme: In the face of hardship, the young will always turn toward the light