Chapter 3: Monte
"Who are you? Where are you heading?"
"Tony. Here's my ID card. I'm going to Nop Planet for a five-year work assignment."
Tony looked at the staff at the space transfer station and spoke calmly.
"Tony?" The staff member took the ID card, and his expression changed slightly when he saw the resume — especially the line: "Formerly the Second Young Master of the Colen Family, surname revoked."
He gave Tony a strange look but said nothing further, simply handing him a card.
"Insert this card into the transfer instrument up ahead. It will automatically teleport you to Nop Planet."
"Thanks," Tony said with a light chuckle, walking steadily toward the space transfer device.
As he passed through the detection zone, two glaring numbers flashed on the Energy level scanner overhead:
21
25
These were Tony's physical Energy level and brain domain Energy level.
The transfer station staff's eyes widened in shock.
"Did I see that right...? That kind of Energy level, right after unlocking the genetic lock? That's a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius!"
"Why would someone like that have his surname revoked... and be sent to a border planet to work?"
"Colen Family... do you even realize the kind of genius you've thrown away...?"
But before he could think further, the teleportation system activated, and Tony's figure disappeared from the station.
---
Swoosh!
In this era of peak technological advancement, space transfer technology had also reached incredible levels of maturity.
Tony's nation, the Meng Keli Empire, was one of the five supreme human civilizations across the universe — a true overlord in cosmic affairs. Their teleportation technology was top-tier even on a galactic scale.
With almost no sense of discomfort, Tony was transported to a heavily industrialized planet.
Nop Planet!
A rugged, brawny man strode toward him, sizing Tony up with a grin.
"Kid, you're here for the five-year work assignment, right?"
Tony nodded and handed over his work permit.
In truth, Tony could have ignored the Colen Family's banishment and started over freely somewhere else.
But when he learned that his assignment was at a logistics mecha repair factory, his interest immediately spiked.
After all, every mechanical part he dismantled earned him Starlight Points.
Where else could he find endless machinery ready to be disassembled if not a logistics repair facility?
Moreover, in his sixteen years of haze under the System's control, Tony had been compulsively disassembling over a million mechanical parts — from basic scraps to the most complex components the Colen Family could provide.
His disassembly skills and mechanical understanding were unparalleled.
Tony gazed at the enormous logistics base filled with the roar of heavy machinery, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
Mecha — the ultimate dream of every Gene Warrior.
With his knowledge and experience, building his own Mecha one day no longer seemed like a fantasy.
The burly man took Tony's permit, frowned at Tony's well-kept, luxurious clothing, and said suspiciously,
"You're registered as technical staff? I thought you'd be a cleaner or data clerk."
"You're not one of those spoiled rich kids trying to 'toughen up,' are you? Listen carefully — this isn't a playground. The front lines are brutal. People die out there. Don't come here thinking it's a vacation."
He glared at Tony distrustfully.
Tony smiled faintly. "I've trained in mechanical assembly and disassembly. I can handle this."
The burly man — whose name was Monte — gave a skeptical snort.
"Mechanical disassembly, huh? Alright then, let's see if you're for real. I'll toss you a few parts. Disassemble and reassemble them. If you succeed, you work in the mechanical division. Otherwise, grab a mop and start cleaning."
"No problem," Tony replied confidently.
"Follow me."
Monte led Tony into a massive mechanical workshop.
---
Inside, dozens of mechanics were busily repairing damaged machinery — battlefield leftovers sent back from the front lines.
When Monte brought Tony in, several workers immediately began whispering and chuckling.
"New guy, huh? Monte?"
"Look at that rich-boy face. Bet he's from some family trying to 'build character.'"
"Better get Wanke to toss him a few scraps to play with."
A wiry mechanic named Wanke laughed and pulled out several simple mechanical assemblies from a pile of damaged equipment.
"Here, rookie. Let's start you off easy."
Clink, clink...
The parts clattered onto Tony's workbench.
Everyone in the shop paused their work, their interest piqued by the newcomer's impending test.
"Alright, Tony," Monte said coolly. "Get to it."
Tony stared at the parts — and for a brief moment, froze.
Not because he didn't recognize them — but because, enhanced by his System, Tony's vision shifted.
It was like gaining X-ray vision: he could see into the internal structure of each part at a glance.
Damage rates, material strength, microfracture data — detailed technical readouts flashed before his eyes.
His mind flooded with information: torsional tension, internal strain, nanocircuit layouts.
It was as if a pair of high-grade analytic lenses had been installed directly into his vision.
Tony's heart surged with excitement.
Understanding mechanical parts was usually a daunting task, requiring deep knowledge and careful observation — one tiny mistake could ruin a part completely.
But now, he could dismantle parts with scientific precision, minimizing any risk of damage.
While Tony was still processing his upgraded vision, Monte's impatient voice snapped him back to reality.
"What's wrong, kid? Frozen already?" Monte sneered. "If you can't handle it, don't waste our time! Go grab a broom!"
Tony smiled coolly, glancing up at Monte.
"Relax," he said. "Watch carefully. You won't want to blink."