Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 36 - Atomic Fart

Chapter 36 - Atomic Fart

It was another day for our practical tests, and once again, Professor Bao had gathered us in the simulation room. The sterile, metallic walls loomed around us, and a faint hum from hidden machinery buzzed in the background, adding to the tension that clung to the air. 

For our batch, stepping into this room was a reminder of past disasters—disasters that had names: Cindy and Remuel. Each of us instinctively kept our distance, casting wary glances at the notorious duo. Even Professor Bao, normally poised and unflappable, had subtly retreated to the corner, her eyes fixed on the floor as if avoiding eye contact might lessen the impending chaos.

"W-why are you looking at us like we're contagious or something?" Cindy's voice cracked the uneasy silence. She crossed her arms defensively, a nervous edge in her tone.

"Y-you know... we just don't want anything exploding and messing up our hair," Myrrh said, forcing a tense smile that did little to hide her apprehension. She tugged a strand of her green-blonde hair, as if remembering the last time it had been singed.

"Hey, it's not my fault that my Ultimate is a self-destruct button!" Cindy snapped, her face flushing. "Blame Remuel for hitting the button in the first place!"

"I-I was only following the Professor's orders!" Remuel's face turned ashen, his voice a high-pitched whine. He shot an accusatory glance at Professor Bao, who remained silent, hugging the wall as if it offered some sort of sanctuary.

"Now, now, settle down, students," Professor Bao's voice cut in, barely hiding a tremor of unease. "This is no time for arguments. My lesson is about to begin." Yet she remained at a safe distance, her body angled slightly away, as if expecting a sudden blast.

"Seriously, it's all your fault, Professor," Remuel muttered under his breath, but his words fell unheard, swept away by the buzzing sounds of the simulation equipment.

Professor Bao, oblivious to the remark, cleared her throat and straightened. "Listen up, WAIFUs and WEEBs. Midterm Exams are fast approaching, and this Clearance Level will be your second-to-last weapon unlock before you reshuffle to your next partners." Her words echoed off the cold metal walls. "This time, we'll be focusing on a heavy-type weapon, usually wielded with both hands of the Frame Unit."

With a few quick taps on her tablet, a soft chime sounded, and our WEEB Systems buzzed to life. A new set of data filled our displays, the words bright and crisp:

[Weaponry Enhancement Engineering Bios]
[Clearance – Level 6]
[Level 1 - Laser Sword]
[Level 2 - Beam Rifle]
[Level 3 - Light Shield]
[Level 4 - Jetpack]
[Level 5 - Ultimate]
[Level 6 - Buster Sword]

"Buster Sword?" I muttered, my eyes narrowing as the name flashed on my screen. The letters hovered in mid-air, surrounded by a faint, digital glow. Myrrh leaned closer, the faint hum of her hologram interface thrumming between us. Her gaze flicked up to the shimmering 3D model of the weapon, its angular form rotating slowly.

"This feels kind of redundant with your Blade Wings, doesn't it?" I asked, glancing at her. The hologram's light cast a faint, bluish tint on Myrrh's face, making her green-blonde hair look like a cascade of luminescent ivy.

She gave a thoughtful nod, her lips pressing into a line. "The shape and size is different," she murmured, studying the thick, menacing blade. 

"That's what she said." I scoffed.

Myrrh rolled her eyes and brushed my jokes off. 

"WAIFUs, to the red line!" Professor Bao's voice rang out, slicing through the low murmur of conversation. "Transform into your Frame Unit mode."