Freya and Freddy followed Rennick inside the workshop.
As Freya came inside the workshop her brows furrowed even more looking at the state of the messy workshop but she held herself back to say anything as she followed Rennick with her uncle.
Rennick led them to the hanger of the workshop where Tempered Blade was stored obscured in dark due to the dim lighting.
When they entered the hanger and looked at the silhouette of the mech in the dark, Freya kept her brows furrowed still being skeptical and Freddy had an excited expression painted on his face.
Rennick switched on the lights illuminating the figure of the Tempered Blade for them to see, it stood imposingly giving of a feeling as if looking at a grizzled warrior that came straight out of a fantasy book with its faded blue armor.
As both Freya and Freddy looked at the mech with their expression frozen on their face, Rennick although confident in his design didn't know if they liked it or not. Fortunately, Freddy's next words gave him slight sense of relief.
"Boy, you've really outdone yourself this time." Freddy said his expression in awe of the imposing swordsman mech.
Rennick relaxed slightly at the words, a small but genuine smile playing on his lips. "I'm glad it meets expectations." "So, what do you think, Freya?
They both turned to Freya. She was still studying the mech closely, arms folded.
"So, what do you think?" Freddy asked, hopeful. "Doesn't it look great?"
"It certainly looks good. I'd like to see if it also has substance and not only style." She said looking at the mech.
Her voice carried no hostility, just a professional skepticism. That much, at least, Rennick could respect.
"Why not?" he replied, tone even. "Go and test it yourself."
Without another word, Freya peeled off her bomber jacket and handed it to Freddy, revealing the sleek black lining of her pilot suit beneath. With practiced steps, she approached the lift on the side of the platform, her gaze never leaving the mech's chest-mounted cockpit.
Inside the cockpit, Freya settled into the ergonomic seat, strapping herself with familiar ease, she observed her surroundings, the controls being standard intuitive and clean. She pressed the button causing the latch to be closed and booting the mech interfacing her brain with the mech through the neural interface as the data from the different parts of the mech flowed into her brain and the HUD of the cockpit lit up. As she turned on the mech and run some diagnostics on the subsystems.
Outside, Rennick and Freddy watched as the Tempered Blade powered on. The faded helmet's visor lit up with a steady crimson glow. The engraved cosmetic runes—dormant and unnoticed before—now shimmered faintly with warm light from beneath the Armor, giving the mech the aura of a slumbering beast awakened.
"It looks wonderful," Freddy said under his breath.
Inside, Freya's eyes narrowed as system data streamed into her mind. The interface was lean and efficient. No clutter. No bloat. She immediately understood the design intent—this was a blade, not a gadget.
She tested the neural response delay. Clean. No lingering echo between input and movement. She shifted the mech's limbs one by one, checking the range of motion. Each arm and leg followed her neural signals with surprising smoothness.
Then she took it outside.
The Tempered Blade marched slowly at first, step by step out of the hangar's open bay. Its boots clanked against the platform before sinking softly into the soil of the open clearing beyond. Sunlight caught on the faded plating, giving it the look of an aged warrior stepping onto the battlefield again.
Freya accelerated, testing its gait and posture. The mech responded with confidence, each movement echoing the strength of a firm stance and a clear purpose.
She drew the sword from its back.
The mechanism was smooth; the weapon balanced perfectly in hand. She performed a few test slashes—wide arcs, controlled thrusts, defensive guards. Her neural interface pulsed steadily with each movement.
Rennick and Freddy stood at the edge of the field, watching in silence.
"She's already getting a feel for it," Freddy noted.
"Mm," Rennick replied, watching closely.
After a while, she returned the blade to its sheath and walked the mech back.
As the cockpit opened and she descended, Rennick stepped forward. "Well?"
Freya hesitated. Then she looked up at the mech, and for the first time, her expression softened slightly.
"It's better than I expected," she admitted. "A lot better. I have piloted very few mechs as responsive as this."
Rennick nodded in satisfaction, "Glad, it was up to your expectations."
Freddy clapped both hands together. "Then, that's settled! I'll call the crew to load it up and get it delivered."
Freya nodded and finally smiled lightly.
As they walked back into the workshop, Rennick remembered something and asked, "By the way, Freddy, what did you mean yesterday when you said, 'I called you just in time.'?"
Freddy looked up remembering and smacked his head, "How could I forget, the count asked our group to provide a bodyguard for your visit to the Coalition."
Rennick raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked. "Why? I am going with Jean anyway, he will have some count's guards with him, right?"
"Besides, why would I need guards anyway?" Rennick asked shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, the news is that Jean won't be with you since he is travelling with the other nobles including the second prince, for you know, noble business." Freddy said air-quoting the "Noble business."
As Rennick was about to rebuke again, Freddy held up his hands, "I know it won't be much dangerous but you still have to account for some unseen accidents."
Rennick stayed silent listening to Freddy as he thought, 'He is not entirely wrong, with the risk of meeting Ves and the recent surge in pirates in the area and adding to that the chaos at Bentheim. I think it will be good to account for any unforeseen events.'
"Okay..." Rennick nodded and looked at Freddy, "So, who have decided for the job?"
Freddy smiled at Rennick's agreement and gestured toward Freya who was looking around the workshop idly.
Rennick looked at him incredulously, "Her?" Rennick exclaimed loudly enough for Freya to finally pay attention.
"She just graduated, and you are assigning her as my bodyguard?" Rennick said loudly enough for Freya to hear his words.
Freya scowled and said, "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
Rennick ignored her protest, looking at Freddy demanding answers, "Well, you said it yourself, right? That, you don't need much protection?" Freddy said half joking causing both Rennick and Freya to bulge their vein in anger. Rennick being angry at Freddy for joking and Freya being angry for him and Rennick to underestimate her skills.
Looking at their angry faces, Freddy's lips twitched as he raised his hands placatingly, "Let's calm down, I was just joking." Freddy said trying to quell their anger. "In all seriousness, Rennick you shouldn't underestimate her skills, she has graduated from Protectorate's Royal Mech Pilot academy with top score in her class." Freddy said causing Freya to puff up and smirk at the praise and nodded in agreement.
"Adding to that, she also has experience with some missions that were assigned to her by Big brother. So, she also has real combat experience." Freddy said adding to his previous statement.
Seeing Rennick still slightly unconvinced look, he said, "Look, trust me a little, okay? I won't foolishly risk your life; you know that right?"
Rennick sighed after thinking a while, "Fine, do what you want."
Freya gave him a satisfied look listening his agreement.
This was going to be an interesting trip.