"Machine Spirit Greatly Pleased?"
Kira wasn't unfamiliar with this concept... He'd often heard about researchers in laboratories employing certain metaphysical methods before starting experiments, alongside scientifically controlling the experimental environment, to ensure smooth progress and desired data output.
However, Kira never believed such metaphysical approaches could actually be effective... At best, they provided psychological comfort.
But this Mr. Lu before him... was saying this with complete seriousness?
"This kind of thing... it's just superstition, right?"
Kira tilted his head in disbelief, still unable to accept that Machine Spirits could genuinely exist.
The moment he spoke, the Strike Gundam's frame trembled slightly. Lu Tianming knew this was likely Xia Chuan protesting against Kira's ignorant remark.
Seeing this, Lu Tianming spread his hands and said with a laugh:
"If you don't believe me, why not try it?"
"Let's both get out, then you bow to the Strike and see if it responds."
As he spoke, Lu Tianming opened the cockpit, appearing genuinely intent on having Kira test it.
Seeing Lu Tianming's confident demeanor, Kira felt confused—could this actually work? Was Mr. Lu secretly running some program to mess with me?
Yet his curiosity made it hard to refuse... After a moment of thought, Kira quickly checked the Strike's operating system to confirm Lu Tianming hadn't tampered with anything, then nodded and followed him out of the Gundam.
After taking a few steps away from the Strike, Kira turned back first, looking at the Gundam before them, then shifting his gaze to Lu Tianming as if seeking permission:
"...Mr. Lu, you're not secretly using some method to remotely control the Strike behind my back, are you?"
He clapped his hands, about to bow... but ultimately hesitated and double-checked again.
Seeing Kira still didn't believe him, Lu Tianming simply raised both hands high, standing in front of him:
"You've already checked the system, and now I'm showing you my hands. You should have no more doubts."
Realizing his earlier covert system check had been noticed, Kira blushed and nodded. Then, with a serious expression, he gazed at the Strike Gundam, took a deep breath, and respectfully bowed three times.
After the three bows, just as he thought nothing had happened and was about to question Lu Tianming—a smooth mechanical whirring sound came from ahead.
He quickly looked up and saw the Strike's head nodding automatically under his gaze—the light in its eye monitors flickered simultaneously, as if responding to Kira's worship.
Witnessing this, Kira was utterly stunned, his entire worldview seemingly shaken. He stared at the Strike that had just moved on its own, unable to calm down for a long time.
"...It actually, actually moved without anyone operating it..."
"Could Machine Spirits really exist in this world?"
"See, I didn't lie to you."
Lu Tianming suppressed his amusement at teasing Kira, patted his shoulder, and said.
Kira nodded blankly, clearly still reeling from the shock to his worldview.
"Next time, try a more formal ritual when worshipping. You might get an even clearer reaction."
Lu Tianming spoke as he walked toward the Strike, preparing to return to the cockpit, leaving Kira alone to gaze at the Assault Suit with mixed emotions.
The clash between his steadfast belief in science and the metaphysical reality before him would likely require some time for him to process.
Just as Lu Tianming reentered the Strike's cockpit, he heard Xia Chuan's unrestrained laughter echoing inside:
"Hahaha, did you see that? All I did was nod, and Kira was scared out of his wits! I can't take it, this is too funny...Although Xia Chuan hadn't directly communicated with Lu Tianming earlier, their tacit understanding allowed him to understand Lu Tianming's intention. Thus, he played along with the "Machine Spirit Greatly Pleased" narrative, putting on a small display of mystique for others.
In a way... Lu Tianming and Xia Chuan couldn't exactly be accused of deceiving Kira.
After all, the Strike truly did have a "Machine Spirit." And it certainly seemed greatly pleased now—just listen to how heartily it was laughing...
"Since we'll inevitably need to communicate in the future, planting the concept of a Machine Spirit in their minds now will make explanations easier down the line."
Lu Tianming shrugged. He hadn't intended to mess with Kira deliberately but saw an opportunity to introduce the cover story of the Machine Spirit.
This way, if he and Xia Chuan were caught chatting later, he could claim he was communing with the Machine Spirit and smoothly brush it off.
"How did it feel after the OS adjustments earlier?"
Lu Tianming shifted the topic back to business, focusing on the results of the recent modifications.
"The physical sensation is fine... but the adjustment process was strange. It felt like I was being kneaded like clay by Kira."
Xia Chuan was relatively satisfied with the outcome, but the memory of the process gave him chills. If not for his current steel body, which couldn't easily shudder, he would have trembled involuntarily.
"It felt... like I was being molded into Kira's shape."
"Let's not phrase it that way... The OS modifications were jointly led by me and Kira. If anything, it was more like I had Kira mold you into my shape."
Lu Tianming analyzed earnestly, correcting Xia Chuan's inaccurate analogy.
"Dammit, that makes it sound like I was violated by both of you."
Xia Chuan frowned—if he even had the ability to do so. He admitted Lu Tianming's point was valid, but why did it sound so weird?
It felt like this sly old fox was setting a verbal trap, waiting for him to fall into it.
"Alright, enough chatting. Let's get to work. Open up the comms system for me—I need to practice contacting the Archangel."
Lu Tianming shrugged, patting the Strike Gundam's control panel as he spoke to Xia Chuan.
Grumbling about why Lu Tianming couldn't press the buttons himself, Xia Chuan reluctantly opened the communication channel—though it was still filled with static, failing to establish a connection with the Archangel.
Just as he was about to take a break, the sound of an engine approached from outside, followed by Murrue's familiar voice:
"Tianming, I've brought people to deliver the Strike's equipment packs!"
Lu Tianming activated the display—sure enough, Murrue had returned with Sai and the others she had summoned earlier, bringing back the Strike's remaining gear.
Lu Tianming initially felt a surge of joy, but then, as if remembering something, his recently lifted brows suddenly sank again.
The joy needed no explanation, naturally stemming from the arrival of other equipment.
As for why his brow furrowed again... that was because, based on his understanding of the original work, it wouldn't be long before Creuset would come breaking in!
That guy... wasn't some simple existence that could be suppressed through performance advantages like when he previously fought the GINN.