After logging on, Keiko immediately accessed her account and checked the list of available mecha under her account.
Just like what Jeanne said to her before, other than the Sieg MK-1 and Sieg MK-2 that had been there from the beginning, there was another mecha whose name appeared on the list: Hela MK-1.
She clicked the name right away, and a page containing the mecha's detailed profile and information popped up on her visor's screen.
Once she saw the mecha's 3D model, she couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration and check out the big beauties from head to toe. She had to admit that the name Hela had really done the new mecha justice.
If her memory hadn't failed her, Hela—the codename of this mecha, could have been inspired by one of the Norse Mythology goddesses, Hela—the goddess who rules over the underworld realm of the same name, also known as the Bringer of Death and the Children of Destruction.
Speaking of which, she, or to be precise, the former Keiko, also had the moniker "Death Reaper," which was also a great match with the origin of the mecha's name, as if it was built solely for her. She didn't know if it was a coincidence or if the eldest miss had her hand on this too. Either way, it didn't prevent her from falling in love at first sight with this exquisite mecha.
Hela MK-1 was clad mainly in black, with purple accents on several parts all across her body like in her head, booster, joint, and in many delicate places. Unlike the Sieg-type mecha, which was quite bulky and clunky, the Hela MK-1 was more on the leaner side and slightly curvaceous. If she was a real person, her figure would surely attract many covetous gazes as well as envious gazes from men and women alike. From the way she looked, it was clear to the eyes than the mecha, Hela MK-1, was specially designed for female mech pilots.
However, it didn't mean that this mecha was lacking defensive capabilities. In fact, she was made from the latest invention by Feynman, an alloy composite combination of miracle stones, graphene, steel, and many rare metals which made it even sturdier than a pure miracle stone but also lighter. After all, this mecha was designed to be a close-combat-oriented mecha, so it couldn't be so frail that it would be broken easily.
Hela MK-1 was equipped with a mechanism that allowed her limbs to be instantly replaced by a retractable high-frequency blade. If Keiko wanted to, the mecha could have two pairs of blades as a limb instead of a pair of arms and legs. In Keiko's case, it was actually very beneficial for her because, as a swordmaster, she was really familiar with the concept of "man and sword as one" or "sword as an extension of the body."
On her head, there were a pair of horn-like antennas which had the function of sending and receiving the signal from the Tower of Babel. It also provided better control of the mecha.
Speaking of which, Hela MK-1, unlike her predecessor, used a "Complete Synchronization System" instead of a "Micro-motion Synchronization System". It meant that they literally controlled the mecha as if they were controlling their own body.
Just like the vast difference in energy consumption between lifting a 100 kg stone using a lever or without a lever, fully controlling a mecha took a heavy toll on someone's body, it was too much even for Keiko, who was considered to have superhuman strength. Here was where mental strength played its part.
In the old era, many people believed that the power of the mind contained an extraordinary power within it. Telekinetic or psychokinetic power was one of the most famous applications of this power, which was usually demonstrated by bending a spoon or moving an object without touching it.
Sure, most of the people who claimed that they had telekinetic or psychokinetic power were either frauds or street magicians playing their little tricks, but by no means was the whole concept just a madman's gibberish. In fact, the first mecha system was built using the concept as its foundation.
This magical power was able to lessen the burden on the pilot's body by directly sharing its burden, expending a lot of their mental strength. That was why, just like Connie previously, when someone tapped into the mecha system for a long time, they would become both physically and mentally exhausted. Project "Valkyrie's Profile" specifically tried to optimize the usage of a person's mental strength.
Keiko felt a bit nervous but was also very eager to try this new mecha.
After scanning through the mecha's information a little bit more, Keiko closed the mecha's profile page and entered the main menu. She quickly found the mecha battle platform option, selected it, and then a new interface came into her sight.
The mecha battle platform included several modes, including group battle simulation, battle arena, and monster arena.
Group Battle Simulation was the main topic of their summer training camp. Keiko was very familiar with this mode.
Battle Arena was where the soldiers could battle other soldiers using mecha, just like the combat competition, individual mecha battle also had its own ranking. Furthermore, unlike the battle competition that was divided by division, the mecha battle ranking included the entire Federal army.
Keiko was actually quite interested in this mode but quickly dismissed the thought. First, she still had many things on her plate and, in addition to the ever-approaching field training, it was more beneficial for her to fight monsters and familiarize herself with their strength and weaknesses rather than compete with other soldiers, which was only to satiate her curiosity and battle lust.
So, she ignored the other options and decisively selected the Monster Arena. She could do a 1v1 battle, a 1v5 battle, and a 5v5 battle that involved other soldiers, so she wouldn't choose it for the time being. It meant that her only options were a 1v1 battle or a 1v5 battle.
She was excited to test the new mecha's prowess, but before that, she didn't forget to check the Monster Arena's Ranking Board.
Keiko's eyes opened widely, and she almost couldn't control her expression when she saw the name at the top of the ranking list.