I nodded slowly as I stared at Vice Principal Jeanette Wen's beautiful and elegant face, not entirely believing what her words signified.

"Did she just put the words "delicious" and "Golden Mecha" together in one sentence?" I thought incredulously. "She wants me to devour the Golden Mechas???"

"And I suppose you've heard about the two Golden Mechas which are enroute?" She looked at me slyly.

"So that's why she placed me in the same room as Barrick Rui!" My mind instantly realized. "What a sneaky and wonderful Vice Principal I have!"historical

"Hehehehe." Jeanette Wen chuckled lightly at my thunderstruck face. "I am NOT giving you my permission to do anything to the Golden Mechas, of course. I am not allowed to encourage anything that would make the already insane tension we have with the Europeans any worse."

I blinked slowly as I processed her words.

"I am not giving you my permission to.." is different from "I forbid you from..".

Of course I knew the distinction.

The first one was merely her doing her duty by not officially "permitting" me to do something. If I wanted to do it, I would have to do it without her official permission.

The second one would be her personal and explicit order for me to stand down.

I just couldn't believe that she would actually "suggest" such a thing!

"And so, officially, I am not here to discuss doing anything to the Golden Mechas at all. I am here to inform you that in two weeks, the two Golden Mechas will meet at the Kuril Islands, East of Japan for an unofficial spar.

Having two Golden Mechas from the two superpowers in the same place in a joint event is a rare and momentous occasion, and both powers are extremely curious to know which Golden Mecha and ACE pilot is stronger.

Being an outstanding student of the National Mecha Pilot Academy, you are invited to join the Chinese Federation Delegation to watch the spar.

Please bear in mind that we would be in INTERNATIONAL WATERS, and in an area where the Chinese Federation has almost no power, no authority whatsoever.

It would be beyond foolish, and COMPLETELY unthinkable for the Chinese Federation to do anything to the Golden Mechas then. So I am sure that we won't do anything apart from just watching a good show.

Even if bad things were to happen to the Golden Mecha at that time, the Chinese Federation would be at the bottom of the suspect list.

Do you understand what I am talking about?" Vice Principal Jeanette Wen looked at me calmly.

I nodded slowly once more, my mind racing wildly at top speed.

"As with all things, do not take action unless you're absolutely clear that it cannot be traced back to you. Better not to gain an advantage than paint a bullseye on your back for two superpowers. We are trusting you to be completely discreet in this. Can you do that?" Jeanette Wen asked me.

"Of course. I may be just ten years old, but I am probably as smart as a twenty year old." I assured her to the best of my ability.

"As cocky as a twenty year old too." Jeanette Wen muttered while scowling at me lightly. "You two aren't related at all by blood, but you are both so similar. You two must be real brothers in your past lives."

"Hehehe. Don't worry about me. The only one who knows I have Devour is Amelia Dragonos. If you have taken care of her, then I should be able to do that without drawing any suspicions." I said with a confident smile.

"Good. Don't worry about Amelia Dragonos. You just need to be careful and watch out for yourself." Vice Principal Jeanette Wen then gave me an extremely rare cunning smile which made her look completely sneaky and totally unlike the wise and elegant middle aged lady which she so perfectly portrayed at all times.

I couldn't help but laugh at her sneaky look.

Hahaha!

Hahahaha!

Hahahahaha!

Like two evil villains scheming, we both started to laugh. Sinisterly at first, then in outright glee, and finally with ticklish mirth at our own childishness.

Well, her childishness.

I was ten, and had all the rights to my childish laughter.

"What are you two laughing so evilly about?" Bruce Pang said loudly as he opened the door and strode into the room without knocking.

"Hey big bro!" I waved my hand cheerfully at him without bothering to stand up.

Bruce Pang sat down on the sofa next to Jeanette Wen and proceeded to give her a peck on her cheek.

Jeanette Wen blushed lightly like a school girl and then elbowed him away.

"Oof!" Bruce Pang groaned with a massive grin on his face.

"We were just discussing the invitation I received to attend the Golden Mecha spar." I said with a smile.

"Ah yes. So? Can you absorb them?" Unlike Jeanette Wen who still maintained a semblance of political correctness in her words, Bruce Pang smashed through all of that like a charging wild bull.

"Hehehehe. I probably could. But even if I can't absorb the entirety of the two mechas, I can absorb their cores at least." I laughed outright at Bruce Pang's directness.

Jeanette Wen could only sigh deeply.

Well, at least she tried.

"Good. I assume that after you absorb them, you will be able to provide us with the blueprint to create them?" Bruce Pang asked with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

"Yes. And not only that. I will be able to combine them into one and create one with both their strengths and none of their weaknesses." I nodded.

"Good! Very good! Make sure you absorb them cleanly! And if you have to pick one, make sure you pick.."

"The American mecha. I know. You don't have to teach me such basic stuff." I said while rolling my eyes at him.

"WHAT? The American one? Why on Earth woul- Oh." Jeanette Wen's eyes widened in realization and then whistled in appreciation.

"You sneaky bastard." Bruce Pang said in admiration.