BATTLE FOR STARS

In matches like this, victory or defeat is basically decided by the mech fighter’s performance in the moment. The Hogan the Great Emperor choosing the one with a slightly lower win rate doesn’t necessarily mean he will lose. And as the ruler of the Resk Empire, even if he loses, it doesn’t matter—he can treat it as a gift to the princess. If he wins, it brings him even more prestige.

“Alright, then we’ll choose Lina,” Belina said.

As she spoke, the arena of the gladiator center below began to change. It was as if a massive bubble rose from the ground, forming a circular battle space.

This bubble was several times larger than the previous arena for sword fighters, since the mechs used by mech fighters were also several times larger than humans. Ding Yufei and the others’ private box also rose higher into the air, giving them a new angle to overlook the entire arena.

Not long after the bubble stabilized, two hexagonal openings appeared on the ground within the circular space. Soon, two mechs rose up from below.

Although Ding Yufei had seen all kinds of combat robots in movies and television since childhood, he had never seen one in reality. As a mech enthusiast—especially a fan of Gundam—he was particularly excited.

He carefully examined the two mechs below. Both were about six to seven meters tall, but their designs were completely different. One was tall and slender, while the other was short and bulky.

Unlike sword fighter matches, mech fighter battles consist of only a single round—it continues from start until a winner is determined.

Each mech enters the arena with the same amount of energy, so energy management during combat is crucial. If one runs out of energy before the match is decided, they’ll be left defenseless.

The weapons each mech carries can be chosen freely, but they are typically melee weapons—daggers, hammers, clubs, and the like. Weapons such as laser guns, electromagnetic cannons, or missiles are not allowed.

Belina had once explained to Ding Yufei the origin of mechs. Initially, they were used for labor in planetary development. Since those environments were harsh, and the most intuitive machine form for humans to operate resembled the human body, this type of manned machine was designed.

Later, mechs became widely used not only for labor but also evolved into a form of combat entertainment in many places. Eventually, in the Resk Empire, they developed into the mech fighter competitions seen today.

Thus, mech fighter matches are essentially contests of operating mechs. They are not only tests of skill and strength, but also battles of intelligence.

Because strategy plays a major role in achieving victory, brute force alone is rarely enough. Due to reaction speed and spatial awareness requirements, most mech fighters are female, while sword fighters are predominantly male.

Mechs are generally seven to eight meters tall, with smaller ones around five to six meters. Their shapes are humanoid, with the cockpit located in the torso.

The simplest way to disable a mech is to destroy either its energy core or its neural control hub. The energy core functions like a battery—without power, the mech becomes a pile of scrap metal.

The neural control hub converts the pilot’s neural signals into operational commands. If it is destroyed, the pilot can no longer control the mech.

Naturally, these two components are the most heavily protected areas in a match—one located in the head, the other in the chest. Besides targeting these, fighters may also attack other parts of the mech. For example, damaging the limbs can render the mech uncontrollable and largely defenseless.

In simple terms, mechs are built to mimic the human body. Damage to certain areas corresponds to similar effects as injuries in humans.

For instance, where humans have muscles, mechs are equipped with numerous nano-vector engines to control movement. If these areas are damaged, the engines are affected, leading to reduced responsiveness. Thus, striking a mech’s legs or arms is just as effective as targeting vital areas.

Perhaps violence is inherently embedded in human genes. When a mech is completely deformed through brute force, it excites the audience the most. Fortunately, mech fighters generally avoid directly attacking the cockpit, so even if the mech is heavily damaged, the pilot usually remains relatively unharmed.

Two naked women stood beside the slowly rising mechs. Once the mechs stabilized, they began introducing the fighters. In truth, all detailed data and records had already been sent to the audience’s personal devices or private boxes—this introduction was mainly to stir excitement.

A triangular prism-shaped robot floated to the center of the arena, casting a spotlight onto Lina.

“The mech fighter under the spotlight is Lina. Her mech is called Eve, known for its agility and speed. Her win rate in the last thirty matches is 80.2%,” the announcer robot’s voice echoed across the arena.

Lina paid little attention to the spotlight. She gave a courteous wave toward the surrounding private boxes, then used the mech’s leg to quickly climb up into the cockpit.

With a slight turn, she sat into the soft seat inside the cockpit. A helmet descended, which she put on. After a quick check, she pressed a button. Immediately, numerous mechanical tendrils extended from the cockpit walls, attaching themselves to various parts of her body.

Once all the tendrils were secured, the cockpit door closed.

A foam-like liquid began to flow into the cockpit, quickly filling the entire space. Shortly after, the substance became semi-solid—something between fluid and sponge-like.

From the private box, Ding Yufei watched Lina’s process. He was actually very familiar with it. The mech operation system was almost identical to the training device he had used on the mothership.

The only difference was that when Ding Yufei operated it, he wore a special tight-fitting suit, while the mech fighters here did not wear clothing.

The reason was simple—the suits were expensive. For fighters who trained and competed daily, it was more practical to operate directly with their bodies connected to the sensors.

Of course, these combat mechs differed significantly from those used in real military operations. The latest military models had already advanced to direct brainwave interfaces.