Reboot: Mechanic

Seeing Vanessa practically glowing like a majestic being, Shi Tian was finally able to witness her power for the first time. 

The air around her seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy.

And he had suspected that Vanessa was orchestrating something when he observed her actions near the entrance of the Horology Restaurant, but the details remained shrouded in mystery. 

However, it seems like his doubts will be cleared soon. 

"How much do you know about Esper's class, Nathan?" Vanessa's smile held a touch of coldness as she turned to him, her gaze piercing. The question hung in the air, laden with significance.

"Not much, aside from the fact that the Esper class is considered more specialized compared to a Magus class," Shi Tian replied, his tone reflective of his limited knowledge. 

He had encountered information about different class types, but the specifics of the Esper class had remained relatively obscure.

Vanessa's smile deepened, a subtle blend of amusement and satisfaction. 

"Esper class individuals are indeed rare, and the prudent ones would avoid exposing their abilities. It's no wonder that you're not well-versed in the topic."

The distinction between an Esper and a Magus class individual wasn't always clear-cut. 

The shared use of Magicules was a commonality, but the underlying nature of their abilities set them apart. An Esper's power was often more tightly focused and honed, making their abilities seem almost tailored to their unique strengths.

Shi Tian didn't doubt her claim about the Esper Class refusing to expose their abilities. 

After all, the principle of not revealing one's hidden trump card was a strategic rule known to many. It was a display of wisdom to keep one's most potent abilities concealed from enemies and opponents until the opportune moment.

"You can cover fire for me, right?" Vanessa's inquiry cut through the tense air. Her hands began to weave intricate patterns, manipulating the ambient Magicules around her.

Shi Tian nodded his head. 

His response was immediate and confident. "I got you covered." 

He readied his stance, his left hand gripping a pistol, while his mechanical right arm remained poised, ready to deal a decisive strike.

"Then let the show begin," Vanessa declared, setting her power into motion. 

The very ground beneath them quivered, and outside the entrance of the Horology Restaurant, deep fissures erupted, crisscrossing the area like the aftermath of an earthquake.

The force of her ability was staggering, akin to experiencing the tremors of an 8.1 magnitude quake. The surrounding chaos seemed almost secondary as the ground itself rebelled against normalcy, serving as a testament to the immense power Vanessa commanded.

Casualties continued to rise thanks to the sudden magnitude, but Vanessa paid no heed to it, harnessing her power further. 

Since Gearits City was practically turning a blind eye to such a preposterous action from her enemies, then why should she be polite to them? 

Amidst the seismic upheaval caused by Vanessa's unleashed abilities, Shi Tian's attention sharpened. 

A few seconds later, Shi Tian felt something similar. 'It's that same feeling again when our table was demolished.' 

A sense of danger rippled through the atmosphere, alerting him to an imminent threat. With instincts honed by countless life-and-death situations, he picked up on the telltale signs of danger directed at Vanessa.

As his keen senses detected the trajectory of a thrown Tomahawk aimed at Vanessa, Shi Tian's response was swift and decisive. 

Activating the advanced capabilities of his boosters' suit, he surged forward with heightened speed and momentum. Every movement was a testament to his precise control over the suit's technology after many practices.

His mechanical right arm, now a formidable tool in its own right, rose to intercept the incoming Tomahawk. With a calculated burst of power, he generated an impressive 3 Ton Force, effectively redirecting the projectile's path away from Vanessa's vulnerable position.

However, Shi Tian still felt a sense of numbness in his right hand, proving that the enemy's strength was beyond his estimation. 

His right hand trembled a bit as his attention focused on the deflected Tomahawk that had shattered the walls by their right side. 

"Whoever is throwing the Tomahawk should be a Berserker. Only they will have this much strength." Shi Tian exclaimed. 

"It's not over yet, Nathan. Three more Tomahawks are aimed at us right now." Despite focusing on her power, Vanessa's high perception detected more danger and warned Shi Tian.

"No worries, the more the merrier," he retorted, his voice carrying a cold determination. With a decisive leap forward, he positioned himself to intercept the impending barrage of Tomahawks.

Faced with three more projectiles, Shi Tian abandoned restraint and unleashed his power to its fullest extent. 

Five Ton Force surged through him, his mechanical right hand now a formidable weapon. He gauged the trajectory of each incoming Tomahawk, calculating their origin points with uncanny accuracy.

As the Tomahawks hurtled toward him, Shi Tian's actions were fluid and seamless. He deflected each projectile with precision. The pain and numbness that followed each impact were mere afterthoughts, eclipsed by his unwavering determination to safeguard Vanessa and himself.

Ignoring the pain, Shi Tian shifted his stance, and changed the gear form of his mechanical right arm, revealing his palm. A neon blue light began to swirl, rapidly gaining intensity. 

"You like to throw weapons? Then here's the payback," Shi Tian declared with a calculated sneer. With a surge of power, he triggered his Lightbeam, a deadly arc of energy that cut through the air.

Guided by his prediction of the enemies' location, the neon blue beam cleaved through the space with lethal intent.

As the neon blue light blazed forth, the battlefield shifted, marking the transition from defense to retaliation.

With the detonation of the potent Lightbeam, Shi Tian's mechanical arm expended its energy, rendering it temporarily inactive. The intricate mechanisms that powered the arm needed a brief pause to recharge before they could be fully operational once more.

Returning to Vanessa's side, Shi Tian conveyed the truth that his defensive capabilities were nearly depleted. 

"I can probably only stall for some more minutes. Are you done with your preparation?" Shi Tian asked. 

Vanessa nodded her head and smiled coldly. 

"Just in time for the finale."