Deus Ex Machina

Chapter 2

"I will go straight to the point, the government would like to take in possession of the ship, of course, The Avar Kingdom will give you contribution for it, we will also consider this as a way of repayment for the Avaran Kingdom," Inspector Cherry said as she faced Machina who was sitting in the opposite of her.

"Contribution and repayment, huh? doesn't that sound honorable? " Machina nodded, seemingly of understanding what she meant. This made Inspector Cherry sigh in relief, "Yes, this is a great honor for a student like you"

Avaran Kingdom system was fairly simple, though, it was only on the surface but it was the same as a scholarship or loan in Machina's past life, the 'help' everyone received had to be 'repaid' with money or something from the possession of the said person.

This rule was implemented by the nobles who didn't want to help for free, as for the contribution, it was a rule made by the 1st king of the Avaran Kingdom to continue the prosperity of the Avaran Kingdom; he was a good king, unfortunately, the people under him were not, especially his descendants.

But suddenly, Machina lifted his head and looked at Inspector Cherry coldly, "but it only lasted for a moment and did not get noticed by Inspector Cherry, "Excuse me but what do I have to repay? And contribution? why do I have to contribute? That doesn't sound like something I'm obliged to do"

"What do you mean!? please don't act dumb, repay the Avaran Kingdom for its years of help given to you, and as a citizen of the Avaran Kingdom everyone must contribute to the kingdom for greater prosperity, this will also make the people look up to you as a person with great contribution to the Avaran Kingdom!!" Inspector Cherry felt furious from Machina's act dumb attitude.

"Oh, it's like that I see, I see, that is good propaganda" Machina nodded again, then he looked at Inspector Cherry in the eye, "The things you said sounded so good to be true, but yeah, let me ask you a few things"

"I will answer it if I have knowledge about it"

Inspector Cherry was confused at first but still nodded, what she said really sounds to be true but she will convince Machina and finish her mission here once and for all, Machina then smiled amicably "Don't worry about it, my questions are fairly simple"

"Okay"

"First, what you said repaying the Avaran Kingdom the help they gave me, yes, we all know we have to repay help that was given to us even without saying it, but you see Inspector Cherry, look at your surrounds and where are we? Do you really think someone that was helped by the Avaran Kingdom will live in a place like Junk City? what do you think?" Machina spread his arms and let Inspector Cherry be aware of what she meant by a person 'helped' by the Avaran Kingdom.

"I-" the inspector wanted to give a suitable reply, but no words came out. Yes, if Machina had the help of the Avaran Kingdom, will he live in a place like Junk City? no matter how you think about it, no person would be willing to live in a place like this.

"Since you have nothing to say, I will continue. " Machina smiled seeing Inspector Cherry not being able to rebuke him,  these 'Dogs of the nobles' were really stupid.

"Secondly, as I said earlier, I am not obliged to contribute to the Avaran Kingdom, because, I never had the reason to, just think about it or if you 'studied' you know that even though Avaran Kindom was only a few kilometers away from the Junk City, it was never really part of their territory, and I live here, do you know what that means Inspector Cherry?" Machina asked in a seducing voice.

Inspector Cherry continued to worsen as she heard Machina's words, every word he said was either the truth and also insulting, Junk City was 25 miles/40km away from the Avaran Kingdom, this place was really just a landfill of the Avaran Kingdom, they dared to do it because no one owned this place.

And that also meant Machina is not a citizen of the Avaran Kingdom, but an outsider with nothing to do with the Avaran Kingdom, 'We are finished, there is no way for us to take the ship with us, that stupid noble kid will sh*t on us, taking by force also doesn't work, is a stupid move that will wipe us out! goddamn it! how about using authority?

Inspector Cherry glanced at Machina then looked away immediately, 'Much dumber, he is from the Red Mech Academy which has a greater backing than the Avaran Kingdom, messing with them is no different from digging your own grave.

'Wait, Red Mech Academy! that's it!' Inspector Cherry's eyes shone then she looked at Machina with gleaming eyes.

"How about you entering the Red Mech Academy? it's a prestigious Academy that only the children of nobles can enter?" Inspector Chery asked with a smile, and she was right, the moment she said that a hint of panic appeared in Machina's face though, it was only for a moment, it was enough for Inspector Cherry.

"Now tell me! if the Avaran Kingdom didn't help you? How could you enter the Red Academy? is it backdoor? or it was the Avaran Kingdom that helped you?" Inspector Cherry became excited. Getting into Red Mech Academy via backdoor is a great crime that was punishable by death, Machina couldn't possibly enter that way since no one was willing to do so.

The only thing possible was getting the help of the Avaran Kingdom. Machina has no way got away with this! Seeing the look of horror on Machina's face, Inspector Cherry's smile also got wider. a little more push and she will finally be able to get the ship and have her promotion!

Machina seemed to struggle for a few bits before finally speaking, "I didn't think you were this stupid and retarded Inspector Cherry"

"Inspector Cherry, I'm saying this the last time, I don't have anything to repay nor to contribute to the Avaran Kingdom, you can go back and study first," Machina said his final decision.

"Mister Machina! enough of these insults and answer my question!" Inspector Cherry lashed out with anger, she had been called dumb, stupid, and retarded by a person younger than her today, it was very humiliating.

"Inspector Cherry, I'm not insulting but stating the facts, I mean, have you ever even thought about what you were saying? There was a wise saying 'think before you speak' and you speak without even thinking" Machina looked at her with disdain. She did not differ from the Karen's from his past life, probably even worse!

Inspector glared at Machina, clearly not taking what he said into mind. Machina clicked his tongue, "If you still don't understand, let me tell you, do you really think the Avaran Kingdom has any influence inside the Red Mech Academy? and if you still don't use that thing on your head, here" Machina threw his ID towards the table.

Inspector Cherry looked at Machina full of anger but she can't really do anything, she snorted not believing what Machina said earlier, she clearly lost her reason for thinking and just wanted to take Machina down, but the moment she looked at the ID, her face turned ashen.

"What do you think, ashen one?" Machina joked, seeing Inspector Cherry's reaction.

[ID- 327402 RMA69]

Name: Deus Machina.

Student Rank: Green Rank

2nd Year Student.

Inspector Cherry seemed to have lost all of her strength and slumped on her chair looking at the skies, 'it's over, I messed up with a Green Rank Student' Inspector Cherry wanted to cry, Red Mech Academy has rankings for its students, it was also considered their 'status' in the school.

They based their ranking system based on rainbows, with violet being the lowest, the freshmen of the academy, and Red being the highest which is the Headmaster of the school, and the Headmaster of the school almost had its status comparable to the king of the Avaran Kingdom.

A green rank was even higher than the Baron noble Inspector Cherry was serving, a single word from Machina was enough to take their heads off or even be exiled, this was normal, the existence of Red Mech Academy is like a titan in the eyes of normal people.

Only a few groups can go against them, as Inspector Cherry was lamenting her fate, a commotion was happening outside, it sounded like a person was barging in and her men couldn't stop it no matter what they do.

"Where is Machina!? if something happens to the boy I will take you all to the hell with me!"

"Machina! are you okay!?"

Machina who was looking at Inspector Cherry with disdain reacted when he heard the voices, he immediately stood up and ran outside the tent they were staying in, "Granny May! Grandpa Jack! what are you two doing here?" Machina asked in surprise as he saw two elderly people making their way toward him while the men in black were trying to stop them but they didn't dare to get too close to the old couple.

"Oh Machina! thank god you are okay!" Granny May walked towards Machina, "Meow!" the black cat on her shoulders also meowed seemingly showing its worries to Machina, "I'm fine" Machina showed a warm smile as he saw them looking all around him to see if he was injured.

"Sorry, we were late Machina, We just went out to buy some things but when we returned this is what we saw! I hope they didn't do anything to you" Grandpa Jack said patting Machina on the shoulders.

"Like I said I'm fine, I already took care of it" Machina pointed at Inspector Cherry who had her head down looking very defeated, Grandpa Jack And Granny May looked at each other gave a smile, "As expected of you Machina, but don't worry, I will make sure no one will make trouble here again" Granny May took Machina's hands and caressed it.

Machina looked at the two old couple and could not help but be emotional, these two couples were not his true family, not his guardians either, they were people he met when he was living in the Junk City, though, they were strangers, the 2 years they have been together they became a family.

'Is this how a family feels like' Machina thought, in his past life, he also had a family but even if you call them a family, they act like strangers, it was funny that he thought about it, your family was the strangers and the strangers became your family.

No one ever worried about Machina before, well, there are some people but this was the first time Machina felt like this was his real family, he couldn't help but get emotional Machina gave a smile, "Yes"

"Good now let's go back, I made your favorite fried Chicken today," Grandpa Jack immediately pulled Machina and went back to their 'home' leaving the Avaran Police Department who already started packing.

Inspector Cherry returned to their quarters, she wanted to do nothing today but sleep away the sorrow she was feeling, thankfully, Machina didn't do anything to her, she was happy with that, but she almost lost her life today,

If it was another student from the Red Mech Academy, she will probably get executed immediately, she sighed and finally went into a deep sleep.

"..."

The next day, Machina woke up early and started dressing up in his uniform, today was Wednesday and he had school, in the end, he wasn't able to even start his Mech project which made him upset, but oh well, he only lost a day.

Machina got out of his room and was immediately met with the delicious smell of the breakfast made by Grandpa Jack, "Goodmorning Machina, its time to eat!" Grandpa Jack greeted with energy.

In this house, Grandpa Jack was in charge of house chores while Grandma May well, Machina doesn't know what she does but she was extremely rich, it was very weird for a rich like her to live in a place like the Junk City.

"Good morning Grandpa" Machina greeted back and sat on the chair and started eating his breakfast, "Oh yeah, I will take you to your school today, I have something to do in the city"

"Sure, thanks"