I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Laboratory.

I looked at the damaged left arm of the suit.

The part that had lost power due to Lucas’s attack earlier.

‘He hit the mark perfectly.’

The left arm of the suit, which had lost power because the mana transfer device was damaged.

While I could understand the complete destruction of the attachment because it was removable, the loss of power in the left arm was quite a fresh shock.

To think he aimed for the suit’s blind spot by digging into its connection point.

‘Users of mana who can use the blue eye are indeed troublesome.’

Blue eye.

Lucas awakened his blue eye at a young age, just like Isabella.

Because of that, he can see the flow of mana and make strategic decisions accordingly.

That’s why, instead of targeting the sturdy exterior of the suit, he aimed for the ‘mana transfer device’ where the mana solution flows.

By using a spinning dagger to dig into the suit’s connection points, he created strong vibrations and damaged the mana transfer device that transports the mana solution.

The mana transfer device is in the form of a thin glass tube.

‘Thanks to that, I learned something unexpected.’

The mana transfer device, designed to withstand strong impacts surrounded by various alloys.

However, there was a vulnerable part against strong vibrations.

I had found an unexpected weakness.

That’s why testing any product seems absolutely necessary.

‘Lucas will make a good tester.’

Lucas.

He has a talent for unconventional attacks utilizing spatial distortion.

Who knows what unexpected flaw he will find in the suit next?

Just like how he asked me to learn while eating Macbeth pork tonight, there will surely be things I can learn from him too.

At the very least, today, I’ve managed to modify the suit to be slightly more perfect.

“Then, is the supplement done with this?”

1 AM.

Right after dinner, I diligently worked on the suit’s modifications, successfully replacing the mana transfer devices in all connection points.

Now, I shouldn’t have to worry about losing power in the same way again.

“By the way, I wonder if those guys are doing well.”

After filling my belly and solving the urgent problem, I suddenly thought of the mess of members.

These idiots, they aren’t slacking off just because I’ve been negligent in managing them, are they?

I should check the clubroom.

***

1 AM.

Even at this late hour, the mess of members was diligently studying in the clubroom.

Since tomorrow morning was the day for the regular written exam, they needed to study hard enough to pull an all-nighter to get good grades.

“Ugh… I feel like my head’s going to explode.”

However, there were too many subjects to study.

It wasn’t easy for people from another world to grasp modern physics.

—Kii—iiing!

But when tough moments arrived, the sound of Ed’s repulsor beam recharging would ring in my ears.

His face, smirking with his palm aimed at himself, flickered through my mind.

In the end, I had no choice but to study while crying like a neglected child.

—Zzaak!

Thus, whenever I felt sleepy, I slapped my cheek.

Some members’ cheeks were red enough to feel warm.

Some of them were even suffering from hair loss, with nearly 50% affected.

Now, they were sneaking out their physics books even during Academy class.

It was tough to achieve good grades without doing such things.

‘This is the process of becoming a loyal servant of Edgar Fix! This much is nothing!’

However, some members were actively studying, not just trying to keep up but also preparing in advance.

The so-called loyalist faction.

Those who were captivated by Ed’s dangling carrot.

That was because becoming a member of Ed’s club changed their academy life to an unfathomable extent.

—Hahaha! My son! Well done!

The first change was the shift in gaze from the head of the family.

Now that they were in Ed’s faction, the father had praised them greatly.

‘For the sake of Ed!’

Moreover, recently, the club member president, ‘David’, received a huge reward.

He scored full marks on the last quiz, and Ed rewarded him by personally visiting his home.

David’s family, the Arsen family, stood to gain significantly from that.

Just the rumor of Count Fix visiting his house to dine caused the Arsen family’s reputation to skyrocket in social circles.

‘Oh God! I want to get closer to you!’

Thus, David, who had been busy criticizing Ed, had now become a complete fanatic.

Recently, Ed lifted the restriction that only allowed David’s gauntlet to transform up to the wrist, enabling it to cover up to the center of his palm, making him feel like he was reaching the ceiling.

No matter the situation, he would say, “Hey, can you do this?” while flaunting his gauntlet.

‘David, don’t show off.’

However, there was a mess of member watching David with a disgruntled look.

It was none other than ‘Anthony’, who had directed those in the ‘mosquito net contract’ to line up for the nobility.

He had secured the honorable position of ‘contract guide’ by placing second in the last exam.

After all, he was even wearing an imperial armband and lining up the nobles.

The thrill of being gazed at by the aristocrats then.

Just by showcasing he was in Ed’s line, he could enjoy a high social status.

‘But that’s not enough…!’

However.

His role was strictly limited to that.

From running the mess member club to giving out various minor directives, it was David who was in charge.

Anthony coveted that position.

A place where he could receive direct orders from the Lord Ed.

A chance to see that man up close.

—Hah, boasting just with that?

Thus, when David flaunted his gauntlet not long ago, a confrontation ensued between David and Anthony.

It was only natural that they would clash, vying for the top two spots.

—You seem to have forgotten how rude you were? You said to Count Fix that you were ‘a piece of trash that can’t do anything without equipment’!!

And they fought by exposing each other’s past sins.

When they were criticizing Edgar Fix, they had gotten along well, knowing just how much they both disliked Ed.

That’s why such a revelation war was possible.

—Hah, that’s nothing compared to me! You tried to feed my lord laxatives! You don’t remember? You suggested secretly mixing laxatives into his drink!

—Who was it who said ‘let’s go together’ back then? You were on board too!

—That was just pretending! I never actually did it! If anything, you were the one who did!

—What? What did I do?

—You secretly stole the lord’s writing utensils! To prevent him from writing!

—Th-That’s…

—Anthony.

But at that moment.

A chilling voice that made their blood run cold.

It was Ed.

Having arrived at the clubroom unannounced, he stepped in between the two.

—M-Master… that was…

—Disappointing. I didn’t think you would go as far as to feed laxatives.

—M-Master, I’ve committed a grave sin! Back then, I was just a clueless fool, and I did something so ridiculous!

—David. You’re disappointing too. A piece of trash that can’t do anything without equipment? That hurt my feelings.

—P-Please forgive me! I was crazy! I will never say such things again─!

—Enough. I’m leaving. Let’s not see each other for a while.

Ed spoke coldly and turned away.

With a smirk, he left the clubroom.

And now, a week had passed since that incident.

David and Anthony were studying diligently to make amends for that event.

Academy lessons didn’t matter; they were solely engrossed in physics.

—Bam.

At that moment.

Ed entered, opening the door.

The mess members all stood up to greet Ed.

However, when Ed gestured for them to sit, they all awkwardly sat down.

“I just came to check in. I wanted to see how everyone was doing.”

Ed said this while standing around the members’ desks.

As he flipped through the parts they were studying, he smiled or nodded occasionally, reacting in his own way.

“Didn’t anyone write something bad about me~?”

Ed tossed a not-so-joking joke and flipped through the members’ books.

Some members were so tense that they were sweating profusely.

“Hmm. It seems no one is trying to slander me or plot to feed me laxatives like some do.”

Finally, after circling around to each desk, Ed said that with a smile.

Everyone was on high alert, waiting for Ed’s next words.

“Well then, good work. I’ll see you in the morning.”

With that, Ed left the clubroom.

Many members let out a sigh, staring vacantly into space, feeling a sense of relief.

—Zzaak!

But that was only for a moment.

Those who had slapped their cheeks now grabbed their pens again and focused back on studying.

The exams were right around the corner.

It was almost time to screw up.

***

The next morning.

After finishing the quiz, I casually ripped off some members of the club.

Overall, their grades had improved significantly, so I waved some motivational carrots that I would reward them soon.

After all, you have to tighten the leash and also loosen it just right for things to keep turning.

“David and Anthony seem to be doing alright…”

And surprisingly, I had reaped unexpected results.

David and Anthony.

These guys have a subtle talent for physics.

I felt like if I pushed them harder, they might actually achieve something.

‘And their loyalty is high…’

What I liked the most was that their loyalty to me was extraordinary.

Considering they were merely teenagers between 16 and 18, they showed promise of becoming decent scholars if guided properly.

“Well then…”

Another issue has arisen.

It seems they have invited the crown prince of the Clendor Kingdom due to the exploration of the Sea Wall.

I suspect it’s because the Empire’s navigation skills and shipbuilding lag significantly behind those of the Clendor Kingdom, seemingly seeking technical collaboration by inviting the Clendor prince…

‘It’s going to be quite awkward.’

The problem is the adversarial relationship between the Empire and Clendor.

There was a high chance that Clendor would use this opportunity to put forth unreasonable demands.

Without their navigation skills and ships, approaching the Sea Wall would be impossible.

‘I thought they would just call for me.’

Given the relationship between the two nations, it was puzzling that they didn’t call for me.

With a blacksmith recognized even by the dwarves in the Empire, it’s odd that they reached out to Clendor first.

Elena must have her own reasoning.

Perhaps she doesn’t want to burden me with responsibility any longer.

After all, this expedition is being conducted with hefty national funds, so I’d have to take responsibility for the outcome.

‘For now, let’s wait and see.’

The Clendor prince is set to visit the Empire a week from now.

I can decide after hearing what they bring up.

Still, since the possibility of negotiations falling through is always open, I’d better prepare in advance.

I returned to the lab and used the hologram.

I checked if it was possible to construct a ‘battleship’ that could be used for this expedition.

“…”

As a result, it is possible.

Although countless conditions are attached.