I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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The eyes of the Sword Master Illeya narrowed slightly.

It was because the mana manipulation of some unknown guy facing his daughter was suspicious.

“Gram, who is that guy?”

Therefore, Illeya asked his right-hand man Gram about Edgar.

Since Gram had kept track of the Academy’s movements while Illeya was in seclusion, an immediate answer came forth.

“That guy is Edgar Fix. He’s a celebrity at the Empire Academy.”

“…Fix? Is he a commoner?”

“Yes. He reportedly became a special student at the Academy after his abilities were acknowledged.”

Illeya’s expression changed dramatically.

The serious frown he had worn the whole time faded away, and he looked at his daughter and Edgar with a dazed expression, as if he had just been struck in the head with a hammer.

“Enya… with a mere commoner…?”

Sword Master Illeya.

Having been raised by a nurse since childhood, he was somewhat lenient towards commoners.

No, going beyond lenience, he was someone who mingled with commoners as friends.

After all, he had embarked on a journey from the age of 17 to 20.

During that time, Illeya made numerous commoner friends, and that experience allowed him to keep commoners close even after becoming the lord of the Cruel Territory.

“Dad, I have a friend now.”

So, when he heard the news that his daughter had made a friend who was a commoner, he was secretly delighted.

Since his daughter only had the children of dukes as friends, he hoped she would go out into a broader world and gain insight by meeting various people.

However, he didn’t wish for her to fall in love with a commoner.

He simply hoped she could gain diverse perspectives and experiences by having commoner friends, but the idea of her sharing romantic feelings with a commoner was simply unacceptable.

Especially in a context where such an imbalanced relationship between the noble and the commoner was concerned.

“How can you… maintain such stable mana manipulation… even in front of my daughter…?”

Moreover, it was apparent to Illeya.

His daughter was carelessly scattering her mana all over the place, while that guy was gathering an enormous amount of mana in his chest without the slightest bit of agitation.

This meant the guy didn’t feel any emotional turmoil while interacting with his daughter, while Illeya’s daughter couldn’t control her emotions when dealing with him.

It indicated that his daughter unilaterally liked that guy.

“Ah…”

In an instant, his head spun.

That guy’s calm mana manipulation was infuriating.

How could Enya, the most beautiful woman in the Cruel Territory and a prodigy in swordsmanship, show interest without any sign of emotional disturbance?

Of course, that didn’t mean he wished for them to develop feelings for each other.

Even if he had acknowledged the guy’s capabilities, the fact remained that he was a commoner.

He couldn’t allow his daughter to be labeled “the commoner’s girl.”

Especially in the noble society where numerous interests intertwine, such a humiliating label would be a political suicide, so for the sake of his daughter’s future, he needed to cut off such inappropriate relations early on.

“Gram.”

“Yes, Master.”

Thus, Illeya called his trustworthy right-hand man.

He then issued his first command to protect his daughter.

“Did you say Edgar Fix? Report everything you know about that commoner.”

***

After the awards ceremony, class assignments began.

The top 50 were assigned to S-class.

From 51 to 100, it was A-class.

From 101 to 151, it was B-class.

From 152 to 200, it was C-class.

From 201 to 250, it was D-class.

Any cadets outside that range received an F-class assignment, and some cadets voluntarily withdrew due to the shock of receiving an F-class.

Of course, I was assigned to S-class.

I came in 38th out of 50.

If the gauntlet had held up and I had participated in the third and fourth rounds as well, my ranking might have been higher, but it didn’t matter to me.

“Now, I will start assigning dormitories. The S-class dormitory is A building, with a basic setup of one person per room…”

After that, the instructor began assigning dormitories, which meant they would be assigned different grades based on their ranking.

In other words, the A dormitory where S-class students stayed had facilities that were incredibly good, with a basic setup of one person per room.

It was needless to say about the gym and training room included in the dormitory.

“Next is an explanation of the subjects that can be taken.”

Additionally, S-class students could attend lectures by all professors.

Other cadets could only attend lectures corresponding to their grade.

This meant if there was a B-class student, they could not attend A-class restricted lectures.

“So when I call your name, come forward and take your ID and key from the table.”

After the general guidance ended, the ID and dorm keys were distributed based on grades.

And the key I received was for Room 0.

In other words, I was assigned the rooftop room of the dormitory.

‘As expected, even when reincarnated into the game, the room assigned to the player is the same.’

Room 0.

The fact that this room was assigned to me meant that the trigger of “El Pandor Runtera” applied even after I was reincarnated into the game.

Because the moment a player is assigned to S-class, everyone will get Room 0 without exception.

In other words, now that dormitory keys are being distributed randomly, the assignment of Room 0 to me was not a coincidence but a necessary occurrence.

“It’s unfortunate for those assigned to Room 0. As you may know, due to the recommendation of Her Highness the Princess and the Chief Professor, one additional student was rapidly added, necessitating the conversion of the rooftop room into accommodations.”

And the reason why the rooftop room was provided was exactly as I had known.

It was an explanation that they had no choice but to convert the rooftop room for the urgent acceptance of one new student.

This time, I was that new student, but originally, it was set up for the addition of a scion from some count’s family.

“Now, let’s disperse to our assigned accommodations. Unpack your belongings and be informed of the detailed rules in the dormitory by the dorm supervisor.”

Anyway, I ended up being assigned to the rooftop room, just like in the original scenario of the game.

As I walked toward my assigned accommodation, I began to recall the rooftop room events I had experienced every time I had tried to retry the game.

A small smile crept onto my face.

‘Will it be the same this time? Having a secret party and getting a collective penalty as a result.’

Thinking back, there had been many events.

“El Pandor Runtera” was a relationship-based game, so major NPCs often sought the player.

And the rooftop room was the optimal place to establish relationships with various NPCs.

There was the thrill of secretly planning unscrupulous activities while avoiding the gaze of the dorm supervisor, along with the ambiance and romance that only a rooftop could provide.

‘Perhaps, it might be easier to lie on the roof with Enya and gaze at the stars.’

Originally, it would take an entire semester to establish a friendship with Enya.

In the game, I couldn’t choose the topic of “Baldoza” when conversing with Enya.

So the key event of watching the stars and chatting with her would only occur after the end of the first semester.

However, now I was pulling that important event forward.

It was quite a favorable starting line.

“Hmmm. Should I prepare a little bit?”

With that said, a good idea struck me.

Since the event is going to happen anyway, why not prepare thoroughly for it?

For example, I could set up equipment to grill meat in advance, or build a soundproof system so that the dorm supervisor wouldn’t notice if we made a racket.

Since we are going to have fun anyway, let’s actually be prepared for it.

Coincidentally, I had an incredible ability to prepare for such things.

Imagining that future made my heart race with the desire to remodel the rooftop room quickly.

I couldn’t believe I’d experience the excitement I had felt while playing this game in reality.

I hurried my steps toward the dormitory.

***

The next day.

Notices had been posted all over the Academy.

It was to inform the cadets about the start of classes.

However, the number of courses was a mere 53 or so.

There were 20 courses from esteemed professors like Elena, and the remaining 33 were from various instructors.

To take those professors’ lectures, one had to be at least C-class.

And some professors preferred their lectures to be limited to A-class or higher.

– Chief Professor Elena is quite bold.

– For us, it’s a thank you.

However, “The Basics of Mana” class opened by Elena was an exception.

Despite being the chief professor, she allowed all cadets to attend.

This was her consideration to nurture as many talents as possible.

Understanding “mana,” which is the basis of all combat, is essential for skill improvement, so she wanted to give opportunities to struggling students.

“Hmmm… I’ll pass on the Basics of Mana.”

But Edgar was an exception.

He was already being coached 1:1 under Elena.

Originally, he would have tried to audit the Basics of Mana, but since he became Elena’s disciple, there was no need for that anymore.

He was already receiving tailored education on unfamiliar spells in a 1:1 setting, so there was no need to waste time.

‘Since there are limits to the spells I can use, how about attending Professor Gracia’s lecture?’

Thus, Edgar focused on Professor Gracia’s lecture.

It was a course taught by a Sword Master, so he believed it would benefit his physical-oriented style.

As he skimmed through the course overview, he saw that it contained precisely the information he needed.

《Course Title: Proper Mana Manipulation for Physical Enhancement》

[Instructor: Gracia von Deleryk]

[Number of Students: 75]

[Grade Restriction: B grade]

[Credits/Hours: 3 Credits / 3 Hours]

■Course Introduction

This course aims to establish the five elemental requirements of various martial arts—footwork, breathing techniques, evasive techniques, movement techniques, and attack techniques—both theoretically and practically present the correct mana manipulation for students to set a proper direction in their martial way.

‘Not bad.’

Edgar nodded.

The only spells he could use were those inscribed on the core mana stone, so Gracia’s teaching on “physical enhancement” was suitable for him.

‘However… although it teaches the five elements required in various martial arts, I feel like my weapon might be an exception.’

The only concern was that his weapon was entirely different from others.

As he shot plasma beams and created plasma lightsabers to annihilate enemies, would Gracia be able to establish the five elements suitable for that?

Someone who had only dealt with cold weapons throughout his life would undoubtedly look confused if he asked to be taught how to shoot plasma beams effectively.

‘But there’s no choice. After all, he’s a Sword Master. I’m sure it will help.’

Still, Edgar decided to choose Professor Gracia.

In the game, when he attended his lecture, his character’s stats and abilities greatly increased.

That alone was proof that the lectures he taught were invaluable.

Edgar wrote down Professor Gracia’s lecture in his course application.

‘Hmmm~. So it’s Professor Gracia, huh?’

And there was someone keeping a close watch on Edgar’s choice.

That someone was none other than Isabella.

She was secretly eavesdropping on Edgar’s decision using her magic.

She wanted to closely follow all of Edgar’s lectures just to get involved with someone as interesting as him.

‘Edgar… So you have an interest in swordsmanship.’

Likewise, Enya, who was sneaking glances at Edgar from the side, was the same.

She also smiled slightly and wrote down that lecture in her application.

This way, when they discuss sword techniques, they could have a deeper conversation.

‘Haha, that guy who beat me because of equipment wants to learn swordsmanship? How amusing.’

Max Zigmund was also fully focused on Edgar’s decision.

It was to settle the score for his previous defeat.

‘I, I want to take the same lecture as Lord Fix!’

Charlotte, who barely made it into B-class at rank 50, had also written down that lecture in her application.

Having developed admiration for Edgar through the first and second assessments, she wanted to follow his every move.

‘How convenient. I was planning to properly learn spear techniques anyway.’

Additionally, Claire, who ranked 9th in S-class, was also paying attention to Edgar.

To investigate what made Edgar peculiar toward Enya, she needed to overlap with him in at least his lectures and a couple of subjects.

– You are choosing that subject?

– Oh, that sounds interesting.

– As expected, it’s commendable for a commoner to choose such a course.

– I, I can take it too!

In that way, Edgar was being watched without even realizing it.

By those who either hated him, admired him, found him interesting, or liked him.

‘Why aren’t you taking my class!?’

Additionally, he was being observed by his beloved teacher.