I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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“Then shall we move on to the next stage.”

Ed, having finished the wearable robot blueprint with Fix, immediately commenced the next phase.

He created a standardized system called ‘Fix Standards’ to produce parts that met those specifications.

In mechanical engineering, having a unified standard is essential.

– Clang! Clang! Clang!

As the blacksmiths were busy crafting parts, Ed began setting up facilities to mass-produce basic parts like bolts and nuts.

It was impractical for hundreds of blacksmiths to produce parts at a consistent level, so machines were necessary for this task.

“I’ve already made some.”

However, Ed had already built such machines.

Tired of making suit parts by hand every time, Ed had created the setup to allow for mass production.

“Wow·····.”

Thus, Ed began constructing facilities capable of large-scale production with Fix.

Since they had done it before, using Handicraft Level 3 with Fix, they could easily establish the setup.

The blacksmiths watched Ed’s incredible handiwork in awe.

“Gather around for a moment.”

Now all that remained was to train them.

Ed gathered the blacksmiths and the engineering corps to teach them how to use the equipment.

He meticulously explained the necessary processes for making parts, detailing the roles of the equipment and what the workers needed to do.

“Now, I will demonstrate.”

Having finished the theoretical explanation, Ed began to show a practical demonstration.

He would physically demonstrate what each worker needed to do at each stage.

“The first step is ‘Incoming Raw Materials.’ After inspecting whether there are issues with the raw materials needed to make bolts, just input the materials, and you’re done. To check, you use this machine.”

Ed said this while holding up the machine.

This machine, made with emerald mana stones and magic formulas, analyzed whether the raw material was suitable by checking its components.

Soon, with a click, an ‘O’ appeared on the machine, and Ed looked around at the engineering corps.

“When there are no issues, the O sign lights up. Then, you can input it directly into the equipment. Conversely, if the raw material is defective—”

– Click.

“Then you get an X mark. If there are any defective parts, you must take them outside instead of placing them in the equipment. Understood?”

It wasn’t difficult at all.

It was simply about confirming whether it was normal or not.

As everyone nodded, Ed pointed to the equipment and said.

“When the raw materials are input into the equipment, it melts the raw material using the magic formulas installed inside. The melted raw material then moves through pipes, gradually cooling, molds into the shape of a bolt, and is expelled outside the rails.”

No sooner had Ed finished speaking than a part molded into the shape of a bolt was expelled outside.

The expelled part spilled onto the rails and began to move along the moving rails when Ed stepped to the end of the rails and spoke.

“And another worker will be assigned here. To check for defects.”

Ed said this, knocking away a part that appeared defective.

The defective bolt fell into a pre-prepared wooden box.

“This process is simple. Gather defective parts in the box, and once it’s full, hand it over to the raw material input worker.”

With that, Ed moved on to the next process.

The next process involved making grooves on the long, smooth bolts.

“The worker assigned here must ensure that the bolt enters the equipment in the correct position. If the position is off, the grooves will be defective.”

Ed explained as he demonstrated again.

He inserted a smooth bolt between rapidly rotating discs.

As a result, the bolt passed through the discs due to the rail’s force, and during this process, the sharp hexagonal edges of the discs began to cut grooves into the bolt.

A spiral groove was created.

“And then·····.”

Thus, Ed explained each process.

After individually showcasing the incoming raw materials, forging, threading, and heat treatment processes, he informed the workers of what they needed to accomplish at each stage.

“Is everyone clear?”

“Yes!”

Having finished the training on the mass production of bolts, Ed immediately began creating other facilities.

Because the basic components included not just bolts but countless other fundamental parts.

Given the enormous number of components required for the wearable robot.

A system capable of mass-producing all these parts needed to be established.

“I never would have dreamed it without magic.”

However, all of this was made possible because of magic.

As the advanced magical engineering of this world merged with his knowledge and skills, setups were being crafted at an unimaginable speed.

Moreover, the reason Ed could make equipment so effortlessly was due to his absurd skill called ‘Engineering Thinking.’

He could instantly recall the engineering knowledge appropriate for whatever purpose, leaving no room for anguish or hesitation.

It was akin to when one decides to make a movie, and all the elements like framing, directing, choreography, pacing, and mise-en-scène come to mind in a flash!

In short, it was a natural talent for engineering.

“Unbelievable… a genius among geniuses.”

And those who deeply realized Ed’s genius were none other than the club members.

The more they learned about engineering, the more they felt just how insane the things Ed had built truly were.

“It’s awe-inspiring.”

Recently, the club members were gaining knowledge through practical experience rather than theoretical studies.

The hands-on study they pursued involved creating ‘initial automobile models.’

Before they joined the wearable robot project, they were solving the tasks Ed had assigned to help develop their practical skills.

“Lord Fix is really amazing.”

Thus, the 17 club members began to build cars based on the knowledge they learned from Ed.

Since Ed had provided all the basic components and blueprints, they could make it if they assembled the parts well enough.

“How could he do something like this…”

During this process, the club members marveled in pure astonishment.

Having studied various mechanics, they could see mechanical know-how that was visible only to them everywhere.

“This insane efficiency…”

Just by pressing the pedal, a car rolls considerably faster than a carriage, showcasing astonishing efficiency.

The club members felt deep respect for Ed, the one who designed this structure.

The reason for learning mechanics is to yield the maximum result with minimal energy input. In that regard, Ed’s car assigned as a task was an extraordinarily innovative design.

With just appropriate fuel input, using only the kinetic energy from pressing and releasing the pedal, they could achieve immense speeds.

“So what about those gauntlets…”

Even with this early automobile model, one could only wonder what kind of mechanical knowledge was encapsulated in the gauntlets.

It was a dizzying thought.

It had been established that Ed was an extraordinary individual, but the more they learned about mechanics, the more awe-struck they felt.

“We were truly… foolish.”

Suddenly, they recalled how they had looked down on Ed in the past.

Those mere commoners flaunting their equipment and looking down on others.

They used to insult Ed as a nobody who could do nothing without his gauntlet.

“……….”

It was embarrassing.

The gauntlet, a product infused with knowledge far beyond their reach.

How could they belittle it as mere equipment?

Ed was a monster precisely because he had the intellect to create such things at any time.

Now, having created a new relationship in ‘Mana Mechanics,’ the thought of what other terrifying devices he might manufacture sent chills down their spines.

The more they learned technology, the more they could vividly feel the power of science and technology.

“Let’s pledge our loyalty.”

“Yeah. We only need to serve Ed.”

Having been caught up in noble prejudices, club members like them, who had now opened their eyes to academic understanding, realized the terror of Ed and vowed true loyalty to him.

He was certain to one day become the most formidable figure in the Empire.

“It’s just one day left now.”

As such, while the club members gained enlightenment.

Ed was just one day away from returning to the Academy.

Though he was filled with uncertainties, he had taken steps to ensure the territory could run smoothly, so he had no worries.

Above all, knowing that Fix and Adella would stay behind gave him great comfort.

‘She’s a wise woman.’

Ed suddenly recalled Adella.

She was someone he had never interacted with throughout countless game plays.

Perhaps because of this, she always seemed unexpected.

Despite her power and authority, she lacked the noble arrogance that was typical, and was eager to learn from anyone better than herself.

Most importantly, the more they conversed, the more they found common ground.

‘I’m starting to be curious about her husband…’

Adella mentioned that her life changed thanks to her husband.

Had she not met him, she would have likely become as arrogant and petty as any other noble.

Seeing her shine as she spoke about her husband showed just how much she loved and looked up to him.

“Could this also be an event…”

As he found himself more entwined with Adella than expected, it crossed Ed’s mind that she might be an NPC who could grow with him.

That made sense, as the world Ed was playing, ‘El Pandor Runtera,’ was a relationship-oriented game where one could grow by interacting with various NPCs.

In short, it could be described as a rather hardcore dating sim, and isn’t having at least one MILF character a common trope in those games?

Of course, while Elena was the reigning MILF, she was only 28… and more importantly, Adella was 38 yet possessed the beauty of someone in her twenties…

“Ah, what am I thinking.”

Ed sighed, pressing his forehead.

His thoughts had suddenly taken an unusual turn.

In a world where his life was truly on the line due to the demon invasion, how could he entertain such bizarre fantasies?

To begin with, the dating sim aspect of the game was just part of the academy chapter.

Once that arc concluded, and the game reached its mid-to-late phases, the heroine would experience a despairing arc where she’d either be corrupted or killed by demons.

Why did the game company create and release such a game?

Why had he repeatedly tried to clear this ridiculous game?

“Well, anyway, right now····.”

After rebuilding the territory, prioritizing the construction of a Dreadnought Ship was essential.

He might discover clues about clearing the game while investigating the Sea Wall, which he had never explored before.

As he considered this, Ed began to prepare to leave.

It was time to return to the Academy.

***

Six days ago.

Having safely seen off Leon Clendor to the capital, Ilreya shouted.

It was in a bid to release the massive stress that had accumulated over time.

After all the hassle of catering to that damn brat, how exhausting it had been!

“……….”

However, what angered her the most was that this was reality.

No matter how many times that guy belittled the Empire’s ships.

Despite boasting about his nation’s technology and talent, she had no counterarguments.

After all, the Clendor Kingdom had achieved a landslide victory in the last war.

And the strongest maritime nation was undoubtedly Clendor.

The Empire needed Clendor’s navigation skills and the world’s strongest ship.

Thus, she could only grit her teeth and force a smile.

Having endured for three days, she finally sent him away to the capital.

She wondered how much arrogance he would flaunt there····.

“He said he’s stopping by the Academy.”

And the destination of that brat was the Imperial Royal Academy.

Clearly, he aimed to scout the best talents of the Empire for espionage.

Though he claimed it was to test sailors he would take along for the expedition.

“Naval combat, huh…”

And Leon Clendor had said he would assess naval combat capabilities.

In other words, he intended to see how well the academy students, who accompanied them on the observational trip, could handle a situation where they had no choice but to fight against sea monsters.

“I’m certain he’ll create a scene.”

It also meant he would be showing off Clendor’s naval combat superiority.

This made sense as the Clendor Kingdom had fought countless sea monsters.

When it came to confrontations at sea, no matter how strong, the Empire Academy students couldn’t help but be outmatched.

“Enya·····.”

And included among the sacrificial academy students to Clendor was his own daughter.

Due to her stubbornness regarding swordsmanship, her skills had been deteriorating as time progressed.

Even if she displayed her actual abilities, she couldn’t guarantee victory in a sea battle, and trying to face off with swordsmanship would only lead to disgrace.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, she felt a wave of nausea.

“Huff······.”

Ilreya sighed deeply, watching the path that Leon had taken.