I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy – Chapter 29

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Sword Saint Eleiya narrowed his eyes.

He was suspicious of the mana manipulation displayed by the unknown individual interacting with his daughter.

“Gram, who is that?”

So Eleiya asked his right-hand man, Gram, about Ed.

Gram, who had been keeping track of academy affairs while Eleiya was in seclusion, answered immediately.

“That’s Edgar Fix. He’s quite famous at the Imperial Academy.”

“…Fix? A commoner?”

“Yes. He was granted special admission based on his abilities.”

Eleiya’s expression shifted dramatically.

His furrowed brow relaxed, and he stared blankly at his daughter and Ed, as if stunned.

“Enya…with a mere commoner…?”

Sword Saint Eleiya, raised by a nanny from a young age, was generally tolerant of commoners.

More than tolerant, he considered them friends and readily associated with them.

Between the ages of 17 and 20, he had traveled extensively, making many commoner friends along the way.

This experience had shaped his perspective, and even after becoming the head of the Cruel family, he continued to value those relationships.

“Daddy, I made a friend”

He had been secretly pleased when Enya told him about her new commoner friend.

He hoped she would broaden her horizons, experiencing the world beyond the confines of the ducal families and gaining valuable insights.

But he hadn’t expected her to fall in love with a commoner.

He had hoped she would gain diverse perspectives and experiences, not become romantically involved with someone of lower social standing.

Especially not in such a one-sided, unequal relationship.

“How can he maintain such stable mana control…right in front of my daughter…?”

Eleiya could see it clearly: his daughter, uncharacteristically scattering her mana in all directions, while the boy remained perfectly composed, a vast reservoir of mana contained within his chest.

This meant his daughter was emotionally uncontrolled, while the boy remained unaffected.

His daughter was clearly infatuated.

His head spun.

The boy’s calm mana control infuriated him.

How could he remain so unmoved while Enya, the most beautiful woman and the greatest swordswoman in the Cruel territory, showed such clear interest?

Of course, he didn’t want them to become a couple.

Regardless of his abilities, the boy was still a commoner.

He couldn’t allow his daughter to be labeled a “commoner’s woman.”

In the complex and interconnected world of nobility, such a label would be social suicide.

For his daughter’s future, he needed to sever this inappropriate relationship quickly.

“Gram.”

“Yes, Master.”

Eleiya called his trusted right-hand man and issued his first command to protect his daughter.

“Edgar Fix, was it? I want a full report on that commoner. Everything you can find.”

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After the award ceremony, class assignments began.

Ranks 1 to 50 were assigned to S-class.

Ranks 51 to 100 were A-class.

Ranks 101 to 151 were B-class.

Ranks 152 to 200 were C-class.

Ranks 201 to 250 were D-class.

The remaining students were assigned to F-class, and some, devastated by this outcome, chose to withdraw from the academy.

Ed, of course, was assigned to S-class.

He was ranked 38th out of 50.

If his gauntlets hadn’t been damaged, and he had participated in the third and fourth rounds, his ranking might have been higher.

But he didn’t care about his rank.

“Now, we will proceed with dormitory assignments. S-class students will be housed in Building A, with single rooms as standard…”

The instructor explained the dormitory assignments, which were based on class rank.

Building A, reserved for S-class students, offered single rooms and exceptional facilities, including a training gym and a sparring arena.

“Next, I’ll explain the courses you are eligible to take.”

S-class students could enroll in any course offered by any professor.

Other students could only take courses corresponding to their rank.

A B-class student, for example, couldn’t enroll in a course restricted to A-class and above.

“Now, come forward and collect your ID card and key when your name is called.”

After the general announcements, ID cards and dormitory keys were distributed based on rank.

Ed received the key to Room 0.

The penthouse.

‘Even after being transported into the game, the player still gets the same room.’

Room 0.

This assignment confirmed that the triggers of “El Pandor Runterra” were still in effect.

Whenever a player reached S-class, they were invariably assigned to Room 0.

Given the random distribution of keys, his assignment to Room 0 wasn’t coincidence; it was fate.

“I apologize to the student assigned to Room 0. As you know, due to the last-minute addition of a student recommended by Her Highness the Princess and the Head Professor, we had to convert the penthouse into a dormitory room.”

The explanation for his penthouse assignment was identical to the game’s storyline.

A student had been admitted late, requiring the conversion of the penthouse.

This time, he was that student, but originally, it was supposed to be a baron’s child.

“Now, you are dismissed to your assigned dormitories. Unpack your belongings and receive the detailed dormitory rules from the resident advisor.”

He had been assigned to the penthouse, just like in the original game scenario.

As he walked towards his dormitory, he recalled the penthouse events he had experienced during his numerous playthroughs.

He smiled.

‘I wonder if it’ll be the same this time? The secret party and the mass penalty points.’

There had been many events.

“El Pandor Runterra” was a relationship-driven game, and key NPCs frequently sought out the player.

The penthouse was the perfect location for building relationships.

It offered the thrill of clandestine activities away from the resident advisor’s watchful eye, as well as a unique atmosphere and romantic setting.

‘Perhaps stargazing with Enya on the rooftop will happen sooner than expected.’

Normally, reaching a friendly relationship with Enya took the entire first semester.

In the game, the “Quickdraw” topic wasn’t available during conversations with her.

The key event of stargazing and sharing personal stories with Enya only triggered at the end of the first semester.

But he had accelerated that crucial event.

He was off to a good start.

“Hmm. I should make some preparations.”

A good idea struck him.

Since the events were likely to unfold anyway, why not prepare thoroughly?

He could set up a barbecue grill, for instance, or install a soundproofing system to prevent the resident advisor from hearing any late-night party noises.

If they were going to party, they might as well do it right.

And he had the skills to make it happen.

The thought of recreating the excitement he’d experienced in the game thrilled him.

He quickened his pace towards the dormitory.

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The next day, posters appeared throughout the academy, announcing the start of classes.

There were 53 courses in total: 20 taught by prestigious professors like Elena, and 33 by instructors.

Attending the professors’ lectures required a minimum rank of C-class.

Some professors even restricted their courses to A-class and above.

“Head Professor Elena is going all out.”

“Good for us.”

Elena’s “Fundamentals of Mana” course was an exception.

Despite her status as Head Professor, she had opened her course to all students.

This was her way of nurturing as many talented individuals as possible.

A solid understanding of mana, the foundation of all combat, was crucial for improvement, and she wanted to give everyone a chance.

‘Hmm…I’ll pass on Fundamentals of Mana.’

He was already receiving one-on-one coaching from Elena.

He had initially planned to sneak into her class, but having become her student, it was unnecessary.

He was already receiving personalized instruction on unfamiliar formulas, so there was no need to waste time in a general lecture.

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

He decided to focus on Professor Gracia’s course.

As a Sword Master, Gracia’s teachings would likely benefit his melee-focused combat style.

The course description seemed tailored to his needs.

‘Not bad’

Ed thought, nodding.

Since the only formulas he could currently use were those inscribed on his core mana stone, Gracia’s teachings on “physical enhancement” seemed appropriate.

‘But…while it mentions the five key elements of various weapon techniques, my weapon is a different beast altogether.’

His concern was that his weapon was unlike any other.

He decimated enemies with Plasma Beams and a Plasma Lightsaber.

Could Gracia establish the five key elements for *that*?

Gracia, who had spent his life wielding cold steel, would likely be baffled if asked to teach someone how to effectively wield a Plasma Beam.

‘It can’t be helped. He’s a Sword Master. He’ll be helpful somehow.’

He had taken Gracia’s course in the game, and it had significantly boosted his character’s stats and abilities.

It was clearly a valuable course.

He wrote down Professor Gracia’s course on his application form.

‘Hmm~ Professor Gracia?’

someone thought, observing Ed’s choice.

It was Isabella.

She had been secretly monitoring his decisions using her magic.

She intended to enroll in all of his courses to stay entangled with this intriguing individual.

‘Ed…you’re interested in swordsmanship’

Enya thought, glancing at him from the side.

She smiled and added the same course to her application.

This would allow for more in-depth discussions about Quickdraw.

‘That equipment-reliant commoner wants to learn swordsmanship? Preposterous’

Max Sigmund thought, focusing intently on Ed’s decision.

He was determined to avenge his defeat.

‘I-I’ll take that course too! With Sir Fix!’

Charlotte, who had barely managed to scrape into B-class at 50th place, also added the course to her application.

Inspired by Ed’s performance in the first and second evaluations, she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

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

Claire, ranked 9th in S-class, thought while observing Ed.

To investigate the person who had so captivated Enya, she needed to share at least a couple of courses with him.

-You’re choosing *that* course?

-Oh? Interesting.

-Typical of a lowly commoner. His choice of courses is laughable.

-Th-this! We can take this together!

Ed was unknowingly being watched by those who hated him, idolized him, were intrigued by him, and were infatuated with him.

“Why won’t you take my course!?”

And by his doting mentor.

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