I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy – Chapter 14

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“‘I’ll aim for S-rank.'”

He had spoken bravely, but he wondered if he could keep his promise.
It’s surprising that he, who had only just awakened to mana, would aim for the S-rank.
It wouldn’t be easy for a commoner like him to stand out among nobles who had been awakened to mana and trained since birth.

“Two weeks left. All-in on equipment.”

He decided to go all-in on equipment.

It was far better to capitalize on his strengths than to clumsily train in mana refinement or swordsmanship.

“Mechanical Blueprints.”

He decided to follow the “Mechanical Blueprints” that he had been putting off for a long time, and create the ultimate equipment, the “Plasma Beam Titanium Alloy Gauntlets.”

*Clang!*

No need for further explanation.

He immediately began hammering.

Now that he could handle mana, there was no need to worry about hitting roadblocks in crafting equipment.

He decided to proceed step by step, starting with the intermediate formula.

He would create the “Mana Stabilizer,” which he couldn’t craft before due to the lack of “Mana Absorption Scrolls.”

Now a mana user himself, he could create the scrolls himself.

*Flip!*

He immediately unfurled a “Formula Storage Scroll.”

On the blank scroll, like a white canvas, he inscribed the “Absorption” formula he had learned from Elena and infused it with his own mana.

*Crackle!*

The formula absorbed the mana, and the “Mana Absorption Scroll” was complete.

He had easily acquired the key material needed to create the “Mana Stabilizer.”

-*Ding*

A notification appeared after creating the Mana Absorption Scroll.

The reward for creating a scroll was a 3XP increase in skill experience.

It wasn’t much, but it was a decent reward.

He would be creating countless scrolls in the future.

Even 3XP could accumulate and bring about significant changes.

“Then let’s move on to the next step.”

With a satisfied smile, he moved on to the next step: creating the “Mana Stabilizer,” an almost essential component for mana-using equipment.

He attempted to create the Mana Stabilizer using the materials he had prepared and the Mana Absorption Scroll.

-*Ding*

Things were going smoothly.

Now that he could easily self-supply the most troublesome material, the “scroll,” he could progress rapidly.

He had completed the Mana Stabilizer, which previously took days of contemplation, in just two hours.

“Good, at this rate, I’ll finish it quickly.”

He smiled and looked at the next formula. This time, it was an advanced formula.

The Mana Storage Device, necessary for the highest-tier formula.

At first glance, the components seemed difficult to acquire, but it wasn’t that challenging.
High-Grade Mana Stones could be created by consistently injecting mana while increasing the temperature of regular Mana Stones.

Purified Lapis Lazuli could be obtained through simple repetitive labor using “Dexterous Hands.”

It meant he could create this equipment with his current skill level.

“I think I can make this within today.”

Two weeks remained until the entrance ceremony.

With such a tight schedule, being able to create the advanced formula materials in a single day was an incredibly positive sign.

By creating four sets of the advanced formula materials, he could finally create the long-awaited “Plasma Beam Titanium Alloy Gauntlets.”

Imagining the day he would wear those gauntlets, he hammered away.

*Clang!*

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Imperial Year 473.

Cherry blossoms bloomed in abundance that spring, as if celebrating the opening day of the Imperial Academy.

The path leading to the academy was lined with blossoming cherry trees.

“…”

However, the eyes of the students walking this flowery path still held the coldness of winter.

Each represented their family, their names bearing the weight of their family’s honor, and they were filled with a desperate determination not to disgrace their family name.

“…At this rate, my draw won’t be smooth…”

Enya of the Cruel family was no exception.

Having inherited the name of the prestigious knight family, “Cruel,” her goal was to display her honed skills to the fullest and elevate her family’s prestige.

“Sigh…”

But like the long sigh she just exhaled, that dream seemed about to scatter and disappear.

She had acquired a new, ornate scabbard to showcase her overwhelming quickdraw technique, but it was now hindering her.

The scabbard was too tight.

“I don’t necessarily need to use the quickdraw, but still…”

While the quickdraw wasn’t the only sword technique she could use, it was her favorite.

She was a genius among geniuses, recognized as a Sword Expert from the moment she held a sword, capable of wielding dozens of sword techniques.

However, none of those dozens of techniques resonated with her.

Textbook swordsmanship developed solely for killing, such mechanical techniques couldn’t capture her heart.

“My heart isn’t in it at all. Thrusting and slashing at vital points. There’s nothing more to it.”

She needed something that transcended mere swordsmanship.

Not this mechanical swordsmanship devoid of beauty, but something stylish, something that could move her heart.

Then, she stumbled upon a manga called “Quickdraw.” It was the epic tale of a swordsman with a captivating concept: defeating enemies solely with the quickdraw. [1]

“Th-this is… interesting!”

Enya was immediately captivated.

She devoured dozens of volumes in an instant, finally reaching the “Jackal of Lightspeed” arc.

The “Quickdraw vs. Jackal of Lightspeed” chapter was the decisive episode that turned her into a quickdraw fanatic.

-Kuk. Quickdraw, you can’t surpass me, the Jackal of Lightspeed. If I can just avoid your precious quickdraw, you’re nothing.

-Is that so? Then try dodging if you can.

She watched with bated breath as the Jackal of Lightspeed and Quickdraw clashed.

As the Jackal had said, Quickdraw poured all his energy into the quickdraw, so if he couldn’t finish his opponent with it, he was bound to lose.

Therefore, she worried, *What if the Jackal dodges the quickdraw?*

She read on with apprehension.

Then came the moment Quickdraw drew his sword.

*Swish!*

Simultaneously with the draw, a flash-like strike grazed past.

At the same time, the Jackal moved with lightning speed.

*Rustle.*

She turned the page, and the Jackal’s face, wearing a smug grin, filled the panel.

The quickdraw had failed.

-Kkuk! Quickdraw! Now you’re finished! I’ll tear you to shreds!

-…No, you’re already dead.[2]

But Quickdraw calmly sheathed his sword and turned his back.

The Jackal, with a sinister smile, lunged at Quickdraw.

-…Huh?

At that moment, a thin line appeared on the Jackal’s neck.

His body collapsed as if a switch had been flipped, and his head, briefly suspended in mid-air, was flung to the ground.

*Thud. Roll…*

His head rolled across the ground, his vision flipping wildly.

However, due to the inevitable laws of physics, his tumbling vision soon stabilized. His rolling head came to a stop.

-Q-Quickdraw…

In his final moments, the Jackal saw Quickdraw’s retreating figure.

He was walking away without looking back.

The Jackal’s vision gradually faded to black.

“Th-this is it…”

It was awesome.

And so, Enya became a quickdraw devotee.

She abandoned all other sword techniques and focused solely on the quickdraw.

Even when Sword Saint Eleiya, her father, pleaded with her, her passion for the quickdraw showed no signs of waning.

“…The scabbard… it’s tight…”

But what was the point of practicing the quickdraw even against her parents’ wishes?

Last night, in her haste to modify her scabbard to be identical to the one Quickdraw used, she had nearly ruined it.

At this rate, she wouldn’t be able to properly demonstrate the quickdraw she had honed for the past two years.

She wouldn’t be able to recreate *that scene* that had moved her heart.

“There seems to be a problem with your scabbard.”

At that moment, a stranger’s voice reached her.

She turned her head and saw a handsome, black-haired boy looking at her.

The spring breeze blew, ruffling his black hair and her silver hair.

The boy’s gaze fell upon her scabbard.

“May I take a look at that? I think I can fix it.”

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[1] So, the author uses “Baldojae” instead of Quickdraw here. It’s funny but it breaks immersion so I decided to use Quickdraw. For context “Baldojae” refers to someone who has exceptional skill in drawing the sword swiftly and striking in one fluid motion.

[2] Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru

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