I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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I completed the defensive matrix known as the ‘Plasma Mana Shield.’

Four days have passed since I began researching it.

From Thursday to Sunday, I worked tirelessly on this study.

“Done!”

And in just four days, I was able to complete the technology.

I actively used my abilities while also receiving significant help from Fix.

“Fix! Good job!”

“Uuung~!”

My hand skills rose to level 3, and I got ‘Fix’ as a skill.

Thanks to this versatile robotic arm, my work efficiency skyrocketed to an unbelievable level.

Even when I wasn’t around, it helped with the research, and during the direct development, it assisted brilliantly, making my work several times more efficient than before.

If it weren’t for Fix, I couldn’t have even dreamed of creating the ‘Plasma Mana Shield’ in just four days.

As a gesture of gratitude, I patted Fix’s head twice and alternated my gaze between the suit and the plasma shield.

Now it was time to integrate the newly developed technology into the suit.

“First…”

So, I inserted three mana stones—’Plasma Generation Mana Stone,’ ‘Dispersion Technique Mana Stone,’ and ‘Form Preservation Technique Mana Stone’—which I had set to maintain a ratio of 1:3.45:6.74 into the pre-made black steel case.

Then, I placed the black steel case into the groove carved into the top of the suit.

Clack-.

A pleasant attachment sound rang out as the suit and case became one.

Now it was time to connect the optical fiber to supply power to the steel case.

“The optical fiber…”

“Wiuuung~”

As I looked around for the optical fiber, Fix brought me the fiber that was on the table and handed it to me.

After patting the head of the clever little guy, I connected one end of the optical fiber to the steel case and the other end to the power source of the suit.

That completed the setup.

“Okay. Now, shall we test it out?”

Now that the suit and case were connected, it was time to check if it worked.

I wore the suit made of latex with various alloys partly attached.

This suit didn’t have the form transformation feature like the gauntlet I was wearing before, so I had to put it on manually.

Since it was still largely in development, I decided to implement features like form transformation later.

“Hmm…”

Standing in front of the mirror in the suit, I checked my appearance.

However, the latex-based suit I was wearing was semi-transparent and hadn’t been colored yet, so parts of my body were visible.

Of course, about 70% of the suit was covered in gray alloy, so it wasn’t completely revealing, but visually it looked a bit embarrassing.

The alloy was plain gray, lacking any flair.

Thinking only of function, I neglected the design or color aspects.

“Hmm… What color should I choose?”

Thus, I began to ponder.

What color should I paint it with?

The colors that immediately came to mind were red and gold.

Iron Man, the male fantasy of mine!

But I wasn’t trying to be a hero like Tony Stark.

The reason I wore this suit was that I wanted to protect this world from the calamity that was to come.

Suddenly, the motif of Batman sprang to mind.

Because Batman is a figure who seeks to protect Gotham City from rampant criminals.

‘Bruce Wayne wanted to become the embodiment of fear that criminals would dread. So he decided to become the bat that he feared.’

Batman was afraid of bats.

That day, while playing with a friend, he accidentally fell into a puddle swarming with bats, and later that day, after seeing a performance with his parents, they were murdered.

From that day on, bats became the symbol of fear for Bruce Wayne.

They became the catalyst for recalling his painful memories.

‘But Bruce Wayne overcame that trauma. And, as Batman, the symbol of the bat, he became the hero protecting Gotham City.’

When he saw bats, Bruce Wayne would recall his childhood and suffer from self-loathing.

But by accepting that fear, he turned into the dark knight protecting Gotham City, ultimately becoming the hero of the city.

What tormented him became the symbol of the hero defending Gotham City.

‘My fear…’

Thus, I pondered.

Inspired by Bruce Wayne’s narrative, what was I afraid of, and what did I want to overcome?

The answer was painfully clear.

“The destruction of this world.”

What I fear.

The end of this game I had to undergo dozens of times only to face the apocalypse.

And the primordial demons that brought that end upon me each time.

… I am afraid of them.

Seeing those around me and the heroines fall one by one into their hands as the world crumbles.

I was terrified to my bones by the entire process where their unimaginable power and fear splits the empire, corrupts the kingdoms, and ultimately leads all of humanity to destruction.

Even now, pouring everything I had into it, I still vividly remember the emptiness I felt as I stared blankly at the monitor, letting out a hollow sigh.

“……”

But if someone were to hear my soliloquy, they might question me this way.

Is it really something to fear so much when it’s just a game?

Isn’t the world you dwell in merely a fictitious world created within that game?

“……”

… Yes, that’s undeniably the truth.

I was simply playing in a fictional world crafted by scenario writers and programmers, and I might just be a gamer regretting not reaching the desired conclusion of that product.

But now, this place has become my reality.

James, who was merely an NPC blacksmith at the Academy, was a father doing his best for his son so he wouldn’t feel the absence of his late wife, and Enya wasn’t a typical tsundere character but rather a shy girl who would open her heart if someone acknowledged her.

Moreover, Elena, Isabella, the princess, Claire, Lucas, and even various extras I had never known before and Wyoyong.

They all had aspects I didn’t know, and they were alive and breathing in this place where I exist.

‘Edgar Fix’ had become a precious part of my everyday life that I wished to protect.

“…… Demon.”

Thus, I decided to become that which I feared.

To become one of the ‘ancient evils’ that all of humanity would fear in the near future.

However, the demon I wish to become will be different from others.

The demon I aim to be won’t symbolize fear to humanity or be an object of terror—

“A demon that slays demons.”

That’s right, a demon that slays demons.

I will become a demon greater than demons and become a symbol that punishes evil.

This time, with the power and skills to possess humanity, they will feel how terrifying a being can become when it harbors malevolence.

“Devil.”

And thus, I named the suit ‘Devil.’

To show them why I have the nickname ‘Shitguy’ through this suit, pouring my heart and soul into it.

I will reign as an absolute evil before them.

“Devil 1”

And that first step is this suit.

This clumsy suit, which only has the ‘Plasma Mana Shield’ function for now.

From now on, this suit will be called ‘Devil One.’

“……”

However, calling it Devil One was somewhat embarrassing as its visual had skin tones peeking through in several places.

I immediately took off the suit and began spraying color onto it with a special spray.

First, I painted it entirely black, the color symbolizing demons.

“Hmm… For now, this should do.”

I decided to leave the areas where the mana stones were embedded, emitting a blue glow, as they were.

It seemed better to have some contrast than to be entirely black.

Finally, wearing the suit again, I stood before the mirror once more.

“……Hmm. Not bad.”

It’s not yet a design I’m completely satisfied with, but for now, this will suffice.

At this moment, adding functions takes priority over aesthetics.

“Now… Is the three-dimensional mobility all that’s left?”

I have a propulsion system now, but it can only manage vertical flight.

This meant that the capability for free flying hasn’t been fully implemented yet.

Thus, I found myself in need of a three-dimensional maneuvering system.

Using a wire launched from the suit, I would hit terrain features and pull my body.

With assistance from the propulsion system, I could also perform low-altitude flights.

“The problem is…”

The problem is that the wire is extremely inconvenient.

So, to perform three-dimensional maneuvering, I have to launch a wire and stick it into a terrain feature, then wind it back to pull my body.

But sometimes, the front part of the wire stuck in the terrain falls off.

Conversely, it might be too tightly fixed, making it impossible to retrieve the wire.

Thus, instead of performing three-dimensional maneuvers, I often end up falling to the ground as the wire untangles, or if the front part is too firmly embedded in the terrain, it leads to the negation of three-dimensional mobility.

Therefore, I need a wire that is both adhesive and easy to maneuver, like Spider-Man’s, but where would I find that…?

“…… Huh?”

Wait, Spider-Man?

Thinking about it, why hadn’t I realized this sooner?

There are super spiders in this world just like Spider-Man.

A super spider that can produce silk with superb tension and adhesive properties, ‘Ungoliant.’

Since my gauntlet repairs have progressed somewhat, how about I collect Ungoliant’s web to test the suit’s performance in the process?

If I can apply the qualities of that web to my wire, I could achieve the perfect three-dimensional maneuverability I envision.

“I have enough time as well.”

Without needing to stall, I immediately sprang into action.

I placed the suit and gauntlet back into my inventory and exited the Academy.

To get to where Ungoliant resides, I need to head to the Third Hazard Zone, which is about a 30-minute walk from the Academy to the ‘Empire Exchange.’

***

“May I have your name, please?”

At the Empire Exchange situated in the heart of the Empire.

This place is a gathering space for teleportation magic circles that can lead to any location in the Empire.

That is, various noble domains, fortresses, and even monster-infested danger zones can be swiftly accessed through the magic circles present in this exchange.

In a time when the Academy dormitory wasn’t yet active, various nobles including Enya and Isabella were able to commute using teleportation through the exchange magic circles from their own territories.

“Edgar Fix.”

However, hearing my name, the guard’s expression crumbled.

This was a special space reserved only for nobility, specifically high-ranking nobles.

Swoosh.

Thus, I pulled out the nameplate issued by Elena.

The nameplate bore the royal insignia.

The guard’s expression, which had been icy, changed drastically.

“Th-the princess’s…! Where do you wish to go?”

“To the Third Hazard Zone.”

“I shall guide you!”

Following the guard inside the large exchange, a cute attendant welcomed me.

With a polite bow and a service-ready smile, I got heavy department store vibes from her.

“The Third Hazard Zone, a challenging journey you’re embarking on, oh hero.”

After hearing my destination, the attendant smiled brightly and began to flatter me.

Her compliments seemed tailored to please high-ranking nobles, making her each word designed to elevate my status.

Especially, the compliments about my appearance didn’t hold back, and hearing that I was as handsome as some famous celebrity was always a thrill.

As I received the attendant’s praises and moved along, I soon found myself at the front of the magic circle leading to the Third Hazard Zone.

“It was an honor to meet you, however brief. I shall activate the magic circle for your safe return, noble sir.”

The attendant said as she began channeling mana into the magic circle.

I, dazedly staring at the magic circle glowing in vivid blue, recalled a phrase I had seen in a setting book regarding attendants working at the Empire Exchange.

The content said that those selected to cater to high-ranking nobles were merely ‘mana shuttles’ to activate the teleportation magic circles. However, since they worked in a public institution of the Empire, their salaries were high, and occasionally their attractive appearances caught the eye of high-ranking nobles, leading them to become their consorts.

Anyway, while indulging in such irrelevant thoughts, the teleportation magic circle was activated.

It was set up so that upon placing a hand on it, I would be transported.

“The teleportation magic circle is now operational. Have a safe journey, my lord.”

My lord.

Hearing this made me feel like I should act like a noble and absentmindedly nodded before placing my hand on the teleportation magic circle.

As a pure white light enveloped me, the surrounding scenery changed in an instant.

It was the teleportation exchange of the Third Hazard Zone.

“……”

Indeed, the atmosphere here was 180 degrees different from that of the exchange in the capital.

Being an exchange in a remote area, and moreover, a danger zone, the facilities were quite damaged, and there were only two male employees present.

Additionally, I could also see scattered corpses of monsters lying around.

Eventually, a male employee, sitting on a worn-out chair and chewing gum, opened his mouth.

“Well, if you’re here to play at being a hero, it’s better you head back. We’ve had our fair share of near disasters trying to rescue noble brats like you.”

As soon as he checked my face, he sighed and muttered in a bored manner.

Honestly, he seemed more like an investigator than a mere employee.

And a veteran investigator at that.

“Haha, Jaenn, how could you speak like that to a visitor from the capital. Haha! Apologies, just a little while ago, a young noble came here and led a monster horde away, causing a bit of loss of life around here…”

“……”

“Haha, it’s just a crude expression, but I say this out of concern for your safety, my lord. Please don’t take offense.”

If anything, the other employee seemed to take note of the investigator’s posture and began showering me with awkward smiles and various words.

However, I responded by pulling out the gauntlet from my inventory.

Crack!

“There’s no need to worry. I won’t need a rescue signal.”

Clank- clank. Clatter…

As I donned the gauntlet, it began to wrap around my right hand.

The gladiator and the bespectacled old man stared at me with wide eyes.

“I’m thoroughly prepared. I’m not planning to hunt any formidable monsters.”

I stated this as I took the suit out of my inventory.

Thud- The suit fell to the ground.

“……”

After a moment’s pause, I lowered my pants.

I need to strip off my clothing before I can put on the suit.

However, feeling the gaze of the attendants fixated on my underwear was embarrassing, so I casually remarked.

“Um, I’m changing clothes.”

“……Ah, okay.”

Coughing, both averted their gazes.

I really need to add that auto-attachment feature soon.

Indeed, the suit is all about the flair.