I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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El Pandor Runtera.

This world has a peculiar divergence in its era and technology.

While the political system and people’s consciousness remain rooted in the medieval times, certain technologies have advanced significantly compared to traditional medieval standards.

This advancement is entirely due to the existence of ‘Mana’ and ‘Spells.’

The incredible capabilities of spells allow for the creation of excellent inventions, even sidelining the power of science.

Representative examples include devices like the sound amplification device (microphone), image playback device (projector), and camera.

“Ah… Amazing… I can’t believe there can be such a cool room…”

However, just like those who wear ecstatic expressions while feeling the cool breeze from the air conditioning, there are inevitably limitations in technology that relies solely on spells.

Creating equipment based solely on spells without a proper mechanical understanding means the performance of the equipment is bound to be significantly limited and inefficient.

For instance, there was no cooling technology in this era.

Of course, there were several attempts, but they were merely temporary measures that required human labor to lower the temperature, akin to Isabella’s ‘hand fan.’

Moreover, elemental cold magic requires a substantial amount of mana and concentration; those who cast it often experience a rise in body temperature due to mana depletion, so unless one is in a high-ranking position, using a ‘hand fan’ is unlikely.

Even those high-ranking individuals couldn’t afford to waste high-level personnel who use cold magic on something as trivial as a ‘hand fan,’ thus they didn’t bring them along.

It was only because Isabella had feelings for Edgar that she took it upon herself to fan him with the hand fan.

“Hahaha, what dedication! To make the whole room this cool, you must have used a considerable amount of cold magic.”

Thus, the examinees and faculty members were under the illusion.

They believed Edgar had invested tremendous effort and time for their sake.

To this, Edgar smiled and responded.

“No, I simply pressed a button. In fact, the equipment I want to introduce to you is a ‘device that cools the room.'”

With that, Edgar removed the black cloth covering the glass container.

Inside the glass container was a model air conditioner to explain the principles of cooling.

“What is this…?”

“Yes. This is the equipment I’m introducing today. As I mentioned, it’s a device that cools the room.”

Everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment.

A device that cools the room?

So the reason this place is so cool is all thanks to this equipment?

“To provide a quick sensation, I will turn off the equipment for a moment. It will help you understand its performance.”

Edgar said this and switched off the air conditioner.

Simultaneously, he opened the windows to let the cold air outside and the hot air inside.

As time passed, the room began to transform into a hellish venue.

“Ugh…”

“Man, the weather is something else.”

“If this goes on, the beer will get warm.”

Consequently, the expressions of the examinees and faculty members started to sour.

Some professors, still unable to believe Edgar’s words, made a sad face, claiming that the cold created by the cold magic was about to vanish.

Eventually, as the temperature inside the room sufficiently rose, Edgar closed the windows.

Then, pressing the power button on the air conditioner, he said.

“Now, it’s time to check the performance of this equipment. Experience the North Wind of the Graham family.”

With that, Edgar placed a fan in front of the air conditioner.

The fan could be constructed relatively simply, allowing them to create a large fan in just one day.

As the fan operated, the cool air coming from the air conditioner hit the examinees and professors.

The expressions, once filled with wrinkles, instantly smoothed out like that of a baby’s skin.

“Ah…”

“What is this…”

“What an amazing item…”

Seated in comfortable chairs, they closed their eyes.

It felt as if they were sitting on a soft cloud, being greeted by a refreshing breeze.

If they stayed like this a little longer, they might fall asleep at any moment.

“By the way, is there more beer?”

With that, the examination faded into the background.

There was no reason to not pass such an incredible and crazy item.

From the start, they came to evaluate Edgar’s capabilities, rather than his technical skills.

“Yes, I’ve prepared plenty, so feel free to ask at any time.”

Edgar immediately received an empty glass and filled it with beer.

The beer was so cold it made their teeth tingle.

Soon, a professor who received the beer exclaimed in admiration, “Kyaa-!”

At that, everyone began to request beer refills, and banter flowed among the professors.

In this cool room, they began enjoying a beer while having a good laugh.

“I told you, Edgar is an excellent student.”

“Hahaha. Sorry for having doubts.”

Among them, Gracia sang Edgar’s praises incessantly.

She noted that from the very first class, she could see he was extraordinary and said she would immediately take him as her own disciple if only his mana capacity was properly formed.

Moreover, all professors who guided Edgar’s classes praised him.

His class attitude was excellent, his participation was high, and he answered questions well, so there was no reason for the professors to dislike Edgar.

Only a few bumbling professors who held a grudge against Elena viewed Edgar unfavorably.

However, the moment they experienced the air conditioner, those sour feelings disappeared long ago.

“Hey, Fix.”

At that moment, a professor with a tipsy face called out to Edgar.

As Edgar approached, he opened his mouth.

“You’re really incredible as I heard. To create something like this.”

“Thank you.”

“But, do you perhaps consider selling this item? I’m ready to pay any amount. You’ll get a good sum, no doubt!”

A wealthy professor expressing interest in buying an air conditioner.

This made the ears of the other professors and examiners perk up.

They also wanted to buy such an amazing item.

With a meaningful smile, Edgar replied, as if the moment had finally come.

“Haha, receiving money? The examiners and professors here are the main figures in history respected by the Empire. I intend to give all of you this equipment for free.”

For free.

Offering this extraordinary device for free?

Smiles bloomed on the faces of the examiners and faculty members.

Each raised their glasses, taking a sip of beer and starting to sing Edgar’s praises.

Even the conservative professors, who were strict about social class, praised Edgar hugely, saying he should be seated in a high position as a talent to lead the Empire.

In that atmosphere, Edgar made another bold statement.

“However, I am under the grace of the Imperial family.”

…Under the grace of the Imperial family?

At that statement, the examiners and faculty members raised question marks above their heads, eager to hear what Edgar meant.

They wanted to hear what Edgar was about to say.

“As you know, I became a student at the Academy due to the grace of Princess. All the equipment I made was supported by the scholarship fund established by Professor Elena and Her Royal Highness the Princess.”

It was a fact.

What Edgar said was a widely known public truth.

Having firmly implanted that fact in everyone’s mind, Edgar continued with his next words.

“Therefore, this item I created belongs to the royal family. The reason I was able to give all of you this device for free was also due to the will of Her Royal Highness the Princess.”

Edgar smiled as he said that.

With this, he had perfectly instilled the notion that ‘this item belongs to the royal family.’

From now on, even if there were grievances regarding this device, they wouldn’t dare say a word.

“Haha, it seems Her Royal Highness had very deep intentions.”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to Her Royal Highness’s keen eye. Supporting a talent like Fix is all because of Her Highness’s will.”

However, the professors, who had no clue what Edgar would say next, were busy praising the princess.

Only three examiners dispatched from the ducal family were paying attention to Edgar’s movements.

Eventually, Edgar took out a mana stone and said.

“So, the royal family only requires a nominal usage fee.”

A nominal usage fee.

At those words, the light-hearted atmosphere cooled down.

With everyone looking at Edgar, he opened his mouth.

“The mana stone in my hand is the essential driving force for the device. Only this mana stone can operate the device I created. So, I will give the equipment for free; you only need to purchase this core energy mana stone.”

Edgar showed the mana stone with the royal family’s emblem engraved on it as he spoke.

Then a professor asked Edgar a question.

“So, how much is that mana stone?”

“150,000 Orden each.”

Orden.

Orden was the unit of currency in the Empire.

In other words, it meant that one mana stone costs 150,000 won.

“Hmm… 150,000, huh…”

Moreover, 150,000 for one mana stone was a rather ambiguous price.

Neither cheap nor expensive.

At this moment, Edgar gave a smile and continued speaking.

“However, if you buy a set of ten, you will receive a 35% discount.”

“Oh…?”

“That brings the price down to less than 100,000 Orden per piece. And take a look at this.”

Edgar said so and turned off the air conditioner.

Then, he took out the core driving mana stone from within the air conditioner and showed it to everyone, speaking.

“As you can see, I barely used any mana. Each mana stone is quite packed with mana. When converted to the operating time of this item, it corresponds to 21 hours per piece.”

21 hours.

In other words, inserting one core power mana stone means the air conditioner can run for 21 hours.

With a smile, Edgar continued.

“Now, let’s do the math. If you purchase a set of ten at the 35% discount, the price per piece becomes 97,500 Orden. Divided by hours, that would be about 4,640 Orden, which is roughly the same price as a beer you’re drinking.”

“Oh…”

“In other words, for merely the price of a beer, you can enjoy this comfortable environment for an entire hour.”

As Edgar said that, he plugged in the core power mana stone and turned the air conditioner back on.

The room, which had begun to warm slightly, started to cool down again.

“Ohhh…”

The professors, with tipsy faces, nodded.

Edgar grinned and added.

“But it doesn’t end here. By applying for a ‘subscription,’ you can buy the mana stones at a 10% discounted price.”

“Ten percent discount…!?”

“Yes. That would make it 4,100 Orden per hour. That’s much cheaper than a beer.”

Having said this, Edgar took out a bundle of documents.

It was the contract for the air conditioner.

“Now, please have a look. Read it slowly, and if you’re interested in purchasing, just sign at the bottom.”

The professors, having received the contract, began to sip their beer while examining it.

The document was a collection of complex sentences containing various technical and academic terms sprinkled throughout.

At that moment, Edgar made a bombshell announcement.

“If you look at the first line of the contract, it specifies that you will receive a special 90% discount on the ‘regular subscription fee.'”

Ninety percent discount?

To use this extraordinary item at a 90% discounted price?

The eyes of the faculty members widened in surprise.

“Of course, the next month will be charged at the regular price, but you can cancel at any time. You just need to try it; if you don’t like it, you can cancel without hesitation.”

A 90% discount, and you can cancel anytime?

There was no need to hear more.

All the faculty began to sign the contract.

Of course, what they were signing was a one-month subscription package.

[(Highly Recommended!) 30-Day Subscription Package]

10 bundled mana stones X 3 = 4,500,000 Orden (Regular Price) [X]

10 bundled mana stones X 3 = 2,632,500 Orden (Subscription Price) [X]

10 bundled mana stones X 3 = 263,250 Orden (First Subscription Special Price) [O]

Signature (In)

A crazy package requiring a monthly payment of 2,600,000 Orden.

However, all the professors were nobility.

The amount of 2,600,000 was but a mere sum that one could think of as just employing two more servants in the household.

Moreover, the amount for the first month was merely 260,000.

Feeling good, the professors signed the contract.

‘Done.’

And Edgar watched with a meaningful smile.

Indeed, leveraging the name of the princess was a brilliant move.

Although he would have to pay a 30% commission using the royal family’s emblem, he would retain the remaining 70% to himself without any complaints from the nobility.

“Hmm…”

However, one of the examiners had a rather displeased expression.

It was Wilson, the butler dispatched from the Graham family.

No wonder, as an air conditioner was utterly useless in the Graham household.

What use is an air conditioner in a land of extreme cold?

In the meantime, one professor asked Edgar.

“By the way… is this the product name? …’Graham’s North Wind’?”

Graham’s North Wind.

Hearing that, Wilson’s pupils dilated significantly.

Could it be that the name of this product is also our family’s North Wind?

With a smile, Edgar calmly replied.

“Yes. The official name of this product is Graham’s North Wind.”

“Oh… Interesting. How did you come up with such a name?”

“Not long ago, Princess Isabella fanned me with a cold breeze and said she wanted to let me feel the northern wind.”

“…Did that princess… fan you with a cold breeze?”

“Yes. Lady Isabella’s small kindness gave me a hint. It made me think of creating a device that blows the North Wind of the Graham family.”

Of course, what Edgar had just said was a lie.

It was merely a political maneuver to woo the Graham family, nothing related to Isabella.

‘Ah… Lady, when did you become so kind?’

However, Wilson was touched.

To think the lady had such a kind heart!

Wilson looked at Edgar with a warm smile.

‘In every way, he’s an extraordinary boy. The lady should keep an eye on him.’

Nevertheless, the butler of the Graham family, Wilson, wasn’t that naive.

While the notion that the lady’s kindness was the catalyst sounded pleasant, the fact that attaching the Graham name to such an influential product was a political strategy was plainly evident.

After all, each time this product was used, everyone would think of Graham’s North Wind at least once.

This would surely be a significant gift for the Graham family.

The rulers of the North, the Graham family, were bound to gain immense fame across the continent.

‘Edgar Fix, your method is truly elegant.’

The Grand Duke of the North, the Graham family.

Originally, the Graham family had been the kings of the North.

Before the Imperial family conquered the continent, the Graham family was one of the powerful kingdoms uniting the northern tribes.

Their influence was something that even the Imperial family could not afford to overlook.

Thus, those who aimed to connect ties with the Graham family always sought opportunities.

Multiple marquis and count families eyeing marriage alliances with the first or second daughters.

Merchant alliances wanting to wholesale the furs produced by the Graham family.

Businessmen vying for upper mana stone mining rights.

Even various minor noble families trying to sell their unique specialties.

They all tried various means to get noticed by the Graham family.

Whether it was bribery, plotting sinister schemes, bringing beautiful women for seduction, or even offering crude proposals involving prostitutes, they employed every trick in the book.

‘But that boy is different.’

Edgar Fix was different.

He neither grovelled nor spewed flattery with flowery words, nor did he beg for attention like a beggar.

He merely respected the Graham family using appropriate premises.

Even though he was just a commoner, he exuded a different level of dignity.

Wilson’s eyes gleamed sharply.

‘I must report to my lord. He’s undoubtedly a talent that must be captured.’

***

After the equipment demonstration, I smiled as I looked at the signed contracts.

This would be my source of income.

“Now, all I have to do is expand the installation sites.”

What I sold to the professors was only the beginning.

I planned to expand the air conditioner I developed to the Imperial family and the entire Academy.

This would lead to profits beyond what I could imagine every month.

Sitting on a mountain of money was only a matter of time.

However, there might be those who questioned my intention to hoard such wealth.

With support from Elena and the princess, was there really a need for me to earn money? Such questions, indeed.

But that notion shows ignorance of half the truth.

All that money was public funds labeled ‘Talent Development Sponsorship,’ meaning everything is recorded.

This means I would be monitored by others.

Therefore, to buy the things I desire without anyone watching, I must pay out of my own pocket.

That money would be untraceable by anyone else.

“Emerald Mana Stones.”

Thus, what I desired was an emerald mana stone.

The only ultra-rare mineral available in the Dwarf Alliance Kingdom.

If I were to buy that item with public funds, the professors would be gaping at the astronomical price.

I intended to purchase that mineral.

Because, in order to create a ‘computer’, I would need it.