I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Obsidian.

This sword, which ascended as one of the four legendary swords of the Empire through the Great War, has the unique feature of enhancing its power by using anger and vitality as fuel.

Thanks to this characteristic, it could exert great power during the chaotic Great War, and that’s how the Zigmund family rose to their current status.

“Please, it’s a selfish request… but I beg you!”

And then that sword broke on me, leading to this moment again.

It was a servant from the Zigmund family who sent for repairs.

“Hmm… your attitude is quite irritating.”

At that moment, the princess, sitting in the prime seat and enjoying the air conditioning, finally spoke up.

The servant sent by the Zigmund family froze in place at her words.

“Because of your Count’s son’s antics, my favored patron almost died. Yet the Count sends you—someone completely unrelated to this incident—to tie up the loose ends. If I were to send you back with your head severed, the Count would surely grasp my intent. What do you think?”

The princess.

Max’s ruckus was the reason the princess was at the Academy now.

The royal family, being the largest shareholder of the Academy, wanted to investigate the truth of the incident and announce the royal stance, all while enforcing measures for the safety of the students.

But I could only see it as an excuse for her to come see Elena.

“I’m, I’m sorry! I misjudged your Highness’s will! I will do my utmost to convey your intent to the Count!”

In response to the princess’s suggestion of sending back his head, the servant bowed deeply, desperately pleading for his life.

The princess still spoke with a dignified voice.

“Bring Count Zigmund here. I want to see him bow his head in person.”

“I’ll, I’ll relay the message to my master!”

“Get out.”

The servant hastily stood up, awkwardly bowing before retreating in reverse.

To me, it all looked like a play.

“Aren’t nobles just something?”

The obsidian representing the Zigmund family.

And entrusting its repairs was a significant matter.

For such a serious issue, Count Zigmund only sent a family servant.

Even though he knew the princess came to deal with the aftermath.

“He must have needed a pretext.”

The reason for this troublesome situation was that Count Zigmund could not bow his head ‘first’ to me.

With the status of the family now plummeting, bowing to a mere commoner would be unacceptable for him.

So, he sought to secure justification using the authority of the ‘princess.’

A pretext that leaves him no choice but to bow to me.

As the princess’s order would force him to bow his head.

“It seems the princess knows this as well.”

However, the princess had already figured out the Count’s true feelings.

While she maintained a solemn expression under the facade of royal dignity, I could see hints of annoyance flickering across her face from time to time.

In other words, she was feigning anger she didn’t truly feel, crafting a justification for the Count.

“Hmm~ Have we wrapped up all the necessary tasks?”

Once the servant from the Zigmund family had left, the princess immediately changed her demeanor, sporting a playful smile.

Then she glanced at me and said, “Phew. You’ve got that expression again?”

That expression?

I looked at her with a curious face, and she continued.

“That expression that makes it seem like you already know everything. You’ve read the Count’s moves, haven’t you?”

“………..”

She was almost uncanny.

Had she read my thoughts just from my expression?

I really shouldn’t judge people by their appearances.

Though she outwardly appeared cute and lovely, one couldn’t tell what was inside her.

“It’s really fascinating. If you were a commoner, your mind wouldn’t be so sharp in this regard. How do you manage that?”

The princess moved to stand, shifting to continue her thoughts as she approached me and plopped down next to me, gazing intently at my face.

“Are you perhaps on your second life? Were you a great noble in your past life, or something?”

…Second life, huh.

That might be pushing it, considering how many times I’ve hit the retry button on this game.

Still, I couldn’t say that, so I decided to come up with a reasonable excuse.

“…I have just longed for noble society. I’ve been very interested in noble etiquette since I was little.”

“…Hmm~ That’s not quite it. You seem too noble. Your very essence feels different from an ordinary commoner.”

“………..”

“What should I say? In some ways, you’re similar to my sister. I can’t read your desires. Whereas Count Zigmund has a clear ambition for improving his family’s reputation, I can’t tell what you desire.”

…Strangely, the princess was digging into the essence.

As she said, my ambitions are somewhat similar to Elena’s.

It’s to protect the Empire from an impending catastrophe that will someday arise.

However, while Elena vaguely senses that something will happen, I am certain of it.

“Hehe… that’s why you’re so interesting. You recognized my joke during the entrance ceremony and managed to outsmart me. It’s a bit infuriating, but the flattery is much more appealing than the obvious fawning.”

The princess said this while placing her hand on my thigh.

This was an unexpected and shocking gesture, causing electric shocks to course through me, and my hair stood on end.

Is this some kind of joke?

“I’m curious. What do you hope for that gives you the audacity to act so boldly against the royal family? If it’s that, then it’s too big a dream for a commoner to grasp, yet you seem capable, so I’m slightly intrigued. If I—”

But while she was speaking, the princess suddenly jolted.

I wondered what it was, then I realized she was hearing the sound of approaching footsteps.

She seemed to know immediately whose footsteps they were.

“Elder sister!”

Suddenly jumping up, the princess dashed toward the parlor door.

At that moment, the door opened, revealing Elena.

“Siiiister~~~~!”

The princess called out Elena in an affectionate tone and rushed into her embrace.

As soon as the door opened, Elena caught the princess rushing at her and patted her fluffy head.

“Hehe. Sephilia, how long has it been since we saw each other, and you’re all over me again.”

“But being in my sister’s arms is always comforting. Your chest is soft and plush.”

“Oh, no! What are you saying!”

Was she aware of me as she blushed, lightly slapping Sephilia’s back?

Regardless, Sephilia nuzzled against Elena’s chest, returning to her childlike self.

Eventually, Elena gently detached Sephilia before taking her seat.

Seeing Elena naturally sit at the prestigious position reminded me once more that she and Sephilia were practically like sisters.

“Phew. Sephilia, have all the matters been wrapped up?”

“Yeah! That guy, whether it’s Makkuk or Max, he’s been expelled. His father came to apologize to him, and he has been told to strengthen the safety measures on his own~”

“What about the royal family’s announcement?”

“Umm… don’t you know? The aides will take care of it~ They’re professionals at that sort of thing.”

The princess replied with a smile.

Elena scolded, “Still, you need to guide them,” but eventually patted her head, thanking her for her hard work.

“…Ed, you’ve done something impressive once again.”

Elena finally mentioned breaking the obsidian.

But on her face as she looked at me was an affection far stronger than before.

This incident had once again elevated my reputation, triggering Elena’s unique feelings.

Her trigger of feeling strong affection towards the most talented.

“Ahem, anyway, I came to bring you good news.”

However, that trigger didn’t consume her rationality, and Elena cleared her throat to relay her other news.

That I had received a letter.

She had received a letter sent from outside, as I was officially under her guardianship, and handed it over to me.

“This is…”

“Right. The Dwarves have started to take interest in you.”

A letter sent to me from the Dwarf Alliance Kingdom.

It was none other than an invitation.

I was invited to the ‘Iron Hammer Exhibition,’ known as the dream stage among blacksmiths.

“As a blacksmith, you know just how significant this is, right?”

The Iron Hammer Exhibition.

This exhibition bears the name of ‘Gratune Dagryon,’ who was the progenitor of the Dwarf royal family and referred to as the God of Blacksmiths.

In other words, it is the most prestigious exhibition among Dwarves.

“Yes, I am well aware.”

“Phew… Yes. I’ve received an invitation after a whopping 16 years. Especially in this ongoing Cold War.”

Cold War.

Currently, relations between the Empire and the Dwarf Alliance Kingdom were not very good.

Thirty years ago, during the Empire’s territorial expansions, a horde of monsters was driven out, leading to a significant incursion into the Dwarf Alliance Kingdom.

Of course, the Empire expressed regret over this and offered a suitable compensation.

The Dwarf Kingdom accepted apologies, and it seemed like everything was resolved for now.

However, what they shouldn’t overlook is that Dwarves are a race that holds grudges for a long time.

At that time, it was the Empire’s peak, and they had no choice but to accept the apologies, but they still harbored grievances. They began secretly selling the weapons they used to supply only to the Empire to the Empire’s adversaries as well.

As a result, the Empire suffered significant losses during the Great War seven years ago.

The Empire demanded explanations, yet the Dwarves maintained ignorance, avoiding all accountability.

And thus, cold diplomacy has persisted between the two nations, laden with lingering resentment.

“That said, the situation is a bit tricky. The items you’ll submit for the exhibition. To submit your gauntlets or suit is…”

“There’s the risk of technology leakage.”

“Exactly. But submitting ‘Graham’s North Wind’ is a bit complicated as well. You know the reason, right?”

“Yes. Their climate is naturally cold, so there wouldn’t be any impact.”

Upon my answer, Elena nodded while wearing a bitter smile.

And then, she continued.

“However, the exhibition date is a month away. It might be a bit tight to create equipment for display… Do you think it’s alright? You could end up with a shameful outcome like 16 years ago.”

Since the Cold War began, the Dwarves openly disdained human blacksmiths at exhibitions.

In fact, they hadn’t even invited any since then.

In other words, if I participate in that exhibition, they could publicly humiliate me.

“A month should be enough. Let’s participate.”

But that doesn’t concern me.

A month is ample time to create new items, and I’m confident I won’t be humiliated.

Moreover, due to the Max incident, all classes this week had been canceled.

If I solely focus on creating new items during this time, I could totally manage it.

Elena smiled brightly in response.

“Alright. I always find you reliable. So, can you think of some members to accompany you? They can select seven blacksmiths to attend.”

Seven members.

The first person that comes to mind is James.

The rest I can slowly think about.

“Then I’ll head upstairs to report. Sephilia, come with me. It could expand into diplomatic matters.”

“Ahhhh~~~ I came here to hang out, and now it’s work?”

“What’s with that? Helping out your sister during times like this is essential. You’re quite clever in these aspects, after all.”

“Ughhh… it’s such a hassle.”

“Ugh!”

“Fffine!”

With that, Elena took the princess and they headed back to the Imperial Palace.

Left alone, I sat on the sofa, pondering what to create.

Nothing specific came to mind.

“Hmmm… I need to decide soon.”

There’s a month left.

Considering I’ll be juggling several classes and my personal research, the timeline is quite tight.

I need to be drawing up designs right away for the exhibition equipment.

“What do I do…?”

As such, my primary concern was deciding ‘what kind of item to create’ rather than the methods of creating items.

No matter how excellent the item might be, if people didn’t need it, it would be useless.

Perhaps Elena took Sephilia with her to provide guidance on what item might be well-suited, mindful of the Dwarves’ tendencies and history.

“…Wait a minute.”

At that moment, a bright idea lit up in my head.

Why had I forgotten about this?

“…Obsidian.”

Obsidian.

An artifact forged by the Dwarves that has earned the title ‘artisan.’

How about utilizing the narrative embedded in this obsidian?

Originally a legendary artifact revered by Dwarves, but ultimately became a cursed demonic sword—what if I could rebirth that obsidian into something new?

“Hurry… come and bow before me.”

As ideas surged forth, I couldn’t contain the excitement that surged through my body.

I wanted nothing more than for Count Zigmund to hurriedly present the obsidian to me, begging for forgiveness.

That’s how I could reform this sword to fulfill my purpose.