30 - The Victim of the Academy

Chain of Hatred (4) As expected, due to the machinery of Ex Machina, the cradle began to buzz both internally and externally. "Currently, outsiders are entering the cradle to investigate Ex Machina's machinery. Due to research schedules, communication with the outside will be frequent, so students should as much as possible..." It was so chaotic that even Olga Hermod had to gather the students to give them a special warning. This indicates just how disordered things are at the moment. Even for Olga Hermod, it would be difficult to intervene, especially since politics are involved. There’s a high probability that there will be security gaps as a result. No, I’d say there's almost certainly going to be trouble. Unlike Olga Hermod, I have an idea of what the root of this issue is. Someone seems to have acted intentionally, but what can you do? "Sigh..." The saint, Tillis. She is like the eye of a storm, drawing in all sorts of trouble. Considering she's been frequenting places like slums and areas likely to house criminal organizations, she’s bound to have made enemies. Even the events I confirmed in the game amounted to five cases. For someone moving like a living provocation to stay in one place, it must be tumultuous. "I guess I'll need to keep a low profile in the cradle for a while." Even after Tillis entered the cradle, I had been acting cautiously. But now, even walking around the campus feels fraught with anxiety. Especially, I must avoid the main gate area entirely. "Hmm..." I need to think a bit more flexibly. Can I really be safe just by avoiding things? Until now, I’ve focused mostly on avoiding problems. And what’s been the outcome? Robelia blamed me for her troubles despite me doing nothing, and the cult has identified me as an Oracle associate. Problems arise even when I do nothing. Furthermore, with the variable called Tillis, who knows where and how an attack might occur? So, it's better for me to at least prepare myself to some extent. "Yuna?" "Hm? Did you call me?" Yuna suddenly popped out from behind with a "poof" at my call. It’s not even surprising anymore. Though I didn't expect her to be standing right behind me. Regardless, it was fortunate that she was nearby. "Hmm..." "Why? Why did you call me? Do you need a favor? If it's something my disciple wants, you don’t even need to ask for a favor." Brief consideration. I shook my head a few times but ultimately nodded. I’m ready. "Yes, master. I want to learn some skills." "Really? Uh-oh, I get it! You're just trying to learn skills from me, huh?" Wow, despite appearing clueless, she’s incredibly hard to deceive. I thought she'd simply be happy, thinking her disciple finally appreciates her, but she caught on to my intentions immediately. I'm busted. Tsk... "Alright, then I’ll teach you a secret skill that you can learn quickly." "Really?" "Yes! But remember, this is a favor!" This is a win. By acknowledging her, I get to learn a secret skill. If she's an assassin, she must teach me a skill capable of overturning even the difference in power. "Let’s do it at lunch today. After school, we'll be going to the workshop, won't we?" "Thank you, that works perfectly for me." Things are falling into place surprisingly well. To the point where it’s almost unsettling. * * * Around lunchtime. After Yuna and I finished a quick meal of sandwiches, we headed to a secluded spot to begin special training. "What I'm going to teach you isn't exactly a special skill." "I wasn’t expecting anything exceptional." If it were truly special, learning it would've taken a long time. There are few shortcuts in the world. Even if they exist, they wouldn't be for me. A person must be steadfast, after all. "Do you remember the time with the barbarians? The critical strike you tried failed, didn’t it?" "Right. If I had maintained my dagger better, it might not have happened." "Partly the dagger maintenance, but mainly it was a problem with your stance." Yuna smiled as she spread her hand open. Then, in a blink, a dagger appeared in her grip. It was like watching a card trick. Even though I was watching, I couldn’t catch the moment the dagger appeared. "You had one arm occupied because you were hugging Lady Ariel. That's why your strike lacked power." Swish! Yuna moved her hand with such speed that I could barely see it, and suddenly, the dagger's tip was lightly pricking between my ribs. The dagger tip precisely targeted the space between bones. An excellent display by a skilled practitioner. "A thrust is a destructive technique that focuses power on a point. It can deal significant damage even with a little force." Whoosh! This time, Yuna moved her hand as if shaking it off. Bang! The dagger ended up perfectly embedded in the wall. "So, what do you think is the downside of thrusting?" I shrugged. As a beginner, I doubted I’d be able to answer correctly. "All attacks have their pros and cons, but the biggest downside to thrusts is when the force isn’t properly delivered during the stab." Whoosh! Yuna drew a new dagger from her clothes and swung it at the wall just like before. Ping! This time, the dagger bounced off the wall instead of embedding in it. "Since it targets points, an improper force direction leads to this. The same reason your strike couldn't pierce the barbarian's skin." "And so?" "I'm going to teach you some simple yet fundamental techniques." Swoosh! Yuna grinned wryly as she displayed an array of daggers. It's as if I’m repeatedly watching a card trick. "I’ll show you how to properly deliver force in any stance or situation. These are the basics of an assassin's ambush." What Yuna was offering to teach seemed astonishingly useful. It felt like it was tailored precisely for someone like me. As someone weak, rather than attacking head-on, I must strike where least expected. And Yuna’s technique ensures that surprise attack hits effectively. “People like us put everything into a single blow, right? What do you think?” “It’s perfect.” “Hehe! I knew it!” The techniques she’s teaching now are probably ones she considered teaching when I became her disciple. It makes me wonder how far I could go if I became truly her disciple. However, since I'm not aspiring for power in particular, I should set my curiosity aside. "Shall we begin then?" Be careful not to fall into temptation... * * * I spent my lunchtime learning dagger techniques from Yuna, and then it was time for class to end. Having indulged in a delightful nap during lectures, I rubbed my eyes as I made my way to the alchemy workshop. Of course, I took care to avoid running into any strange encounters on the way there. However... "Oh, Johan, you’re here?" "What’s all this, Professor Georg?" Upon arriving at the alchemy workshop, I found it filled with various apparatuses that weren't usually unpacked. A feeling of unease washed over me. "As you can see, we've decided to enter into a technical partnership." "Why on earth are we doing this? We're skilled in making potions, not tinkering with machinery." "...But I know how." "Ah." Professor Georg is a renowned alchemist, after all. And alchemy isn’t just the magical art of potion-making; it also includes the handling of metals, like metallurgy. Here at Ars Magna, we focus mainly on potions, but it’s not that we can't do other things. "So, I guess you can handle it all on your own then since I don’t know anything." "Heartless, aren’t you?" "I do have a heart, but I'd rather not shed tears or bleed." And if you’re going to cry, please do so outside. Judging by the scene, it seems like I’ll end up doing more work here, shedding tears and sweat. Just as Professor Georg and I were in a curious silent battle, an elderly man, whom I somewhat recognized, emerged from the back of the workshop. "Excuse me, is this young student a disciple of Professor Georg?" "This kid? He’s more like a leech." "Hahaha! A leech, you say? Ah, I suppose that’s right. In my day, students were desperate to steal every skill from their masters, so you’re right—it’s just like a leech. They often end up quite successful." To learn a technique not by being taught but by stealing it from a mentor—now, this was truly an old-school mindset. But in Georg's language, I doubt "leech" refers to the kind of disciple aiming to surpass their master. Instead, what I leech off is not knowledge but rather the budget. "Director Koran, perhaps you could enlighten this kid? It seems he doesn’t quite understand why we need to support this technical collaboration." "Ah, yes, I’d be delighted. I’ve always wanted to impart knowledge to the younger generation, and here’s my chance." Koran Lesias, the director of the Imperial Technical Research Department, had a glint in his eye. Ugh, isn't it bothersome to go through all this? They could simply enlist Professor Georg, couldn't they? "What’s your name, young man?" "...Johan Damus." "Oh! The Damus family—a most prestigious line in the Empire. It’s an honor to meet you." "No, not really." Is it because he's elderly? Most people don’t even know where House Damus is, but this old man seemed quite familiar with my family. "So, you’re curious about why we researchers need the skills of alchemists?" "Uh, yes." I’m not particularly curious, but it felt like he was expecting me to ask. As someone raised in a country that values respecting elders, it’s hard to ignore that. Surely, respect must be paid. "You see, alchemy is a fundamental science. Originally aiming to create gold, this discipline has greatly influenced the analysis and classification of substances." "Yes, indeed." "The things discovered during that journey have immense value." A journey that started with lead, aiming to produce gold. Even if the discoveries alongside that journey weren’t gold, they held value that rivaled it. "The reason we seek Professor Georg's aid is precisely due to his metal refining techniques." "I’ve covered that much already." Spotting the story turning lengthy, Professor Georg cut in. Perhaps he finds explaining troublesome, but can’t stand lengthy talks either? How unfortunate. "Ah, I see. Then I presume I need only explain why we require such skills at this moment." I can take a guess. The machinery captured from Ex Machina likely contains some extraordinary metal. But indeed, what kind of metal was discovered that called for all this? "The machine structures we acquired were incredibly intricate. Honestly, calling them Ex Machina is entirely fitting." "Well, credit where it’s due. They are indeed exceptional." Even if only one of their technologies spread properly, it would boost the Empire's technological level exponentially. The captured machinery in question already exceeds the capabilities of current modern tech by far. "However, in analyzing the structure, an incomprehensible element gradually emerged." Could the technology be that advanced? I retraced my memories. The large machinery composed of steam engines and gears indeed seemed sophisticated. But could it be so complex that even the combined efforts of the royal and cradle’s researchers couldn’t decipher it? "The structure, while complex, isn’t impossible to understand. Given a week, recreating it wouldn't be out of reach." Koran Lesias said so, as if it were obvious. However, he soon wore a serious expression. "But even if we recreate it precisely, it won’t function." Koran Lesias grinned. "There’s a crucial component missing from that machinery. Hahaha!" He looked like a child who discovered a new toy. "It’s the cooling system, you see. With our current methods, any attempt to replicate it would result in overheating and an inevitable explosion." Considering the intricacy and size of such a machine... Steam engines and gears spinning together must generate considerable heat, yet there's no cooling system? A metal that withstands high temperatures, endures pressure, and doesn't rust even after prolonged exposure to steam? They want us to figure out the composition of such a metal? I glanced over at Professor Georg without thinking. "What are you staring at?" "...Just wishing you good luck." Wow, he really stepped into it.