I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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The Grand Duke’s children and the S-Class cadets immediately dashed toward the cave the girl mentioned.

At a glance, the cave exuded a sinister atmosphere, nestled deep within the forest.

The cadets promptly entered the cave.

“······.”

However, the interior was already laden with the corpses of humans.

Of course, these were only bodies arranged with some illusion spells and props, but they wouldn’t notice.

Each had been intentionally crafted by the top figures in their fields (mechanics – Edgar, makeup – Eve, spells – Elena, dungeons – Emperor).

“…Damn, we’re late.”

Thus, the cadets bit their lips as they gazed at the hellish scene unfolding within the cave.

Unaware that this was all staged.

“…But where are the goblins?”

At that moment, Lucas expressed his confusion as he looked around.

Isabella, who had also found that point suspicious, glanced around and confirmed she was searching for them as well.

Strangely, the place was filled only with corpses and no monsters in sight.

“Let’s go deeper inside.”

Enya suggested that they should search within the dungeon.

Most of the S-Class cadets shrugged, agreeing to her suggestion.

After all, goblins are nothing to worry about, and it’s best to deal with anything for future accident prevention.

“…They said they’re not ordinary goblins, so be careful.”

At that, Lucas gave a serious warning.

He felt everyone was too relaxed.

This didn’t seem like a typical goblin lair.

“Haha. Lucas, you really have changed.”

“Is it because you lost to Ed? There’s no need to be scared of goblins.”

However, the atmosphere among the majority of the S-Class cadets was one of dismissal.

After all, just two or three of them could easily wipe out a goblin.

“Just be careful since this isn’t the usual layout of a dungeon. Let’s move.”

Thus, the thirteen cadets ventured deeper into the dungeon.

The scattered flesh of humans and pools of blood only added to the grim atmosphere, but the cadets were unfazed.

After all, it was just the result of goblins’ mischief.

“······?”

However, as they delved deep into the dungeon and encountered the hellish monsters created by Edgar, their expressions couldn’t help but stiffen.

Instead of goblins, there were monsters they had never seen before feasting on the corpses.

“…What is that?”

“Grwaaargh…”

The demonized monster displayed a strong hostility upon discovering the cadets.

It was the “Infection Monster” crafted to the utmost degree of Ed’s memory.

Originally a wolf-type monster, it had been infected by parasitic hell energy, transforming into a bizarre creature with six eyes and sharper teeth.

“Grrraaaargh!”

Soon, the intricately designed demon-type monster rushed toward the cadets.

The cadets each unleashed their specialties, moving efficiently and managing to subdue the monster fairly easily.

“Grrraaaargh!!”

But that was only temporary.

Before long, more monsters began pouring in from the deeper parts of the cave.

As prepared by Edgar, many Infection Monsters began flooding in.

“Damn!”

At that point, the cadets slowly started feeling a sense of crisis.

Demon-type monsters were far stronger than typical monsters.

A common human gains powerful strength upon demonization, and likewise, monsters could gain even more than double that strength.

And considering this, Edgar designed and crafted the monsters within the dungeon.

“We need to escape this dungeon! Everyone fall back!”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lucas immediately issued a retreat command.

However, his retreat order was rendered useless as demon-type monsters lurking throughout the cave began to spring out from all directions.

The cadets looked around in panic.

“What, what is this… What insane nonsense…!”

Monsters of different types huddled together and moved as a group.

This was an impossibility.

They were certainly not relatives like canines and felines.

Monsters that were as different from each other as crocodiles and sparrows were blocking their escape.

Could it be that monsters driven by instinct were following someone’s command?

“Kyaahhh!”

“Kuooooh!”

However, there wasn’t time to ponder.

They were now completely surrounded by the demon-enhanced monsters.

Survival was the priority.

– Fwahh!

Thus, the cadets did their utmost.

Lucas used spatial magic to confuse the swarm of monsters, while Enya marked dozens of monsters and launched small blades at them.

Isabella also unleashed curses to incapacitate numerous monsters.

Claire used the Bernhardt Family’s unique buffer and aura to support everyone.

“Grahh!”

However, there were just too many.

Moreover, they had become more than twice as powerful as regular monsters, making them difficult to deal with.

As a result, the lower-tier cadets of the S-Class began to fall.

“Everyone, pull yourselves together! Utilize all that we’ve learned to the maximum!”

With that, Lucas took charge of the situation.

He began to form the formation learned from their strategy & tactics instructor.

They spread out to ensure their attack ranges and movement paths didn’t overlap, putting buffers and healers in the innermost positions.

The front lines consisted of those capable of tanking, while the spellcasters who could provide fire support were placed behind them.

‘Wow… Lucas has grown a lot.’

Meanwhile, watching all this, Edgar wore a satisfied smile.

The growth of the academy cadets exceeded expectations, allowing them to overcome this crisis far more easily than he had anticipated.

For Edgar, who had to prepare for a future invasion of demons, this was indeed good news.

‘…However, I’ll make them struggle a bit today.’

No matter how hard they struggled, this place was a meticulously plotted trap.

No matter what measures they took, they were bound to fall victim to it.

‘…This should be enough.’

As the monster robots he had prepared were swept away and the situation began to calm down.

Edgar donned the boss monster suit he had prepared.

The suit resembled that of a demon church “Cardinal” at the peak of complete demonization.

‘…It would be unsatisfactory if it only resembled the exterior.’

However, Edgar didn’t just design the look but also implemented skills and powers that a Cardinal could wield to the maximum extent.

Because if he wanted to deliver a proper shock effect to the cadets, he had to put in that much effort.

“Then let’s go have some fun.”

Edgar moved outside after fitting the suit.

It was now time for the main event.

***

“Huuh… Huuh… Huuh…”

In a scene of carnage with monster blood and entrails everywhere.

The cadets were gasping for breath as they tried to gather their wits.

Though two out of the thirteen cadets were severely injured and three had exhausted their mana, they had successfully managed to slay the large swarm of monsters.

“Haah… Haah… Let’s get out of here quickly. We never know when more monsters might rush in.”

However, it was still too early to let their guard down.

It seemed likely that the monster swarm was being controlled by someone.

They needed to escape this place as soon as possible.

【Quite impressive.】

But then, a deep and ominous voice echoed throughout the area.

Quickly turning to the source of the voice, they saw a black figure walking toward them.

【Hehehe… Are you the Empire Academy cadets? But that alone is not enough. You need to become stronger.】

With heavy steps, the bizarre figure approached, uttering meaningful phrases.

Soon, a mysterious man revealed himself.

He had a muscular gray skin and horns on his head.

Additionally, his eyes were completely bloodshot.

He even had bat-like wings on his back.

An embodiment of a perfect demon, as one would find in myths.

“…A demon?”

One cadet muttered, unable to hide his shock at the unmistakable appearance of a demon.

The strange man shrugged and, with a sinister grin, gleamed his eyes.

【No. I am an evolved human. Only those who have evolved into this form will survive in the great war to come.】

Edgar posed a rather typical line while clenching his fist.

At that moment, Elena, hidden in an invisible state, created a black ball on Edgar’s fist.

Edgar chuckled as he addressed the cadets.

【You all possess adequate qualifications. You have cleared out all the monsters I had made within this forest. Therefore, I will bestow upon you this glorious power. You will be able to become twice, no several times stronger than before.】

And he continued with a suspicious tone that anyone could hear.

Isabella darkened her eyes and responded.

“So you controlled these monsters, didn’t you?”

– Pffwwaaahh!

Black steam emanated from Isabella’s body.

Soon, the black mist surged toward Edgar.

She was trying to deliver a mental attack against Edgar.

But at that moment.

【No use.】

– Pooosh!

A powerful shockwave erupted, scattering the black steam in all directions.

This, of course, was also Elena’s handiwork.

However, Isabella, who did not know this fact, looked at Edgar with a shocked expression.

Despite releasing a notable amount of negativity, it had no effect at all.

“Step back!”

At that moment, Enya suddenly shouted, prompting Isabella to reflexively shift aside.

Then, Enya drew her sword and unleashed a fierce blade toward Edgar.

– Wham!

“…What?”

However, the fierce blade vanished into thin air as Edgar extended his hands forward as if nothing had happened.

This was also a result of Elena casting reverse magic, dispersing the mana that had been drawn forth.

Currently, Elena was at a level that no one could compare to, making it easy for her to deal with the still-growing cadets.

【You’re quite adorable with your little rebellion.】

Yet the tricks were Elena’s, while the ostentation was Edgar’s.

Edgar let out a typical villainous laugh before turning to the cadets.

【You have two remaining choices. You can die here at my hands, or you can receive my power and swear your obedience.】

“…”

The cadets were sweating profusely at Edgar’s powerful performance.

Then Lucas spoke up.

“Who are you… What exactly are you plotting?”

To buy some time, Lucas attempted to talk.

However, such a conversation was precisely what Edgar wanted.

He had vital information to instill in the cadets.

【Mwahahaha! Either way, you’ll either die or become my subordinate, so listen well. My name is Gyro Pelender. The Swordmaster of the Entica Kingdom.】

“…What?”

Gyro Pelender from the Entica Kingdom.

At hearing that name, the cadets’ expressions turned to one of horror.

After all, every cadet was familiar with a swordsman of the rank of Swordmaster.

But why was Lord Gyro engaged in such a scandalous endeavor?

【You look perplexed. However, what you need to understand is that there is just one thing you need to know. The destruction of the human world. My master shall descend upon this land and wipe out all remaining humans.】

“…What?”

【You all must take the lead in that grand plan. Once again, I’ll say this. Either give up your lives, or receive my power and swear your loyalty. You will be granted the glory of evolving into the new humanity.】

No matter how you looked at it, Edgar was simply a delusional psychopath spouting nonsense.

Thinking he had bought enough time, Lucas glanced around to survey his friends’ conditions.

Aside from the injured ones, they seemed to have recovered enough strength to fight.

“Thanks, but no thanks. You’re far too ugly to be the new humanity.”

With that, Lucas used his mana to utilize spatial magic.

Several daggers strapped to his waist floated into the air.

Enya, Isabella, and Claire also completed their battle preparations.

【Yes. Power is only given to those in desperate need.】

As the cadets took their fighting stance, Edgar made plausible remarks and dashed forward.

Then he used the speed magic employed in the ‘Kamen Rider’ suit to rapidly capture one cadet and slam them against the wall.

However, the dungeon wall began to writhe as if it were a living creature, swallowing the cadet embedded in it.

A scream echoed from within the wall.

【I will transform all your friends into my subordinates.】

Edgar said that, then began to abduct cadets, slamming them into the walls as he had before.

Each time, the wall writhed, swallowing the cadets and trapping them inside.

This was due to the Orselk family’s artifact, ‘Creation Inventory’, altering the dungeon’s properties.

“Damn! We can’t keep up!”

At an incredible speed, Edgar circled around and abducted the cadets one by one.

Given that the Grand Duke’s children had entered a dungeon that significantly lowered their base abilities, they couldn’t keep track of Edgar’s movements.

Moreover, Edgar’s blend of mechanical engineering and ancient magic allowed him to move at several times their speed, leaving them completely defenseless.

“…”

Thus, Isabella was contemplating.

She wondered if she might need to liberate a significant amount of negativity she had accumulated over time.

However, just as she had made up her mind to release nearly 30% of her negativity, the flow of mana suddenly stopped.

Elena had cast a binding spell, blocking Isabella.

“Uck…! Ugh…!”

【Struggling is useless. Without evolving into new humanity, you cannot defeat me.】

But Edgar made it seem as if he had sealed Isabella’s mana, extending his hand forward and saying that.

Then—

【Despair now.】

– Pshhhh!

He released a hypnosis gas from the suit’s arm.

Purple smoke spread around, seeping into the cadets’ respiratory systems.

“Ugh!”

The cadets operated their mana to impede the toxins invading their bodies.

However, Edgar couldn’t just let that happen, and he quickly charged at them, delivering physical blows.

As a result, their breathing became erratic, and they eventually had no choice but to inhale the gas.

【Look now, behold your friend evolving into a new humanity.】

Thus, after subduing all the Grand Duke’s children, Edgar snapped his fingers and spoke.

Then, the dungeon walls began to writhe like human organs, and humans began to emerge from within.

They were cadets in the process of demonization.

Of course, these were props Edgar had meticulously prepared.

“Ah… Aah…”

However, to the Grand Duke’s children, this entire spectacle was nothing short of a nightmare.

Even if they felt a bit smug, childhood friends they had shared trials with were transforming into monsters.

In the midst of this, Edgar spoke.

【I shall create you in this manner. I will become the new Emperor over the fallen Empire.】

Edgar said that as he reached out towards the cadets undergoing demonization.

It was as if a puppet, the demonized cadet began to walk towards Edgar.

Soon, the cadet arrived right before Edgar, then lay down in a formal position, following Edgar’s command.

【Then shall we enjoy the banquet for the future. You will someday relish human flesh as well.】

Edgar said that and bit into the cadet’s thigh.

Of course, this was merely a prop carefully crafted by Edgar and Eve during the night, but to Lucas and Enya, it appeared as if he were genuinely feasting.

As Edgar was busy devouring the prop, the consciousness of the other cadets began to wane.

This was due to the Emperor rapidly lowering the dungeon’s oxygen levels, and Elena casting sleep spells.

Thus, Lucas, Enya, and Claire lost consciousness amidst the hellish scenery.

***

“Gasp!”

Two hours later.

When the cadets regained consciousness, the situation had already been resolved.

Edgar had finished everything, from rescuing the cadets to destroying the dungeon.

“What, what happened?”

Thus, the cadets inquired about the details.

Ordinary cadets believed their last memory was getting trapped in the wall, while the Grand Duke’s children remembered fainting surrounded by their monster-transformed friends, so why was everyone safe?

“…Truth is, I had been investigating demons for a long time.”

Edgar explained that since he had been researching demons, he could quickly discern that it was the demon’s doing upon receiving the call.

Thus, he urgently summoned Elena to come as quickly as possible, and after a fierce battle, they had managed to save everyone.

“…But how did those kids…”

However, there was still an unresolved suspicion.

How could the cadets who were undergoing demonization return to their original forms?

To this, Edgar replied that he knew the “method of purification.”

If they hadn’t been long consumed by demonic energy, it was enough to simply extract it to return to their original forms.

Soon, the cadets nodded in understanding at Edgar’s explanation.

“What will happen with Swordmaster Gyro?”

But there was still one matter left to address.

Swordmaster Gyro from the Entica Kingdom.

How would they handle the one who fled back to his home country?

Edgar clenched his fist with a loud bang! and replied.

“We must hold him accountable. By any means necessary.”

***

“What did you say?”

Gyro, the Swordmaster of the Entica Kingdom.

Being the oldest subordinate of Hell, he had never known a day of peace due to stress.

This was to be expected, as tasked with embodying Max Zigmund, he had been promptly eliminated by Edgar Fix.

“What did you just say?”

“The Empire… demands your presence, Lord Gyro… If you refuse to appear before the Supreme Court… they will declare war on the Entica Kingdom…”

Here he was, busy looking for a new vessel, and then received such absurd news.

With nothing to have gone wrong, he was suddenly instructed to go to court for judgment.

What kind of nonsense was this?

“Declaration of war? What on Earth did I do?”

“…I don’t know either.”

“…”

It was a truly maddening situation that left him appalled.

Regardless, since there was a commotion, Gyro collected his coat.

He instructed his subordinate to follow him and stepped outside.

It was time to look into this bewildering situation.