I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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In the book “Thoughts of a Biologist” by philosopher Jean Rostand, there’s a line that goes:

‘If you kill one person, you’re a murderer. If you kill a million, you’re a conqueror; if you kill everyone, you’re a god.’

······Right now, I’m witnessing the successful ignition of white phosphorus rounds.

Standing in the middle of a vast field, I’m watching as toxic agents are being dispersed in large quantities in the air.

-Whoosh!

However, from a distance, the sight is somewhat beautiful.

Flames, sparked by a strong chemical reaction, spread across the night sky, and that dazzling light scatters to the ground, spreading in all directions.

-Crackling! Crackling!

But the life forms surrounded by that beautiful light would rather beg for death.

The white phosphorus, melting into their skin like candle wax, will cause chemical burns, eating through layers of fat as they suffer from burns, chemical injuries, and the pain of poisoning, dying in agony.

‘That’s not all.’

Whereas if they’re lucky enough not to be directly exposed to white phosphorus, the ‘decahydrocine’ that appears when it reacts with oxygen in the air will cause suppuration and necrosis.

In other words, it means that skin will rot away or a strong inflammation will occur from harmful toxic gas.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!”

It’s delightful just to imagine.

The disgusting demonic bastards begging for mercy as they die in agony.

I feel like storming their base right now and scattering white phosphorus all over the region.

‘There are limits to the suit.’

However, to spread a large quantity of white phosphorus rounds, I would need to have an aircraft, and currently, I only have the ‘suit’ available.

I cannot release a large amount of white phosphorus all by myself.

‘It would be nice to have a fighter jet.’

Thus, I naturally thought of fighter jets.

Just like in modern warfare, I envisioned several fighter jets flying over, scattering white phosphorus rounds.

‘Is it time to move to fighter jets?’

The tanks are already rolling out in this world.

So isn’t it time to transition to fighter jets?

‘But…’

However, fighter jets require a more complicated technical knowledge.

Sure, I could make one if I wanted, but the current models are merely ambiguous-performance aircraft that fall somewhere between a ‘prop plane’ and a ‘jet fighter.’

They’re far from the modern fighter jets I envision.

‘If that’s the case, let’s improve the Gryphon Riders.’

So rather than mass-producing high-performance fighter jets, it would be better to utilize the Gryphon Riders.

Those elite units from the ‘Isilian Kingdom’ that caused significant damage to the Empire in the Great War eight years ago.

The Gryphon Riders, armed with orichalcum and steel, each possess combat power on par with top-tier sword experts.

Moreover, as they fly in the sky and effortlessly cast spells, it’s bound to be a headache for the enemy nation dealing with them.

‘Well, things are different now.’

That was back eight years ago, and the situation is different now as the Empire is expanding again.

The Empire is currently opening up ports worldwide, led by its Dreadnoughts, and their influence now is incomparable to what it was eight years ago.

Also, if I propose an irresistible sum of money along with an attractive offer to borrow the Gryphon Riders, they would gladly lend them out.

It’s often said that ‘if you can partner with Edgar Fix, you’ll sit on a fortune,’ and this saying holds true not only in the Empire but in far-off lands as well, so if I make a business proposal, they would welcome it with open arms.

“Hmm. Then shall we use the Gryphon Riders for now?”

With that, I decided to prioritize improving the Gryphon Riders over mass-producing fighter jets.

Investing resources in mass-producing ambiguous-performance fighter jets is far less economical than upgrading the historically proven Gryphon Riders, which will also save time.

‘And…’

And just in case I do develop a fighter jet, I will ensure to develop ‘one’ rather than several.

Specifically, a carrier capable of carrying me, or rather, ‘my people.’

Of course, this would require fortifying and systematizing my entire city beforehand.

‘Anyway…’

Anyway, right now I need an elite unit capable of dispersing large amounts of white phosphorus from the air.

Looks like I’ll have to stop by the Isilian Kingdom soon.

***

“Isabella, it’s time.”

Today.

Today is the day I settle my deal with Adrian Graham.

To put it more accurately, today is the historical day that shatters the long-standing chains of misfortune that have plagued the Graham family.

Currently, Isabella and I are planning to stop the monster wave pouring down from the north, which is just a shadow of Graham’s Lilith.

“Phew… I’m ready. Let’s go.”

And at this moment, the eyes of Isabella next to me were clearer than ever.

Her complete rejection of negativity.

She has been gradually shedding her negativity over the past three months and is now mentally healthier and has recovered significantly from her pain.

Of course, since she’s given up the power she’s built over 19 years, her combat abilities aren’t what they used to be, but she’s been improving her combat power by learning the “Frost Spell” from Elena.

And the achievements of her embracing this new magic are…

-A genius. Simply a genius.

According to Elena, it’s nothing short of amazing.

In the first place, ‘negativity’ was not a force that empowered Isabella but rather a shackle that restricted her.

A shackle that obstructs her magical talent.

-I’m thinking of teaching her some ancient spells.

Hence, Elena says Isabella has great talent for the frost spell and is considering teaching her associated ancient spells.

With the burdens of her family’s shadow behind her, Isabella is growing as not only a spellcaster but also…

“Thank you… I will repay this favor slowly by your side… for the rest of my life…”

A woman who is growing too.

Originally, she would reveal her feelings only once in 49 days, but now, she expresses her heart at any opportunity.

“When someone suddenly changes, they die.”

“What? Do you want to die!?”

We had become comfortable enough to exchange jokes.

Well, that being said, Isabella is still a bit picky and mischievous, but compared to before, it feels like child’s play.

“That’s like saying we should kill the old you. You’re going to throw off the ‘Graham’ mission from today onward.”

“Seriously, you slip away like a ghost.”

“…Shall we head out?”

“Yeah. I’ll let it slide.”

Thus, we moved toward the north, where the brutal cold is raging, to the Graham castle.

Finally arriving at the core of Graham Castle, we faced Adrian Graham, who was sitting on the old throne (the throne from the days when it was the Graham ‘Kingdom’) looking down at us.

Adrian, sporting a formal smile, spoke.

“The Empire’s greatest tycoon and technician, the Emperor’s right-hand man, the Lord of salvation, the owner of the Dreadnought, the knight in black armor—what brings the Earl Fix to my domain… with my daughter beside you?”

At first glance, it sounds like praise directed at me, but it’s actually a comment laced with sarcasm.

Essentially meaning that even someone as great as you doesn’t matter to me.

The words spilling from his mouth in praise, however, did not suit the look in his eyes or the atmosphere as he surveyed us.

“Please give me your daughter.”

However, I couldn’t help but say something typically dramatic in response.

The smile that had been on Adrian’s face hardened.

“…Are you saying my daughter belongs to you, not that you are taking her?”

“Yes.”

“…Pathetic.”

His last words were directed at Isabella.

In essence, he was chastising Isabella, connected to me, not because she possessed me, but because she had shed negativity.

“…You are undoubtedly the Empire’s best groom and son-in-law candidate, indeed the future power with even greater value. Yet, every family has its values that cannot be compromised.”

He was overflowing with negativity that felt suffocating.

His furious eyes turned toward me and Isabella.

“And the Earl who has tarnished that value is the enemy of Graham!”

The enemy of Graham.

So, no matter how great I may be, I would be considered the enemy.

-Whoooosh!

Indeed, his negativity surged toward me with hostility.

As soon as his negativity enveloped us, Adrian revealed his true feelings.

“Isabella, come here. This time I’ll let it slide, so come away from him to me. If you defy my mercy, I will tear his soul apart.”

Adrian’s negativity was filled with immense hatred and self-loathing.

Nonetheless, I pressed a button near my throat.

Isabella followed my lead.

Then, in an instant, masks covered our faces, and the ‘emotional filtering’ began to operate.

It’s a function that blocks all negative emotions that lead to mental destruction.

[Ding~ Dingding~♪ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~♬]

Instead, a song began to play from the earphones connected to the mask.

It sounded like a wealthy layabout strumming a guitar while heating instant noodles, a relaxed and mellow prelude.

[Hail~]

And the ensuing English lyrics.

At the same time, Adrian’s negativity engulfed us.

[What’s the matter with your head, yeah~]

As he released images of accumulated hatred and fury.

Indeed, it held far more power than Isabella’s, as he had held onto negativity for much longer, accepting the destiny of Graham.

[Hail~]

But, either way, the song kept playing.

We simply hummed along.

[What’s the matter with your mind and your sign an-a oh-oh-oh]

“What… are you doing?”

Adrian frowned at us, baffled.

As richer negativity poured forth, the song moved into the chorus.

[Nothin’ the matter with your head baby find it, come on and find it]

“Why is my power not working!”

[Hail~~ with it, baby cause you’re fine and you’re mine and you look so divine]

Adrian was furiously angry.

Holding hands while humming the song, we looked at each other.

Ah, how pitiful it is that you, who know nothing of the beauty of love, are so lost.

[Come and get your love~ come and get your love~~]

We smiled while enjoying the highlight of the song.

From now on, we promised to break free from the incredibly gloomy shadow of Graham and only engage in happy and joyful things.

The only one saddened by Isabella’s happiness is you, Adrian, who has embraced Graham’s destiny.

“Father, please forgive your anger. I’m just here to talk.”

In that moment, filled with love, Isabella referred to Adrian as ‘Father’ instead of ‘you’ for the first time in seven years.

Adrian looked at her with a somewhat bewildered expression and murmured.

“…What?”

Always pushing his negativity away with stronger negativity, Isabella was now simply removing his negativity with a warm word.

She smiled and said.

“I came here knowing everything. I wanted to tell you to put down the burdens you bear.”

…Adrian’s stern expression crumbled.