I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

---

A grand feast was held in the Dwarf Alliance Kingdom.

Expensive foods and drinks filled the table.

It was to welcome the distinguished guest, Count Edgar Fix.

It’s no wonder, considering that just 30 minutes ago, Edgar Fix had signed to spend an amount equivalent to 50% of the Dwarf Kingdom’s budget in a single day.

“Our workshop’s technology is top-notch. Here is my apprentice; if you ever get the chance to witness the forging process, you’ll be completely captivated.”

However, before this feast, there had been fierce competition.

The 80 billion project led by Edgar Fix.

Countless workshops had entered the bidding war to secure the rights to that project.

– “I’ll demonstrate our workshop’s proprietary technology that has never been revealed before. Behold! I will explain the mana processing technique for material hardening.”

This is why the dwarves have established themselves as the best engineering nation in the world.

The reason lies in their unique technological innovations that have continued through the generations.

There are as many as over 300 dwarf workshops.

These workshops are in constant competition with each other to win bids from foreign countries.

Just as Korean archers are selected solely based on skill, the dwarves also prove themselves solely through their abilities, regardless of seniority.

– “Ahem. Isn’t there a bit of a problem with the post-processing in your workshop? The finishing is quite…”

– “What nonsense! Aren’t you the one who gouged the clients with undercut pricing?”

– “Lord Fix, why not ditch those mediocre workshops and take a look at our products instead? You’ll surely recognize our technical prowess.”

This time, however, the competition had become overheated.

An insane project worth 80 billion.

Participating even for a mere 10 percent—or even 5 percent—would mean a tremendous benefit, far exceeding two years of budget for any workshop.

“Why don’t we all just participate?”

“…?”

However, at that moment, an unexpected statement popped out of Edgar Fix’s mouth.

He decided to hire all 36 dwarf workshops participating in the large-scale civil engineering project bidding competition.

“B-but Lord Fix. If all 36 workshops participate, the command structure might become scattered, and it could lead to inefficiencies in work…”

The representatives of the dwarf workshops expressed their concerns.

If all workshops participated, the pie they could earn would shrink, thus revealing their discomfort under the pretense of command structure.

“Don’t worry. We can just work together well, right?”

“W-well still…”

“I believe my project will grow even larger. I expect it to expand tenfold. Of course, the investment will also increase tenfold.”

“Tenfold!?”

“Yes.”

“Hahahahahaha! We are a people of collaboration after all!”

Thus, the stubborn and prideful dwarves achieved a grand unification.

The dwarf workshops that had been in conflict for hundreds of years signed an agreement to collaborate under the leadership of Edgar Fix, with mutual respect and legitimate processes.

“I can’t believe I’m witnessing such a day in my life…”

King Magran, seated in the main seat of the banquet hall, was impressed.

The representatives from the workshops, who had fought each other every time they met, were now laughing together with arm around shoulder after receiving a 50% advance payment.

“You surprise me every time we meet. It’s the first time I’ve seen those stubborn nitwits getting along so well. I’ve always been anxious mediating between them… Are you considering changing your nationality by any chance?”

“Hahaha. You’re joking, I see.”

“I’m serious. Do you see this shiny bald head of mine? It’s all thanks to those fellows…”

Ed, who restored the honor of Dagran, King Magran’s younger brother.

And in respect for such Ed, the Dwarf King decided to sit him at the same height and size of the chair as himself.

“…”

However, Adrian quietly observed Ed.

As the landowner qualifying for this project, he was assessing whether the ‘Northern Subjugation Plan’ that Edgar had mentioned could become a reality.

The results of observing Ed until now led him to a hopeful thought—that perhaps the seemingly absurd plan he mentioned could actually come to fruition.

After all, he had even drawn in all 36 representatives of the dwarves by treating the notoriously difficult dwarves as if they were his friends.

“Bilson, what do you think?”

Adrian then asked his only close friend, Bilson, the head butler of the Graham family, about Ed.

A smile spread across Bilson’s wrinkled face.

“Let’s trust him.”

“…”

“He is a man who can put into action the things he says. Hasn’t he made this whole space his own?”

This space.

Adrian looked around.

This venue meant to welcome Ed was all revolving around him.

The Dwarf King, representing a whole nation, treated him as a friend and sat him at an equal place, while the representatives of the picky workshops praised Ed.

He was not just a mere employer providing money; they deeply respected him for his technical expertise and the contributions he had made to their country.

– “I’m really looking forward to this project. To think we get to work on blueprints designed by the Forgemaster of Salvation.”

– “I’m definitely aiming to give my apprentice a solid training this time. Since we can work alongside Lord Fix’s engineering corps, there will certainly be a lot to learn.”

And from what they spoke of, it wasn’t just about going to work.

Learning.

The dwarves, full of pride in their technical skills, were going there to learn.

“I don’t believe in mythological fictions… but perhaps Edgar Fix might truly be the reincarnation of a Heavenly Being. Thinking about it, Edgar Fix has always stood out, hasn’t he? Giving a speech right after enrolling at the Academy, regaining honor against the schemes of Clendor, and now rising to become the center of the Empire and the world’s intellect. The world revolves around him.”

…Adrian nodded.

Just as the head butler Bilson had said, Ed indeed had the power to draw people in.

His physical strength as an individual.

The sharpness of knowledge inspiring scholars.

Absolute skills respected by artisans.

The attraction of a man igniting passion in the hearts of reason.

He lacked nothing.

He was the only one who possessed the ability and potential to prevent the impending doom.

“And crucially…”

As Adrian was lost in thoughts about Ed, Bilson continued his statement.

He gazed at Adrian with a steady look.

“I also wish the master would finally lay the burdens of the family down. It’s true that your family has taken on great missions… but from a personal standpoint, being in service to you since the former head of the house… I just hope you can find happiness now.”

Bilson reminisced about Adrian’s childhood as he spoke.

Before being burdened with the fate of the family, he was the most optimistic and sociable bright child.

However, that child ended up living a life marred by sin, consumed by hatred and revenge.

Dreaming of the day he would one day take revenge on his father, he had to live a life filled with malice and vengefulness.

– “This is… by his words.”

Yet as always, the former head of the family had been sacrificed to Lilith and relayed his memories.

Having inherited those memories, Adrian realized that his father had indeed loved him.

But by the time he realized that truth, everything was already over.

– “…This is my destiny.”

After that, Adrian was confused for a long time, but ultimately decided to follow the former head’s path.

In order to find something meaningful in his tragically stained life, nothing but the duty to fulfill his family’s obligation for ‘world peace’ remained.

To accept his father’s false abuse and hidden truths, he had no choice but to rationalize it that way.

– “Isabella, you shall inherit your sister’s fate.”

Thus, Adrian repeated what his father had done to his daughter.

His heart was torn apart, yet he sublimated that into denial, seeking meaning in life.

Ultimately, the more he transferred his sins to Lilith, the more satisfaction she would feel, and in turn, that would delay the moment when Isabella would have to sacrifice herself.

“Bilson, then I must ask. If Edgar Fix can truly resolve all these issues as you say, where should I search for the meaning of my life? What on earth have I been living for?”

Having spent a lifetime accumulating sins to become Lilith’s ‘prey.’

Days of destruction under the pretext of ‘world peace’ as he abused his daughter.

Bilson suddenly saw the emptiness in his master’s eyes.

Those eyes carried a sorrow resembling that of an elderly man reflecting on the fleeting nature of life.

“Then, master…”

Yet Bilson already knew the answer.

Having lived more than eighty years, serving the Graham family for three generations, he understood well what they should do.

“…Return to when you were twelve years old.”

“…Twelve years old?”

“Yes. When you were a young master just beginning to accept the burdens of sin… didn’t you once say while cradled in my arms that you hoped the former head would return to a kinder persona?”

“…”

“Listen to the wishes of that twelve-year-old boy. Live in accordance with all those hopes.”

The wishes of twelve-year-old Adrian.

To return to his old family and lead a happy life.

Adrian twisted his lips as he spoke.

“Isn’t it too late for that?”

“Not yet.”

“Do you think I could do that?”

“It’ll be very easy. You just have to let the feelings that naturally emerge flow without blocking them.”

“…”

Adrian looked up at the void for a moment.

Then he placed the cup in his hand on the table and said,

“…I’ll bear with it.”

***

Having confirmed Ed’s influence, Adrian granted permission for all civil engineering projects Ed would undertake on his lands.

He decided to momentarily entrust the world’s fate—one that only his family had ever managed—to him.

“Prepare the meal.”

“Yes.”

Having completed his schedule, he returned to his territory and commanded the preparation of dinner.

However, the dinner held daily at seven o’clock was less of a meal and more akin to a ‘homework check’ session for Adrian to verify Isabella’s sins.

Thus, Isabella, who was staying in the territory, also found herself seated at the dinner table out of habit.

“…Eat.”

Still, Adrian did not conduct the customary homework check.

Unlike the past behavior where if she failed to fill her sins for the day she couldn’t eat dinner, today, he allowed everyone to eat regardless.

“…Yes.”

Isabella looked at Adrian for a moment, then nodded.

Between them flowed a frozen atmosphere, and a silent meal continued.

It was bleak enough that anyone watching would feel uneasy.

“Ahem.”

In that atmosphere, Adrian cleared his throat and picked up a piece of chicken.

Then he placed it on Isabella’s rice bowl.

Isabella looked at Adrian with the expression of someone viewing a madman.

“…”

“…”

An almost suffocating silence.

A heavy atmosphere that felt like it could choke you.

The first to break the silence was Adrian.

“This is the worst part.”

“…”

“It’s so dry it’ll block your throat.”

He said this with a smirk.

It was as ridiculous as Adrian himself thought.

“Are you telling me to choke to death?”

“Yep.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate. I have water.”

Isabella said that as she began chewing the dry meat with rice.

Then she poured water into her cup and gulped it down.

She too twisted her lips.

– Shivering…

But she was trembling from the strain.

Adrian nodded as he said,

“…I’ve failed.”

And he began eating again.

Isabella picked up her utensils and started eating too.

The ears of the father and daughter turned red.