I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Lucas thought.

Is this what death is like?

Such comfort and serene stillness—could that be the sensation of death?

…If so, this isn’t so bad after all.

For Lucas, who had fought tirelessly to prove himself, this kind of tranquility was something he had longed for.

Yet still, the lingering regrets that flitted through his mind were not easily shaken off.

Looking back at his end, had he not met his last moment far too pitifully?

To die riled up like a child in anger at the enemy’s taunts.

After awakening his powers with Ed’s help, he thought he could defeat any foe.

But indeed, personal strength alone wasn’t enough; mental discipline was also crucial.

Ultimately, he couldn’t master his heart, resulting in his powers going to waste, leading to this state.

‘No, I shouldn’t blame myself anymore. It’s all over anyway…’

But blaming himself wouldn’t change the conclusion.

Though his consciousness remained now, he would certainly meet death in due time.

Even now, if he wished, he could extinguish the flickering light of consciousness that was growing precarious.

Having suffered through self-loathing and guilt for so long, he wished to leave this world peacefully in his final moments.

– Fwoosh!

But at that moment, something strange began to happen.

A memory pushed through his fading consciousness.

‘…What is this?’

And this memory was strong enough to cling to the diminishing mind of Lucas.

A memory of the person he loved and respected the most—his mother.

‘Ah…’

The memory began with her giving birth to him.

At that time, she wore the happiest expression in the world, looking at her newborn son with tears mixed into her smile.

“See? You look just like me, right? A healthy baby boy.”

She said, speaking to his father, who was in the heavens.

– …You really are breaking this old man down.

However, the family patriarch, his grandfather Elmar, disapproved of her.

Having given birth to a lowly commoner’s child, he blamed her for tearing at his heart, believing it meant the end for the Elmar lineage.

– …….

But the mother said nothing at all.

Before Ed’s arrival, commoners were treated as little more than animals.

Well aware of the unwritten rules of noble society, she endured her father’s disdain in silence.

Then, the memory jumped five years ahead.

– Father!

His mother barged into the family office.

His grandfather narrowed his eyes sharply at her.

Yet, his mother was so filled with rage that she didn’t care about his expression.

“How could you do this!”

– …What do you mean?

“How could you outright ignore Lucas in front of other children? He is your grandson! Shouldn’t you support family?”

– …Family? A half-wit who can’t even inherit the Elmar name is family?

“Father!”

– That boy is Jack Dionel’s child. He’s Lucas Dionel, not Lucas Elmar.

Lucas closed his eyes.

The trauma he’d forgotten began to rise again.

His grandfather, who had hated him.

Yet, despite that, he had looked up to his grandfather immensely.

With his father absent, he saw him as a father figure, longing for his affection.

– …If this continues, I won’t have a reason to stay here anymore. No matter how much you’re my father! If you hurt Lucas, I won’t stay idle!

At that moment, his enraged mother released her mana, expressing her true feelings.

Originally, his grandfather had been a well-known doting father before his mother met his father and had quickly reacted.

– …If that’s the case, you have a condition.

– …….

“You’ve tarnished the family’s honor by birthing a commoner’s child. You must restore our family’s dignity. It seems the Emperor is currently pushing for a conquest war.”

His grandfather said, handing over a document that had come from the central government.

His mother quickly scanned the document and then knelt down on one knee to speak.

– …I, Adela Elmar, will represent the family to obey the Emperor’s orders.

– …Go.

Thus, the year his mother turned 23, she led troops into the conquest war.

And in that fierce battlefield, she fought with all her might.

To prove herself.

Determined to make the name Elmar known to the Emperor, she poured her heart into her efforts tirelessly.

Her efforts dwarfed the little things he had done.

Her resolve was a life-risking endeavor.

– Hah… Hah… Hah…

Yet even amidst it all, she would drop by to see him once a week.

She would warp back and forth to the Elmar Territory.

– Whew…

But just because there was warping didn’t mean it was a quick journey.

It meant passing through quite a number of transfer points to reach here from that distant place.

His mother would come flying to the Elmar Territory without a wink of sleep, navigating through the battlefield.

Taking advantage of every gap while enduring the dangers of war.

– Swoosh…

But still, she wouldn’t reveal her true state to him.

Every time she passed through the territory’s main gate, covered in blood, she would always clean herself and then open his door with a bright smile.

Naively, he would rush to his mother and hug her.

She would pat his head and bombard him with questions about how he had been in the past week.

Had someone been bothering him? Had he eaten well?

However, his situation improved as his mother’s achievements reached his grandfather’s ears.

So he beamed brightly as he proudly showcased the toy in his hand.

He would boast about the toy his grandfather casually threw aside—the thing he was proudest of.

– Aww~ Our Lucas is lucky~. Did grandfather buy that for you?

– Yeah. Hehe. It seems he doesn’t dislike me anymore.

– …….

His mother’s expression suddenly turned pained.

She silently stroked his head.

After playing with him for about four hours, she would prepare to leave for the battlefield again.

Since, based on military law, her presence here was impossible.

She was only allowed because the commander of the Elmar family and the war empress turned a blind eye.

– Lucas, I’m sorry. Next time, let’s really play a lot.

– …Tch. You said that last time too.

– …….

– …I don’t know. But seeing you win so easily in the fighting tournament has pleased grandfather. Will you really stay longer next time?

– Yes. Next time, I’ll make sure to find time.

With that, she glanced back at him several times before heading back to the war.

Without sleeping even once, she rode on horseback, dozing off as they moved.

– Adela Elmar. The Emperor has decreed to honor your accomplishments, so you shall receive the imperial sword with due respect.

And thus, when the conquest war that lasted about three years came to an end.

His mother was able to receive the imperial sword from the royal family.

She earned an honorary trophy given to only one person for her remarkable achievements during this conquest war.

However, the imperial sword was merely symbolic; the real benefit was separate.

The mining rights to the mines obtained from this conquest war were entirely entrusted to the Elmar family.

– Hah, this will change the game again, huh?

– Damn, I guess I have to watch my tongue. I’ve been trash-talking the Elmar folks for too long.

Thus, the Elmar family revived once more.

My family, which had fallen due to the humiliation of having produced a commoner’s child, had acquired a mine pouring forth copious gold, making the opportunistic noble families swarm once again.

From then on, they began calling my mother “Empress of the East” to curry favor with her.

– My daughter. You’ve really been through a lot. It’s a shame you don’t know how to choose a man; how proud I am of you.

Upon receiving the mining rights and returning to the family, his mother transformed from your daughter to our daughter.

Around that time, his grandfather, true to his promise, granted him the name Elmar, allowing him to finally be recognized as a noble.

– Hah, just because I got the Elmar name doesn’t mean everything is solved.

Even with the Elmar name, everything didn’t become perfect.

The disdainful glares from the other noble children still lingered.

I didn’t know, but my mother had been watching over my situation from a distance.

She gazed at them with a furious expression, as if she could tear them apart at any moment.

– …….

But she simply turned around.

She knew that if she intervened, I would only feel more ashamed.

– Lucas, your father was a man. You too must become a man.

Instead, she gently held me on the day I returned home and presented me with a goal.

She told me repeatedly that I must become a “man”.

– …Okay, I understand.

But at that time, I detested my father.

I thought my grandfather’s disapproval and the bullying I suffered from noble children were all thanks to my father’s lowly birth.

Thus, I tried to prove myself in another way.

Having come to hold the name Elmar with difficulty…

I started dreaming of becoming a perfect noble, where everyone would look up to me.

– Hahaha. Who is this? Our esteemed noble, Lord Lucas Elmar?

– Ah, the esteemed blood of a commoner flows through him?

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

My debut into the social scene became a series of trials.

I was teased to the extent that I couldn’t raise my face from the embarrassment.

Thus, utterly mocked, I sought refuge in a lonely place to weep.

– Ugh.

But at that moment, I made a resolution.

Just as my mother, once ridiculed as the disgrace of nobility, had become the Empress of the East, I too would prove myself.

In that moment of fierce resolve, ambition blossomed in my eyes.

The ambition to become the strongest among my noble peers and stand above them.

“…”

But I overlooked something.

The memories I was seeing were of my mother’s, and she knew everything about my first social debut.

She had a servant record my every moment and transmit it through a crystal.

The servant she sent had even captured the image of me hiding and crying in solitude.

And upon seeing that footage, my mother…

– I’ll just step out for a moment.

– Yes, milady.

Clutching the crystal, she dashed outside.

Holding back tears that threatened to spill, she climbed a nearby mountain.

Only after confirming that no one was around did she begin to cry.

Repeating “I’m sorry” over and over as tears flowed down her cheeks.

But today, I saw it for the first time.

My mother crying.

I never once thought she would shed tears.

I thought of her as someone who doesn’t cry.

– Lucas, how was the social gathering today?

– …It was just okay. Boring, really.

I realized a fact I hadn’t noticed before: my mother and I had something in common.

We both acted like everything was fine even when suffering.

Still, my mother smiled bittersweetly and held me close.

Gently patting my back, she spoke kindly.

– Still hard, wasn’t it? It’s okay. It’s always tough at first.

– …….

Cuddled in her arms, I clenched my pants tightly.

I thought I would burst out crying, pinching my thighs and trembling my lips in silence.

My mother smiled warmly and said:

– Lucas, what’s something a man shouldn’t do?

– …He shouldn’t cry.

– Right. And a man should grow strong. Do you want to become strong, Lucas?

– …Yeah.

– Then shall we start training together tomorrow? You’ve reached the age where you can learn magic now.

I nodded my head.

Thus, my mother provided me with what I needed at the right moment.

And that went the same for the memories from ten years later.

Her focus was always on me.

Whenever something happened, she would drop everything to come to me.

Yet she never showed it, and I mistook her concern for indifference.

She might have been careful, fearing my feelings would get hurt.

– Mother. From now on, I shall call you that.

As I entered adolescence, I began to assert myself.

I happened to visit Isabella’s house and saw her treating Grand Duke Adrian with respect, which made me think, “Ah, is that the etiquette of the nobles?”

So I decided to speak to my mother with formality.

– Right, now you’re a proper noble, so show due respect to the head of the family.

But my mother just smiled and accepted my childish absurdities.

She likely understood my childish desire to appear as a proper noble.

However, convinced I should present myself as a noble adult, I didn’t treat my mother properly.

Gradually, as I built up my reputation in the social scene, I began to grow distant from her, intoxicated by praise and attention.

I started to carry myself with an air of superiority even at home.

Looking back, I want to smack that past version of myself.

– Lucas. Do you not want to go to your father’s grave with me?

– …I don’t want to. Why should I go to the grave of someone who only caused you pain?

– …….

– Besides, I am the proper heir of the Elmar family. Please don’t treat me like a child.

My fists trembled in rage.

If I could meet that version of me from back then, I would want to slap that mouth.

Yet my mother simply smiled softly and nodded.

– I’m sorry. I had a short-sighted thought. Then I’ll go to the grave, so relax and stay here.

With that, my mother headed to my father’s grave.

Beside her was an old servant, who once she arrived asked if she had been hurt by my attitude.

My mother smiled slightly and shook her head.

– No. That child is more than qualified to resent my husband. I’m grateful that, against all odds, he’s growing up well.

– …….

– I will simply wait. If my feelings for him remain unchanged, one day Lucas will surely wonder: What kind of person is he that I continue to come here?

– …….

– But before that time comes, I must master all the anger within me. Until then, I must never force or hasten it. Accepting him will be Lucas’s decision.

The housekeeper bowed his head.

He felt ashamed for not understanding the grand intentions of the head of the family.

– …Haha. No need for that. I too am a foolish mother.

Yet even so, my mother, pulling weeds blooming at my father’s grave, smiled bitterly.

And with that, she began to explain why she considered herself a foolish mother.

– As a mother, I haven’t given Lucas enough love. If I indulge him, no one will correct him.

– …….

– So… I never acknowledged him. He looked up to me, wishing for my praise… but I couldn’t allow myself to let him grow complacent. I never sincerely praised him, fearing that if I let my guard down, he might lose his focus.

– …Lady Head…

– …That is the situation. Isn’t the empire’s situation chaotic? Many noble families have risen and fallen due to the repercussions of a great war, and the Clendor Kingdom has declared itself an empire. At any moment, war might break out again; the Emperor has been pushing for the establishment of an academy under the pretense of a punitive campaign. It’s an era where strength must grow.

– …….

– When the academy is established, I suspect our Lucas will be enrolling as well. Until then, I plan to prepare him as much as possible.

My mother concluded her statements and withdrew from the grave.

Then, she knelt down respectfully before my father’s grave and relayed her current circumstances.

After chattering for a while, my mother rose and prepared to depart.

But then…

“…Milady.”

The servant called out to her.

When my mother turned her head, the servant posed a significant question.

“May I ask how you perceive young Lord Lucas’s level? I would advise thorough preparation for his potential entrance into the academy.”

A housekeeper aiming to gauge my capabilities in anticipation of my academy entrance.

“Hehe, is that even a question?”

Yet my mother beamed at the question like the sun.

Then, with a voice filled with conviction, as if declaring an immutable truth of the world, she said:

“Of course, our Lucas is the best. He has never disappointed me, not once. Not in the past, not now, and not ever, eternally.”

With that statement, my mother turned and walked down the mountain.

However, oddly, I couldn’t see my mother properly.

My eyes hazy, unable to clearly recognize her figure.

“…Ah. Aah…”

I’m such a fool.

Despite having received such immense love, I mistakenly thought I was alone in this world.

I was envious of Ed, who was by my mother’s side, and I resented her for not distancing herself from him.

‘Fool… you dumb fool…’

It was selfishness.

The selfishness that Adela Elmar’s life ought to exist solely for Lucas Elmar.

I never took an interest in my mother’s life.

No, I was merely fooled into thinking I understood everything from a few words I’d heard.

I didn’t think about what kind of woman my mother was.

Whom she met, how she loved…

What struggles she endured while raising me.

I didn’t consider any of these things at all.

I just thought she was my mother and should remain my mother forever.

I didn’t look into Adela Elmar as an individual.

‘Why… do I…’

My heart ached.

The nineteen years she spent raising me, there was no life of Adela Elmar to be seen.

She poured herself into the family and her son’s well-being.

She didn’t care for her own emotions or happiness at all.

Only for me.

She lived and sacrificed everything for me.

‘Dumb… stupid bastard…’

I regretted it so much.

How much pain would my mother feel losing me?

She, who was overly cautious, not wanting her actions or words to wound me.

How much would she wail if she found out I had died in such a manner?

‘I shouldn’t have…’

Everything, everything is such a huge regret.

I know it’s unreasonable, but I wish I could be given just one more chance.

If only there were a god… if you exist, please allow me to correct my mistakes, just one more time─.

“─Lucas!”

At that moment, a desperate voice pierced through my consciousness.

It was so earnest that I wondered if my mother was calling for me.

But soon, I realized the voice belonged to Claire.

“Lucas. I will never abandon you. I will definitely rescue you.”

And she reassured me that she would never leave me behind.

The regret and despair that had been saturating my emotions began to gently settle.

– Hooosh…

A warm energy enveloped me.

As I felt that warmth, a sense of inexplicable happiness washed over me.

It was as if the joy and peace of being cradled in my mother’s embrace when I was a five-year-old began to envelop me once more.

“I’ve been in love with you for over ten years. Did you not know?”

Amidst all this, an unbelievable statement reached my ears.

Stuck in this place and unable to show my feelings, if I had been able to truly hear her, my heart would have been pounding throughout the area.

And soon, Claire started to pour out her story.