I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Tournament.

This contest, also known as the winner’s battle, is structured so that only winners face each other until a final victor emerges.

However, the tournament at the Empire Academy had a slightly different format.

Instead of human versus human, it pitted humans against monsters, measuring records based on how many monsters were killed and how strong those monsters were within a limited time, with the goal of scoring as much as possible.

“Well, that’s a relief for me.”

My opponent is Isabella.

If I had to face her one-on-one, I would’ve been helpless against her.

I don’t have any barriers to block her psychic attacks yet.

At least with the method of defeating monsters, there’s a fair chance to compete.

“Looks like we’re facing off early?”

At that moment, a chilling, abrupt sound pierced my eardrums.

It was Isabella.

“Lady Isabella.”

“Hehe. How does it feel to face me?”

“…At least it’s a lesser misfortune. We’re not facing each other directly, after all.”

“Don’t be so humble. I know you have a lot of hidden cards.”

“Isn’t that true for you too, Lady Isabella?”

“Ah, really? Like this, for example?”

In that instant, a peculiar magical power pierced through my body.

Simultaneously, Isabella’s eyes turned completely black.

Isabella was trying to attack me mentally.

And it was quite powerful.

“…”

However, nothing happened.

Her specialties—hallucinations, delusions, sensory errors—none of it activated.

A smile slowly spread across Isabella’s previously tense face.

As she withdrew her magical attack, her eyes returned to normal.

“Doesn’t work, huh? Looks like you brought the gift I gave you.”

“…Is this what you were talking about?”

I pulled out the bizarre doll I had tucked away.

A doll of a girl crying blood tears.

Isabella twisted her lips in a grin.

“Interesting. Usually, people throw those away.”

…Of course they do.

No one welcomes a creepy Chucky doll.

I felt the same way in the early stages of the game.

I threw it away the moment I got it because it made me uncomfortable.

But the moment I discarded the doll, Isabella’s curse would activate.

No matter how far I tossed it, it would always be nearby at some point.

From then on, the doll’s creepy stalking would inevitably continue.

Even if I sent it floating down a river, dropped it off a cliff, or placed it miles away.

Eventually, I would find it back near me.

Each time, the expression that was once screaming in blood tears gradually turned into a smiling face.

That was Isabella’s cruel amusement.

“Burning it wouldn’t work either.”

Naturally, after suffering from such stalking, I’d contemplate burning the doll.

Yet it would eventually prove to be a futile endeavor.

The moment I ignited it, I would experience the dog-like misfortune of being engulfed in flames myself.

Ultimately, for this reason, I vowed never to challenge Isabella’s route again, but that changed when I played my 13th account.

Because I learned her truth in the late stages of the game.

“Hey, commoner. Why so quiet?”

At that moment, Isabella’s voice dispersed my thoughts.

She was staring at me with a pouty face.

I barely smiled and responded.

“Well, you gave it to me, so I can’t just throw it away.”

“…Are you innocent, or just stupid?”

“I’d rather say I have a good memory. Last time you gave me this doll, you mentioned it wouldn’t break if I had it. So I kept it just in case.”

“Ha. You’re really gullible.”

“I think it’s worth keeping to avoid potential harm. You could consider being nice and withdrawing any malice.”

“…”

But I couldn’t admit I already knew the curse’s content, so I added a plausible reason to persuade her.

Then Isabella gazed at me thoughtfully, before quickly breaking into a smile and stepping closer.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. That’s a good answer. Keeping that doll would be better for your sake.”

“…”

“But you might be better off suffering a bit. As long as you hold onto that doll, you’ll keep getting tangled with me. Life could become tiresome.”

“…It doesn’t matter. If I aim for S-rank here, I’ll inevitably run into you. Avoiding it won’t solve anything.”

“…Ha. You really aren’t scared of me, huh? How amusing.”

With that, Isabella took two steps closer to me.

We were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“…Impressive. You might just be able to handle me.”

“…”

…It was still the early game, and already Isabella’s event introduction had begun.

I had just heard the word “impressive.”

From now on, it seemed I would be significantly tangled up with her.

“Handle? What are you talking about? That’s such a cheesy sentiment!”

At that moment.

A sharp voice pierced the space between Isabella and me.

It was Enya.

“Isn’t that line a bit cliché? I’m the Grand Duchess Isabella of the Graham family. Can a commoner truly handle me? …Something like that?”

Enya approached, mimicking Isabella’s expression and voice.

Her tone was laced with mockery.

Isabella smirked and replied.

“You’re getting surprisingly flustered. Do you like this commoner that much?”

“What? No! That’s not it! Well, yes, I mean, I do! But not in the way you’re thinking!”

“…Oh, really? Then can I take this commoner? I’m quite interested in him.”

“What? That’s not allowed!”

“Hehe. Just kidding. Looks like my assumptions were on point.”

“E-eh?”

Enya’s face turned beet red.

Isabella laughed leisurely, turning her back.

“Well then, do your best. I’m not sure how well you can roast this cunning commoner.”

With that, Isabella began to walk away.

Enya looked back and forth between Isabella and me with a bewildered expression, then awkwardly greeted me with a face as red as a tomato.

“Ah, hi? Haha… But, she says such strange things, doesn’t she? Just ignore it. She’s been saying odd stuff for quite a while now. It’s all nonsense.”

It was less a greeting and more an effort to smooth over the awkward situation.

Her flustered demeanor was cute and naturally brought a smile to my face.

“Haha. And you? Did you get home okay last night?”

***

After that, I chatted with Enya a bit.

In fact, it was less of a chat and more about her one-sidedly sharing information—a sort of tip about the second round.

For example, the weaknesses of monsters we’d face in the next round, their abilities, and so on.

“Okay, fight hard! Make sure to beat Isabella!”

Enya provided me with the information I needed and scurried off into the auditorium.

Seeing her still struggling to use informal speech made me chuckle.

“Well, I’ve already made my preparations.”

But even without Enya’s concern, I was already somewhat ready.

I had upgraded my gauntlets before going to bed last night.

So with a relaxed mind, I stepped into the auditorium.

Students were mingling in clusters, busy preparing for the upcoming second round.

However, because I stood out with a memorable presence during the entrance ceremony and the first class evaluation, soon students recognized me and began to crowd around.

“Attention! We’re about to begin the second round, so everyone, return to your positions!”

Amid all this, the instructor’s commanding voice saved me.

The crowd quickly dispersed.

Afterwards, the instructor succinctly explained the rules for the second round, signaling the start.

“…That concludes the explanation of the rules. Without further ado, let’s begin the second round. Denver, Roger, step up and touch the teleportation magic circle.”

Thus, starting with the students who scored the lowest in the first evaluation, the second evaluation commenced.

The two named students placed their hands on the teleportation circle at the instructor’s command, and their figures soon vanished to the battlefield.

Awaiting them on the battlefield was the supervising instructor, positioned for the students’ safety.

[Welcome. I am Instructor Kaiden. I’ll watch over you in case of any unexpected situations, so you can unleash your skills to the fullest. Then, without further ado, we’ll start the test in three seconds. 3… 2… 1…]

Boom!

With the gunshot, the two students charged into the battlefield.

Thanks to the video transmission magic circle following them, we could vividly watch their battle on the screen.

During this time, the students in the auditorium began calculating the monsters’ characteristics and weaknesses while considering the strategies they would use to defeat them.

Everyone was busy brainstorming strategies.

-Wham!

Of course, I was no exception.

I also began a combat simulation using holograms.

There were about five types of monsters on site.

Each type had different assigned scores, so I started figuring out a way to score as many points as possible based on the firepower I possessed and the characteristics of the monsters.

Time passed.

“Next match: Edgar Fix versus Isabella. Step up and place your hand on the teleportation magic circle.”

Finally, it was my turn.

I cleared my hologram of the equipped ‘Plasma Blade’ and stepped onto the platform.

As I waited for my match, I recited the strategy I had formulated in my head once more.

“Minions aren’t necessary. Directly targeting the boss for maximum points is the way to go…”