// To See new Things. //

『Wow, there really are giant mech's in this world!』

Talie said as she gazed at the large machine currently in standby
She went to wander inside a hangar workshop inside the academy.
Normally a place often only used by students who deal with machinery.

Baster mostly explained things to us, regarding the situation of our current world.
The machines are used on Middle to the Lower land area where giant threatening monsters appear.

In higher area's however, their numbers are reduced by only a single or three.
Where subjugation is requested to deal with such threats.

Most Cities Height: 2500-3500m anything above it would affect most living people.

High islands: 3500 - 6000m
(Usually small islands 1-3 giant monsters appear.)
Middle islands: 2000 - 3500m
(20 to 100 appears the island is wider and larger compared to high islands.)
Low: Surface - 0m (Unknown, said to be the resting place of ancient history.)

They also have a device known as the Altide.
To measure the height of where we are so it made things easier to determine.

Our home and airspace were at an altitude of somewhere close to 3200-3500.

Though, The island baster tackled on was higher than the island around us.
So it's possibly one of the high islands.

It appears they developed a protective field of magic to deal with altitude sickness.
Along with medication that usually is threatening to those who have a weak constitution.

[I highly doubt Tori will like these giant machines.
Most of her spells revolve around dealing with living things, after all.

But still, it feels so bizarre to see something like this.

To think monsters are the reason why these things were created.
Neither Tori and I imagined that such an event would affect everyone and push every race towards the sky.

I still have no idea where and when they built these...]

Talie then recalled the moment Tori last fought like a dragon before she kicked the bucket.

As a half-dragon, she had fought machines which successfully managed to wound her...

『Ah, right there were machines made by a mad genius before...
I still can't believe such high technology utilizing magic and modern knowledge actually exists. 』

But then the voice of a young girl came from behind her...

"Amazing isn't it?"

As she Talie turned...

She saw silver hair brilliant white and a few silver scales on her neck but her face and arm were completely human.

『Estel!?』She cried out.

"Hah!?" the young girl was shocked as she took a few steps backward from her shout.

As Talie recovered from gazing at the young girl, she scanned her.

Her hair was pure silver-white yet it was short.
A bit of scale around her neck only noticeable at a close distance.
Fair face and brilliant red eyes.

Talie flinches as she thought.

[No way...
She looks exactly like her.

Except...]

Her eyes then turned towards her chest.

[She's completely stacked!?
Tori will cry tears of jealousy if she meets her.]

While Talie was showing strange expressions as she ogled at her chest.

The young girl then said in reply.

"By Estel did you mean the goddess of the Demi?"

As Talie nods in reply trying to not cause any misunderstanding...

"To be praised as a goddess by a cute child I never thought...
This day could possibly happen!"

"But please, don't say that in public.
Otherwise, my kind might get angry at you.

Alright?"

She treated me like a kid, well I am one...

『Ah-』Before Talie could retort a shout was heard from behind the young girl.

"Milim!
Stop slacking and-"

It was a young woman with an intellectual appearance.
Her hair was brown and had glasses on her head.
She wore a white lab coat and blue-rimmed shirt, coupled with her dark jean pants along with a unique emblem of the academy symbolizing her role as a teacher.

Her eyes were suddenly glued to Talie who was a visitor.

"I'm sorry, teacher!" she cried out.

But she paid her no mind and approached Talie.

"No... it's fine." She said in response.

Then confronted Talie.
"You must be the student they sent.
How small and cute yet already showing talent.

Your simply perfect." she smiled as she said those words.

『Hey, wai-』as Talie tried to deny it.

Her hand reaches to her arm and pulled her with a tug.
Talie as powerless as her small limbs are, swiftly retorts.

『I'm not-』

"Now, now...
Don't be shy!" She said while her stubborn hand grip tightened.

"Surely you aren't here to just spy on our finest work.
Otherwise, that would make you suspicious.

Normally students aren't permitted to idle in a place like this you know?"

『Eh?』The teacher's eyes did not show any signs of lies as she was dragged.

She was puzzled.
The handbook given to them at the start of the academy said...
It was permitted for a student to enter the premises.

『But the hand-book said...
It was fine for students to enter here...』

"Yes, it's fine...
As long as you don't bother the members and stay at a distance.

But since you got this close to this place and began to bother one of my workers.
You technically became part of the workplace."

  『You do realize I'm from the notorious family.』

"Why Of course, that BlackRose seal on your chest says it all."

Most of the students had a Seal of their family embedded in their clothes.
This allowed them to determine who was the person they were dealing with...

『Is this really-』as she was then pushed to the dressing room.

"Stop yapping and get dressed!"

She was given a pilot suit, as Talie observed it.

『How the heck did it fit my size!?』

Was the real puzzle that came to her mind.
It was a brown modern tight suit fit for her.

...

...

...

I am now inside a mech.
The problem at this moment is the fact this woman is threatening that she will report me for obstruction of their work if I don't cooperate...

Ah, how the heck did this happen?
If I refuse now, it would draw in even more problems than we already have.

Tori will likely be furious and harass me after this.
So I did as instructed by this crazy woman in a lab coat.

『Um, do you guys realize...
I have no idea how to drive a mech?』

I keep repeating this over and over to her...
But she keeps ignoring my words.

"Don't worry, even a novice in magician can use that thing."

『Is this thing even safe to use!?』I retorted.

"Are you mocking us?" She shouted as it echoed inside the machine.

"Just quit yapping and apply your mana into the two spheres.
Everything should work as it was built!"

She said in a strange device she was holding...
Her voice reverberated inside the machine.

Giving a deep sigh I did as she told me.

Two spheres...
As I look around this damn mech,
 I saw two round objects close on the hand rest where my hand was placed.

I applied magic as instructed then suddenly I felt a surge of confusion as the vision of my surroundings began to change...

『What the heck!』I shouted.

My sights suddenly blacked out, yet I was still conscious.
Suddenly strange numbers and appeared from my sight.
Then as light returns to me...

The height of my vision was...
On the same height as the large machine!
Everything became completely small.

"How does it feel?" The doctor said.

『Uhhh, care to explain what the heck is this?』

She soon gave a deep sigh.

"Did you not study?" then paused and realized something.

"Oh, right...
You and your sister skipped the elementary sections and got thrown here.
I suppose explaining things should be mandatory.

Still, it's impressive for a child like you to do this...

I suppose that report regarding yourself.
Being able to save your siblings 3 years ago wasn't a complete lie."

『Hey wait!
Was all this just for you to test me!?』

"Yes and also to give you a bit of experience.

Only those who can feel and utilize magic can use the two spheres.
It is technically a spell that only requires your mana.

But unlike Ark-seals it requires a deeper sense of understanding of magic.
That kind of understanding where only those who actually can use spells can do..."

『Basically, sorcerers.』

"Correct.
Not many can learn spells on their own.
Considering the existence of ark-seals which lowered their numbers.

Right now, your mind has been transferred into the machine.
As long as your body is connected to it, you should be able to move...

Try raising your limbs." she said.

Hmmm...
I did as she said...

And soon my arm moved as it was raised but...

『It's kind of stiff?』I said to her as I moved my sight to where she stood.
Surprisingly this machine followed what I wanted to see as it zoomed in towards the lab coat hag...

"That's a mech for you...
Even if your inner mind has been transferred and controls it.
That doesn't mean it will completely follow as fluidly as a human.

However, it does have plenty of function and follows your will as you desired it."

『That's pretty convenient, who the hell made this.』

After a deep sigh...

The lab coat woman then scratched her head as she pulled out a smoke.
Flickering it she then puffed a taste and then said with a really scornful look.

"You brat really didn't study at all.
Yet surprisingly, your ability to use magic is superb...

I'm not sure how on earth you learned how to use magic.
But at least respect those who brought the knowledge to keep your bloodline alive!"

She said in disdain and anger...
Needless to say, she soon lectured me for long hours.

Afterward,  they managed to gather data as the testing for the machine was a success.

Then she requested me to work for her,
In exchange for providing money and supply to my family who is currently in debt.

As expected this woman is very unpleasant...
Even the debt didn't escape her knowledge.

I accepted under one condition.

*To permit me to excuse myself on days where I am busy.*

She agreed to the deal as long as she received a proper reason for it.

After returning to the comfort of my own clothes.
I had to ask a certain question regarding this world...

『Have anyone in this world ever came up of a way,
To reduce the overwhelming presence of mana? 』

"That's quite a fascinating question...
Unfortunately, I deal with machinery and magic revolving its use.

So I myself have no answers for that as its already been three centuries since this happened..."

[

『I see...
Just like as Baster had explained to us.
This was undoubtedly the circumstance of this world...

The surface of the world has turned into one giant dungeon.』

 

『Did the spirit king reincarnate us to deal with this problem?
If this is the reason why we still carry our memories.
I wonder if Tori and I can handle this kind of problem...

No...

If he wanted our help,
He could have made contact with us through his own spirits.』]

Afterward...
I was given an excuse letter for being late in class.
As Tori soon complained to me regarding my sudden disappearance.

________________________________________________________________________________

// Baster's dismay... //

Place: Class time.
(Combat training session.)

Day 4. (Tuesday)
Dungeon event is in 22days.

While Baster was maintaining his gear outside the training area of the academy.
He was wearing the uniform for Combat Training.

[How sloppy...
To think the underwear thief in the game would be captured by these two girls yesterday...

(While eating ice cream Tori mentioned an underwear thief
who sneaked in their room and tried to steal the goods. )

Damn it!?
That was one of the best male character in the game!

He always has a set of underwear for the male protagonist to purchase as it gives the player an unexpected item known as the (*LUCKY UNDERWEAR.*)

That is said to boost a person's luck and drop rates!

*The downside, however, is the fact you need to equip it on top of your head.
I highly doubt the girls would see it pleasing to see someone wearing one on their head.

Now that I think about it...
His name was...*]

"Have you heard the news...
Casper got caught in the female dorm all tied up."

"He was punished for trying to breaking and entering a girl's room.
Though I heard even the staff didn't know which room it was and only saw a letter.."

Baster sighed at what he heard.

[Those two really are...
No, I suppose that's practically normal...
Even I would punish the person who broke and entered my room in the middle of the night."

(Now that I think about it there was a female character that stole underwear as well...
But I haven't seen her anywhere?)]

"Hey, Bastard!" one of the guys call's out to him.
As he turns his head with a blank expression.

[I was now gazing at a large man twice my size.
Fiery red wild hair and a serious expression...
His face was particularly attractive that drew the attention of both males and girls.

This man's name is called: Reid.
Was referred to as the muscleman of that otome game.
One of the candidates for the female character, sadly he was a pain in the ass to deal with...

Always dragging the female protagonist to go training repeatedly ignoring her wishes.
A muscle brain who couldn't take a damn hint.

He should be 17 by now and all I can say is...

 

With all my might is this guy is...
A complete jerk.

He is super spoiled and rotten to the actual fact that...
He is actually a damn principality prince of a foreign country sent here as a treaty for peace.
So provoking a fight with him here will be bad as it equates to provoking his kingdom.
Not to mention he has quite an attractive fiancé to boot.

Why don't I have one!?]

My face twitched as I gazed back at him, just by remembering his past character details.

"What?" he replies.

"You better get ready for a pounding...
We aren't letting you go today!"

He shrugged while boasting.

"Lessons for today should be 1 on 1 combat training session.
Not like you idiots have any actual experience in combat."

I soon finished put together two practice weapons provided by the school.

I was worried someone tampered with it and would cause trouble later.
Though, I am surprised nothing like that happened.

I placed the rifle on my back then a small shield and blade as I equip it on my arm as it latched onto it with the sound of a *click* the suit of the academy was designed to equip these two weapons based on the wish of the student.

Fortunately, they are free for us to use and experiment.
While after it's used will soon be used to fix the parts for their practical training.

...

...

...

Reid was showing interest and made a curious pose while making a piercing gaze.

"How can you be so sure of that?" he asks.

"None of your, beeswax," I reply.

He frowned at my response then his accomplice who was behind him stepped in and said.

"To see a dying house to snap at us like that...
You have quite a bark for a tool about to fall."

This man is his assistant.
Unlike the prince, he is devious and very cunning.
Too smart? No...
Smart can't even be described to tell this man who is literally one of the most overpowered characters who can multi-task with extreme precision.

This man is his guard, friend, teacher, and protector.

Right now as of now,
Most of the students are exercising or warming up while I stood on the sidelines checking my tools. We were a distance away from them but I still felt the hated gaze of the students from here.

Can't be helped...

These two for some reason came here while
I was pleasantly minding my own business.

"Art, you don't need to..." Reis reaches his shoulders to art.

"No, he might be too provoked by your words.
It's probably better to be direct with him."

Art then gave me a sharp gaze as I gave him a similar glare.

"We are here to offer our assis-"

I swiftly interrupted him with a single word.

"No."

"You-"

I soon pointed my blade at him.

"The debt and pirates are our family problem.
Even if you people interfere it would only leave us vulnerable and be blamed for owing a debt to your kingdom.

Not only will this complicate matters in our family

The odds are we will be put into further shame.

Which is why...
I won't let a single person interfere with our problem."

I resolutely said to both of them.

We already have most of the things set up.
All we need to do is win to claim our prize.

That ship should be capable enough to take down pirates ship.

Along with the fact that Tori and Talie are stronger than they appear to be...
In actual fact, most of the things those two have given me are pretty much enough to make these losers kneel in jealousy if they find out what Ark seals and spells they are capable of using...

I made proper protective measures to make sure any thief that tries to use it won't be able to activate it.

Revitalize is unexpectedly useful but it possesses a flaw...
[While it restores stamina it drains inner mana.
Constantly using it is equal to making yourself unable to use the ark-seals.]

Rejuvenation is powerful restorative healing.
[While it is efficient in keeping my ass alive.
It's undeniably not an instantaneous recovery spell-like in the game.]

Purification is...
[Probably the most broken skill I have ever obtained.
I can't believe this thing doesn't exist in the game!

Most of it are anti-poison/toxin, petrification along parasitic removal.
That is all individually respective ability sold and eating a turn.
This single spell alone makes this a whole lot easier, truly a life-saving spell.

Not only that!
It can also purify water itself, making me harvest impure and even poisoned ones.
This spell basically allowed me to eat poisonous food in that island forest.

If that doesn't surprise me enough.
I can even use it on enemy monsters.
Even parasite type monsters die in one hit from this spell!

What the hell!
It made hunting worms extremely easy.
Though the downside is...

It also destroyed the goods it carried.
Namely its poison/toxin glands but I lived to see the day.

Though it also drained a lot of my strength,
That I can practically only use it a few times.
Depending on how long I've journeyed with revitalize.

Tori told me its a universal cleansing spell.
She probably didn't know, what other uses it has aside from that...]

But never mind that...
The two Otome characters gazed at me with a displeased expression in response to my words.
They soon politely bowed and left.

"Tch! Suit yourself.
Don't come crying to us when your family house is about to fall."

The prince replied

As his assistant clicked his tongue which made me aware of the situation we truly are in...