"Someone is stealing an electric scooter?" That was the first thought that flashed through Mai Ge's mind, but then he thought where would electric scooters come from in this world? But the alarm sound was too similar. Logically speaking, this kind of sound shouldn't exist in this world.
"Could it be that triple alarm anti-theft lock? Someone stole my bicycle?" Mai Ge's expression suddenly became a little strange, and he quickened his pace. In his previous life, his bicycle had been stolen several times. It was a professional grade racing bicycle, some of which were even limited editions. It still hurt him a bit, and he hated bicycle thieves to the core.
As Mai Ge approached the school gate, he looked out and was taken aback. A crowd had already gathered around the bicycle, all standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to look inside, with expressions of excitement. Some were parents who had brought their children early in the morning, some had the Chaos Academy teacher badges on their chests, and others were probably passersby attracted by the alarm.
The piercing alarm blared from the middle of the crowd, accompanied by a few meows.
"What's going on now?" Mai Ge raised an eyebrow. Judging from the situation, the bicycle shouldn't have been stolen, since the old man guarding the gate and the orc was standing right next to it watching.
"You've finished dropping off your child and come out. Look at this..." The old man's eyes lit up when he saw Mai Ge, but then he looked at the group of people surrounding the bicycle and felt a little helpless.
"What's this?" Mai Ge asked, somewhat puzzled. A bicycle shouldn't be attracting such a crowd, right?
"Dean Haider, the person you're looking for has come out." the orc called out to the crowd, standing on tiptoe.
"He's out? Alright, the owner's here, everyone disperse, there's nothing to see." Haider's voice came from the crowd, and the crowd immediately parted to make way for Haider and Mai Ge's bicycle standing in the middle, all looking at Mai Ge.
"Young man, hello, I am Haider, the dean of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Chaos Academy. This morning I saw you riding this thing and speeding past me. I was very curious about what this novel thing was. Did you invent it all by yourself?" Haider asked Mai Ge with a smile, but his eyes were somewhat eager.
This novel two-wheeled object aroused everyone's curiosity. Completely different from a carriage, it resembled a finely sculpted work of art, dazzling in the light. Many people mistook it for a new sculpture from Chaos Academy.
Of course, what intrigued everyone even more was why this thing could make such a piercing and loud sound. Was it magic? Or was there a living being inside that could make sounds?
When Haider asked the question, everyone looked at Mai Ge, wanting to hear his explanation.
"Hello, Dean Haider. This is a bicycle, which you could say I invented." Mai Ge was relieved to see that the bicycle was intact and the Ugly Duckling was still in the basket. The Ugly Duckling immediately started meowing happily when it saw him. Mai Ge walked over and smiled at Haider.
Chaos Academy is divided into Green Sprout Garden and Vast Ocean Garden. Green Sprout Garden is similar to the compulsory education stage, while Vast Ocean Garden is somewhat similar to a university. In order to supply various talents to the Gray Temple and the City Lord's Mansion, it is divided into various departments, such as Magic Academy, Mechanical Engineering Academy, General Language and Literature, etc.
This old man, who should be over sixty years old, is unexpectedly the dean of the Mechanical Engineering Academy. Therefore, his interest in bicycles is not hard to understand.
"Bicycle…" Haider murmured, his eyes lighting up. What a clever name for his own bicycle that could move! He glanced at the still-squeaking bicycle and said somewhat apologetically, "Young friend, I'm sorry, I just touched your bicycle and it's been squeaking ever since."
Everyone looked at Mai Ge with curiosity, wondering if he was casting some kind of spell up there, which was why it kept making those noises.
"Oh, it's nothing, it's just the security alarm." Mai Ge smiled and shook his head, reaching out to touch the bicycle lock. With a ding, the fingerprint unlock was successful, the alarm immediately stopped, and the bicycle lock opened automatically.
"Meow meow~" The Ugly Duckling meowed twice at Mai Ge, with a hint of boasting, but then looked in the direction of the school, as if searching for Amy.
"Amy went to class and won't be home until noon. We can just wait for her at home." Mai Ge reached out and patted the Ugly Duckling's head. Seeing Dix in the crowd, he smiled and nodded. He had won the bicycle carriage race. He kicked off the kickstand and prepared to go home. The restaurant would be opening soon.
Dix smiled and nodded in response. He had accepted his defeat in the previous match wholeheartedly, and Mai Ge's ability to obtain a pass from Norvan indicated that he was no ordinary person.
"Young friend, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you about this bicycle. Would you have time to come to my office and we can discuss it in detail? I'm currently researching a way to make the vehicle run on its own. If possible, perhaps you could join my research…" Haider said to Mai Ge with a sincere expression.
"The Dean is actually inviting him to join the project? You know, the Mechanical Engineering Department has been researching this for decades."
"Yes, it is said that the principal said fifteen years ago that as long as the research is successful, the participants will be richly rewarded. Over the years, many people have been trying their best to get in, but so far, there are still seven core members, all of whom represent the top level in mechanics and blacksmithing."
Upon hearing this, the academy teachers couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Dix also looked surprised. He knew a bit about Haider's plan, and the city lord's mansion was quite concerned about it, even providing special funding. If successful, it might completely change the world, whether it was life or war.
"Sorry, I have to go back and cook. May be we can chat sometime when I have time." Mai Ge smiled and shook his head, then got on his bicycle, gestured for Ugly Duckling to sit down, and prepared to leave.
It was almost time for the restaurant to open, and he really needed to go back and cook.
"Co...cook?" Haider stared wide-eyed at Mai Ge, somewhat incredulous. He hadn't expected his request to be rejected, especially with such a reason.
"He actually refused!" Everyone present looked at Mai Ge in astonishment. This was an enviable opportunity to rise above one's circumstances, yet Mai Ge refused so casually, as if it was less important than cooking. Was this arrogance? Or stupidity?
"Interesting." Dix looked at Mai Ge, his smile widening.
"Mr. Mai Ge, what brings you here?" Just then, Luna, carrying a small bag, walked across the street and asked Mai Ge with some surprise.
"Good morning, Miss Luna." Mai Ge smiled and nodded. Luna was wearing a black dress today, and she still had the scarf embroidered with golden lilies draped over her shoulders. It seemed that she really liked this scarf. "I brought Amy here to class at the Magic Academy. You can come and sit in my restaurant whenever you have time. I'll head back now."
"Okay, take care on your journey." Luna nodded, watching Mai Ge ride away on his bicycle with a look of surprise. What kind of special mode of transportation was that?
"He actually left! And... he was so fast, faster than running!" Everyone looked at Mai Ge's retreating figure with surprise.
"Teacher Luna, do you know him?" Haider stepped forward and asked Luna with some excitement.