There was a saying.
"Magic Engineering without magic is like a sword without a blade."
It was a pun from the Magic Department students who looked down on Magic Engineering.
Rachel hated that saying more than anything. That's why she felt like she could fly when it came to Rain's inventions.
Magic Engineering no longer had to be subservient to the Magic Department.
So she bragged.
To the Magic Department professor who had subtly tried to compete with her.
They weren't particularly close, but she rushed over and told him about the results. And about the student named Rain, as a bonus.
Meriel had been showing subtle disdain while parading her competitive spirit all this time. No matter how hard they tried, it was just Magic Engineering, or so she said...
That childish verbal sparring was finally over. The day when Magic Engineering would surpass the Magic Department was not far off.
It felt refreshing! All the pent-up frustration washed away in an instant.
"I wonder where Rain is..."
Rain Ortiz's schedule was already copied. So she could ask him to help with research when their schedules aligned. Rain would surely break through any roadblocks again.
Then Rachel suddenly felt a chill.
Rachel had good instincts. It was foolish for a scholar to trust unverified senses, but life experience had taught her otherwise.
She pondered why, then glanced at the schedule.
"Understanding Magical Formulas? The professor is..."
Meriel Gardner.
Rachel Professor shot up from her seat.
It was just a hunch, but she couldn't trust that woman Meriel.
Magic Department folks were all shady to begin with. Meriel especially so. Her black hair and red eyes made her look almost like a demon.
Rachel headed to the lecture hall. Her quickening steps mirrored her growing anxiety.
"...What?"
The lecture hall was empty.
She was momentarily flustered, but it was fine. Rachel grabbed a passing student.
"Are you taking the 'Understanding Magical Formulas' lecture, by any chance?"
"Eek, Professor..."
"Answer the question."
"Yes! I am."
"As far as I know, there's no scheduled cancellation for that lecture. So why is the room empty?"
"Ah, well..."
After hearing the story from the student, Rachel felt her hackles rise.
After the revolutionary invention, he'd solved a tough problem too?
What the hell was this guy's deal?
"Oh, and I saw Professor Meriel taking that student away."
"What did you say?"
No.
No way.
My talent...!
Rachel Professor ran. Not just quick steps—she bolted.
She arrived at Meriel's lab.
"What are you doing here, Professor Meriel?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
This is awkward.
"Can't you see? I'm having a meeting with a student."
"That student is from our Magic Engineering Department, as far as I know."
It was awkward mentally too...
"It's a private meeting. You're disturbing us, so please leave."
"No, I don't think so."
"Ha... Professor Rachel, this is my lab."
This was like sitting on a bed of nails.
First time seeing professors fight like this. What the hell was going on?
"I'll be taking Rain with me."
Rachel Professor grabbed my arm and pulled.
"I said it's a meeting."
Meriel Professor grabbed the other side.
A tug-of-war started out of nowhere. I was the rope. Damn it.
Some might say,
Two beauties fighting over you—what's not to like?
Think again.
Those beauties are your professors.
"Um, that hurts a bit..."
As I complained of pain, both professors let go at the same time.
I face-planted.
"...Then let's do this."
Meriel Professor, flustered at my sprawled form, spoke up.
"Let Rain choose himself. Who he wants to go with."
"Ha, that's perfect."
Professors.
I have a question.
How does it end up like this?
What principle is at work...?
"No, wait."
I tried to get up and refuse, but it was too late. Both professors' gazes were locked on me.
"..."
I had to choose.
"I'll..."
Screw it.
"...go with Professor Rachel."
"Yes!"
Of course, my major is Magic Engineering.
Major over electives...
Rachel Professor clenched her fists in excitement. She was thrilled.
Meriel Professor, on the other hand...
"...I understand, Rain Ortiz."
She looked like she'd made a decision.
I felt deeply uneasy, as always.
"Come on, Rain? Let's go, 'we'."
Emphasizing "we" for some reason, Rachel Professor grabbed my arm again. Gentler this time.
"By the way, this lab is filthy. You should clean it up."
Wow.
The finishing blow.
Impressive, Professor.
Either way, I escaped Meriel Professor's room.
Think positively. Rachel Professor had rescued me from trouble. What disciple love...
Hm? But where are we going?
"Professor?"
"Yes?"
"May I ask where we're headed?"
"My lab."
"Pardon?"
No.
Why?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"This is my lab."
It hit me anew.
What kind of person the woman before me was.
"It's what the academy provides... a sort of privilege."
As mentioned before, Runia Academy isn't the 'best.' Rachel Professor stayed here solely for 'Magic Engineering.' Few academies offered it as a major.
Rachel wasn't just an authority in Magic Engineering. Despite avoiding the Magic Department, she'd earned degrees in general engineering and even alchemy. Her fame meant having her was great advertising for the academy.
That's why Runia Academy offered privileges to keep her.
"Well, it's not too shabby. Welcome."
Welcome, she says...
Professor.
You dragged me here by force.
I swallowed my words and smiled brightly.
"An honor."
No choice but to accept it now.
Things had spiraled too far. Can't erase professors' memories, so just deal.
As long as it doesn't get worse. Yeah, no worsening.
I resolved and asked,
"What do you need me for?"
"I have some machines I made. I'd like you to take a look."
Her tone felt softer. ...Not important.
Rachel Professor began unveiling her personally made machines one by one.
"This is a rocket hammer implementing fire magic."
A large hammer with thrusters and strange patterns.
"This is a flying cape implementing wind magic."
A cape engraved with odd patterns, unremarkable otherwise.
"These are shoes for walking on water implementing ice magic."
Shoes covered in all sorts of strange patterns anyway.
"What do you think?"
The professor even demonstrated each one. Like a kid showing off, but they all worked perfectly as intended.
The rocket hammer smashed a steel plate in one go, incredibly powerful.
Honestly, impressive. Adapting to new tech was one thing, but utilizing it at this level already?
Genius is genius... Naturally, no flaws to my ordinary eyes.
So I had only one thing to say.
"The design sucks."
It really did.
The add-ons? Fine, since development just started.
But what were these tacky patterns?
Vulgar.
"Design?"
"Yes, design. If you release them like this, none will sell."
"..."
"Honestly, Professor, your sense is hopeless. Why so many patterns on shoes?"
"...Got it."
"Ah, the cape. Just paint it solid color..."
"Rain Ortiz, enough."
Oh.
Too much?
But I was a designer in my past life. Couldn't let it slide.
"First time."
"Pardon?"
"You're the first to speak honestly without flattery. A bit harsh... but I like it. Keep it up."
I thought Rachel Professor was mad, but she looked at me with honey-sweet eyes.
Should've held back on the honesty.
"Then you'd be perfect to help with design too."
"...Me?"
"Don't worry about rewards. I'll give you whatever you want."
"Whatever I want..."
"Anything in my power."
I started thinking.
What I needed most right now.
One clear thing.
"Credits."
"Credits?"
"Yes, I want good grades."
"..."
Rachel Professor stared silently. Then...
"Pfft."
She laughed.
"Ahahaha!"
Loudly, too.
"Haha, ahaha...!"
"...Why?"
"Ha, ha... Nothing. Great. Deal. Even if you skip class or skip assignments, you'll get top scores. That work?"
"Let's contract it now."
Better than expected.
Money? Don't need it.
This is the best reward for a college student.
"By the way, Rain."
That was when Rachel Professor brought up 'another matter.'
"What do you plan to do after graduation?"