Department Selection
After Aizen Arclight finished his business in Phoenix County and returned to the academy, Mina Christa and Noel Nexia were sipping tea and chatting in his workshop.
"Business seems to be booming for you lately, Lady Mina."
"Of course it is." Mina shook the papers in her hand with a smug grin.
Noel, knowing what they likely were but wanting confirmation, asked quietly, "Are those all...?"
"Cyclops sales applications."
After the initial purchase straight from Reina and the Phoenix family, there hadn't been any more sales of Cyclops units. People who recognized the Cyclops's superiority could see it right away, but it had been less than a year since a rideable golem like the Cyclops had truly emerged. It was only possible to mass-produce something sellable like this because Aizen had secured support from Mina and various other sources—otherwise, it would have taken months at best, years more realistically.
From Mina and Noel's perspective, it was astonishing how quickly and efficiently Aizen had pulled it off. And they'd been lucky too.
"If it hadn't performed so well in the county, it would've been impossible."
"And word spread that the count himself praised it highly and expressed interest in buying more."
"We didn't request anything. He changed his tune on his own."
When Noel probed lightly, Mina quietly shook her head. Even for Mina, her status was just that of a baron's daughter. Without her saintess title, she wouldn't even be sharing tea with Noel, so it was obvious she couldn't boldly ask a border count to act as a billboard for them.
That meant the Cyclops's reputation spreading across the kingdom was purely the count's own doing. The Phoenix family hadn't made an official statement, but it was as good as declaring they'd back Aizen.
"No one lost out this time, but Aizen gained the most."
"He sure did. Political backing now, and a reputation that's impossible to downplay..."
And according to the contract with the royal palace...
"Lord Aizen will become one of the rare titled nobles among academy students."
"And he'll receive it while still a student."
Most academy students were nobles, but titled nobles were few, and even fewer earned their titles themselves. Titles were usually held by family heads, not their children, so student titled nobles were typically those who inherited early due to a parent's sudden death or retirement. Aizen had seized his title on his own merits—a completely different case.
"Guess we'll have to call him Baron from now on. Technically, your status is higher than mine now."
"Joking aside, the law might say a duke's daughter without a title outranks a baron, but a duke's lady should bow to a baron."
"You don't do that to me, Mina."
"I did at first. Just the first time."
As Mina replied over tea, Noel smiled. She recalled Mina's bold approach to Aizen back then and how warmly she'd treated Noel.
"True. This is better now, Lady Mina."
Thinking that incident had sparked their current friendship, Noel didn't mind it at all. Naturally, the conversation turned to her own issue.
"Did you get an invitation too, Lady Mina?"
"From Abatus?"
The immediate response suggested Mina had been thinking the same thing.
"I sent my regrets—said I had urgent business. They've never shown interest in me before."
"For me, it felt like they targeted my family first, then came after me."
What Noel pulled out was an invitation. The Abatus count family had rented the academy's grand hall for a party, inviting all the academy's notable figures. Naturally, Noel had received one.
"They have a dance hall there. It'll be a social dance party."
"Infamous for it. The place where nobles make their fondest memories."
The hall was that famous for dancing. Noel's face turned cold.
"As if anyone's mocking me."
Mina glanced near Noel's chair at her words.
"Noel hates rowdy parties."
An unusually indirect comment from Mina. Anyone who knew of Noel's frail health...
A party Noel couldn't fully enjoy was basically a taunt to suffer through it.
"From how you say that, you've met him—the Abatus count's heir. A senior?"
"As the party's host, yes. We've spoken briefly several times."
"What was he like?"
Caution flickered in Mina's eyes. Just as Noel was about to answer—
"Aizen, you there?! Ah, Noel and Mina."
"Welcome, Professor. Care for some tea?"
Noel didn't fluster at Reina's sudden entrance, offering tea with a smile. But Reina seemed rushed.
"Appreciate the thought. Where's Aizen? And have you seen Professor Rodellini? Haven't spotted her all day."
Clearly urgent, Reina cut straight to it. Noel replied gently.
"Lord Aizen was experimenting on something called a spring with Professor Rodellini and got launched flying."
Where Noel pointed: a hole big enough for two people.
"This is tricky."
"Quite the pickle."
On a high parapet of the academy's towering castle, Aizen and Professor Rodellini stood crammed in a space fit for two. Right above them, the outer wall bore marks of two people's impact.
"Springs aren't supposed to launch people with that much force, are they?"
"Not normally, but reinforcing it with mana metal gave unexpected power."
It could've been useful research if applied right, but now they had a different problem.
"How do we get down?"
Launched with inhuman force and speed, they'd barely landed—only to end up clinging to a near-cliff. Wondering what mana metal springs would do for golems, they'd pushed limits, and with research funds tight, Rodellini had shown up offering consultation, got hooked, and tried enhancements. Result: this.
"Circus material at least."
"Great discoveries sometimes inspire laughter."
They feigned calm, but fierce winds on an unstable cliff perch were the issue. Near professors' labs, apparently—no passersby to help.
"Professors usually hit labs after department classes, so no one's coming for a while."
"Chance someone stops by?"
"I calculated: this is Reina's new lab. She requested assignment recently."
Reina did research too? Thought she was just dorm mother, but passionate.
"Problem is, she handles work in her office and has tons, so she'd only come at night."
"Smash the wall and climb in?"
"If you want scolded by Reina, sure."
Per Isarina, Rodellini was Reina's cousin legally, but weak against her.
"Breaking her gear in experiments or borrowing money makes it awkward."
"Her scolding about extravagance seemed fair then."
Don't be wasteful, she'd yelled... Aizen had lucked into Mina's patronage, but Rodellini got little support. Or rather, income barely covered expenses. Kingdom's top inventor-alchemist, yet fund-hunting was routine—prestige demanded appearances, so Reina's jab at luxury stung less if loans were involved. Not their business. Useful prof was enough.
"Some rude thought?"
"Just the cold wind stirring ideas."
"I see."
Rodellini fell silent, pondering escape. Then, a distant voice.
—"Aizen~ Where are you~!"
"Erica's finally here."
"She saw us fly off and chased."
Erica had been at the workshop experiment. Rescue soon—
—"Professor Reina has something to say! Answer quick!"
"Feels like I messed up. Wait two more hours?"
"You know your reputation? No."
Betrayed by Rodellini? But she perked up.
"Right, you picked a department?"
"Departments exist?"
"Newbies do general courses three months, then pick one for extras."
Why now? Phoenix stay delayed applications.
"Mina, Noel, Erica applied early."
"Just me? Why no heads-up?"
"Even I can't guess your pick—think they could?"
Fair. No prior hints for pre-filing.
Rodellini lit up.
"Everyone wants you. Reina eyes your stamina. Isarina claims golems are magic. Necromancy prof insists prodigy rumors mean talent. Others expectant."
"Overkill?"
Prof love calls. Tempting, but risky. Rodellini stayed mum.
"You?"
"Please don't. Can't handle it."
Door slammed. Alchemy rejected him.
"Golem-alchemy ties are deep..."
"Just fittings—alchemy combines reactions from nature/artifice for new things."
"Isn't that golems?"
Alchemy tempted. But sincere refusal: Rodellini waved off.
"Departments cover student mishaps financially. I can't afford it."
"Fair, but rumors of turning stone to gold...?"
"Need I tell how thrilled I was learning two gold makes one? Tearjerker."
Net loss. Impressive, but pointless. Steer clear—
"Secret chat up here?"
"Huh? Reina?"
"Not your time yet..."
Below: Erica, Noel, Mina waving.
Found them. "Rescue first."
Reina lowered rope; they wrapped and ascended safely. Rodellini sighed.
"Lived. Thanks. Lunch debt tomorrow."
"Wall hole patching covers it."
"Why?!" Rodellini wailed.
Reina sighed. "Safe, good."
"I did nothing wrong."
"Reflex noted, but confess later. Anyway, this."
She handed paper: department application form.
"Got a pick?"
"No..."
Reina's eyes sharpened.
"Decide by today. Classes tomorrow."
Dorm duties included this.
"Tough job."
Her face cooled. "If you behaved, fewer meds, better health."
Wrong words. But goal-oriented, she added softly.
"Sorry? Try knight department. I'll train you proper."
"Daily workouts fine."
Mostly cops-thieves, me thief, her cop. Dodging honed her—now ceiling kicks, front lands. My speed rising too.
"Hurry anyway. Profs expectant."
Reina grinned; correction time.
"Rodellini hates it."
"Yeah? Possible."
"Departments liable for students. Can't? Resign."
"Got it."
"Less competition, relief all around."
Reina smirked. "Thought she was luring you with new Cyclops alloy till now."
Aizen Arclight.Alchemy Department choice.
