Alchemy Department (1)
The academy's curriculum was far broader than it appeared at first glance. With subjects ranging all the way to necromancy, there were truly a multitude of courses, and even the common classes covered just about everything under the guise of general education. Some subjects overlapped between common and departmental tracks, but in those cases, the departmental versions delved deeper as advanced courses. In other words, Noel and I might attend the same basic magic classes together, but the magic department's advanced classes were reserved solely for majors like her. The departmental courses were for the real die-hards who wanted to dive deep into the subject—and they were gatherings of elites confident in their expertise.
"...But I've heard that's the case, yet the alchemy department folks all look kinda destitute."
"Are you being rude right from the first class?!"
In the alchemy department lecture, Rodellini—who had entered the podium with a face like he'd lost his soul—immediately bristled. But honestly, it was hard not to say something like that. They all had this distinct vibe, like they weren't eating properly. Sure, some were dressed sharply, but overall, it reeked of Rodellini Mark II, Junior edition. And they were all unfamiliar faces.
"Looks like nobody here's eating well."
"That's because they're all too busy with research. Most of them can't afford their own projects, so they help with mine."
And since Professor Rodellini's income was meager, it stood to reason that his students' wallets were in a similar state. There might be a few with deep pockets, but why would someone like that choose alchemy anyway? In short, this was poverty central.
"Just so you know, there are magic and knight departments too. Isarina thought you'd come to hers, so aren't you gonna live up to expectations? Reina seems to like you a lot too—why not switch back?"
"She backed off right away when I said it was because alchemy could make amazing alloys."
Reina, the one who'd said that, had retreated with a look like she'd made a mistake. Hours after department selection, Isarina had shown up too, and when she trotted out that excuse as her public rationale, Rodellini had grumbled about buying her a drink and backed off. Both had offered to pay for consultations if I'd help them out when they needed it, so I'd agreed to pitch in when I had time.
"But there's nothing for you to gain from the alchemy department. You don't need coatings that reduce metal friction, right?!"
"There's tech like that?! No way!"
Already something worth taking? Rodellini paused for a split second before yelling again.
"Compressing mana water with cooling to solidify it! Metals that transfer heat efficiently! Designs that slash mana water costs insanely for cheaper production! You don't need any of that, right?!"
"There's more stuff I can use?!"
If rider-type golems like Cyclops proliferated, mana water demand would skyrocket—and they had related tech? Even stuff that could go into close-combat weapons, since mass-producing with just heat metal was tough?
"Is the alchemy department heaven?!"
I was already thinking I'd made the right choice. Those things he'd just rattled off were probably cutting-edge tech with no immediate buyers, shoved into some drawer. They might even have developed exactly what I needed without anyone asking.
Meanwhile, Rodellini—who'd been desperately trying to chase me off—finally wailed in despair.
"If I teach you all the tech and you use it yourself, I can't gouge you for consulting fees later when you need more...!"
True to form for a professor scraping by on research grants, he'd apparently been scheming to turn me into a steady cash cow. If he'd known precisely what tech I wanted, he'd have sold it outright—but since he didn't, he'd figured on milking steady consulting fees.
"My regular side income!!"
"Life doesn't go your way, that's just how it is."
I gave Professor Rodellini—who seemed to have been dreaming of a sweet future—a dose of reality. But he was the real deal in terms of skill, so I couldn't push too hard. The Cyclops machine gun, which should've taken months, had gotten its framework ready thanks to his consulting and help. Since I'd need his assistance going forward, it was best to soothe him now.
"Professor. Just as an example—what if you could mass-produce a tough, easy-to-work alloy cheaply and easily?"
"I know you'd slap it right on your Cyclops."
Busted. But wasn't that obvious? I'd use it immediately if it existed. Mass production hinged on costs too, and Cyclops offered clear advantages from its performance—but the build price was still steep. Cutting that would mean pure profit, more units, and funds for the next models...
'Ah. My thoughts are veering off track.'
Either way, cost reductions were all upside for me.
"Aizen. Almost every professor, myself included, acknowledges your Cyclops as a game-changer. Its performance and mass-producibility convinced even Reina—who'd saved up her marriage fund—to buy one. She's convinced it'll carry forward the sword's future."
"Kinda random info mixed in there, but I get the praise."
No wonder she'd bought one right away—she had savings. The academy might reimburse her later since it was for school use, but it must've been a huge outlay for Professor Reina.
'Should've rushed it... feel a bit bad now.'
Mina had told me it'd been the first purchase after the duel. But the Phoenix County had bought three and helped with mass-production research, prioritizing them and delaying Reina's by months. They'd been assembled in my workshop under the excuse of not idling the craftsmen, materials were ready quick, so it shouldn't take long—but the delay was still a delay, and I worried a little.
Meanwhile, Professor Rodellini crossed his arms and said quietly.
"Reina's even gotten a training facility assigned—something she'd never had before—to make it her textbook. And thanks to the Phoenix County incident, the academy's building full training facilities. Your golem really is changing everything."
I'd done it just because I enjoyed it, but hearing someone else put it like that was embarrassing. My golem changing the world? Wasn't that too grandiose?
'...But it's true, isn't it?'
It was the most common thing I'd heard in Phoenix County—that Cyclops alone would reshape countless military ops. Time to own it.
"I'll change more going forward."
"Good ambition. I'll cheer you on and watch eagerly. But why should I invest more in your work than my own?"
Rodellini's expression sharpened. I'd always seen him as a bit servile from poverty, but academy professors were top authorities in their fields. Naturally, Rodellini was one too.
"Some idiots think alchemy's just turning lead to gold, but I see it as the discipline that unravels the world's and nature's laws. Nothing's meaningless—I start from flowing water and uncover why the sky is blue, excavating every meaning to bring it into human domain. That's the great science of alchemy. And since fools misunderstand it so often, let me ask: do you think the man with the most inventions in Vespa Kingdom has weak power or influence?"
Professor Rodellini narrowed his eyes.
"Don't underestimate me. I step back because I love alchemy research—not because I'm some nice, naive pushover who won't use his power."
The alchemist Rodellini Athanor looked at me seriously.
"I'm not a tree in your orchard giving everything you want. Remember, I can't pour my all into your desires."
"But wouldn't Rodellini alloy or Athanor alloy sound kinda cool?"
Rodellini's face stiffened briefly.
"If you made lightweight, tough armor material with great productivity—good enough for standard plating on Cyclops and beyond—you'd go down in history, right?"
"No, that's—"
"Cyclops armed with Rodellini machine guns and shielded in Athanor alloy. Wow. Every time a Cyclops rolls out, it'll carry the names Rodellini Athanor."
"No, that's—"
A little prodding, and Rodellini's mood was lifting. One more nudge should do it. And for this guy, that nudge had a surefire hook.
"Depending on the case, Athanor alloy could become the go-to everywhere metal's used—and if you claim the rights, the money would—"
"From now on, our alchemy department's top priority is developing alloys for golems."
The hungry Professor Rodellini declared to his students.