Magic Academy

“Whether or not you stole the magic device is one thing. But simply by virtue of your identity as a Transmigrator, it is perfectly reasonable for me to apprehend and detain you, and interrogating you is a standard procedure.”

“That’s beside the point! Just because I’m a Transmigrator, does that mean I deserve to be humiliated? Do good people deserve to be bullied? Do you have any sense of reason at all!”

“You…”

“Cough—!”

Just as the two were bickering, Ciel seemed unable to tolerate it any longer and spoke up to mediate.

“Miss Belinda, Mr. Ren Daozhen concealed his identity as a Transmigrator purely for self-preservation, which is not inherently wrong. Furthermore, resorting to private punishment is improper. If we are indeed innocent, by all accounts, you should apologize to Mr. Ren Daozhen and offer him compensation.”

“…”

Seeing that Ciel had spoken so decisively, Belinda merely snorted coldly and stated gravely.

“Very well. If I have truly wronged you, I will apologize for it. However, given your identity as a Transmigrator, your fate must still await the Church’s decision.”

“Hey, are you still deflecting and changing the subject?”

“Stop prattling. Let’s go.”

After this exchange, the group finally boarded a carriage and headed directly towards the Magic Device Institute.

“Hey, is that the Magic Device Institute? This aesthetic doesn’t fit at all!”

At the end of the street, a colossal structure gradually emerged into view.
Its exterior was entirely forged from metal, predominantly black and gray, with sharp, distinct angles.
Occasionally, metallic currents pulsed across its surface.

‘In a world of Western fantasy, the sudden appearance of such a technologically advanced building felt utterly jarring.’

“Hmph, surprised, are we? This is nothing. If you were to visit the Northern Frost Realm, you’d find far more magnificent structures.”

Observing Ren Daozhen’s astonished expression, Belinda scoffed, her gaze mocking him like a country bumpkin.

“Northern Frost Realm?”

Ren Daozhen ignored the dark-bellied angel, turning instead to Ciel.

“I’ve mentioned this before, haven’t I? This planet comprises four realms: Western Fantasy, Eastern Xuan, Northern Frost, and Southern Desolate. I’ve already elaborated on the first two. The Northern Frost Realm, in particular, is a dominion of machinery and technology!

Only one deity governs the Northern Frost Realm. This god, revered as the God of Machinery and Forging, is named Uradak.

He excels in forging and smelting, having once crafted countless divine weapons and artifacts.
Many of these still circulate in the world, each appearance invariably stirring up a tempest of conflict and bloodshed.

Furthermore, He possesses the ability to bestow spirits.
All divine artifacts forged by Him awaken with a spiritual consciousness and self-awareness, known as artifact spirits.

Although the inhabitants of the Northern Frost Realm cannot cultivate, or rather, are not adept at it, and lack significant magical talent, they were fortunate to receive Uradak’s blessing, endowing everyone with the gift of forging.

Uradak, in turn, never hoarded his skills.
He generously imparted his more refined techniques and methods to mortals, empowering these vulnerable humans with the means to protect themselves amidst a harsh natural world.

After Uradak departed the Northern Frost Realm and returned to his homeland, his students gathered to form the Northern Frost Federation.
They vigorously developed magic-tech, applying it to military uses, thereby gaining the power to contend with the other three realms.

Then, by chance, one of these mechanical constructs developed self-awareness.
This being was later known as the Mechanical Emperor Sauru.

This Mechanical Emperor, while traveling through the other three realms, happened to meet the Triune Gods, who were also on their own journeys.

Because of this, the Theia Theocracy and the Northern Frost Federation maintained an excellent relationship, exchanging knowledge consistently since their founding.
This very Magic Device Institute was supervised by personnel dispatched from the Federation, and they even sent an expert to assist the Theia Theocracy in its research into magic-tech.”

‘Hoh, another plotline about mechanical constructs developing self-awareness and emotions.’

“Mortal, show some respect for Lord Sauru.”

Hearing Ren Daozhen’s somewhat casual tone, Belinda admonished him.

Ren Daozhen turned his head away, once again ignoring Belinda’s warning.

As they conversed, the carriage reached the Magic Device Institute, and the group disembarked.

Walking through the automatically sliding glass doors, Ren Daozhen inexplicably felt as though he had returned to Earth.

–Hello, Lady Belinda. The Director has sent me to guide you all. Please, follow me.–

‘Even the maid at the front desk was clad in a rather suggestive OL uniform, leaving Ren Daozhen even more speechless about this world’s aesthetic.’

The group walked along a metal corridor adorned with electronic data strips.
Along the way, they passed a room where the door had been blown off, the interior was in disarray, and people were currently searching within.

‘That must be the stolen room. No, it wasn’t just stolen; it was clearly forcibly broken into.’

‘Is the security here at the Magic Device Institute really on par with the Land of Light?’

“We’ve arrived.”

Next to the ransacked room, the maid stopped.
She retrieved a card from her pocket, swiped it gently in a slot beside the door, and the metal wall slowly parted, revealing a laboratory far more expansive than anticipated.

Countless experimental workstations were arranged throughout the room, a dazzling sight.

The maid led the group towards one of the workstations.
Ren Daozhen focused his gaze, only to see something incredibly familiar resting upon it.

“My phone? It’s been disassembled!”

Ren Daozhen’s phone lay completely disassembled, its components scattered casually across the table.

“Which son of a b*tch did this!”

“Oh? So you’re the owner of this metal device?”

Just as Ren Daozhen was fuming and hopping with agitation, an unfamiliar voice emanated from the other side of the table.
He stood on his tiptoes to look, only to see a cute loli, appearing no older than thirteen or fourteen, with spiral grey hair, sitting on a chair beside the table.

The loli had a listless expression, her delicate, adorable face utterly devoid of emotional fluctuation.
In her hand, she held the phone’s CPU.

–Director, I’ve brought them.–

‘The Director! This loli is the Director?’

“Young man, don’t judge a book by its cover. Though I may look young, my actual age is enough to be your grandmother.”

The loli Director said with a chuckle, rising from her chair and looking down at the group with a light laugh.

“First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mobius, a name signifying infinity, so you may also call me Director Infinity.”

“Director Infinity, did you just say… he is the owner of this magic device?”

“No, no, no, this is not a magic device. I’ve thoroughly researched it. Its energy source is electrical elements, so it should be called an electro-device.

While its craftsmanship shares some commonalities with our magic device technology, it is fundamentally different.
I can confirm that this electro-device is a product from another world.
Although it bears some resemblance to the stolen terminal, both in appearance and internal structure, it is ultimately not a magic device.”

‘Hehehehe…’

Witnessing Director Infinity personally confirm that this was not the stolen magic device, Ren Daozhen’s injustice was finally cleared.
He couldn’t help but let out a triumphant laugh, turning to look at the grim-faced Belinda.