"Damn it... This is seriously messed up..." The appointed time was eight in the morning, but Ouyang Tao had already set off for the administration building an hour early, muttering complaints under his breath as he hurried along.

He wasn’t cursing anyone else—he was cursing himself.

As the saying went: *When it rains, it pours*. Only after Monica and Silent Sword returned to the dorm last night did Ouyang Tao realize through them just how much trouble his impulsive walkout had caused.

A student skipping their mentor’s first meeting? Leaving the professor stranded and humiliated? He was practically digging his own grave… Ouyang Tao was drowning in regret.

So on this first day of school, he woke at dawn, determined to reach his mentor’s office early to apologize sincerely.

Standing before Room 702 in the administration building, Ouyang Tao mentally rehearsed his carefully crafted apology one last time before pressing the doorbell.

"Come in."

Granted entry, he pushed the door open. A young man in a deep violet suit was hunched over a desk cluttered with data files. Ouyang Tao hesitated—had he arrived too early and interrupted his mentor’s work?

"Don’t just stand there. Close the door and come in."

"Yes, sir." Ouyang Tao shut the door and stood before the desk, ready to apologize.

But the other man snapped his file shut and spoke first: "You’re Ouyang Tao?"

"Yes, that’s me."

"I’m Lu Yun. I’ll be your mentor for the next five years. You may call me Mentor, Professor Lu, or simply Teacher." The young professor extended a friendly hand.

"Uh… Hello, Professor Lu." Calling him "Teacher" felt too casual; "Mentor" too stiff. Ouyang Tao chose the middle ground, shaking his hand. Seizing the moment, he began, "About yesterday—"

"I understand what happened yesterday. No need to revisit it. But I expect you to enroll in dining etiquette this semester. I won’t tolerate a repeat."

"Yes, sir." Ouyang Tao instinctively straightened his spine, sensing both his mentor’s magnanimity and quiet authority.

"Good. Now come with me to the arena. We’ll discuss details on the way."

Though puzzled why they were heading straight to the arena, Ouyang Tao followed Professor Lu out of the office.

The walk was long. Though campus shuttles were available, they chose to walk—to better acquaint themselves.

Ouyang Tao did most of the talking. Professor Lu needed to assess his student’s background to design his curriculum. In turn, Ouyang Tao learned key details about Augustus College:

Each student in the Three Special Departments received a personal mentor. All courses, schedules, daily supplies, and cafeteria meals were free. Plus, a hefty monthly stipend of one hundred silver coins—*that* detail caught Ouyang Tao’s attention most.

But he knew nothing came without cost.

"So everything you know… you taught yourself?"

"Yes. I’ve always been fascinated by mechanics. Since I can’t use other magic anyway, I focused solely on this path."

From their conversation, Lu Yun saw a student with strong self-study and practical skills—but lacking one crucial element. "I’ve reviewed your records. Frankly, I can’t teach you much about mechanics or technology. You’ve already mastered most of it on your own."

"Huh?" Ouyang Tao froze. He’d come here to learn advanced techniques—why was his mentor saying he had nothing to offer? "Then… what *will* you teach me, Professor Lu?"

"Combat."

"*Combat?!*" Though he’d half-expected it, the word still jolted him.

"Didn’t the dean mention it yesterday? Augustus College is a war academy…" Lu Yun stopped abruptly, turning to fix Ouyang Tao with a grave stare. "*Mechanical Mages* are battle mages."

"B-battle mages?" Ouyang Tao’s mind went blank.

"Hmm. You seem completely unaware."

"Well… I am, Professor. Could you explain?" From enrollment day onward, Ouyang Tao had sensed Augustus College was no ordinary institution—especially the Mechanical Department. He needed answers.

"Of course. As a Mechanical Department student, you deserve to know." A chill ran down Ouyang Tao’s spine. "Briefly: The Duchy of Lain proclaims itself a peaceful, military-free nation. We maintain only a small police force and the Mage Corps, correct?"

"Yes."

"The truth is different. The Mage Corps *is* Lain’s standing army. And within it, Mechanical Mages form the core combat strength."

"Why?"

"Simple. Imagine your abilities amplified and refined." Ouyang Tao shook his head—he couldn’t picture it. Lu Yun continued: "With sufficient materials, a skilled Mechanical Mage can forge an entire mechanical army in days. They can scavenge battlefield scrap to rebuild forces mid-war, sustaining endless combat. Why would Lain waste coin on traditional troops? Do you grasp this?"

Ouyang Tao blinked stupidly. He understood the words, but their meaning clashed violently with his dreams.

*I just wanted a quiet, high-paying job. To earn some money. To live comfortably!*

"So… I’ll be sent to the battlefield someday."

"Undoubtedly. I’m telling you this so you understand two things. First: your duty and mission."

"I understand." He understood—and already regretted it.

"Second: why the Mechanical Department is so strict and cautious about admitting commoners."

Ouyang Tao still didn’t follow. "Why?"

"Think. One Mechanical Mage equals an entire army. If such power turns rogue? It means *army*-scale rebellion. So armies must be…" Lu Yun paused meaningfully. "You comprehend?"

"I do." Armies belonged to rulers—to nobles.

"One more thing: Augustus College’s graduation rate is only sixty percent. Seventy percent of failures die in action."

Fear coiled tighter in Ouyang Tao’s chest. "Professor Lu… may I ask something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do other Mechanical Department students know this?"

"Of course. They’ve trained in both technology and combat since childhood. Technically, you may not lag far behind—but in resolve and battle sense? You’re worlds apart." Lu Yun’s gaze sharpened. "*That* is what I’ll teach you."

Despair washed over Ouyang Tao. He nearly turned back right there. "*I see…*"

Now it all made sense: the brutal admission standards, the lavish benefits, the dean’s "missions beyond ordinary men." This wasn’t education—it was military conscription.

Lu Yun abruptly shifted focus. "Now I have a question for *you*."

"Sir?"

"That glove. It seems important to you." Since yesterday, Lu Yun had noticed Ouyang Tao never removed the silver metal glove—even now, it covered his left hand. His own mentor had worn a similar one, but on his *right* hand.

"Not really," Ouyang Tao shrugged. "Just work gear. I’m used to it."

"I see…"

The arena gates loomed ahead. Ouyang Tao finally asked: "Professor Lu… why are we here?"

"Your orientation match. Prepare for the first battle of your life."

"*What the hell!?*"

Ouyang Tao froze, utterly petrified.