Ouyang Tao had two main goals for entering Augustus College: first, to master technology; second, to make money with that mastery.
As for the core duty of a Mechanical Mage—combat—he hadn’t given it much thought yet. Though sooner or later, he’d realize this was the destiny he’d inevitably face.
After he opened the weapon case, two Attendants presented its contents to Edward. Edward’s fingers glided lightly along the rifle’s barrel from end to end. His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Hmm. Remarkable craftsmanship. The parts are flawlessly refined."
Even with identical blueprints, overall quality varied based on refining and manufacturing skills. Edward’s praise for Ouyang Tao was clearly high.
Flattered, Ouyang Tao smiled modestly. "Heh, you flatter me. This is my first weapon build—just finished, untested."
Edward seemed to find common ground. "A first attempt? They say a Mechanical Mage’s initial weapon or Mech shapes their path. This rifle… it’s extraordinary. Much like its creator."
"Oh? *Me*?" Ouyang Tao was startled. After barely exchanging words during their second meeting, this prince was already judging his character? "I’m curious—do tell."
"Very well…" Edward studied him again, as if choosing where to begin. "Shall we start with you? If you don’t mind."
"Not at all."
"If I’m not mistaken, you can barely wield elemental magic beyond Mechanical Arts. Correct?"
"How did you—?"
"Your Mana attribute. Metal dominates your essence completely. That’s why your mechanical skill surpasses ordinary limits… but leaves elemental magic inaccessible."
Edward’s assessment was dead-on, unraveling a long-standing puzzle for Ouyang Tao. Yet his reply stayed casual: "Ah, you gain some, you lose some. Everyone’s talents differ."
"Now, about this weapon…" Edward cleared his throat. "Frankly, I hold the *Swift Lightning* mana rifle in high regard."
"Same here. Its combat potential seems solid. Plus, electricity counters Mechs effectively."
Ouyang Tao found himself increasingly drawn to this bookish prince. He even set down his utensils. Beside him, Ouyang Xue—though unfamiliar with the topic—watched their exchange with keen interest.
"Yet few Mechanical Mages choose this rifle."
"Because of instability?"
"Precisely."
The *Swift Lightning* was a finalized design with well-documented flaws. Electricity, being raw Mana energy, packed devastating power—but demanded unstable high-purity Magic Stones. A double-edged sword. Overload risks spiked during sustained fire.
Consequences ranged from destroying the weapon and its Mech mount… to collateral damage harming the wielder.
Ouyang Tao knew all this. Still, he’d chosen it. "Problems always have solutions. It’s about whether you’re willing to find them."
"So you’d invest effort into a weapon others abandoned? Higher-tier techniques might render that effort wasted."
Edward’s logic was sound. Ouyang Tao’s answer was firm: "I believe in its potential. Besides, my fundamentals lag far behind others. I must start from scratch."
Once obsessed with defeating Deya, Ouyang Tao now forgot rivalry entirely. Immersed in his passion, he poured himself into research.
"Actually, I’ve researched similar improvements. Would you welcome suggestions?"
"Absolutely. I need guidance."
Their conversation flowed. Ouyang Tao’s view of the "bookish prince" shifted—he now saw a visionary scholar with profound insights.
"Honestly, these ideas are brilliant. I can’t wait to test them!"
"I admire your thirst for knowledge. If only I could—" Edward’s voice cracked into violent coughs. He clutched a handkerchief to his mouth.
Attendants rushed to pat his back. "Your Highness? Are you alright?"
"I’m fine." Edward waved them off. But when he lowered the handkerchief, it was stained with blood.
"Edward! Rest first—" Ouyang Xue stood up, worried.
"No… *hack*… it’s nothing… an old ailment…" Edward refused help, though his pallor deepened.
After the coughing subsided, he looked utterly drained. "Apologies. Rarely do I meet someone so… *cough*… stimulating to talk with."
*Stimulating enough to cough blood?* Ouyang Tao wondered how this frail man could possibly fight. He hadn’t even seen Edward compete on the first day…
No doubt Edward stayed in the Mechanical Department through connections. No wonder other students looked down on him.
Yet Ouyang Tao recognized Edward’s genius—his understanding of magic, both mechanical and elemental, ran deep.
"Truthfully, Ouyang Tao… I envy you. Your devotion to what you love. Your freedom to choose your path."
"And you can’t?"
"I… *cough*… wish I could." Resignation flickered in Edward’s eyes before he changed subject. "Still, meeting two people so passionate about fundamentals is unexpected."
Ouyang Xue leaned forward eagerly. "Brother! Edward’s amazing! I’ve read his published theses before—I never dreamed I’d meet him!"
"*Theses*?" Ouyang Tao finally understood.
If Ouyang Tao was a technical prodigy, Edward was a theoretical one.
But at Augustus College—where battlefield results trumped theory—Edward’s gifts went unrecognized. His brilliant ideas remained trapped in his frail body.
In this cutthroat academy, where personal research was fiercely guarded, no one shared technical insights.
To peers and professors alike, Edward was just a weak-willed dreamer.
*That* was likely his deepest frustration.
So when he met kindred spirits like the Ouyang siblings, his joy was palpable.
Ouyang Tao felt the same kinship. He’d planned to leave after dinner—but不知不觉, their talk stretched past nine.
"Pardon me. Restroom break. *Cough*…" Edward rose, refusing attendants’ help.
"Brother," Ouyang Xue whispered suddenly, "what do you think of Edward?"
"He’s decent. Brilliant, even. Why ask?"
"I think…" She leaned close to his ear. "*He has a crush on me~*"
Ouyang Tao’s expression darkened instantly.
*Seriously? Day two of enrollment?!* As an older brother, he should say something—
**BOOM!**
A deafening explosion ripped through a nearby special dormitory. The shockwave shattered their windows.
"DOWN!" Ouyang Tao tackled his sister, shielding her with his body as glass rained down.
Dinner was over.
