“Whoa! So this is the workshop! I can’t believe the academy has a facility like this. This is incredible!”
A short while later, Yugo and his companions arrived safely at the Industrial Department’s dedicated workshop. As he stepped inside, Yugo couldn't help but marvel at the sight.
There were workbenches for casting and forging, complete with furnaces whose complex operations were beyond his understanding. Weapons and armor, likely fresh from the forge, were scattered about, making him feel as though he’d been transported into the world of a game or a manga.
While Yugo stood there, genuinely impressed that this was a student-run facility within the school, Fee walked alongside him and whispered a warning.
“I know you're excited, Big Brother, but please don't touch anything without permission. Everything here was made or is being maintained by the students of the Industrial Department.”
“I know, I know! I’m not that much of an idiot. More importantly, we’re here to talk about upgrading Blaster, right? How should we go about it? Should I just grab someone nearby and start talking?”
It seemed Yugo had kept their objective firmly in mind. Fee, who had worried his brother might have forgotten in his odd burst of enthusiasm, let out a sigh of relief. He realized he needed to focus on their goal as well.
Fee wasn’t entirely sure of the protocol either, but he agreed with his brother—the best first step was to ask someone. However, before they could make a move...
“Well, if it isn’t the Former Eldest Son of the House of Clay. What brings you here? Bring a kid and a girl along for a little social studies field trip?”
“Huh...?”
Yugo let out a bewildered sound as he turned toward the voice.
A male student in blue overalls stood before them, his expression radiating pure hostility.
“Are you with the Industrial Department? Hey, could you help me out? I’m looking for some expert advice on a magic item enhancement.”
“Advice? Hah! That’s a good one. Since your father confiscated the Sacred Sword Galandil, I suppose you need a new blade to replace it? Unfortunately, we don’t have anything here that would satisfy the tastes of a Former Noble. Hurry up and get lost.”
“No, you’ve got it wrong! I wanted to talk to you about this—”
“B-Big Brother?!”
Despite the student’s dismissive attitude, Yugo tried to keep the conversation going. However, the boy suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Yugo by the collar and slamming him against the wall.
As Yugo let out a faint groan of confusion, the student snarled at him, his face contorted with rage.
“Didn't you hear me? I told you to go home. We don’t have the slightest desire to lift a finger for someone like you.”
“Ah... let me guess. Did I do something to you guys in the past?”
Another one, Yugo thought. He forced a strained smile and asked the question, only for the student to roar back at him with eyes full of hatred.
“Don’t you dare play dumb! We watched you trash the swords our seniors poured their souls into. You called them ‘crude’ and ‘low-grade’ over and over again. Sure, compared to a masterpiece like Galandil, the swords we make are probably just toys. But we put everything we have into every blade! You mock our hard work and then come crawling to us when you’re in trouble? Stop looking down on us!”
As if on cue, the other students working in the workshop turned to glare at Yugo with shared resentment.
Just how many people did this guy manage to piss off? Yugo wondered, mentally berating his past self. Sensing the situation was about to turn violent, Fee stepped in, desperately trying to de-escalate.
“P-please, wait! My brother has amnesia! He’s forgotten almost everything. He didn't mean to make you angry, he just—”
“Shut up! If you're not involved, stay out of it! Bottom line: we aren't doing a damn thing for him. Now get out of here before I lose my temper and things get ugly!”
He’s already getting ugly, Yugo thought, but he kept his mouth shut. Pointing that out would only throw more fuel on the fire.
He hadn't realized the Industrial Department held such a deep grudge against him. He was at a complete loss. If they stayed, there was a real chance Fee or Melt might get caught in the crossfire. Retreating seemed like the only logical move.
But just as Yugo prepared to lead them out of the workshop...
“Wait a second. Let me see that magic item.”
“Eh...?”
Yugo looked up at the sudden voice and caught his breath. A woman stood at the entrance of the workshop.
Melt, Fee, and the other students all froze in surprise. However, their shock likely stemmed from her choice of attire.
She wore a red jumpsuit—distinct from the blue worn by the boys—but the zipper was pulled down all the way to her navel.
The plunging neckline revealed a generous bust, barely contained by what appeared to be black bikini-style underwear. She strode toward them, her chest swaying prominently with every step.
“A-wa-wa-wa-wa! Wa-wa?!”
“Fee! Don’t look! This is way too much for a kid to handle!”
Determined to protect Fee’s innocence from the overly mature sight, Yugo quickly covered the boy’s eyes with both hands.
In the meantime, the woman in the jumpsuit reached the group. The male student who had been holding Yugo glared at her with an irritated expression.
“Anhel...! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”