Before long, Jin and his party arrived at the Academy district.
The area was laid out with medium-sized buildings scattered across lush green spaces.
"The buildings are divided into the Elementary, Middle, and High Courses," Tomax Bartman explained.
It felt like there were only elementary and high courses back then...
Jin mused to himself that the student body must have grown significantly, leading to a more granular educational structure.
"In the High Course, students must be affiliated with a specific laboratory. Upon graduation, they choose whether to remain in that lab or seek employment elsewhere."
It was a system remarkably similar to the universities Jin knew from his original world.
"What’s become of my old laboratory?" Marikka asked.
"Ah, the Go-lab? Currently, Rasnat Heilbronn serves as the laboratory chief."
"Oh, that child is?"
Rasnat Heilbronn was another one of Marikka’s former students.
"Um, what is this 'Go-lab' exactly?" Elena asked.
"Go-lab is just the common nickname; the official title is the Practical Golem Research Lab," an executive riding with them clarified.
Tomax chimed in as well.
"It’s the absolute cutting edge of golem research here in Avalon. When anyone speaks of golem research, the Go-lab is the first name on their lips."
While there were plenty of other specialized golem research labs, the moniker "Go-lab" was reserved specifically for the Practical Golem Research Lab where Marikka had once taught. One reason for its prestige was that it was the oldest such institution in Avalon.
"I believe several people are still there," Tomax added.
Upon hearing this, Marikka mentioned she wanted to drop by for a visit, so the party decided to pull over at the Go-lab.
"I’m actually quite looking forward to this," Jin said. He was genuinely interested in seeing the current state of their research.
"Marikka’s student, hm?" Sion seemed equally excited.
They parked the Golem automobiles in front of the building and the party entered the laboratory block. Elena and the rest of the Nostalgia group, along with Maquina III, decided to stay behind and chat while they waited.
"It was at the very end of the second floor, wasn't it?"
Marikka led the way, climbing the stairs and walking briskly down the wide corridor. The hallway was a cluttered mess of bizarre magi-devices, ores, and various materials, practically screaming "research lab" at every turn.
As Jin walked along taking in the sights, Marikka knocked on the door of the target laboratory.
"...Yes?"
The door opened to reveal a girl with round glasses and dark golden hair. Which meant...
"Kachea!?"
"Jin-san!?"
And naturally...
"Did you say Jin?" Eira was there, too.
"Jin-dono!?" Groma Tray exclaimed.
And finally, the man himself stepped out.
"...What’s all this racket? Se—Sensei!?"
It was the laboratory chief, Rasnat Heilbronn.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...It’s tidier than I expected," Marikka murmured as the group was invited inside. She scanned the room with a critical eye.
"Y-Yes... well... Kachea is remarkably capable."
"I see."
Jin figured Rasnat was probably just like Eira—highly talented but hopeless at keeping a workspace organized.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
The conversation began in earnest over the tea Kachea had brewed.
"I’m glad to see the three of you are doing well. I was worried when I heard the Mercana Principality had been attacked," Jin said, opening the dialogue.
"That's our line! Still, looks like you got your memory back. More importantly, I can't believe Jin was actually the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister!" Eira said with a provocative laugh.
"So it really was Jin-dono whom my master was searching for. I'm glad I could be of help," Groma Tray said, looking toward Lordtoss with a happy expression.
"Which means you are a relation of Marikka-sensei," said Rasnat Heilbronn. He was a man in his mid-thirties with brown hair and eyes.
"Well, something like that," Sion answered. "I met the Second Generation Magi Craft Meister about four hundred years ago. We've been acquainted ever since."
"Oh, is that so! To think you knew even the Predecessor!!" Tomax exclaimed, sounding deeply impressed.
"S-So, what brings you to our doors today?"
"I am currently showing Jin-dono and Maquina-dono around Avalon. Along the way, Marikka-sama mentioned wondering how her old laboratory was faring, so we decided to stop by," Tomax explained on their behalf.
"I see... So, what do you think, Sensei?"
"Well. It seems you're conducting research on quite a broad scale... Even so, I would like to hear Jin-sama's opinion as well, pleash."
Marikka had been acting with perfect dignity until the very end, where she ruined the effect with a nervous slip of the tongue.
"Er..."
Jin didn't mind in the least. Since Kachea and Eira were involved, he was more than happy to help.
"...This is a drive system for use in golems."
Jin picked up a magical muscle that wasn't made from biological materials and examined it.
"We assumed biological materials would be prone to spoilage, so we've been investigating these hundred-percent artificial versions," Rasnat explained.
However...
"Eh?"
The sound of confusion came from Marikka.
"It's the opposite, you know? Biological materials won't deteriorate as long as they are exposed to free ether. Of course, wear and tear from actual use is a different matter entirely."
"Huh?"
"What?"
"See? I told you!" Eira gloated.
The reactions came in rapid succession from Rasnat, Groma, and finally Eira.
"I told you that most materials obtained from magical beasts have a natural affinity with free ether! And that the effects of Reinforce and Stabilize via free ether are incredibly high!" Eira continued.
"U-Umu."
"...You probably assumed the shelf life was poor simply because they were 'biological' in nature, right?" Jin asked.
Rasnat gave a sheepish look that suggested he had hit the mark.
"Well, they are biological materials, so they’ll rot if you just leave them out. However, if they’re stored in a place with a proper free ether concentration, there’s almost no degradation at all."
"I-I see..."
"That's right! As expected of Jin!"
While Rasnat fell into deep thought, Eira looked triumphant that her own theory had been validated.
"I-In that case, how about this one?"
Groma scurried to the back and brought out a magi-machine.
Jin took it in his hands and, with a look of genuine interest, began his analysis.