New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

First Day of School, Morning

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Time passed while I went hunting magic beasts and touring the royal capital, and October had already arrived.

Today was the first day I would attend the university.

“Have a safe trip, Leon-san.” (Therese)

“Take care.” (Leah)

Perhaps because it was the first day, Madam Therese and Leah-san saw me off after breakfast.

Ah, they are such good people. Madam is always gentle, and her cooking is delicious. Leah-san is attentive and considerate. She even starches and presses my shirts so that not a single wrinkle remains. When I think of doing these things myself, I am truly grateful.

As I reached the main boulevard, a horse-drawn railway car passed me by. It stopped a short distance ahead at a station, but I had no intention of boarding. After all, the university was only one district away.

Today my physical condition was exceedingly good.

Perhaps that was because my recent hunting of magic beasts relieved my lack of exercise, or rather my lack of practicing control. Moreover, Baita Street was quiet, and at night the floor below was completely silent, so I was able to sleep well. That reminded me, it seemed that no one lived on the second floor beneath my lodging.

I passed through the school gate and entered the campus. Although I had come here once before for the secondary examination, the thought that my student life would begin here filled me with excitement.

The students around me seemed to feel the same, for many of their faces bore a slightly flushed look. There should not have been many senior students present, as at least an hour remained before regular lectures commenced.

A great number of students turned right. That must mean they were students of the Engineering Department. Indeed, they wore no robes, only ordinary jackets, making them indistinguishable from young men of the town. The Way of Magic Department, to which I belonged, was westward, so I continued straight ahead.

In Reo’s memory there had been no such thing as a ceremony gathering all freshmen for an entrance ceremony. According to the admission guidelines, students first divided by department and met the professors. It was written that the Way of Magic Science and Technology Department was to assemble in Building 61, Room 6121, on the second floor.

I could see figures in the training field. I wondered what they might be doing. They were likely senior students of the Skills Department, but I could not sense any rise in demon world intensity, and they seemed merely to be running.

Passing them by with a glance, I reached the dojo that had been used as the examination site. According to the campus map committed to my memory, Building 61 was the second building to the north. I saw people entering there.

 Yes, that must be it.

On the brick building was written “61”. Upon entering, I immediately found a staircase, and ascending to the second floor, I encountered a middle-aged man who appeared to be a faculty member. Above the door was written “Room 6121.” Bowing slightly, I entered. It was not yet nine o’clock by the system clock, so there was still some time before the start of the day’s classes.

Now then, my classmates…

I looked around.

11. Including myself, there were 12 students present. I saw no acquaintances, nor any I had noticed at the secondary examination. As expected, almost all wore robes like myself. For some reason, those who used magic art had traditionally adopted this garb as the standard. I decided to observe a little more closely. Most of the gathered students appeared to be older than myself. Nearly all were male, though two females were present.

Indeed, a field such as way of magic science and technology does not seem to attract many women. Perhaps others might yet arrive.

Through the front door came a group of people. Since some were elderly, they must have been faculty. Finally, an elder with hair entirely white and a white beard upon his chin entered. That man stepped directly onto the podium.

“Although it is not yet time, since all are assembled, we shall begin. Good morning. Welcome to the Way of Magic Science and Technology Department. This university welcomes you.” (??)

All assembled?

Then, I had been the last to arrive. Although I had not been late, it seemed we numbered twelve.

“I am Professor Rivaran, entrusted with this Way of Magic Science and Technology Department. My specialty is theoretical way of magic. I shall introduce the teachers standing here beside me. Beginning from the right, Visiting Professor Jiler, Associate Professor Zeirus, and Lecturer Thales specialize in the engineering of magical apparatus. Associate Professor Reelin and Lecturer Ruida share my own field of theoretical way of magic. And beyond them, the assistant instructors…” (Rivaran)

The names of four assistant instructors were then called. Among the faculty, only Teacher Ruida was a woman. It seemed many instructors were present, but of course, the department did not serve only new students.

“In addition, there are two other lecturers, as well as a visiting lecturer and a specially appointed associate professor, though they are not present today.” (Rivaran)

Ah yes, the order is professor, associate professor, lecturer, and assistant, as I had read in the guidelines. I understand that a visiting instructor is one invited from outside, but what is a specially appointed professor?

I later learned that such a designation referred to someone who served as faculty for only a specified period.

“Now to the main subject…” (Rivaran)

At that moment, a bell rang.

Ah, nine o’clock.

“The content of study in the Way of Magic Science and Technology Department is, as written in the recruitment guidelines, the theory of the way of magic and engineering. In engineering, one studies the techniques of producing magical apparatus and magic stone, as well as the concepts and structures of devices.” (Rivaran)

Indeed, that had been written.

“These two are like the two wheels of a cart, difficult to sustain when apart. Human beings can be regarded as flexible instruments, yet the individual variation and temporal fluctuation are too great, rendering academic reproducibility poor. That is to say, when activation requires many stages and precise operations, it has become established theory that human effort alone is insufficient.” (Rivaran)

Indeed.

“The foundation that makes possible the magical apparatus is the theory of the way of magic, and for proof of theory and quantitative evaluation, reliance upon magical apparatus is indispensable.” (Rivaran)

Hmm.

“Therefore, you will study both. Of course, this is not to say that until graduation you must remain bound to both. Once you have understood the outlines of each, you may narrow your focus according to your chosen specialty, or conversely, pursue both until graduation. It depends upon your will.” (Rivaran)

That is the most considerate.

“Now then, Reelin-sensei will serve as the common point of contact for you, the students admitted in the year 489. By next October you shall, in consultation, determine your supervising instructor, but until then he shall be your point of responsibility. Then, Reelin-sensei.” (Rivaran)

The department head stepped back, and a male instructor who appeared to be in his thirties stepped forward.

“I am Reelin. As the department head has said, regarding the credits you will take, they shall be flexibly arranged. There will be room for changes at certain milestones. However, that does not mean each of you may alter them on a mere whim, so let us decide with care.” (Reelin)

Ah, he appears most reliable.

“Then…” (Reelin)

The door was knocked upon.

Reelin-sensei went to open it, and familiar figures stood there.

“Dean, we have been awaiting you.” (Reelin)

“Indeed.” (Dean)

They moved to the front of the podium.

“Good morning, everyone. I apologize for interrupting. Many of you will remember me as the examiner and interviewer during your test. I am Edward Herschel, Dean of the Faculty of the Way of Magic and professor. I welcome your enrollment.” (Edward)

So, he is a noble.

“The Faculty of Magic consists of your Way of Magic Science and Technology Department and also the Department of Magical Skills, with whom you have just met. What you study differs greatly, but you are alike in that you both employ the way of magic and magic art. I urge you to cultivate friendship. Note that there are many new students in the Skills Department, 45 in total. However, within the Faculty, neither department is above the other, nor is one below.” (Edward)

That he went to such lengths to say this must mean that some kind of subtle class conflict existed. There had also been those military cadet students at the examination.

“If any should attempt to overturn this balance, the university shall respond in full, so be aware. And now, this is the Director of Administration. Please give your greeting.” (Edward)

“Good morning, everyone. Although I am called the Administrative Director, to be precise I am Administrative Director of the South Campus, Plutos. In any case, when you use facilities on campus or conduct certain experiments, a notification may be required, at which time my General Affairs Department will be involved. Furthermore, matters such as the dining hall and store, which concern your life outside academics, are also within our support. In such cases, I believe we can be of help. Thank you.” (Plutos)

“Well then, pardon the interruption. I shall take my leave.” (Edward)

The dean and director left the classroom.

“Our discussion was interrupted, but that is the situation. Furthermore, here on the South Campus there are also the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Arts. I ask that you cultivate goodwill with those other faculties as well. Ah, since I shall serve as your point of contact, some of the female students may find certain matters difficult to speak of with me. In such cases, you may consult with her, Teacher Ruida.” (Reelin)

 

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Thereafter, an explanation of credits was given.

For graduation from the faculty, 90 credits were required. Of these, 18 were from liberal arts and skills courses, with ten compulsory and eight elective. 72 were from specialized subjects, of which 36 were compulsory, 31 elective, and five for the thesis. I had heard that the Way of Magic Science and Technology Department permitted relatively many electives. Moreover, Technology courses tended to include many practical exercises.

As for liberal arts courses, there were proficiency examinations at the end of October and the end of April. If one passed, the courses could be waived and credits awarded. The four language credits, such as Argen language, which I had studied at home, and the six credits in mathematics and physics seemed promising targets. However, some courses could not be taken in the first year.

Afterward, a tour of the common facilities and buildings closely connected to the administration of the Way of Magic Science and Technology Department was held, lasting nearly two hours.

Now it was the lunch recess, and I made my way to the dining hall.

Ascending to the second floor of a large three-story building, I found that many students had already begun their meal. There must have been several hundred. According to what I had heard earlier, there were 671 undergraduate students on the South Campus. It seemed nearly half were present.

Ah, come to think of it, there is another dining hall. I have never gone there, but on the campus map it appears to be near the border of the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Engineering, thus farther away. Well then. Since I had visited during the examination, I am already familiar with the arrangements.

Today, I would choose this line. The line for vegetable dishes. I placed a plate on my tray and joined the line. It was not that I disliked meat. My hosts at my lodging were kind enough to provide it, so I had resolved to eat vegetables for lunch.

Hmm?

My shoulder was tapped.

“Hey there!” (??)

“Ah, Dia-san. It has been a while.” (Leon)

Behind me stood an acquaintance, together with another girl.

 

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