I sat cross-legged on the floor of room 401, watching Genta's eyes dart around in wonder. Her yellow irises flickered from person to person as she tested her newly acquired Analyze ability.

"This is amazing!" She bounced in place, her orange-spotted nose wrinkling with delight. "I can see everyone's names floating above their heads like little blue signs!"

Keep practicing, I instructed through Mind Speech. If you do, you should reach rank D in Analyze quickly and be able to see our levels.

Her face scrunched in concentration. "Oh! This is awesome!" She pointed at Loland. "And you're not the only Loland in your village, are you? You're the twelfth!"

The copper-scaled kobold bristled. "That is a matter of great pride! Being the twelfth shows my noble lineage-"

"Twelve other Lolands!" Genta cackled. "Do you all look the same? Just different colored scales?"

"How dare-" Loland launched himself at her, his tail whipping through the air as they tumbled across the floor in a play-fight.

"Be careful of the furniture," Eyarna called out softly, adjusting her round spectacles. She turned to me, twisting her long black braid between her fingers. "Thank you for teaching us this. It will be very useful."

I nodded. Having Analyze would help them identify potential threats among the human students.

"I'd like to repay you," she continued. "I know you've been interested in magical theory, and while I'm not allowed to formally teach at the Academy..." She glanced down. "I could show you some Enchanting techniques. It's really the only thing I'm good at, but my village's enchanter trained me well before I came here."

My chassis shifted as I considered her offer. Learning proper Enchanting could greatly enhance my Assembly abilities, especially when crafting new mechanical components.

"The professors here won't teach me properly," she added. "But I'd be happy to share what I know with you."

I will try, I projected through Mind Speech. Though my grasp of magic has been... problematic.

Eyarna's laugh was gentle, lacking the mockery I'd grown used to from others. "That's putting it mildly. I watched you stare at that fireball spell for three hours last week without even a spark."

She pulled a small leather-bound book from her satchel, its cover worn smooth from frequent handling. Her tusks caught the light as she smiled. "Enchanting is different. More structured. We use written spells to channel mana into objects."

How can mere writing affect physical matter? The concept seemed nonsensical. My Assembly ability required direct manipulation of materials, understanding their properties and how they functioned together.

"There you go again." She pressed a finger to my lips just under the porcelain mask. "Stop analyzing everything. Sometimes magic just works because it works."

The suggestion made my chassis components shift uncomfortably. Just accept it and try? Without understanding the underlying principles?

"Exactly. Just go with it." She opened the book to a page covered in flowing script. "Let the magic happen first. You can take it apart and study it later."

The idea felt wrong, like assembling machinery without knowing how the pieces fit together. But Eyarna's earnest expression and willingness to share her knowledge despite the Academy's restrictions made me want to try.

Very well, I projected. I will attempt to... go with it.

"Good!" She beamed, her spectacles sliding down her nose. "Now, let's start with something simple..."

"The Brace enchantment creates a link between two objects," Eyarna explained, her fingers tracing the runes in her book. "Here, I'll show you how to make one."

What purpose would such a link serve? I shifted my chassis, trying to understand the practical applications.

Her eyes lit up. "Have you ever noticed adventurers in the city carrying weapons without sheaths? On their backs or belts?"

I nodded. The sight had caught my attention several times during my walks through Kaldos City. I assumed they used magnets or some other mechanical means of attachment.

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"That's the Brace enchantment at work." She adjusted her spectacles. "It creates a magical connection between their weapons and armor or belts. No need for physical holders."

Genta's head popped up from her tussle with Loland, her green hair disheveled. "Brace is useless! Why waste an enchantment slot when you can just buy a sheath? They're also way cheaper."

"No enchantment is useless!" Eyarna's voice carried unusual firmness. "Every magical effect has value if you understand how to apply it properly."

The concept intrigued me. A magical link between separate objects... My mind raced with possibilities. If such a connection could be established between mechanical components, it might allow for new configurations in my chassis designs.

Could you demonstrate the enchantment? I projected, already considering potential applications far beyond weapon storage.

"Of course!" Eyarna smiled, eager to teach me about her favorite subject.

Within just a few hours, I received two system notifications.

You have gained the ability Enchantment!

Enchantment

The main ability of Enchanters, which allows them to carve magical runes into materials or objects to create varying magical effects!

You have gained the Brace ability!

Brace Rank E

An enchantment that links two objects together.

I practically floated down the southwest tower's winding steps, my chassis humming with excitement. Finally, a magical attribute of my own! The possibilities of what I could do with Enchantment, especially the Brace ability, raced through my mind. I could create linked mechanical components, perhaps even develop new ways to integrate separate parts of my combat chassis.

The Academy halls bustled with students rushing between classes. Their chatter and footsteps echoed off the stone walls as I worked out the technical details in my mind. If I could establish a magical link between key components...

"Widow!"

The deep voice cut through my calculations. I turned to see Barkatus striding toward me, his weathered face set in hard lines. Before I could react, his hand shot out and struck my porcelain mask with devastating force. The impact sent me staggering backward, my mechanical legs struggling to maintain balance.

Pain signals flared through my organic components as I caught myself against the wall. Students around us froze, conversations dying mid-sentence.

Barkatus's scarred face split into a predatory smile. "I, Barkatus of Vokkheim, formally challenge you to a duel." His voice boomed through the hallway, ensuring everyone heard. "Tomorrow at noon in the southern arena."

My chassis stabilized as I straightened up. We have never even spoken before, I projected through Mind Speech. What possible reason could you have for this challenge?

His grin widened, revealing teeth filed to points. A mercenary tradition I'd heard about but never seen. "Lyman Redflight sends his regards."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there as whispers erupted around me. Students pressed against the walls, giving me a wide berth as if violence might erupt again at any moment.

I touched my mask where he'd struck it, feeling the spider-web of cracks spreading from the impact point. The former mercenary's raw strength had nearly shattered my porcelain facade in a single blow.

I watched Barkatus's broad back disappear around the corner, my Analyze ability confirming what I'd feared. Level 27. The numbers blazed in my vision like a death sentence.

My organic parts went cold. He had gained two levels since entering the Academy, a feat that should have been impossible for a human. Most students struggled to gain even a single level in their first year. Whatever training methods Barkatus used had to be extraordinary.

The cracked mask shifted as I worked my jaw. Lyman had been level 22 when we fought, and even with my combat chassis' advantages, that battle had been closer than I liked to admit. Barkatus was five levels higher, with decades of real combat experience as a mercenary. The kind of experience that made formal Academy training look like children playing with wooden swords.

Students whispered and pointed as I stood there, probably wondering if the "monster student" would try to flee before tomorrow's duel. But running wasn't an option; it would only prove every prejudiced assumption about monsters right. And I had nowhere to run to. The Academy was supposed to be my safe haven.

I flexed my mechanical fingers, running calculations. My current combat chassis might last thirty seconds against someone of Barkatus's caliber. The defensive frame was too slow and cumbersome against someone as fast as he was. The new sword-lance design was still untested in actual duels. And a single night of hunting in the Hellzone wouldn't be enough to close our four-level gap, even if I fought nothing but Scorn Spiders.

"Looking rather pale there, Widow." Konrad's voice spoke up from beside me. I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I had failed to even notice him approach. "If it helps, I've seen Barkatus fight three times since he arrived. He likes to maim his opponents when they've annoyed him. Usually goes for the legs first."

I turned my cracked mask toward him. That's not particularly helpful.

"No, but this might be: he's purely physical. No magic, though he uses Blade Skill occasionally. But he's mostly just raw combat skill and strength. I also think he doesn't have too high a mana manipulation rank, as he uses Blade Skill sparingly."

I filed that information away, already modifying plans for tomorrow's chassis configuration. One night wasn't much time, but it would have to be enough.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked.

Konrad shrugged. "The Academy needs more students willing to stand up to bullies, even if they're monster students. Besides, watching you fight is always educational."

He smiled and walked away, leaving me to my preparations. I had a long night ahead, one of reinforcing armor plates, adjusting hydraulics, and finding some way to survive against an opponent who outclassed me in nearly every way.

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