Clementine woke up in the middle of the night incredibly thirsty. She dragged herself out of bed and walked into the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water. She drank it pleased, placing the empty cup on the counter and she walked slowly back to her bedroom. She paused slightly looking at the sleeping man who she was hoping and praying wasn't the male lead. The medical automaton hadn't interrupted her sleep so she assumed the man was doing well. She walked forward observing the man, she moved to brush some hair out of his face when suddenly an arm grabbed her dragging her forward to the couch. Clementine was looking straight into the man's intense electric blue eyes.
"Who are you!" The man growled.
Clementine scoffed attempting to pull her arm out of his grasp but failed each time. "How about you treat your savior better or did no one teach you basic manners?"
The man released her arm hearing that statement but he continued to glare at Clementine.
"Are you some kind of beast how could you be so rude to your savior!" Clementine grumbled under her breath.
"Look, I had my medical automaton sew you up after I picked you up on my way back home."
The man looked down at the suture work looking mildly impressed.
"No current model of medical automaton can do such perfect work how about you tell me the truth this time." He hissed.
"I built it myself. I am the protegee of professor Winston Thornevale. I built this new and improved medical automaton then I let it sew you up. Though I do apologize I didn't have any medical equipment available so it had to be done with a sewing needle and embroidery thread."
"So you used me as a human test subject!"
"I knew it would work perfectly, you weren't a test subject you were a patient in need!"
The man sighed at Clementine's response pulling himself up to sit on the couch. He looked back up at Clementine abruptly adverting his gaze away.
"What are you wearing in front of a man? Aren't you ashamed!" He spluttered.
Clementine looked down at her clothing, she was wearing a soft silky blue chemise dress. Clementine didn't find it all that scandalous since she had worn a lot of see-through lingerie for her previous boyfriend, the memory made her slightly upset. But in this society, people were a lot more prudish than modern earth, so ensuring she kept her modesty was a must around here.
"Well I had to sneak you into the girl's dormitory to save you, I'm not used to having a guy stay in my room, it didn't occur to me to cover up!" Clementine huffed stomping her foot lightly.
The man tossed the blanket that had been covering his body urging her to use that to cover herself. Clementine sighed and reluctantly covered herself with the blanket. The man turned back to face Clementine once he knew she was covered.
"Now that I know you are truly my savior I apologize for my earlier aggression." The man apologized lowering his head slightly.
"Forget about it, I didn't save you in hopes of getting money from you. Just buy one of my automatons once they go up on the market." Clementine responded turning away and walking towards her bedroom door.
She tossed the blanket back towards the man as she opened her door.
"My name is Alexander Sterling I will remember to pay you back for this service." Alexander declared.
Clementine froze in place slightly, she recognized that name, it was the male lead, she ended up saving the male lead.
"Not necessary just rest up and leave healthy sir," Clementine responded as she closed the door.
F*ck I saved the male lead right after I said I wouldn't get involved with the plot!!
Well since I didn't give him my name maybe he will just forget about me and return to the female lead's side.
....
When Clementine woke up the next day she found her living room empty except for an elegant pocket watch that held down a small paper note.
If you are ever in need just go to the Sterling house and show them this pocket watch they should be able to help you.
Sincerely,
Alexander Sterling.
Clementine shuddered there was no way she would ever use this pocket watch in fact if it wasn't something used to identify the male lead's favor Clementine would have immediately pawned the darn thing off.
Clementine took the note and the pocket watch and buried it in the deepest part of her cabinet praying that this thing would never again see the light of day.
After dealing with that Clementine got ready for school. She gathered all her books, mechanical components, and other various tools. As she was gathering her stuff she found that a lot of it didn't seem to fit a prestigious science academy, there was a musical instrument, embroidery materials, and an etiquette book. That's when Clementine remembered that although this school portrayed itself as inclusive for all genders it did separate them quite a lot.
Science pursuits were not seen as something a lady should do, it was frowned upon. A small portion of ladies were able to break into the field but they were relegated to assistants and viewed as spinsters by society. Clementine and the female lead likely would have been viewed the same way if it wasn't for their beauty, and in the case of the female lead her status as a noble, the original host on the other hand had to prove her worth through her inventions.
Clementine realized she would need to pay her teacher a visit to show off her improved medical automaton so that she could gain more respect in society and live an easier life. She wished to live like a salted fish she didn't want to be burdened by society's rules for women. Clementine gathered all her school materials into her bag and handed them to the automaton, she ordered it to follow her as they left the girl's dormitory.
People watched as Clementine walked towards the Mechanics Department some snickering, others gossiping, about her recent failure and how it had landed her hospitalization. Clementine didn't mind, soon when her improved medical automaton hit the market they would all change their tune. Clementine was slightly excited to see how these students would turn tail once her fame rose.
She found Dr. Thornevale hunched over working on an automaton, she wasn't quite sure what he was doing but she could see the skill from here, he was just as good as her previous teacher. Clementine coughed slightly to get the man's attention but he was buried deep into his work and couldn't hear her. She tried once more but he didn't respond so she tapped him lightly on the shoulder. That got his attention as he sprung up from his seat whipping his face around wildly in panic. When he saw her smiling expression he calmed down, he pulled the goggles from his head and whipped some grease from his face.
Dr. Thornevale had a kind face and soft physique the kind that would make you let down your guard and confide in. It kind of reminded Clementine of the kind of old uncle who watched over her sometimes, he was always giving her the persimmons that had fallen off his tree, saying that he had to fatten the girl up.
"Clementine of all the irresponsible students I've had. When Adelaide and I went to the hospital to check up on you they informed us that you had already left! You should've stayed longer you silly girl, that accident you were in was no joke, you should've rested more." Dr. Thornevale lectured waggling his finger at the girl.
Clementine smiled at her teacher's response, she shifted through her memories to remember who Adelaide was when she remembered that was the name of the female lead. She was especially happy that she had decided to leave early she didn't want to deal with the female lead after just arriving in this world.
"Well while I was resting I made a personal breakthrough in my pet project so I just had to return home to finish it," Clementine whined naughtily.
"Silly girl you don't have to be so nervous to prove yourself, I already see your potential and I'm willing to go to bat for you." Dr. Thornevale sighed.
Clementine smiled at the professor's response, he was just as kind-hearted as her previous teacher, and she knew she would be treated well in this world.
"Now show me what you've accomplished." The professor acquiesced.
Clementine nodded in response. She took the bag from the hands of the medical automaton that was following behind her.
"I managed to improve the medical automaton's overall speed, skill, and efficiency. It's even better than the top-rated automatons used by the nobility." Clementine presented.
"A bold claim lets see if it can stand up to the test." The professor mused.
He rummaged around a little bit before finding and presenting a small slab of imitation skin that all medical automatons practiced on first. Next to it were professional medical-grade sutures, needles, and medical equipment. Clementine ordered the automaton to suture the imitation skin and it listened to her command quickly and efficiently doing its job.
Dr. Thornevale stood shocked as he looked at the finished suture, it was perfect, unlikely another automaton the stitches were straight and even, he had never seen something like this before. In his excitement he grabbed Clementine and spun her around, cheering and hollering.
"This is amazing this automaton will revolutionize the medical industry! I knew I saw great potential in you! Forget about going to class today you are going to be drawing blueprints and then sending them straight to the Inventorium Nexus to get this patent! Your creation will dominate the market!" The professor cheered excitedly putting Clementine down.
The professor called over another automaton and had it send a note to the headmaster of the academy excusing Clementine from class. The automaton raced out to fulfill its orders. Dr. Thornevale turned around to face Clementine pulling out a roll of paper and setting it on the table.
"Now get drawing girl you have to show me how you created this miracle!" He hollered.