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Aeris wandered through the sprawling halls of Helheim, feeling more and more like a lost child in a vast, unfamiliar world. The academy was a labyrinth of twisting corridors, towering staircases, and enchanted doors that opened and closed seemingly at random. Despite the grandeur of the academy, Aeris felt a deep sense of unease. He had always been more at home in the quiet corners of his workshop, surrounded by tools and blueprints. This place, with its bustling halls and overwhelming energy, felt like a place of endless possibilities—and just as many dangers.
His destination was clear—he was supposed to be headed to the Magic Engineering class, but he had somehow gotten turned around. Every door looked the same, every corridor stretched endlessly, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the academy itself was playing tricks on him.
"Where in the world…?" Aeris muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at yet another door he didn't recognize.
He checked the map he had been given when he entered, but it was of little help. The academy was vast, and even the magic-enhanced map seemed to warp and shift with each turn. Aeris sighed in frustration. If this place was going to be his new home, he'd need to get a better grasp of it quickly—or else risk embarrassing himself for the entire semester.
Zord, who had been following him with a bemused grin, shrugged. "Guess we'll have to ask someone."
Just as Aeris was about to agree, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. He turned quickly, half-expecting to see an annoyed instructor or a fellow student about to point him in the right direction. Instead, he was faced with an unexpected sight.
In front of him stood a massive building—at least twice the size of any other structure he had seen so far. It was built with an odd combination of magic and old-world craftsmanship, blending rustic stone with intricate magical runes. The building exuded an aura of ancient power, with archways and stone columns etched with symbols of long-forgotten magic. Despite its age, there was something awe-inspiring about it, a timeless beauty that seemed to hum with life.
Aeris stepped closer, intrigued. "This must be it," he said, his voice filled with awe. "The Magic Engineering building…"
Just as he was about to enter, a loud whirring noise broke through the air, making Aeris jump. He spun around in alarm, his hand instinctively reaching for his pouch. From the corner of his eye, he saw a massive mechanical contraption lumbering toward him. It was like something out of a dream—or perhaps a nightmare.
The machine was enormous, easily twice the size of a cart, with iron wheels and thick, reinforced plating. It carried large, heavy blocks of stone, which it moved effortlessly, almost as though the weight was nothing more than a light burden. Its joints creaked with each step, while its massive arms rotated and shifted, lifting the blocks with mechanical precision.
Aeris watched in stunned silence, his mind racing. The machine looked like it had been built with a combination of raw mechanical engineering and high-level magic. The enchantments running through the machine's frame glowed faintly, pulsing with an arcane energy that reminded Aeris of his own creations. It was like nothing he had ever seen before—this wasn't just some enchanted device, it was something much more advanced. A true fusion of magic and technology.
The machine's movements seemed deliberate and controlled, and as it approached, Aeris caught a glimpse of something he hadn't noticed at first—a humanoid figure inside the cockpit of the contraption. The pilot was seated in a reinforced chair, a helmet with a glowing visor obscuring their face, and their hands were firmly gripping the controls of the machine.
Without warning, the giant contraption halted in front of Aeris, the heavy blocks on its platform setting down with a loud thud that rattled the ground beneath their feet. The pilot inside adjusted a lever, and the machine powered down, its mechanical limbs slowing to a stop.
The cockpit hatch opened with a hydraulic hiss, and the figure inside stood up, climbing out with a practiced ease. The pilot was tall, their movements precise, their posture rigid and controlled—exactly the kind of person you'd expect to operate such a complex piece of machinery. They removed their helmet, revealing a young woman with sharp, intelligent eyes and dark, windswept hair.
"You're lost, aren't you?" the pilot asked with a smirk, her voice calm but tinged with amusement.
Aeris blinked in surprise, trying to find his voice. "I—uh, yes. Actually, I'm looking for the Magic Engineering class. I'm new here."
The pilot chuckled, stepping toward him with the confidence of someone who was used to giving directions. "You're in luck, then. I was just on my way there myself. Come on, follow me. The building you're looking for is right behind me."
Aeris glanced at the giant machine again, a mix of awe and curiosity in his expression. "That's… incredible. You control it with just the cockpit?"
The pilot nodded. "That's right. It's a Mana Mech—built to carry heavy loads and assist with construction. But it's also equipped with magical enhancements, making it a versatile piece of machinery. I can guide it with just a thought, thanks to the magical interface in the cockpit. The fusion of technology and magic is truly something else, isn't it?"
Aeris blinked, still caught up in the sheer scale of the machine. "Wow, this is like a Gundam!" he said suddenly, his eyes wide with excitement.
The pilot gave him a puzzled look. "A Gundam? What's that?"
Aeris, with a sheepish grin, scratched his head. "Oh, uh, it's something I heard about from my grandpa. He used to tell me stories about this anime from the old world. Gundam, he called it. It was about these giant humanoid robots, like mechs, that were piloted by people to fight in wars, or sometimes against huge space monsters. Grandpa said they were like warriors, but inside massive suits of armor with advanced tech and magic. Some of them even had lasers, but it wasn't all about fighting—it was about the bonds between the pilots too."
The pilot raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still trying to understand. "So, these Gundams were giant robots, powered by magic and technology?"
Aeris nodded vigorously, his excitement growing. "Exactly! I mean, this machine here is the closest thing I've seen to one. Grandpa always talked about how these mechs were used for all kinds of things—protection, exploration, and even just standing tall as symbols of hope. Gundams were like knights, only they were powered by machines and piloted by people who could use their minds to control everything. It was basically the pinnacle of combining magic and technology, all wrapped up in an epic adventure."
The pilot let out a soft chuckle, clearly entertained. "Sounds like a pretty wild story. I'm guessing you've got quite the imagination, huh?"
Aeris grinned sheepishly. "Well, I do try to think big. And hey, if I ever manage to build one—just you wait."
The pilot's smirk widened. "Deal. But in the meantime, maybe you can focus on your classwork. I'm sure you'll learn plenty about combining magic and tech here, even if it's not as glamorous as a giant robot."
Aeris laughed, his spirits lifted. "Fair enough. But one day, I'm going to build one—just you wait."
The pilot smiled and gestured toward the building behind her. "Well, come on, dreamer. The class awaits."
With that, the two of them made their way toward the Magic Engineering building, where the hum of magical power and the sound of grinding gears welcomed them inside.
As they walked, Zord gave Aeris a playful punch on the shoulder. "Well, looks like this is where we part ways, huh?"
Aeris turned to his friend, a little surprised. "Yeah… I guess so. You've got your own things to do, right?"
Zord grinned and patted Aeris on the back. "You go and show them what you're made of, little buddy. I'm off to join the Arcane Knights class. Who knows, maybe I'll get to fight a giant monster or two. But don't worry, I'll be around."
Aeris smiled, feeling a twinge of sadness but knowing it was time for them to part ways. Zord had been his rock, but now it was his time to stand on his own. "Thanks, Zord. Take care."
The two of them exchanged a brief, firm handshake, and with one last grin, Zord made his way down a different corridor toward the Arcane Knights training hall, his steps confident and sure.
Aeris turned back to the pilot, who was already walking toward the entrance of the building. "So… I guess I'm ready," he said, his voice a little more determined now.
The pilot glanced over her shoulder with a grin. "You better be. The name's Sophia, by the way. I'm a second-year here. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
Aeris blinked in surprise. "Sophia, huh? Well, it's nice to meet you, Sophia. Thanks for the help."
Sophia winked, her smirk never fading. "No problem. Just keep up, dreamer. You'll fit in just fine here—if you can keep up with the pace."
With that, the doors of the Magic Engineering building swung open, and Aeris stepped forward into a world where his dreams of combining magic and technology were about to take shape.