It was around the time autumn arrived, past the middle of the first year.
The long break for the junior academy was only for half a year, after advancing to the fourth year.
Therefore, first-year students did not have long breaks.
However, it was not a problem because it was easy.
In fact, we were currently watching a large holographic projection as part of a class.
The mobile holographic giants – the Mobile Knights – were humanoid mechs.
We were watching a scene of robots, clad in armor resembling full plate armor from the West, fighting.
"It's powerful and interesting, but the movements are so slow it makes me yawn."
Although the first-year students in the audience were cheering, I found it not interesting at all.
Wallace, my subordinate number one, who was sitting next to me, clutched his head as the upperclassman he bet on lost.
"I lost all my money!"
This guy is really an idiot.
By the way, I give him his allowance every month.
It seems to be unavoidable because I am his patron.
It's a small amount, so it's fine, but somehow it doesn't sit right with me.
"Wallace is an idiot, isn't he? It's because he only bets on long shots."
Kurt was laughing.
Kurt, being calculating, probably wouldn't bet on long shots.
"I just want to aim for a big win. If I win even once, I could have taken back my losses."
"You say that, but you lost all your money, right?"
"Don't say that! Ah, all my money is gone. It's going to be tough for the next two weeks like this."
My subordinate kept glancing at me, but it wasn't a reason for me to prepare more allowance.
As I ignored him, Kurt spoke to me while watching the next match.
"Many of the participating Mobile Knights are custom models, aren't they?"
Matches using Mobile Knights could be participated in from the third year.
Most of them rented junior academy practice units, but the rich ones brought their own Mobile Knights.
Wallace was irritated by those who brought custom models.
"It's unfair to just push through with performance differences. I don't even have my own Mobile Knight."
Even though he was a prince, it seemed he could only pilot a practice unit.
"--Is that so? You can participate with your own Mobile Knight."
While watching the boring matches, I thought that if I trampled these guys with my Avido, my boring life in junior academy might become a little more interesting.
The match ended.
The winner was a third-year student named Derrick, who seemed to be a baron from the frontier.
Even though the sons of count families participated, he won without reading the room, probably due to his meritocracy.
However, it's convenient for me too.
Because it feels good to crush such a strong person with overwhelming power.
Still, Derrick, who won, didn't seem that strong.
Well, this is the level of junior academy.
I operated my terminal and projected a monitor into the air to make a call.
--The recipient of the communication was Nias.
He opened his eyes wide upon hearing my request.
"Liam-sama, are you sane?"
"Of course. Isn't my Avido undergoing maintenance?"
"The maintenance is finished and it's in storage. However, strengthening the Avido is reckless. It will lose its balance if it's pushed any further. I think it's more difficult than building one from scratch."
"Just do it. I'll pay for it."
Nias, who always pestered me to buy him battleships every time we met, showed reluctance to my proposal.
"It's not a matter of money. No matter how much you offer, further modifications are impossible. That is, unless you can prepare a large amount of rare metals and processing materials."
"Rare metals? Orichalcum?"
The classic metal from fantasy worlds.
However, it is highly rare and difficult to secure.
It is said that if you have money, you can gather it, but it is very inefficient.
"Orichalcum, Adamantium, Mithril -- and other things will be needed. Also, skilled staff will be necessary. Since it will be a long-term commitment, the cost will be higher than assembling a mediocre fleet."
In the first place, just processing rare metals requires enormous funds.
If you consume that much resources, funds, and personnel, it would be more efficient to prepare a fleet.
However, I am a man who seeks romance over efficiency.
"I have the money. I'll prepare the resources too."
"--I think it's reckless. Besides, why not buy a new model instead of insisting on the Avido?"
"I like it, so I won't. I don't feel safe with the current mainstream models, they seem fragile."
To put my request in the style of my previous life, it's like asking a classic car to have the performance of a new car.
It's like saying, "Install a car navigation system, make it an electric car, add various features" -- such unreasonable demands.
In that case, the answer is to buy a new car.
But this is a matter of preference.
I will not compromise at all.
"--I'll create a list, so please contact me when you have the necessary materials and budget ready. Also, we'll have trouble if you don't provide a test pilot."
"Test pilot?"
"Yes. Please send someone with a skill level equivalent to Liam-sama's -- no, someone who can operate the Avido. If you clear all of that, I will responsibly undertake the Avido's modification."
It was clearly an attitude of "It's impossible, so just buy a new model honestly."
This guy, is he so disappointing that he's forgotten I'm a Count?
But -- fine, if you're going to act like that, I'll show you my true strength.
"--You said it, right? You won't go back on your word?"
"Of course. Please contact me when you have them ready. Well, even if you give up and honestly buy a new model or a battleship --"
I cut off the communication and immediately contacted my family.
Amagi appeared on the monitor.
It's reassuring to see her doing well today.
"What is it, Master?"
"Amagi -- secure the materials on this list as soon as possible. You have rare metals made with 'that,' right? Send them to the Seventh Weapons Factory. Hurry."
When Amagi checked the list, it seemed there were some missing materials.
But those can be handled with money.
"Is that alright?"
"Of course. When I return to my territory, I can prepare them anytime. Send them generously."
"--Although the amount of materials is abnormal for an Avido modification?"
"That guy Nias tried to trick me. But I'll send them so he can't make excuses. I'm looking forward to seeing his face."
"Understood."
"Also -- send Marie to the Seventh Weapons Factory."
She's a knight I saved when she was rampaging in the Exner Baron's territory.
I heard she's somewhat capable.
"You mean [Marie Sera Marian]?"
"She's been discharged, hasn't she? Let's put her to work right away."
Several months later.
Nias was trembling in front of the mountain of materials brought to the Seventh Weapons Factory.
"--No way. He really gathered them."
Standing behind the pile of rare metals delivered from the Banfield family is a woman with straight, long hair, a pale purple that is almost silver.
Her purple-themed outfit has black armguards and heels.
Her sharp, strong-looking eyes are purple.
Her white, beautiful skin, and moist purple lipstick.
Her slender figure, and well-shaped chest.
At her lower back hang two sword hilts, of a type that can store blades.
It was Liam's knight candidate, [Marie Sera Marian].
"I am Marie Marian, appointed as the Avido's test pilot. Please take care of me, Captain of Technology."
"Huh? No, well --"
In front of the bewildered Nias, Marie placed her hands on her cheeks and squirmed, blushing.
"This is my first mission that Liam-sama has personally assigned me. I want to succeed no matter what. You cooperate too, okay?"
She was a tall, cool woman, but she had a maiden-like expression.
(By the way -- who is this?)
Nias had entered Liam's mansion many times, but he didn't know any knight named Marie.
Then, a craftsman behind Nias was thinking.
He was quite old and a skilled craftsman.
"Marie? Marie Marian? I think I've heard that name somewhere."
However, he couldn't recall.
Nias never expected Liam to actually clear his conditions.
And then there's Marie.
Nias doubted if this person could really pilot an Avido.
She was too slender and beautiful for a knight.
She was like a model or an actress.
"Umm, can you really pilot a unit without assistance? Nowadays, there are few people who can pilot Mobile Knights without assistance, right?"
Hearing that, Marie smiled.
"In my time, knights who used assistance functions were considered half-baked. I understand that Avido is a difficult unit, but there's no problem. Rather, I was curious about how wild it would be."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked happy, saying, "I'm so happy to be entrusted with Liam-sama's ride."
(What is this person?)
Nias thought that Liam's knights were often strange people.
However, facing the prepared materials -- his inner developer's spirit ignited.
(But there's no opportunity to use such wonderful materials so lavishly, and if I do what I've wanted to do -- I might get good data.)
Saliva started to drip, so he wiped it.
"--Well then, let's get started right away."
Nias, true to his desires, began the enhancement and modification of the Avido.
The background of Marie becoming Liam's knight candidate began with the pirate subjugation in the Exner Baron's territory.
Marie was involved in an incident in the Empire that occurred two thousand years ago and was turned to stone.
She simply spent time like that.
She passed through the hands of many owners, sometimes being destroyed, and while despairing at her crumbling body, her consciousness was maintained.
The Emperor said that this was Marie's punishment.
(Someone, please end this. I don't want to decay like this!)
And then, Marie fell into the hands of pirates and was displayed as a decorative item.
Marie, who had become a statue, had her history written on her back.
Marie Sera Marian -- a legendary Imperial Knight, and a fool who drew a bow against His Majesty the Emperor.
From her perspective, she never intended to draw a bow.
She didn't even intend to defy him.
However, the Emperor of that time was suspicious and also had bad taste, so he petrified Marie.
She was sold off as a beautiful statue, with magic used to keep her consciousness alive.
Such painful days ended because the pirates were defeated.
Soldiers rushed in.
Marie thought.
(The owner will change again. I wish they would just destroy me. Into pieces, without a single speck of dust left --)
But the soldiers shouted.
"We got them, they're not gory!"
"It's all statues."
"--Huh, wait a minute. T-this statue, could it be that all of them!"
The pirate who acquired Marie was a man who liked statues of people petrified.
He was a man with a wicked taste who enjoyed petrifying beautiful men and women himself, and there were several statues in the room where Marie was displayed.
Soldiers called for help and carefully carried out the statues.
And then they met -- Liam.
"Are all of these originally human?"
He was talking to a doctor in front of them.
"Yes. They were likely petrified. They are petrified by various methods such as drugs, magic, and curses. Among them, this person is particularly severe."
That was Marie.
"Elixir will be needed for treatment."
If it's not an elixir, a panacea, she won't return to normal.
That means it's the same as having no way to fix it.
Elixir, both then and now, is too precious.
(Please, just end it. Please --)
Marie's wish was shattered by Liam.
"I see. Send her to the territory and treat her. The rest too."
Saying that, Liam left.
Marie couldn't understand what Liam was saying.
However, after a while, her petrification was lifted, and treatment was given for the regeneration of her limbs that had been crushed and disappeared.
After several years of rehabilitation, she returned -- and what Marie wished for was to become Liam's knight candidate.
Capital Star.
Tia, who was working as an official, obtained Marie's data from the palace archives.
Although it was highly classified, she obtained it and confirmed her background.
"Marie Sera Marian -- an Imperial Knight from nearly two thousand years ago."
Marie's records had been erased.
However, a small amount of records remained in old documents.
Marie, petrified by the tasteless Emperor, was one of the foremost knights in the Empire at that time.
Her achievements were also tremendous, and she was called one of the legendary Three Knights by the knights of the time, contributing to the Empire.
It seems she was indeed very capable.
Tia frowned.
"A relic from the past, trying to get close to Liam-sama --"
Marie, who had applied to be Liam's knight, quickly began working for Liam due to her original abilities.
Her first job was as a test pilot for Liam's beloved Avido.
To Tia, Marie was an enemy.
And Marie also viewed Tia as an enemy.
The reason is that Marie is aiming for the position of head knight.
"--Very well. I'll show you who is truly worthy of being Liam-sama's head knight. 'Mad Dog Marie.'"
Tia closed Marie's data.
Brian: "It's so tense and painful. Brian wishes the knights would get along better."