Behind the second gate was a corridor.
Undecorated metal panels covered the floor, ceiling, and walls. The magical patterns on them flickered in rhythm with breathing, giving the place a distinctly sci-fi feel.
Looking at the scene before her, Carl felt as though she had crossed over into another purely science-fiction world.
"Stop spacing out and hurry up! Find the switch for this thing—we need to stop the drill outside!"
Seeing that Carl had remained standing there in a daze, Hopp gave her a slap on the back. The pain made her bare her teeth.
"All right, all right, I'm coming. Sheesh~ Why can't you girls understand the beauty and power of metal machinery?"
Rubbing the back she had just been slapped, Carl walked forward while grumbling.
"You girls? Is there someone else besides me?"
Hearing Carl's quiet mutter, Hopp quickly moved closer and asked in a strange tone.
"I mean that genius I told you about before. She took up Artificer halfway through, barely attended a few classes, and still came first in the exam."
"Why are you asking?"
Carl looked at Hopp strangely, seemingly oblivious to the oddness in her tone.
"No reason. Are you close to her?"
Turning her head away, Hopp tried to rein in her tone as she attempted to learn more about the other girl.
"Ha! I'm basically her personal hanger-on. She's a School of Transmutation mage, and she makes Alchemical Potions for me to sell outside."
"Her Artificer specialization is Field Engineer, though. I designed her Steel Guardian for her and even gave it a name: Heavy Duty Bunny."
As they spoke, the two of them passed through the corridor and arrived at the cockpit ahead.
Looking at the seat and control console, which were slightly taller than she was when she jumped,