Steel Dragon Workshop 2.0

(Ceruno)

August 30th, early morning.

Because she caused such a commotion, Miluno was taken away by the teachers last night and reportedly spent the night in solitary confinement to reflect on her behavior...

This is somewhat unfair.

But this is still a school, and rules still need to be in place, even if it's just for the sake of other teachers and students.

"I never imagined that my first day at school would be spent sleeping with my Golden... but it's not so bad..."

Since Yezi isn't here, I'll have to rely on self-discipline for my daily exercise!

Undeterred by laziness, I started running laps around the City School's Ring Corridor early in the morning. However, the City School's time zone kept changing, so although it was early morning, it was already quite bright.

"Woof! I can't run anymore!"

I even dragged the Doggy along with me.

When Golden first came to our house, it could keep up with me and Yezi during our morning exercises, but now its stamina is even worse than mine. Its round body makes it look like a golden balloon. How did it manage to eat its way up like that?

Too fat.

We have to get moving.

"Keep it up! If you don't finish the run, we'll have to restrict your diet!"

"Awoo!"

My words made the Doggy waver, and it shook its body and transformed into human form.

Then he exclaimed, "Is there a magic potion that makes you thinner just by drinking it?"

"Of course not. If such a thing existed, Miss Barbara wouldn't have to worry about research funding."

That must be a product that sells well worldwide, right?

Actually, there is another way.

A magical girl's physical condition is constant; as long as she doesn't turn back into Doggy, she won't have the problem of gaining weight...

But her Star Crystal was made by Aldebaran, and no one can say for sure whether there will be any quality issues.

"Master Ceruno!"

"Don't come any closer, it's so hot!"

The swaying Golden tried to lean against me, but I naturally dodged and refused...

Although the entire City School has an environmental control system to maintain the temperature, part of the Ring Corridor is exposed to the sun through scenic windows, so the temperature is still somewhat high.

However, it must be said that there are quite a few self-disciplined magical girls. There are at least a dozen magical girls jogging in the corridor, even though this huge City School only has more than 360 students.

Those chosen by the Star Crystal are indeed people with strong wills.

"Ceruno ~"

A voice called out from behind.

"So they're doing their morning exercise!"

With her long, light brown hair tied in a ponytail, she's a cheerful and energetic girl in a JK uniform.

Good morning, Miss Metal.

I ran into her in the Ring Corridor yesterday as well.

"Good morning, isn't Miluno with you?"

"Miss Sirius took her to solitary confinement; it seems she'll be locked up for a day."

"Oh, about last night... I need to speak with your Galaxy team. You can come over by yourself first!"

She put her hand on my shoulder.

"Where to? What—"

Before I could finish asking my question, a large hole suddenly appeared in the corridor beneath my feet.

"Wow!!"

Miss Metal grabbed me and the Golden as we plunged into a slide-like tunnel. I had no idea where it led, but the feeling of my butt rubbing against smooth metal was awful... and my skirt was up!

"Haha! Isn't this funny!"

Miss Metal, whose JK uniform pleated skirt was also turned up, was laughing unrestrainedly.

He loudly explained, "My Engine Room is at the bottom of the City School. I usually use this pipe to move around quickly. No matter where I am in the Ring Corridor, I can use magic to open this passage."

The pipe was enclosed, so there was no way to see outside. Luckily, I reached the end before my buttocks started to burn.

"Well then, welcome to my NEW Steel Dragon Machine Workshop!"

It's a huge factory, twice the size of the one in Skyreach City's Industrial District, with all sorts of incomprehensible mechanical equipment arranged in an orderly fashion.

"Did you move the entire factory here?"

Metal waved his hand in denial.

"Of course not, it's just that the City School's Engine Room is quite large, so we built a new workshop here and moved some handy tools over. I usually live here, so I won't be Past Changkong's dormitory. Please apologize to everyone on my behalf."

This area is essentially the underground of the City School. The Engine Room that supports the entire City School's flight in the sky operates here. Because it is spacious, Metal converted it into a factory.

Although it's called the Engine Room, the engine City School itself doesn't actually power the school; it's just a name for the "power source."

"If this place is infiltrated, it will be very troublesome. Apart from my private passage, there is only one way in from the ground to prevent something like Betelgeuse from sneaking in and blowing up the Engine Room."

As long as it's known that there's a space underground, it can slip in using teleportation magic, which isn't difficult for Betelgeuse.

However, the reason the City School kept moving at high altitudes was to prevent the "The Other Side" from dropping Monster onto the ground.

The wormhole is located much lower and is immovable. Enemies falling through it have no chance to attack it. Even if they manage to get in using some unique ability, they would be helpless against such a large number of magical girls...

Even a witch would be beaten to tears, right?

"So what brings you here?"

"They want you to meet someone, or rather... someone wants to meet you and Miluno."

"Who?"

Metal didn't answer, but simply led me to a door and gestured for me to enter.

Push open the door.

A tall figure with wavy hair that was a mix of bright red and bright yellow, wearing a slightly greasy white lab coat, was sitting at his workbench with his arms crossed, deep in thought.

"Miss Hephaestus, I've brought the person over."

I feel like I've heard this name somewhere before.

The red-haired magical girl turned around, her long bangs covering her right eye, and a lit cigarette dangling from her mouth.

Metal then introduced me, "This is the head of the Production and Manufacturing Department from headquarters. She's responsible for the design and manufacture of various instruments and equipment, and is one of the Association's veteran members."

Elders?

That might be a magical girl from the same generation as her father.

"You must be A-Ji and Yuehan's child?"

"Huh? Hmm..."

When the topic of my father came up, I felt somewhat ashamed.

But the tall Hephaestus placed his hand on my head and gently rubbed it.

"Don't worry about it, A-Ji's affairs are none of your business. I also have many questions to ask him, so you must tell him... Aldebaran?"

She mistook the Golden for the Golden Consort.

I quickly explained, "No, actually she's my Doggy. She uses Artificial Star Crystal made by Aldebaran inside her body."

"Artificial Magical Girl? Sirius seems to have mentioned her. Aren't you afraid she might be a spy?"

I believe her.

Golden hugged me from behind, and even used its height to rub its chin against my head.

"Woof! My second favorite is Ceruno!"

To say it's his second favorite is certainly intriguing.

Am I actually behind the leaves in Yezi?

Or is it ranked after Miluno?

"Cough cough."

Now is not the time to delve into such matters.

I cleared my throat and, with the Golden above my head, asked, "So, what does Miss Hephaestus want with me?"

"Miss?"

She crossed her arms and chuckled, as if she had heard a joke.

"Little girl, I'm about the same age as your mother. You can call me 'aunt' without any problem. Only SpiCa, who can't get married, likes to be called young."

But my mother is still very young.

"That Hephaestus... Auntie?"

"Hmm! As for why I asked you to come here, well, I wanted to show you this."

She stepped aside so I could see the "parts" on the workbench.

That was a...

Ultra-small drones.