Chapter 115: Shurphen Welton
The Moon Tower pulsed with an ethereal energy, distinct from the Sun Tower’s radiance, as if magic saturated the air. Maybe it was because they were closer to magic than not. He made his way to the fifth floor.
Baines ascended to the fifth floor, his three-star aura unremarkable to most. Here, there were more students than on the lower floors, and those who passed looked at him with disdain and disgust. His struggling movements and ordinary face made people disregard him the more. He wasn’t even classified as bulliable. His lack of magical talent would’ve barred him from studying here, but as a recommendation for a specific branch, he was granted access.
Soon, he reached the section of magic engineering and processed his letters before being allowed in. After processing his letters, he purchased books, a uniform, and materials, then headed to his assigned dormitory, where he’d share a room.
After a knock, a tall boy with round glasses and curly dark hair greeted him.
"N-Nice to meet you, I’m Shurphen Welton," he said, expecting a reply. Baines ignored him, moving inside until his eyes caught something extraordinary.
He hadn’t seen anything like it before. Constructs that weren’t being controlled with magic, this was pure magic engineering. ’Pure magic engineering,’ he thought, stepping closer. Unlike mana-driven creations, these were artificial, mechanical.
"Oh, these," Shurphen said, stepping forward. "They’re little helpers I made. Hello, golems!" He waved, and they mimicked him, their movements eerily lifelike.
’They aren’t being controlled,’ He moved closer.
If it were made with magic, it would be obvious; however, this looked very artificial.
Baines’s gaze shifted to a table beside Shurphen’s bed: a sculpted city, complete with train tracks, lit buildings with tall and interconnected systems, and hovering airships casting dim glows over the city. "Now, this is my dream," Shurphen said, eyes alight. "Every new idea or creation I make goes into this city. One day, I hope it becomes real."
After staring for a while, Baines asked flatly, "Can you make a flying ship?"