Chapter 57: 57. Stubborn Audrey
Although the Automatic Mechanized Civil Engineering Department's station was quite inconspicuous, consisting only of a few low-rise buildings that couldn't compare to the towering structures of other departments.
But perhaps it's truly worthy of being called a master of infrastructure? Their architectural prowess was undeniable. From the outside, it looked unremarkable, but only after Dorothy followed the Spider Witch teacher inside did she realize there was more than met the eye.
"Wow…"
Upon entering, rows upon rows of tall, humanoid machines, whose purpose was unknown, neatly lined both sides of the hall, immediately drawing Dorothy's attention.
"Oh yeah, it's a Gundam, it's a mech!"
The Little Witch cheered in her heart.
Unfortunately, these giant humanoid machines weren't holding weapons like beam sabers, chainswords, or bolters, but rather construction tools like giant shovels and heavy hammers. Moreover, the text painted on their bodies clearly indicated their purpose.
"Demolition Colossus Basic Model 2."
Goodness, are Gundams really for demolition? Truly worthy of a Witch!
Dorothy fell silent as she looked at the transforming machines behind these Gundams, constantly switching between vehicle and humanoid forms.
"Mm, excellent. It seems the Transformers retired and came here to move bricks. What the heck is a 'Multi-functional Demolition Colossus Evolution Model 3'?"
And even more than these giant machines that made Dorothy want to complain endlessly, the words of the Spider teacher leading the way left her speechless.
"Audrey, you can take some time to disassemble and study the structures of these autonomous machines later. It will be helpful for your future studies. Feel free to take them apart; don't worry about breaking them. Anyway, these are all experimental failures and defective products, and we're going to package them up and sell them to the Different race on the surface soon."
The Spider Witch teacher said to the seemingly aloof Fox Witchstudent.
Dorothy, who was completely ignored by the teacher: "…"
Darn it, I'm so angry and cold! I want to disassemble Gundams and Transformers too!
However, she wasn't too jealous. Who could blame her for looking so weak? With only 10,000+ mana, she wouldn't have human rights until she passed the exam. This Fox Witch student, on the other hand, clearly looked like a genius Witch, and a succubus hybrid at that. Her eyes and brows even bore some resemblance to the Spider Witch teacher, so they were probably relatives. This one was likely a special admission student.
This further solidified Dorothy's determination to apply for this major. After all, gaining admission meant getting Gundams and Transformers to disassemble and play with. What kind of divine major was this?
"Hmm, I need to do well on the exam later. I'm definitely staying in this major."
The three of them passed through the giant machine hall and arrived at a magic-powered elevator. The Spider Witch teacher pressed the open button and led the way in.
Dorothy quickly followed. Once the elevator started, she realized it was descending. She then looked at the dense array of floor buttons beside the elevator door.
"Goodness, a full 33 floors. Teacher, is your evolution template a cave spider? Aren't you afraid of digging through this floating island?"
Finally, the elevator stopped on the 13th underground floor. When Dorothy stepped out, she saw a large workshop that, while a bit cluttered, was fully equipped with all sorts of facilities.
Men always have a fondness for various tools. They get inexplicably excited and happy at the sight of hammers, wrenches, chainsaws, and machine tools. Although Dorothy was now a female, it was shameful to admit that upon entering this workshop, she disgracefully "emmmm-ed."
The cost of a workshop of this scale was often astronomical, far more expensive than an average witch Territory, and simply beyond the means of an ordinary Witch to build. The simple Alchemy room Dorothyhad set up in her magic box was not even worth mentioning in comparison; the difference between the two was greater than that between a toy rocket and a real rocket.
Which Research Witch wouldn't want a top-tier workshop completely their own? Now, upon entering, Dorothy was like a mouse that had fallen into a rice granary, disgracefully unable to move.
If not for a bit of rationality suppressing her impulses, she might already be panting heavily, rushing forward to touch things here and rub things there.
"Ah, this is wonderful. It's like arriving in paradise. Once I'm admitted, I'm never leaving this place."
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at the Spider Witch teacher with burning eyes.
"Quick, Teacher, bring out your exam papers! I can't wait!"
Fortunately, the Spider Witch teacher didn't make her wait long. She quickly rummaged through a nearby drawer for a while, finally pulling out a piece of parchment that looked a bit old and was stained with quite a bit of engine oil.
"Here, this is your exam. Since you're the only one taking it, go find any experimental table over there to take it. There are a few experimental questions that require hands-on work. I also have some leftover scraps on the table that you can use freely."
The Spider Witch teacher pointed to an experimental table in the corner nearby and said.
"Okay."
Dorothy, who had been waiting impatiently, didn't waste any words. She grabbed the exam paper and headed straight for the experimental table. As soon as she sat down, she immediately began to read the questions.
However, after just a couple of glances, she couldn't help but frown.
The Little Witch reading the questions.
Seeing the Little Witch, who had just been so energetic, now frowning, Noe Rose couldn't help but smile.
"Ah, young people. They always overestimate themselves. It's an adult's duty to give them a little setback and let them understand their true capabilities."
Having thought this, she couldn't be bothered with the Little Witch, who would probably burst into tears soon. She only hoped that the Little Ati's tears wouldn't smudge her overly vibrant makeup, otherwise, just thinking of how she would look then, I would…
The Spider Witch's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Alright, my dear Audrey, your Second Aunt will help you get familiar with the environment first. After this, you'll be the only student in this major."
Turning to look at her Little Ati, who was growing more beautiful and charming, Noe Rose's smile held a touch more tenderness.
She had always been quite fond of her elder sister's Little Ati. This Little Ati, like her, truly loved dolls. Although Audrey's dolls were for art, and not in the same direction as the War dolls she specialized in, it didn't matter. This didn't prevent her from seeing this Little Ati as her successor.
After all, isn't War also an art?
However...
"Second Aunt, I want to take the exam too."
A small doll fell out of the Fox Witch's tail. The Little Ati's face was serious, and she said this in a cold, mechanical voice.
Noe Rose's smile stiffened at her cute Little Ati's request.
"Are you kidding me? Absolutely not! Although Audrey's talent is unquestionable, and her doll-making skills are good, her knowledge in other areas is a bit lacking. What if she sees that hellish exam and gets so stressed she shuts down? What then?"
"This Little Ati's psychological resilience has never been very good. Otherwise, her frightening habit wouldn't have remained uncured. If she gets so stressed by this exam that she shuts down now, wouldn't my elder sister and her husband kill me? I can't withstand the combined pursuit of two Apex Witches."
The Spider Witch forced a smile and tried to persuade her.
However...
"Teacher, please give me the exam paper. I don't need special treatment. I wish to pass the exam on my own."
The Little Ati said again in a mechanical voice, and the Fox Witch's charming purple eyes widened, looking at Noe Rose with a serious expression.
The Spider Witch: "…"
"Oh no, I'm doomed! My only successor is going to fly away! Why is this Little Ati so stubborn?"
With a bitter expression, she rummaged through the cabinets again, pulling out another dirty, old exam paper.
Then, she specifically used magic to restore the paper to pristine condition. Finally, she pointed to the top-tier experimental table in the center of the workshop, which she usually used herself, and the neatly stacked pile of new materials on it, saying,
"Alright, Audrey, go take your exam over there. Relax. The questions on this paper are indeed a little difficult, but answering just one or two correctly counts as passing the assessment. Don't feel any pressure."
The Spider Witch smiled very reluctantly, squinting her eyes as she lied.
"Mm."
Audrey took the exam paper and nodded. Then she walked towards a corner of the room, finally sitting down at another experimental table next to the student with the strange makeup.
She also began to read the questions, then her eyes widened, and her gaze gradually became confused.
The Little Fox reading the questions.