I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Did they quiet down because they knew Sensei was coming to visit?

Yuka led Amamiya through the corridor to a room door. She took out her calculator and used it as an authentication device to swipe through the heavy access control door, which was probably as secure as a bank's.

With a hiss, accompanied by the heavy sound of valves and exhaust, the metal door slowly opened.

Then Amamiya smelled a scent that smelled a lot like engine oil.

This is unique to 'engineering' and has a special flavor of 'manly romance'.

People who delve into the operation of various equipment and are obsessed with equipment modification are also called "machine oil enthusiasts," and this is one of the important reasons for this.

When the door opened, Amamiya was greeted by...

Rather than a 'laboratory', it's more like a 'machine workshop' or 'workshop'.

"Beritas is all about The Matrix, while the Engineering Department's style shifts to StarCraft..."

Looking at the interior, which was distinctly in the style of the Terran technology from StarCraft, Amamiya suddenly had a feeling that he was inside Jim Raynor's Hyperion.

After a brief moment of shock, Amamiya had mentally prepared herself for the possibility that she wouldn't be surprised if they could actually create and operate things like BT-7274, EVA, or Gundam.

'laugh--'

As the heavy metal door slowly closed, everything went black before Amamiya's eyes.

Immediately, he heard Yuka's slightly panicked voice beside him: "W-what?!"

Dong dong, dong dong, dong dong...

The sound of massive metal machinery stomping on the floor, which was also made of an alloy and some other material, came incessantly, growing louder as it approached.

"...Sorry to keep you waiting, Sensei."

With this ceremonial opening remark, the melodious and exhilarating sound of steam billowing out reappeared.

Immediately afterwards, Amamiya saw the outlines of many humanoid tactical power armors that were probably made up of light tubes or some kind of light-emitting element.

"Ranger One reporting for duty."

Another, more lively and endearing voice followed with a second sentence, delivered in a deliberately calm tone.

Next came the third voice, which sounded mature and very calm, but seemed to carry a 'timid' emotion.

"Please enjoy our 'masterpiece,' Sensei."

This highly ceremonial event was sure to excite any man who loves mecha. After the exhilarating 'opening ceremony,' the lights in the room returned to normal.

Amamiya looked up in slight shock and took a closer look at the huge thing that was pieced together from some unknown components and had a style that was somewhat like a "Hulkbuster armor".

The next second, the big guy's breastplate opened with a 'whoosh' and popped out... that's right, a girl popped out directly.

She had short black hair and was wearing a hot, tight-fitting off-the-shoulder outfit and fishnet stockings. Judging from her appearance and attire alone, she gave off a feeling of being 'overly mature'.

The girl, who was suddenly 'popped' out of bed, still had surprise and panic on her face, as if she hadn't expected to appear in this way.

"Whoa...Sensei, get out of the way..."

Amamiya could, of course, have easily and cleanly flipped over, using an exaggerated, bullet-time-style dodge to twist her limbs and avoid this danger that wasn't really an attack...

But that wouldn't be 'gentlemanly,' would it?

Instead of dodging or avoiding, Amamiya first struck a pose as elegant and graceful as a preparatory movement before an operatic dance, a pose full of static beauty.

The blue flames flashed and disappeared, and the gorgeous black butler's uniform temporarily replaced his original white Charlotte uniform.

The next second, Amamiya casually stretched out her right hand, launched her grappling hook, and grabbed a chandelier on the roof. As the grappling hook launched and retracted, she jumped up and pulled the girl, who was only 154cm tall but dressed in a very mature style, somewhere between 'mature and sensual' and 'naive and cute', into her arms with one hand.

"Wow……?!"

At that moment, Amamiya heard the girl he had suddenly pulled into his arms speak in a drawn-out tone, filled with even more surprise, shame, and unexpectedness.

[Assisted by: Hibiki Nekozuka / Master Craftsman]

Arcana: The Strength

[Arcana: Not yet lifted]

'Judging from her demeanor, she might be an introverted girl... but it turns out Arcana is "Strength"...'

After a moment of surprise, Amamiya reviewed the power within the Great Arcana.

This card has a very unique illustration. In the standard Rider-Waite Tarot, it depicts a woman closing the mouth of a lion, while the lion wags its tail and bows its head in submission.

The woman symbolizes 'gentleness', while the lion symbolizes 'strength'—a seemingly gentle and infinitely wise young woman controls a powerful lion with her inner strength. This signifies 'overcoming strength with gentleness, controlling power with one's inner self'.

Those who possess the "Power" Arcana are usually not easily angered or troubled, and have an unwavering will.

The upright position of this card symbolizes: bold action, courageous decision-making, new development, and a major turning point.

The reversed position signifies giving up without putting it into practice, vanity, cowardice, and impatience.

Using the grappling hook, he performed a graceful swing in the air. After dissipating the force, Amamiya landed steadily under the watchful eyes of the other three girls. Then, he released his grip and let go of the girl in his arms.

"Sensei's... skill is truly surprising."

The other two engineering department members, who had already gathered around Yuka, only belatedly expressed their feelings when Amamiya approached.

"Hello, Sensei... I am Shiraishi Kabara from the Engineering Department, and also the head of the Engineering Department."

With purple hair and purple eyes, her face gives off an overall heroic air, as well as the unique focus and seriousness characteristic of an 'engineering girl'.

"The Sensei just launched onto the roof, was that a grappling hook? How did it launch? What materials is it made of? Why could it so easily drag the weight of two people...? It doesn't quite make sense from the principles of mechanics..."

Clearly, she was very interested in the materials and construction of Amamiya's grappling hook, which could launch people into the air in an unbelievable way, hook onto a target, and then lift them off with the combined weight of both of them.

[Assisted by: Shiraishi Kagahara / Engineering Expert]

[Arcana: The Hiophant]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'The Pope...'

This is a tarot card full of wisdom, educating and guiding people to explore their inner world.

Amamiya was particularly impressed by the Tarot card "Yin Qi Liu Yin Er Qiu Er Yue Yi".

The reason is that... the manager of Leblanc's café, "Sakura Sojiro," who is like a father to him, holds the tarot card of the Pope.

An upright pope symbolizes: complete confidence, unwavering faith, and a correct understanding of things.

A pope in reverse signifies rigidity, tradition, arbitrariness, and stubbornness.

Overall, this is a very good card, symbolizing 'elders' - those who hold this card often have the characteristics of being "normally rational, but can be very stubborn or even inhumane in certain situations".

“Sensei, could you show me... how exactly is your peculiar 'grappling hook' made?”

Amamiya: "..."

After a brief silence, Amamiya shook her head: "I'm sorry... this is still my personal secret for now."

"That's it..."

Song Yuan was slightly disappointed to receive a rejection.

Taking advantage of this moment, Amamiya glanced at the last member of the engineering department.

[Toyomi Kotori / Master of Communication]

[Arcana: The Sun (Le Soleil)]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'The sun...?'

Looking at the girl with short golden hair, red eyes, wearing a peculiar pair of 'teardrop' glasses and a dress with an exceptionally avant-garde and daring design, who looked exceptionally lively and cute, Amamiya fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

Although both are named "Sun," she and Hoshino give off completely different vibes.

"Hello, Sensei~ I'm Kotori Toyomi. If you have any questions about this 'Ranger One,' please feel free to ask! I'll do my best to explain!"

Special O rises V? ?=I? sizzling fins four? dancing land different vitality and liveliness... This is the characteristic that "the sun" will have.

"Cough cough..."

"I've come to the engineering department today to invite everyone to do something..."

Chapter Three: The Intimidating Force from the 'Cold-Blooded Calculator'

"Cough cough..."

"I've come to the engineering department today to invite everyone to do something..."

After Amamiya started, Yuka stepped forward, her voice carrying an undeniable authority, as the three engineering girls' eyes gradually brightened: "...As you all probably know, Xia Lai is currently in the 'initial construction' phase, requiring various equipment support."

"Therefore, Xia Lai needs the Engineering Department, which represents one of the highest scientific and technological achievements of the millennium, to provide strength and assistance."

Yuka's words were somewhat businesslike, unlike her usual demeanor of belittling the engineering department's inventions with a look of disdain or similar expressions.

After all... the things the engineering department came up with were indeed quite strange in Yuka's eyes, and often had excessively redundant and unnecessary functions...

But they really do have a high level of skill.

If the flaw of "mixing too many unnecessary functions into the original invention" could be eliminated, the Engineering Department would definitely be a club that can stand at the pinnacle of technology for a thousand years.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yuka felt herself being gazed at by three pairs of eyes that seemed to contain emotion and other feelings.

Slightly uncomfortable, she coughed softly before continuing, "Regarding the acquisition and replacement of equipment and construction in Xia Lai... Xia Lai has decided to cooperate with the 'Engineering Department.' Funding and budget will be allocated by the Federal Student Union's finance office..."

Yuka paused deliberately here, as if there was something deeper in her voice, and then, as if to show her 'coldness', she slightly puffed out her chest and raised her voice a little.

"As for Xia Lai's side... I will be in charge of full control and process supervision."

The engineering department members, realizing they couldn't seem to secure funding or arbitrarily modify equipment according to their own ideas, all showed varying degrees of disappointment.

'what--'

"Things are just as Yuka said... Some of Xia Lai's security equipment, as well as other facilities, such as the café, student rest area, and temporary living quarters for students on duty, also need the engineering department's help..."

Yuka had already taken on the role of "good cop," while Amamiya immediately took over the role of "bad cop."

"Besides these initial constructions, I may also request the engineering department to make some props in my personal capacity later..."

"And this time, let's consider it the foundation for our cooperation."

The three girls from the engineering department looked at each other for a moment, and then Utahara, as the head of the engineering department, nodded in agreement to Amamiya's 'collaboration request'.

Combining the recent rumors about 'another world' with the now-lost videos of 'persona summoning and battle'... Utahara believes that the Sensei of Sharai before him is like a treasure waiting to be discovered.

If we can cooperate with this Sensei, we might be able to obtain some 'otherworldly technology' for research... In this way, it might also be possible to revive a small number of projects that have been stalled due to technical or material limitations.

“Okay… The engineering department can accept Sensei’s ‘cooperation request’. So, Sensei, do you have any relevant reports, or a list of various equipment that the engineering department can help modify?”

As Yuka pulled out a detailed renovation plan from her folder, with precise financial expenditures and estimated costs down to the millimeter, and an astonishingly strict budget control, the three girls in the engineering department completely abandoned their idea of ​​'modifying the equipment'.

Utahara took the equipment list from Yuka and looked it over. A thought popped into his mind: As expected of the 'Cold-Blooded Calculator'... She calculates everything so clearly.

She then gave the equipment list to Xiang.

There's not much room for creative expression...

The fact that this was discovered simply by observing the equipment list prompted me to refrain from offering any constructive opinions.

After all, both the renovation plan and the budget were completely controlled.

In the end, Kotori took the form. She had an expression that said "I have an opinion" and hesitated for a moment, but was eventually silenced by Yuka's glare that seemed to be filled with murderous intent.

Seemingly satisfied with the result, Yuka tilted her head back, smiled, and nodded gently, exuding confidence that everything was going according to plan.

She concluded, "Since everyone has no objections, then... the partnership should be finalized."

The three people in the engineering department: "..."

I have... never mind, I have no objection.

Oh well, rules are rules, but people are flexible... Although this cold-blooded calculator said she would be in charge of 'fully supervising' Xia Lai's equipment replacement, they have their own countermeasures.

It seems that this 'ruthless calculator' hasn't yet reached the point where he can control even the budget of Xia Lai...

That means that we still have a chance to 'obtain funding'!