Ch 11: Electronic engineering training

As they headed towards the electronic engineering class, Lina remarked excitedly, "Oh, it's time for electronic engineering today!"

Mia, however, seemed less enthusiastic. "Our first class? No way," she muttered with a hint of reluctance.

Raika smiled to herself, overhearing their conversation. *"I love electronics. In my past life, I was into engineering in college, but now it's here too. Sweet,"* she thought, feeling a rush of familiarity and excitement about the upcoming class.

As they settled into the classroom, Professor Satori stood at the front, adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful look. His voice filled the room, authoritative yet welcoming.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name is Satori," he announced, gesturing towards the hologram board where his name appeared in shimmering letters.

Raika, Lina, and Mia exchanged curious glances, nodding in acknowledgment as they listened attentively. Raika found herself intrigued by the prospect of electronic engineering, her mind already racing with thoughts of circuits, devices, and the possibilities ahead.

Mia, seated beside her, leaned over and whispered, "Looks like this class might be more interesting than I thought."

Lina grinned mischievously. "I wonder what kind of projects we'll get to work on."

Raika smiled, feeling a sense of anticipation. In this new world where mana and technology intertwined, every lesson held the promise of discovery and advancement.

Professor Satori, known for his cheerful demeanor, with a theatrical flourish. "State your name, my fellow students!" he announced with a playful gesture, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

Raika couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at the unexpected introduction. "Puff," she responded, caught off guard by Satori's jovial manner. She found herself amused by the professor's whimsical approach, thinking to herself, *What was that?*

To her surprise, the rest of the students followed suit with a chorus of "puff," adding to the light-hearted atmosphere in the room. Satori grinned broadly, delighted by the response. "Ah, it seems you appreciate my humor," he remarked, nodding approvingly at Raika. His comment eased any lingering tension, setting a welcoming tone for the start of their lesson.

Lina was the first to demonstrate. "My name is Lina. I'm 18 years old, and I live in Starloom City," she announced confidently.

Mia followed suit. "I'm Mia, also 18 years old, and I live in Starloom City too," she added with a smile.

Raika, still engrossed in analyzing her user interface, hesitated for a moment. Unsure of what to say about herself or where she lived, she finally spoke up. "My name is Raika. I'm 18 years old, and I live... umm, umm... in the outskirts," she said tentatively.

The students chuckled at Raika's vague answer. "What do you mean, outskirts?" someone teased, prompting a few more laughs.

Satori raised an eyebrow at Raika's response but quickly moved on. "Please don't delve further, sir," Raika added, trying to redirect the attention away from her.

"Alright, let's proceed, class," Satori said with a nod, redirecting the focus back to the lesson at hand.

As the class progressed, Professor Satori delved into the intricacies of circuit boards, focusing on how they could be used to create a saber energy sword. Mia and Lina, however, quickly grew bored with the technical details. Their attention wandered, and they exchanged glances of mild frustration as they struggled to stay engaged.

On the other hand, Raika remained attentive and enthusiastic, absorbing each step of the demonstration with keen interest. She watched intently as Satori explained the connections and configurations needed to harness mana and energy into a functional weapon. Raika's mind raced with possibilities, recalling her past life's experiences with electronics and engineering, which now seemed to converge seamlessly with her current learning.

While Mia and Lina fidgeted and occasionally whispered to each other, Raika took notes diligently, occasionally asking insightful questions that showcased her understanding of the subject matter. She was determined to master the intricacies of circuitry and energy manipulation, seeing each lesson as a step closer to unlocking her full potential in this new world of technology and mana.

Throughout the class, Satori alternated between demonstrations and hands-on activities, guiding the students through practical exercises to reinforce their understanding. Despite Mia and Lina's waning interest, Raika remained steadfast, her determination unwavering as she immersed herself in the world of electronic engineering and mana technology.

As Mia and Lina embarked on the hands-on activities, they teamed up to tackle the practical tasks assigned by Professor Satori. Mia, visibly uncertain, frowned as she struggled to grasp the complexities of the circuitry laid out before her.

"Oh no, I don't know how to do this," Mia muttered, her frustration evident as she glanced over the components spread across the workbench.

Lina, more determined but equally challenged, focused intently on her own set of tasks. She meticulously followed the instructions but encountered repeated failures, each attempt resulting in wisps of smoke from the circuit board.

"It always comes to smoke each time we test it," Lina remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment as she wiped her brow in frustration.

As Mia and Lina struggled with their circuitry, Raika, on the other hand, approached the task with a methodical and precise demeanor. She carefully studied the schematic diagrams projected onto her interface, her mind swiftly processing the intricacies of the circuit design.

Raika began by mapping out the entire structure of the saber sword circuit in her mind's eye. She visualized the flow of energy and identified potential optimizations to minimize the need for excessive mana usage while maximizing the power output. Her fingers moved deftly across the components, assembling them with practiced ease.

"I can enhance this coupling here," Raika murmured to herself, adjusting the connections on the interface. She integrated a feedback loop mechanism that would regulate the energy flow more efficiently, reducing the strain on the mana source. Her keen understanding of electronics allowed her to foresee potential issues and preemptively address them.

As she progressed, Raika's design evolved into a streamlined configuration, enhancing the saber sword's capability without compromising its stability. She replaced standard components with advanced materials that could handle higher energy densities, ensuring durability and reliability in combat situations.

By the time Mia and Lina had encountered their setbacks, Raika had already completed her prototype. With a calm demeanor, she powered up the saber sword, and to everyone's amazement, it hummed to life without a hitch. The blade glowed with a vibrant energy, indicating the successful integration of Raika's enhancements.

"Wow, Raika, how did you do that so quickly?" Lina exclaimed, marveling at the sleek design of the saber sword.

Raika smiled modestly, "It's all about understanding the flow of energy and optimizing the circuit. Here, let me help you both," she offered, stepping over to assist Mia and Lina with their projects.

As Raika stood before her classmates, Mia and Lina, she began explaining the components of the saber sword and the upgrades she had implemented. With clarity and precision, she detailed each part and its function, making the complex technology accessible to everyone in the room, including Professor Satori who observed with interest.

"Alright, let's break it down," Raika started, gesturing towards the holographic diagram of the saber sword displayed on the classroom's main screen. "First, we have the energy core here." She pointed to a small, pulsating orb at the hilt of the saber. "This core is responsible for generating and storing the energy needed to power the blade. I've optimized its containment field to enhance energy density while preventing overheating."

Moving on, Raika highlighted the blade emitter. "Here's where the magic happens," she explained with a grin. "The emitter converts the stored energy into a plasma field, which forms the blade itself. I've redesigned the emitter matrix to achieve higher plasma stability and minimize energy loss during conversion."

She then focused on the control interface. "This panel here allows the user to adjust the intensity and focus of the blade," Raika continued, tapping on a section of the diagram that depicted a series of controls. "I've integrated a neural interface module that enhances user interaction, allowing for more intuitive control over the saber's functions."

Raika's explanation was met with nods of understanding from her peers, who followed her descriptions attentively. Even Professor Satori, known for his critical eye, seemed impressed by Raika's thorough understanding of the technology.

"Lastly," Raika concluded, "I've reinforced the structural integrity of the blade casing and improved heat dissipation mechanisms to handle prolonged combat situations without compromising performance."

Her classmates murmured in appreciation, recognizing the thought and effort Raika had put into her modifications. Satisfied with her explanation, Raika turned to Mia and Lina. "Now, let's see how we can adjust your circuits to avoid those smoke issues," she said, eager to assist them further.

Professor Satori approached Raika with a nod of approval. "Well done, Raika. Your insights are commendable. Keep up the good work," he praised before returning his attention to the rest of the class, who were now inspired to refine their own designs with Raika's guidance.

Raika's Assistant interrupted her thoughts with a subtle warning, "Master, it's too much information. You need to be cautious not to reveal your capabilities."

Raika paused, realizing the Assistant was right. She adjusted her approach, focusing on guiding Mia and Lina through the saber construction process without delving too deeply into advanced details.

Satori looked at Raika with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Raika, are you the daughter of a scientist? You're exceptionally talented. You upgraded the saber on your first try, which hasn't happened in a long time," he remarked, his face showing amazement.

The other students began speculating about Raika's background as she calmly replied, "No, my father started teaching me engineering when I was just 5." Her words were met with applause from both students and teachers. Mia and Lina chimed in, expressing their awe.

"You're amazing, Raika! You seem like you're from a different breed," Mia exclaimed.

Raika smiled awkwardly and replied slowly, "Right..."

After the class ended, they made their way to the cafeteria. Mia, still in admiration, couldn't help but express her thoughts. "You know, Raika, you're different from the others—smart, kind, and humble," she said warmly.

Raika looked genuinely grateful but modestly replied, "Thank you, but I'm really not that exceptional."

Lina joined in, playfully teasing, "Oh, come on, Raika! You're the best!"

They all laughed together, the camaraderie between them growing stronger with each passing day.

Raika's thoughts drifted back to darker times, memories she had long buried but that now resurfaced in the warmth of her newfound friendships. She spoke softly, almost to herself, as Mia and Lina looked on with concern.

"If it weren't for this new life, I could still be stuck in that room, lost in games," Raika admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of melancholy and relief. "Back then, I had no friends. I was always the outcast, even bullied in college. My parents..." Her voice faltered, the pain of past neglect creeping into her words. "They didn't support me. They were... never there for me."

She paused, gathering herself before continuing. "There was a time I reached my breaking point. I felt utterly alone, like I had nothing and no one to rely on." Raika's eyes glistened with unshed tears, memories of isolation and despair surfacing briefly.

Lina reached out, placing a comforting hand on Raika's shoulder. "Why the long face now, Raika?" she asked gently.

Mia's concern was evident as well. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Raika managed a small, grateful smile at her friends. "No, it's nothing like that," she replied softly. "It's just... I'm thankful. Thankful to have friends now, friends I can truly rely on." She took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off her chest as she realized she was no longer alone in her journey.

Mia and Lina exchanged a glance, understanding the depth of Raika's words. They knew there was more to her story, but in that moment, their presence was enough to reassure Raika that she was valued and accepted.

"As long as we're together," Lina said warmly, "you'll never be alone again."

Raika nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, both of you," she murmured, touched by their kindness and silently vowing to cherish the friendships she had found in this new chapter of her life.