Chapter 12 of the Weapon Replicator of the Academy

Section 3: Fate Manipulation (3)

"Hmm, it's not going as planned."

Sibel brought her fingers to her lips and fell into deep thought.

'Aster Evans...'

His divine power is so well-known.

Ordinary people would hide their divine power within their family, but when the owner of the divine power is someone like Baldur, there's no need to do so.

In fact, it's better to announce it widely, benefiting his family or organization. That's why everyone knows about Aster's divine power, regardless of his will.

Add to that his extensive popularity, diligence, talent, and captivating appearance.

'I really want to make him mine.'

But it's not going as planned.

After Frondier left to recruit Quinie, I thought I had been quite proactive.

I was gently rejected with a soft smile.

'After all that effort, paying attention to my expression, gestures, and tone of voice...'

Sibel's movements developed a rhythm as she walked. Soon, she was walking as if she were dancing a small dance.

Sibel has rarely experienced rejection in her life. The world always caters to her desires.

Therefore, she cannot understand the misfortunes of others. She cannot understand the efforts of others.

It's not that she belittles effort; she simply doesn't know it.

Everyone has as much luck, talent, and effort as she does.

To her,

'rejection' is neither familiar nor something she likes.

Creak.

Creak, creak.

Ah, I can hear it. The sound of fate aligning. The sound of those gears moving slightly in her favor.

Of course, Sibel knows that this sound is just an auditory hallucination.

──Fate doesn't make any sound.

But without any prior signs, fate has already been brought about for her.

* * *

The dungeon I'm about to enter has a 'Sanctuary.'

People with divine power can have a brief encounter with the owner of that power, the deity.

They might grant simple wishes, and just a few words can strengthen the divine power.

It's the perfect place for Aster. In the original game, Aster reaches there and witnesses Baldur.

Thanks to this, Baldur's power is further enhanced.

"But I don't need to go, right?"

For someone without divine power like me, it's naturally useless.

I'll just observe properly while exploring with Aster.

"Ah."

I saw Quinie waiting at the entrance of Constel.

I was somewhat relieved. Although it was unlikely, there was a possibility that she wouldn't show up after making a deal.

"You came quickly."

Quinie waved at me. Her expression was subtle.

"Frondier, why are you participating in this dungeon expedition?"

"Ah, I didn't plan to participate. But I was chosen by Aster."

"Aster Evans? Hmm..."

Quinie looked at me with an expression of surprise. It was as if she was thinking, "You know Aster?"

"Wow? Oh? Am I late?!"

A lively voice came from a little distance, and I saw Sibel hurrying over.

"I'm not late."

Aster followed calmly behind her.

Sibel ran up to me, panting.

"Am I late?"

"Since the teacher hasn't arrived yet, what's the problem?"

"That's a relief."

Sibel sighed in relief. Soon, she noticed Quinie and bowed respectfully.

"Hello, I'm Sibel Forte. Please take care of me today."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Quinie de Vieux."

Quinie nodded kindly.

They seemed to be meeting for the first time, but the conversation flowed smoothly.

Both are skilled in social graces and have good interpersonal skills. And they share some similarities.

Now, the person who makes me a bit uncomfortable has arrived.

While I was bringing Quinie, Sibel and Aster were supposed to bring the teacher.

"Did everyone wait long?"

A composed yet gentle voice echoed.

Teacher Jane.

The first woman teacher I met when I entered this world.

The one who firmly told me that the branch of Wizview wasn't Mistletoe.

She probably doesn't have good feelings towards me.

"I'm Jane, who will be leading and guiding you today. Shall we go in?"

Jane smiled. Her face, directed at me, was as clear as a cloudless sky.

...At least, that's how it looked to me.

* * *

Frondier and the group traveled by car.

It takes about an hour by car to reach the dungeon. Everyone was relieved that it wasn't too far.

Constel students are given leave based on the size and danger of the dungeon they enter.

This time, they were given four days. They need to complete the dungeon within this period.

"We've arrived."

After getting out of the car, Jane looked around the entrance of the dungeon.

"Wow! This is great. It's a very orthodox dungeon."

The entrance to the dungeon was a rectangular passage made of stone. In front of it was a staircase leading down.

The easiest way to recognize a dungeon is by its entrance.

When the terrain changes to a dungeon, it alters its shape and becomes very noticeable.

As if inviting people in.

"Wow, this is a dungeon..."

Sibel looked around the entrance with sparkling eyes.

It must be her first time seeing a dungeon.

Frondier, who is also seeing it for the first time, had a rather unimpressed expression.

"Now, Aster, Frondier, and Sibel, try to observe as much as possible! Quinie and I will handle the dungeon exploration."

First-year students are at risk in dungeons.

Actually, the traps lurking inside are more of a problem than the monsters.

Constel is a place that trains combatants, so they can handle monsters, but they are relatively weak against traps.

"I'll lead the way, and I'll ask Quinie to take the rear."

"Yes."

From the front, the order was: Jane, Aster, Frondier, Sibel, and Quinie.

It was clear that Frondier was in the safest position, based on his reputation and abilities.

"Let's go."

As we descended the stairs, a wide cave appeared.

It looked like a natural cave. Moss and rocks were scattered, and flowers bloomed between them. The floor was covered with countless stones.

If it weren't for the entrance, it would be hard to believe this was a dungeon.

"Let's be cautious as we go."

Jane lowered her voice slightly.

Then she took out her wand and lit it.

Actually, Jane wasn't really tense.

There's no real danger in a low-level dungeon with her around.

But she had to pretend to be tense so the students wouldn't relax.

Meanwhile,

Quinie was observing the group from the rear.

'...Frondier really isn't tense at all.'

She could see this from the back.

Unlike Aster and Sibel, Frondier walked as if he were on a leisurely stroll.

Is this just his nature?

Really, can he be so relaxed just because he's lazy?

As Jane walked, she noticed a hidden trap panel. It was an old trap, but in a cave that looked natural, it was surprisingly hard to spot.

Jane stopped.

"Aster, Frondier, stop for a moment... huh?"

Jane stopped and looked back.

Frondier had already stopped.

Seeing that he was holding Aster's arm, it was clear he had stopped Aster too, even before Jane warned them.

"...Do you know what's ahead?"

"I didn't know, but I saw it."

Frondier pointed to the floor.

An oddly protruding stone. The trap panel Jane had found.

"You have good eyes, Frondier."

"Pretty impressive, huh?"

"It was just luck."

Frondier humbly responded to Jane and Aster's praise.

But it seemed he was just being lazy and kept his answers short.

Quinie silently observed the entire process.

Looking at the trap panel Frondier found, it wasn't hard to spot if you paid attention.

'Hmm, was it just luck?'

But then,

Quinie didn't miss Frondier's gaze.

'...?'

Frondier's gaze moved from the trap panel to the right, then to the right wall.

A simple wall, unrelated to the path they were taking.

Frondier's glance at the wall was brief, but there was a clear sense of unease.

"Alright, everyone, let's avoid that stone floor as Frondier suggested."

Following Jane's guidance, the four in front of Quinie slowly avoided the stone floor.

But Quinie stopped in front of the stone floor.

Even with her trap detection skill, she couldn't predict exactly what would happen if she stepped on the stone floor.

But Frondier's gaze earlier.

His gaze towards the right wall.

"..."

Quinie unfolded her fan and firmly stepped on the stone.

Swish!

An arrow shot out from the gap between the stones on the right wall.

Clang, Quinie easily deflected the arrow with her fan.

Jane was surprised.

"What are you doing, Quinie!"

"I'm sorry. I thought it would be better to remove it in advance. We might come back this way."

"...Phew. I'm glad you're not hurt. Next time, let me know before you do something like that."

"Yes, I'm sorry again."

Quinie replied while looking at the arrow that had fallen to the floor.

'...It really came from the right.'

At the end of Frondier's gaze, from the right wall, the arrow had indeed come.

Could Frondier have a superior trap detection skill, or is he extremely knowledgeable about such things?

Quinie looked at Frondier. Frondier was also looking at her.

Only Frondier would understand why she acted. He smiled very slightly, as if his secret had been revealed, and then looked forward again.

Quinie covered her mouth with her fan.

It's a habit she has when she laughs.

...

...

After that, Quinie observed Frondier's every move even more carefully.

But Frondier did nothing.

A third-year student and a teacher in a low-level dungeon. There was no crisis, and Frondier had no chance to shine.

Quinie deliberately triggered a trap, but Frondier was even more reluctant to step forward.

"Phew."

Sibel crossed her arms behind her head.

Aster, who was next to her, warned her.

"Sibel, keep your guard up."

"But it's so boring. The teacher finds all the traps, and the occasional monsters are nothing."

This was Sibel's first dungeon. She had high expectations.

It had piqued her sense of adventure and curiosity, and she wanted to see Aster in action. But he's doing almost nothing.

The traps are defused in advance, and when monsters appear, Jane takes care of them in front, and Quinie eliminates them from behind.

'This isn't what I wanted.'

Sibel looked at Aster, who was walking ahead. Aster didn't seem bored. He occasionally glanced at the walls, but that was all.

──Boring.

Sibel's eyes dimmed.

She wanted to know more about Aster. She wanted to get closer to him by exploring the dungeon together.

If I had to drag him here by force, it would only be fair for him to satisfy my curiosity, right? There should be something here.

Something, something.

Creak, creak.

Entertain me.

At that moment, Frondier touched the wall. It was right when Sibel and Frondier were very close.

The hand that touched the wall sank in.

"Huh?"

Frondier's body tilted. The problem was, Sibel's body tilted with his.

"Ah, ah!"

The trap was simple.

When Frondier touched the wall, about 2 meters of the wall around him tilted forward. Naturally, Sibel, who was with him, was also caught in it.

At the same time, the floor they were standing on rose up. The wall became the floor, and the floor became the wall, like a revolving door installed on the ground.

"Ouch..."

Sibel rubbed her head, which had hit the floor. Looking around, she saw only Frondier.

They were on the other side of the wall. The trap had separated Frondier and Sibel from the rest of the group.

"What, what do we do..."

Sibel knocked on the wall that had been the floor.

"Teacher! We're here! Can you hear us?!"

The trap, once triggered, showed no signs of moving again.

Sibel was scared. Being alone with Frondier in such a place.

Frondier, whose true intentions she couldn't fathom, was just a source of concern for her.

She wouldn't lose in a direct confrontation, but if he caught her off guard, she wouldn't stand a chance in a physical struggle.

"Sibel."

"Y-yes?"

"The others can't hear us at all. Let's move forward on our own."

"...O-okay."

To her surprise, Frondier acted normally (or so it seemed).

Sibel, watching Frondier's back as he walked ahead, let out a sigh of relief.

──Of course,

Frondier had intentionally triggered the trap.