Chapter 19 of the Weapon Replicator at the Academy

Chapter 5 Test (3)

...When Quinie said the footprints were clear, it was only by her own standards, those of a third-year student.

In the forest, it's hard for footprints to be properly imprinted. Often, one steps over leaves and branches.

They are so hard to discern that they might just feel like indented marks if you look casually.

In fact, from Quinie's perspective, it was more than enough for Frontier to identify the creature as a 'bear.' He had given the direction and the trail of the footprints.

Don't narrow your vision to just the footprints; by looking at the direction, you can estimate the volume from the broken branches and cleared leaves. Plus, the area being a 'forest,' the size of the footprints, and the stride.

Considering these conditions, there's a chance to guess it's a 'bear,' even if you just make a guess.

'But to deduce it's a Red Bear among bear monsters, that's truly the mark of someone who has mastered tracking.'

Edwin seemed to have noticed as well, but in fact, many third-year students haven't properly mastered tracking skills.

It's not a major skill, after all.

"Frontier, is that divine power?"

Quinie was intrigued by Edwin's question.

Everyone believes that Frontier doesn't have divine power, but that belief is just a belief.

Could it be that he has received some form of divine power?

A god of hunting and hunting?

"It's a secret."

Frontier smiled.

Many people keep their divine power a secret.

But it's rare among nobles. Usually, the family would promote it first, so it's often hard to hide even if one wants to.

But with the famous Azie in the Loa family, it might be fine for Frontier to keep it a secret.

"I see... a secret..."

"Come on, now that we know what it is, let's hurry up and move. There's no need to be cautious with a Red Bear."

Leaving Edwin's muttering behind, Quinie took the lead.

Behind her, Frontier tilted his head.

"Why is there no need to be cautious?"

"Because when we approach, it won't run away; it will attack us."

"Even so, wouldn't it be better to ambush it?"

Quinie opened her fan in response to Frontier's question.

"Even without that, I'll take it down."

"…Oh."

A short exclamation from Frontier.

Quinie's shoulders lifted.

'It's been a while, I should show my best.'

Her steps became more determined.

* * *

"Frontier, what kind of weapon do you use?"

"A dagger. Would you like to see it?"

"Ah, this is the standard-issue weapon. Is it okay to use something like this?"

"It's the one I'm most familiar with."

After Frontier identified the creature, Edwin's questions to him noticeably increased.

Frontier answered kindly without showing any annoyance. He even showed the dagger on his waist without hesitation.

There was no need to make a bad impression, and these were questions he could answer normally. It was also something the other person was naturally curious about.

"Alright, let's stop causing a commotion. We're almost there."

"Yes."

At Quinie's words, Frontier and Edwin lowered their stances.

Walking slowly, they saw a bear covered in red fur in the distance.

It was a bit misleading to say they had discovered it.

The bear was also looking at them. They had approached each other.

Quinie stepped forward.

"Since this mission is about upperclassmen teaching underclassmen, Frontier, step back."

"I thought I could also learn teamwork in battle."

"That's for next time."

Most of the path Frontier would take at Constel was one Quinie had already walked.

Fighting together as a team would come a bit later. Their roles didn't match up yet.

"Watching is also a way to learn."

At that, Frontier honestly nodded and took a step back. Confirming this, Quinie moved forward a bit more.

And Edwin just stood there.

'…How nice.'

He thought about Frontier. He was surprised by his appearance at first.

Frontier's reputation and perception often overshadow his looks, but he is quite handsome.

It's not just that he's good-looking. His face exudes a sense of dignity and nobility, as if this is what a 'noble' should look like.

Combined with his always lazy expression, it created a unique aura.

Plus, he's from the prestigious Loa family.

Frontier's older brother, Azie, is an incredible monster, but Edwin didn't really think much about Azie.

He's a senior to Quinie and has already graduated from Constel. Besides, Edwin hasn't faced his skills directly.

But Frontier is different.

Even though he always slept in class and had a lazy expression, earning him the nickname 'sloth,' his subsequent actions were impressive.

His behavior at the Mistletoe meeting was also notable.

Some might call it reckless, but if you look at the results, it was a courageous and meaningful action.

Plus, the tracking skills he just showed.

It must be the work of a high-ranking deity.

'I should have been like that.'

If he had done a little better, could he have prevented the decline of his family?

Frontier had something Edwin envied.

If Behertio hadn't fallen,

If Edwin could be a little more 'noble'—

"Edwin!!!"

The shout snapped Edwin back to his senses. Quinie's voice came from the right.

When did the battle move?

He quickly shifted his gaze and saw the bear's massive body charging at him with bloodshot eyes.

Roar!

"…Ah."

The bear's roar was a blur.

Did he have a sword in his hand? Was it on his waist or back? There was no time to draw it. There wasn't even time to block or dodge.

Oh, this.

A situation where he could—

Chop, someone grabbed his shoulder. His balance was thrown off. His legs left the ground, and the sky spun.

Whoosh, the bear's front paw swiped past Edwin's nose.

"Frontier-"

In Edwin's eyes, thrown backward, he saw Frontier. He had pulled him back.

But the bear's attack didn't stop. The bear had small wounds and bloodshot eyes, likely from Quinie's attacks.

"Ah!"

Frontier threw his dagger faster than the bear's next attack.

Clang!

The dagger, aimed astonishingly accurately at the bear's forehead, was blocked by its paw.

Bad luck. It was blocked by the bear's casually swiped claws.

'Dangerous.'

Quinie quickly extended her fan.

But.

Roar!

The Red Bear's roar.

The terrifying scream made Quinie's hand freeze for a moment.

Edwin, who was nearby, felt his hair stand on end.

Thud!

At that moment, the dagger embedded itself in the bear's left eye.

Amidst the scream of terror, Frontier showed no sign of panic.

He threw the second dagger right in the middle of the Red Bear's roar.

As if he knew the Red Bear would roar.

"…What,"

What is this?

Can a human be this calm?

The bear screamed in pain, and its movements slowed.

That was it. Quinie had more than enough time to finish it off.

Crack!

Six blades shot vertically from the end of the fan and embedded themselves in the bear's body.

All six were fatal wounds, and at least two of them would have been enough to kill it individually.

The Red Bear died instantly, standing for a while before finally collapsing.

Boom, the ground shook, and the leaves rustled. Quinie hurried over.

"Edwin, Frontier! Are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. I'm fine."

Frontier's calm voice.

He approached Edwin, who had already fallen, and extended his hand.

"Are you hurt?"

"…Ah, no."

Edwin took his hand and stood up.

After helping Edwin up, Frontier shared feedback on the battle with Quinie.

During this time,

A strange irritation and uncontrollable anger crept into Edwin's eyes as he looked at Frontier.

* * *

After the joint mission,

In Constel's personal laboratory.

"I'll put the supplies here."

"Oh, Edwin. Thank you always."

Edwin placed a box full of various items on the desk.

Professor Vinkis, who had assigned him the errand, was busy with her research.

Vinkis is a quintessential researcher. To put it nicely, that's what she is.

To put it bluntly, she is obsessed with research.

She is a summoner.

Her talent is specialized in 'observation,' allowing her to watch others' techniques, memorize them, and apply them to her own summons.

The structure of her summon is a 'golem.'

Since Vinkis assembles and constructs the golem herself, she can mimic others' techniques.

Vinkis is currently making a golem.

This time, it's not a summon.

She is creating a pure golem that can move on its own.

"This is different from the one I saw before."

"Yeah, this time it's a Metal Golem."

A Metal Golem, made of metal.

A material very close to Edwin, who is favored by Hephaestus. Plus, it's a golem.

Edwin looked at Vinkis.

"Is this for me?"

"Well, you said you wanted to see a real Metal Golem, right? It's also a way to thank you for all your help."

Vinkis smiled awkwardly.

She genuinely felt grateful to Edwin. His assistance was very helpful.

Most importantly,