Chapter 28 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Section 9: Menosorpo (2)

I left the hospital after making an appointment to meet Siebel later.

And the place I headed to was the library.

The reason I went to Siebel wasn't for 'Menosorpo,' but for 'Artemis's Bow.'

I wanted to confirm if it could only be used by women, but I couldn't.

So, I decided to look for information about 'weaving' in the library.

“Keck, Frontier.”

However, as soon as I entered the library, I heard this voice.

Librarian Ainen was looking at me.

“Hello, teacher.”

“Hmph.”

Ainen turned her head away from me, seemingly in a bad mood.

Maybe she just doesn't like me.

“You're lucky, Frontier.”

“Huh?”

“Mistletoe, your bluff is still working.”

“...Oh, right.”

I remembered that Ainen had teased me in the library before.

When a certain adventurer party discovered Mistletoe, Ainen had subtly tested me.

She had hoped my opinion that 'Mistletoe doesn't look like that' would be proven wrong.

But it turned out that Mistletoe was a fake.

My bluff is still intact.

Though it's not really a bluff.

“Why do you keep coming to the library? It doesn't suit you.”

“I'm looking for a book.”

“Didn't you say the same thing last time you came?”

I guess I did.

But this time, it's true.

I need to find a book related to 'weaving.'

It's probably as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack, but I'll try.

“Alright, alright. Look for it then.”

Ainen waved her hand as if shooing away a fly.

It seems her fondness for me has decreased even more.

‘That's a bit of a waste.’

As I mentioned before, Ainen is a good source of information.

She's the librarian of the library where all the information from inside and outside the Constel Academy converges, and she loves news.

So, she's a helpful presence who informs me of minor or important events that I might miss.

...If I were Aster Evans.

‘Hmm?’

At that moment, my gaze fell on the paper Ainen was looking at.

It looked like a quiz.

Does Ainen like these kinds of things?

“...Are you solving a quiz?”

“Haven't you seen it yet?”

“I didn't know you liked this kind of thing.”

Trying to push the conversation, Ainen sighed.

“I don't like it. I'm doing it because there's a prize.”

“Really?”

“Look. They give a gift card to whoever answers all the questions correctly. As a housewife, I can't just pass this up.”

Ainen pointed to where it clearly stated that the prize was a department store gift card.

And when I looked at the quiz...

‘...Oh.’

The quiz wasn't particularly difficult.

It was just trivial.

The theme was 'Miscellaneous knowledge needed by adventurers,' but it didn't seem necessary at all.

1. What is the average lifespan of a goblin?

2. When do griffins lay eggs?

...That sort of thing.

“Where are you stuck?”

“Why? Can you see it?”

“I might be able to.”

Ainen pointed to the last question with her finger.

12. What does a Dragon Heart mean, and what happens if a human eats it?

I thought about this question.

They really don't want to give out that gift card.

There are only two real Dragon Hearts in the entire Terset Empire.

One is in the resting place of the Terset Emperor.

The other is in the Bamies Church where Pope Ansproy is.

So, most people have never seen the real thing, and there are no publicly available photos or videos.

Historically, very few humans have ever seen or used a Dragon Heart.

It's too difficult a question for a department store gift card.

‘Does the person who set this question even know the answer?’

I doubt it.

There are very few people who could know.

And when I looked below the question, Ainen had written:

-Heart?

“...You only wrote one thing.”

“How would I know what happens if a human eats it?”

Ainen said, clutching her head.

Was she asking me, or was it a rhetorical question?

I smiled.

“Shall I tell you?”

“Huh, what? You know the answer? Really?”

“Yes.”

Of course I do.

I've actually seen a Dragon Heart,

and even eaten one.

Ainen looked at me with eyes that seemed to be clinging to me.

“What happens if a human eats it? Come on, tell me. If I win, I'll share the gift card with you.”

“First of all.”

“Huh?”

“The answer you wrote is wrong.”

Ainen stared at me blankly for a moment before opening her mouth.

“A Dragon Heart... isn't a dragon's heart?”

“No, it's a mana crystal. When a dragon dies, it condenses all its mana into a crystal. Since it's in the heart, it's called a Dragon Heart.”

“Huh, what? That doesn't sound right. How do you know this?”

“I read it in a book once, by chance.”

“Is there such a book?”

Such a book.

Maybe there is.

One out of a few million. Probably.

Even though I haven't seen it.

“And what happens if a human eats it?”

“They become a cripple.”

“...Really?”

“Yes.”

Ainen wrote down my answer, though she seemed skeptical.

...Actually, it's only half right.

I've eaten a Dragon Heart as Aster.

Despite knowing the risk of becoming a cripple.

If you know the proper method, a Dragon Heart can increase your total mana.

‘But if I use that, it would be the wrong answer.’

That knowledge is truly known only to me.

* * *

“Hmm, this isn't it either.”

After telling Ainen the answer, I searched the library for books.

To find a hint on whether weapons woven can be 'modified.'

Books on illusions, mirages, magic theory, memory techniques, and the structures of various weapons.

But there was nothing that could give me a hint about 'weaving.'

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.

At least I learned something definite.

The images of objects in Frontier's workshop are completely identical to their real-world counterparts in structure and essence.

In other words, the workshop doesn't just 'remember' the images.

It actually replicates and stores the essence of the objects.

That's why it can briefly manifest them in the real world and can mimic the real thing with black steel.

“Then, I think it should be possible to modify them...”

“Modify?”

I turned at the sound of a voice.

Elodie was sitting next to me, having arrived at some point.

Her blue eyes were fixed on me.

“What do you mean by modify?”

“What are you doing in the library?”

“Are you trying to change the subject so obviously?”

Elodie leaned in close to me.

...Lately, Elodie's interest in me has increased significantly.

In a very bad way.

She seems to have reached some conclusion about me and is suspicious.

“You keep causing trouble lately.”

Elodie frowned as she looked at me.

“With the dungeon and the golem incident a few days ago, they say you were involved.”

“I wasn't involved, I was just caught up in it.”

Elodie's eyes widened as she heard me.

With a serious expression, she said:

“What, really?”

“Yeah?”

“I thought it was just a rumor that you were involved.”

──Damn.

I hadn't thought carefully about the golem incident, which was an unexpected event.

Thinking about it now, it's quite strange that I was involved.

It was just a rumor.

‘How would Elodie react if she knew I cut the golem down?’

I'm a bit curious, but I'll hold back.

I tried to deflect the conversation.

“I told you. I was just caught up in it. I ran away as soon as I saw it.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I ran away, so I'm fine.”

Elodie looked me over carefully, her face serious.

Her meticulous gaze, as if trying to find any hint of bluff in my expression.

...She's genuinely worried.

“...Well, as long as you're okay.”

Elodie cleared her throat, looking a bit embarrassed.

* * *

A few days later, I went to the address Siebel had given me.

Thinking about it, this is the first time I've been to a girl's house since coming to this world.

As soon as I arrived at the front gate:

“Is it you? The idiot who's been pestering my daughter?”

“Dad! It's not like that!”

Siebel shouted, her face red.

It might sound strange, but that line feels like an insult to Siebel.

It gives the impression that only an idiot would pester her daughter.

Siebel's father, Daud Forte.

In stark contrast to Siebel's delicate and beautiful appearance, he boasts a muscular build and large frame.

He has a roughly grown beard and roughly cut hair.

Just looking at his face, he seems like a blacksmith whose hands slip easily, but Daud is actually closer to a meticulous sculptor.

Engraving magic arrays on weapons is that difficult.

Well, that aside, it's a welcome face.

Even though he doesn't know me.

“Hmph. You look like you have no life in your eyes, and you seem to have no strength in your body. Siebel! Why did you bring such a boy here?”

“But Dad! It's not like that!”

Siebel hit Daud a few times as she spoke.

Of course, Daud didn't even acknowledge her.

“Your name is Frontier, right?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph. I heard what you want. I'll do it because my daughter begged me, but you better leave as soon as you're done!”

Siebel's voice came from beside me, saying, “When did I beg you so desperately?”

“I don't recognize you!”

Daud said, turning his back on me.

...I don't know if it's just my impression, but.

Because of Daud, I feel like my relationship with Siebel has become closer, ironically.

* * *

I entered the house and explained the situation in a room.

Daud said:

“So, you want to know the true nature of the magic array?”

“Yes. I got it as a dungeon reward, but I can't identify it.”

“Activation?”

“It failed. I used mana, but nothing happened.”

Daud stroked his chin for a moment.

“Well, there's no way to know just by hearing it. Draw it.”

Daud handed me a piece of paper.

I took it and hesitated for a moment.

“What are you doing? Not drawing it? If you say you left your notebook or phone with the magic array at home...”

“No, I can't draw it on this paper.”

“What? Why can't you draw it?”

“It's too big.”

At my words, Daud's eyebrows twitched.

Siebel, who was standing beside him, also seemed surprised and drew in a breath.

“How big is it?”

“At least, I can't draw it here.”

This room is too small.

At least a wide open space is needed.

“We have a backyard. Would that be enough?”

“Yes, that should be enough.”

“Hmph. It's good to bluff in moderation.”

Daud said this and stood up.

It definitely sounds like a bluff.

Just because a magic array is big doesn't make it special.

In fact, the same magic array, whether large or small, has the same effect.

But I said:

‘I can't draw it small.’

‘Menosorpo’ is so densely packed with symbols and patterns inside the magic array.

Such a complex magic array is very rare.

At least, I've never seen one.

So, Daud assumes my words are a bluff.

Even if it's not a bluff, he probably thinks a wide open space isn't necessary.

Daud, Siebel, and I went to the open space behind the mansion.

I took out a dagger.

I brought the magic array of Menosorpo from the 'workshop' and placed it on the ground.

...It's a close call, but I can draw it.

It's a disgustingly large magic array.

I bent my knees and started drawing on the ground with the dagger.

“...What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“Don't you need a notebook or a phone or something to look at while drawing the magic array?”

“I don't have them.”

“You can draw the magic array directly? Without any reference?”

“Yes.”

As soon as I answered, Daud automatically exclaimed:

“Nonsense! Even someone who has thoroughly studied the irregular patterns and geometry of magic arrays can't memorize them completely. Large magic arrays are even harder. How can you draw a magic array that isn't even registered on your phone!”

Because it's in the workshop.

It's more advanced than a phone.

I diligently copied the magic array I brought from the workshop.

It took a considerable amount of time, but Daud and Siebel watched quietly without interfering.

“Phew.”

When I finally finished and looked up, their faces were somewhat strange.

Siebel had her mouth open in surprise, and Daud was looking at me as if I were a strange creature.

“You really drew it all. Without any reference.”

“Yes.”

Actually, I did have a reference.

“Sir, what do you think? What kind of magic array is this?”

I asked Daud politely.

Daud hummed and walked up to the magic array.

He examined it carefully.

He walked around it, sat down to observe certain parts closely.

Finally, he seemed to have reached a conclusion and stood up, brushing himself off.

And he said:

“I have no idea.”