Chapter 37 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 10: The Queen's Insight (3)

I stared at the text for a while,

then put the phone away.

...Let's put it on hold for now.

Fili Testar is not someone to be dealt with unprepared.

To be honest, Fili Testar is difficult to approach.

Her appearance and tone make her seem like someone who has no idea about the dirty underbelly of the palace.

But that's not true.

Fili is the most 'qualified' person in the palace.

Despite being a woman, Fili is a character who actively engages in the politics and power dynamics of the palace.

The foundation of her success is her suspicion of everything.

In the palace, she is known as a 'wise woman with outstanding wit and charm.'

This is because she has solved numerous incidents when the palace was in danger.

However, the reality is different.

Fili didn't solve things with her wit.

She knew from the beginning.

It wasn't a sudden idea, but rather a guess of what would happen, and she responded in the most efficient way.

The royal bloodline has many enemies, even within the palace.

So, if she seems too perfect, she might be disliked.

Knowing this, Fili deliberately 'delays' her actions.

This is why others see her actions as wit and charm.

If her true nature were revealed, all the praise for her would vanish.

Because she is not someone they can 'praise' at all.

"......And, this."

Elodie handed me something.

I took it without thinking, and it was a short hexagonal prism.

In the middle, there was a lens.

...What is this?

"What is this?"

I asked exactly what I was thinking.

"It's a Wizardgram."

"Wizardgram?"

"It can record short periods of time and project recorded scenes into the air. It's great for practicing combat techniques or martial arts. You can view them from different angles."

I examined the Wizardgram from all sides.

From the explanation, it seems like a holographic projector.

"Was this what you wanted to give me last time?"

You said you had a line artifact to give me.

"Yes. Since you're so lazy, I thought you might at least practice by watching this."

Well, it's a thoughtful gift.

'With this, maybe I can learn the Falling Palm technique.'

I've been learning close combat from Azje regularly anyway.

If I ask, he might allow me to record it.

"And have you reviewed everything?"

Elodie asked.

I nodded, understanding her intention.

But Sibel was just tilting her head in confusion.

"Review? What review?"

I smiled bitterly.

While it might not be very important for Sibel,

Elodie answered earnestly.

"We have the midterm exams coming up soon."

* * *

Constel's midterms include both written and practical exams.

Since it's a place that trains combatants, the practical exams carry more weight.

However, that doesn't mean the written exams can be ignored. The difference in weight isn't that significant.

I aim to be in the top 10 in overall grades at Constel.

The first hurdle to clear for this task given by Ampere is the midterm exams.

But I'm not worried about the written exam.

I've pasted everything I learned in class into my cheat sheet.

I have a foolproof cheat sheet.

'The real problem is the practical exam.'

The practical exam is similar to the joint missions I've done before.

I just need to complete the designated tasks in the field.

This time, however, it's an individual exam.

Through my training, I've advanced my 'Throwing Skill (Dagger)' to intermediate level, and through sparring with Azje, I've acquired 'Dual Dagger Skill' at the beginner level.

By Constel's standards, I'm no longer completely incompetent, but just a mediocre student.

...I feel like crying.

'Using Zijo and Menosorpo is difficult.'

Learning the Falling Palm from Azje would be a significant help.

──By the time I thought this, I was in front of the classroom.

It feels like it's been a while since I've been here.

Considering the incident at the cabin and the time I spent in the hospital.

Alright, let's try not to stand out today.

Creak—

I opened the classroom door.

As expected, no one paid attention to me.

I sat down, satisfied as usual.

When the time came, Teacher Jane entered.

But today, her face was unusually stiff.

"......Alright, you know?"

What do you mean?

"Oh, today? Before we start the class, I have something to tell you all."

Jane was even stuttering.

She was smiling, but her expression was awkward.

"Our class has a new transfer student."

The classroom erupted in noise.

Students exclaimed in amazement and asked Jane various questions.

But most of them were probably thinking, 'A transfer student at this time?'

With the midterms just around the corner, why would a transfer student come?

I had similar thoughts, but something came to mind.

A transfer student is definitely coming around this time... but she shouldn't be here.

"Come in, Aten."

At Jane's signal, the front door of the classroom opened, and someone slowly walked in.

Her hair was pure white, with a luster.

It shone as if ice had shattered and fallen on it.

Her eyebrows, eyes, and skin were also pure white.

Her delicate features, all contained in her small face, seemed to be in their rightful place, natural, neat, and pitiable.

Every time she blinked, her white eyes were as clear as winter.

"──Hello."

Her voice was as clean and cold as ice.

I looked at the girl greeting us, feeling absurd.

It was exactly the student I had in mind.

And she was someone who absolutely shouldn't be 'here.'

"My name is Aten Testar. Nice to meet you."

The third princess of the Testar Empire.

The third daughter of Queen Fili Testar had transferred.

I knew this.

It's one of the key events.

I knew that Aten Testar would transfer around this time.

But not here.

'She should go to Aster's class!'

Why would I know this?

Because I played as Aster and saw it firsthand.

Aten later becomes an important companion to Aster.

Depending on the game's progression, she can even become the heroine, a very significant character.

But she came to my class.

There are no named characters in this class.

Only I, the minor character known as 'Human Sloth Prondier.'

Jane continued with a stiff smile.

"Everyone, as you know, Aten is the third daughter of Emperor Testar. But here, don't mind such things and get along with her...?"

Teacher, you're overthinking this.

Your tone sounds like an elementary school teacher trying to calm down the kids.

Of course, even though Constel doesn't distinguish between nobles and commoners, the royal family is different.

Especially not just a cousin or a relative, but the emperor's daughter.

Even knowing Constel's principles, it's not easy to approach her.

The students were all stunned and couldn't say a word.

'......?'

But why?

For some reason, it feels like Aten is looking at me.

I hope it's just a coincidence, but she has been looking at me since she entered.

[We'll meet soon.]

...Fili's text message comes to mind.

No, it can't be.

Even if Fili is quick to act and experienced in politics, would she really make her daughter approach me just because of a quiz?

Ha ha, no way.

"Where will you sit? Is there an empty seat?"

At Jane's question, Aten pointed immediately.

"Can I sit there?"

That was the seat next to me.

Aten said without a flicker of expression.

"I like sitting by the window."

* * *

'Prondier de Roach.'

Aten thought.

She was originally scheduled to transfer to Constel.

But the class assignment was not predetermined.

However, just yesterday, her mother Fili said,

"Aten, you will be in Prondier's class."

"Who is that?"

"Prondier de Roach. At Constel, he's known as 'Human Sloth Prondier.'"

"......That doesn't sound like a good nickname."

Fili just smiled in response.

...When Mother smiles like that, it usually means something positive.

"Once you're there, get along with everyone in the class. And with Prondier too."

"......Are you telling me to use other students as a smokescreen so that approaching Prondier doesn't seem obvious?"

"Aah! Aten, I didn't say that!"

But that's what you're saying.

Aten sighed.

Mother is always so evasive and indirect, even when talking to me.

Her habit from politics affects her daughter, and I don't know how to handle it.

"What do I need to know?"

"Dragon Heart."

Aten raised a finger.

"Find out everything Prondier knows about the Dragon Heart."

"Dragon Heart...? You mean this student Prondier knows about it?"

"Yes, he solved the quiz."

Aten's sigh deepened.

Whatever it is, she's up to something strange again.

"Mother, Aten, you're not thinking badly of me again, are you?"

"No, of course not."

"Right? As expected of my daughter."

"Only that you're up to something strange again."

"Aten! Honest words can hurt! You were so cute when you were little, but now—"

After that, Fili complained to Aten about all sorts of things, but I brushed them off and now I can't remember.

During class, Aten glanced at Prondier.

'......Hmm, he really does look sleepy.'

He has a lazy expression.

I often think this when I see Mother Fili, but Prondier feels a bit different.

Prondier's laziness gives off a dangerous vibe.

I can't tell what he's thinking, and he doesn't give off any clear impression of being good or bad.

His poker face, combined with his lazy demeanor, gives an impression of ease.

'If he had some skills, he might have been scary as an enemy.'

But I've heard he's lazy and incompetent.

It's not really a concern.

'He's not doing anything.'

I've heard that Prondier always sleeps in class, but he's awake.

Maybe the information was a bit outdated.

But even though he's awake, he's not doing anything.

He seems to be looking at the blackboard and the teacher, but he's not taking notes or checking his book.

'Is he really that lazy?'

Just being awake is a form of progress.

'Alright then.'

Now, I need to get close to Prondier and extract information.

Aten recalled what her mother had said.

"Prondier de Roach has a low reputation and isn't popular. He's never had a girlfriend."

"......So?"

"So, if my daughter just gives him a little nudge, he'll fall for it easily. My daughter is known for her beauty even in the palace. Any boy who isn't immune to women will find it easy to fall for my daughter!"

Hmm.

So, just a little nudge.

Recalling Fili's words, Aten waited until the end of the class.

During the break after class.

Now, I just need to give Prondier a little nudge to make him fall for me.

...But.

Aten remained motionless in her seat throughout the break.

She only blinked occasionally.

With her pure white and outstanding appearance, she looked like a doll.

It was so strange that Prondier couldn't help but stare at her.

Aten was spending this important time to approach Prondier for the first time, but there was a reason she couldn't.

She was deeply lost in thought.

'......How do I give him a little nudge?'

Unfortunately.

She, too, had never had a romantic partner.