Chapter 39 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 10: The Empress's Eye (5)

I remember Aten Terst from the game Ethius.

When Aten first met Aster, Aten always looked at Aster with those eyes.

However, as the game progressed and we tackled the main quests and storylines, Aten began to acknowledge Aster.

Sometimes, their relationship even developed into a romantic one.

So, I knew Aten was originally a cold character.

"Have you met Aster before?"

"No. This is the first time."

Aten's expression was not good even after parting ways with Aster.

It must be true that this was their first meeting.

I have never experienced a situation where Aten and Aster met before Aster transferred here.

'Perhaps the cold gaze Aten had when I played as Aster was not due to Aten's personality, but for some other reason.'

From Frondier's perspective, Aten is not that cold.

...It's just that we don't communicate well.

In other words, the reason I thought Aten was cold was because I played as 'Aster,' but that's not the case.

There is something between Aten and Aster that I don't know about.

"Now, where are we going? It seems we're done shopping."

Aten asked, following behind me.

There wasn't much to the shopping.

I only bought some stationery for the midterm exams.

I replied.

"I'm going home. Are you coming with me?"

"Of course not. I know my limits."

No, I don't know your limits.

Just because you don't cross the final line doesn't mean you're keeping your limits.

"Then let's part here."

"Sure. See you tomorrow."

See you tomorrow?

What's that supposed to mean?

Is it just a casual greeting?

You're not planning to repeat this every day, are you?

* * *

As soon as I returned to the mansion, I met Aji.

It was a training day.

During the training, I asked Aji to demonstrate the 'Nakjang' technique.

I had just received something from Elodie.

But Aji shook her head.

"No."

"Why not?"

"You'll only hurt yourself if you try it now."

Aji was firm.

Well, when has she ever been anything but?

"And most importantly, you need to use a spear to get the full effect of Nakjang. It utilizes the flexibility and length of the spear."

"Oh, I see."

Aji seemed to see through me.

"If you want to mimic Nakjang with a dagger, build your body first. You've only just started training."

"Yes."

I gave up on learning Nakjang and focused on my posture.

Training with Aji is very helpful.

I follow muscle training as much as I can, and for combat, we mainly do sparring, where she points out the problems and weaknesses in my movements.

This simple repetition is quickly raising my experience.

Aji doesn't teach Nakjang, but she often shows it during our sparring.

Even if I can't use Nakjang, my ability to respond to it has been improving.

The main method is to let go of my weapon first, like when I fought the golem.

'Wait a minute.'

...Golem?

'Oh.'

What should I do?

I suddenly remembered how to learn Nakjang.

But let's focus on the training for now.

As Aji said, if I try Nakjang with my current body, I'll get hurt.

And if I try it with a dagger instead of a spear, the burden will be even greater.

...Is it even possible?

"Brother."

"What is it?"

"Do I have any talent for combat?"

This has been my recent concern.

In the previous world, I saw this world through the eyes of Aster, a character with concentrated talent.

Aster's companions were already standout characters in Constel.

I know exactly how they should fight and what roles they should play.

But with Frondier, a character I don't know at all, I can't find my path.

Choosing to fight with a whip.

Focusing on throwing and dagger skills.

Replicating legendary weapons like Gram and Kriselacatos.

Is this the right way to go?

Is Frondier's body really suitable for combat? Do I have the talent?

In Ethius, which only gives me thin threads of information, this situation feels like cutting through fog.

I, and Frondier's body.

Can we continue down this path and cut through it?

After looking at me for a moment, Aji said.

"Frondier, talent and aptitude are results. We don't talk about talent to failures. Only the successful and the strong are recognized for their talent."

It's rare for Aji to speak at length.

Is she thinking about something because of what I said?

"People have always dismissed someone's achievements as 'talent' when 'effort' alone couldn't explain it. There were many more factors in their success."

──It sounds like she's talking about our father, Ampere.

Ampere, who has never allowed a monster to invade since becoming a lord.

The epithet, 'The Iron Wall of the North.'

Aji, who has watched his life, must have her own impressions.

Regardless, Aji's words were sound.

Talent and aptitude are words given to the successful.

Many people who believed they had talent as children have fallen,

And someone who seemed unremarkable has succeeded, which is the way of the world.

And once they succeed, suddenly they are credited with talent they never had before.

Once they succeed, people package it as if they had that talent all along.

"However, Frondier. I can say this with certainty."

At that moment, Aji's indifferent eyes looked at me.

"You are not lacking in combat aptitude."

"Really?"

I can't tell what she's thinking.

I can't sense any intention.

With those eyes, Aji spoke as if stating a fact.

"Because you are my brother."

* * *

"Golem data?"

"Yes. Do you happen to have it?"

The next day, I looked for Professor Binkis after school.

Binkis, the original owner of the golem Edwin used.

She tilted her head and said, "I do have it, but what are you going to use it for?"

"Could I record a technique demonstration?"

"Record? Oh, you have a Wizardgram?"

...How did she know?

Is the Wizardgram a famous item?

I had never heard of it when I played the game.

"Then there's no need to record. I'll send you the data. You can view it on your Wizardgram."

Oh, that's convenient.

I took out my Wizardgram.

"Wow, you have a good one."

"Is that so?"

"Look at the mark on the bottom. There's only one magic item company that uses the 'Eagle' mark. And that company boasts the highest quality for all its magic items."

Sure enough, the bottom of the Wizardgram had the eagle emblem engraved on it.

Indeed, this eagle is the emblem of 'Hitchcock.'

I may not know the Wizardgram, but I know the company Hitchcock.

"So? What technique do you want to see?"

"Nakjang."

"You, you have big dreams, don't you?"

Binkis laughed and sent the data.

Great, now I can watch it anytime on my Wizardgram.

As Aji said, my body isn't ready yet, so I shouldn't try to imitate it.

I should just watch and memorize it first.

"Thank you, Professor."

"Yeah, no problem. But, Frondier."

"Yes?"

"How long does he plan to stand there?"

I turned around at Binkis' words.

Behind me, Aten stood like a block of ice.

Aten, as usual, accompanied me today.

And I tried my best to avoid her.

It was almost useless.

Aten should be with Aster, not me.

Aster is an important asset, so why is she following me around?

If I try to meet Aster and get her to talk, she turns into the snow fairy I know from the game, and we can't communicate.

So, our relationship must look quite strange to passing students.

The imperial princess is following me, who has the worst reputation.

The rumor spread in just one day.

Anyway, when Aten was mentioned, she blinked her large eyes a few times and spoke.

"──Me?"

"Thank goodness. You're alive. I thought you were a statue because you were so still."

Professor Binkis made a joke.

"Have you heard the rumors? The imperial princess is following Frondier around. What's going on? Frondier, did you charm her in just one day?"

"No, I don't know why she's doing this."

I answered naturally, but Aten looked up with her eyes, as if thinking about something.

And then she said something scary.

"Charm... If possible, I want to be charmed."

"......What did you say?"

Even Professor Binkis was taken aback this time.

"If possible, I want to be charmed by Mr. Frondier."

"Professor! Thank you for the data! I'll be going now!"

I dragged Aten out.

I ignored Binkis' stunned face as she saw me off.

"Frondier, where are we going?"

"To the library, to the library!"

"Why?"

"Well, the midterms are coming up soon. Are you okay?"

Actually, I'm more worried about Aten than myself.

She transferred here just before the exams.

She hasn't been able to study because she's been following me around.

She doesn't seem to care at all.

'Ah, damn it.'

Why do I have to do this?

"Follow me. I'll teach you."

If Aten's grades drop, it will be a problem for me.

If I fail the written part of the midterms, I'll have to retake it after the practical exams.

During that retake period, there's an event where Aten is essential.

Aten's eyes widened in surprise at what I said.

And then she said.

"I was already following you."

"I know that!"

"And the idea of Mr. Frondier teaching me is hard to imagine."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Sorry. Let me rephrase. I find it hard to believe."

"Have you ever heard that you're too honest and hurt people?"

"!"

Aten's expression was the most surprised I've ever seen.

"How did you...!"

...Why?

I'm starting to get annoyed.

* * *

"Brother."

"What is it?"

"Don't you think my skills are lacking?"

"Are you talking about something?"

Ah, I see?

"You are a beginner who just started training. You started far behind others because you wasted time being lazy. By the time you satisfy my eyes, you'll have graduated."

"......But, Father ordered me to be in the top ten within a year."

"That's a different story. Even if you were first in the freshmen class at Constel, you wouldn't impress me."

The current top freshman is Aster Evans.

Even now, Aster might not be impressive to Aji.

"......Brother."

"You're unusually talkative today."

"Do you think I have any aptitude for combat?"

This has been my recent worry.

In the previous world, I saw this world through the eyes of Aster, a character with concentrated talent.

Aster's companions were already standout characters in Constel.

I know exactly how they should fight and what roles they should play.

But with Frondier, a character I don't know at all, I can't find my path.

Choosing to fight with a whip.

Focusing on throwing and dagger skills.

Replicating legendary weapons like Gram and Kriselacatos.

Is this the right way to go?

Is Frondier's body really suitable for combat? Do I have the talent?

In Ethius, which only gives me thin threads of information, this situation feels like cutting through fog.

I, and Frondier's body.

Can we continue down this path and cut through it?

Aten, who has a cold appearance and an intellectual aura, is actually of average intelligence.

When she transferred here, she and Aster didn't get along, so she focused on her studies and barely passed the midterms.

She hasn't been able to study because she's been following me around.

She doesn't seem to care at all.

'Ah, damn it.'

Why do I have to do this?

"Follow me. I'll teach you."

If Aten's grades drop, it will be a problem for me.

If I fail the written part of the midterms, I'll have to retake it after the practical exams.

During that retake period, there's an event where Aten is essential.

Aten's eyes widened in surprise at what I said.

And then she said.

"I was already following you."

"I know that!"

"And the idea of Mr. Frondier teaching me is hard to imagine."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Sorry. Let me rephrase. I find it hard to believe."

"Have you ever heard that you're too honest and hurt people?"

"!"

Aten's expression was the most surprised I've ever seen.

"How did you...!"

...Why?

I'm starting to get annoyed.