Chapter 43 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 11: Dragon Heart (3)

I'm in a bind.

I didn't want to form a team, of course, partly to prevent the points from being split.

But also because I intended to use the shortcut if necessary.

Of course, I can't use it freely with the drone flying around, but it's better than being pushed to the lower ranks.

I can't get expelled, after all.

There's a chance I could secretly break the drone.

The drone is there to relay the students' performances, so it's not indestructible.

But with Atene beside me, all those thoughts are futile.

Well, Atene's skills are much better, so I'll just leave it to her.

"Please take care of me, Frontier-san."

"Yeah, please take care of me."

As I replied, I glanced around the forest.

Hmm, this field.

It feels fresh and welcoming when seen with the eyes of reality.

"Let's set up a base camp first."

"Base camp? The practical exam isn't that long, is it?"

"Of course, it's not a real camp, but we need a place to gather the evidence of the monsters we kill."

"I see."

I started the exploration with Atene, who nodded in agreement.

...Recently, I've noticed this.

Frontier's body instinctively wants to be lazy.

I don't even feel like I've taken a few steps, and I'm already sleepy and tired.

Is it a habit from over ten years?

I can't help but feel my eyes drooping and my expression becoming dull.

But I have to do what I have to do.

While walking, I picked a few useful herbs.

Atene, seeing this, asked.

"What are you doing?"

"Collecting."

"What kind of herbs?"

"Medicinal herbs. They help with wounds."

They're not particularly effective, but they're easy to make and can be used immediately.

Finding high-quality herbs in a place without proper facilities would be inefficient.

"Have you studied herbalism, Frontier-san?"

Atene asked, surprised.

Studying herbalism helps in identifying herbs.

At first, you can only tell if they are poisonous or not, but later, you can determine their specific effects.

Of course, I shook my head.

"Just, I already knew them."

"Oh..."

Atene's eyes, filled with pure admiration, make me feel a bit uncomfortable.

It's not a lie. I've seen them countless times in the game.

In fact, this might be the most honest thing I've said since entering this world.

While walking, I picked some useful herbs and looked around for a place to set up camp.

I also picked some edible fruits from the trees.

When Atene asked how I knew they were edible, I simply replied, "I just know."

It seems the sparkle in Atene's eyes has grown.

"...After all, rumors can't be trusted."

Atene suddenly said.

I looked at her, and she smiled sheepishly.

"I heard some not-so-good rumors about you."

"Yeah."

If the rumors were true, I would have been just a burden.

Following others around, doing nothing, and falling asleep at every opportunity.

That's the character they would have imagined.

"But rumors are just rumors. You just look sleepy..."

"I am sleepy."

"Is that so?"

Yawn, even as I spoke, I yawned.

My eyes were already half-closed.

But it seems closing them a bit helps with the drowsiness.

...Almost just a feeling, though.

"So, how about we set up our base camp in a cave?"

Atene asked.

I shook my head.

"No, it's too dangerous."

"Are the monsters in the cave that strong?"

"The problem isn't the monsters, but the people."

"People?"

Atene tilted her head.

I looked into her eyes.

That pure gaze really seemed to be one of genuine ignorance.

Indeed, is she a princess?

"You heard the explanation before we started. We have to bring the monster materials to the teacher by the end of the time limit."

"Why is that?"

"Why would we do that? We can settle the materials right where we get them."

This field is a facility of Constell.

There's already a recording drone flying beside us.

Since it's there to ensure the students' safety, verifying the materials should be simple.

But they didn't do that.

"...Oh."

Atene seemed to understand.

She said,

"Is it because other teams might steal the materials?"

"Exactly. So caves are dangerous. They're too noticeable, and there's no good place to hide the materials. If we get high-scoring materials, we'll have to keep them on us, but we'll need to hide the rest somewhere."

For the same reason, the place to hide the evidence of our hunts shouldn't be too obvious.

In the forest, where there are plenty of leaves and branches.

The camp's location can be visible, but we should be prepared for it to be discovered.

The important thing is the monster materials.

There's no better place to hide them than in the forest.

The man in charge of the practical exam was watching the relay screen.

Ellyn was looking at it, speechless.

Originally, she came to check on her younger brother, Aster, but Frontier's appearance was as frequent as Aster's on the relay screen.

Probably because of Atene.

"Frontier used an invisible weapon."

When the man approached to ambush Frontier, there was a slight reaction from Frontier.

He must have touched something invisible, and Frontier felt it.

Then, when Frontier stretched, a branch fell from above and hit the man directly.

It must have been something thrown while pretending to stretch.

Probably a dagger.

Though it wasn't visible.

"Has his throwing skills improved?"

Ellyn was making a fairly accurate guess.

This was possible because she had seen Frontier fight before. Others would just think the branch fell on its own and hit the man's head.

"Even with Atene, Frontier doesn't seem to need much worry."

Just as Ellyn thought this,

She felt a chill run down her spine.

Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, and she tightened her grip.

But then,

"Good reaction."

Someone pressed the hilt of her sword with a finger.

"!"

'I can't draw it.'

Her sword was restrained by the pressure of that single finger.

"Good at sensing ki, and the stance to switch to a draw is also good. Hmm, is this the level of the best swordsman at Constell?"

The calm voice held no hostility.

The ki was just a momentary thing and had already disappeared.

Only then did Ellyn see the face of the person.

'...Who is this?'

A plain face with brown hair.

A common appearance that could be found anywhere.

But Ellyn knew.

Who this man was.

And that no one else would fail to recognize him.

"...Mr. Edmond Hamelot."

"Ah, you know me? Miss Ellyn Aster."

She couldn't help but know.

Was he being modest?

Pro Ranking 1st, Edmond Hamelot.

The strongest man in the world right now.

"...I'm surprised."

"Sorry. Was I too playful? But most people don't react even when I emit ki."

So he's been testing everyone he meets.

The strongest man is quite playful.

"But do you know me?"

"Of course. I've been watching the Aster siblings for a long time."

"...Aster is the main reason, right?"

"Hahaha, indeed, his potential is remarkable. I won't deny it. But I'm also very interested in you."

"Is that so."

Ellyn replied, not feeling particularly flattered.

Edmond, seemingly indifferent, turned his gaze to the screen.

"Let's see, how is Aster...? He seems fine."

On the screen, Aster was working with his friend Lunia to deal with a monster.

He's probably going to be first.

"As his sister, aren't you proud? Your brother is almost guaranteed to be first."

"Hmm, I don't know. Aster's movements are still clumsy. He tends to rely on divine power."

"Haha, strict. So who are you paying close attention to?"

Edmond asked as if they were old acquaintances.

Though they just met today.

Ellyn sighed.

"Frontier de Roach."

She said it with a 'let it be' attitude.

Without knowing Frontier's true capabilities, it would sound like a joke.

"Hmm, Frontier de Roach. Who is that?"

"...I'll tell you when they appear on the screen."

Ellyn then focused on the screen.

If I tell him, maybe he'll be quiet.

...But.

'What?'

The giant screen in front of her kept changing the view.

Sometimes it zoomed in on someone, or showed the whole area from above.

Frontier's face, who was teamed with Atene, often appeared.

But.

"Hmm, Miss Ellyn. Hasn't Frontier appeared yet?"

"..."

But Frontier can't be found.

No matter how much time passes.

Even though most of the first-year students have already appeared on the screen.

"...What is this?"

The screen, which was calmly broadcasting, now seemed strangely alien.

* * *

"Huh? Mom?"

Suddenly, Philia stood up.

Without saying a word to Elysia and Sale.

But soon, Philia smiled and said,

"Mom, bathroom~"

"I thought you were up to something. Go up and enter the corridor, and you'll see it."

"Okay~"

Then, Philia got out of her seat and walked away.

Her face, unseen by anyone, was utterly miserable.

'What is this?'

It's the activation of her precognition.

She doesn't know what will happen.

But the unpleasant feeling, like something dirty and sticky flowing down her throat, is overwhelming.

Invisible precognition always made her uneasy, but she had never felt such a strong one.

Philia looked at the screen.

The practical exam being broadcast.

There doesn't seem to be any problem.

It looks like everything is proceeding normally.

But every time she confirms the screen, a creeping sense of unease and fear rises.

Though it's not visible,

Something is happening in the field where the practical exam is taking place.