Chapter 44 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 11: Dragon Heart (4)

I headed northwest.

It was the direction away from the center of this field.

"Mr. Frontier, is it okay to go this way?"

"Huh?"

Aten spoke from beside me.

"I heard that there's a boss at the center of this field."

"Yeah, that's right."

This practical exam awards points based on the number of monsters we slay.

Of course, the points vary depending on the monster.

The points for stronger and higher-ranking monsters are higher, and even the small, fast creatures that mainly run away have their own high points.

And among them, there's one with exceptionally high points.

Just catching one of these would secure the top spot.

That's the field boss.

"If we're aiming for the field boss, shouldn't we head to the center...?"

Aten's question was reasonable.

I nodded.

"Yeah, but we're not going to aim for it."

"Huh?"

The field boss is way out of my league.

From what I remember, it's called a 'Trunkuns,' a giant stag beetle.

It flies around, bites, and charges with its body—a simple brute.

But its simple stats are so overwhelmingly powerful that I have no chance against it.

I could probably do something if I used 'Gram,' but there are likely many students challenging Trunkuns, so there are many eyes watching. Besides, my total mana isn't large enough to use Gram freely yet.

"We'll catch the monsters on the outskirts while the other students are distracted by the field boss."

Soon, the center of the field will be the heart of chaos.

There will be those who directly attack the boss, those who play it safe by slaying the surrounding monsters, and hyenas who will try to steal the boss's location.

There will even be thieves who will try to rob the students who are focused on the boss.

I don't have the confidence to handle that chaotic battle.

"But the outskirts will have fewer monsters."

"It's fine."

I know everything.

We took advantage of the students' focus on the boss and started eliminating monsters on the outskirts.

By the time we had gathered a considerable amount of materials, I stopped.

"The plan worked well. With this, we should be able to get good grades without any problems."

"..."

"Mr. Frontier?"

Aten's voice reached me, but I was seized by a foreboding thought.

"There are too few people."

"Too few? This amount of materials seems sufficient."

"I mean people, not monsters."

We were on the outskirts of the field.

Normally, there wouldn't be much to say, but a chilling atmosphere lingered around us.

Aten said,

"Didn't you just say that everyone would be focused on the field boss?"

"Yeah, but I thought there would be other students with similar ideas."

I didn't expect to be able to hunt monsters without any interference.

Anyone could have thought of this.

But since we came to the outskirts, we haven't encountered any students.

Is this really just a coincidence?

Is it really that all the students are heading to the center, and none have come this way?

I glanced around briefly.

I noticed a drone diligently filming this area nearby.

...Should I try it? If I weave it and launch it into the air, I can check the situation.

Weaving it normally wouldn't work, but using Black River might.

I put the drone into the crafting room.

[Constellation Replica: Video Drone]

- A fake that mimics the appearance of Constellation's video drone

- As a fake, it has no video function.

"..."

The moment I saw it, a chill ran down my spine.

"..."

"Aten."

"Yes?"

"Be on guard."

Aten, who was about to say something, straightened up and looked around.

She must have noticed the seriousness in my expression.

I'm grateful for her consideration.

'Was it a fake from the start? No, that can't be it.'

If it were a fake, it would have been noticed right away.

After all, Aten is right beside me.

If Aten didn't appear on the screen, it would be obvious.

So, while I was distracted by the field boss, the drone must have been switched without my knowledge.

I didn't even notice that the drone beside me had been replaced.

...A completely different level of opponent.

I made my decision.

"Menosorpo."

I cast the spell, and the magic circle unfolded.

If I can fortify my defenses while the enemy hasn't revealed themselves, that would be better.

All the coordinates within Menosorpo's domain are mine.

If the enemy is inside, I can immediately detect them.

"Frontier, what are you doing—"

"Shh."

I put a finger to my lips.

Aten would sense the seriousness of the situation even with this small gesture.

However, I was worried that my voice might have trembled and been noticed by Aten.

'...What is this monster?'

The moment I cast the spell, cold sweat trickled down my back.

The enemy is already within the domain.

And they're not far away.

I can feel their presence as if it's scratching my skin.

A massive pressure that makes the field boss seem like a joke.

Their position is—

"What?"

And then, a voice suddenly flew towards us.

Aten turned her body in surprise.

She was rarely this startled.

The enemy is close enough to be heard.

I hadn't realized this until just now.

"Did you think I wouldn't be noticed?"

With a calm voice, the man slowly emerged from the darkness.

...Gray hair, a rough beard.

A muscular body and a massive greatsword.

He walked towards us, carrying the sword on his shoulder.

I stood frozen, staring at him.

I know who he is.

A named character, a villain.

Someone I can't possibly stand against, no matter what I do.

—Renzou, the Guest of Chaos.

One of the strongest human villains, standing right in front of me.

"I didn't think I'd be noticed. Well, you have good instincts. I don't know what this magic circle is, but your judgment to cast it here is good."

"..."

I couldn't respond.

Normally, I would have made a sarcastic remark, but my lips were glued together, unable to move.

His calm demeanor seemed to pique Renzou's interest.

"..."

"You know me, right?"

Renzou's words made Aten glance at me.

"Do you know him?"

"I can't explain it in detail. He's an enemy. No matter what we do, we can't stand against him."

"..."

"I can see that just by looking."

During this short exchange, Renzou slowly approached us, and we retreated accordingly.

"Do you have some business with us?"

I forced myself to speak.

I needed time to think.

A chance to escape.

I don't know if such an opportunity exists, but it's better than doing nothing.

"No, I'm not interested in you. My target is the princess beside you."

"The students not appearing is also your doing?"

"Yeah. I set up a barrier. A barrier to hinder approach. It subtly guides people in other directions without them realizing it."

A barrier to hinder approach.

It creates a place where people naturally avoid going, with thoughts like, 'I don't want to go there,' or 'It doesn't seem right this way.'

It might be less effective in a city, but in this open field, the barrier works perfectly.

"Why? What do you plan to do to the princess?"

"I don't know. I'm just doing a job for money."

"..."

"Did you get enough money to kidnap the princess?"

"Maybe. I just took what seemed appropriate."

Thud—

The man lowered the sword he had been carrying on his shoulder.

The vibration I felt from here gave me a sense of its weight.

"Money doesn't matter to me. I'm doing this because it looks fun."

Yeah, that's the kind of man he is.

A troublemaker who causes chaos wherever he goes.

If an unparalleled strongman were to do such things, what would happen?

Renzou is that absurd joke come to life.

Renzou has no beliefs, no dreams, no goals.

He does things because they look fun.

With a childlike mindset, he wields his absurd power.

That's why he's a villain.

Even if he knows his actions are evil, he doesn't care, making him the most evil of villains.

"..."

"So, you're not my target. I just need to take the woman beside you. Though I heard it's fine if I kill her, depending on the situation."

"Is that something you find 'fun'?"

"No. What happens afterward is what's fun. Whether it's the kidnapping of the princess or her murder, interesting things will follow."

Damn.

The entire faculty of Constellation and the royal knights will come to kill this man, and he considers it just a fun event?

"Will you come quietly?"

Aten said, sounding displeased.

Renzou blinked a few times.

"Sure, but—"

Aten's eyes flared coldly.

The temperature around us dropped, and her white hair glowed.

Aten stretched out her hand.

Ice Magic 3rd Form

Instant, Range, Amplification

Glacial Fog

The Glacial Fog spell was cast right where Renzou stood.

It instantly lowered the temperature and froze the target.

The spell, with its triple enhancements, froze Renzou's entire body in an instant.

"Mr. Frontier! Escape now!"

Aten urged me, but—

Crack—

The freeze lasted only a moment.

Renzou's steps were natural.

As if he hadn't been affected by the spell at all.

He brushed off the ice crystals from his clothes and said,

"Just as I thought."

His completely calm face—

"You're being obedient."

Was terrifying to anyone who saw it.

"..."

Aten gathered mana again, stretching out her hand.

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"..."

"Aten."

"Yes?"

"You need to run."

I gently pulled Aten forward.

I took a deep breath, almost a sigh.

This practical exam has never had such an absurd event.

Is it because Aten came to my class, or because Philia is being more proactive in the game?

I don't know what butterfly effect is at play, but—

It only proves that Ethius is an incredibly broken game.

"Run when you get a chance."

Aten can't die here.

She's an excellent elemental mage, but she has a more important role.

She hasn't realized her talent yet, but Aten is an incredibly powerful healer.

She doesn't know the basics of healing magic now, but she will eventually.

If something happens to Aten, the game will be over sooner or later.

But I can't let myself die either.

'My chances of defeating Renzou.'

It's impossible.

Not even worth considering.

'Aten's chances of escaping.'

Extremely low.

I told Aten to run, but I didn't expect it to work.

Renzou is just being leisurely, not slow.

Even if I create a large opening and let Aten escape, Renzou could catch her in an instant if he wanted to.

'The possibility of reinforcements arriving.'

...This is the only thing I can rely on.

Even if the main focus is on the center where the boss is being dealt with, they will notice if Aten doesn't appear for a while.

Renzou must know this, but he probably isn't thinking too deeply about it.

To Renzou, whether the kidnapping of the princess succeeds or fails doesn't matter.

His goal is just 'fun.'

So, I'll buy as much time as possible here.

While Menosorpo is still active.

I took a deep breath,

reached for the Black River around my neck,

and broke it with force.

Weaving, Black River

Rank - Divine

Iokeira

Artemis's Arrow.

I floated an arrow in the air and aimed it at Renzou.

The bow 'Chrysalactos' is still 'female-only,' so I can't use it.

I can only use it temporarily by borrowing Menosorpo's power.

"..."

Renzou only gave a dry exclamation, even with a divine arrow aimed at him.

I said,

"Rainfall."

[Iokeira]

•Rank: Divine

•Description: An arrow created by the god of blacksmiths, Hephaestus, and given to Artemis. It is paired with Chrysalactos.

Ability Details >

- Rainfall: Become rain

As I said this,

the arrow instantly multiplied, filling the air around me.

"Go."

The arrows became a rain,

falling towards Renzou.