Chapter 67 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

20: Scout (1)

"Father...?"

When I went to Constel, Atten told me about Ampere.

Surprisingly, it seemed that Ampere had visited Constel.

"Yes. It was quite a commotion for a while."

"......Hmm. I did feel it was a bit noisy."

I don't talk to anyone during class, and I head straight to the training room after school, so I'm a bit late to hear such rumors.

Atten's lips thinned slightly before he spoke.

"......So, he came without saying a word to his son?"

"Well, that's just his personality."

Ampere probably didn't tell Atten either. Ampere is usually quiet about his own affairs.

Atten blinked his sleepy eyes a few times as if thinking about something.

"......He's similar in some ways."

"To who?"

"......To my dad, Mr. Frontier."

......Ah.

You're talking about Emperor Terscht, Atten!

You just called him 'dad,' so I didn't get it at all! Atten!

─But the story made sense.

I didn't meet the Emperor often as a player, but I did meet him a few times.

Emperor Terscht was the epitome of 'stern, strict, and thorough.' He was the stereotypical type of emperor.

However, his coldness went too far. It was more like indifference. While Ampere at least poured his love into Atten, Terscht never gave his heart to anyone.

Elysia's rampage also had a bit of Emperor Terscht's influence.

Anyway, it seemed I didn't need to worry about Ampere for now. He probably came because of Atten, who is his teacher. Ampere's love for Atten is boundless.

More importantly, I had something urgent to deal with.

"Anyway, we have the final exams coming up soon."

"That's right. They said 'scouting' is allowed from today."

The final exams are about to start. There's about a fortnight left.

After the final exams, the overall annual grades will be announced, which will determine the success or failure of the mission Ampere gave me.

I was 16th in the mid-term exams, so I need to achieve a very high ranking to get into the top 10.

......No.

"I need to be first."

"......What?"

"That's the safest and most certain way."

Atten's eyes widened at my words.

Being first. It's not something that can be said lightly. There are incredibly talented students above me.

But it's not impossible. Unlike the mid-term exams, the final exams are conducted in teams.

In the practical part of the final exams, students form teams of three to take the exam.

This trio is the minimum number of people required to carry out a mission when they become professionals. It's the smallest number that can check each other's status and divide roles into front, back, and support.

And one of the three is an upperclassman. After two people form a team, they can ask an upperclassman to join, and if the upperclassman agrees, they can join the team. This is what Atten meant by 'scouting.'

Of course, everyone wants a skilled upperclassman on their team, so the competition is fierce.

In other words, the exam has already started before the written or practical parts of the final exams begin.

Of course, upperclassmen don't get scores, so if they overperform, they might take away points from their teammates. Balance is key.

I had discussed this with Elin in the training room the last time.

Finally, it was time to conclude our discussion.

"Then, shall we go?"

"Yes."

We nodded with determined resolve.

* * *

When Elin heard our conversation, she blinked her calm eyes a few times and said,

"It's impossible."

It was a very straightforward rejection.

I could see Atten beside her looking disappointed.

"......Why?"

"I was chosen as an intern recently."

Intern?

I paused for a moment at the unfamiliar word before asking.

"You mean, you became a professional intern?"

"Yeah. I can't actually do intern work while studying, but I need to start training in advance."

I was definitely surprised.

Most graduates from Constel become professionals and take on commissions.

Therefore, it's not uncommon for students to intern to get a feel for professional work.

However, such cases are usually in the third year.

Elin is in the second year.

"......Hmm. I guess it's okay to tell you two."

Elin looked at me and Atten alternately before speaking.

"During the fight between Frontier and Renjo, I intervened."

"......Ah, that's right."

I had cut off Renjo's right arm, but his left arm remained.

I thought Renjo would lose his fighting spirit with one arm gone, but his mental strength far exceeded my expectations.

If Elin hadn't stepped in then, I would have certainly died.

"Mr. Ed Hamelot seemed to view it favorably."

Indeed.

Ed Hamelot, the top professional. He was there at the time.

Clearly, Elin's performance was far ahead of what was in the original game.

Ed, who controlled the golem, and the move that made Renjo retreat.

Unlike in the game, Elin had already caught the public's eye.

Is this the butterfly effect?

"Then, are you going to work with Mr. Ed Hamelot?"

"Um, yeah. Only during the internship period."

"When does the internship end?"

"Until the end of summer vacation. I'll only participate on weekends during the school term."

That period would allow her to gain considerable experience.

"Congratulations, Elin. You're one step ahead."

"......"

When I said that, Elin stared at me.

What's wrong?

It was a sincere compliment.

"......Hmm, thanks."

Elin said that after a moment of silence.

Her face, which turned away from me, clearly didn't fit the 'thank you.'

Suddenly, an announcement sounded.

[Frontier student, 1st-year Frontier de Loach. Please come to the infirmary immediately.]

It was a rather unexpected announcement.

It was strange to single me out, and the infirmary was even stranger.

Moreover, that voice was definitely Maria.

"......Then I'll go. Good luck with your internship."

"Thanks. You too."

I greeted Elin and left with Atten.

Elin's awkward wave was a bit concerning.

* * *

"......Is that really true?"

I said with a furrowed brow.

Maria spoke with an excited tone, as if she fully understood my feelings.

"It's true. I noticed that guy from the moment he came here. I felt uneasy about it."

It sounds like a morning drama, but I really felt frustrated.

......Ampere never intended to give me a chance.

Telling me to get into the top 10 in Constel was just an excuse. He just needed a reason to expel me.

My head started to hurt.

"......But it's surprising that Mom is telling me this."

Usually, Maria doesn't interfere with Ampere's affairs, even if I'm involved.

Maria may seem kind, but she's a woman with clear standards and boundaries. No wonder she's Ampere's wife. Knowing this, Ampere probably mentioned the expulsion to me.

Maria shrugged.

"Well, if our son remained a 'sloth' even after being told to get into the top 10 of his year, I would have led the expulsion myself. There are many ways to survive even if we lose the Loach name."

"Ah, that makes sense."

It's not surprising to hear her say it so confidently. Somehow, it feels right.

"If you really get expelled, I would have at least secured a place to live and food for you. Of course, once you become an adult, you're on your own."

Maria nodded slightly, as if recalling her previous thoughts.

Then, she suddenly clenched her fist, as if her anger had burst out again.

"But! This time it's different! Your dad is too busy to see his children grow. Our son has changed so much! If it weren't for our son during the recent monster attack,"

Maria was suddenly babbling about her son with great enthusiasm.

It's quite embarrassing to be the subject of her rant.

While Maria was complaining, another thought came to me.

Even if Ampere's proposal was a lie, the quest definitely appeared.

[Side Quest: Father's Command]

•Description: During the past, Frontier's laziness reached a point where his father, Ampere, lost his patience.

•Objective: Enter the top 10 overall in Constel this semester.

•Reward: Gain Ampere's recognition.

•Failure: Be expelled.

......The quest is definitely there.

If Ampere's proposal was a lie, such a quest wouldn't have appeared.

Since the failure condition is 'expulsion,' if I don't fail, I won't be expelled. This game doesn't play word games. It's absolute.

This means either Ampere's talk about expulsion is a lie, or his thoughts will change once I complete this quest.

In any case, I have no choice but to do my best in the final exams.

"So, did you manage to get one?"

"......What?"

When I snapped out of my thoughts, Maria was asking me something.

"An upperclassman. You need to form a team, right?"

"......Oh. Not yet."

Elin was the best choice, but I was unexpectedly blocked.

If there are any remaining upperclassmen......

"How about Quinie?"

Maria asked. I was surprised to hear that name from her and asked,

"......How do you know about Senior Quinie? I mean, how did her name come up as a team member......"

"Well, I was asked, of course?"

Maria answered as if it was no big deal, but I couldn't understand immediately.

Maria spoke again, leaving me stunned.

"I was asked to tell Quinie that if Frontier has trouble with scouting, to let her know."