Chapter 80 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 24: Teibun (2)

Before heading to Teibun, I did a final review in the training room.

Thanks to successfully completing the final exam, after repeatedly practicing simultaneous weaving in the training room, my weaving skill level finally increased.

[Your unique skill 'Weaving' has leveled up.]

[The number of targets for Weaving has increased.]

[Current targets for Weaving: 'Objects' • 'Skills']

Now, Weaving can be applied not only to objects but also to skills. In other words, I can now mimic others' skills.

However, since the skill Weaving is meant to replicate illusions, I can't enjoy the full effects of real skills. Even within Menosorpo, it's only possible to a limited extent.

I need to conduct a few tests to understand the details, but what's important right now is something else.

My Weaving now has an option called 'Descent of Thanatos.'

- If Weaving affects reality for the first time, the trigger will activate.

- If Weaving injures an 'outside monster,' the trigger will activate.

- If Weaving injures a god, the trigger will activate.

This is an option Thanatos added to restrain Weaving. I don't know when or how he did it.

With this kind of annoying thing attached, I can't do anything in Teibun.

Since my main weapon is Weaving, if I use it to provoke an outside monster, Thanatos will appear again.

But now that Weaving can be applied to 'Skills,' I can also modify Weaving itself.

I used Weaving to apply the modification 'Flame' to Weaving itself.

[The option 'Descent of Thanatos' has been removed.]

"...Good."

I can't definitively say that divine interference is completely gone, but at least Weaving won't be a hindrance.

Finally, all preparations are complete.

* * *

I packed my necessary belongings at the mansion and finally headed to the main gate to go to Teibun.

However, the vehicle in front of me was one I had never seen before, and the driver was also a stranger.

When I looked at Maria with a question mark on my face, she smiled awkwardly.

"Ah, in case you get weak-hearted and don't come back, your father sent someone else."

"..."

It seems a bit extreme, but it's good that Ampere changed his mind.

If he couldn't stop me from going to Teibun, he might as well try to ignite my resolve.

Only the servants and Maria were there to see me off at the mansion. Azje and Ampere were nowhere to be seen.

"Mom is cheering for you, so come back well. Frontier."

"Okay."

"Don't die."

"Okay."

Though she said it jokingly, her face was completely serious, so I answered earnestly.

As I got into the car, the driver immediately started off. It seemed he already knew the destination.

Even though Teibun is in the same northern region, it's located at the opposite end from Yeranhes.

It will take a while, so I might as well take a nap...

* * *

"We've arrived."

At the driver's voice, I opened my eyes.

As soon as I got out of the car, the driver left without even saying goodbye. It must be on Ampere's orders.

"...It's cold."

Yeranhes wasn't exactly warm, but here, the air seems to be swirling with ice particles.

I know the temperature difference isn't that significant, but it's probably because there are no people around.

I was standing on a single road, with everything else around me a desolate wasteland. In front of me was a massive wall that filled my field of vision.

Teibun, due to its unique situation, has developed in a peculiar way. A very sturdy outer wall surrounds the area, and inside are residential and commercial areas. This is to separate the outside monsters or the prisoners managed by Teibun.

Nearby, there's a large, circular building that looks quite solid. That's the prison managed by Teibun. Since most of the prisoners are used to block the outer wall, a sturdy prison is a necessity.

The wall divides the barracks, the prison, and the civilian areas. From above, it looks like a large circle with three spaces inside.

Of course, I will now experience a life not much different from that of a soldier. Though I came from Roah, I might be treated a bit differently.

"Alright, let's go."

I steeled my resolve and took a step forward. But I stopped after a few steps.

A strange woman stood in front of me. Her appearance was so sudden that I couldn't tell if she had been there all along or just appeared.

The blonde woman lightly held the ends of her skirt and bowed gracefully.

The design of her uniform and her posture reminded me of one word.

"I greet the young master of Roah."

She was a maid.

She greeted me like a proper maid and showed a maid-like expression.

"...Who are you?"

So, I addressed her formally.

Though I asked, I had a pretty good idea who she was. Or at least, where she came from.

"I will assist the young master from now on."

"Hangin."

"Yes."

The maid answered straightforwardly. Well, there's no one here to hear, so it's natural.

She had a soft smile, and her expression and movements were quite captivating. Her appearance was outstanding, but her expression and eyes drew my attention first.

She either has a natural talent for seducing men or has been trained to do so.

"Where is Hagley?"

I asked about the guy who revealed his name in the infirmary.

"He is my superior."

In other words, he's slacking off.

It seems he came up with another plan when his plan to eliminate Elodie using me didn't work.

"..."

I examined her outfit. It looked like a maid's uniform, but it was overly revealing. Her figure was excellent, making it even more noticeable. It was almost vulgar, but just barely crossed the line.

...Her intentions were quite obvious.

"What's your name?"

"In Hangin, I was called 'Jay.' If the young master wishes, you can give me another name."

Called.

In other words, she doesn't have a proper name.

I used the 'Analysis' skill to examine Jay.

[Jay]

- An assassin from Hangin.

- The name Jay comes from the alphabet. Assassins are named in alphabetical order. So she is the tenth assassin from Hangin.

- Her parents named her 'Selena,' but she doesn't remember it.

- Her parents, in their lifetime—

The analysis stopped there.

My intuition told me that continuing would require an enormous amount of mana.

"Did you say I can give you another name?"

"Y-Yes, of course. If you wish."

Jay answered a bit late, as if she didn't expect me to actually give her another name.

I said,

"Selena. From today, you are Selena."

Even though I don't know who her parents were, it's a name they gave her.

It would be a shame to let it be forgotten.

"..."

Jay, now Selena, blinked at my declaration.

She opened her small mouth in a daze, and her eyes wavered.

"Why?"

"Ah, no. Selena. From today, I will live by that name."

Selena smiled again.

Though she said she had forgotten, some memory must have remained in her mind.

"I'm going to stay in Teibun. Is that okay?"

"Don't worry. I will protect you, Mr. Frontier."

Selena said this and bowed again.

Her outfit was too revealing, and she didn't bow deeply enough, so her white skin and chest were exposed. Well, that was probably the point.

I felt that my life in Teibun would be more tiring than I expected.

* * *

The people who defend Teibun from monster invasions are divided into two main categories.

Prisoners and non-prisoners.

The most consumed group is obviously the prisoners, but it's impossible to defend against the outside monsters with just them.

They are merely meat shields to stop the indiscriminate advance. Of course, the prisoners sent to Teibun are generally dangerous individuals who have committed heinous crimes, so they have the necessary combat skills. They are quite high-quality meat shields.

Then there are the mercenaries. They are lured by the enormous amount of money offered by Leidwi. Of course, the money isn't paid by the Urfah family but by the empire. Defending against outside invasions is the most important task for the empire.

And the remaining group is the knights and mages. Their purposes are varied. There are knights with immense loyalty to Leidwi, crazy researchers who burn themselves to understand the outside monsters, and mages who came as part of their mission, promised a position in the royal palace.

However, no one came here for 'training.'

Especially not a snot-nosed kid who hasn't even reached adulthood, coming here during 'vacation.' That would be worthy of being called a lunatic.

"A lunatic has come."

"Yeah, I heard."

Near the Urfah mansion, in the barracks.

The knights exchanged words, spreading the rumor that had flown from the mansion.

"He even brought a woman."

"Yeah. They say he has a generous ass."

"Breasts, actually."

A crude laugh followed the crude conversation.

"Hey, Robert. They say he's from Constel. Do you know him? You were in the capital a few days ago, right?"

One of the knights spoke to a man who was silent in the formation.

Robert, one of Phil's direct knights.

He was the one who pretended to be a detective (though he was quickly exposed) and investigated Frontier in the hospital. For some reason, he was in Teibun.

Robert sighed deeply.

"How many people do you think are in the capital?"

"Well, you wouldn't know such a lunatic."

The knights chuckled again.

"So, how long do you think he'll last?"

"A week, 10,000 quir."

"Five days. 15,000 quir."

The knights were betting on how many days the lunatic would survive, enjoying a brief moment of amusement.