The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

[Why did I save Elodie?]

Before I could answer, there was something I needed to know first.

“Didn’t you love Elodie?”

It was a question I had to ask.

Why would Rudra, who claimed to love Elodie, want to leave her with trauma?

Rudra nodded at my words.

[Of course I love her.]

Rudra said with a gentle smile.

[I love Elodie’s soaring talent. I love her intense magic and skill, strong enough to potentially surpass even the gods. I would do anything to make her stronger. Even if Elodie truly reaches godhood as a result, I would be satisfied.]

“Is that an opinion you five all agree on?”

[Well, yes.]

I closed my eyes for a moment after hearing those words.

But in the end, I couldn't help but laugh.

“Keuk, keuheuheu. Huhu.”

[What? Why are you laughing?]

“I see. I understand.”

I always wondered.

The beings I've met so far who call themselves gods always seemed to miss the point of the conversation somehow.

At first, I thought it was just because of their hostility towards me, but Rudra's words made me realize something.

“You guys don't know humans at all.”

Until now, I considered the gods of Etius to be very similar to humans.

Their personalities and values were almost identical to humans, just individuals with very strong powers.

But they are not human. I clearly understood that difference.

“Whether Elodie becomes strong or not is up to Elodie.”

Whether it's trauma, nightmares, or whatever.

Elodie is not a girl who needs to use such things.

[Even if Elodie's power becomes insufficient as a result? If you want to save the continent, you will have to actively utilize her power, right?]

“What do you think I am?”

It is true that Elodie's power is essential to save the continent. That is an undeniable fact.

But Elodie is not the only one I need.

I also need the power of Aster Evans, the protagonist of this game. I also need the power of Aten, who will save many lives.

I need the power of Selena by my side. I need the power of countless named characters, and I also need the active help of the Imperial Palace. I need the power of my brother, father, and mother.

Even so, do I intend to use them all?

No.

I can't do that.

“I am not an emperor. Let alone a god. You can see that, right?”

One day, this continent will be swallowed up by an overwhelming horde of monsters.

What I've been doing so far is preparing to overcome that.

But all of that is not for me to treat the people around me like pawns.

I am not one who stands above others.

I am not one who chooses the life and death of others.

“I am nothing.”

[…….]

Rudra took a deep breath and raised his head after hearing my words. His head, which seemed to be thinking about something, eventually tilted.

[Hmm, I still don't understand. As you said, I don't know much about humans. I thought you would be able to handle them well.]

“I have no intention of doing that. And I'm not happy to hear such words as compliments.”

[Then you're saying you already have another way to make up for Elodie's lack of power?]

I grinned at those words.

“No. Elodie will become strong.”

[Huh?]

“Elodie will become even stronger in the future than using such trauma.”

That's what I'm saying, Rudra.

You don't know humans at all.

“I can assure you, Elodie will rewrite the history of the Archmage.”

* * *

I could barely open my eyes.

Elodie's dream, and the encounter with Rudra.

It had been a long time since I returned to reality.

“……Good. I seem to have returned properly.”

I confirmed that I could see the ceiling of the cabin and raised my body.

And,

“……What are you doing?”

I saw Elodie staring at somewhere with a tense face.

“Fr, FrFrFron! You finally woke up?”

Elodie spoke to me while still fixing her gaze somewhere. She still calls me 'Fron'.

Did I wake up a little later than Elodie because I met Rudra in the middle? Still, it wouldn't be much different.

The conversation with Rudra wasn't long, and dreams usually flow slower than reality, right?

“Why are you so flustered?”

“Th, ThThat kid! Do you know them?”

“Huh?”

At Elodie’s words, I followed her gaze and turned my head.

There,

“……Huh?”

There was a young boy, no, a girl? No, looking again, a boy… who looked like a girl, standing there.

It was a face so androgynous that it was very difficult to judge one way or the other. Let's call it a girl for now.

The girl looked at me and said,

“You’re awake.”

It was a voice I had never heard before, but the way she spoke, the tone of her voice, and the somewhat dry and emotionless atmosphere felt familiar.

And considering the context, there was only one possible identity for this girl.

“……Mei?”

“Yes, I'm glad you both woke up.”

Except for the appearance, Mei spoke in the same way I knew. She shook her head as if her long hair was a little bothersome.

“Fron, do you know them?”

“Ah, yes. I know them if I know them.”

But I’ve never seen Mei like this before. Long brown hair flowed down, and dark blue eyes like the deep sea blinked.

Didn’t Mei just copy what she saw? I don't know anyone who looks like this, so where did she see this person and copy them?

But even though I've never seen this character before, the face is somehow familiar.

It was strange, and as I looked at Mei for a long time, something came to mind.

“……They look alike.”

Mei's face right now looks like me.

And it looks like Elodie.

To be precise, it resembles the childhood appearances of Frondier and Elodie.

“Th, That’s right! Fron? It wasn't just me, right?”

Elodie seemed to understand perfectly what I was muttering and shouted in a fluster.

Ah, so that's why Elodie was so scared as soon as I woke up. Well, it's understandable to be wary if a stranger looks like you.

“Ah, don't worry, Elodie. I don't know why they look like this either, but they're not dangerous.”

……No, actually, is she dangerous?