“Well then, it’s getting late. Shall we continue our studies?”
Lily asked, “Ah, you mean the data analysis?”
“Yes. Arald promised to teach me. I’m working hard at it.”
The principles behind the 3D map Arald had created, how it analyzed and accumulated data. I had been learning about it for the past few days.
“I didn’t know you were interested in magic engineering.”
“I’m not. But I need it.”
Lily simply mumbled in response and let it go. Seeing that I was about to start studying, she stood up, gave a brief farewell, and left the room. Grateful for her consideration, I decided to focus on my studies.
“……If you’ll excuse me, Frondier.”
As I was studying, Arald spoke up, interrupting my concentration.
“Mei I ask what your schedule has been like lately?”
“My schedule? Why do you ask?”
“I’m concerned that learning about the 3D map from me might be taking time away from other important matters.”
“Don’t worry. You teaching me is just as important as anything else.”
“Still, I can’t help but be concerned about how you’re spending your time.”
Was this Arald’s way of showing concern? I looked up and thought about my schedule.
“First, I review the teaching materials I prepared the night before in the morning.”
“What time do you wake up?”
“……Please, continue.”
What was with the sudden tension?
Regardless, I continued speaking.
“And my main job is teaching at Atlas. I'm currently teaching both magic theory and combat theory. It’s more work than I expected.”
“And after teaching, I go to the library to browse through books and materials. I need to find Hercules and learn more about the Gods of this land.”
This was a similar approach to when I played the Etius game. However, unlike then, I didn’t need to cram everything into my memory. I could quickly absorb knowledge through the Workshop.
“Then I come home and learn about the 3D map from you every other day. On the remaining days, I learn magic from Elodie.”
“You spend six evenings a week learning?”
“No, learning from you and Elodie isn’t just about satisfying my curiosity. I have things I want to accomplish. So, after learning, I’m experimenting with various things. A lot of it evaporates from my mind if I don’t apply it immediately, so I might as well experiment while it’s fresh.”
“Then, as I said, I prepare for my classes. I review those materials the next morning.”
“Right. Then I sleep. It’s usually around 2 a.m. by then.”
Arald’s eyes narrowed.
What was this? Whenever people looked at me like that, I was usually about to be scolded. It was an expression that reminded me of a teacher.
But why? I was the teacher now.
“Frondier, at this rate, you might end up dead.”
It was rather unsettling to hear a devil talk about death.
But I laughed it off.
“Haha, that’s not going to happen.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I’ve been doing this since my first year.”
“Your first year… as a first-year at Constel? It was that intense?”
“It was worse back then.”
Back then, I was being drilled by Azier.
Catching up on all the material Frondier had neglected due to his laziness, training under Azier, spending hours in the training room increasing my mana capacity and honing my skills.
On top of that, I later brought in Selena and started teaching her the ancient language, so my schedule was even more packed than it was now.
“I’m moving my body less now, and I’m doing what I want to do, so it’s much better.”
I was genuinely content. I had more free time now, in a way.
“……Even so, please be careful. You have a human body, Frondier. Fatigue accumulates.”
“Haha, what are you talking about? Of course I’m human. What’s with that tone, as if I’ve forgotten?”
I chuckled at Arald’s strange attempt at humor. It was hard to tell, but it was quite funny.
“Alright, let’s try this again.”
I stood in my empty room, arms crossed, manipulating Obsidian.
Magic was the art of weaving together formulas and elements. Inspired by the analogy of gears, I was burning with passion to experiment, but…
“Ah, it’s still not working.”
Countless failures littered my path.
‘As expected, I can’t directly replicate formulas with Replication.’
Replication was a skill that targeted objects and skills. It was, after all, just replication. So, it couldn’t replicate the symbols of a formula.
Even if I tried, Replication didn’t respond to my thoughts like Obsidian did.
‘Hoping for a Replication level-up is pointless. It’s been stuck for ages.’
Leveling up Replication wasn’t as simple as spamming it. I suspected it required replicating new equipment of a higher grade. Divine, or at least Legendary.
It wasn’t like I could easily find such equipment, and even if I leveled it up, there was no guarantee it would yield the results I desired.
So, I had to paint the picture I wanted with the tools I had.
This time, I tried creating a near-perfect replica of the formula symbols with Obsidian and then attempted to activate it with magic. However, Obsidian simply shattered. The mana couldn’t circulate properly with Obsidian impurities mixed in.
‘Replication can’t freely manipulate shapes like Obsidian, and even if I create it with Obsidian, it only disrupts the magic. It’s like there’s always a missing piece.’
Just then, the door to my room opened and a small child, rubbing her eyes, emerged.
“What are you doing?”
It was Mei. Elodie and I were taking turns looking after her, and it was my turn today.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, I need to use the bathroom.”
Mumbling, Mei toddled towards the bathroom.
……She was just like a human child. Sleeping, needing the bathroom…
‘It started as an imitation, but now she has human functions and even desires?’
Mei never hesitated to learn. Whether it made her weaker or stronger, more comfortable or less.
Surrounded by humans, it was only natural for Mei to become more human-like.
Of course, there were also devils, but they were living almost identical lives to humans here.
“So, what are you doing?”
“Ah, I was wondering if I could create magic formulas beforehand using Replication, like blueprints.”
I briefly explained to Mei. Although she appeared to be a child, she possessed sufficient knowledge, so I could speak to her without holding back.
Mei simply responded with an indifferent “Hmm,” seemingly uninterested.
As she continued her journey to the bathroom, she spoke without turning back.
"It's like a dragon heart."