The Academy’s Weapon Replicator - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Weapon Duplicator of the Academy Episode 156
Chapter 52: The Arsenal
After a brief wait.
My smartwatch announced a new reward.
[Reward Confirmed.]
[The Weaving function ‘Modification’ has been expanded.]
[The option ‘Enhancement’ has been added.]
[Enhancement: Grants an object one ability. The ability can be chosen from among those of weapons registered in the Arsenal.]
[Warning: Enhancement is only possible for grades below Legendary.]
[Additionally, the Weaving function ‘Arsenal’ has been expanded.]
[The Arsenal is now an eligible target for duplication.]
“…….”
I sat stunned as the notifications came one after another. Without thinking, I placed a hand on my head.
First, Enhancement.
Weaving originally had a function called ‘Modification’.
When it was first added, Modification could only manage ‘Deterioration’—the removal of options—so I’d only used it to strip away unfavorable options attached to weapons themselves.
I’d used that Deterioration to remove the ‘Female Only’ option that was originally attached to Criselacatos.
That Modification had finally gained a new function. Enhancement—the opposite of Deterioration—which adds a single option.
“Guess I’ll find out by trying.”
I duplicated the most basic dagger using Weaving. Then I used Enhancement to add Mjolnir’s ability, the Thunder God Bestowal, to the dagger.
Crack!
The dagger immediately emitted a strange sound and trembled violently. Faint sparks crackled around it. Success.
“……Good. It works, but……”
The fatigue from this alone was no joke. Pouring a divine ability into a common weapon had consumed a staggering amount of Mana. The efficiency was abysmal.
If I truly faced a powerful opponent, I’d just consume a Dragon Heart and forge Mjolnir instead. This Enhancement doesn’t seem designed for adding functions to weak weapons at all.
The only method I can think of right now is……
‘……Nil Jack’s Short Sword.’
Among weapons below Legendary grade, it’s the strongest I possess. Moreover, it’s virtually the only one I actually own in physical form.
I have no choice but to test various things on this weapon.
“……And the Arsenal?”
I tilted my head at the next notification.
For now, I didn’t quite understand what it meant.
The Arsenal is like a warehouse where I register objects to duplicate. Inside it are not only weapons and shields, but also rope and the Restraint Device I’d just registered, and it even contains all the theoretical textbooks and notes I’d learned at Constellation Academy.
It’s an image visible only to me, so it looks almost exactly like an actual warehouse.
‘The only thing is, I can’t quite gauge its size.’
The Arsenal expanded in size each time I stored something.
Of course, when I added small items, there was no change in size, but when I filled it with objects beyond a certain threshold, it broadened its space.
Weapons, shields, and miscellaneous items were classified by type—this must reflect how I organize them mentally.
Especially when I visited the royal armory and registered all those weapons, I noticed the Arsenal had grown noticeably larger.
‘The Arsenal can become a target for Weaving?’
In other words—can I duplicate the Arsenal into reality?
“I need to test this right away.”
I stood and left my room. My destination was the open ground where Artzie and I always trained.
Maidservants passing by greeted me respectfully. Of late, it seemed the household staff’s manner toward me had shifted slightly.
Of course, the servants of the Roach House are all thorough professionals, so they’d never treated me dismissively or carelessly even before.
They had always fulfilled their duties, but lately when they look at me, I sense something—a feeling similar to how they regard Artzie.
“Frontdier, where are you headed?”
Recently, more maids had begun approaching me with conversation.
“Ah, to the open ground behind the residence.”
“Artzie hasn’t yet returned from her outing.”
“That’s fine. I have something to do alone.”
“I see. Do take care not to overexert yourself.”
The maid bowed politely and withdrew naturally.
This subtly warmer and more courteous treatment was becoming noticeable, and it felt strange.
Even at Constellation Academy, the image people have of me hasn’t changed much yet—I’m not sure why the household staff would be acting this way first. Have they heard something?
‘Regardless, that’s a problem for later.’
For now, the Arsenal.

* * *
I made my way to the open ground and checked the Arsenal.
Checking the image again, it’s quite large—or rather, it’s grown. I’ve thrown so much into it.
‘The workshop is larger than the Field.’
By estimation, it already extends far beyond the Field, encroaching on the neighboring Residence and the trees—a terrifyingly vast expanse.
But that doesn’t matter right now.
Without Menosorpo, I’m simply Weaving.
Weaving
Rank—Unique
Workshop
I stretch out my hand and begin Weaving; threads of Mana unfold broadly, revealing their contours.
It’s been a long time since I’ve deployed Weaving purely, without Menosorpo or Heukcheon. Since I use neither, this workshop doesn’t interfere with reality—it’s visible only to my eyes. Though it extends beyond the Residence, there’s no damage done to it.
But that aside.
‘It’s an enormous size.’
When duplicating weapons through Weaving, I only focus on the necessary parts of the workshop, so I don’t get a real sense of scale. But seeing the whole thing before my eyes like this is magnificent. The workshop even has three floors.
I still don’t know what significance this workshop holds, or whether it truly deserves the title of “Transcendence.”
The entrance of the workshop lies open before me like a phantom. First, I need to enter there,
“…Selena, I’ve arrived.”
when an odd obstruction appeared.
“…”
I turned around.
Selena was on one knee, her head bowed.
…Why had she suddenly appeared?
“The Roach family’s eyes cannot reach the Field, and since you are here without Artzie, I understood your intent and revealed myself.”
Without being asked, Selena had explained herself quite well.
I see. From Selena’s perspective, it appears that way. That I came here to summon her. The workshop wouldn’t be visible to her eyes anyway.
“I see.”
Even as I said this, I hadn’t actually summoned her for any particular reason, so I was somewhat at a loss. Should I be angry that she appeared unbidden?
“…I will accept whatever punishment you see fit.”
But then Selena suddenly said that.
“What punishment are you talking about?”
“I fled, leaving you behind. I broke my promise to protect you with my life. I failed in my duty as a bodyguard,”
“Selena.”
I cut off her words.
“You followed my orders. There is nothing I have to demand of you.”
“…But I—”
“And another thing.”
I studied Selena’s form quietly.
Selena was trembling slightly. Whether it was frustration at failing to protect me, fear of impending punishment, or even that trembling itself a performance—I couldn’t be sure.
─Whenever such moments come, Selena lowers her head before me.
And so I think.
That all of Selena’s actions are performance, that behind closed doors she mocks me and regards me as worthless, and that ultimately she will betray me and attach herself to Mangot. Such thoughts.
Though we’ve spent long together and I believe I’ve built some measure of trust, I find myself doubting that Selena feels the same. Suspecting her, even if the probability is vanishingly small. Because I have no confidence in my ability to see through her performance.
Our first meeting, after she threatened me with a Needle, and now.
Whenever Selena feels she’s done wrong, she bows her head deeply. She doesn’t show me her face.
And so.
“From now on, don’t kneel before me.”
“…!”
“Don’t lower your head. Whether you commit a wrong or a mistake, look me in the eyes and speak.”
I said this so I could see Selena’s expression.
So that I could gain certainty that Selena wasn’t performing.
“…But… as a bodyguard, I cannot…”
“Lift your head.”
“…”
At my words, Selena hesitated, then slowly, almost reluctantly, raised her head. The speed was truly glacial, as though the sun itself were setting.
Was that slow speed to hide a contemptuous expression toward me, or to suppress a laugh?
The shadow that had hidden her bowed face gradually lifted, and her hair fell away with a soft whisper, settling against her face.
Sunlight touched her forehead first. Slightly knitted brows, beneath them eyes glistening, a face flushed with emotion, lips pressed firm—all receiving the light in turn, all revealing their colors with startling clarity.
“…I fled, leaving you behind.”
Selena’s large eyes trembled. Each word she spoke carried a note of frustration.
“Stand now.”
“But, Frontdier,—”
“Stand up, then.”
This time too, Selena rose reluctantly. But now she seemed to remember my earlier command, her gaze still fixed on me.
If this face—the one that had just moments ago sent contempt and mockery my way—were truly her only countenance, I suspect I would never in my lifetime see through her performance.
I smiled.
“That’s a good face.”
“Pardon?”
“Keep it that way from now on.”
And yet, even seeing her face plainly, I could never truly discern her acting.
Still, it was far better than watching her bow her head until her expression vanished from view.
I turned away again.
Selena had made me somewhat late, but I had business at the workshop.
As I stepped inside, the workshop revealed itself exactly as I remembered it—precisely as my mind had envisioned it.
‘What help could this possibly offer me?’
The workshop already fulfills its role sufficiently. To store materials for replication, the workshop is essential. But what would change if I called that workshop into reality from my imagination?
‘If this is a reward worthy of the name “Transcendence,” there must surely be a difference between what I see in imagination and what exists in reality.’
Imagination and reality.
Yet if the outward appearance remains identical…
Then what changes is the perspective of the observer.
“Selena. I have something to ask you.”
The thought suddenly occurred to me, and I addressed her.
“What is it?”
“You arrive before me through Teleportation when I’m in danger, or when I call for you.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Does that mean you’re watching my every move? That’s how you sense when I’m in danger and come to me?”
I asked it that way, though I suspected this wasn’t quite the truth.
If Selena could always perceive what I was doing, there would be no need for her to remain at my side. She could simply watch from a distance.
Besides, it wouldn’t have been Selena but rather Hagly, who approached me first, who would conduct herself that way.
Yet Selena deliberately revealed herself to me, and even now provides limited information about Mangot.
That means Selena cannot monitor me at all times, and neither can Mangot.
So how does Selena become aware of my circumstances and arrive through Teleportation?
“No. I observe the Back Side of you, Lord Frontdier.”
“The Back Side?”
“You’ve seen how we of Mangot perform Teleportation. Our Teleportation, unlike a Portal, operates based on a person as the anchor. To ordinary eyes, we would seem to emerge from shadows.”
Yes. At first it was difficult to discern at a glance, but when multiple members of Mangot appeared last time, I could confirm it clearly. They rose from beneath the shadows.
Selena continued.
“However, even when the sun is high and shadows are very short, I can still perform Teleportation. The shadow is merely an attribute; we emerge from the Back Side. It is simply that shadows manifest there.”
“What is this Back Side?”
“It is something like the unseen source of life. In image, it resembles flame. When that flame wavers or trembles, it signals that the target of Teleportation faces danger. And when true crisis arrives, beyond the shape of the flame itself, the survival instinct of the target is transmitted to me. Then an image forms in my mind—what situation they face, what attacks they endure. This is how I can Teleport to a dangerous situation and protect you, Lord Frontdier.”
After hearing Selena’s words, I fell into thought.
The Back Side, the Back Side…
Selena does not watch my circumstances. She merely receives rough impressions and emotions. Yet even that alone allows her to fulfill her role as my bodyguard completely.
If the workshop were similar to this…
If what I see is only a portion, and I accomplish Weaving through only that portion…
‘All this time I thought I understood this workshop completely. Perhaps…’
Somewhere, a “lower level” exists.
That is the Back Side of the workshop.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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