The Weakest (3)

Honestly speaking, I thought I was being quite lenient with the freshmen.

My intention was to pass most of them. There's no benefit in crushing their spirits more than necessary, and it's unbecoming to go all out against juniors.

However, being too obvious about going easy would have the opposite effect. While I need to showcase my strength, it's also important to take the test seriously.

Only by showing my best effort can the students who pass the test truly feel a sense of accomplishment.

This isn't just my thinking; it's the shared philosophy behind this test throughout Constel.

That's why, in addition to the limitations Ellen placed on me, I also imposed some on myself.

The weapons I replicate with Weaving won't exceed the Rare grade. This means no Mjölnir, Excalibur, Gram, or anything from the 'Royal Armory'. All I can use are a few miscellaneous weapons from the workshop.

Furthermore, I won't use the 'Neil Jack' Shortsword' I physically possess.

And no Menosorpo either. In fact, this isn't so much a restriction as it is me holding back because using it would attract too much unwanted attention.

So, I've been facing the students with just the manipulation of Obsidian itself, pure Weaving's Instant Strike, and the replication of ordinary weapons.

If they still can't pass the test under these conditions, it's not my fault. It's the fault of the first years.

I don't know the situation of the other Stage 2 tests, but I imagine they're mostly similar. Not many students will make it to Stage 3.

'I had high hopes for this team.'

I briefly observed the five who were still in discussion.

The first to catch my eye was Pielott.

His full name is Pielott von Ribanche. Naturally, he's a named character I know.

However, in the game, it takes quite a while before he meets the protagonist, Aster. There were no such skill tests in the game, and the first and second years only properly interact during joint missions.

And by the time they meet, Pielott is already brimming with arrogance, going all out to defeat Aster the moment he sees him.

He's more of a protagonist than an antagonist, but depending on the game's progress, there's a potential for him to fall into darkness.

'Pielott definitely has the potential to become a high-level combatant.'

But he's not there yet. The expectations that Constel and his family have for him are based on his potential, not his current skills. Pielott mistakenly believes that this potential is his current strength.

Whether I'm a sloth, a slacker, a strong or weak person, from Pielott's perspective, it was right for all five of them to attack me. There's no reason not to use his teammates. Every second year I know would have done the same.

'It's better this way.'

This is actually a good opportunity.

For Pielott to grow further, to shed his arrogance and quickly build his skills.

He needs to be put in his place now.

I want to pass them like the other freshmen, but that's only after I change Pielott's mindset.

And for that to succeed...

“Alright! Here we go, Sloth!”

Dier, who was leading the discussion, shouted. His refreshing face was almost blinding.

Yes, Dier. With him here, I feel much less worried.

In the game Etius, there was once a discussion in the community.

If you could choose someone other than Aster as the protagonist, who would be the best?

In response to this question, Dier was always among the top three characters.

...Well, that's that.

“Call me 'Sloth' one more time, and I'll have you running from a rolling log for the rest of your life.”

“...Yes, sir. What kind of terrifying punishment is that? You have quite the imagination, senior.”

Unfortunately, it's not my imagination.

* * *

A little while ago.

During their discussion, Dier confirmed the abilities and specialties of each team member. Only then did they learn each other's names.

“As you may have noticed,”

Dier then cautiously began,

“The chair that Sloth senior is sitting on isn't an ordinary object.”

“What?”

“It's probably the same material as the black liquid that attacked Pielott.”

At Dier's words, everyone turned to look at Frondier, but they couldn't.

“Idiots. He'll notice if you turn around.”

The girl next to him, Roxy, who specialized in magic, used a simple telekinetic manipulation to stop their heads from turning.

Dier smiled and continued,

“I checked several times, and there's no mistake. That chair is also a limitation. As long as he maintains the chair with the black liquid, he'll continue to use Mana, and he won't be able to use that amount of liquid for attacks.”

“...He's that strong even with such a restriction?”

The boy who Dier had explained things to earlier, Homas, spoke.

“So? What's the point of knowing that?”

Pielott asked, his tone still unpleasant.

Whether he understood Pielott's tone or not, Dier continued to smile pleasantly as he answered,

“Normally, it wouldn't mean anything. But it does now. Whether senior is intentionally telling us or doesn't know himself, I'm not sure.”

Dier's eyes narrowed slightly.

“That chair, it tells us the direction and timing of his attacks.”

“Direction and timing?”

“Yes. When senior manipulates the black liquid, the surface of the chair also moves. Very subtly, but it does. That's why I'm certain it's the same material.”

At Dier's words, everyone's brows furrowed in suspicion. The fact that no one but Dier had noticed meant that the movement was incredibly subtle.

Would it be possible to discern the timing and direction during a fight?

“I can see it,”

However, Dier asserted confidently.

But while his words were self-assured, his expression held a wry smile.

“The problem is that my body can't keep up.”

“...Then,”

“We need a signal. Not a physical one, but a magical one. Otherwise, it'll be too late.”

Hearing that, the other boy who specialized in magic, Nether, spoke up.

“I can do that. I just need to create a 'Link'.”

“Good. Then Nether, link me and Pielott. So that Pielott can immediately sense what I perceive.”

“...Me?”

Pielott asked, surprised.

In fact, Pielott hadn't expected Dier to choose him. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but Pielott had been the one who had raised the most objections during the discussion so far.

Dier nodded as if it were obvious.

“I can see it with my eyes, but I can't react in time. But you can.”

“... .”

Pielott fell silent, having nothing to say to that. Dier looked around at everyone and nodded.

“Then shall we begin?”

Dier turned his head to look at Frondier.

“Alright! Here we go, Sloth!”

Dier faithfully announced the start of the test to Frondier.

“Call me 'Sloth' one more time, and I'll have you running from a rolling log for the rest of your life.”

“...Yes, sir. What kind of terrifying punishment is that? You have quite the imagination, senior.”

"It'll be more horrifying than you can imagine when you see it in reality."

"Isn't it just about running away from that log? Like flying or sprinting."

"Usually, it's set up so that fire is spewed from above, and carnivorous fish swarm outside."

"Is that a setup? It seems unnecessarily detailed."

"That's the law of hell."