"I can't believe it."

The man said, looking at Frondier with suspicion.

"Even if you don't believe me, I have nothing more to say to convince you. I'm just here to learn."

"Someone of your level coming to me to learn something? I can't believe it!"

The man was Dier Eiger.

When lunchtime came, Frondier had summoned Pielott and learned that Pielott shared a dorm with Dier.

So, he had come to meet Dier with Pielott, but...

"What are you up to? Are you planning to make me your subordinate like Pielott?"

As Frondier expected, Dier was extremely wary.

Dier was a smart man. But he wasn't as laid-back as Frondier.

If something deviated from his expectations, he would be cautious and suspicious until he found a convincing reason.

This was, of course, a result of Dier's sensitive nature, but it also stemmed from his obsession with keeping up with the powerful physiques of others.

'From long experience, to convince someone like this...'

It was better to create a suitable reason to dispel their doubts than to try to convince them of his innocence.

"Actually, Dier."

"What?"

"I plan to make Pielott a warrior on par with Aster."

Dier looked at Pielott in surprise, and Pielott looked at Frondier in surprise.

Of course, it wasn't a lie.

It had nothing to do with the reason he had come to see Dier, but...

Frondier continued.

"But as you know, Pielott tends to rely excessively on Aura."

"That's right. Pielott has an Aura addiction."

"Don't talk about it like it's some strange disease."

Pielott growled.

"So, for now, I'm focusing on training him without using Aura. Pielott knows this well."

Pielott nodded at Frondier's words.

In fact, Pielott had been through a lot as Frondier's so-called 'practice opponent'.

And during that time, Aura was forbidden. If he even tried to use it, he would inevitably get hit on the head with a wooden mallet. A weaving one, of course.

"But there's a limit to that. Pielott using Aura has become almost a habit. Preventing him from using Aura is actually hindering his training. Of course, as a warrior, it's desirable to be able to use Aura at any time, but it doesn't fit the current training."

“……Indeed, so.”

"Yes. I need to learn how to completely hide your Mana and presence."

Dier excelled at concealing his presence to an extreme degree. Even Frondier had momentarily lost sight of him during the test.

This meant that Dier had complete control over the Mana within him. Dier himself took it for granted, but very few people could erase their presence to the extent that Dier could.

"If Pielott can completely control the Mana within him, the habitual outburst of Aura will also decrease. That's why I need you."

Of course, the truth was that Frondier himself needed it, but he seemed to have chosen a very appropriate excuse.

“……Then what do I get?”

"Ah, of course, that's prepared."

Frondier smiled, anticipating Dier's words.

"If you teach Pielott well, I'll introduce you to Aster."

Frondier was confident that this was a very appropriate deal.

Both in the game and now, Dier had a strong admiration for Aster.

People usually admired what they lacked, and naturally, Aster was the perfect object of his admiration.

And if he could learn from Aster, Dier would also grow significantly, so everything was desirable from Frondier's perspective.

“……No.”

But Dier shook his head.

He looked at Frondier with his brightly shining eyes.

"Teach me, Sloth senior."

“……What?”

"As you know, senior, I'm only half."

Dier looked at his hands. The Mana felt from his hands definitely existed, but compared to the other students attending Constel, it was pathetically small.

"I met someone a while ago. The guy who's been causing those disturbing rumors in Constel lately. He saw me and asked if I wanted to get stronger."

Frondier's eyes twitched. No doubt, it was someone related to the Mana injections.

“……Honestly, I was tempted. It felt like it was just for me. Like I was chosen."

It would have been.

Of course, it was also true that they had induced that feeling, but from their perspective, there was no one more suitable than Dier.

Outstanding intelligence, calm judgment, a desire to become stronger, and even excellent eyes and senses.

Dier, who seemed to have everything gathered to become the best warrior, except for Mana and physical abilities.

It was all too easy to imagine what would happen if he were given enough Mana.

“……You refused.”

"Yes."

Frondier was inwardly relieved. He believed in Dier's character, but it would have been too much of a temptation for him.

"It's my fault that I'm weak."

“……!”

It wasn't Frondier who was surprised by Dier's words, but Pielott.

Pielott thought to himself. He had often talked with Dier, but Dier had a strange habit.

Saying, "I'm weak." And then using those words to fuel his determination.

Dier always had a sparkle in his eyes while doing something Pielott could never do.

"So, it's my problem to solve.”

That's why Dier refused the offer.

Frondier felt the weight of those words and let out a small breath.

──I have to pay the price for my laziness.

Did Enfer and Azier, who had once said those words to him, feel this way?

“……So, it's me.”

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to you, senior. But for me, Sloth senior is the clearest role model."

Frondier, who had been the icon of incompetence in his freshman year.

However, his current image was the complete opposite. This was what Dier found so attractive.

─That's not the way for a person to go.

Dier had received a warning, almost a threat, from Elodie some time ago.

He didn't think it was a lie. He didn't think it was an exaggeration or a bluff.

Knowing that, Dier said,

"Let me walk the same path."

Hearing those words, Frondier thought.

He couldn't make Dier follow the same path he had taken. If he did, Dier wouldn't survive.

The reason Frondier was able to go through such experiences and grow was because he had carefully examined his abilities and believed it was possible. Even if it meant going to hell.

However, the same path...

If it meant examining Dier's abilities and providing him with a hell suitable for him, just like he had done...

"Then first,"

Frondier smiled.

"Let's make sure the words 'Sloth senior' never come out of your mouth again."

“……Ah, yes?”

After that, Dier screamed in terror as he underwent Frondier's training.

Why he had to feel fear during training, no one knew.