The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

"...Is that so."

I closed my eyes deeply upon hearing those words from Selena.

At the word 'farewell' that Selena spoke, memories of the past I spent with Selena flashed through my mind.

From Selena's shameless acting when we first met, to the time we both fought with all our might to break the fragments of Helheim, everything.

I took a deep breath.

"Has Manggot completed the interpretation of the ancient language?"

"...It's no longer something Frondier-nim should worry about."

"Or have you realized that you cannot complete the interpretation with what I have taught you?"

"...That's also something Frondier-nim doesn't need to worry about."

As expected.

Realizing something so obvious,

I chuckled.

"It's impossible after all."

"...What do you mean?"

"I can't see through your acting."

Something I had known for a very long time.

I didn't know Selena's true feelings. I kept that fact engraved in my mind.

I couldn't carelessly read the words and actions of Selena, who had been thoroughly trained in acting by Manggot. I knew it was dangerous to judge anything by them.

This was the first time I had told her that I couldn't read her acting, though.

Rather, that's why there was only one thing I could say to her.

"Raise your head, Selena."

"..."

"I told you before, didn't I? You don't need to bow your head to me."

"...No. I'm comfortable with this."

Selena refused my words and didn't raise her head.

"The order I received at that time was also very uncomfortable. For me, bowing my head is much more comfortable, and,"

"Selena."

I said to Selena.

Now, there was no more bluff or authority left to show her.

It was only natural.

"It's goodbye now, isn't it?"

"...!"

"Thank you for following my whims all this time. I'm grateful for your consideration in accepting my insignificant act of strength."

At my words, Selena was silent this time.

I had already abandoned all suspicion towards Selena. It had become meaningless.

But was Selena still wary of me?

"Raise your head, Selena. Let's at least say goodbye while looking at each other's faces."

"...No, don't,"

"Selena, I—"

"Please don't!!"

Selena's emotionless voice suddenly turned into a loud cry.

"Don't, don't say that. It's not like you, Frondier-nim. Just throw me away as if you're abandoning me. That's the relationship between me and Frondier-nim, and."

"What are you talking about, Selena."

I stopped Selena's absurd words.

"Our relationship isn't like that."

"No, I, I, I was originally,"

"You're my benefactor, Selena."

"...!"

Selena was my escort.

Of course, that wasn't Selena's original role. Selena's role was to monitor me and to win me over to deliver the ancient language to Manggot. The escort was just a fake role to show to others.

But that didn't mean,

"How can I forget that, Selena."

Could I forget the time she saved my life?

How could I forget the time she wrapped a cloth around my neck in front of the barrier?

Even if she was ultimately my enemy.

Even if she returned as a member of Manggot.

Even if everything towards me was truly, all of it was just acting.

My life was saved by that acting.

"Selena, goodbye means,"

I looked at Selena, who was still not budging.

However, I could see her shoulders trembling slightly. I could feel her mana wavering.

"It means we end the roles we've created here."

I could see her body flinching at my words.

"So you're no longer my escort."

"..."

"Raise your head, Selena."

"..."

"Don't worry."

I smiled.

Although I learned to smile from Selena, for once, I didn't need to think about it, and a smile formed naturally.

"I can't discern your acting."

I'm no longer trying to read you.

I just want to say goodbye.

Just as Selena wants it, so do I.

"...Frondier-nim..."

Selena slowly raised her trembling body. She stood on two feet, but her head was still bowed.

But soon, as if she had made up her mind, her eyes slowly lifted,

"...Is that so...?"

Stained with moisture, tears flowed down from beneath her wet eyes.

A sadly smiling face turned towards me.

"I am quite good at acting."

She spoke awkwardly, as if trying to be playful with a trembling voice, but failing.

I looked at that face.

For a moment, I stared blankly, unable to think of anything.

But soon I knew what to do. It was what I had intended to do from the beginning.

"Selena."

"Yes."

"I won't question any lies you've told so far. I promised that, but could you grant me one request?"

"What is it?"

I took a step closer to Selena.

"You can still lie to me,"

For the first time, I, who couldn't read her expression,

"But I will try to believe whatever you say."

"...!"

"So just one word."

Trying to see through Selena's 'acting'.

"Do you have anything to say to me?"

Perhaps even if I set my mind like this, I wouldn't know. Selena's true feelings.

But either way, it didn't matter.

From the moment I first met her.

Selena's lies and truths were determined within my heart.

I decided that.

"...Frondier-nim."

Selena slowly opened her trembling lips with wet eyes and said,

"...Please save me."

Immediately after those words.

Selena disappeared. Without even hearing my answer.

I was left completely alone in the open space, and only the cold wind brushed past me a few times.

"...Is that so."

I raised my head and looked up at the sky as if chasing her figure that was no longer there.

"Is that so."