The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 81: Polaris – Violet Little Experiment With

The next day, Violet visited the administration office.

「By the way, when are we stealing the test papers?」

「What are you talking about? You know that’s not necessary.」

Of course, there was no need to steal test papers.

We could just open the book and copy answers without taking extreme measures.

Even in the worst-case scenario (assuming a curse that kills us if we fail the test), we could just burn the place where the test papers are stored and reset the scores.

「Test paper storage is usually double or triple secured. There’s no need to take risks.」

When I worked at my pre-possession school administration office, test paper management was quite strict.

After placing the papers in envelopes and sealing them with stickers, the envelopes would be locked in drawers for a second seal.

These drawers were in a windowless room within the teachers’ office.

The security here was probably similar.

However, obtaining control over the administrative system was a necessity at some point.

Currently, I had come here under the pretense of requesting a certificate of enrollment.

Upon stepping inside, the administration office had the air of a failing corporate office, dreary and lifeless.

The employees’ attitudes were polar opposites—either working furiously or not working at all.

“Here it is…”

The staff moved sluggishly, as if boiling themselves in sloth, and handed me the enrollment certificate.

「Are they always this slow? Back when I worked, it only took about five minutes.」

「This isn’t the kind of administration office we used to work in, is it? Just let it slide.」

I took the certificate and scanned the office. I pondered what benefits I could gain if we infiltrated this place.

「Don’t they hire interns here?」

「Who knows.」

When we had time, the Violets would brainstorm together, realizing that simply destroying the academy physically wasn’t enough.

We had to access internal secrets, embezzle funds, and leave them penniless.

「Let’s just keep it as an idea for now. We’ve got things to do, right?」

「Right. Let’s start by messing with the underground facility today!」

As soon as we exited the office, Violet No. 145 signaled No. 176.

Currently, Violet No. 176 had infiltrated what appeared to be the electrical room of the academy’s underground research facility.

Like the last time we caused a fire, she was tinkering with the electrical systems.

「This is the right spot, isn’t it?」

「It should be. Now get ready.」

Violet No. 176 opened the circuit panels. We lacked knowledge in electrical engineering, but breaking things wasn’t exactly rocket science.

「Begin!」

A water bottle appeared in No. 176’s hands. She moved between the panels, splashing water liberally.

-Sizzle!

In no time, small plumes of smoke rose from various points, and sparks erupted inside the panels.

The overhead lights flickered violently before plunging the underground facility into darkness.

「How’s the reaction on your end?」

「Hehehe! Listen to this! They’re going nuts!」

No. 176 shared the auditory perception of No. 186, who was monitoring the researchers. We couldn’t hold back our laughter.

-Ah! This is insane! I hadn’t even saved yet!

-What the heck! I was in the middle of calculations… Why does it have to be a blackout now!

Our simple experiment yielded amusing results.

The researchers, in the middle of critical tasks, screamed in despair.

Who knew a water bottle could turn people so hysterical!

It was delightful.

「We can control people’s emotions! Hahaha!」

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

Moments later, it seemed the backup power system activated, and the lights came back on. Footsteps hurried toward the electrical room.

Naturally, No. 176 had long since cleaned up and vanished.

「Even with just this, we can delay their research, can’t we?」

「Not really. Considering how quickly the power was restored, their backup measures are solid.」

The Violets discussed the effectiveness of their sabotage.

Without explosives to thoroughly bury the place, this was merely a temporary inconvenience.

「What should we spray next? Saltwater? When are the bombs going to be ready?」

「Having bombs isn’t enough. We need a proper operation plan to execute it effectively.」

「Got it!」

We debated what to destroy and disrupt to maximize the damage.

Once the intel came in and the data was organized, we’d draft a grand plan as soon as possible.

What kind of chaos would we stir up next?

「Leslie, the boss, had better bring us good intel soon.」

「We’ll need more cars and motorcycles too.」

As I strolled through the campus, pondering various ideas, I ran into a girl with her hair tied into twin tails with red ribbons.

“…Oh, hi, Violet.”

“Levi! Nice to see you. Where are you headed?”

Levi was dragging a bag on her back that could rival a cello case in size.

“Ah, to shooting practice.”

“Shooting?”

Oh, right.

Of course, the academy had a shooting range.

Why had I never visited it?

「Well, we’ve been training in real combat instead.」

「Targets? Do we really need those?」

Come to think of it, I’d shot at people or beasts more often than targets.

Since there was some time before the next operation, maybe I’d tag along and watch.

“Levi, mind if I come along?”

“Come along…?”

“I was thinking of practicing ranged weapons. Could you show me to the shooting range?”

“Ah, sure.”

For some reason, Levi looked at me with a hint of fear in her eyes.

Anyway, I followed her to the shooting range.

The range had both indoor and outdoor facilities, with students diligently training with various firearms, crossbows, and bows.

Unfortunately, there was only one vacant spot.

As Levi approached it, a student who had arrived after us started a dispute.

“Hey, I called dibs on that spot. Move.”

“I got here first…”

Was Levi’s timid demeanor the reason she was targeted?

The student shamelessly insisted.

I stepped between them to diffuse the tension.

“Hey, calm down and talk it out.”

The student, seeing me, froze for a moment.

“Wait, are you by any chance…”

“Violet. Why?”

“Violet as in that Violet?! Uh, sorry. I’ll leave!”

As soon as I revealed my name, he bolted from the shooting range.

“What’s with him?”

“Probably… the rumors about that duel.”

“Oh, right.”

It seemed my reputation from the previous duel had spread far and wide.

“They say you… dismembered an upperclassman during the duel and made her wet herself immediately after. Not that I believe it!”

It wasn’t fame—it was infamy.

Where on earth did these absurd rumors come from?

All I’d done was fight hard and win.

I’d noticed some people recognizing me lately.

It was probably because of my striking red eyes and distinct appearance.

“Are you not going to shoot, Violet?”

“I’ll just watch for now!”

Levi, looking hesitant, quietly opened her case.

Inside was a massive crossbow disassembled into parts.

She carefully assembled it piece by piece.

「That’s not a crossbow. It’s a ballista. Look at the size.」

Once the assembly was complete, Levi fiddled with the components before beginning her practice.

The targets ranged from beast-shaped silhouettes to human-shaped dummies.

Watching her fire a weapon larger than herself was fascinating.

“Do you often practice shooting?”

“T-That’s because… it’s my specialty. And after this exam, the first years are going on a field trip. I have to prepare.”

“A field trip? Was there something like that?”

As Levi brought it up, I tilted my head in confusion when a signal came in.

「Hey, it’s about time to get started. Check if it works.」

While Levi was shooting, I looked outside and silently started counting.

One, two, three.

The lights in the shooting range went out.

「How is it?」

「The power’s out. As expected, was this the right transformer?」

「The student council building is still fine.」

Somehow, it felt disappointing.

“I’m heading out!”

“A-Already?”

Before Levi could say anything else, I left the area.

Now, what should I try next?

After taking a brief nap, the Violets and I were in the middle of a bustling street where a festival was happening.

“…Play with me!”

Someone tugged on the hem of Violet No. 1’s clothes.

Looking down, I saw a girl with bright red eyes filled with mischievous playfulness, smiling cheerfully.

“…Oh!”

“You remember me?”

As soon as I saw her, I remembered.

“You’re…!”

Mini Violet raised her right hand and poked her cheek with her index finger.

“Didn’t you miss me?”

“No, honestly, I feel uncomfortable every time I see you.”

Every time I saw this miniature version of Violet, an unsettling feeling would wash over me.

Mini Violet clung to my arm.

“That’s so mean. I can only meet you all during the rare moments I get some free time. I overdid it quite a bit during our last duel, you know.”

“Rare moments? What are you talking about? Duel, what duel…”

“Shh, that’s not what I called you for.”

Releasing my arm, Mini Violet sat on a chair.

She grabbed a champagne bottle, popped the cork off with her hand, and poured herself a glass before taking a sip.

Savoring the taste, Mini Violet let out a small exclamation of appreciation.

“I checked what you did this time. You did an amazing job! I came to give you some praise. Your growth rate is faster than I expected.”

Mini Violet swung her legs excitedly as she clapped her hands.

“Bang bang! Boom boom! You killed so well! Of course, there were still some tactical weaknesses, but you made good use of the bomb recipe I gave you! It was fun to watch. I loved it! Hehe…”

“Are you okay drinking something like that in that body?”

“Why not? Sister. Or should I call you Violet, the younger one? Anyway, this isn’t reality. There’s no police or army here to regulate me.”

Mini Violet, dissatisfied with the chair, kicked it over and climbed onto the table, raising her gaze to my level.

“Still, there were a few disappointments. Why are you so into guns and sniping? Pathetic.”

“What does that have to do with you?”

“Because it’s boring! And why kill so cleanly? If you’d dragged a few of them back for interrogation or to toy with them, it’d have been more interesting. You ended things too quickly—it was anticlimactic.”

Listening to Mini Violet’s absurd chatter left me dumbfounded.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Anyway, why don’t you just reveal your true identity already, you counterfeit?”

“What? Counterfeit? Look who’s talking…”

As we berated her, Mini Violet’s face contorted with a ferocious scowl.

Suddenly, the bustling street and the party scene vanished, replaced by a white void.

“You think I let you be because I liked you? How dare you, a mere squatter violating the sanctity of this rightful body’s inheritance, this wretched parasite from God knows where…!”

“Cut the chatter!”

Annoyed, I smacked Mini Violet on the head.

“Kyaaa!”

Mini Violet screamed and fell over, blinking in surprise. She rubbed her crown as if the pain was unexpected.

“Ow! What was that? How did you do that?”

“What do you think? It’s called a physical conversation!”

“This doesn’t make sense. Is it because your growth rate is so fast?”

She shot up to her feet.

“I’ll figure out the reason later… but you’ve made your choice by laying hands on me, haven’t you?”

As the little girl swung her arm, we were swept away as if by a storm, flung far into the distance.

“Uwaaah!”

While we lay sprawled out, Mini Violet stormed over, fury written all over her face. As she stopped before us, all eyes were on her.

“Time’s up already? I’ll see you again later, you damn wretch. Just wait…”

Mini Violet turned her back to us, muttering as she disappeared.

On her left arm, I glimpsed what looked like numbers etched into her skin.

My vision gradually blurred.

That felt like a bizarre dream.

「By the way, did you hear what Levi said? A field trip.」

「Are we heading to some dungeon or something?」

What kind of school has so many things going on?

It’s exhausting.