The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 98: Violet’s Jungle House!

The blue-haired male student provoking me right now—let me take a moment to figure out who he is.

I’ve seen this guy several times here.

From the beast rampage during the entrance ceremony to passing encounters afterward. But I haven’t had much close interaction or conversations with him.

Lucian Blackveil, a student from Vesperia Academy.

Alongside Irene, he is one of the few students from Polaris. His rank is 4 stars, and his position is a ranged attacker and mage.

Magic requires a high degree of mathematical ability.

Depending on one’s constitution or personality, many Awakened can’t even use it.

As far as I know, he’s a prodigy who could use magic since he was a child.

Because of this, he tends to be a bit arrogant by nature. A person who lives for his own excellence.

But why is this guy picking a fight with me?

“How could someone as clueless-looking as you end up on the same team as someone like Irene?”

His sudden insult left me dumbfounded. Irene stepped in between us, looking exasperated.

“What’s your problem, starting a fight with Violet out of nowhere?”

“I was just curious.”

“Is that what you call proper manners when asking a question?”

“That’s none of your business!”

Lucian continued to glare at me as if something about me being near Irene deeply offended him.

“Hey, first-year representative. Given your level, you probably scored top or near the top, right? And typically, in field studies, you get paired with skilled students. Like, for example, me.”

“Get to the point.”

“I just don’t understand. I specifically chose you as a teammate during the selection—ranked third, so I shouldn’t have been rejected. So why aren’t we on the same team? And why are you on the same team as that guy? I’ve heard Violet is decent at dueling, but…”

Irene sighed deeply, cutting him off mid-rant.

“There’s a lot I could say, but let me ask you one thing. Do you know who came in first in this test?”

“Wasn’t it you?”

Irene didn’t answer him. Instead, she looked at me.

I raised my hand and shouted.

“It’s me!”

Lucian was astonished. His expression resembled someone witnessing a pig graduate at the top of its law school class.

“What?!”

Ignoring his shock, I confidently declared.

“Of course! I’m number one!”

“What?! That’s impossible! I’m third! How could you…”

“That guy is looking down on us!”

“Let’s put him in his place.”

Suddenly, I felt insulted.

Given he plays a critical role in five years, I’ve always let his antics slide, but he’s crossed the line this time!

The Violets at home decided to teach him a lesson.

The Violets waiting back at home logged into the school’s website and printed out my grade report. It was certified by the academy since it was issued directly from their site. ɽＡ𐌽ŐВÊⱾ

Violet No. 300 grabbed the report and transmitted it into the inside pocket of Violet No. 213’s vest at the scene.

No. 213 pulled it out from the vest and presented it.

“Here!”

“What? Why is there a grade report in your pocket? This has to be fake…”

Lucian snatched the crumpled grade report. Levi, standing behind him, peeked over his shoulder to look at it.

“This is real?”

Lucian’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns.

“If you don’t believe me, look at this too!”

Anticipating he might make excuses, I opened my phone and showed him my grades in the school app—which I had downloaded earlier. His eyes now trembled violently.

Irene crossed her arms, looking utterly unimpressed.

“See? Violet picked me. I don’t know why you’re looking down on my friend, but if you have complaints, get a better score. Besides, I don’t see why I should’ve teamed up with you.”

For some reason, Lucian grew flustered and clung to Irene.

“Wait, hold on! Then I’ll join that party now! That’s okay, right?”

Instead of Irene, I answered Lucian directly.

“Hehe! We don’t take third-place rejects!”

“You brat!”

I stuck my tongue out and teased him.

Furious, he stomped his feet, but with Irene by my side, he couldn’t do much else.

“Ugh, the number one and number two… Unreal…”

“Who would’ve thought that weird Violet guy was a top student?”

Behind us, Levi and Granite muttered under their breath. Ignoring whatever Lucian was saying behind us, we turned away.

“I’m serious about joining! Didn’t you hear me? Hey! Where are you going?”

“Irene, why is he like that?”

“I don’t know. What’s his problem?”

“He wants to switch teams!”

Ugh, so noisy. I just want to get to a safe zone already.

We moved away from the crowd. Sounds rustled above in the trees—the chittering of chitinous wings and sharp mandibles grinding together.

“I think it’s that thing.”

“Yeah. Daphne, prepare the barrier.”

“All set!”

The source of the noise soon revealed itself. Roach-like beasts, the size of people—Crawltides.

A swarm of dozens was flying straight toward us.

“What’s that? Birds?”

“You idiot! Those are Crawltides!”

“Argh! Cockroaches! Flying ones?!”

“Hey! Grab your weapons!”

Chaos erupted. Students ran around, clutching their weapons.

The green swarm of roaches buzzed toward the students, making a noise as loud as helicopter blades.

“They’re not coming our way?”

“Crawltides tend to swarm toward larger groups of people.”

Daphne looked at the panicked students with a worried expression.

“Shouldn’t we help them?”

“I don’t think we need to.”

Irene pointed toward something, and Daphne’s doubts were quickly dispelled.

“Hey, isn’t that the warrior party from earlier?”

“Wow, they’re good.”

The party we noticed when we first exited the ruins was now in action, putting on an impressive display.

“Everyone! Gather around me!”

“Got it, Nathan!”

A male student wielding a sword and shield bravely led his team, striking down the Crawltides one by one. His teammates followed his lead.

Their teamwork was excellent.

The warrior held the front alongside the tank while the rogue defended the flanks.

From the rear, a mage and healer launched magic attacks to provide support.

“Take this!”

“Hiyaah!”

The warrior party’s stellar performance soon inspired the other students to regain their composure and start eliminating the Crawltides one by one.

We quietly observed their battle from between the trees.

“Look over there. Isn’t that Lucian’s party fighting?”

“Oh?”

And then, I understood why Lucian was so desperate to switch teams.

“Help! Someone save me! Ahhh!”

Levi flailed a massive crossbow, wildly swinging it above her head.

It was the same large crossbow she had used during our visit to the shooting range.

Above her, several Crawltides swarmed near the treetops.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t fight effectively. Her weapon, almost the size of a siege machine, was too cumbersome.

The surrounding trees and vines obstructed her aim.

-KWANG!

Each time she fired, the enormous bolts smashed into trees, scattering wood everywhere. But she hit nothing.

“Where’s the big guy? What’s he doing?”

Where was Levi’s teammate?

I spotted Granite.

The hulking, stoic student was now pale-faced as he faced off against a single Crawltide.

-Slishh!

“Ah, ahhh… This isn’t a bug. It’s a beast! It’s not a bug! Grandma, Grandpa, give me strength…”

Granite’s weapon was a massive poleaxe, its blade looking capable of splitting rocks.

Each time the Crawltide swung its forelegs, Granite blocked the attacks. But that was all he could do.

Unfortunately, his oversized weapon wasn’t suited for the dense terrain. His strikes were hampered by the trees and vines.

“Ugh! This is so frustrating! Are you guys kidding me?”

Having finished clearing the battlefield, Lucian rushed toward his party. With a snap of his fingers, five magic circles appeared midair. Flames erupted from the circles, spearing through the Crawltides’ bodies. One after another, the roaches exploded.

“We’re saved…”

“Thank you…”

“They seem a bit out of sync.”

“Yeah, poor Lucian.”

It became clear why he was so upset about not being on Irene’s team.

Once the fight was over, he mercilessly berated his two party members.

“Are you an idiot? Who in their right mind brings a siege weapon into this dense jungle?”

“Sorry, but this is my main weapon. I… I can’t use anything else…”

Calling it a siege weapon wasn’t inaccurate. Levi’s “crossbow” resembled a medieval ballista.

“You’re the same! Who brings a polearm into a jungle?”

“But you liked it when I used it to clear paths.”

“That was then; this is now! And what’s with a guy your size being so scared of bugs?”

“Who said I was scared of bugs…”

Granite returned to his usual stoic expression, feigning ignorance.

“Oh, really? You’re not scared?”

Lucian picked up a Crawltide’s still-twitching foreleg from the smoldering remains and shoved it in Granite’s face.

His expression turned pale.

“Ugh, haha…”

“What are you going to do if you’re already like this? You’re driving me crazy…”

Watching the poor boy and girl endure Lucian’s scolding, we decided to leave.

“Poor things…”

“They have it rough.”

“Seriously…”

There wasn’t much we could do to help, so we just walked away together.

It was time to head to the safe zone.

***

The path to the safe zone was long and arduous.

The zones were spread across several locations, all far from the dungeon’s entrance.

We were heading to Zone 3.

Most students were still busy searching for relics, leaving the path to the safe zone quiet. Occasionally, a Skrax or Crawltide would pop out, but we easily eliminated them and moved on.

“Let me check if we’re heading in the right direction.”

While the group took a short break, I climbed up a tree.

Reaching the swaying treetop, I was greeted by a sea of green.

Beyond the greenery, in the direction we were heading, I spotted a bald red hill.

Focusing my magic-enhanced vision, I saw dense barbed wire and fences.

“We’re on the right path.”

Before climbing down, I scanned the surroundings.

Beyond the horizon, thick white mist wrapped around the jungle like a barrier.

That must be the dungeon’s edge.

As we resumed our journey to the safe zone, I shared what I had seen.

“What do you think happens if we go into that mist?”

While Irene led us at the front with her excellent navigation skills, Daphne replied.

“That’s the dungeon’s boundary. You’d likely get lost and eventually end up back where you started.”

Oh, it’s like a game. In games, when you hit the map’s edge, it forces you back.

“That’s fascinating. Why does that happen?”

“Dungeons are areas consumed by a different dimension, creating isolated zones. In the process, the boundaries between inside and outside dissolve, turning into incomprehensible structures. No matter where you go, you’ll always loop back to where you started.”

Listening to the explanation, it reminded me of a Möbius strip.

“So, that boundary is unbreakable, huh?”

“Not exactly. Based on what I just explained, we’d never be able to enter or leave dungeons. But gates, which act as entry points, exist.”

“The rules that define dungeon spaces aren’t absolute. Under certain conditions, the boundaries can expand or contract.”

I see. That’s fascinating to know.

“Well, at least we won’t fall or end up in weird places if we cross it.”

“Violet, don’t even think about crossing it out of curiosity.”

Her words stung because I had already sent No. 31 to scout near the white mist.

“Let’s finish quickly. Daphne won’t find out anyway.”

“She said we wouldn’t die, right?”

While No. 213 acted nonchalant, No. 31 slowly approached the white mist. It was unnaturally thick, forming a wall-like barrier.

Just as No. 31 was about to turn back, something glinted within the mist.

Cautiously, No. 31 picked up the object. It was a crumpled metal plate about the size of an A4 sheet. On it was a logo.

A black circle containing an “M” symbol and white lettering inside.

“That’s the Magna Nabis Clan logo.”

“Why is it here?”

No. 31 transmitted the metal plate to No. 213, who showed it to the group.

“Hey, everyone! Look at this! I just found it.”

The others turned their attention to the plate in my hands. Irene was the first to react to the logo.

“It’s the Magna Nabis logo. Why is this here?”

She took the plate from me, examining it carefully. She touched it and tapped it.

“It seems like it was part of a vehicle or equipment, but I’m no expert, so I can’t tell exactly. However…”

She pointed to a scratch at the edge of the plate. Now that I looked closely, there it was.

“See these three deep claw marks? This wasn’t done by a human—it’s from a beast.”

“Does that mean the clan members fought monsters here?”

Irene shook her head.

“If they had, we’d find traces of battle. This is probably evidence of something Magna Nabis did here in the past.”

This dungeon is supposedly under the academy board’s management, but Magna Nabis is the real power behind the board. Perhaps they conducted some kind of hunt here.

Despite examining the plate further, we couldn’t uncover more answers.

Suddenly, the small inscription on the logo caught my eye.

“VERITATEM REVELA LUMINE RATIONIS.”

“What does it mean?”

Daphne translated.

“Let’s see… ‘Reveal the truth by the light of reason.’”

“Truth?”

Irene, walking ahead, commented.

“Truth is what mages seek. Very fitting for a mage clan.”

Truth, huh?

Sounds like something out of a juvenile fantasy.

Mages really are peculiar.

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***

By the time we reached the safe zone, it was well past 3 p.m.

“Alright, let’s set up camp!”

The safe zone was a large clearing with all the shrubs removed.

Its security facilities were sturdier than I expected—barbed wire, electric fences, walls, and automated turrets equipped with rockets, machine guns, and crossbows. Magic barriers were also laid out to repel monsters.

The number of Violets quickly grew back to 20.

“Let’s set up the tent here.”

“Isn’t that too small?”

Irene pulled out a visibly cramped tent from her bag. I stopped her.

There’s no way we were squeezing into something so tiny for a trip with friends.

Instead, we retrieved a frame and fabric from our inventory.

The 24-person tent we had prepared for this field study slowly took shape.

“Let’s deploy!”

“Move, move!”

With 20 Violet engineers working together, it took less than 15 minutes to set up a massive tent big enough for a platoon.

As our Violet party’s base camp came together, our friends’ jaws dropped.

“This is amazing…”

“Usually, we just sleep in tiny tents. But this…”

Their happiness warmed my heart.

But they hadn’t seen the best part yet.

The tent was spacious enough for additional installations.

“Here’s the dining area! That’s the kitchen! We don’t have a fridge, but we’ve got a cooler. And over here is the movie theater.”

“Movie theater?”

“Mini projector and a laptop!”

The Violet engineers’ achievements didn’t stop there. We showed off a portable toilet, shower tent, and mini pool we had prepared before the trip. Their expressions were a mix of surprise and delight.

“That’s the bathroom, and over there is the shower room—it’s also a bath and swimming pool! Feeling grimy from the humidity? Wash up later!”

“Thank you. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

“The scale is almost like the caravans Helios uses. We’ll be living comfortably.”

Seeing Daphne’s joy and Irene’s admiration lifted my spirits.

Suddenly, Irene seemed to realize something and asked me.

“But what do we say if other students come? The tent and furniture are way too bulky for just the three of us to carry.”

“Ah.”

My mind went blank. What do we do?

“Let’s say it’s experimental ultra-compact camping gear from Helios.”

“Violet.”

Irene’s expression turned odd at my suggestion.

I could only laugh awkwardly and scratch my head.