Chapter 210

On the night before the acceptance notification, Headmaster Brecht sank into a plush chair and let out a deep sigh.

His mind was filled with worries about the upcoming problem child student.

“Headmaster, thank you for your help.”

The voice of the scholarship officer interrupted the headmaster’s thoughts.

“Given the life debt owed, it’s quite a bargain,” the headmaster replied in a feigned grumbling tone.

He recalled how he had received several assists from the scholarship officer since a few months prior and leading up to the academy’s previous siege.

‘I never thought I would repay that debt in this way.’

“But why that student in particular?” the headmaster asked, suspicion evident in his eyes.

“To be honest, I’m quite anxious. It doesn’t feel like a simple request to take good care of the student. Are you perhaps planning to use that child?”

A moment of silence passed. The scholarship officer met the headmaster’s gaze and slowly began to speak.

“If she agrees, that could be a possibility. As you would know from the data, her abilities are beyond imagination.”

“Yes, the Clone Creation Ability. It’s impressive. However, the limitations of clone creation are significant. I feel like there’s more that you aren’t telling me… but I won’t press further.”

The scholarship officer fell silent under the headmaster’s scrutinizing gaze.

“If any issues arise in the academy later on, she’ll be a great help.”

“A big deal, right? Like Polaris? Given the siege that targeted us a few months ago, it’s not impossible.”

The scholarship officer thought to himself that the child could indeed be very useful.

Though he didn’t explicitly state it, he was aware that strange occurrences had started happening in the places that trained young Awakened Ones since five years ago.

This included most Awakener Academies, except for Aegis and a few others.

Just in what he knew was considerable, how strange must it be elsewhere? Even Polaris Academy attempted to create a Collective Consciousness Network among the students and ended up disappearing from the map.

“But how do we trust this?” the headmaster shrugged.

“Well, it’s because you’re here, Mr. Brecht. Aegis is different.”

The scholarship officer’s firm tone left the headmaster momentarily speechless. It was an absolute assurance that only one who had traversed time could possess.

‘This place has survived until the very end, up until the world crumbles.’

After a long moment of contemplation, the headmaster finally spoke.

“However, there is an issue with this girl named Violet, especially regarding her character.”

He listened as the headmaster explained.

Upon hearing that a heated discussion had taken place after the interview, he exhaled lightly.

“That isn’t an incorrect observation, is it? In fact, I find it naïve to point that out.”

What will happen in four years? Battles between humans and humans, battles between humans and Monsters. And those beings commanding the Monsters, surpassing human imagination beyond dimensions.

These educators, steeped in peace, felt far too idealistic.

“Efficiency is indeed a fact.”

The scholarship officer’s gaze, reminiscent of recalling the future, looked off into the distance.

“I won’t deny rationality or efficiency. If the opponent in front of me were a veteran resolver who’s been through thick and thin, I could accept that. The problem is the speaker; the level of discourse is too elevated. It’s not something that would come from a girl of her age.”

Reading some displeasure in the scholarship officer’s expression, the headmaster retorted.

“Usually, you’d suppress it non-fatalistically. Speaking of severing limbs or torture… that’s far from common sense, isn’t it? What if that girl goes astray? The evil weak can ruin a handful of lives, but the evil strong can destroy thousands.”

The thought of countless witches caused the scholarship officer to momentarily freeze, and the headmaster did not miss that moment.

“There have also been studies suggesting that, compared to the period before the appearance of Awakened Ones, the intensity and severity of crimes have increased immeasurably. Moreover, cooperative spirit is vital for Hunters. Anti-social humans disrupt organizations.”

The scholarship officer replied in a calm tone, soothing the headmaster.

“Don’t worry about that. We’ve already completed psychological evaluations. Though she has some instability, she possesses at least minimal sociality. It’s manageable. Surveillance is in place. If it weren’t…”

Noticing the darkened expression on the headmaster’s face, Seijis let his words trail off.

‘If it truly were a problem, it would have been dealt with right away.’

The headmaster sighed deeply and nodded.

For now, he had no choice but to trust the man from the Inspection Bureau. What good would it do to doubt someone who knew the academy’s secrets and had come from the future?

“Anyways, please take care of Violet. She has many shortcomings, but this academy can surely compensate for them.”

“Social common sense and cooperation, right? I understand. I’ll put my trust in you, but I’m going to take my own measures. Remember that.”

“Thank you.”

The scholarship officer nodded and turned to leave.

As the door closed, the headmaster was left alone.

Gloomy thoughts pressed down on him. Was this decision truly the right one?

An anxious light filled the headmaster’s eyes.

Outside, black clouds were rising in the clear night sky, totally devoid of clouds.

‘She says I need that girl? Why on earth?’

Suddenly, a memory floated into the headmaster’s mind.

The vague prophecy that Seijis had mentioned before. The words conveyed by the new scholarship officer from the Inspection Bureau were shocking.

‘So, all the Awakener Academies will collapse, and we will become the last stronghold of the academy city? How does that even make sense?’

If that were the case, could an old man like himself really prevent the calamity that is to come in the near future? His doubts only grew larger.

“Sigh…”

Headmaster Brecht sighed as he stood up from his seat. There was no point in ruminating; better to get a good night’s sleep and prepare for the next day.

‘What can I do? I have to do my best.’

Building the future was an important duty entrusted to them. And the students and children were the future of the world.

The Violets faced a joyful occasion. They had passed!

“We’re students of a prestigious academy now!”

“Wow! Enrollment is complete!”

Violet 1 was ecstatic. But soon enough, a question arose.

It’s the law of the world that when one problem is solved, a new one appears.

Enrollment was a relief, but a new obstacle loomed over them.

“Wait, it’s summer vacation right now!”

“So what do we do now?”

“Yeah, we really have nothing to do for a while. This is so boring!”

The Violets wracked their brains together.

“Um… isn’t there anything fun to do?”

“Ariel Group’s manipulation of public opinion!”

“That’s one thing, but first, we should make some money! We need funds!”

One Violet suggested.

“Right! Let’s do delivery services!”

“Wow, that sounds exciting! The Violet delivery team is on the move!”

One group prepared for delivery duties, while the others pondered alternative ways to earn money.

“What about working at Helios?”

“It’ll be tough right now. They say they’re busy with internal issues.”

“Hmm… then how about a dungeon? Should I go alone this time and make some money? Blow off some steam.”

After a brief meeting, the Violets unanimously decided to enter the dungeon.

Just as they were about to head out with the car, someone called out from behind.

“Where are you going?”

When they turned around, a woman in a neat black outfit stood there with her arms crossed. It was Older Sister Sophie El.

“We’re going to the dungeon. To make some money!”

“Then I’ll tag along. Is that okay?”

I was about to agree, but then I felt something strange.

“Until now, they’ve let us be free, why are they suddenly coming along?”

After some contemplation, I asked the question.

“Don’t the delivery people have surveillance?”

Sophie El smiled and took out her phone.

“I’m already tracking you.”

On the screen, the real-time locations of the delivery people were displayed.

“This is…”

“I’ve equipped each vehicle with a locator. Don’t detach it. I’d be very sad if you did, you understand?”

The Sixty-Second Clone was speechless. I never thought they would actually monitor us like this.

“But why are you telling me this?”

“I want to live without hiding anything from you. Is that okay? And I’ll help you if there are any tough situations going forward. Understand?”

I felt a slightly scary pressure coming from Older Sister Sophie El as she smiled at me.

“Okay… I understand.”

“Alright, then let’s get going!”

In the end, the Violet group headed toward the dungeon under Sophie El’s watchful eye.

‘To be honest, we already have several clones unaccounted for, but still.’

While she was pondering, the Violets marched, matching their steps.

“One, two! One, two!”

Perhaps because they had forgotten about the surveillance, the Violets acted as if it was second nature. Watching the girls enter the dungeon, Sophie El fell into thought.

‘I need to see how they fight.’

She needed practical data. Though she had seen the documents about the witch’s swordsmanship conveyed by her sister and the mid-training during the entrance exam, it still felt lacking.

‘I should analyze Violet’s fighting style this time around. I also need to verify her suspicious item storage ability.’

She recalled explaining about the multi-dimensional storage bag after the special consultation.

She said she got it by mere luck while fighting to earn money; if true, that would indeed be a splendid coincidence.

How could her sister possess the same thing?

The Violets went to an intermediate dungeon.

Under the fractured sky resembling a broken mirror, a vast wasteland unfurled.

Impressive were the rough rocks and undulating hills.

As the marching Violets began to sing in bright voices.

“Born as a Violet! There’s so much to do~”

“You and I, slaying the villains~ We live for glory!”

Far away, the people working in the surroundings turned their heads.

The sight of girls with various hair colors marching came into view.

They watched the girls with eyes full of curiosity.

“Hmm, the silicon mask and wig look quite fitting? Of course, the mask and goggles need to stay on.”

“Right! They seem less suspicious than a plain mask and gas mask.”

As the Violets praised their new disguises, they met the gaze of a Black Eyes standing nearby.

“Violet, what song is that?”

“It’s a song called ‘True Violet!'”

Violet proudly explained.

“A song containing the intent of hoping to protect the world with friends, how interesting.”

To the soldiers from another world beyond, it would have been a shocking act of plagiarism, but unfortunately for Sophie El, it merely sounded like a unique military song.

“I see. Do you like singing, Violet?”

“Yes! I love it a lot!”

During their break, while the Violets chattered in the network, Sophie El left a new note.

‘They often sing military songs. Is it for the purpose of raising the morale of the Collective Consciousness?’

As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the number of people began to dwindle as if it had been that way all along.

The few who could still be seen were all armed Hunter teams far from ordinary laborers or porters.

“Whoa, a Monster! Look over there!”

“Oh, I see.”

As Sophie El was about to draw her weapon, Violet stopped her.

“No, no, sister! Just watch!”

“…?”

“All units, combat readiness!”

The clones of Violet were generated.

The girls gathered their weapons and prepared for battle.

As one Violet was putting on a vest filled with something, she paused under the watchful gaze from the side.

“Violet, can I ask what that is?”

“Oh, I pulled it out by mistake! It’s a water bottle pouch!”

Violet let out a sheepish laugh and tossed the vest back into the air.

Sophie El began to jot down notes once again.

‘They are using the multi-dimensional bags quite actively. But that item earlier…’

Just as she was about to finish her thoughts, a monstrous roar echoed through the dungeon.

– Kuuooohhh!

The Violets roared back in response to the clash of beasts.

“Yahhh!”

As the girls and monsters collided, the flames of a new battle ignited.