Chapter 213

While the pocket money freight transport was proceeding, our Violets went around meeting various people.

In a detention center located in the Central District.

Beyond the visiting room, a woman with brown hair was sitting.

“Hello, Auntie!”

Clone 1567 waved her hand with a bright face.

Aunt Ennis, on the other side of the window, gave a weak smile.

“Hello, Violet… boss.”

“Talk comfortably! I’m not a boss anymore.”

I was curious because Uncle Yurik said he was visiting, but Auntie’s condition looked bad just by glancing at her.

She wasn’t a beauty, but she was quite decent looking for an aunt, yet she had already become haggard in just a month or two since I last saw her.

“This prison is really scary!”

“I must never go there.”

It seemed she had suffered a lot due to hearings, investigations, and trials.

Since her face had been all over the news, her family must be having a tough time too.

But it wasn’t all bad news.

“I heard from Uncle. It seems you might get out sooner than expected?”

“The trial is still ongoing, but… there was a hint that it might happen.”

Thanks to her active cooperation, it seems she received some leniency.

Though even with that, it would only be reduced from thirty years to fifteen.

Uncle Yurik, who was gazing at Auntie with pity, spoke.

“Ennis, don’t worry too much. Health management is the priority. I’ve already contacted your parents. They are very worried.”

“Th-thank you, Yurik… sniff…”

Uncle was really worried about Auntie.

Could it be because they share the commonality of being researchers? Perhaps it was because he witnessed his professor’s inappropriate deeds leading to suicide that made it uncomfortable for him to just watch Auntie’s situation.

“Oh, by the way! I’ve deposited some spending money. Don’t starve and reflect well while you’re in there! Got it?”

“Thank you…”

After saying what I had to say, I stepped back slightly. While we blankly sat watching, the two engaged in a conversation.

“317, visiting time is over. Follow me; I have something to relay!”

As visiting time was almost up, a Federal Army officer entered from the back and called out to Ennis.

“Take care!”

If we have a connection later, we might see each other again.

“But what did you two talk about?”

“Nothing much. Just what we’re doing and how the trial might go…”

Even while stepping outside the detention center, our conversation continued.

“I’m worried. The officers keep calling in prisoners who are researchers like me. I can’t say much, but it’s a bit unsettling. I wonder if they’re trying to pin all the blame on someone…”

“What’s there to worry about? It’ll work out one way or the other.”

It’s a shame. After all, he was the technician who made our magic staffs and magic firearms accessories.

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have left them alive back then!”

I came to know of the survivors being enslaved, but it appeared crucial personnel involved in the relic and magical equipment R&D were gathered in Vittorio Dungeon.

Those colleagues of Auntie who were shot down were unexpectedly valuable.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s assign the work to someone else!”

Violet Clone 1567 shook off her regret and left after finishing her meeting with a former slave and now a current prisoner.

Meanwhile, Clone 98 headed proudly to the Helios headquarters through the Special Operations Division identity that Irene had issued.

Upon entering the special hangar, there was a large humanoid machine surrounded by technicians.

“Hello!”

“Good morning!”

Stregonics responded, slightly raising its right arm.

Irene’s dad seemed quite cheerful.

Soon, Uncle Orion gestured for the people inside the hangar to step outside.

“Violet, is it okay to talk personally now?”

“Yes, thank you!”

As I answered Uncle’s words, my gaze was drawn to one side.

There was a new black display attached to the head of Stregonics that hadn’t been there before.

“What is that?”

“Oh, this?”

After a moment, the monitor attached to Stregonics’ head lit up.

It displayed simple eyes and a smiling mouth made of sparkling blue dots, reminiscent of an emoticon.

“Wow.”

“It seems expressing emotions just with a speaker is difficult. So, I asked the staff to install this. It seems important to express emotions if I want to communicate properly with my daughter. What do you think? They say this is the trendy feel these days; it should be fine, right?”

I nodded quietly.

“Uh… I think it matches well.”

The cute emotional expressions on the LED screen attached to the formidable mechanical body felt quite awkward, but I decided to remain silent.

Otherwise, Uncle Orion might be disappointed.

“Haha, that’s great! I’m glad I checked with Irene’s friend first.”

Stregonics’ body seemed elated and swayed.

“By the way, how’s the mechanical body treating you?”

“How could it be bad? It’s very sturdy and full of strength. The movements of my arms and legs are a bit awkward and stiff, but I think I’ll get used to it soon. Compared to the times I was half-baked, this is far better.”

As the motor whirred, both hands slowly moved and gestured.

“At this rate, I can return to active duty quickly. Then, I’ll show up on the field again and make a grand declaration. Here, the Spear Warrior has returned!”

Uncle posed dramatically with both arms outstretched like an actor.

“What do you think? Isn’t it cool?”

“It’s cool!”

The Irene’s dad that was known to the public, and the one we thought we knew, seemed serious and extraordinary.

Yet, I didn’t expect this kind and lively side of him.

“He’s more cheerful than I thought.”

“Quite different from our expectations!”

We engaged in light daily conversations for quite a while about first-year school life and what had happened during that time.

“Hehe!”

“Hahaha!”

While we were laughing and chatting, the emoticon on the LED screen smiled joyfully.

“Irene seems really smart! She knows everything and helps explain things well.”

“That’s right. Irene has always been quite mature and kind since she was young.”

The LED screen, which had been flashing with happiness, turned completely dark for a moment.

“And… she has grown up too fast.”

Uncle Orion’s speaker suddenly fell silent.

It seemed he was contemplating that incident where all the relatives had suddenly “retired” to the afterlife.

“In the end, it’s mostly my fault as a pathetic father.”

The camera lens of Stregonics met our gaze.

“You said your name was Violet? Thank you for helping our daughter. I truly appreciate you saving Irene.”

The mechanical body creaked as it stood up and bowed.

“Oh, that’s nothing…”

“And I also thank you for fixing me. As the CEO of our clan, I want to express my gratitude about that too.”

I could only scratch my head at Uncle Orion’s suddenly heavy statements.

“Eh, I helped you just as a friend.”

“There’s no need to say that. From now on, Helios Clan and I will prioritize you no matter what happens.”

What should I say in this situation?

“Alright, let’s ask for some kind of reward!”

I smiled brightly and said.

“Then, please grant me one wish!”

Uncle Orion’s large cyborg body tilted slightly as if to hear my words.

“Speak up. I’ll do my best within what I can…”

I answered.

“Can you make the restaurant food free? It was delicious!”

The clan’s restaurant is buffet style and very tasty.

“That was a wise choice! Free food!”

Shortly after, there was a mechanical sound that seemed flustered.

“Uh… Sure.”

After saying that, I realized my mistake.

“Wait, aren’t we technically part of this place?”

“Right! We are part of the Special Operations Division! The food is supposed to be free!”

Feeling embarrassed, I finished the remaining conversation and left the room.

While coming out of the headquarters, I unexpectedly ran into someone. A neat-looking man in a black suit, the Scholarship Officer.

“Ah! Scholarship Officer! What brings you here?”

“I’m an invited guest. I came to meet Miss Irene’s father.”

Saying that, the Scholarship Officer breezed inside.

“What’s going on?”

“Seems like they’re cooking up some secret plan again.”

While handling delivery, part-time jobs, and various tasks, a group of Violets headed toward the Southern District.

They received a contact from the academy.

“I didn’t think we’d have an interview so soon.”

Violet passed through the main gate of Aegis Academy.

As she walked through the main building and several other structures towards the teacher’s building, she came across a familiar face after a long time.

With a delighted heart, she shouted.

“Sister Adela!”

“Violet!”

As Violet bounced over with open arms, the flowing blonde beauty responded with a hug.

“Congratulations! You’re officially a junior now?”

“Hehe, that’s right!”

The clear eyes of Violet, like red rubies, met Adela’s violet eyes.

In that moment, Violet realized a new fact.

“Wait, does that mean I should call you Senior now instead of Sister?”

“Correct. Shall we try calling me Senior then?”

“Adela Senior!”

Seeing Violet recite clearly, Adela cheered inwardly.

‘To think such a cute and capable child is our junior!’

I heard that she was close to perfect scores in both written and practical exams, and it was clear that this child would become Aegis Academy’s treasure.

‘And she’ll greatly help our family. An Awakened One with rare and powerful unique abilities. Of course.’

She reminded herself that this overwhelming excitement was solely due to official reasons.

While this was happening, Adela suddenly realized she was petting Violet’s head.

“Uh, oh my. How rude of me…”

“I’m fine with it! You can pat my head; I actually like it!”

Violet’s round, friendly eyes looked at her with a smile.

“Then… should I continue?”

“Yes, Senior!”

Adela smiled awkwardly and placed her hand back.

The two girls headed into the teacher’s building like friendly sisters.

“You mentioned you came for an interview, right?”

“Yes!”

The two soon stopped in front of the headmaster’s office.

Adela cleared her throat and began explaining with a kind but slightly strict tone.

“The Headmaster is a kind person. But do show as much courtesy as you can. Did you receive the prior instructions?”

“Yes, I heard everything.”

“There’s no need to worry too much. Your acceptance has already been decided. The Headmaster just wanted to meet you personally out of curiosity about what kind of student you are. Got it?”

Violet knocked on the door to the headmaster’s office and entered.

An elderly man with a kind appearance waiting in the headmaster’s seat spoke.

“Violet Dunhind Rugilinn.”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“I want to start by welcoming you to Aegis Academy.”

Unit 1 contemplated.

“That man looks kinder than that Polaris headmaster!”

Comparing the appearance of the recently beheaded Headmaster Wilbur with the current academy head, Violet concluded.

“He seems like a good person.”

“First impression: pass!”