Chapter 195

Although some violent tactics have been introduced in the procedural execution of duties, the position of ‘Scholarship Officer’ within the Inspection Bureau of the Academy City is quite similar to the title from which it originally derived.

However, given the unique nature of Academy City, their responsibilities require a much broader and more diverse range than the existing education system.

The Scholarship Officers of the Inspection Bureau of Academy City provide advice and guidance on the academy’s field and pursue the ideals of education.

However, the complex reality of Academy City demanded those officers to shoulder even more diverse and extensive responsibilities.

In addition, the special abilities of the Awakened Students and the intervention of clans, large corporations, the military, and criminal organizations have complicated the situation in Academy City over decades.

The internal problems of the academy are gradually becoming more violent.

Clans and corporations interfere with academy operations.

The conflict of influence between the Federal Army and four major clans, using students as pawns within the academy.

The Scholarship Officers and Inspection Bureau staff who attempted to resolve these matters peacefully ended up retiring to another world.

Ultimately, with the authorization to use force, the role of the Inspection Bureau transformed from an administrative agency to an organization with combat power.

Now, the Scholarship Officer had to meet the new era’s demands, requiring not only educational administrative skills but also physical resolution capabilities.

And Seijis was one of the few who could meet that requirement.

“First of all, there’s something important. Why do you want to go to Aegis Academy?”

A cold gaze pierced Violet, sharp enough to feel like it was drilling into her face.

“What should I say?”

“I don’t want to lie!”

As the oppressive atmosphere engulfed Violet, she took a breath, reflecting, and then resolved to answer honestly.

“Yeah, it’s awesome there! It’s prestigious. And Sister Adela is there!”

“Adela?”

As the familiar name reached his ears, his eyes widened.

“What does that mean? When did you meet her?”

“Yeah, I happened to see her twice when I visited last time and at Vittorio Dungeon! She was really nice to me…”

Had she unknowingly visited the Southern District? While she didn’t seem like a witch, Violet’s energy was beyond imagination.

‘I need to ask Lady Adela about this. By the way…’

He met Violet’s gaze.

With soft, plump, pink cheeks and large, bright red eyes.

The Scholarship Officer recalled the personality of an old noble lady who couldn’t resist cute children.

‘Objectively speaking, her appearance fits the type he likes. But… for now, I need to tell Adela to keep her distance from Violet.

The survey results sent by his sister last night were quite significant.

‘The individual intelligence level is low but presumed to be a collective consciousness?’

A scene from a dying world surfaced in his mind.

The clones of a witch, left only with violent instincts, wreaking havoc and terror everywhere.

Their thought processes were crude and simple as a beast, yet the behavioral patterns they exhibited were more varied than those of ghouls.

Mechanical yet intricate actions. Some would hide, others would run, and some would commit murder or cause explosions.

‘Experts said that when I targeted the main body, her consciousness might have split and scattered.’

They simply moved instinctively, but in terms of unpredictability, the dead witch was more troublesome than a living witch.

Let alone the collective consciousness?

The expression of the Scholarship Officer darkened. He didn’t understand why this girl’s unique ability differed from the witch’s cloning ability.

However, if Sophie El’s explanation was correct, then Violet might be even more dangerous than the countless witches.

Even though Violet had inadvertently assisted in his plans, as long as there was a possibility of danger, Seijis couldn’t allow the girl in front of him to act freely.

First, he needed answers.

Feigning indifference, he spoke.

“Then, Violet, explain your unique ability.”

How would this girl react to his question?

He had briefly mentioned it to Sophie El, but that couldn’t be everything.

Surely there were parts she was hiding or concealing.

Then, to his surprise, Violet did something unexpected.

She rummaged through her pocket and pulled something out.

“Yeah, just a second…”

What she placed on the desk was a sheet of paper depicting adorably deformed girls.

“Parallel connected consciousness structure?”

Seijis read the words written on the paper.

Violet grinned and nodded brightly.

“Yeah, we have multiple consciousnesses!”

Excitedly, Violet explained her unique ability.

“Violet Network?”

“For some reason, we have a network and server connecting us! So we decided to call it that.”

As she spoke, Violet activated her unique ability with his permission.

Before he knew it, five Violets began chattering, and Seijis struggled to control his contorted expression.

‘What if that’s not a lie?’

This is an invincible ability. An immortal legion that endlessly multiplies without dying.

If there are no limits to her abilities and magical power, she could one day cover the entire Rustroom Archipelago… or maybe even the entire Trist.

A long-forgotten memory resurfaced.

It was the time he encountered the countless witches.

-Ah, why am I doing all this? Because it’s fun! And I like beautiful things. Do you know what’s the most beautiful thing in the world? It’s me!

In a certain academy, turned to a pool of blood, a witch declared arrogantly.

-So, I’m going to clear away everything ugly that I don’t want to see. And I’ll fill that empty space with my existence. If possible, I want to fill this world with myself!

The witch’s laughter, which should not have reached his ears, echoed in his mind, causing him to shudder for a moment.

‘That witch said the maximum was around ten thousand due to manipulation issues. But if it’s a collective consciousness…’

While Seijis was lost in serious thought, Violet spoke up.

“Um… Do you want to hear more?”

Was she waiting for him to respond? Her expression looked a bit anxious.

The Scholarship Officer asked her.

“Assuming that everything you said about your unique ability is true, why are you telling me all of this?”

His voice carried a hint of suspicion. Seijis approached her directly.

Awakened Ones with unique abilities are rarer than one might think.

So some awakened individuals either hide their unique abilities or only briefly explain them.

Revealing them could lead to being targeted as a weakness.

‘Could it be that she thinks she has no weaknesses? But revealing the reality of her cloning ability is an act that sacrifices secrecy.’

As he put his doubts into words, Violet provided an unexpected answer.

“Well… because you seem like a good person!”

“A good person? What does that mean?”

“Well, you’re the protagonist of this world!”

Unit 1, unable to mention possession and game discussions, quickly searched for an excuse.

“About the last shooting in District 13? You appeared at the end and helped Irene and us! So I think you’re a good person.”

“You could have pretended to do that to deceive others, right?”

“Maybe, but so far, he hasn’t acted badly toward anyone except me. So at least he doesn’t seem to be on the same side as the villains from the Federation or clans.”

Was that her reasoning? A crude basis and emotional logic.

It was a truly simple-minded conclusion.

However, the Scholarship Officer didn’t feel the need to refute it.

Despite the different circumstances with the prestigious western academy and the giant clan, Sophie El reported several notable characteristics.

This girl had a naive and pure attitude toward her friends, indicating she cared deeply for them. Whether that was an act or not, he emphasized that it should be observed over time.

“I see. Got it.”

He quietly nodded.

Although he would need to keep watching for now, this girl certainly seems to be different from the countless witches he remembered.

It would be okay to take a more moderate approach.

‘And with that power… perhaps it could prevent future disasters and correct the world…’

Even after returning with such a slim possibility, unfortunately, he realized how much he still didn’t know.

For instance, he was unaware that such plans were underway at Polaris Academy.

Bitterly, all he knew was the outcome, completely ignorant of the cause.

He could only try to retrace the events based on the results.

‘There’s only one method to prevent problems. Focus on the students in reality and move forward together.’

Having organized his thoughts, Seijis continued to converse with Violet.

“Alright. For now, I’ll believe what you say.”

“Wow, really?”

Feeling she had gained his trust, Violet beamed with joy.

Before the interview ended, Seijis softened his tone a bit and discussed the transfer.

“As I mentioned earlier, transferring to the Southern District through a special transfer isn’t possible. It’s unavoidable due to the rules and procedures.”

“Ugh…”

“However, there’s no issue with the transfer process itself. Since it’s the end of November… it’s about to be the time for transfer exam applications.”

“I hate exams… but I guess I have no choice.”

“Aegis Specialized Academy will likely start applications around this time, too. The exam will be at the end of December. So you should get prepared… this is going to be difficult.”

As Seijis showed the documents related to the transfer, he suddenly felt a pang of awkwardness. Violet’s face displayed a baffled expression as she noticed.

“Why?”

“To take the transfer exam, you need to submit the academic and achievement records from your previous academy. But Polaris Academy was destroyed. So there’s surely nothing left of the internal documents…”

In front of the worried Scholarship Officer, Violet happily replied.

“Oh, that? Don’t worry, Scholarship Officer!”

“…?”

“I’ve prepared everything just in case, including the server and documents! I’ll send them through Sister Sophie El if you ask later!”

The Violets inside the office wore confident expressions as if to ease his worries.

The Scholarship Officer, about to express his relief, suddenly froze.

“I see… that explains why there’s almost nothing left with the employees…”

“Oh, uh-oh?”

Under the immense pressure, Unit 1 and Violet’s faces turned pale.

“After the interview, hand them all over to me. All of it.”

“Y-yes, understood!”

Seeing the terrified girls, the Scholarship Officer let out a small sigh.

‘As expected, it’s too suspicious.’

A firm resolution solidified in Seijis’s mind.

For now, monitoring would be the right approach.