Chapter 81

The next day, Violet visited the Administration Office.

“By the way, when are we stealing the exam papers?”

“What are you talking about? You know it’s not going to happen.”

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

We just had to spread our books out and copy, no need to take unnecessary risks.

In the worst-case scenario (let’s assume there’s a curse that kills you for failing the exam), we could just set fire to the storage location of the exam papers and reset our grades.

“The storage for exam papers is usually secured with multiple layers of protection. There’s no need to take risks.”

Back when I worked in the Administration Office in my previous life, the management of exam papers was quite strict.

First, you’d put them in an envelope and seal it with a sticker, then put that envelope back into a drawer and lock it for a second seal.

The drawers for storing exam papers are kept in a windowless room inside the staff office. I figured the security here wouldn’t be much different.

Nevertheless, I needed to get access to the administration system eventually.

Currently, I came here under the pretense of needing a Certificate of Enrollment.

As soon as I stepped inside, the atmosphere of the Administration Office was as gloomy as a failing company office. The employees were polar opposites: either working like crazy or doing absolutely nothing.

“Here it is…”

The employee moved sluggishly as if he had eaten a slug and finally managed to print the certificate.

“Is it always this slow? Back in my day, I’d get it in about five minutes.”

“This isn’t the same Administration Office we used to work at, is it? Just deal with it.”

Receiving the Certificate of Enrollment, I began to glance around the office. I thought about what benefits I could gain if I infiltrated this place.

“Don’t they hire interns here?”

“Who knows.”

Whenever I had some spare time, I brainstormed with the other Violets, but it seemed that just physically destroying the academy wouldn’t be enough.

I needed to access internal secrets and embezzle money to leave them broke.

“Let’s just keep thinking about it for now. We have things to do, right?”

“Right. Today, let’s start with the Underground Facility and see what we can do!”

As soon as we stepped out of the office, Violet 145 signaled to Violet 176.

Currently, Violet 176 had infiltrated a corner of the academy’s Underground Research Facility, suspected to be the electrical room. Just like last time when we set a fire, she was poking around the electrical equipment.

“Is this the right place?”

“It should be. Get ready.”

Violet 176 opened the power distribution panels. We didn’t have electrical engineering knowledge, but hitting things to break them wasn’t hard at all.

“Let’s go!”

A water bottle appeared in 176’s hand. Violet began moving between the distribution panels, evenly spraying water.

-Crackling!

Before long, small plumes of smoke began rising everywhere, and sparks flew from inside the distribution panels. The ceiling lights flickered noisily, plunging the underground facility into darkness.

“What’s the response over there?”

“Hehe! Listen to this! It’s so beautiful, it’s making me giddy!”

176 shared the auditory experience from 186, who was monitoring the researchers. We couldn’t help but laugh.

-Ah! I’m going crazy! I haven’t saved yet!

-What the hell! I’m in the middle of a calculation… why now of all times!?

Our little experiment yielded amusing results.

The screams of researchers ruining their critical work were clearly audible. Who knew a simple water gun could turn people violent? This was thrilling!

“We can control people’s minds! Haha!”

A while later, did the backup power facility activate, as the lights turned back on? We heard hurried footsteps headed toward the electrical room. Of course, 176 had already tidied up and was long gone.

“Looks like we could delay their research with just this much.”

“Not really. Given how quickly the electricity came back, they must be well-prepared.”

The Violets discussed the effect of our minor sabotage. Unless we buried this place with explosives, it seemed more like a temporary measure.

“What should we spray next? Saltwater? When will we be ready with the bombs?”

“Just getting the bombs isn’t the end of it. We need to devise a solid operational plan and execute it correctly.”

“Got it!”

As I pondered what to definitively break and ruin, I knew that once we had the information sorted, we’d need to put together a massive plan as soon as possible.

What kind of mess shall we create next?

“Manager Leslie should be bringing in some decent intel soon.”

“I also need to get more cars and motorcycles.”

While walking around the campus and brainstorming ideas, I crossed paths with a girl with braided hair tied with a red ribbon.

“…Ah, hey. Violet.”

“Lina! Good to see you. Where are you headed?”

Lina was dragging a bag that could rival a cello case behind her.

“Yeah, I’m off to shooting practice.”

“Shooting?”

Oh right, of course, there was a shooting range at this academy too. Why had I never gone there before?

“Well, we’ve always trained in real combat, right?”

“A target? Do we really need something like that?”

Thinking back, I realized I had shot more at people and monsters than at target boards. Since there was some time left before the next operation, I thought I might as well check it out.

“Lina, can I tag along?”

“Tag along…?”

“I’m thinking of practicing long-distance weaponry too! Could you show me the shooting range?”

“Oh, alright.”

For some reason, Lina looked at me as if she was a bit scared.

Anyway, I entered the shooting range.

The shooting range was divided into indoor and outdoor sections, with students training earnestly while holding various firearms, crossbows, and bows.

Unfortunately, there was only one spot open. As Lina walked over to that spot, another student who arrived later tried to pick a fight.

“Hey, I was saving that spot, you know? Aren’t you moving?”

“I was here first…”

Did Lina seem submissive, or was that just my imagination? The student pressed on, acting brazenly.

I stepped in to calm down the spat.

“Hey, wanna take a moment to chill and talk this out?”

The student who had been bothering Lina looked at me and hesitated.

“Uh, what’s your name…?”

“Violet, why?”

“Violet? Then…! Sorry, I’ll just go!”

As soon as I revealed my name, the guy hurried out of the shooting range.

“What’s with him?”

“Maybe it’s because of the rumors. About that duel.”

“Oh, I see.”

It seemed my reputation had spread following the last duel.

“I heard you cut off a senior’s limbs inside the duel arena… and that he wet himself as soon as it ended. Not that I think that’s true…!”

It wasn’t exactly a reputation; it was more of a notoriety.

What could this absurd rumor be based on? I simply fought hard and won.

Just like last time, it seemed several people recognized me. I supposed my bright red eyes and striking looks were hard to forget.

“Are… are you not going to try shooting, Violet?”

“I’ll just watch!”

Lina hesitated but quietly opened her case. Inside was a large crossbow, divided into several parts. She began pulling out the pieces to assemble the crossbow.

“That’s not a crossbow; that’s a ballista! Look at the size.”

Once Lina finished assembling the crossbow, she fiddled with the parts and began shooting. The range’s targets varied from monster-shaped ones to human-shaped ones.

It was quite a sight to see her shooting a crossbow that was bigger than her body.

“You seem to practice shooting quite frequently?”

“Well, that’s my specialty. And after this test, the first years will be off for experiential learning. I have to, um, prepare for it.”

“Experiential learning? When did that happen?”

When Lina mentioned that, I tilted my head in confusion, but a signal came in.

“Hey, it’s about time to start. Let’s see how effective this is.”

While Lina shot, I glanced outside. I mentally counted—one, two, three.

The lights of the shooting range went out.

“How’s the effect?”

“The power went out. I wonder if this was a proper transformer?”

“The Student Council Building is fine.”

That was a little disappointing.

“I’m heading out!”

“What, already?”

Before Lina could say anything, I left the spot. I wondered what I should do next.

*

I think I just had a weird dream.

“By the way, did you hear what Lina said? Experiential learning.”

“Are we really going to a place like a dungeon?”

I had no idea what kind of school would be this wild. It was busy, indeed.