Chapter 90

The warm sunlight greeted Violet 212 as she arrived at the southern district aboard a high-speed train. Savoring the sunlight, Violet 212 purchased a hotdog from an unmanned vending machine and took a bite.

“This is my first time in the southern district.”

“My goodness, it’s a robot!”

Despite moving only a few hundred kilometers, the cityscape had changed dramatically. If the western district resembled an ordinary modern European street, this place looked like futuristic new cities straight out of science fiction movies.

Delivery drones flew across the sky, and sleek robots that rolled around smoothly could be seen on the streets.

Violet wandered through the streets as if she were walking into her own home, fully enjoying what might have been a glimpse of humanity’s future on Trist if they hadn’t encountered monsters.

Even though it was her first visit, familiar places seemed to pop up frequently, making her exclaim, “Ah, here!” and slap her knee.

Shops, restaurants, street trees, and decorations all looked like something she’d seen before.

“Look, there’s that restaurant!”

“Indeed, this street also feels familiar!”

This made sense. These were locations she had explored countless times within the game.

Violet 212’s gaze focused on one direction as she walked down the street.

At the end of this wide street stood clusters of buildings with similar appearances. The soft white walls, steel frames, and full-glass facades formed geometric shapes that gleamed under the sunlight, creating a strikingly futuristic architectural landscape.

This scenery stood out even in this futuristic area.

Violet briefly marveled. Anyone who had played Crimson Scholar would recognize this view.

“We’ve arrived!”

“This is… “

Our destination, the prestigious Awakener Academy of the southern district: Aegis Specialized Academy.

*

As we approached the school, it was time to refresh our pre-merge memories.

We briefly sifted through the cluttered thoughts within the Violet Network. After rummaging through the messy study filled with books left by a lazy librarian, we recalled a few things.

“Damn Yen Min.”

“Even if they couldn’t finish the series, they should’ve released at least parts three or four.”

Crimson Scholar (global service name Crystal Flower) was a game developed by China’s Dragon Sky Interactive™. Originally planned as a five-part open-world game, it unfortunately collapsed due to unforeseen circumstances, and its creator disappeared.

“But, wasn’t it not entirely Yen Min’s fault? Just bad luck, right? Especially involving family…”

“That’s true.”

Violet Unit 2 interjected while whispering with the others, causing everyone to nod in agreement.

Yen Min’s real name was Yan Min. His surname, when read in Korean, sounded like “Yan閻” so he was called Yen Min in Korea.

His name was often chanted during rituals after failing gacha draws. When successful, it became “Yen-da,” and when unsuccessful, it turned into “Yen-byeong.” It was said that the location and movements of his mother depended on the day’s gacha results, truly embodying quantum mechanics.

Though it didn’t rank first in any country, the game company did fairly well overseas, including in Korea, until it suddenly disintegrated for various reasons.

Some criticized sensitive elements within the game, while others claimed it was part of a crackdown aimed at games that caused addiction and reduced productivity.

A more humorous theory suggested it was an attempt to eliminate Chinese otaku men obsessed with young girls by targeting those advocating for tangping (lying flat).

This example illustrates how absurdly the disappearance of a company considered a key player in national cultural exports was perceived.

Of course, the main reason lay elsewhere.

It was the “Ya Hong Group Real Estate Scandal” involving Yen Min’s father, the chairman of a large corporation. This scandal provided enough fuel to erase the indulgences of a second-generation tycoon and otaku enthusiast.

“Honestly, I don’t know much beyond Part II’s prologue, but Part I is clear enough, isn’t it? That should suffice.”

“…That’s true.”

In reality, knowing wouldn’t make much difference since the student in question isn’t even from our school, and some haven’t even enrolled yet, given that it’s five years ahead.

After organizing my thoughts, I headed toward the entrance of Aegis Academy, one of the main settings in Part I. It’s also where Irene transferred after Polaris’ massive experiment destroyed the school.

“…Isn’t Lucian supposed to attend here?”

“Yes, you’re right!”

Approaching the gate, students could be seen going about their business. Their uniforms were modern and sophisticated, as expected from a good school.

“Would we see that guy? He’s the Student Council President now, right?”

“Well, being the president, it doesn’t seem easy to meet him.”

We murmured with mixed anticipation and concern.

Prior to arriving, I prepared for Violet-style requisition—what the world calls theft—by researching the school’s geography and personnel composition.

Although publicly available information lacked detail,

I luckily found someone familiar while reviewing the student council list.

“Adela! She’s here!”

“She was still a student back then.”

A five-star playable character from Aegis Academy is currently present. And she’s none other than the Student Council President.

“It would be great to meet her.”

“No, we’re not here to play around. Let’s verify if our intel is correct.”

“Got it.”

Violet 212 lightly touched the wall surrounding the academy.

Attempting to project magic beyond the wall, her clone creation ability was blocked as if hitting an invisible barrier, just like Professor Albert’s test long ago.

“As expected, this method doesn’t work.”

“A barrier. Impressive security for a top-tier academy.”

This was somewhat anticipated. Aegis Specialized Academy has defensive barriers to prevent external attacks and suppress Gate creation. Only great villains can penetrate such defenses, consistent with both pre-merge memories and current knowledge.

Does this mean the Violets’ journey for Crystal Flowers ends here? Not quite. Every security system has flaws, and entering through the front gate is easier than scaling the wall.

“We’re running late. Let’s hurry!”

Encouraged by the others, Violet headed towards the crowd near the entrance where a guide holding a placard awaited visitors.

Most participants in the tour were young students, including some slightly younger than me.

“Alright! We’re about to start!”

Once everyone gathered, the guide confirmed the count and distributed visitor badges.

Aegis Academy offers group tours for outsiders, primarily tourists and prospective students.

This method would allow us to enter without suspicion.

“Cleared!”

“Good. Create clones when there’s an opening.”

Pretending to be an innocent girl, I safely passed the vigilant guards’ inspections and surveillance systems.

Through my magic-enhanced eyes, I observed complex symbols and flows of magical energy woven throughout the surroundings. Any suspicious magical activity would trigger an emergency alarm immediately.

“Glad we didn’t try using recognition-disruption equipment to enter through the gate. That would’ve been risky.”

“Absolutely. That was a gamble no matter how you look at it.”

After the guard swiped their card and opened the gate, we finally entered. A whole new world unfolded before us.

“Wow…”

The campus of Aegis Academy was remarkably refined. While Polaris’ architecture featured grand neoclassical designs, this place felt modern and sleek, fitting for a prestigious institution. The students’ pristine white uniforms were elegant and attractive.

“Indeed, this looks like a protagonist-worthy academy…”

“I want to transfer here!”

Dreaming about such a place, I snapped back to reality. Time to get to work.

Following the guide, I excused myself to use the restroom and slipped away, creating a clone.

“Alright, let’s get to work quickly. I checked, and there’s no surveillance magic inside.”

“They’re surprisingly clumsy.”

Upon hearing Unit 212’s explanation, Units 156 and 230 nodded and disguised themselves after charging their recognition-disruption necklaces with magic. Through Unit 200’s vision, their appearances transformed strangely.

“We’ve tested this a few times, but it still feels awkward every time. If we weren’t connected, they’d think we were strangers.”

The recognition-disruption device has two effects. First, it distorts light to make the wearer less noticeable to observers. Additionally, it emits waves affecting perception, making people overlook them as if they were rocks or trees on the roadside.

As evident from pedestrians avoiding us, the device doesn’t render us invisible but makes us appear insignificant.

“This is indeed effective.”

“Be careful; physical contact might temporarily cancel the effect.”

The Violets carefully moved toward the academy’s gardens and forests. Among strange two-dimensional plants and unknown herbs, the expected number of Crystal Flowers grew, radiating detectable magical energy. Tempting as it was to pluck and eat them immediately, we refrained.

“Touching them would alert the guards.”

“We need to wait until midnight. Don’t forget the operation starts then!”

Surveillance cameras monitored the area. Now wasn’t the time to act.

After confirming the Crystal Flowers’ locations, the Violets headed to secluded spots within the school. They created clones within vents and tunnels, leaving some motionless as if dead.

“Let’s begin the operation at midnight.”

For this mission, we plan to test our newly acquired abilities gained from enhanced Unique Abilities. Specifically, the ‘Hibernation’ ability.

Previously, each clone creation included a full personality.

However, using Hibernation after creating a clone allows the consciousness to leave the body, returning to the Violet Network. The body enters a lifeless state, neither breathing nor having a heartbeat, capable of enduring over 24 hours without food.

If needed, we can instantly return consciousness to the body and monitor its condition remotely. Properly utilized, we could store numerous bodies for later use.

While the supply requisition team waited, Violet 212 continued the tour with the guide. Most participants were young students, looking around with admiration and respect.

Suddenly, a female student approached the guide.

“Can I help guide these young students?”

“No, it’s unnecessary…”

After exchanging a few words with the guide, she approached us.

“Who is she?”

“Probably a student here…”

Amidst the participants’ curious murmurs, the female student elegantly walked toward us.

Seeing her closely, I couldn’t help but marvel again after Daphne.

“Wow, she’s beautiful…”

Hearing my comment, she approached me, causing me to flinch momentarily.

This person is the one I know! What are the odds?

With curiosity sparkling in her eyes, she approached me silently and stared intently.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

While pondering, she smiled gently and spoke.

“Oh my, how cute! What’s your name?”

“Eh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I froze.

Thus began the peculiar first encounter between Violet 212 and Aegis Academy’s Student Council President, Adela.