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The first experiment of the Violet Network conducted at the Violet Research Laboratory.

Our first attempt, filled with our desires and curiosity for the advancement of science, yielded shocking results.

“…No, the way they’re talking… why do they keep doing this! Uggyaaa! Hyaaaak!”

What on earth was the problem?

The result of the first attempt to connect to the Violet Network was the sight of Uncle Yurik, talking and acting like us.

“Whoa! Uncle is talking like us!”

“Did Uncle become a Violet too?”

Questions sprouted instantly.

The doubts spreading like mold were swiftly suppressed by Unit 1.

“Not at all! Uncle Yurik isn’t a pretty girl! He’s a totally old dude!”

“Right? Ugh!”

Thinking back now, it can’t be anything but a horrific outcome. An Uncle in his thirties acting like us!

I’d rather see Bernike in a school uniform instead.

At least she’s a girl.

“Uggya! Hyaak!”

In shock, the Uncle, who was having spasms, eventually noticed our and Professor’s reactions, shutting his mouth forcefully, but kept letting out Violet-like screams without even realizing it.

Professor Albert, who couldn’t bear to watch, extended his index and middle fingers and made a horizontal line in the air.

“Haah… Doctor, may I interrupt for a moment?”

Uncle’s lips were now fixed like they were glued, not budging at all.

“Here’s a tablet. It might be better to communicate in writing. Now, express your thoughts.”

Uncle wiped his face as if drying sweat and began tapping the tablet.

[Yes, that works. It seems writing doesn’t have any particular effect.]

Confirming the response, the professor let out a short click of his tongue and adjusted his glasses.

“Doctor, could you explain the vibration phase of the Ether wave and the mechanism of interference pattern formation of the Ether field?”

Uncle scratched his head and immediately tapped at the monitor. Soon, answers filled the screen densely.

[-When the vibration phases of Ether waves synchronize, a stable interference pattern is formed in the Ether field. This is because the vibrations of individual Ether particles cause reinforcing interference, creating a regular energy distribution. Conversely, when the vibration phases are misaligned, destructive interference prevails, causing irregular energy distribution in the Ether field and exhibiting distorted patterns.]

After exchanging a few questions, the professor’s once-stiff expression gradually relaxed.

“You can rest easy; it doesn’t seem like your memory or intelligence have transformed into that of a Violet. Your judgment and perception, the language you use, are all that of an ordinary man in his thirties… So where could the problem be?”

[It seems it could be in the language center. However, given that writing poses no issue, only the spoken language part seems to be restricted.]

Listening to the conversation between the two, I felt a bit offended. What’s so bad about intelligence changing to be like ours?

“We’re geniuses!”

“Exactly!”

Anyway, I’ve grasped the situation to some extent. I should ask the professor questions for clearer understanding.

“Then, Professor, why did Uncle show such strange symptoms earlier?”

“It’s the unique properties of the Violet Network affecting the Doctor. There could be various guesses as to the reason. Firstly, your network contains an enormous amount of information. Just attempting to observe that could impose a significant burden on an ordinary human brain, which likely resulted in an information overload.”

“Information overload?”

“The nature of your network is still in a hypothetical stage, but a space where thousands of people exchange information simultaneously must undoubtedly be overflowing with vast data. Imagine, like a pipe flowing with high-pressure liquid. What happens if a sudden hole appears? The contents inside the pipe would burst out under immense pressure. That force would be too strong for an individual to bear.”

[In addition to the overwhelming amount of information, we should also consider another possibility: the existence of the Apostle we absorbed earlier. Could it be that the network itself has a one-sided ability to engulf those who connect to it?]

“Like digestive juices or the immune system, huh? I’m not sure if that’s an appropriate analogy, but it could work that way.”

Oh, so we could use our network as a kind of attack tool?

Simply by connecting, we might break down someone’s mind or assimilate them into our Violets.

Why on earth did I only realize this interesting possibility not on the day we absorbed the Apostle, but now?

“Of course, all of this is still just a hypothesis. Nonetheless, it’s somewhat reassuring that you didn’t completely get engulfed and mutated into a Violet like the Apostle. Maybe it was because the experimental equipment we used was too simple. But one thing’s for sure: there must be a safe way to access the network.”

Suddenly, a thought popped into my head, and I asked.

“So, how long will Uncle have to stay in that state?”

“I used a few magical measures just a moment ago. It’s only a problem with language usage, so it’ll be resolved soon.”

As he said, by the time the sun began to set, Uncle’s language ability returned to normal.

“Finally, got it back…!”

“Wow, Uncle is back to normal!”

Watching that, one Violet came up with a funny comment.

“If someone saw Uncle squealing like that earlier, they would find it hilarious!”

It seemed like they recorded the experiment video a moment ago; it would be fun to tease later.

**

While the bizarre human experimentation study was in full swing, the other Violets examined our brave Tank friend.

“Tank! How’s it going?”

Thickly-armored technicians approached with tools that seemed like a combination of welding machines and fire hoses.

As something hissed out from the tool’s end, small sparks flew from the surface of the armor.

The rust and strange impurities stuck on the massive body that had spent a long time in the dungeon were peeling off one by one.

The smoothed armor gleamed under the light.

“Hmm, it feels like the old grime is being washed away. It’s somewhat like taking a bath. It doesn’t feel bad, but it’s hard to get used to.”

Currently, Rugilinn’s Tank was in a private maintenance shop in the west.

It was a place often visited by clans operating large machinery or tanks.

Now in the west, the federal army had withdrawn all its fleets except for a few mobile units, so as long as one hid well, bringing in a Super Medium Tank wouldn’t pose any particular problem.

“I thought this would be a place I could trust enough. How’s the field looking?”

“Yeah! The fairy is satisfied! Now, Tank! Come out!”

I snapped my fingers. There was no issue since the people had stopped working and went for a quick break.

Soon, Rugilinn’s Tank appeared in the air.

“Hello. I am Rugilinn’s Tank. Nice to meet you, Student.”

Even with the sudden appearance of a tank fairy, Irene remained indifferent.

More precisely, she seemed to be trying hard to maintain her indifference.

Because after witnessing it with her own eyes, she looked as surprised as a girl who just spotted a rainbow unicorn from a fantasy.

Of course, there were other reasons for her surprise.

“I can’t believe it… how could… such an artificial consciousness…!”

As soon as Irene saw the Tank, she reacted sharply.

She scanned the surroundings with keen senses as if she didn’t want those around her to see.

“What trick did you use to summon this child here?”

“Huh? I guess I didn’t explain it clearly! There’s a way to avoid people’s sight. While transporting the tank to the west, I discovered quite an interesting trick. Tank, go back in!”

“Got it.”

With a snap of my fingers, a fascinating phenomenon happened. Rugilinn’s Tank emitted a faint light and vanished.

“It disappeared… So, this is how it appeared.”

“I told you. Rugilinn’s Tank is a fairy! Being a fairy means she can naturally hide or conceal her appearance.”

Furthermore, the body of the Tank was just a metal body that had just finished shedding its rust.

Though she seemed reluctant, she hadn’t tried any fire experiments, but I thought shooting at a human form wouldn’t cause any pain or strikes.

“Technically, there’s a specific term to refer to this child. She’s a Fusion Creature, right? According to the Federal Army’s monster identification codes, she’s coded Psi. She falls under energy lifeforms or phase-shifting entities. To be more precise, you could refer to her as code Gamma-Kai 3-Psi-Omicron.”

“But she has a human form. And she doesn’t hold any ill will towards humans! So she’s not a monster. She’s our friend from the Violets, a fairy! If she’s a monster, then so are we!”

“Your point isn’t wrong.”

I remembered something a professor had said back at the academy.

There had been discussions in academic circles suggesting that Awakened Ones could also be classified as a type of monster.

In any case, Irene’s argument had its merits.

As I contemplated that, a sudden thunderous noise resonated.

The source of the commotion was the massive tank chassis sitting before us.

The giant body, bound by chains, shook as if there were an earthquake, causing the technicians at work to flinch and take a step back.

“Tank?”

“No! I’m not a monster! That filthy purple-headed girl! I’ll rip her mouth apart!”

“…What’s going on?”

“Violet! Tell that girl directly! I’m not a monster; I’m a human! Right now!”

“The Tank of Rugilinn is angry. He’s telling Irene that he is a human, not a monster.”

“This is a disgrace to the proud armored forces of the Federal Army! I need an apology!”

Once again, the tank trembled violently.

Irene’s expression grew serious, perhaps feeling awkward.

She slowly approached the tank, placing her hand on the armor plating.

“I’m sorry. Rugilinn’s Tank. I think I misunderstood since I saw you for the first time today. You are indeed human.”

Once again, light flashed, and the Tank revealed itself. The little girl in military uniform crossed her arms and glared angrily.

“Did you get it now? I’m a human! Not a monster. Got it?”

“I apologize. I was too rash.”

The Tank puffed out her cheeks in annoyance and vanished again.

“…She seems to have her circumstances. Do you know anything?”

Irene asked. I could only shake my head.

“I don’t know! Why is she acting like that?”

That fairy seems to be a bit tricky to handle.

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