The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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From the early morning of the next day, we moved diligently.

As I woke up in the dormitory, I simultaneously awoke in a shabby motel in the far southwest region.

– It’s good that if one wakes up, the other can easily wake up too. –

– It’s strange, but when one is asleep, the other can move separately. –

Living as clones sharing each other’s emotions and senses is a peculiar sensation I had never felt before my possession. Having multiple clones scatter and move in all directions is similar to moving troops in a strategy simulation.

However, each of those troops is ‘me.’ It’s perceived that ‘I’ am scattered and moving from hundreds of meters to hundreds of kilometers away. Even now, having gotten used to using my ability, it still feels alien.

“I’m off!”

“Take care!”

While the Tenth Clone set off for Novaastia Mine, the Eleventh Clone boarded a high-speed train heading to the Central District. The goal was the Ospri Brotherhood’s office in the outskirts of the Central Area where Kalia lives.

– What are you going to do? Should we run a dungeon? Or should we take on a request? –

– Just do part-time work at a convenience store. Requests related to the Gates in the Central Area or dungeon raids are too much for our current level. –

– Don’t forget you’re a spare life and a teleport marker! –

As long as the appropriate calories are continuously supplied, clones will persist unless they suffer fatal injuries. Additionally, as long as mana permits, clones can be continually created.

With this point in mind, we decided to spread ourselves widely throughout the academy city.

– Don’t forget to create a clone whenever there’s some spare time! –

We plan to ask Kalia and the Brotherhood members to rent a nearby empty warehouse and create the Violet Barracks. The gathered Violets will either be deployed to dungeons or scatter one by one to establish bases.

“Ugh, while some just eat and play, or daze away in classrooms, I’m stuck working hard…”

The Tenth Clone grumbled as it returned to the dungeon from yesterday.

– Don’t worry! You confirmed your unique ability has grown last night. We’ll switch consciousness on time. –

Other Violets comforted the Tenth Clone.

In our journey to obtain the inventory yesterday, we experienced numerous battles. Perhaps due to continuously using the clone ability throughout the process, the level of Clone Technique increased. And a new ability emerged that had never existed before.

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[Dynamic-Consciousness/Identity-linked Clone Technique Lv2]

└ Mutual consciousness transfer between each clone’s body is now possible.

└ A single clone’s pain and other sensations can be dispersed to other clones depending on the choice to mitigate.

The degree of sensation mitigation is proportional to the number of clones.

└ Sensation dispersion degree: Up to 2-5% can be dispersed per individual based on the number of clones.

* It’s impossible to further divide the sensations dispersed from one body.

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One is the transfer of consciousness between clones. Now each clone can exchange consciousness with each other’s body. This could easily be tried out. However, the other aspect didn’t quite make sense.

“Dispersion of sensations? That’s an ability we already have.”

“It says ‘mitigation.’ Doesn’t it mean the pain reduces based on our numbers?”

We needed to test it once.

The critical issue with the clones is that we all feel pain equally. Even when fighting in an synchronized manner, if one suffers a severe injury, the connection among the clones quickly breaks.

– Before we enter class, let’s cover one thing. What if it hurts? –

– Just sit in the back, and if it gets tough, head to the restroom. Besides a few classes, there’s no reason to pay attention anyway. –

The Seventh Clone began attending the first morning class.

“The mechanism through which ether acts on biological cells is… quite complex… So there is still little that is known, but…”

While the boring class continued, the others passed through the checkpoint from yesterday and entered the Novaastia Dungeon. We once again faced off against a horde of monsters to test our new abilities.

“Charge! Charge!”

“…Alright! I’m going in!”

The Fourth Clone leaped into the midst of the Scrags with arms outstretched. Immediately, a Scrag’s spear pierced the Fourth Clone’s abdomen.

“Hyah!”

Searing pain swept through us all, regardless of distance. We activated our abilities, hoping things would improve even slightly.

[The pain perceived by the entity is dispersed among the number of clones, mitigating the sensation – Mitigation level: 5%]

“Ugh… huh? It feels a bit better than before!”

The Fourth Clone, appearing puzzled, raised its weapon. Surprisingly, the pain it felt had significantly diminished.

What had once been burning pain now felt like someone was tightly pressing down on the stomach. Free from pain, the Fourth Clone swung a hammer to strike a Scrag’s head.

After the battle, the Fourth Clone pulled out the spear lodged in its abdomen without hesitation.

“Now, it hurts less! Ugh… my vision is going dark…”

“What are you doing pulling it out like that! You’re bleeding too much. Let’s regenerate quickly.”

We faced some more battles afterward. Eventually, we even tried scratching our arms and legs with knives.

“Pain is definitely reduced. But doesn’t it feel weird?”

The Second Clone pointed out.

“It used to feel like when one clone was hurt, the pain was shared. So when that clone disappeared, the pain also vanished immediately.”

“But dispersing pain feels different; it’s like the pain from the clones comes directly to me.”

“I see! So even if the injured one regenerates, the pain from the injured area continues to faintly linger in the others.”

We had a brief discussion.

“So, if we get hit by a large area attack or if too many get hurt, it won’t be much help.”

“Then we need to run away.”

Regardless of how it turned out, it seems that unlike before, if one got hurt, the other clones wouldn’t be writhing in pain as well.

“Then, the role of the Eleventh Clone going to the Central Area is extremely important.”

“Right, right.”

We realized another necessity to continue increasing our numbers.

In the distance, we saw another horde of Scrags lurking around. The Violets charged once more.

“Let’s go!”

“I’m not scared of pain anymore!”

Without hesitation, we faced our enemies. Now we could fight without crying even in a severely injured state.

“Look! I lost a leg. I’ll regenerate!”

“I can’t see in front of me! Ehehehe…”

“Be careful. Even if you get half your mana back when you regenerate, don’t forget there’s a limit to total mana.”

We fought like enthusiastic warriors. As we battled, lunchtime arrived, and we took a break to regroup.

“Why am I so tired? I definitely died then regenerated.”

“I feel less pain than yesterday, but I’m somehow worn out…”

Now it was bearable even if our fingers were ripped off, we got hit by spear tips, or limbs flew off from blasts. Even when we suffered severe injuries, if we regenerated afterward, all the wounds and fatigue disappeared.

However, things were starting to feel tedious. My head felt like a muddy swamp.

“Why am I so tired?”

Was it because of the unique gray atmosphere of the Novaastia Dungeon?

After searching for a safe area, we prepared to eat lunch. The clone received sandwiches purchased from the school’s shop, but no one had an appetite. Everyone seemed drained.

– Hey, everyone! Check your inventory! I think it’s too heavy, so it didn’t transfer! –

It seemed the Eleventh Clone who arrived at the Central Area bought something strange. When we pulled out objects from the inventory, we saw cans filled with ice in an ice box.

“Beer!”

The Fifth Clone lifted up a can of beer. The cold surface was covered with beads of condensation. When the lid was opened, steam erupted, and a fine white mist rose up. Without hesitation, it took a swig.

“Ahh!”

“It’s delicious!”

The cold and bitter beer slid down our throats, chasing away tiredness. When thirteen of us poured the beer down, the refreshing sensation amplified as if it would burst. Even the two Violets waiting inside the school felt like they were drinking beer, even though they were just drinking water.

We marveled at drinking cold canned beer in the dungeon.

– Eleventh Clone! Where did you get all this? –

– It looked refreshing at a nearby stall, so I bought it all and sent it! How is it? –

– It’s the best! –

Everyone’s mood lifted with the unexpected beer party. It seems we should use the inventory like this from now on. More beer! More alcohol!

– Eleventh Clone! Let me know when you secure the hideout later! –

– Okay! –

Revitalized, we continued our hunt.

Meanwhile, while the dungeon team was busy with automatic hunting and the school team was just attending classes, the Eleventh Clone headed towards a familiar place on the outskirts of the Central District. The late afternoon sunlight cast yellow hues on the multi-family houses and deserted alleyways. Walking through the streets, a shabby building with a familiar look came into sight. Although it hadn’t even been two weeks since I left, it felt nostalgic to be back.

“Kalia! I’m here!”

As I pressed the doorbell, footsteps could be heard from inside. A moment later, with rusty hinges creaking, the door opened, revealing a petite girl with a pink bob haircut dressed for going out.

“Wow, Violet! You really came back like you said? Didn’t school just start for you?”

“That’s right! I’ll explain why I’m here later. But isn’t Kalia going to school?”

“Me? Today’s class ended quickly. Just come inside.”

A short while later, in the living room, I explained quite a bit about my abilities to Kalia. Since we were both escapees from the same laboratory, I felt she would believe me to this extent.

After listening to my explanation, she clutched her head.

“So, the you here is Violet, but you’re a clone? That means you’re many now? Your clones were puppets without will, right? What is this absurdity…”

“I understand it’s difficult. But still, I became many. This is reality!”

As she clicked her tongue and declared she couldn’t understand, I showed her two clones I had brought from the dungeon while repeating my explanation. After repeating my explanation about two times, she slowly began to show signs of understanding.

“You’ve divided into several, but you’re all connected. Am I understanding this correctly?”

“Probably.”

“That would make sense.”

“That’s right!”

As the three of us answered in succession, she waved her hands in opposition.

“Hey! Can you all just keep quiet? Answer one at a time. It’s dizzying seeing a bunch of girls who look exactly the same…”

“Here’s some water!”

She gulped down a glass of water. After pondering for a while with her mouth clamped shut, Kalia opened her mouth with a more cautious tone.

“Your unique ability principle? Now I don’t care! But I have one question I want to ask. You have to answer it.”

“What is it?”

“Are the three of you here, and the others in other places, the Violets who escaped with me?”

“That’s right! That’s the Violet!”

“Want to confirm?”

We all stood up and eagerly recounted what happened at the laboratory. Kalia, listening, waved her hand to stop us.

“Ow, my head… I told you to speak one at a time.”

“Sorry.”

“I guess the Violet I know is probably correct.”

It was fortunate that I didn’t mention that I had died and my unique ability awakened.

After some back and forth, we got to the main point of the discussion with Kalia.

“Whatever the case, it’s nice to see you again after a long time. But Violet, why did you come back all the way out here? You mentioned you had something you wanted to say.”

“It’s nothing special! Just help me find an empty building around here and a truck or two! I have money!”

“A warehouse? A truck? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I heard there are people among the Brotherhood who do vehicle repairs or real estate brokering. It’s not impossible, right?”

Personally, I thought it was entirely possible. Before transforming into a violent organization, the Ospri Brotherhood was just a vigilante group made up of construction workers, local business owners, and lower-tier hunters.

Kalia thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hand, and then responded.

“Well, it’s not impossible. If I contact the Brotherhood members or other acquaintances, I can probably find what you’re looking for. It might take a few days though. Is that alright?”

“That’s enough!”

She grabbed her smartphone and began calling several people. In the midst of the calls, she also asked me what I wanted.

“It doesn’t matter if the car is used, but make it a truck! If possible, get a large one, and for the building, it just has to be around here. I’ll take care of the rest!”

After several calls ended, Kalia informed me that she could take me to see the things I was looking for in three days.

“Got it! Thank you!”

“Just to be sure, you’re not planning anything strange, right?”

“No! What I’m planning is purely a legitimate business. And…”

I cautiously touched on Kalia and the Brotherhood’s sensitive issues.

“I heard that you still haven’t found Kalia’s uncle. I’ve heard it costs a lot of money hiring people to search…”

Her expression darkened. Kalia quickly tried to dismiss my suggestion with a serious look.

“Violet, that’s something for the Brotherhood to handle. It could be really dangerous.”

“But! I want to help Kalia too!”

“Me too! Me too!”

The three Violets clung around where Kalia was sitting, all clamoring eagerly. In the end, Kalia declared her surrender.

“Ugh! Fine! Fine! Okay, it’s nice to help. But don’t do anything dangerous! Got it?”

“Okay! But Kalia, you have to help me too!”

We giggled and laughed. I intended to help Kalia. However, all I could do was provide money or something along those lines. Since I didn’t know where Kalia’s uncle, the leader of the Ospri Brotherhood, was, there was nothing more I could do.

With a defeated look, Kalia shook her head.

“Seriously, it feels like I’m raising a puppy…”

Looking down while sitting on the sofa, I felt she was definitely taller than me. She must be around 170cm tall.

As she turned to leave, she looked back at us. For a moment, she gazed at us blankly before breaking into a small smile. Her long, elastic arms reached above one of our heads.

“Uheek?”

Her long, slender fingers gently brushed over my head. She suddenly patted my head.

But why didn’t it feel unpleasant?

“Uh… what was that? Anyway, I’m going grocery shopping, so stay put and don’t go out!”

“Got it! Bring back pizza when you come!”

Kalia left the house with a dazed expression.

Well, if it’s good, it’s good. I felt good even after she patted my head.

I sprawled on the sofa.

Far away, another me was still diligently attending afternoon classes.

– Good job! –

– Ugh… –