The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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I carefully examined the syringes resting in my palm.

The contents within shimmered with a mystical rainbow hue under the light.

These were pilfered by the brave and daring Violet mice while the Patent Beheading Squad carried out an information confiscation procedure.

A few were handed over to the Inspection Bureau, and the rest we decided to use ourselves.

It’s a shame that they can’t be replicated, but with about three or so in stock, we can use them when it’s really urgent.

“Information incineration is scary!”

At 2122’s statement, the other Violets nodded in agreement. Truly, it was said that the Vanguard and Steel Guard were elite forces, and their reputation was not unfounded.

The Foundation’s Patent Beheading Squad is a bunch of lunatics.

Whenever they discover any technology or artifact that might irritate the Foundation, they unleash ridiculous claims that someone violated their patents or copied their tech and turn businesses or academic institutions upside down.

“Did you say you found nothing?”

In response to my question, 5564 answered,

“Yep, it all flew away.”

Well, according to what I heard from Older Sister Sophie, it seems that nobody who entered afterward found even a single clue.

Neither books nor electronic devices had been preserved.

Even if one employed methods to read the memories of the space, they would never find it.

Those guys have a special ability to erase all information from the entire area.

Suddenly, I remembered that the intellectual property enforcement can also apply to people.

Awakened Ones with unique abilities who operate freely without being affiliated with a specific academy or clan could be at risk of being abducted by them.

Wasn’t this called human asset sealing?

“Well, we belong to Aegis Academy!”

I sighed in relief.

“If we hadn’t been part of an academy, we might have been snatched away right away.”

Of course, that was just a hypothesis for now.

But one reason we’re trying to keep our identities hidden and act cautiously is precisely because of thugs like them.

The Rumyx Foundation tends to seal and monopolize everything they deem hazardous based on their own criteria.

“Wait a minute, then what about Restraid’s Apostle research? What about Magnavis’s hive mind project?”

Suddenly, 5564 raised a question. Are those safe?

“Don’t be silly! They’re one of the Four Great Clans. They’re allies and strong, so there’s no way they’d touch them.”

“Oh, I see!”

Only picking on the weak, what a despicable bunch they are.

However, even the perilous agents of the Foundation cannot escape the eyes and ears of our Violets.

We succeeded in obtaining the precious drugs that they attempted to erase!

“Good job, everyone!”

I didn’t hold back my praises, and the V-mice proudly responded.

“It wasn’t hard! Boss!”

As a reward for such a remarkable achievement, the V-mice were currently enjoying a food paradise.

The mice were diving headfirst and swimming through a plate piled high with snacks, bread, meat, and fruits.

Some were spotted sprawled out, their bellies round as if they could eat no more.

“Not mice, but sewer rats. They belong to the rat family.”

With Uncle Yurik’s correction, I shrugged.

“I’ll just call them mice!”

Regardless of breed or type, the name ‘mouse’ rolls off the tongue much easier.

“I want to eat like this again next time! Yay! Yay!”

Seeing the mice chirping happily in bliss, I encouraged them to keep trying if they wanted to have such a feast again next time.

Perhaps Almond and Cocoa, watching this, would get fired up with competition.

“So jealous!”

“Include us in the next operation!”

The crows and monkeys drooled with envy.

Upon seeing this, the mice raised their little paws.

“You all can eat too! It’s delicious! We’re full!”

Wow, what a generous offer to make.

The crows flapped their wings and asked,

“Really?”

“If you give us something tasty later, you can have it too!”

“It’s a family thing!”

“We have plenty left!”

As the mice willingly shared their food, the monkeys and crows couldn’t contain their joy and eagerly gobbled it up.

From the sight of the animal friends gathering at the table in harmony, I could glimpse the wonderful character of these V-animals.

“It feels like we’re inheriting the spirit of democracy!”

Indeed, it seems that when connected with us, everyone becomes kinder.

On the TV screen hanging on the wall of the distant room, there were brief mentions of the activities of the intellectual property enforcement before changing the subject.

Common entertainment shows or trivial issues.

Leaving the animal friends absorbed in delicious food behind, I quietly took my leave.

**

Inside the misty freezer, staff were busily working while Raihan seemed annoyed as he tapped on the glass surface of the hibernation pod.

The observation window surrounded by bulletproof glass was cloudy and opaque, resembling a frosted white milk.

The interior of the C-01 freezer exuded a colorful and fresh atmosphere, yet its owner’s inner self was cold and hollow.

“Hmm, they really are going to drag the Patent Beheading Squad out and publicly smash them. Isn’t this a kind of warning?”

At Raihan’s words, the secretary cautiously offered her opinion.

“It seems more reasonable to view it as a warning against the overall spy activities of the factions and clans rather than just targeting us.

As you know, we have already received a close warning.”

No sooner had the secretary finished speaking than Raihan swept his hands over the surface of the hibernation pod.

As he did so, a faint figure within became visible.

At one end of the hibernation pod, various sized wires were messily connected.

“I’ve prepared the Hellmen, but how should we deal with this until then…”

The chairman of Laplacian was engulfed in anxiety as he prodded his staff.

No matter how much I think about it, the source of the problem is the Foundation.

The Foundation itself.

The Restraid folks had a relatively weak information network.

Making fools of the Federal Army was as easy as pie.

“Ahhh! H-Help!”

-Crackling!

“The melting smell isn’t joking around. Is this the Stregonics? Wow… We should order one for the higher-ups as well.”

“How about we order that shapeshifter monster instead? I think the intelligence department will need it.”

Primarily, if they ambush under the guise of a local clan or gang supported by Laplacian, the unsuspecting army or local cooperating organizations would be swept away without much resistance.

The surviving members of the organization now had genetically modified brain-manipulating monsters grafted into their minds.

Seasoned warriors and trained soldiers instantly turned into tamed beasts.

Archis? There was no need to worry since he consistently ignored issues that did not concern him.

Other organizations, like the Obsidian Legion, are also busy with their own matters elsewhere.

Once again, the most troublesome existence was none other than the Foundation.

The Foundation had an immense disdain for some of those who once belonged to them.

In operations like tech theft or securing materials, they were always a step ahead of Laplacian.

The chairman knew this fact better than anyone since he was currently a director of the Foundation.

“There are limits to deploying our cooperative friends from the Board of Directors to track the Foundation’s movements and respond proactively. Your suspicions are too strong…”

Returning to the office, Raihan frowned as he went through the report, erupting in irritation once again.

“By the way, these guys still haven’t found their whereabouts? It wasn’t that crucial of a project! I should administer a stern lecture to the HR department.”

On the screen popped up profile pictures containing the faces of several girls.

“This case also became more complicated since the Foundation directly conducting an investigation made it hard for us to move any deeper. The mercenaries deployed in the dungeon are presumed to have perished after encountering a Super Medium Tank Fusion Creature.”

“Seriously, that damned fusion creature, fusion creature…!”

Thinking of the Restraid family obsessed with giants, the chairman’s face contorted once more.

The giant they desperately pushed for their lives was ultimately no different from a fusion creature.

How on earth could an artificial fusion creature project that amplifies human strength and grants transcendent powers serve as a solution to an invasion from another realm…

The chairman stood up suddenly with a bright smile.

Noticing his usual habits, the secretary stepped back to maintain a suitable distance and waited for him to speak.

“Let’s throw out some bait. Smoked herring, to be precise. Let’s select the ones with a strong scent to choose from. Contact our friends from the Foundation and request a list of suspended projects or technologies.”

“Chairman, that means…”

“Let’s distract those enforcement dogs so they’re focused elsewhere. For now… let’s ask our friends for technology leaks and also leak some tech or personnel lists we’ve shelved through a paper company. Ah, it would be good to sprinkle this too. I’ve heard the Foundation is searching for them, right?”

With a beaming smile, Raihan pointed at a girl depicted in the leaked material.

The photo of the girl labeled “Trinity” showed her gazing at the camera with curious eyes. Her orange hair was voluminous and curly.

“We don’t need to bother with a little radioactive kid anymore.”

**

The Violets were under constant pressure from studying year-round.

It was absolutely unavoidable to avoid studying with so many professors watching us with keen eyes.

Furthermore, even our friends kept insisting on teaching us something.

Sister Adela suddenly asked if I was interested in learning how to use a fork and knife, and Daphne chimed in that she would teach me more about makeup. What a bother.

Why on earth is this happening?

“I hate studying! Isn’t it enough just to be good at fighting!”

“Right! Heroes don’t do such boring things.”

For us Violets, who defeat the wicked clans and teach a lesson to the monsters, things like culture or history must be unnecessary.

If we absolutely must learn something, wouldn’t combat magic, military science, or explosive manufacturing techniques be more beneficial?

I had asked Professor Albert about this just a little while ago, and he sighed.

“Violet, you fool. Look at your friend who’s been locked up in the laboratory for more than a decade; she’s devoted to studying. Why can’t you learn something from her? You picked up piloting a fighter jet quickly, but why struggle so much with this…”

“I don’t think it’s necessary!”

“There is no such thing as useless knowledge! Though this subject on the history of magical engineering is considered general education, the reason to learn such knowledge is—”

Ugh, it’s too complex to argue back.

Moreover, these days, I kept being compared to that Trinity.

She had been busy preparing for the Aegis Academy entrance exam recently.

The surprising part was that Trinity was quite cleverer than I expected. She spent a considerable amount of time sitting at her desk.

“Is that fun?”

“Boring.”

Enrique exhaled with a puff, much like a boiling kettle. At that moment, the Geiger counter attached to her body beeped loudly.

“But getting into Vesperia is hard. I’m confident in practical skills, but I can’t neglect the written part. I have to pass this time. That way, when my lab friends wake up, I can help them adapt as a senior.”

“Can’t you just postpone for a year and start school with your friends when they wake up?”

With a remark that sounded like a joke, Enrique hesitated for a moment.

Then she shook her head firmly, her face filled with rare determination.

“No! Even if they wake up, it will be hard for them to study right away. The doctors say they’ve been asleep for a long time. Plus, none of them have parents. If I go in a year early and prepare for them, it’ll be way easier for them to adapt to the academy.”

“Oh, I see…”

I couldn’t hide my embarrassment. I never knew she was thinking like this.

“And I’m confident. I will surely pass. I’m going to be a great archmage.”

“Just like that Adriana?”

Mentioning the name of the hero mage from the Great War made Enrique shake her head.

“Huh? No. I’m not dealing with electromagnetic fields. That witch uses traditional lightning magic. I deal with things related to the theory of relativity.”

I think she misunderstood my meaning.

Anyhow, Enrique’s entrance preparations progressed smoothly.

The Scholarship Officer supported everything needed, and receiving identification or admission recommendations wasn’t hard at all.

There were only a few things I could help with.

Providing delicious meals and taking her to the academy on exam day.

Thus, in early June, the entrance exam day for Vesperia Academy suddenly approached.

“Do well!”

“Okay!”

With confident strides, Enrique headed toward the main gate of Vesperia Academy.

“One day, let’s go to that academy too!”

“Sometime? No, we go when we want to!”

I’m already looking forward to the day our clones will be buried behind that magic academy campus.