The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

---

My first impression wasn’t bad. The scenery seemed far from anything evil.

In the wide classroom transformed into the Welcome Hall, all sorts of food were spread about.

On both walls, tables were laid out like a buffet. One side had food ranging from sandwiches to pizza, chicken, and French fries. The opposite wall was filled with sweet desserts like cakes, muffins, donuts, and cookies.

“Wow! It’s a party!”

I had worried they would shout some weird mantra, but it seemed the seniors from our department were genuinely good-natured people. They wouldn’t prepare all this food out of their own pockets otherwise.

At that moment, I noticed some upperclassmen tidying up around the area. One of them turned around as if sensing my presence.

“Oh, a freshman?”

“That’s right!”

As I smiled and replied, the seniors returned my grin with laughter.

“May I ask your name…?”

“I’m Violet!”

As I introduced myself, one of the seniors led me to a seat. He glanced at me and asked.

“By any chance, did you bring a weapon?”

“I didn’t. Why?”

“Today’s event is important. It’s a valuable item, right? If you have one, just leave it at the back and come in. If not, just take a seat!”

Inside the room, several tables were set up, each with about three to four chairs arranged together. I sat for a moment, waiting.

Before long, other first-year freshmen entered the Welcome Hall.

“Wow… What is all this…”

“Looks like a real welcome party!”

The expressions of the confused newcomers gradually brightened. The seniors welcomed them with smiles, while the first-years awkwardly greeted them as they entered. As everyone found their seats, the space filled up.

“U-uh… Hello…”

“Hey.”

Two first-years sat next to me. One was a black-haired girl with twin tails, and the other was…

– Ah! An ogre! Did that guy have relatives? –

– No way, he’s completely different! Calm down, Clone #5. –

He was a big male student, reminiscent of the ogre guards from the research lab. He looked more like a statue roughly carved from a rock than a student. Talking to him seemed intimidating.

Once everyone gathered, the freshman welcoming event began. A well-groomed student with a sporty haircut approached the microphone.

“Welcome to all you first-years of the Class of ’25! It’s great to see you! I’m Camerdin, the third-year representative of our Dungeon Strategy Management Department. This welcome party is held for fostering camaraderie and friendship among our students. So just relax and enjoy yourselves.”

Next to him, another female student picked up the microphone to explain.

“That’s right! Happy to see you all. Originally, this was supposed to be held in the first week, but it got postponed to this week for unavoidable reasons. You’re all seeing familiar faces for the first time, right?”

True enough, although we were in the same department, everyone’s faces were unfamiliar. It felt like I’d taken a class with them, but…

– Of course, our study group only took attendance and then messed around. –

“Okay, has everyone eaten dinner yet? We’ve prepared a small meal for you all. Enjoy it while greeting each other. Feel free to chat, got it?”

As the senior finished speaking, one of the freshmen cautiously raised their hand and spoke up.

“But… seniors. I heard that in this Freshman Management Board or whatever, if we eat something, there will be some weird chant or something. Is it really okay to eat?”

Upon hearing the timid question from the freshman, a senior female student waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh please~ We don’t do things like that in our department! It’s fine. In this day and age, such outdated controls don’t make sense. Right?”

“Those guys are just weird. Don’t worry!”

Other seniors joined in with their support. Camerdin took the microphone again and spoke.

“Okay, this is our treat, so make sure to eat well and don’t leave any leftovers. And make sure to enjoy yourselves!”

“Best seniors ever!”

“Thank you!”

The first-years cheered.

With that, everyone relaxed and began digging into the prepared food. I already saw some people mingling, moving about to chat with other students.

– Ugh, but this feels so awkward. –

– Totally. –

Looking at everyone, it seemed like they all knew each other except for me. I didn’t recognize anyone except Daphne and Kalia. This was a big problem!

I grabbed some food and began eating. The food was mostly greasy and salty, but not bad.

“It’s delicious!”

Though the drinks looked a bit scarce, having seniors allow us to eat without worry made them the best in my eyes.

While I enjoyed my meal, the clones from different regions started to cheer excitedly.

– Wow! This food is quite tasty! –

– Me too! Give me some! –

I quickly calmed them down.

– There’s plenty of food here, so I’ll just snatch a few! –

With so much food piled high, I’d have to sneak a few pieces into my inventory without anyone noticing. After all, I might save on meal costs, right?

As I mindlessly shoved food into my mouth, my plate quickly emptied. Just as I was about to lift my head, I accidentally locked eyes with the two people next to me. It felt like I had to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come. We fidgeted, unable to break the awkward silence.

“Um… Is there a problem?”

As I broke the silence first, the girl with braided hair hesitated before replying.

“Ah! Yes! I… I’m Levi! Levi Schneider!”

Hmm, was it time to introduce ourselves? I had to respond, even if I didn’t know her.

“Levi? Nice to meet you! I’m Violet!”

After I replied, it was now the turn of the big guy next to me.

“…Granite. Just know that much.”

The muscular guy introduced himself as Granite and lifted his plate casually. With his size, he’d probably eat a lot.

After clearing about three plates, I discreetly snatched a few pieces to send back to the others. When the atmosphere of the event was heating up, a senior with the microphone asked:

“Is there anyone who wants to come up and sing?”

Feeling a wave of excitement, I had a fun idea.

“Me!”

“Oh! The girl in the back! Come up here!”

Normally, I wouldn’t go, but today, I felt like trying it out.

As I stepped up to the stage, I grabbed the mic and began singing a legendary tune.

“If I go to Jongno~ If I approach Myeongdong~”

“…Alright! Next person!”

Before I could even finish a couple of lines, the seniors booted me off the stage.

“Eek…”

This is ridiculous. Surely, it was a catchy song! Why didn’t it work? This world must be emotionally dry. I’ve seen it as popular among others in some novels.

Mumbling to myself, I returned to my seat and shoved more food into my mouth.

Before long, time passed, and one by one, people began to leave.

Actually, they tried to leave. One student opened the door, but it was locked.

– Click!

“Oh? The door is locked. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Suddenly, the expression on the seniors’ faces twisted menacingly. The third-year representative with the mic suddenly spoke up.

“Attention! Everyone, could you take a look at the shelves?”

On the shelves, a huge amount of food was still piled high.

“I’d like for you all to eat everything that’s been prepared! It would be a waste if it gets thrown out, right?”

“I’m full, though?”

– Bang!

As one student spoke, the seniors began to brandish weapons, stirring chaos. This was a clear threat.

“Do you have any idea how much this cost? Are you disregarding our hospitality?”

I could see some students patting their waists. Yet, the place was completely devoid of weapons. It was evident their faces were pale.

Now that I think about it, they told us to leave our weapons outside, didn’t they?

– These jerks are up to something! –

– So that’s why they asked those silly questions! –

While I had inventory and transfer abilities, it didn’t matter at the moment; all the first-years were disarmed!

Realizing the situation, the first-years looked utterly defeated. The seniors now forced the freshmen to eat.

“This is disappointing. Did we order anything weird? Is it that hard to just not waste food?”

“Listen! It’s nothing major; you just need to eat everything, and then you can go back. Got it?”

Feeling the pressure, the students reluctantly began to shove food into their mouths.

Unfortunately, most of the students were already full, unable to eat more.

This can’t be happening. I should’ve given up expectations when I heard the confusing name of Dungeon Strategy Management Department. These folks were no different.

Other first-years also started to eat in a sheer panic, caught up in this absurd situation. They were likely both angry and scared as it was their first time facing such nonsense.

Finally, I started to grasp the seniors’ intentions.

‘These bastards meant to starve us!’

It was a method of controlling newcomers, also known as “instrument conditioning.” I never thought I’d encounter this in a game world.

With a thud, a giant cheesecake, about 50 cm in diameter, was placed on the table.

“Now, dear juniors. Enjoy your meal. Don’t leave a single bite.”

Wow, when did they prepare all this?

Thinking back, the menu was suspiciously intentional.

– Chicken, pizza, sandwiches, and desserts are all cakes, muffins, and cookies! –

– All salty and sweet, nothing but dry food! This was all planned! –

These guys were definitely playing around with food.

The girl next to me, Levi, was probably scared of the seniors’ gazes, gulping her food down on the verge of tears. Beside her, Granite was also swallowing hard, clearly struggling to hide his irritation, looking like he could explode at any moment.

Looking at the seniors in the distance, they were openly snickering at us. The third-year representative’s face reflected barely contained laughter.

– What a sight. I can’t believe I’m seeing this here. –

– Have they never served in the army? –

What on earth were they doing?

The more I thought, the angrier I became.

As I pondered, I came up with a way to get back at them.

I didn’t know about anything else, but I couldn’t stand seeing those jerks laugh anymore.

– Fine! If leaving food is such a grave sin, then let’s eat it all! –

I grabbed plates full of food from one side of the buffet and returned cautiously. I felt like one plate wouldn’t be enough, so I carefully picked up two to make sure I wouldn’t spill as I made my way back. As I set the plates down on the dining table, a loud thud echoed.

“Wait a moment! Violet! Can you eat all that?”

“Hey, wasn’t it Violet? That looks… way too much for you!”

Levi and Granite, sitting next to me, were immediately taken aback by the sight of my plates. It was understandable. I had piled all kinds of food into mountains high, which left them wondering how it would fit into my small frame.

“It’s okay! I’m actually a food fighter!”

“A food fighter, huh…”

I carefully began to scoop food with my bare hands to shove into my mouth. Actually, I was transferring it right before I’d eat. The inventory required a bit of a preparation action, so transferring was quicker.

– Wow! Free food! –

– Let’s clear it all out! –

Moments later, the cheesecake on our table was completely gone. Almost immediately, the Welcome Hall’s food began disappearing fast.

“Hm…? When did it get so low?”

“I think we’re about to finish!”

The distressed faces of the freshmen, who had been forced to eat earlier, brightened. In contrast, the seniors’ expressions darkened once again. This was because I kept transferring everything I grabbed.

“What’s going on? Already…”

Meanwhile, the students from Violet Barracks in the Central Area were cheering in delight. Food kept transferring from hand to hand.

– Wow! Our supplies are multiplying! –

– Thank you, seniors! –

We organized it back into our inventories. We wouldn’t have to worry about starving for a while now!

As I diligently piled up and sent off food, before I knew it, the seniors’ gazes were all on me.

“You, what’s your name?”

“I’m Violet!”

Camerdin, the third-year representative, approached me alongside his mates.