The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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The welcome party that Camerdin had planned was like this.

‘Those poor freshmen, they’ll soon be whining that they can’t eat anymore, right?’

Normally, this would be the point where the freshmen were stuffing food into their stomachs despite their reluctance. They would use that as an excuse for a bit of education, instilling some manners in them.

Although it was a painful and difficult memory now, it would eventually become a memory to cherish later.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn.

“Look over there! The food we prepared is already running out!”

“What? That can’t be right; I calculated everything…”

It was common knowledge that Awakened Ones had superior physical abilities compared to Non-Awakened. That’s why they had prepared a massive amount of food, using not only the class funds but also personal money.

Yet, the consumption rate was faster than expected. What had once seemed like an abundance of food was now nearing depletion.

“Senpai! Look over there!”

“Camerdin! That girl!”

The source was easy to identify. In the direction the second-year student was pointing, a girl with a mischievous grin was bouncing around.

With her sparkling golden hair flowing, the girl headed toward the tables of others. She obliviously picked up one cake allotted per table with both hands and stuffed it into her mouth. In the blink of an eye, the cake disappeared.

She hopped from one table to another, grabbing cakes. Each time she scooped up a handful, the freshmen’s joy was evident.

“I want to eat this! No permission needed!”

“Are you really going to eat it? Thanks!”

Eventually, the direction the girl was heading was a shelf stacked high with food. She began grabbing food off the shelf and stuffing it into her mouth without using any utensils.

In the brief moment of watching, the food quickly vanished.

“What the hell? Is this magic?”

“I can’t sense any magic formulas or circles!”

She certainly wasn’t wasting the food.

As an Awakened One, it was crystal clear to me that the food entering her mouth was disappearing.

The conclusion was simple.

That girl had eaten it all.

Camerdin was furious that the freshman welcome party wasn’t going according to his plans.

“Where did that gluttonous brat spring from?”

“No, senpai! I didn’t think there would be a kid among the freshmen who could eat like that!”

As one of the second-year students lamented, an enraged Camerdin slapped him.

“Our department’s tradition is on the verge of being ruined!”

He had intentionally prepared greasy, salty food that was heavy to eat. He had also brought very few drinks.

Just as he had experienced himself.

Fuming, Camerdin marched toward the troublesome girl alongside his comrades.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Violet!”

As the culprit smiled brightly, flames erupted within Camerdin’s heart.

That girl named Violet had ruined everything.

“Senpai! I’ve eaten everything. Can I go now?”

Looking into her eyes, I saw full of mischief. Suppressing his anger, Camerdin spoke.

“I still have some food left to give to our freshmen.”

“Yes! Thank you, senpai! Hehe.”

As Camerdin turned away, his puzzled classmates inquired.

“Camerdin, what are you going to do now? I don’t care what she did, but all the prepared food went into her stomach.”

“Let’s just quit. This isn’t even meaningful…”

However, the pleas from his peers only fueled his fiery rage.

“…Shut up.”

“What? Why the sudden hostility…”

“Wake up! This is our department’s tradition. Do you plan to ruin that tradition?”

The painful memories from the previous year vividly replayed in Camerdin’s mind.

“Chew and swallow properly! Freshmen! This is the path your senpai walked as well. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Ugh… Yes, senpai! We can do it!”

It was a rite of passage.

He had choked down more than ten, twenty pieces of tasteless bread without any water.

He summoned all his will to force it down his throat. For students who couldn’t swallow, magicked kicks would fly their way.

He managed to do it.

“Congratulations. You are a proud student of our department.”

“Yes, senpai! Sniff…”

At that time, it was tough, but looking back now, it was a proud memory.

In comparison, look at those weak first-years.

Compared to then, the food was delicious, but they complained about being full after eating just a bit, whining like children. They were far better off than what their seniors had endured.

This had to be done. It was a tradition upheld by their seniors. That’s how they learned.

Since he did it, it was only right for the freshmen to do it too.

“Alright, let me show them how it’s done.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“I’ll cover the cost, so hurry and go buy more food!”

Camerdin pulled his card from his wallet and tossed it. His companions rushed to order food. The second-year students hurriedly ran off to shove food into the belly of that black hole of a girl.

Otherwise, it felt like the curse of the third-year representative would fall upon him.

Soon, mountains of food were prepared.

“Hey, Violet, was it? You must be really hungry, huh?”

“Yes! That’s right.”

The dynamics of the welcome party had become quite bizarre. Sitting alone at the table was Violet while first-year students and second and third-year seniors watched.

Violet thought.

‘This feels like I’m recording an eating show?’

Now, the seniors were no longer hiding what they intended to do and were acting openly. The desire for Violet to bow down in submission was vividly readable in their eyes.

Not only the seniors, but the sudden gaze of awe from her peers made Violet feel a bit pressured.

‘Looks like I have become the savior of the first-years.’

The other Violets, sharing the gaze of Clone 7, began to discuss.

– What are you going to do? So far, we’ve sent out big portions while keeping a low profile, but now there are many eyes watching. –

– We should gradually cut it and send in pieces. That’s all we can do. –

Just then, students came in pulling a cart. The food piled on top looked varied. Bananas, crackers, pizzas…

They all had one thing in common; they were things that would give you a stomach ache if stuffed down without drinks.

“Alright, Violet. Then enjoy your meal!”

‘Let’s see… why don’t you try some of this yourself?’

Hearing encouragement that felt more like taunting from the seniors, Violet chuckled and began to sample the food. She ripped it into bite-sized pieces before pretending to put it in her mouth and immediately transferred it.

The transferred food swiftly moved into the hands of the other Violets waiting hundreds of kilometers away in the central and southwestern area.

– Alright, sort this into baskets. This will all be our daily sustenance. –

– Don’t forget to store it in the inventory once it’s all organized! –

– Ugh! It’s got my saliva on it! –

In unavoidable situations, she also transferred what she had shoved into her mouth. It was a bit messy, but since it’s her bodily fluid, it should be fine, right?

After a while, Camerdin and the seniors were flabbergasted.

“Hey… what kind of trick did you pull?”

“I ate everything just as you told me!”

The girl smiled annoyingly brightly.

What they had prepared quickly disappeared into that girl’s mouth moments later.

“Order more!”

Camerdin ordered more food again.

Even as other classmates tried to dissuade him, he had no intention of stopping. He kept bringing in food and shoving it into the endlessly hungry girl’s mouth.

“Here’s a big-sized cake. Try eating this too!”

“Wow! Chocolate mousse cake! Thank you!”

Now, everyone, regardless of seniority, looked at Violet with awe.

‘What the hell is she carrying in her stomach?’

Someone in the crowd recalled an ancient legend.

A monster that had devoured itself during a time of starvation, leaving only hard gums behind.

Could that girl be such a being?

After consuming the last cake, Violet wiped her hands across the tablecloth and stood up. Her sparkling ruby eyes mocked the seniors.

“I’ve eaten everything without leaving anything. Can I go now?”

The seniors, their mouths agape, stepped back.

“Hey! Why aren’t you bringing more food?”

Camerdin, behind them, grabbed the phone and seethed in a quiet voice.

Unexpected news came.

– Senpai! The card you gave can’t be processed for a transfer!

“What?!”

Camerdin opened the app to check his balance.

He confirmed that all of his funds, around 200,000 credits, had completely disappeared.

It was empty.

“My… my money!”

Crushed with despair, he sank down to the floor. His peers struggled to lift him up.

The blonde girl passed right by him.

The first-years waved their arms, chanting “Violet! Violet!”

Is this how it ends, should I just let it go?

While staring helplessly at the line of freshmen, Camerdin suddenly recalled that this wasn’t the end.

“…Hey, since it’s come to this, mix those things together! Not just her, but all the other freshmen, they can’t leave just like that! Let’s feed them this at least.”

“What? Didn’t you say we’d take turns after this?”

“The welcome party is already ruined! Just give it now!”

“Drinking alcohol on school grounds is against the rules…”

“It’s fine, right?”

As the orders were given, the second-year students brought a large bucket.

– Gurgle gurgle gurgle!

They began pulling out bottles and opened them to mix the drinks.

‘Even just a sip will get you drunk immediately. The hangover will be no joke! Let’s see if she can handle this!’

“Alright, freshmen! It wouldn’t be right to leave just like that. We still have one left.”

Violet’s gaze landed on the bucket a senior placed on the table. It reeked of strong alcohol.

“What’s this?”

“This is the Elixir of Courage that our department students drink as the last toast at the welcome party.”

“Elixir of Courage?”

“Yeah! We’re giving this to our freshmen because we’re so proud of you. Try a sip. Come on, the others line up!”

Violet, unsure, lifted the bucket and checked the status window.

<ITEM STAT>

The Murky Elixir of Dungeon Strategy Management Department ☆★★★★

A bomb shot that mixes various strong liquors and vile-tasting drinks.

While it’s not harmful from an Awakened One’s perspective, the hangover will be severe.

Engaging in the act of gulping down this bomb shot mixes recklessness with delusion.

‘What? It’s nothing special?’

The hangover might be a bit severe, but it shouldn’t matter.

“…So, if you all want to leave, you have to drink this one glass, okay?”

While Camerdin was explaining to a first-year glaring at him, Violet swiftly interjected and lifted the bucket.

“Does that mean I just have to drink all of this? I’ll enjoy it!”

“What? Wait, hey! Stop! That’s meant for everyone to drink!”

“Wha… Hey! You’re not supposed to drink it all by yourself! Put it down!”

Violet grinned and, despite the surrounding protests, gulped down the contents of the bucket. They tried to snatch it away, but it was too late.

Of course, Violet had thought it out herself. Clone 7 immediately activated the other clones.

– Move to the bathroom or outside right away! –

– Are you planning to transfer what you just drank as soon as possible? That’s possible, though it feels a bit gross. –

The clones rushed to the bathroom or outside.

– Ugh! –

– Yuck! –

The plan succeeded. As Clone 7 gulped down the liquid, the distant clones began to spit it out.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect. Some of the alcohol still slipped down her throat.

However, there was a second method remaining.

That was sensory dispersion.

[The taste and smell felt by the entity are dispersed and slowed down by the number of clones – slowdown rate: 5%]

The bitterness she felt at the initial gulp soon evaporated.

– Whatever it is, it tastes disgusting! –

– Ugh! I drank a little. –

“Ugh… all that alcohol…”

“Oh my…”

After she gulped down all the liquid, Violet tossed the empty bucket onto the floor. The bucket hit the ground with a clatter.

“Hehe, senpai. Can I go now?”

“Ah… for her to consume even our department’s special bomb… I’ve lost…”

Camerdin sank down to the ground in resignation. As humiliation washed over him, Violet marched like a conquering hero through the bowed heads of her seniors.

“Hey! Open the door!”

“I got it…”

One of the seniors cautiously moved and opened the door. Violet stepped out.

“Violet! Violet! Violet!”

“Violet is a goddess!”

As she shook off the first-years cheering her on, Violet strolled through the campus.

“Hehe… I won!”

The buzz of alcohol coursed through her body. Indeed, transferring everything had been ambitious; she had likely drunk a little herself. Violet attempted to disperse it.

[Warning: Violet Clone 7 has entered a state of intoxication!]

“Huh… so dispersing the buzz doesn’t work?”

[Warning: Violet Clone 11 has entered a state of intoxication!]

[Warning: Violet Clone 8 has entered a state of intoxication!]

[Warning: Violet Clone 9 has entered a state of intoxication!]

…

– Hey! Some of the other girls drank during the spitting process, and their conditions aren’t looking good… –

– Uhehehe! Life is the best! –

– Kyaaa! –

Oops, looks like the alcohol was fiercer than expected. Maybe it’s because she was based on the standard of Awakened Ones, who were adept at physical enhancement? She was still rather inexperienced at physical enhancements, after all.

Violet staggered as she walked down the rose-colored streets. People were looking at her with shock for some reason.

“The world~ is spinning~”

– Thump!

Violet collapsed to the ground. She could no longer discern anything.

“Hehe…”

– Hey! Reconstruct Clone 7! The others who are drunk too! –

– No way, there are too many people around right now. Let’s wait a bit. –

– Uhehe! Fine! –

– Hey, if she passes out here, she might sleep on the street! –

– Ehehehe! –

While the intoxicated clones created chaos, Violet crawled into the shrubs by the roadside and sought a slumber.

“ Hehehe…”

She had no thoughts. Violet curled up to sleep. It was cold. Chilly…

– Is that girl from our class beside me?

– W-What do we do! She looks… dead..!

– No, she just seems to be drunk. Let’s take her to the health room just in case.

She felt a sensation as though someone was lifting her up. Violet slipped into unconsciousness.

“Hehehe…”

***

Dizzy, so dizzy.

My head hurt terribly.

Breathing felt difficult.

It hurts. Why does it hurt?

I was in a strange place.

I was walking down a quiet roadside when masked figures approached me.

Instinctively, I felt scared and tried to run away.

“Go away! I hate this!”

Yet my limbs were soon grabbed.

– Weeeeee!

A bizarre mechanical sound emanated from the backs of the masked figures.

Several mechanical arms erupted haphazardly. I screamed.

“What? No! Go away! Get away!”

The machines began to tear at my body. The largest, most fearsome, and sharpest one approached my head.

I couldn’t resist.

It hurts. It hurts. I hate this.

Please stop, stop it.

“Ugh…!”

Like a butterfly grasped between the fingers of a malicious child, like a writhing worm, like a fish dropped on a hot plate, I struggled.

I move.

“I don’t want it…”

It hurts. Please, just stop it.

“Mom…”

I desperately called for someone.

No one answered.

I was alone.

All alone…

As I writhed in pain, a warm green light began to descend from far away.

…Are you okay? I am here.

A kind voice that seemed vaguely familiar echoed.

The warm green light grew brighter.

The ones causing me pain—the masked men, the mechanical arms, all began to melt away under the light.

“Mom…?”

The voice echoed again, momentarily wavering. The words were broken in parts, yet soft and warm.

…Yes…. I’m here… It’s okay… you’re not in pain anymore. It’s alright.

Help me, I don’t want to be tortured…

…No one will… hurt you… You will be okay… Stay strong.

…Got it? I’ll say it again… I am here.

A gentle curtain of pale green light drew nearer, enveloping me. I began to rise again. I soared.

“…Ugh!?”

I, Clone 7, opened my eyes and sat up.

“Where is this…?”

It was a simple yet cozy room. This isn’t my dorm room. There weren’t any curtains around.

As I got up, someone held my hands tightly. It felt soft.

My blurry vision gradually found focus and became clear.

It was only then I realized who was holding my hand.

“Rugilinn, are you okay?”

A girl with silver hair was looking at me with blue eyes. Her worried gaze made my heart flutter.

“It seems you had an unpleasant dream.”

For some reason, Daphne stared at me like I was a patient in critical condition. Feeling burdened, I quickly changed the subject.

“Daphne… Why are you here? Where even is this…?”

“It’s the health room. Those people brought you here. What on earth were you doing sleeping on the roadside?”

Turning my gaze, I spotted two students sitting across from Daphne. One was a girl with black twin braids, and the other was a big-built guy… no, a student.

“Um, I don’t remember your names…”

“Le… Levi!”

“Granite.”

“Oh! You were the ones sitting next to me at the welcome party yesterday!”

Now I remembered those two friends.

“Why are you two here? What about me?”

“Don’t you… remember?”

“Oh no, did you forget?”

I didn’t know. I tried to rummage through my memories.

– Clone 7! You’re awake! I thought you were dead. –

– Memory recall seems to be tough. I’ll share it right now! –

Through the Violet Network, my memories were directly sent back. Specifically, it was the scenario of Clone 7 as remembered by another clone.

Last night, the seniors had pressured me into a food challenge, so I transferred all the food, played a prank, and then when they pulled out some bucket… even as I was stopping them, I gulped it all down.

Then I ended up outside… I got sleepy. I lay down.

“Ugh! I can’t believe I passed out drunk on the street!”

“Excuse me, are you feeling alright now?”

While I sorted through the mess in my head, I felt embarrassed. Not in my dorm, but fainting on the street…

While I was in this state, someone cautiously approached and pulled back the curtains to come in. Everyone’s eyes turned to her.

A girl with striking purple hair and braided bangs stepped forward, radiating confidence.

“Are you Violet Rugilinn?”

“Uh? Yes, that’s me. But who…?”

Upon receiving my curious gaze, the girl politely bowed.

“I am Irene Solstice, the student representative of the first-year class. Do you have a moment?”

She was the girl from the entrance ceremony.

A 5-star playable character. A girl full of justice.

I had anticipated we would meet someday, but I never thought it would be here.

“I have plenty of time! So, whatever… uh!”

“Rugilinn! Please lie back down first!”

My head began to spin again. I must be experiencing a hangover.

It seems I need to pause the conversation for a bit.