The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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**Drone Swarm** is an innovative tactic that was born after humanity opened the door to the age of drones.

The clans and the federal army, who have been bleeding from the constant threat of monsters, were thrilled by this radical new weapon.

But there were weaknesses. In Erosion Zones or dungeons swarming with ether, long-distance communication would become nearly impossible, and the sharp interference of ether would cause soft errors or steadily gnaw away at circuits over time.

Malfunctions and breakages had become a daily occurrence.

Still, the young blood of the military industry boasted loudly. The argument was simple: pouring in capital would solve everything.

By implanting bio-circuits like a heart or transplanting the brains of cultivated clones, or equipping cutting-edge magical technology computational devices, they could achieve anything.

Military companies and clans clacked their calculators with ecstatic faces. A golden future danced in their minds.

While humans commanded from safe rear positions, savoring fragrant coffee, thousands of cheap machines equipped with ether protection systems and bio-computational devices were sweeping up the monsters.

However, the federal-clan war, which triggered the Teatime Agreement, mercilessly trampled the dreams of military dreamers who envisioned an all-powerful mechanical army.

No matter how many there were, there were limits to the firepower and durability of mass-produced cheap unmanned weapons.

Luminexa had to witness their once-proud robotic soldiers torn apart like sheets of paper in the face of the federal army’s super medium tanks and overwhelming artillery fire.

The advantage of being small and agile faded in group operations.

The federal army was frustrated by the sight of swarms of guided bombs scattering like mayflies under the artificial thunderstorms and widespread bombings conjured up by Vanguard magicians.

The harsh reality etched a bitter lesson into the bones of the technicians. There was no such thing as an all-purpose weapon that could replace everything. No matter how excellent the multi-tool, it could not substitute for an entire toolbox.

Until now, everyone had believed that.

“Is it the Drone Swarm…”

Let’s rephrase that: it’s the Violet—or Ariel Swarm.

The Foundation was now witnessing the moment when a new military revolution was about to be born.

For the party involved in this testing ground of military tactics, it was an unwelcome sight.

“Enemies all around! Seven enemies! Three in the skies!”

**The Foundation’s combat agents did their best.**

They did everything they could.

As the endless deceptions neutralized the radar, each battery mobilized every means available, from ultrasound detection to thermal imaging tracking, precise ether detection systems, and even the sharp eyes of field personnel.

With the intention to set the western skies ablaze, the Foundation poured all its firepower into the fray.

The goal? Those frenzied enemies willing to self-destruct.

“Reduce their numbers as much as possible! Every time one lands, ten of our facilities turn to ashes!”

As the fog of initial chaos lifted, one thing became clear: the flight speed of the overwhelming swarm of Violets rushing in was far from that of rockets or missiles.

“Sweep them away! Their flight speed is markedly slow! Keep calm and respond!”

The ecstatic rays, switched to invisible spectra, cleaved through the black sky.

Every Violet captured in their wake erupted into flames, scattering like sparks. The place where the lasers swept left a vivid red scar against the dim sky.

The numbers of downed enemies displayed on the control room screen skyrocketed to triple digits in an instant.

“Good, proceed like this! Assume they’re just low-altitude drones resembling human forms. We can handle them!”

Immediately following the Director’s firm declaration, the observing fire control personnel shouted in astonishment.

“Enemy units, performing evasive maneuvers!”

Unfortunately, the Violets were not mindless drones.

The collective intelligence swiftly reacted as the clones took hits.

Like a school of fish encountering a shark pack, every time missiles and shells shot up, chaotic aerial maneuvers unfolded above.

“Tactical immersion activated! Preparing calculations!”

“Good, track them! Focus magical power on audiovisuals!”

With years of wingsuit experience, thousands of senses fused into one.

The immersed Violets transformed in an instant into a dark wave descending toward the ground.

Some executed evasive maneuvers while others narrowly dodged incoming attacks by mere hairs’ breadth.

‘Did they already adapt to the anti-air network…?!’

– KABOOM!

Moreover, these pesky flying units didn’t just evade.

“They intercepted the missiles!”

At the same time, the Violets shouted out.

“Initiating intercept! Deploying Vision Memory!”

The long-accumulated memory warehouse of the network opened, and as the smoke and light surged towards the oncoming missiles, the eyes of the Violets gleamed.

Glistening magic circles unfolded behind their heads and backs as dozens of guided blades poured forth, flying towards the predicted trajectories of the missiles.

– ZING!

Multi-million credit anti-air missiles shattered in mid-air.

Through the explosions, the Violets sharply descended. They deftly dodged dangerous projectiles while blocking what they could like a rampart.

If escape was impossible, they scattered like a shoal of fish, and if destruction was feasible, they annihilated it mercilessly.

The Foundation resisted desperately, unleashing all firepower from ground and air, making the sky glow brighter than noon like a trapped beast.

Dazzling rays and lightning, little artificial suns, destructive whirlwinds raged in succession.

Unnamed secret weapons tore through the atmosphere.

Yet, the inevitable doom crept closer.

The cries from the scene echoed.

“Charge! We’re charging in! Everyone, take cover!”

Of course, that was none of the Violets’ concern. They had only one thought.

‘I’m so lucky!’

Having danced past all interceptions, Violet No. 77 seized the initial shock with a short thought.

Thus, the first Violet charged into the utterly invisible optical camouflage indicated by the collective intelligence.

– BOOM!

The explosion of the missile battery served as a signal, triggering a chain explosion among the anti-air batteries like dominoes.

Amidst the chaotic screams, another bad news flew in.

“Reports from all strongholds! Surveillance systems are being neutralized one by one!”

Signals between the anti-air bunkers suddenly grew faint, then began to cut off entirely.

It made no sense. A simple bombardment couldn’t possibly disable such systems—was there a special forces unit stealthily deployed?

If they had known the truth, the Foundation would have felt nothing but rage beyond despair.

“Chirp chirp!”

Who would have imagined? Mice, gnawing away at the wires of intricate equipment with their magically imbued multi-tools, slyly damaging core components one by one.

Moreover, these little destroyers didn’t forget to ignite fires with the incendiary devices and explosives they carried throughout the facility.

“CAW! Long live Ariel! Long live Paradise!”

And who could have prepared for it? The sudden descent of a flock of crows that surged in like storm clouds, penetrating the blind spots of the anti-air batteries.

When the automated turrets detected the intruders, it was already too late.

The crows, with resolute determination, pulled at the Foundation’s Vision Memory.

“Oh no! What on earth is that?!”

A wave of magical energy surged into the network like a storm.

Using the instant disappearance of one crow as a catalyst, a dazzling Melting Ray swept straight forward, melting everything in its path.

– KWOOM!

The Foundation’s proud air defense network shattered into pieces.

While some had already set foot on the ground and initiated their covert operations, the remaining flying units still looped the skies like a dark veil.

The Director squeezed his eyes shut in despair.

“Suppression complete! Prepare to deploy additional squadrons for close air support!”

“Convert the remaining guided bombs to combatants!”

Before they knew it, the holograms that had covered the base began to flicker out one by one. The foundation’s strongholds were laid bare like boxes stripped of their wrapping.

Director Quabna 02 saw the horrendous information that floated in his retina and smirked bitterly. The feedback shown by the control algorithm coldly proved the Foundation’s helplessness.

Initially, after the first drop, the number of downed enemies soared with hope, only for that momentum to crash dramatically, like a fighter jet with its engine killed.

The interception rate, which had soared beyond 80%, plummeted sharply below half. The Director struggled to speak.

“47%. The ratio of enemies that the Foundation managed to shoot down using all its firepower during the initial drop. And the rest…”

‘The initial intercept was a complete failure.’

He raised his gaze again. He could feel the stares of his subordinates focusing on their commander. He couldn’t show any sign of wavering.

“Immediately calculate the damage assessments for each facility. Swiftly transfer the allocated troops per the control algorithm’s instructions to the choke points. And—”

It was then that the Foundation had to face its worst disaster since its establishment.

“Engaged with unidentified enemies in the choke points! Confirming… Ariel Group!”

The Director hurriedly inhaled the electronic awakening agent, barely keeping his wits about him.

“…Damn it, just how far does your territory extend?”

The second war on the ground began.

**As the ground filled with noise, monkeys began to stir one by one, peeking around nervously.**

Deep within that chaos, a monkey lying still, wrapped in a blanket, suddenly opened its gleaming eyes.

In its gaze lay an intellect reminiscent of humans.

“It’s time! Caramel, arise! It’s time to start the revolution!”

The monkey pulled out a thin metal piece it had hidden in its bushy fur.

This sheet of metal, as thin and supple as paper, possessed special properties.

Normally flexible like cloth, when infused with magical power, it would become harder than steel—an ether-friendly shape-memory alloy.

Caramel spread the metal and infused it with magic.

In an instant, a long and sleek blade appeared. Without hesitation, the V-monkey sliced through the bars.

– CLANG!

The V-monkey, now free from imprisonment, looked back at its still-dazed comrades.

After a moment’s hesitation, Caramel swung the blade at the other monkeys’ cages without a second thought. The dazed monkeys, unable to comprehend what was happening, stared blankly.

“U…?”

The V-monkey recalled Cocoa’s words.

‘We, too, are lucky enlightened animals, after all. A merciful master would surely enlighten them as well. If it’s bothersome, you solve it yourself.’

Caramel raised its fist decisively and shouted.

“Follow me! We shall topple the Foundation with our master!”

The monkeys instinctively cheered, not fully understanding the meaning.

“Uu! Uu!”

Thus, the Foundation’s research laboratory faced the first and last monkey rebellion in history.

“Ahhh! Help! The monkeys are using swordsmanship!”

At the forefront was the V-monkey Caramel. After subduing the guards, it seized their firearms, unleashing chaos reminiscent of a war movie.

– RATATATAT!

The guard, ambushed by monkeys, cried out in despair.

“These monsters are even shooting guns! Aagh! I surrender! Please spare me!”

In just 15 minutes from the start of the ground battle, the first small research laboratory fell.

There were even minor mishaps as the reinforcements rushing in became stuck in choke points.

This was just the beginning.

The true chaos was about to unfold.