episode_0293

It had been almost a year since escaping the research lab, but I still frequently suffered from nightmares.

Whenever I opened my eyes, a white laboratory stretched out before me, permeated by a strong smell of disinfectant.

And then, flinging the door open, entered that unsettling bespectacled researcher, Team Leader Eva Liston.

“Hee hee… Violet… come with me…”

Of course, we Violets are adaptable beings. Now, we immediately recognize it as a dream.

“Hey! Old hag! You’re dead, so hurry up and scram to the afterlife!”

“Aargh!”

Tearing and killing the Ponytail Team Leader in various ways had become familiar in our dreams, yet the moment we faced her in reality, we couldn’t help but be struck with terror.

“Ugh! It’s the evil Ponytail Auntie!”

That Bernike woman had always felt troublesome. Now, she was so unsettling it sent shivers down our spines.

According to the Scholar-nim, this woman was a relative of President Raihan.

Our Violets’ Ponytail Theory was proving true again today!

“A relative of Raihan? Could she be, too?”

Now all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

What with her modifying demonic beasts, and her strange expertise in biology and medicine.

“It was all foreshadowing!”

What’s more, we had only encountered her a few times, yet somehow she had instantly discerned our true identities.

“Remember when we met on the ship? She put some strange detection device on our heads. Could it be because of that?”

“No way!”

Whatever the reason, we Violets were extremely uncomfortable with that person.

Why on earth did the Scholar-nim entrust such a crazy old hag specifically to us?

The Violets recalled the information provided by Eckhardt University.

Unlike her appearance, Bernike was quite old.

Excluding people like Professor Albert-nim, she was number one among all the doctors and professors we knew.

While units 3231 and 2511 guided the professor outside, unit 2211 posed a question.

“Scholar-nim! I don’t like her! Why did you entrust her to us of all people? You said she was a relative of President Raihan, didn’t you?”

“That’s precisely why I entrusted her to you. Professor Bernike is an important individual, but she cannot be trusted.”

“If she can’t be trusted, why bother saving her? Just how important is her work…?”

I complained, gazing at Seijis with a disapproving look.

That woman was clearly going to cause trouble.

Seijis gave a rare smile. It was a bitter, weary smile.

“I’m sorry to keep asking you, Violet. But there’s no one else I can trust besides you. For now, please escort and monitor the doctor. And I’d like you to report daily on what the doctor is doing. I’m asking you. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you, being multiple.”

“What’s the price? First, hand over the money! I won’t do it for free!”

“Of course, I’ll give it to you. And… let’s see.”

After a moment of thought, Seijis pulled a sword out of thin air.

What appeared was a Zweihänder taller than me.

The moment I saw it, my mind went blank for a moment.

I scratched my head and asked.

“What’s this?”

Fortunately, I hadn’t taken off my mask yet, so my expression wasn’t visible. Though I pretended not to know, I actually knew what it was.

“Oh… that was it, right? The weapon you get for catching the Witch of Immeasurable.”

The Scholar-nim glanced at me with an expressionless face, then walked forward again, explaining.

“It’s a weapon obtained from a deep section of a dungeon in the northern region. It boasts high durability and excellent power. Looking at the equipment you usually use, it’s mainly shields and one-handed weapons. It seemed you might need powerful equipment.”

I gently put my hand on it, and my prediction was accurate.

[̴̧̛̝̺͓͎̪̟̥̮̭̪̈́̍̾͂̉̀̈͊̇̏̒̒̚͠Lamentation’s̬͙̞̟̗͉̞̄̊͊̓̈̄̏͟ Death Throes★★★★★]

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one, no… When was the last time I relied on a status window to view an item?

The translucent silhouette before my eyes was heavily corrupted. Still, recognizing the name wasn’t difficult.

Lamentation’s Death Throes, the main weapon wielded by the Witch of Immeasurable.

I remembered it as something crafted from materials dropped upon defeating her. Its effect was simple: just an immense increase in attack power and critical hit rate.

Since this was now the real world, it seemed it had become something obtained from a dungeon. I didn’t know what its abilities would be.

Still, my expectations rose. A five-star weapon, held in my hands after such a long time. Its classification was Two-Handed Sword.

I wouldn’t be able to replicate it, but it would be quite useful.

Lately, while training at home and at Aegis, I had gradually been trying out two-handed swords in addition to one-handed ones, so it might not be too bad to try using it.

“As expected of the Scholar-nim! To give such a splendid item! He was a good guy!”

With this, I couldn’t refuse the job.

But then a question arose.

“First, Scholar-nim. I’ll do the monitoring, but… will that professor listen to us properly? Besides, she knows our identities! She’ll definitely betray us or run away.”

“Don’t worry about that. She herself promised to follow your and my instructions. I’ve placed a powerful secret security spell on her, so she absolutely won’t be able to carelessly talk about anything related to us. All other indirect means have also been blocked.”

The Scholar-nim said that, and abruptly held out the object in his hand. I took it and examined it closely.

A sleek black rectangular object with a blunt antenna protruding and buttons on it.

“It’s an electric shock remote control. You and I will each have one. If the doctor tries to conduct dangerous research in secret, observe her and use this to stop her.”

Oh ho, so there’s a way to control the Ponytail. This puts my mind at ease a bit.

Just one more question.

“How did you make Bernike listen to us?”

The moment I left, I felt a momentary fluctuation of magic inside the room, and after that, no sound was heard.

It seemed like the sound had been blocked, but surely he hadn’t tortured her, had he?

“He must have beaten her senseless!”

“Could he have subjected her to electric torture?”

The Violets began speculating about the Scholar-nim’s newfound hard-boiled methods of physical persuasion. What on earth had he done to extract obedience from that insolent professor?

Unexpectedly, the Scholar-nim shook his head at my question.

“It wasn’t like that. I merely persuaded her by talking to her nicely. That’s all.”

“You persuaded her with words?”

We were filled with doubt. What on earth was the connection between an electric shock remote control and persuasion?

**

Bernike followed the guidance of the two utterly idiotic mercenaries, grumbling inwardly.

She had no idea how she ended up in such a state.

‘What kind of crazy bitch would I be in the future to do something so preposterous? No matter what, this is…’

No matter how much she pondered it, it made no sense, but there was no way to suppress her raging indignation.

However, it was unavoidable.

Though she prided herself on being the greatest intellect in Lustrum, she never in her wildest dreams imagined that her future self would order the one who would become a time traveler to corner her past self to such an extent.

In a distant future, not yet arrived, when hordes of demonic beasts swept through the last strongholds of the Federation and the Clans, and the sky tore open, showering down alien ships and lords, it was then.

Inside the bunker, the Scholar-nim asked about the advice to ‘beat her senseless’. Would such a method truly work?

Bernike let out a snicker, revealing her disapproval.

“Ah, my apologies. I missed something important. Just beating or torturing me senselessly won’t work. That would only lead to two outcomes. If I were in that situation, I’d pretend to obey outwardly, but ultimately find a way to stab you in the back, and in the worst case, I’d actively join your enemies and attack you, even if it meant joining hands with those Legion bastards.”

Even while coughing repeatedly, she insisted that indiscriminate coercion and threats were merely a necessary gateway that had to be passed.

“First, I’ll definitely ignore what you say. So, at first, hit me hard a couple of times to knock me out of my senses. In the meantime, implant a control device, like a tracking device or a secret security spell. I’m a maniac, so if you don’t, I’ll cause trouble with the apostles, just like last time.”

“Understood. What’s next?”

“After pushing me enough to stop me from thinking useless thoughts, start persuading me. Only then will I take it seriously! Just confess openly. ‘I’m from the future, and I need your cooperation!’ My past self will definitely cooperate with you. What? You don’t believe it? No. I’ll believe your words at face value. You just need to present clear evidence that you’ve met my future self. Now, listen carefully. Never forget…”

Following that, as Bernike whispered with a distorted face, Seijis was dumbfounded at that moment.

*Could something like this possibly work?*

“It’ll work, I tell you, because this is something no one else knows besides me! At any time, in any world, any Bernike would consider it evidence that proves the existence of another ‘me’ that only I could conceive. Just remember one thing. I, as a person, am a thorough scientist. If there’s clear and verifiable evidence, I prioritize pursuing reason and truth above all else. I’ll consider personal emotions a secondary matter and push them down.”

Hesitantly, the Scholar-nim once again followed the advice from the future.

“You’re from the future? Are you showing delusions now?”

Seijis retorted.

“There is clear evidence… I’ve memorized all of this. It’s the content of a letter you wrote yourself, isn’t it? Is that correct?”

The effect was clear.

Recalling that shocking moment, Bernike silently gnashed her teeth. All the way until they drove for a long time after getting into the car and arrived at the safe house near the Inspection Bureau.

“You, how could you…”

“There’s no need to be so embarrassed. The love letters you wrote in your school days or your mistakes are common happenings that occur hundreds of times daily in various places around the academy city even now. It’s something everyone experiences at least once. I, too, have often given advice for such troubles. Still, that student was truly heartless. To throw a painstakingly written letter into the trash without even reading it—”

“Shut up! Damn it! Stop it! Just shut your filthy mouth!”

Bernike used her humiliation as fuel, gritting her teeth loudly. What on earth was her future self thinking to reveal her dark history, like a school love letter, to that Inspection Bureau Scholar-nim?

And of all things, that specific letter that ended up in the trash.

‘Still, for now, I have no choice but to accept it.’

It was difficult to deny him rattling off a string of embarrassing incidents from her childhood school days, or the happenings she experienced while writing her master’s and doctoral theses. His articulate explanation of how to reverse time by detaching only the consciousness of her contributions also didn’t sound like something made up from imagination when she heard it.

“So, Ariel, was it? What abilities do you possess, exactly?”

“It’s not Ariel! Auntie. That’s the name of our organization. We each have our own given names.”

“Hmm, so they put such dolts as monitors, did they?”

Suddenly, she felt intrigued. While researching the apostles, it wouldn’t be bad to personally study the brains of these idiots as well.

‘Well, I was going to try it anyway.’

As soon as the car stopped, the Ariel Group soldiers dragged her out.

“Hurry up and move! Auntie!”

Bernike glared annoyedly at the face behind the skull mask.

“Hey, weren’t we going to be cooperating from now on anyway? Show some respect. ‘Auntie’? Call me ‘Professor-nim’ or ‘Teacher-nim’. I’m still young. Though they say schools don’t teach manners these days, didn’t your parents teach you?”

“I don’t have parents. And according to the documents, you’re old, so you’re an auntie! Don’t learned people know such things?”

Professor Bernike snorted, and said sarcastically.

“Age on paper? Basing judgment on such superficial numbers is foolish. We are Awakened Ones. Thanks to magic, our aging speed is incomparably slow. My telomeres are at the level of someone in their early twenties, and shall we start with the brain? Our neuroplasticity is on a different level from ordinary people. The rate of neuron creation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex is maintained at a twenties level. It’s not just the brain. Shall we look at telomere length? My cells’ telomeres are at the level of someone in their early twenties. Is that all? Mitochondrial function is optimal, and ATP production efficiency is perfect.”

“W-what?”

“Heh heh, you don’t know? Shall I talk about something else? The Awakened, imbued with magic at a cellular level, have muscle fiber regeneration rate, bone density, hormone secretion, vascular elasticity, cardiopulmonary function, and immunity that always maintain optimal condition. I’m at the early twenties level in every aspect. No, I’m probably even superior to an average twenty-something. The point is simple. Biologically, I’m in my early twenties. It’s not strange at all to call me ‘Miss’. This is a clear medical fact. Why don’t you refute it? Idiot.”

Feeling dizzy, Violet hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“B-but you’re still an auntie in terms of age! No matter how young your body is, you still have the time you’ve lived and your experience, don’t you?”

“Hahahahaha! Years lived? Experience? You’re going to judge me by such subjective criteria? Your narrow perspective is pathetic. My brain operates more efficiently than others. Neurotransmitter balance is perfectly regulated, and synaptic plasticity is maximized. What do you mean by ‘experience’? Isn’t it just memories stored in the brain and the resulting cognitive changes? My brain processes all information as quickly and efficiently as a brain in its twenties. It’s incomparably superior. Furthermore, I’m constantly absorbing new knowledge, just like peak-performance teenage students. While you may have lived idly for those ‘years’, I’m evolving every single moment. What you call an ‘auntie’ only applies to someone with a degenerated brain, fluctuating hormones, and declining physical functions.”

Bernike lightly tapped Violet’s head with her finger.

“None of those apply to me. In fact, if we only consider the ability to think, I should be seen as a younger and more efficient woman than you. So, who’s the auntie now? Me, or the dim-witted you? You already fit into at least one category. Do you understand? Or should I explain it more simply? Ah, my apologies. It seems your cognitive abilities might struggle to comprehend.”

Overwhelmed by the sudden torrent of technical terms and sharp criticisms, Violet was completely defeated. She stood speechless, just staring blankly.

“Alright, time is precious, so let’s get moving. Once this work is done, I need to process students’ graduation theses, and also finish up company and university tasks. Much more important matters are waiting for me!”

Watching the professor stride confidently ahead, the Violets thought.

“As expected of the Evil Ponytail. She’s no pushover!”

“We may have been defeated for now, but we’ll enact justice!”

The Violets decided to retreat for now, eagerly eyeing opportunities to use the electric shock device and the love letter given by the Scholar-nim.

**

One rainy day in March, in an empty lecture hall located in a corner of the academy building.

There, Violet was enthusiastically recounting her heroic tales to Irene.

“I see. So the news suddenly reported that Cascadia had wiped out a pirate warlord, and you were behind it all.” Irene’s voice held a hint of admiration. Feeling proud of her friend’s reaction, Violet continued speaking. “Yeah, I went with the Scholar-nim and subdued the bad guys. And get this,”

Violet’s voice rose a pitch higher. “I even carried out a bombing operation with the airplane Irene gifted me! I dropped a big bomb, and it was a success. It was super fun!”

Irene smiled and said. “I’m glad it was helpful. Do you happen to need more airplanes?”

At her friend’s question, Violet hesitated for a moment, glancing around nervously. Then she cautiously opened her mouth. “Honestly… I want more airplanes. But I don’t want to burden you. You’re busy too, Irene. Your clan must have a lot of expenses.”

“Are you worrying about us?” Irene smiled gently and continued. “There’s no need for that. Helios’s finances are strong. Buying one or two more aircraft isn’t much of a burden…”

Violet shook her head with a bright smile. “No, it’s okay. Irene, thank you for the help, but it’s fine now. Besides,”

A playful glint appeared in Violet’s voice for a moment.

“Someone else promised to buy me planes!”

“Someone else? Who—” Just as Irene was about to ask, perplexed, Violet suddenly waved towards the entrance.

“Adela Unnie! Over here!”

A beautiful woman with an elegant posture approached, her golden hair flowing like waves. “Ah, there you are. My juniors! It took me a while to find you.”

Irene politely greeted her, but her instincts as a Hunter warned her of something. Despite the familiar face, an unknown uneasiness slowly crept up.

“…Student Council President-nim. What brings you here?”

Adela smiled elegantly and replied. “Nothing special, but I came to discuss equipment procurement and military reorganization with our Violet.”

“Discuss? Equipment? Military reorganization?” Irene’s eyebrows twitched in confusion.

As unfamiliar words hung in the air, Violet interrupted with an excited voice. “Yeah! Speaking of which, Adela Unnie promised to buy me planes!”

“What did you say?” Irene’s expression instantly warped.

Thinking Irene was flustered by her junior’s surprising remark, Adela, who misunderstood Irene’s reaction as confusion, began explaining the situation in a kindly tone.

“Oh, well, you see,” Adela’s voice flowed like sweet honey. “Our Violet said she wanted fighter jets. This time, thanks to Violet, our family secured a valuable mine, so I wanted to give her something special in return.”

On Adela’s face, the benevolent grandmother’s smile blossomed, one who wished to bestow all sorts of precious things upon her beloved grandchild.

“So, following the Clan Head-nim’s instructions, we decided to establish the Violet Flight Squadron!”

Expectation sparkled in Adela’s eyes. An Awakened flight squadron comprised solely of cute girl pilots!

In her mind’s eye, she could already picture the Violets confidently walking across the airfield.

–One, two! One, two!

–The strongest Violets protecting the sky!

And it wasn’t just about cuteness. Awakened pilots were relatively free from the burden of extreme inertial acceleration or the risk of losing consciousness.

That was also why the vast majority of the Federation’s hypersonic fighter pilots were Awakened Ones.

A flight squadron composed solely of pilots with superhuman abilities would become an immense force incomparable to ordinary pilots.

An excited Violet chattered with an elated voice, like a child showing off a new toy.

“She’s buying me fighter jets! And a lot of them! She said it’s probably dozens!”

“That many…?”

Irene’s usually calm face distorted in surprise.

“Yeah, first, the squadron will be formed with commercially available jet fighters and attack aircraft, and later, large aircraft like transport planes or bombers will also be provided by Unnie’s family!”

“That’s truly amazing…”

In Irene’s voice, an unidentifiable unease slowly grew. And the moment Violet’s next words followed, Irene felt as if her heart had plummeted.

“So, Irene, you don’t have to buy me planes! Adela Unnie said she’d provide everything. Right, Unnie?”

Adela nodded and continued. “That’s right, we’re currently expanding the airfield. Once the flight squadron base construction is complete, would you like to come visit, Irene? We’re also planning to hold the inauguration ceremony for the Violet Flight Squadron. Oh dear? Look how late it’s gotten.”

“Then I’ll get going first! I need to discuss fighter jet purchases with Unnie!”

“Yes, alright. Bye… Student Council President-nim, too.”

Watching Violet link arms with Adela and leave, Irene was enveloped in an inexplicable sense of emptiness. She should have been happy that her friend was doing well, but a corner of her heart felt hollow and a sense of loss.

Why was that?

As Irene struggled to identify the source of her complex emotions, a realization suddenly flashed through her mind.

Ah, she’d been taken away.