episode_0081

The next day, Violet visited the administrative office.

““By the way, when are we going to steal the exam papers?””

““What are you talking about? You know we don’t need to.””

Of course, there was no need to steal exam papers.

They could just open their books and copy, so there was no need to take unnecessary risks.

In the absolute worst-case scenario (assuming there was a curse that would kill them if they failed), they could just set fire to the exam paper storage to reset the grades.

““Exam papers are usually kept in double or triple layers of security. There’s no need to take risks.””

Even when I worked in the school administrative office before my transmigration, exam paper management was quite strict.

After placing them in an envelope and sealing them with a sticker for the first seal, that envelope would then be put into a drawer and locked for the second seal.

The drawer where the exam papers were kept was in a windowless room within the faculty office. The security here was probably similar.

However, they needed to get their hands on the administrative system eventually.

Currently, I had come here under the pretense of issuing a certificate of enrollment.

As I stepped inside, the atmosphere of the administrative office was gloomy, like a failing corporate office. The employees were at extreme ends: either working like mad or not working at all.

““Here it is…””

The employee, as if they had eaten a snail, slowly handed over the certificate of enrollment.

““Is it usually this slow? I could have printed one in about five minutes.””

““This isn’t the administrative office we used to work in, is it? Just accept it.””

After receiving the certificate of enrollment, I scanned various parts of the office. I thought about what benefits could be gained if we infiltrated this place.

““Do they not hire interns here?””

““Don’t know.””

Whenever I had time, the Violets would put their heads together and think, but simply physically destroying the academy wasn’t enough.

They needed to access internal secrets and embezzle money to make them bankrupt.

““Let’s just keep it in mind for now. We have something to do, don’t we?””

““Right. Today, let’s mess with the underground facility a little!””

As soon as I left the office, Violet 145 sent a signal to Violet 176.

Currently, Violet 176 had infiltrated a corner of the academy’s underground research facility, a place presumed to be the electrical room. Just like last time when she set a fire, she was now tampering with the electrical facilities bit by bit.

““This must be the place, right?””

““It should be. Then get ready.””

Violet 176 opened the distribution boards. They had no knowledge of electrical engineering, but smashing things wasn’t difficult at all.

““Start!””

A water bucket appeared in 176’s hand. Violet went between the distribution boards, evenly spraying water.

-Crackle!

Soon, small wisps of smoke rose in various places, and sparks flew within the distribution boards. The ceiling lights flickered wildly, and the underground facility was plunged into darkness.

““What’s the reaction over there?””

““Hehe! Listen to this! They’re absolutely beside themselves!””

176 shared the auditory senses of 186, who was monitoring the researchers. We couldn’t hold back our laughter.

-Ah! I’m going crazy! I haven’t saved yet!

-What?! I’m in the middle of a calculation… why a power outage now of all times?!

Our simple experiment yielded interesting results.

The clear screams of researchers whose important work had been ruined were audible. It was exhilarating that a simple water gun could make people so furious!

““We can manipulate people’s minds! Hihahat!””

A moment later, the lights came back on, as if the emergency power system had activated. Anxious footsteps were heard heading towards the electrical room. Of course, 176 had already finished cleaning up and had long since de-generated.

““This much should be enough to delay their research, shouldn’t it?””

““That’s not it. Seeing how quickly the power came back on, they’re well prepared.””

The Violets discussed the effectiveness of their sabotage. It seemed this would only be a temporary measure unless they could completely bury the place with explosives.

““What should we spray next? Saltwater? When will the bombs be ready?””

““It’s not over just because we secure bombs. We need to formulate a proper operation plan and then execute it thoroughly.””

““Got it!””

It was time to consider what to definitively break and destroy. Once the information came in and data organization was complete, they needed to quickly formulate a grand plan.

What kind of mess should we make next time?

““Manager Leslie had better bring some good information soon.””

““We also need to get more cars and motorcycles.””

As I was strolling through the campus, contemplating various ideas, I encountered a girl with pigtails tied with red ribbons.

““…Oh, hello, Violet.””

““Levi! Nice to see you. Where are you going?””

Levi was dragging a bag on her back, comparable in size to a cello case.

““Yeah, shooting practice.””

““Shooting?””

Ah, now that she mentioned it, of course, there was a shooting range at this academy. Why hadn’t I visited it before?

““Well, we’ve always treated real battles like training.””

““Targets? Do we really need to use those?””

Come to think of it, I had shot more people and monsters than actual targets. Since there was some time until the next operation anyway, maybe I should go take a look.

““Levi, can I come along?””

““Come along…?””

““I’m thinking of practicing some long-range weapons too! Could you show me to the shooting range?””

““Oh, okay.””

For some reason, Levi was looking at me with a slightly fearful gaze.

Anyway, I entered the shooting range.

The shooting range was divided into two types, indoor and outdoor, where students with various firearms, crossbows, and bows were diligently training.

Unfortunately, there was only one spot left. As Levi walked towards it, a student who arrived later than us picked a fight.

““Hey, I claimed that spot first, didn’t I? Aren’t you going to move?””

““But I got here first…””

Perhaps Levi’s timid demeanor seemed like an easy target, as the student stubbornly insisted with a brazen attitude.

I approached between the two to calm the dispute.

““Hey, why don’t you both calm down and talk it out?””

The student who was bothering Levi paused when he saw me.

““Um, is your name…?””

““Violet, why?””

““Violet, then that…! Sorry. I’ll be going!””

As soon as I revealed my name, he scurried out of the shooting range.

““Why is he like that?””

““Probably… because of the rumors. That duel.””

““Ah.””

It seemed my reputation had spread widely since the last duel.

““Well… I heard that you cut off a senior’s limbs in the dueling arena… and that they peed themselves right after the duel ended. No, I don’t think that, but…!””

It wasn’t fame, but infamy.

What was the basis for this absurd rumor? I just fought hard and won.

As I felt last time, some people seemed to recognize me. It was probably because my red eyes were so unique and striking.

““V-Violet, aren’t you going to shoot?””

““I’ll just watch!””

Levi hesitated, then quietly opened her case. Inside was a large crossbow, divided into several parts. She took them out one by one and assembled the crossbow.

““That’s not a crossbow; it’s a ballista! Look at the size.””

As soon as Levi finished assembling the crossbow, she fiddled with a component and began shooting. The shooting range targets varied from monster-shaped targets to human-shaped ones.

It was fascinating to watch her shoot a crossbow larger than her own body.

““Do you practice shooting often?””

““W-Well… it’s my specialty. And after this exam, the first-years are going on a field trip. I-I have to get ready.””

““Field trip? Was there such a thing?””

I tilted my head slightly at Levi’s words when a signal came through.

““Hey, it’s about time to start. Check what the effect is.””

While Levi was shooting, I looked outside. I counted silently. One, two, three.

The lights in the shooting range went out.

““What’s the effect?””

““Power’s out. So, this was the proper substation, huh?””

““The student council building is fine, though.””

It felt a bit disappointing.

““I’ll be going!””

““B-But already?””

I left before Levi could say anything else. What mischief should I get into next time?

***

I closed my eyes for a moment, and the Violets were on a bustling street where a festival was taking place.

““…Play with me!””

Someone grabbed the hem of Unit 1’s clothes and pulled. I looked down, and a red-eyed girl, full of mischievous malice, smiled sweetly.

““…Oh!””

““You remember me, huh?””

As soon as I saw her, I remembered. You were…!

Mini Violet raised her right hand and poked her cheek with her index finger.

““Didn’t you miss me?””

““No, honestly, every time I see you, I feel bad.””

Every time I saw this miniature version of Violet, I felt a sense of displeasure.

Mini Violet hung onto my arm.

““That’s harsh. I can only meet you like this sometimes, when I have some free time. I pushed myself too hard in the last duel, you see.””

““Sometimes? What are you talking about? The duel, what was that…?””

““Shh, I didn’t call you to talk about that.””

Violet, letting go of my arm, sat on a chair.

She picked up a champagne bottle, pulled out the cork with her hand, poured it into a glass, and drank. Mini Violet savored the taste, letting out a small gasp of admiration.

““I checked what you did this time, and it was incredibly well done! I came to give you some praise. Your growth rate is faster than I thought.””

Mini Violet wiggled her legs and clapped her hands excitedly.

““Boom boom! Bang bang! You killed them so well, so excitedly, didn’t you? Of course, there were still some tactical weaknesses, but you made good use of the bomb recipe I gave you! It was fun to watch. I love it! Heehee…””

““Can you drink that with that body?””

““Doesn’t matter, Unnie. No, should I call you little sister Violet? Anyway, this isn’t reality. There are no police or military to regulate me.””

Mini Violet seemed to dislike the chair, so she kicked it over with a thump and climbed onto the table. Her gaze rose to the same level as mine.

““Still, a few things were disappointing. Why do you like guns and sniping so much? It’s pathetic.””

““What concern is that of yours?””

““Because it’s not fun! And why do you kill so cleanly? How much better would it be to take a few of them and play with them, maybe interrogate them a bit. It ended too quickly, it deflated my excitement.””

I was speechless at the absurd nonsense Mini Violet was spouting.

““What nonsense are you talking about? By the way, why don’t you reveal your true identity quickly, you fake?””

““What? Fake? Who are you to say that…?””

As we criticized her, Mini Violet’s face contorted hideously.

Suddenly, the surrounding street, the party venue, disappeared, and the space turned white.

““Do you think I left you alone because I liked you? How dare a mere illegal immigrant, who doesn’t know her place, infringe upon the rightful birthright of this sacred body! You pitiful, diseased trash, who knows where you came from…!””

““Stop babbling!””

Irritation surged, and I slapped Mini Violet on the head.

““Kyaaah!””

Mini Violet screamed and fell. Her earlier anger was gone, replaced by surprised blinking eyes. Because of the pain, she rubbed the top of her head.

““That hurt! What was that? How did you do that?””

““What else? A means of physical dialogue!””

““This shouldn’t be happening. Is it because of the fast growth rate?””

She shot up.

““I’ll figure out the reason later… To lay a hand on me, you must have prepared for the consequences, right?””

As the little brat swung her arm, we were sent flying far away, as if caught in a storm.

““Waaah!””

Angry Mini Violet walked through our fallen bodies. Amidst our bewildered gazes, she stopped.

““Is this all the time we have already? See you later, you damned bitch. How did you…””

Mini Violet turned around. She grumbled and disappeared.

Something like numbers was visible on the girl’s left arm.

My vision gradually blurred.

***

I felt like I had a weird dream.

““Anyway, did you hear what Levi said? A field trip.””

““Are they going to a dungeon or something?””

I don’t know why this damned school has so much going on. So busy, so busy.