episode_0195

Although violent tactics were somewhat introduced into the work procedures, the position of ‘Inspector’ within the Academy City Inspection Bureau was very similar to its original title.

However, due to Academy City’s unique nature, it simply demanded far broader and more diverse responsibilities than a traditional education system.

Inspectors of the Academy City Inspection Bureau provided advice and guidance on school grounds, pursuing the ideals of education.

However, the complex reality of Academy City demanded even more diverse and extensive responsibilities from them.

The special abilities of Awakened students, coupled with the intervention of clans, large corporations, the military, and criminal organizations, had complicated the situation in Academy City over decades.

Problems within the academy, becoming increasingly violent.

Clans and corporations interfering with academy operations.

The struggle for influence between the Federation and the four major clans, using students as pawns within the academy.

Inspectors and Inspection Bureau staff who tried to resolve these peacefully met their demise.

Ultimately, with the granting of authority to use force, the Inspection Bureau’s role transformed from an administrative body into an organization possessing combat power.

Now, Inspectors had to meet the demands of a new era, possessing not only educational administration skills but also the ability to resolve issues physically.

And Seijis was one of the few who could meet those demands.

“First, there’s something important. Why do you want to go to Aegis Academy?”

His gaze, cold, bore into Violet. It felt like a sharp awl piercing her face.

“What should I say?”

“Lying probably won’t work!”

Violet gasped for breath under the oppressive aura. After a moment of thought, she decided to answer honestly.

“Yeah, it’s cool there! It’s a prestigious school too. And Adela Unnie is there!”

“Adela?”

Hearing the familiar name, he raised his eyebrows.

“What do you mean? When did you meet her?”

“Yeah, I saw her twice, once during the field trip and once in Vittorio Dungeon! She was super nice to me…”

*Had she visited the Southern District without his knowledge? She didn’t seem like a witch, but Violet’s activity level was beyond imagination.*

*’I’ll have to ask Lady Adela about this. Speaking of which…’*

He met Violet’s gaze.

*A face with soft, plump, light-pink cheeks and large, bright red eyes.*

The Inspector recalled the former noblewoman’s personality, who was particularly weak for cute children.

*’Objectively speaking, her appearance does fit that preference. But… I’ll have to tell Adela to keep her distance from Violet for a while.*

*The investigation results his sister sent him last night were quite significant.*

*’Her individual intellectual level is low, but she’s presumed to be a hive mind?’*

*A scene from a crumbling world came to mind.*

*The witch’s avatars, driven only by violent instincts, wreaking havoc and terror everywhere.*

*Their thought processes were crude and simple like beasts, yet the behavior patterns displayed by each avatar were more diverse than ghouls.*

*Mechanical yet detailed actions. Some hid, some fled, others committed murder or explosions.*

*’Experts said that when I attacked the main body, there was a possibility that her consciousness fragmented and scattered.’*

*Though they simply moved instinctually, the dead witch was more troublesome than the living one in terms of unpredictability.*

*Let alone a hive mind?*

The Inspector’s expression darkened. He didn’t know why this girl’s unique ability differed from the witch’s avatar manipulation.

However, if Sophieel’s explanation was correct, the current Violet might be even more dangerous than the Limitless Witch.

Although Violet had unintentionally aided his plans, as long as there was a possibility of danger, Seijis could not allow the girl before him to act on her own.

First, a question.

He opened his mouth, feigning indifference.

“Then Violet, explain your unique ability.”

How would this girl truly react to his question?

She had briefly confided in Sophieel, but that wouldn’t be everything.

There would surely be parts she was hiding or concealing.

Then Violet did something unexpected.

She rummaged through her pocket and pulled something out.

“Yeah, just a moment…”

What she placed on the desk was a piece of paper with adorably deformed girls drawn on it.

“Parallel-connected consciousness structure?”

Seijis read the words written on the paper.

Violet smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes, we have multiple consciousnesses!”

An excited Violet explained her unique ability.

“Violet Network?”

“I don’t know why, but we have a network and server that connects us! So we decided to call it that.”

Saying that, Violet activated her unique ability with permission.

As the now five Violets chattered, Seijis struggled to keep his expression from twisting.

*’If that’s not a lie?’*

*This was an invincible ability. Truly, an immortal army that multiplied endlessly without dying.*

*If there were no limits to her ability and mana, she could someday cover the entire Rustrum Archipelago… no, even all of Trist.*

*An old memory resurfaced.*

*It was about his encounter with the Limitless Witch.*

“-Ah, why do I do such things? It’s fun, isn’t it? And I like beautiful things. Do you know what the most beautiful thing in the world is? It’s me!”

*Inside a certain academy, splattered with blood, the witch laughed maniacally with an arrogant posture.*

“-So, I’m going to get rid of all these ugly things I can’t stand to look at. And I’ll fill that empty space with my own existence. If I can, I want to fill this world with myself!”

*The sound of the witch’s laughter, which shouldn’t have been audible, echoed in his ears, and he flinched for a moment.*

*’That witch also said her limit was around ten thousand due to manipulation issues. If it’s a hive mind…’*

While Seijis was lost in deep thought, Violet spoke to him.

“Um… is there anything else you want to hear?”

*Was she waiting for him? Her expression seemed a little uneasy.*

The Inspector asked the girl.

“Let’s assume everything you’ve said about your unique ability is true. But why are you telling me all of this?”

His tone was laced with suspicion. Seijis approached directly.

Awakened individuals with unique abilities were rarer than they seemed.

Thus, some Awakened individuals would only hide their unique abilities or provide a brief explanation.

Lest their weaknesses be exploited.

*’Surely, she doesn’t think she has no weaknesses? But revealing the true nature of an avatar ability is an act of abandoning stealth.’*

When he asked again, not hiding his skeptical feelings, Violet gave an unexpected answer.

“Well… you seem like a good person, Inspector!”

“A good person? What do you mean?”

“That’s because you’re the protagonist of this world!”

Unit 1, unable to bring up possession and game stories, quickly searched for an excuse.

“Remember the shootout in District 13 last time? You appeared at the end and helped Irene and us! So, I think you’re a good person, Inspector.”

“Couldn’t I have just pretended to be good to trick others?”

“I wouldn’t know about that, but you haven’t been bad to anyone else, just me, so far. So, at least you don’t look like you’re on the same side as the villains from the Federation or the clans.”

*Was that her thought process? Crude reasoning and emotional logic.*

*It was truly a simple-minded conclusion.*

However, the Inspector didn’t feel the need to argue.

Aside from the ferocity that had destroyed a prestigious academy and a large clan in the West, Sophieel had reported several notable characteristics.

*This girl had an innocent attitude, genuinely liking and caring for her friends. Sophieel emphasized that whether it was an act or not required long-term observation.*

“I see. Alright.”

He nodded quietly.

*He would have to observe her for a while, but this child seemed distinctly different from the Limitless Witch in his memories.*

*A more moderate approach might be acceptable.*

*’And with that power… perhaps, she might be able to prevent future catastrophes and set the world right…’*

*He had returned to the past through a slim possibility, yet, unfortunately, there was too much he didn’t know.*

*He hadn’t even known about the plan that took place at Polaris Academy right away, had he?*

*Bitterly, he only barely knew the outcome, knowing nothing at all about the causes.*

*All he could do was trace back events based solely on the results before they happened.*

*’There’s only one way to stop the problems. Focus on the students in the present and move forward together.’*

Seijis, having organized his thoughts, continued talking with Violet.

“Alright. For now, I’ll believe you.”

“Wow, really?”

Violet rejoiced at the thought of having gained his trust.

Before the interview ended, Seijis, with a slightly softened demeanor, spoke about the transfer.

“As I said earlier, transferring into the Southern District through special admission is impossible. Principles and procedures dictate this, so it can’t be helped.”

“Aww…”

“Instead, there’s no problem with proceeding with the transfer itself. It’s late November now… so the period for transfer exam applications will begin soon.”

“I don’t like exams… but I guess there’s no choice.”

“Aegis Vocational Academy will also start accepting transfer applications around now. The exam is at the end of December. You should start preparing quickly… Oh.”

Seijis, who was explaining while showing the transfer-related documents, suddenly felt a difficult emotion. A question mark appeared on Violet’s face as she watched him.

“Why?”

“To take the transfer exam, you need to submit academic records and grade-related documents from your previous academy. But Polaris Academy was destroyed. So, there clearly wouldn’t be any internal data left…”

In front of the troubled Inspector, Violet chuckled.

“Oh, that? Inspector, don’t worry!”

“…?”

“I already brought all the servers and documents just in case they were needed! If you request them later, I’ll give them to you through Sophieel Unnie!”

The Violets in the office wore confident expressions, as if telling him not to worry.

The Inspector’s expression, which was about to say it was a great relief, stiffened instantly.

“So that’s it… No wonder the staff said there was almost nothing left…”

“Huh, what?”

Under the sudden pressure, Unit 1 and the Violets’ faces turned pale.

“When you go back after the interview, hand them over immediately. All of them.”

“Eek!”

“Understood!”

Watching the startled girls, the Inspector let out a small sigh.

*’As expected, too suspicious.’*

A resolution solidified in Seijis’s mind.

*That it was right to keep them under observation for a while.*