The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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That morning, the dawn was quiet.

Daphne welcomed a peaceful morning after a long time.

‘Today, the upper bed is quiet.’

Her innocent roommate often tossed and turned and mumbled in her sleep during the early hours.

If heard casually, it sounded like a sick puppy whining alone in its doghouse. Listening to such sounds every night made Daphne worry about whether Violet was unwell.

It seemed Violet herself was unaware.

Violet didn’t return until late last night. Curious, Daphne sent a text, but there was no reply.

‘Where could Rugilinn have gone? Did she stay out overnight?’

Suddenly, Daphne felt concerned about her roommate.

The Violet she usually saw was a playful, lighthearted girl who had a slight fondness for food. That much made her seem like a typical girl, but there was an aspect that felt somewhat lacking.

If no one was around to look after her, she had an unsettling instability that made those watching her anxious, like a baby left by the water’s edge.

‘She might have gotten into an unnecessary scuffle with some mean seniors.’

She could never have imagined that behind this prestigious school, there were such absurd and ugly sides.

‘I was told it was a school with order and traditions before enrollment…’

Unfortunately, her roommate had a very playful nature. She might have stirred up trouble by barging into the senior dormitory cafeteria and helping herself to food.

No, it should be okay. Even if something like that happened, Violet would probably find a way to escape with her usual bubbly personality.

Even after breakfast time, her roommate didn’t return. Deciding to get some fresh air before studying, she changed her clothes and headed outside, only to receive a text from an unknown number.

“Who on earth… Oh my?”

[If you know Violet Rugilinn, please come to the Health Room immediately!]

As she rushed to the Health Room, there lay Violet on a white bed. Three students sat nearby with worried expressions.

As soon as the three students heard her footsteps, they turned their heads in sequence.

“Oh my, Rugilinn! What on earth…?”

As Daphne approached in surprise, Violet was groaning and shifting on the bed.

“What happened? Are you hurt badly? Or is it an illness?”

The girl with purple hair standing nearby answered Daphne’s question.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a hangover… You received the message, right? What’s your relationship with her?”

“I don’t know what a suitable relationship is, but I’m her roommate. I’m Daphne Grace.”

The girl sighed after hearing her answer. Daphne pondered how to interpret the meaning behind that sigh.

She would soon hear the reason.

“…At first, we tried to contact Violet Rugilinn’s parents. We inquired at the Administration Office. But when we tried to reach them, the number didn’t exist. There was no way to get in touch with any relatives, and, unfortunately, she didn’t even have any friends. So, I checked her smartphone, and… this came up. Ah, don’t misunderstand! I couldn’t open it anyway because it had a password.”

The girl held up the smartphone placed on the table. Daphne’s blue eyes were drawn to the screen where messages and phone numbers were displayed.

Seeing it only had a phone number without a name made her feel slightly offended.

‘Rugilinn, that’s a bit much. Can’t you at least save my name?’

“You were the representative of the first-year class last time, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m Irene Solstice.”

Daphne tilted her head for a moment.

Solstice? It was a familiar surname. Although it was less common nowadays, it was a name she often heard in the news or broadcasts during her childhood.

“Does that mean…?”

“You’re right. He’s my father.”

Levi, who was sitting next to her, whispered to Granite.

“Isn’t that the spear-wielding…!”

“Oh, it’s true!”

Irene explained Violet’s condition.

“…It seems she knocked back strong alcohol by the bucket and fell asleep in the street. We brought her here just in case she was sick. According to the school nurse, it’s just excessive intoxication, so she’ll be fine after resting for a while. So, don’t worry.”

Hearing Irene’s explanation, Daphne felt relieved. It wasn’t an illness, but still, to sleep slumped on the street after drinking, that really was reckless.

“Isn’t drinking prohibited on campus?”

“That’s right. That’s exactly why I came here.”

– Vroom!

A vibrating sound echoed.

“Oh! I have to take this call, so excuse me for a moment.”

Irene hurried out with her vibrating smartphone. Finally, Daphne got a chance to converse with the classmates who brought her roommate in.

“I don’t know who you all are, but you’re really good people.”

“It’s no big deal! We’re only doing what we should.”

“It’s just a matter of bringing back someone who passed out from drinking, nothing more.”

As they exchanged slightly awkward greetings and light conversation, their interactions quickly fell flat since they weren’t familiar with each other’s backgrounds or departments.

Three students stood quietly by the bed when an unexpected event took place.

Violet, who had been quietly groaning, suddenly began to convulse.

“I don’t want to…! Don’t do this…!”

Violet, who had been silently moaning with her eyes closed, suddenly flailed her arms and screamed.

“What’s happening?”

“It looks like the hangover… is pretty bad!”

Violet began to thrash about as if she might lose her breath. While Levi and Granite were at a loss for what to do, Daphne observed Violet’s condition.

‘It doesn’t seem like it’s a physical problem. Could it be psychological?’

She recalled the things she had heard.

‘Wasn’t the noise I heard every dawn just sleep talking?’

Violet flailed her arms toward the empty space, moaning pathetically, like someone on the verge of drowning trying to grab a lifeline.

Seeing this, Daphne couldn’t hold back and grabbed her arm. Violet’s hands, which had been flailing violently, gently wrapped around Daphne’s hand.

Violet’s thrashing began to subside. She started to cry softly.

“I don’t want to… Mom…”

Everyone fell silent in the sudden situation, unsure of what to do.

Daphne placed her hand over Violet’s head. A gentle green light spread outwards.

After a moment, Violet began to calm down slowly.

The cries that had escaped her lips gradually became quieter.

Granite, who had been watching quietly, opened his mouth out of curiosity.

“What’s going on?”

“I used my Unique Ability. It has a healing effect and alleviates pain. If the appropriate wave is directed like this to her head… yes, she’s fine now.”

Her movements noticeably decreased. Violet became quiet, but tears continued to flow from her eyes, like an endless spring.

Whimpering, Violet’s lips began to twitch slightly.

“Don’t bully me… I don’t want to… Mom…”

The three students looked at the sobbing Violet sadly.

After a moment, Daphne carefully responded to Violet’s soliloquy.

“Are you okay? I’m here with you.”

Whether she could actually hear it or not was inconsequential. Still, she thought maybe it could provide a little comfort.

Violet murmured again.

“Mom…?”

“It’s me, Daphne! I’m your roommate, Rugilinn. You’re okay now…”

Could it merely be a bad dream, or was it something else? She calmly comforted her roommate.

“I’m not your mom…?”

“Huh…?”

“Waaah…!”

Violet began to cry sadly once more. As her wails grew louder, the attention of others in the Health Room turned towards them. Levi looked uneasy, and Granite glanced around before quickly drawing the curtain.

Violet continued to whimper.

“Mom…! Waaah…”

‘What should I do? No way…’

In a panic, Daphne quickly thought of a solution. After hesitating for a moment, she said.

“Yes! I’m your mom. I’m here. You’re not hurt. It’s okay now.”

“Um… Mom…?”

“No one is bullying you. You’ll get better. So hang in there, okay? I’ll say it again. I’m here.”

As soon as her words finished, the sad wails of Violet gradually ceased.

She soon took a deep breath and calmed down.

“Hehe…”

The girl who had been crying only moments before was now laughing for some reason.

‘Thank goodness. This worked.’

As Daphne looked up, she saw the classmates nearby awkwardly turning their heads. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

‘Ah… calling myself Mom, what did I just say…’

If there were a mouse hole, she wished to hide.

“Um, everyone?”

“…We’re listening.”

“Yes… indeed!”

“Please pretend you didn’t hear what just happened with Rugilinn, okay?”

The two nodded. It was a consideration for her classmates.

“Absolutely, no matter what, don’t tell Rugilinn about it!”

She received their promises once again.

Violet stirred slightly and opened her eyes.

***

Before me stood the representative of the first-year class—whether such a position actually existed is another matter—Irene Solstice.

‘She’s small.’

Irene was about my height.

All the characters I had met so far had been taller than me, both male and female, so this was even more striking.

“Is everything alright? Rugilinn.”

“Yeah. I’m fine. But if you could, please speak informally.”

Daphne was the only one among my peers who used honorifics.

She immediately adjusted her tone to explain.

“If that makes you comfortable, I’ll do it, Rugilinn. The reason I came is as follows. The two people who brought you here have already received an explanation. Apparently, seniors committed very unfair acts under the pretext of a welcoming ceremony. Is that true?”

“Correct. But why?”

She opened her bag and pulled out a folder.

“Alright. If you want, I’ll help you file a complaint against them in the Disciplinary Committee meeting. Can you fill this out?”

It was a very tempting offer. I accepted it without hesitation.

“I’ll do it! Sounds great!”

Following Irene’s guidance, I filled out the statement thoroughly.

But still, I wondered. Would this really be effective?

– Yeah, right. There’s no way such normal procedures would work in this dysfunctional school… –

– Honestly, it’s just worth a shot. –

After the proposal, we left the Health Room. I expressed my gratitude to Levi and Granite, who had brought me here. For some reason, their expressions seemed awkward as they looked at me.

“Daphne, is something wrong?”

“Ah… well, let’s say Rugilinn was… um, sleep talking quite a bit because she was sick.”

Daphne explained, almost stammering.

Oh no, I must have shown a lot of embarrassing sides to them. How mortifying.

I spent an uneventful weekend.

In the third week after enrollment, the Disciplinary Committee meeting was held on Monday afternoon. The location was the meeting room on the 5th floor of the Student Council Building.

The Disciplinary Committee, which was held with Irene’s assistance, was… well, very disorganized.

“Hello! I’m Kaim, the treasurer of the Polaris Student Council! Irene, nice to see you again. Is this the third time already?”

A cheeky brown-haired young man welcomed us with a flamboyant demeanor.

“…Where’s the supervising professor?”

“Hahaha… According to Article 21, Clause 1 of the Student Self-Governance Regulations, we don’t need one!”

“What about the Student Council President and Vice President?”

“According to Article 21, Clause 5 of the Student Self-Governance Regulations, only the treasurer, me, Kaim, is required for the proceedings!”

Oh great, this is already a total mess. None of the adult staff members who should be present are here. Besides this ridiculous treasurer, both the Student Council President and Vice President’s seats are vacant.

Is this really a Disciplinary Committee?

And can students even arbitrarily hold such a meeting?

“…According to Article 31, Clause 7 of the Student Self-Governance Regulations, decisions made here are merely recommendations. The final decisions will be made by the Board of Directors! Don’t worry. They will definitely put their seal of approval on it!”

Wow, how impressive!

The chaotic Disciplinary Committee with students and witnesses gathered proceeded like a thunderstorm.

Surprisingly, the proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee went in my favor. After all, it was true that I had brought in unauthorized alcohol.

Presenting the evidence in the form of bottles, the accused Camerdin and the other seniors began to sob.

“Sen… I mean, Treasurer. This is unfair! I only asked for one drink, but she drank it all up!”

“Rugilinn student, is this true?”

“Uh… I guess so…”

After hesitating, I decided to just be honest. Though I had voluntarily partaken, Irene, who had turned into a makeshift lawyer out of nowhere, looked at me in surprise, then defended me instead.

“But it was in a coercive atmosphere.”

“No! Here’s the evidence! That student, Violet, ate happily! How is this any kind of coercion?”

What?

The second-year students showed a video recorded on a smartphone from who knows when. There I was, laughing brightly with food stuffed in my mouth.

“Ah… it’s true.”

– Ack! I must have been too happy to eat! –

– Should I have eaten while crying? –

Five minutes later, the results of the Disciplinary Committee were announced.

“Alright. I will announce the results of the Disciplinary Committee. It has been deemed a serious violation of regulations that unauthorized alcohol was brought in and that it was consumed by other students.

Camerdin Parus and five others are hereby suspended. The detailed content will be determined by the Board of Directors, so you may leave now!”

“No! She drank it all because she wanted to! This is unjust!”

Those shameless ones disappeared quietly, dragged away by the student council officers. They received punishment, but I was uncertain if this was really the right outcome.

“Wait a minute. What about the issues of forcibly coercing food intake and confiscation of weapons? That falls under expulsion.”

As Irene and the first-year witnesses protested, Kaim waved his hand dismissively as if it were bothersome.

“Oh, I don’t know about that! The maximum disciplinary action that can be determined by the Student Council is, after all, suspension. Anything beyond that will be decided by the Board of Directors, so take it up with the Student Council President.”

“Hey! Treasurer!”

“Well then, we’re leaving!”

Kaim dismissed Irene and dashed out with the student council officers.

Is this really a Disciplinary Committee?

“Ah… still, the seniors were punished, so I guess I should think positively?”

“No, this is merely superficial.”

Stuck in this ambiguous conclusion, I felt dazed, and Irene had a bitter expression on her face. It felt like drinking soda that had lost its fizz.

“Well, I’ll take my leave first. Thanks for your help!”

“…Sure. If you need help again, just contact me here.”

After exchanging SNS and contact information, we parted ways. I suddenly wanted to explore the 5th floor.

Wandering through the old-fashioned interior, various plaques, trophies, and certificates were displayed. It was really strange that such a dysfunctional school would receive any awards.

“Ugh… dust.”

It seemed poorly managed, as dust had accumulated. When I wiped across a trophy, thick dust clung to my hand. Only then could I see the engraved characters.

[Polaris 10th Anniversary Plaque]

[Academy of the Year - Polaris Comprehensive Academy]

[Outstanding Student XXX Selected by the Academy City]

[Exemplary Student Award OOO]

The accolades all appeared quite impressive.

Checking the years, they were listed as 15 years in the Federal Calendar. That was ten years ago. Looking at the other awards, it seemed they were all from ten or twenty years prior. The earliest trophy dated back seven years.

Could it be that the past was once thriving?

As I walked through the halls, I observed a scene from the school’s moldy and dirty history. As I passed by portraits of the first chairman and headmaster, I suddenly heard familiar voices arguing from a distance.

‘It’s Irene! And that person…’

It was a familiar sight I had seen once during the entrance ceremony. A tall young man with ashen hair. He was the Student Council President.

I crouched down and cautiously crawled behind the nearest sofa to eavesdrop on their conversation.

– What’s this Student Council President doing? This school is really bizarre.

– Freedom? What on earth… –

– This is absolute nonsense, but it seems better than the authority of seniors. –

The clones eavesdropping chimed in unison. There were bits that were hard to hear, so I didn’t fully understand.

Should I listen a bit more…

“…It is improper to eavesdrop on others’ conversations. Junior.”

With a creaking sound, the sofa shifted. It was telekinesis.

Looking up, I was horrified. The Student Council President was looking down at me with lifeless, cold eyes.

“Eek!”

“Violet Rugilinn? Why are you over there?”

Oh no, I’ve been caught.

I suddenly found myself caught between Irene and the Student Council President. The Student Council President reached out to me. I felt a strange sensation as if something was grabbing me, and my body was forcibly lifted. I was dragged in front of the Student Council President in an instant by telekinesis.

Oh no! I’m caught! I’m doomed!

“Ugh!”

The Student Council President looked me over with cold eyes. What, is he going to punish me? I felt invisible pressure all over my body, and telekinesis…

– Thud thud!

“Tsk tsk, how dirty…”

“Eek?”

“President, what on earth are you doing…?”

“I didn’t realize your eyesight was so poor. There’s dust everywhere. Is there a problem?”

Using telekinesis, he lightly tapped my clothing to shake off the dust. Once all the dust was removed, I landed softly on the floor. The Student Council President’s contemptuous gaze swept over me.

“You, are you some kind of cockroach? Hiding on the floor like that…”

“Eh heh heh…”

I was at a loss for words at the harsh reality he pointed out.