The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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The next day, I started asking professors about the old school every time classes ended.

“What? You want to know how the old school was? Why would you ask that? Are you a spy? What, five years ago? I’ve only been here for about three years since I started working. Stop wasting time on nonsense and focus on your studies!”

“Oh, are you curious? Four years ago when I came to this school… it was a time when our students’ mental strength…”

“Oh, Miss Rugilinn? You want to know how the school was back in the day…? Haha… Unfortunately, I’ve only been working here since last year, so I don’t know the details.”

Some people evaded answering, while others shared what they knew, but there was a common point.

“None of the professors or instructors have been here long-term!”

“We even looked into the history of other professors who don’t teach us! It turns out they’re all new hires within the last 3–4 years.”

“This school doesn’t seem to operate with any tenure positions.”

It seems like all my efforts were in vain.

“Did you find anything on the school side?”

“Yes! A lot!”

The third clone, who had been wandering around wearing a hat and mask, replied.

“I found three buildings that aren’t mentioned in the school brochure or official map hidden nearby. Want to see?”

The third clone held up a smartphone and zoomed in on a corner of a private satellite map site. Three large and small white buildings were cleverly nestled between the forest and other structures. At first glance, one might think they were just abandoned buildings.

“See? Behind the school, near the forest where we were looking for Crystal Flowers, there are cleverly hidden buildings. They seem to think they’ve hidden them well.”

“Aren’t they just unused buildings?”

“No, I went a bit closer and there was a fence around it, and school guards were patrolling. Seems like there’s something there.”

Just hearing the word “guard” brings to mind the old security guard with a flashlight patrolling in reality. The academy is an important institution, after all. I occasionally noticed private guards dressed in black, armed like soldiers, patrolling near the school. Most Awakener Academies seem to have similar setups, but still.

“I’ve asked almost everyone I could find. Let’s stop for now.”

“No, there’s still one person left. Instructor Frederick of Weapon Techniques! He’s been working here for almost 15 years this year, right?”

That was good news. There was still the Weapon Techniques class left.

“Alright. Since we’re going, let’s ask.”

After concluding our conversation, we entered the gym, which served as a classroom, and were greeted once again by Instructor Frederick, whose face was filled with scars. He looked like a predator searching for prey.

“You bunch of idiots! 100 jumping jacks today!”

“Ugh!”

“Call that a loud voice!”

The harsh training continued today, and I spotted a familiar face. It was Levi, the girl I saw at the freshman welcome party. Next to her stood the big male student I remembered. What was that guy’s name again?

“Granite. It was something like Granite.”

“They must have had class at the same time as me. I didn’t know.”

Were they from the same department as me? It was surprising to find out how close we were all along without realizing it. It was a good call to remember their faces back then.

“Ah, you stuttering fool. Why can’t you understand yet? Hm? Your main weapon is ranged, and you messed up the practice. Do it again. Relax your left hand, and stop shaking your legs!”

“I…I’ll do it…right!”

“Hey, big guy. Are you showing off your strength? How many times do I have to say that Weapon Techniques isn’t about strength!”

“I…I’ll fix it.”

“Not ‘I’ll fix it,’ but fix it now!”

Unfortunately, those two were enjoying their time getting scolded in their own ways. As Instructor Frederick approached this way, I quickly turned my head.

“You! Where are you looking?”

“Ugh!”

How long had it been with that sweaty atmosphere? When class ended, I finally had the chance to ask questions. As all the students were heading outside, I hesitated for a moment before approaching Frederick.

“Oh, it’s you. What’s up? You came to ask about winning duels or secret techniques or something?”

“Duel?”

What does he mean by that?

“Why? Didn’t the board announce it? Now, trivial conflicts are to be resolved through duels according to school rules. Everyone’s suddenly asking me for useless one-on-one match tips! Those lazy bums who never trained! Not that this isn’t usual.”

“No! I’m practicing hard! It’s not even a duel question.”

Hearing my answer, Frederick crossed his arms and scoffed.

“Of course! You shouldn’t embarrass your parents or relatives.”

“I…I don’t have parents…”

Frederick looked at me, bewildered. Only then did I realize I had made a mistake.

My mouth is a problem.

“Um… What I meant is, it’s important to work hard since you’re here…”

Frederick awkwardly wiped the awkward look off his face. His gray eyes, crossing through the scars, were staring at me intently.

“Alright, if it isn’t about a duel, then why are you here?”

“It’s not a big deal! I just got curious. How many years have you worked here?”

“Worked? Thinking back on when I was running circles around my silly seniors, it’s been about 15 years.”

Oh, 15 years of service—so the record was correct.

“So, how was it back in the day?”

“What? How was it back in the day? Much faster than you, way better at grasping things, and full of polite honor students. After graduation, they’d even keep in touch from time to time. But why do you want to know about that?”

For now, he replied somewhat bluntly. Now, should I move on to the next stage?

“Well, you’ve been working here even before the current chairman arrived, right? I’d like to know what the school was like before and after the chairman stepped in.”

“Ah? Talking about the old days, huh? I can’t refuse that.”

His eyes seemed to drift off somewhere distant. It seemed he was reminiscing about the past.

“Ah, it was good back in the day. There were fewer students than now, and many good-natured people. The school had order. Well, if I had to specify, maybe there isn’t much difference.”

He trailed off for a moment, looking around.

“But why are you asking, you brat?”

His gray eyes scrutinized me like a predatory bird sizing up its prey.

“Uh? It’s nothing special. I just got curious! I have assignments to consider, too.”

“Don’t lie, kid. You’re too simple to hide what you’re actually thinking. You seem to want to know more about this school. What’s your goal?”

Ah, my level seems inadequate for this questioning. I guess it’s better just to charge straight ahead.

“I think this school is strange. So I want to find out why. You’ve been working here for 15 years; didn’t you find anything odd?”

“…Are you friends with that spear dude’s daughter? The girl with the violet hair?”

Why did Irene suddenly come up here?

“I don’t know her.”

“Really? Was that my misunderstanding?”

Frederick shook his head in denial.

“Anyway, I get that you want to find something, but that’s not something you can talk about here.”

He waved his hand and dismissed me with a gesture.

“I just want to know how the school has changed.”

Frederick shouted, “Hey! If you draw in any weird attention, will you take responsibility? I have to eat and live too, you know! Now stop!”

I closed my mouth. Frederick carefully scanned the surroundings again, walking over to a desk in the gym and scribbling something on a small piece of paper with a pen.

“Since I’m only living off this knife’s edge, I can’t give you a decent explanation even if asked. But outside… there’s an annoying bookworm.

I’ll write down what you need. ‘Vulture’ sent you, so he’ll answer your questions.”

Before leaving, I suddenly thought of something I wanted to ask.

“Uh… why are you giving this to me if you said you won’t answer?”

Frederick looked at me with a strange gaze. It seemed he had something to say but suddenly got frustrated.

“… If I don’t do this, you’ll just annoy me, right? It’s already quitting time! Annoying brat. Now get lost!”

That’s too harsh!

Once outside, I found a note with a phone number and address scribbled on it. Just as I was about to put the note in my pocket and head out, I received a text.

[Violet. You don’t have any classes this afternoon, right? If you don’t then can you come to the school main gate around 5 PM? I need to meet someone. Dress casually and let me know if you see this. -Irene]

[I’ll go!]

I replied.

After spending some leisure time, I stepped outside the school ten minutes before the scheduled time.

Someone tapped me from behind.

“It’s me, Violet.”

“Ah! You startled me! I didn’t recognize you without your uniform.”

The model student girl was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a suspicious woman wearing a hat and hoodie.

“What’s up? I just got an interesting clue from the Weapon Techniques instructor.”

“Are you talking about Instructor Frederick? That’s actually why I asked to meet outside.”

Irene pulled out a note.

“I got one of these too, what a coincidence. He refused to answer but gave me this instead.”

“You also asked that guy? I was looking for the longest-serving person in this school, and it turns out to be him.”

“Have you called him yet?”

“When I mentioned I wanted to ask about the school, he tried to hang up at first. So I said Vulture sent me, and he told me to come right away. So I’m calling you. Is it okay?”

“Anytime is fine! Let’s go!”

We immediately hailed a taxi and sped towards the city.

After more than two and a half hours in the taxi headed for the address, we finally arrived near our destination. It was a quiet suburban area lined with small two-story houses surrounded by fences.

The cost shown on the taxi meter was no joke. It wouldn’t burden me financially, but still, it felt a bit heavy.

“Uh… Irene, we should split this, right…?”

“What are you talking about? I asked you out, so I should pay. Please, pay up.”

Irene immediately pulled out a card to pay.

“Is the fare really okay?”

She turned back to me with a puzzled expression.

“Isn’t this what everyone can pay normally?… Ah, I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”

That’s right. Irene is loaded.

We diligently walked to the address that led us to an ordinary two-story house.

“Is anyone home? Excuse me, I’m here because Vulture sent me…”

When I rang the doorbell, an annoyed voice could be heard from inside.

“Stop, freeze, just stay there for a moment.”

Just moments ago, the entrance was surrounded by street lights and various illuminations, but suddenly it was enveloped in total darkness.

Then colorful, dazzling magic circles swirled around us, moving up and down.

Uh oh, is this a trap?

“Ahh! Run away!”

“Calm down, Violet! Do you know what this is? This is a type of magical security check. It’s not harmful!”

As I raised a commotion, the darkness lifted a moment later and the magic circles disappeared. The door swung open. A dark interior was visible. A voice reverberated from beyond the hallway.

“Alright, come in. Don’t forget to wipe your shoes before entering.”

As we stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind us. Did we accidentally step into a spiritual hotspot? Wondering if I had entered the wrong place, I followed Irene.

“Stop right there.”

The voice gave another command.

“Alright. Now sit down.”

“With no chairs here, how can I sit…”

The scenery before me suddenly changed. The dark hallway vanished, replaced by a warmly lit, inviting room.

Irene and I landed softly on a comfortable sofa.

“Ah, Vulture sent you? So you came from Polaris.”

A grumpy-looking middle-aged man with fluffy gray hair sat in an armchair, staring at us.

Caught off guard by the sudden encounter, Irene and I were left bewildered. The man adjusted his glasses while scanning us.

“Uh, yes. But excuse me, who are you…”

“What an impolite child.”

The man snapped his fingers.

-BEEP!

A sharp ringing sound pierced our ears.

“Ugh! What the hell is that!”

“Whoa!! My ears!!”

Once the sound subsided, the gray-haired man had risen and was glaring at us quite fiercely.

“Are you a little more alert now?”

“Ugh…”

“You little brats are cocky, huh!? Don’t you introduce yourselves? No greeting?”

“Wha…?”

“Who the hell are you?”

When I protested, the man responded with a look of incomprehension for my complaint.

“What? You want to know who I am? Do you think it’s normal not to recognize me? You little punks…”

He adjusted his glasses and raised his hand. A certificate bordered in white with gold trimming appeared in his grasp.

“I hope your eyes aren’t just for show.”

The certificate read:

<...hereby grants this diploma for completing the first educational course - Polaris Comprehensive Academy>

“Now do you understand, you mischievous brats? I’m your senior.”

I was left speechless, blinking in astonishment.

We unexpectedly faced a super boomer in a place we hadn’t anticipated.