The Laplaxia researchers only gave me bad memories.
Because of the wretched pseudo-formula they gave me at every meal, I avoided drinking regular milk for a while even after escaping.
Also, I had terrible nightmares every night while I was there.
One day, someone stole my spine and taunted me, saying, “Your spine has been replaced with cash. Got a problem?”
Another time, someone claiming to be a descendant of Hua Tuo tried to cure my headache by cutting off my head with a chainsaw in a nightmare I had almost every day.
Fortunately, since coming to Kalia’s house, the frequency of such dreams had decreased.
However, the bald director’s reckless delusions offered me a choice.
I carefully took out the documents I had stored in an envelope and checked them again.
“They said they would admit me through a special application. Could there be an easier school to get into than this?”
When I pulled out the papers, I saw the large heading:
<Polaris Awakener Comprehensive Academy>.
“Polaris Comprehensive Academy?”
Among the schools the protagonist frequents in the storyline, I had never heard of this place.
In the game, the main settings were places like <Aegis Specialized Academy> or <Vesperia Prime Academy>.
Most of the major playable characters were also alumni from those schools.
But “Polaris”?
This was my first time hearing the name.
Becoming a girl must have dulled my memory. I couldn’t recall much from before my possession, so I thought about it for a while.
Later, I looked up a map, and the memory came rushing back.
This school appeared in the game as the dungeon <Polaris’ Wailing Ruins>.
A dungeon set in the ruins of a school.
“This is that doomed school!”
According to the game’s brief lore, a massive portal opened on the school grounds due to the aftermath of a secret experiment conducted by a certain clan.
As a result, most of the academy’s students were exposed to lethal ether waves, which melted their brains, turning them into ghouls.
Corrupted by ether, the school was closed and transformed into a dimensionally unstable ruin.
Some of the playable characters in the game were students who survived this disaster and transferred to other schools.
Upon realizing this, I immediately put the documents away.
From what I could find, the school hadn’t fallen yet and was still functioning.
However, if my assumption was correct, Polaris Comprehensive Academy might very well become a horror-themed playground teeming with ghoulish students and monsters in the future timeline of the main story.
“I don’t need to walk into a death trap!”
Furthermore, when I asked Kalia about the school, she didn’t have a favorable opinion.
“Polaris Comprehensive Academy? Well, I’ve heard it’s big, and a lot of kids from good families go there… But I also heard it’s way too strict. They say the atmosphere is practically military-like.”
To cross-check, I searched the internet for reviews of the school.
The reviews were all suspiciously glowing.
“An amazing school!”
“Strong sense of unity between seniors and juniors!”
“Feels like a family!”
“You’ll grow up quickly once you’re there!”
The overly positive remarks seemed too good to be true.
Was this astroturfing?
At first, I decided to just stay with the Brotherhood.
Kalia and the older men and women of the Brotherhood didn’t seem to mind me living with them.
While staying there, I decided I couldn’t just freeload, so I planned to get a part-time job.
Whenever everyone left for work in the mornings, I would go out and pound the pavement for a few days.
Then, I ran into a problem.
I had forgotten something very important.
“Oh? You came for the job posting? Great. Can I see your student ID?”
“You look like you can work hard. Which academy are you from?”
“Which school did you attend?”
“Let’s start by checking your student ID.”
This was a city of academies.
Rustlum was built as an academic city to gather and educate awakeners from all over the world.
Apart from corporations, research labs, factories, various clan-affiliated hunters, students, and their support staff, most of the population was associated with the academies in some way.
Here, a student ID was equivalent to an identification card.
While other forms of ID existed, most relied on their student IDs.
Just as trading cards were a necessity in a certain fictional card game world, a student ID was essential in Rustlum.
If you didn’t have one?
You were treated like an untrustworthy drifter or an illegal alien.
Getting any work would be nearly impossible.
When I asked Kalia about this later at home, she was shocked and scolded me harshly.
“Violet! You idiot! How could you try to find a part-time job without a student ID? What if you got caught by some shady people?”
“I’d be fine! I’d either run away or bash their heads in with this hammer.”
“Fine?! What part of this is fine? Ugh, really…”
According to her, people without student IDs could only get tough, unpleasant jobs or illegal entertainment gigs.
Even then, they often wouldn’t get paid.
“Wait, Kalia, do you have a student ID?”
“Of course I do! What did you think I’ve been doing every morning?”
To my surprise, Kalia had a student ID.
In the main story, she had dropped out of school to work as a freelance hunter, but here, she was still a student.
For now, she was on leave to focus on dungeon raids.
That’s right, dungeons were the biggest issue.
There were other things I couldn’t do without a student ID.
“Dungeons? You can’t even handle magic properly yet. Are you planning to rely on your unique ability alone?”
“Yup! I’ve fought before at the lab, remember? I can handle myself.”
I had fallen into the world of the game, and not just that—I was in the prelude timeline. What’s the first thing to do in such a scenario?
It’s only logical to raid hidden pieces and key items.
That’s why I wanted to enter dungeons.
“Without a student ID, you won’t be allowed into dungeons, you know.”
“Graaah!”
Even here, a student ID was required.
After some research, I learned there was another way: obtaining a hunter’s license.
However, licenses were subscription-based and not free. You had to pay a regular fee to the local clan to maintain it, and it limited how often and where you could enter.
In contrast, for some reason, student IDs had no such restrictions.
Truly, this was an academic city.
In the end, I decided to attend school.
Worst case, I could always run back to the Brotherhood.
When I told Kalia and the Brotherhood about my decision, they initially expressed concern.
They seemed worried about my young, fragile appearance.
“The lab registered you, right? Isn’t that dangerous?”
Marco, the Mohawk-haired man, asked with concern.
“They might try to track you down,” Kalia warned.
“Will you be able to eat properly?”
Aunt Paula fretted.
I explained as much as I could, citing the necessity of a student ID, but they raised various objections.
They even suggested introducing me to safer jobs through their connections.
Still, I persisted and tried to persuade them.
“Thank you all for worrying about me! But I really need a student ID. And…”
I summoned Clone No. 2 and had it bounce around.
“I want to grow stronger!”
Kalia crossed her arms.
“Fine, let’s say that’s all true. But Polaris Comprehensive Academy is in the western district. If you run into trouble, it’ll be hard for us to help you. Are you okay with that?”
“That’s fine! From what I found, Polaris has the largest security force of all the schools in Rustlum. Plus, the surrounding area is managed by clans that are highly vigilant. Not even a corporation like Laplaxia would dare recklessly invade.”
“Well, the clan managing that area isn’t exactly friendly with them… But what about tuition?”
“I called earlier, and the first semester’s tuition has already been paid. I can easily earn the rest by exploring dungeons later. And the dorms, meals, and uniforms are all included!”
Kalia suddenly lowered her head and looked me in the eye.
“…Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes!”
I clung to my decision, and after much effort, I managed to reassure everyone.
After some thought, I wondered if the Brotherhood members had reluctantly let it go.
At the end of August, I packed my belongings and finally boarded the express bus heading west.
Initially, I planned to go alone, but Kalia insisted on accompanying me, saying she was too worried about me. It took more than a day to cross the distance.
Under the hazy, ash-gray sky stood a large gate reminiscent of a fortress. In the game, it was a ruined wreck, but seeing it intact felt refreshing and new.
Kalia clutched my hands tightly with both of hers and spoke.
“Violet, if anything bad happens, you must contact me! And don’t ignore my messages! Got it?”
“Of course! And Kalia, I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one!”
I held up a second-hand smartphone I’d picked up from the Brotherhood’s headquarters — the ones from the lab were sold off earlier due to tracking risks.
“Not a kid, you say, yet you can’t even properly take care of your underwear?”
Kalia grumbled and lightly poked my chest with her finger. I gasped and turned my head away.
“But… the lab didn’t provide anything like bras…”
Having never worn such underwear in my life, suddenly putting one on felt awkward and uncomfortable.
At home, I’d gotten used to just wearing a top and wandering around freely, though the men there would glance at me, clear their throats, and quickly avert their gaze.
By the time I realized why, Kalia had already dragged me aside for a stern lecture.
Bras were too uncomfortable for me, so we reached a compromise, and I wore a large-sized sports bra instead.
Kalia, likely for mobility reasons, mostly wore them too and didn’t comment further.
“Make sure you wear what I packed for you! Don’t wander around braless like you did at home, and be mindful of the boys’ gazes. Your chest is quite noticeable, you know. Got it?”
“Got it!”
Dragging the luggage bag that the Brotherhood had thoughtfully prepared for me, I headed toward the gate.
I saw many other students besides myself, which reminded me of my old school days.
It also seemed more like the entrance to a military training camp, such as Nonsan Training Center.
Awakened Academies teach a variety of subjects, but fundamentally, they are closer to military academies focusing on combat and tactics.
As I turned and entered the gate, Kalia suddenly shoved an envelope into my hand.
“What’s this…?”
“It’s not much, but it should be enough for some pocket money.”
“Huh? Wait! Take it back! I’ll be fine!”
My face hardened.
Wait, I don’t need this.
Kalia surely knew about the Brotherhood’s tight finances, pouring money into finding her missing uncle.
When I tried to return it, Kalia stepped back quickly with her signature agile footwork.
“Once you get your student ID, make sure to open a bank account. I’ll transfer money to you bit by bit!”
“Ah! Hold on…”
She waved from a distance. Her pink bobbed hair fluttered in the wind as she moved away.
I felt a strange sense of unease.
This really feels like going off to join the military…
The academies in Academy City each pursue diverse curriculums and teaching methods based on their unique characteristics.
However, certain systems, such as the academic calendar and some parts of the curriculum, are unified under the grand premise of preventing interdimensional invasions.
Thus, all academies follow the September semester system.
The semester was still far from officially starting.
According to the schedule, student IDs would be issued after the entrance ceremony.
For now, it was time to find my dorm and unpack.
‘Does this mean the Brotherhood and Kalia are a bit safer now?’
While staying at the Brotherhood’s hideout, I had revisited the game’s setting-related knowledge, and one thing came to mind.
The Boundless Witch, Violet, is an officer of the Obsidian Legion.
The Obsidian Legion is a notorious terrorist organization within Academy City.
I called them terrorists, but not in the sense of impoverished individuals from the Middle East wielding AK rifles or criminals throwing bombs at children.
The Obsidian Legion operates helicopters, vehicles, and advanced equipment like a professional military force.
It’s akin to a certain mercenary group run by a former Russian chef.
The word “legion” in their name isn’t just for show.
Their scale is unusually large for terrorists, but little about their background is revealed.
The Boundless Witch plays a key role in the gruesome finale of the main story’s first arc.
When I saw the soldiers who had infiltrated the lab, I was astonished.
Before the main story began, this body — Violet’s body — had been in a facility that the Obsidian Legion stormed.
Years later, Violet becomes an officer of the Obsidian Legion and commits mass slaughter.
Could it really be a coincidence? Was Violet recruited during that raid and turned into a villain?
It’s also possible the Obsidian Legion had targeted the lab because of my unique abilities.
If they’re tracking me, it’s the worst-case scenario.
The Legion is far more persistent and powerful than most corporations or clans.
If they were to attack the Brotherhood’s hideout, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
The key officers, including the commander, number seven in total.
In the main story, aside from Violet, two more officers make an appearance.
‘Sycamore the Unwavering and Marksman Calix… was it?’
These two are Violet’s superiors.
The identities and abilities of the other officers remain unknown.
Perhaps I’m overreacting, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Therefore, I need to learn how to handle magic at this school and collect the hidden items scattered throughout the academy. Improving my abilities is my primary goal.
After completing the paperwork at the administrative office, I headed to the dormitory.
I had double-checked everything, so there were no issues.
After receiving a few instructions, I moved toward the dorms.
‘Whatever happens, right now, I’m the kind-hearted schoolgirl Violet!’
There will be no more heinous witches murdering innocent students or provoking the protagonist by beheading someone close to them.
I refuse to live like that!
‘Speaking of which, who was the girl the witch killed?’
Oh dear, my pre-possession memories are hazy again.
What was her name?
She was a kind and altruistic girl with silver hair and blue eyes.
If the protagonist is female, she becomes a close friend; if male, she develops a romantic tension with him.
She helps the protagonist in countless ways, gives out items, and cheers them on.
She was immensely popular among the players, with everyone eagerly anticipating her release as a playable character.
Then, ta-da, in the later chapters, the wicked witch decapitates her!
The moment that part of the story was updated, the global community exploded.
It was also the turning point when public opinion about the Boundless Witch shifted drastically.
But the future has changed, thanks to me, the true Violet. Hehe.
“Doobie-doobie-doo~”
Humming, I climbed the dormitory stairs.
According to the instructions, the dorm rooms are for two people. I’d have a roommate.
Hopefully, it’s a cute girl like me.
After a while, I reached the dorm room and found a girl who had arrived before me unpacking her belongings. She turned to greet me.
“Hello.”
She had long silver hair that shimmered, and her clear blue eyes sparkled.
“Wow… You’re so pretty…!”
I exclaimed in awe.
Hearing my words, the girl froze momentarily before her face turned red.
“Wha… what…?”
Her flustered expression was adorable. But why does she look so familiar?