After awakening the status window, I had been organizing my thoughts, mostly about the game’s setting.
If I wanted to survive, I needed to start understanding things now.
“I didn’t expect the Boundless Witch to originate from here.”
Did she become a villain because she survived in this trashy environment?
The game didn’t delve into her backstory, nor did any external material.
Well, Elm’s director and the scenario team weren’t the type to push a “This villain is actually a tragic character” narrative.
No matter what, I wanted to escape this place.
That’s why I had been practicing my ability lately.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely voluntary—it was because the researchers made me do it.
“Come with me.”
“Yesss…”
I obediently followed the guard.
Ever since my consciousness returned, I had been mindful of one thing: acting dim-witted.
If a kid who seemed dumb suddenly started speaking clearly, it would draw unnecessary attention.
Worst-case scenario, they might decide to dissect my brain.
We returned to the testing room from last time, but this time there were two researchers and one guard with me.
“Alright, Violet. This time, we’re going to try something new. See the tools in front of you?”
The slick-haired male researcher was operating computers and unfamiliar devices, while a ponytailed female researcher explained softly.
Since I had awakened my unique ability, the researchers’ attitudes seemed to have softened.
They even looked at me with warm eyes.
“Yess… I undershtand…!”
Click!
“Eek!”
Nope, same as before!
A light electric shock made my body jolt.
“Get a grip, 10-6-8. How are you going to follow instructions like that?”
Apparently, the male researcher didn’t like my way of speaking because he activated the collar around my neck.
Although it wasn’t as painful as before, it still stung.
“Y-Yes… Sorryyy…”
“Answer properly!”
“I’ll do my best…”
This overly serious researcher kept barking at me.
It was so hard to keep stammering like this.
Meanwhile, the female researcher placed a helmet bristling with electrodes and wires on my head.
Could this thing read thoughts?
‘Trash! Abuser! May goblins take your mother!’
“You’re not thinking anything suspicious, are you?”
Wait, how did she know?
Was this actually a mind-reading device?
“If you don’t want another shock, focus. Got it?”
Oh, she was just trying to scare me.
When the male researcher brandished the collar’s switch, I instinctively cowered.
…No, I really cowered.
A conditioned reflex, darn it!
Seeing this, the ponytailed researcher stepped between us, shielding me while scolding the slick-haired man.
“Enough! Luis, can’t you see you’re scaring her? Our Violet is such a good, obedient girl… Right?”
Excuse me, ma’am.
I appreciate the defense, but since when are we “our Violet”?
That feels a bit much.
The ponytailed researcher turned back to me, leaning down and speaking as if consoling a baby.
“It hurt, didn’t it? It’s okay now. You’re not bad, Violet. Just don’t make mistakes next time.”
“Yes…”
“Good girl. If you just do what this big sister and mister ask, you won’t get hurt. Right?”
“…Yes, I’ll try my best…”
Hearing my reply, the ponytailed researcher stood up with a serene smile and exchanged a subtle glance with the slick-haired man.
What was that about?
Soon, they gave me a few instructions.
First, I manipulated the ether within me and extended my arm.
An invisible flow of ether surged through my arm, and a human shape rose from the floor across the room.
As the figure materialized, a girl resembling me emerged.
“Good job. Now, let’s try some simple exercises!”
Following the researchers’ instructions, I began controlling my clone.
At first, it was just basic movements like stretching and light calisthenics.
“One, two! One, two!”
I made the clone perform jumping jacks and extend its arms and legs.
Treating it like a puppet, I found it moved naturally.
“10-6-8, do you see the equipment in front of you? Lift and put them down one by one as instructed.”
Next, I practiced moving objects with the clone.
In front of me were household items like baskets and bowls, along with dolls, dumbbells of various sizes, and even a barbell loaded with plates.
I controlled the clone to lift and place the items as directed.
“Heave-ho! Heave-ho!”
Light objects like baskets and dolls were easy to lift.
Dumbbells were manageable with effort.
But the barbell was a no-go.
The clone’s strength was about the same as mine.
The clone struggled with the barbell for a while before dissipating into glittering dust as its time ran out.
Thinking it was over, I turned to leave, but the slick-haired researcher barked another order.
“Who said we’re done? Lift that.”
“…The clone… disappeared… I can’t lift it…”
Can’t you tell by looking?
How could a girl like me lift something even you can’t manage?
I stammered my protest, but he gestured to the barbell with his chin.
“Then lift it together with the clone. Two can do it, right?”
“I’m too weak… I can’t feel the ether…”
“Lies. The readings show you still have half your reserves left.”
He sneered while looking at his tablet.
When I hesitated, he adjusted the switch.
Zap!
“Ahh! I’ll do it…!”
Through gritted teeth, I created another clone.
This time, fatigue washed over me as soon as it formed.
Desperate to avoid another shock, I worked with the clone to lift the barbell.
With a loud clang, the barbell hit the floor when we dropped it.
The ponytailed researcher rushed over, gushing with praise.
“Well done, Violet! I knew you could do it!”
Yeah, sure, “knew.”
My back hurts!
Even after that, I endured more ridiculous tests before leaving the room.
My body felt like a soaked sponge, heavy and drained.
A girl’s body was incomparably weaker than the man’s body I once had.
As I left, the researchers chatted about how my vitals responded to ether depletion.
The ponytailed researcher insisted on escorting me back to my room.
“Poor Violet… You worked so hard, didn’t you?”
“Yes… I’m okay…”
Out of nowhere, she hugged me.
Wait, this doesn’t feel like a comforting gesture.
“This is all for your sake, you know. Just a little more patience, alright?”
“Uh…”
Wait a second, ma’am…? Where are your hands going?
“Our sweet Violet…”
Her hands crept lower, brushing past my waist.
Hey! What are you doing to someone with the appearance of a minor?
Disgusted, I barely managed to suppress a stream of curses.
“Eek… I’m okay…!”
“There, there. That mean man upset you, didn’t he? But if you work a little harder, it’ll be fine. Okay?”
No, I’m not upset.
Just stop touching me, please.
With a sticky gaze, the ponytailed researcher finally left.
Hearing the lock click shut behind her, I flopped onto the bed in the worst mood.
“Ugh… Damn it, this is the worst…”
Cursing slipped out of my mouth.
Surprised at myself, I cautiously glanced around before burying my face in the pillow.
There was a CCTV in the room.
It didn’t seem to have audio, but still, I needed to be careful.
I resented the entity that sent me here.
If you were going to reincarnate me, why not into the life of a noble or a rich tycoon instead of a lab rat?
‘There’s nothing I can do.’
Oh God, if you’re going to put me in a place called “Academy City,” couldn’t you have sent me to a school with girls with halos or a middle school with coin-flipping railguns?
If I were reborn as a beautiful girl, shouldn’t I be enjoying adoration and praise in a comfortable environment?
In novels and manga, an average guy suddenly becomes a pretty girl, then becomes a superstar raking in cash and fame.
But here I am, a pretty girl getting shocks instead of applause, under surveillance instead of admiration.
My life isn’t a rom-com; it’s absurdist theater!
I quietly opened my status window.
At least this thing was visible only to me.
—
CHARACTER STAT
Name: Violet Dunhind Rugilinn
Alias: Test Subject 10-6-8
Status: Research Institute Test Subject
Health: 900/1000
Mana: 0/1500
Unique Abilities:
– ■■■■: ???
– Lv1 Clone Technique: ???
Your destiny is in your hands.
—
‘My mana’s completely drained.’
Just two uses of the clone ability consumed 750–800 mana each.
Even though controlling the clone consumed only a little extra mana, I had to calculate that separately.
Thanks to that slick-haired bastard, I was utterly exhausted.
I also discovered that running out of ether caused extreme fatigue—and drained health too.
Thinking about it now, the researchers had been playing good cop and bad cop.
A classic gaslighting technique.
The male researcher scared me, while the female pretended to comfort me, making me more compliant.
Was my dumb act too convincing?
Still, I used to work as a teacher, even if only briefly.
And to think they tried to manipulate me like this.
Also, what’s with that female researcher’s preferences?
The sensation of her hand creeping down my back was horrifying.
An enchanting girl capable of seducing both genders—how impressive.
If it had been an old man trying that first, I might’ve lost control and exploded, forgetting my act entirely.
Think positive thoughts, think positive thoughts…
I groaned and pulled a thin blanket over myself, suppressing the terrible feelings brewing inside me.
For now, I was a powerless Level 1 girl.
But I swore I would repay all of this someday.
‘The grudge from being electroshocked!’
‘The grudge from being harassed by an old hag!’
I would remember every single grudge.
When I rose again, no one would be spared.