Three Violets crossed the school grounds past midnight.
The nighttime scenery of the academy was quite different from the daytime.
The streetlights that had been lit until evening were now all turned off.
The lively atmosphere of the day was replaced with a pitch-black stillness, as if smeared with dark paint.
However, the streets were not as silent as expected.
Even at this late hour, well past midnight, various people and vehicles roamed the vicinity.
The source of the noise was the academy’s security team.
“It feels more like a military patrol than regular security.”
“Shh, quiet. They’ll hear us.”
Once we slipped away into the shadows between the school buildings, encounters with others became rare.
The Violets carefully made their way to the back of the school, relying on sparse lights and moonlight to guide them.
Of course, they didn’t charge in recklessly.
Even though there were fewer guards than earlier, security was still patrolling the grounds.
The issue of our conspicuous golden hair remained a concern.
-How’s the performance? Is it effective?-
-It’s a bit stuffy and hot, but the camouflage works.-
So, we made use of tools.
-The items we bought in the central district are surprisingly effective.-
-When we were in the bushes earlier, the guards walked right past us.-
In the outskirts of the central region, the Violets had visited several second-hand weapon shops in succession.
Unfortunately, there weren’t any weapons rated above three stars.
All they had were one-star weapons.
The few two-star weapons available weren’t the long-range weapons we wanted, like firearms, crossbows, or bows.
Instead, we managed to procure some interesting tools.
Currently, we were crawling cautiously, covered by camouflage nets adorned with fake grass and leaves.
It resembled the ghillie suits snipers wear in movies, though it was more like a cloak than clothing.
-According to the shopkeeper, this is a military-grade camouflage net used to conceal vehicles and equipment. It’s even supposed to block infrared detection. Hunters use it sometimes.-
-It’s rough and smells like oil.-
-Well, it’s thick, so it might be nice to sleep under later.-
Carefully cutting through the darkness, we moved toward the back of the school when something approached from the road.
As the light drew closer, we hid among the shrubs.
-Get down!-
-Is that a security vehicle?-
A luxury sedan climbed the road, different from the off-road vehicles typically used by the security team.
Who could it be?
-Someone important?-
After a long walk, we reached our intended destination.
In the dim light, the silhouettes of three small buildings emerged from the darkness.
The sedan we saw earlier was parked in front of the largest two-story building.
“That must be it.”
The tight security, which was noticeable even during the day, was even more evident now.
There was even a fence around the area.
What could be inside that building?
“How do we get in?”
“Let’s try climbing over the fence first.”
No. 35 and 43 moved to the fence and crawled up to it. Out of curiosity, 35 touched the fence.
-Bzzzt!-
“Arghhh!”
“It’s electrified! 43, pull her away!”
Quickly using a wooden stick, we pried 35 away from the fence and dragged her back.
We overheard the patrolling guards whispering nearby.
“The fence definitely went off. What was that?”
“There are lower-level beasts living nearby, right? Must be them again.”
-Luckily, they didn’t notice us.-
-35 can’t move anymore. Reverse-generate her.-
Climbing the fence or entering through the main gate seemed impossible.
Was there another way?
-But doesn’t that building seem a bit small?-
-What do you mean?-
No. 2, who was sharing the situation remotely, pointed out something.
-It’s too small to be hiding anything significant. It doesn’t even look like a residence. Look at the windows—they aren’t even lit. They’re not covered by curtains either.-
-Could there be something underground?-
We decided to scout the surroundings first.
Cautiously circling the building, we eventually found several structures protruding from the ground.
They were rectangular and reached only about half my height.
Upon closer inspection, we saw they were covered with metal grates.
-What’s this?-
-Looks like a subway vent.-
Did this school have underground facilities?
We tried lifting the grate, but it was heavier than expected.
After generating three more clones, we used a crowbar to wedge it open, creating a gap just large enough for a person to pass through.
After ensuring the coast was clear, we turned on a flashlight with a dim beam and peered inside. A maintenance ladder was visible.
One by one, we climbed down.
After descending about 15 meters, our feet landed on a concrete floor littered with fallen leaves and debris.
Several small metal ventilation shafts surrounded us.
Using a screwdriver, we removed the screws and opened one of the covers, revealing an endless void of darkness.
“This reminds me of the old lab days.”
“Who’s going first, and which way should we go?”
We flipped a coin to decide.
No. 5, who won first place, confidently chose one of the ventilation passages and started crawling inside.
“I’ll go!”
No. 5 plunged headfirst into the slanted metal ventilation duct, sliding down as if riding a playground slide.
While enthusiastically descending, another set of bars appeared in front of her.
“Ugh!”
She slammed her face directly into the bars.
-Nosebleed! My nose is bleeding!-
-Wow, you went deeper than I expected.-
The feedback from the other Violets who followed was more or less the same.
-This path is blocked.-
-I almost crashed into a ventilation fan.-
There was still plenty of time before sunrise. We wandered through the ducts, quietly unscrewing obstructive grates with a screwdriver.
-This place is way bigger compared to the lab.-
The ventilation shafts at the lab were barely large enough to crawl through.
Here, the ducts were so big that two Violets could squeeze in side by side.
It meant the facility required substantial air supply—possibly larger than we anticipated.
Moreover, the layout was complex. Although we hadn’t explored the full extent of the ducts, the sections we had seen so far were already quite vast.
The problem was finding a way to descend to the areas supplied with air—none seemed evident.
-How about we create a clone and send it down?-
-No, what if it lands right in the middle of people? Don’t forget we need to move stealthily.-
Having multiple clones active already involved risks.
My power worked best when others were unaware of my cloning ability.
So, unless it was for classes where I had to personally appear, I usually wore masks, hoods, and hats to stay inconspicuous.
There was no urgent reason to take additional risks.
-Be patient. Let’s map out the ducts first.-
-What about during the day? Don’t tell me we’re eating and sleeping in here.-
-We can set a schedule to create new clones in here and rotate them. If that’s not enough, we can alternate mental focus too.-
-Deal. Sounds good.-
After a brief meeting, we reached a conclusion. Using this method, we could explore 24/7 without rest. Compared to our dusty ventilation expeditions at the lab, this was a huge step forward.
-First, find a secluded area where we can descend—or at least a spot to spy on what’s below. Got it?-
-Got it. Can I sleep now?-
-See you in the morning…-
The Violets wandering the ducts gradually grew tired.
Each pulled out a blanket from their inventory and settled down for some belated sleep.
While the Violets diligently explored the ventilation ducts, presumably under the school, other Violets were busy with their student lives.
We are diligent, exemplary students, after all!
And so, another morning began.
“Ah, ah-hum~…”
I, Violet No. 3, woke up in my dorm room.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t had any nightmares recently.
Thanks to that, I woke up feeling refreshed.
The nightmares hadn’t disappeared entirely.
But when those terrifying, awful things appeared in my dreams, making me scream and run, something strange happened.
A warm light suddenly descended, and the bad things all vanished.
That warmth felt familiar in a way, almost nostalgic. At times, it even made me a little sad.
-Strange, could it be a good sign?-
-When we sleep, we share dreams, right? Maybe having more of us is influencing the nightmares?-
It seemed like our abilities were developing. Perhaps it was a kind of lucid dreaming.
Rubbing my eyes, I climbed down from my bed.
Daphne was already up, sitting at her desk and studying her textbooks. Her diligence never ceased to amaze me.
Sensing my presence, Daphne turned her head toward me.
“…Miss Rugilinn. Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Hm? Yeah, I slept well. Why? Did something happen last night?”
“…No! Nothing at all. It’s just good to hear you rested well.”
Apparently, it wasn’t anything important.
And so, life continued its monotonous, repetitive cycle: attending classes, goofing off, watching games, and working.
The central team started motorcycle deliveries, and the dungeon team hunted Screx and other minor beasts every other day.
“Oh my, student. You’re here again. Don’t you study at school? I feel like I see you quite often.”
“Ha ha… Tuition fees, you know…”
“Ah, tuition is important. Take care!”
After finishing class, I strolled along the path. The breeze, carrying the scent of grass, gently brushed my face.
I closed my eyes softly.
With just a slight connection to the network of Violets, I could sense countless “me”s living, breathing, and moving.
I could experience it.
-Oh no… another cockroach. I hate ventilation ducts for this reason.-
-No. 51! Another delivery request just came in. No. 67 is near the residential area. Pick up the package, cut through the alley, and send it. Inventory or transmission?-
-It’s small, so I’ll transmit it!-
-Ha ha ha! This show is hilarious.-
-Charge! Charge! Watch out for the Screx caster on the left. Rearline, prepare to strike! Channel mana into the shield!-
-Attack! What? Argh!-
-The truck engine stalled again. What? It’s a flooded vehicle?!-
We could unmistakably feel each other.
I could perceive myself.
The others could embody me.
They could experience and savor everything.
So, if we had the chance, we should enjoy it.
If my actions could ease the pain and fatigue of the other “me”s, even for a day, why not?
And so, I spent a pleasant time under the September sun.
I tried to, at least.
“Damn it!”
“I-I don’t know why… Please stop…”
Until I saw a student being bullied behind me.
It was Levi.
The classmate who had taken me to the infirmary after my drunken collapse.