Chapter 19
The special lesson from Vladimir was over.
I asked Maria for two cups of coffee.
He sat modestly on the guest sofa, glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, and asked.
“But…”
“What’s the matter?”
“What was that earlier?”
“Be clear about what you’re referring to.”
“It’s that thing. You ripped something like a piece of paper partway through. And then the module output suddenly increased.”
“Oh, that.”
You must be referring to the Module Compatibility Increase Ticket.
Module compatibility, like in a game, is similar to weapon proficiency or suitability.
In other words, it’s a metric indicating how well a module fits with the body.
Because of that, if you use one module for a long time, the body can adapt to the module, raising compatibility.
Anyway.
In exchange for curing the illness last time, my [Cloud Spider] had very low compatibility and couldn’t deliver its proper performance. I simply restored it with the ticket.
In short, my power didn’t suddenly increase; I just recovered part of the power I originally had.
And it’s not only the [Cloud Spider]; other modules would likely need several tickets invested to draw out their full capabilities.
I don’t know if I’ll have that luxury.
“Did the Stingray family develop technology that temporarily boosts module output?”
He must have seen it that way.
There is a ticket that raises module output level, but I didn’t owe him the courtesy of explaining that too.
“That’s a secret.”
“Tsk.”
Vladimir clicked his tongue.
Knowing full well I wouldn’t tell him anyway, he didn’t press further—he just grumbled quietly in dissatisfaction.
“Where does that leave a person who survived a mortal illness….”
“What did you say?”
“Tsk. I said I’m just glad you got healthy again.”
Although Vladimir grumbled, I didn’t care, sipped the coffee Maria brought, and changed the subject.
“So, who was that informant?”
“I don’t know.”
“…….”
“No, really! I’m telling you I don’t know?! I’ll explain, so stop trying to solve it with your fists at every turn! Why on earth are you still like this even though you’re of marriageable age! I’ve seen you since you were young, but I still don’t understand!”
I only glared at him a little; Vladimir overreacted.
Perhaps this is his true nature, and his earlier attitude was arrogance fueled by the power of the module.
It showed how harshly that guy had tormented the past Aaron. It wasn’t my fault, but I feel sorry anyway.
“Explain properly.”
“Even if I try to trace it, I’d need something to trace.”
“There really are no clues at all? That can’t be.”
“I thought so too, so I investigated. Turns out the contact came through the academy’s internal line. The initial call was made from the academy’s payphone.”
In other words, the culprit made the tip to Militech using an internal phone at the academy, then hid away.
“Was there no trace left at that payphone?”
“……None at all.”
“Your answers are curt.”
“No, honestly, you’re the same age as me—why do you make me speak formally?! You’re not anything special!”
“Words.”
“……Yes.”
He ended up slinking back, but still tried to argue.
But honestly, showing this attitude toward Militech’s heir can’t be good in the long run.
Later, they might openly lodge a fierce protest because of my behavior.
But so what?
That’s a problem for later. My fists are closer than the law. If he offends me now, he’ll suffer losses—Vladimir himself would.
Besides, what can he do later even if he tries to seek revenge?
Face off directly with the Stingray House?
Militech is a major power, but for now, it doesn’t match up to Stingray.
Well, maybe they could.
In the original storyline, there was an episode of “corporate war” where Militech rallied with other companies.
But one thing is certain: if that happens, Militech’s leadership will be utterly, irreparably destroyed. Because I’ll make it so.
‘Of course, for that to happen, I’d need to fully restore my prime strength.’
What I mean is, for that goal, I must find the transmigrator as soon as possible.
Without the transmigrator’s interference, I can proceed with the episode as I’ve planned, gain points easily, and grow in strength.
“In any case, there’s no trace at all. It happened to be in an area beyond CCTV’s reach, and even searching nearby footage revealed only androids passing by at that time. I’d give up….”
“So that’s how it was.”
“Hmm?”
Vladimir’s eyes widened.
“Did you discover something?”
“I'm not telling you.”
“That's just underhanded!”
“You’re noisy. I've heard enough of the story, so you may leave.”
At my words, Vladimir snorted in anger and stormed to his feet.
“Don't send people away like that as if they were street dogs! I’m not some neighborhood mutt!”
“I never invited you here.”
You were the one who came to me first.
“Anyway!”
He downed his slightly cooled coffee in one gulp. Coffee was extremely rare in this world, so even he must have thought it too precious to waste.
Then he strode to the door, pointed at me, and shouted.
“I won’t forget what went down here today! Your tyrannical abuse of your strength will be over soon! I’ll pay you back, one way or another!”
“…….”
Despite being terrified and ready to flee, he still clung tightly to his pride and talked a mile a minute.
‘He didn’t seem like this in the novel….’
How on earth did someone like that become Militech's heir?
The future of Militech looked grim.
“Soon, the name Aaron Stingray will be stripped from the Stingray Foundation, so be prepared for that!”
…Look at this jerk.
“Module Online, [Cloud Spi-”
“Gasp!”
Before I could finish speaking, Vladimir hurriedly opened the door and dashed away. Once the sound of his footsteps vanished, I exhaled.
“Sigh… it had to come to this….”
I had steeled myself for this.
Given the circumstances today, that guy had been the most likely suspect.
But when it became real, my heart ached fiercely—more than when I realized Shade Wells had died.
‘Can’t be helped.’
This point in the story corresponds to Volume 1 of the original work.
This is the part where Iri Elisbell is the main focus, a crucial period for her growth.
‘I should nip the bud early.’
The irregular called “transmigrator” isn’t helpful for my plan. Even if it brings me to tears, I must do what needs to be done.
Even if that transmigrator is one of my favorites.
---
“Is it true? Could it be her?”
“I tell you, it’s really her!”
Whispers spread.
After the first day of classes ended, as Iri headed toward the dormitory, the students reacted strangely.
Iri tried her best to ignore them, thinking of other things in her head.
‘I’m lucky the first-day lecture was just orientation. And they didn’t penalize me for being late because I was called to the guidance office—oh, wait….’
…Oh right—I didn’t need scores.
I had already caught Aaron Stingray’s eye and was selected as a special scholarship student. Unless Aaron demanded it first, there was no need to chase after good grades.
‘I bet they want something from me besides grades….’
The moment she reached that thought, she lost her composure again as the surrounding voices became clear. The situation around her was the cause.
“Didn’t she cause trouble on the first day?”
“How did she even get picked as a special scholar for Stingray? On her first day, no less!”
“She must have had some backing—like a parent in a high position. Or from Sector E.”
“No way. I heard she was from Fallen Sector.”
“What? That den of criminals?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard!”
“…….”
Shut up, you guys!
Iri held back her urge to shout, knowing that would produce only the opposite effect in this situation.
‘How did these rumors spread so fast?’
It had been less than half a day since she signed the contract.
Yet already, among the first-year students, there seemed to be no one who didn’t know she had been scouted by Stingray.
The looks they gave her seemed to say, “Who is she?”
Some even approached her, wanting to get close and perhaps benefit from her status.
Of course, their intentions were transparent, and Iri didn’t even acknowledge them.
‘I’m so tired of this….’
Eyes followed her wherever she went—it was excruciating. Having grown up like a wild animal, the gaze of the public was anything but welcome for her.
Unable to endure it any longer, Iri broke into a run down the corridor, intending to escape—she believed returning to the dorm would free her from this situation.
But perhaps because she was in unfamiliar surroundings and hurried, she only realized after arriving at the ordinary dormitory:
“Oh, right. This isn’t it….”
Since she had become a special scholarship student for Stingray, she should be going to the special dorm, not the regular one. Her luggage would probably have been moved there.
The problem was: she had no idea how to get there.
There might have been someone I could ask, but since it was dinnertime, the regular dorm building was completely empty.
Everyone must have gone to the cafeteria.
But even if I asked someone, there was no guarantee they’d give me accurate directions—given today’s atmosphere, it was clear that ordinary students were extremely jealous of the corporate scholarship students.
Even if Iri spoke to them, she’d surely only receive cold stares in return.
“Where should I go….”
Just as she was stumbling through the maze-like halls, she heard a voice.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Ugh?!”
Startled by the sudden presence beside her, Iri leaped back instantly, jumping nearly three meters in one go.
“Who are you!”
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just thought you seemed to be in a difficult situation, so I spoke up.”
“Hmm?”
Only then did Iri look at the person who had spoken to her.
Her neat blond ponytail and emerald eyes made Iri briefly think she was quite beautiful—but her attention snapped to the glowing blue LED choker around her neck.
She wore a uniform emblazoned with the Academy’s emblem.
“…An android?”
“I am a female housekeeper android. If you’re in need, I’d be happy to assist.”
“Oh… wow.”
Relief washed over Iri. She was truly lucky the person she'd encountered was an android. She couldn’t trust any of the humans here—students or teachers alike.
Iri decided to ask for directions.
“Um, C… something.”
“Please call me Ciel.”
“Okay, Ciel. I’m trying to find the scholarship dorm for special students—can you show me?”
“…….”
“Ciel?”
Iri thought maybe she’d imagined it, but for a moment, Ciel’s expression seemed to stiffen.
But that passed quickly.
“Of course. You’re referring to the special dorm, right? Just follow me.”
“Really? That’s a lifesaver.”
“It’s my duty after all.”
With a gentle smile, the android began walking. Iri trailed behind her without any suspicion.
As they walked, Ciel spoke first.
“Ms. Iri.”
“Ms.…? How did you know my name?”
“All androids at Trinity Academy share real‑time student data with each other.”
“Oh—for that reason, huh.”
Iri nodded uncertainly, then paused.
But did the android who guided new students earlier have that function? Or did she?
She wasn’t sure.
“I’d prefer you didn’t call me ‘Ms.’ Just call me Iri.”
In Fallen Sector, where Iri had lived, there were countless androids.
Most were good people(?), and some had built bonds with Iri.
But she also knew that not all androids in the world were like them.
So she didn’t know how to act around androids that weren’t “broken”.
And earlier at lunch, she had greeted one casually and got mocked by other students.
“Anyway—why’d you ask?”
“Yes. Are you a scholarship student?”
“Ah, yeah. It’s odd that I was picked as one on day one. I almost can’t believe it myself—but yeah. I’m a Stingray Group special scholarship student. Though I’m not really sure what’s special about it.”
Hearing that, Ciel clapped her hands and looked as thrilled as if it were her own news.
“That’s amazing! A student being noticed by the largest company in New Valhalla City—how impressive!”
Praising her like that didn’t make Iri happy, sighing…
“I still don’t know how I ended up here.”
“You seem to have an interesting story. May I ask what happened?”
“It’ll probably be boring.”
“No, I really want to hear it.”
With sparkling eyes, Ciel answered eagerly.
Though Iri thought, ‘What’s the point of telling her this?’ she also felt the need to confide in someone.
She had no one to rely on at the Academy.
“That thing is….”
Eventually, Iri began to tell Ciel in detail about everything that happened today.
About how she beat up a male student who picked a fight, how she was called to the guidance office and scolded, how Aaron Stingray came and scouted her.
She even ended up spilling some of her petty past before they finally arrived at the special scholarship dorm.
The long hallway was decorated far more lavishly than anywhere else, and the entrance was blocked by a gate.
The atmosphere felt distinctly different.
“Is this it?”
“Yes. From here on, only authorized individuals may enter.”
“Thanks for guiding me. I ended up rambling about pointless stuff.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed talking with you, Iri.”
At Ciel’s words, Iri let out a small laugh.
She placed her hand on the biometric scanner attached to the gate for identification.
The door leading to the special dorm opened smoothly, and Iri stepped inside, bidding farewell to Ciel.
“See you around, Ciel. Though this place is so big, who knows if we’ll run into each other again.”
“I’m sure we’ll meet again. You’ll keep being friendly with me, right?”
Iri shrugged in response to Ciel’s somewhat anxious expression.
“Of course.”