The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

Chapter 3: The Research Lab – Violet is Not Happy!

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 re

“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.