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As I daydreamed about sending Violet to Sister Adela’s house, reality hit us hard once again.

We had a riddle to solve.

“By the way, why isn’t it working?”

“Right?”

Throughout the weekend, we Violets swung our swords tirelessly, searching for something—specifically, to replicate the technique from the day we sparred with the professor.

“Unit 1461, switch!”

“Unit 988, deploy!”

Every hour, Violets kept switching out, but recreating that technique proved difficult.

It felt like we had gained enlightenment straight out of a martial arts novel or movie, but maybe we just got lucky.

Eventually, feeling bored, the Violets put down their swords.

“How did we use it?”

“I don’t know!”

I tilted my head, examining the sword I was holding.

It seemed like I should know, but I couldn’t figure out if there was a better method.

“Is there maybe a better way…?”

The Violets pondered for a while but couldn’t find an answer.

“I don’t know. Should we go ask the instructor?”

I headed to the next room and asked Instructor Frederick.

“What do we have to do to remember our technique?”

When we posed our question, the instructor responded with a look of disbelief.

“I’d like to ask you the same, you know? How did you pull it off?”

“I have no idea!”

I thought maybe there would be some good insights from our sudden spar, but the outcome was the same.

“This is tough…”

“…I think this might be related to your unique ability.”

Thinking deeply, the instructor called Professor Albert over to exchange views.

“Violet has a collective consciousness. It could be a coincidental phenomenon.”

“That might be true. But if that’s the case, it complicates things further. It’s not like we’re dealing with a surprise box. Should we just keep practicing until the technique comes back to us?”

“It could also be the effect of dual sparring.”

Though they were having a tough discussion, no conclusions were reached.

Perhaps our Violets might actually be geniuses.

“Wait, have we ever checked that thing?”

That’s right, we Violets had a status window. In our focus on weapons, we had neglected to check our current situation.

“Then let’s take a look.”

I casually summoned my status window, and frowned at its changed appearance.

“Why does it look like this? Is it because I haven’t seen it in so long?”

…

<CHARACTER STAT>

Name: Violet Dunhind Rugilinn

Alias: The Calamity of the Western District

Status: First-year student at Aegis Specialized Academy / Member of Ariel Group / Helios Frontier Service Special Operations Division

Lv: 6̷̡̭͙̝̱͉̰̥̮̯̹̳̯͋̆̾̋̀͌̌͗͗̎̐͌̑͘ͅͅ5̴̬̤͕̠̑̎͆̏͋͘

Health: 7400/7400

Mana: 120̵͈̞͈̞̜̣͚̰̈̇̈́̄100/120100

Skills and Knowledge:

<Polaris Hunting Close-Combat Technique> Lv■̴

<Aegis Style Gemont/Cedric Swordsmanship> Lv■

<Ether Emission and Operation> Lv■̴̐

<Intermediate Magic> Lv■

<Explosives Manufacturing Skill>: Lv■

■■■-■■■ ■■■■술:■̴

■■■ ■■■

Unique Ability:

<Collective Consciousness> Lv5

<Fluid-Consciousness/Self-Linked Clone Technique> Lv5̴̨̧̢̦̫̞̺̱̳͍̩̣̤͋́͂́̈̎

Resonance Traits:

* Backstab- Increases damage when attacking from behind the enemy.

* Weakness Hunt- Increases damage when attacking a foe with low health.

…

The overall content was the same. The last time I checked, I was around level 30, so I had doubled my level.

I guess I must have killed quite a lot of people to level up like this.

“Indeed, the best way to grow stronger is through killing!”

“But what level am I at now?”

The problem was the status window being severely broken.

“Why is this happening?”

“I don’t know.”

In this unknown situation, we could only scratch our heads. What could possibly be wrong?

“Sigh, I give up. Let’s just eat.”

“Yeah!”

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

Maybe our Violets had hidden powers!

**

While we spent a considerable amount of time studying at the academy, the Violets practiced various random skills.

“So this is how you mix cement.”

Following what I heard around me, I poured cement, sand, and various other materials into a container based on their ratios.

They said this is how you make solid concrete.

“I made it, at least. It seems to have worked.”

“But we’re not construction workers. Where would we use this?”

After finishing our practice, the Violets began chatting amongst themselves in the network.

“Let’s put a person in a drum and pour it! Then it’ll be great for throwing into the sea.”

“Good idea! Like a movie!”

1515, who had been quietly listening, chimed in with a different opinion.

“But isn’t just throwing it away enough? Putting it in a drum seems like it will be heavy!”

“That’s true. It’d probably be better to just cut it up and scatter it!”

“How about using it to seal an awakened one alive? Just sticking their head out and hardening them whole!”

“Ooh? That’s a great idea!”

We shared opinions through our discussion to find out what was best.

Every Violet’s opinion was equally respected.

“But it seems like it would be hard to use right on-site. How about learning to use construction machinery later? Like learning to operate construction 3D printers.”

“Wouldn’t that cost too much?”

“Right, the money!”

“Then let’s earn some!”

Various suggestions zipped around like lightning. Words, sentences, meanings, and emotions soared throughout the network without a hitch.

This conversation had no discrimination or hierarchy. We Violets were all free democrats.

Every Violet had the right to voice their opinions, regardless of their order of creation.

Sharing ideas through free and equal discussions is the strongest force in forming a robust Violet Network.

“Meeting adjourned!”

As a result of our discussion, we decided to use the concrete as needed.

Sharing thoughts and debating gave us a feeling of working hard today.

“Discussions are indeed fun!”

Feeling proud of our democratic process, 661 went out for a walk outside the school.

Waving to the guards, as I stepped through the school gate, the blue, cool sky welcomed me.

“I am the free Violet!”

After stretching my arms and moving forward for a while, as I walked through the city, someone grabbed me.

“Excuse me, could you spare some time?”

Startled, I turned around. There stood a man and a woman in suits. They approached me with friendly smiles.

“Excuse us, we belong to ‘Ilshimdan.’ We’re conducting research on the changes in modern values. Could you spare a moment?”

The man said in a soft voice. I slightly frowned. Out of the blue, a survey?

“Ilshimdan?”

“Oh, we’re a group that supports students’ mental stability and personal development.”

The man continued to explain in a kind tone.

“We created this organization to help find inner peace away from the stresses of study and daily life. We also run programs for meditation and concentration training, and we have study groups too.”

“In a complex world like today, it’s better to be together than alone, right? Hence the name ‘Ilshimdan.'”

The woman chimed in with a warm smile.

“Are you perhaps attending Aegis Academy?”

“Yes, that’s right. But how did you know?”

I was taken aback, my eyes widening. How could they know I was a student at Aegis?

“Oh, I saw you coming out from the front gate a moment ago. Actually, my younger sibling also attends Aegis Academy!”

The man replied with a bright smile. It felt a bit fishy, but it was a plausible explanation.

“If you’re a student at Aegis Academy, I figured you might be interested in our program… Would you like to give it a try? No pressure.”

I shook my head. Just by looking at them, they seemed like they were about to push some shady products as soon as I followed them.

“Sorry, but I’m a bit busy. So, I’m off now!”

Ignoring them, I quickened my pace.

But after taking a few steps, an odd feeling crept over me. 661 glanced back.

“Where did they go?”

The man and woman had merged into the crowd and disappeared. Feeling unease, the Violet moved forward.

Then suddenly, a chilling sensation hit.

One Violet cautiously pointed out.

“Wait, didn’t we activate the Recognition Interference Device right after leaving our school?”

661 nearly jumped in surprise at that.

**

For decades, the Federation had endured the pranks and insults of the four great clans, but now with a just cause, they vented their frustrations all over the academy city for months.

In the process, they also took revenge on the audacious religious group that dared to touch them.

The Federal Army’s mobile unit entered the dungeon in the southern area alongside the armored knights of Restraid, who showed no signs of discomfort.

“Today, we end the Unity Cult here.”

With newly pinned insignias, Major Klein commanded.

The eradication of the illegal religious organization was nearing its climax.

Soon, the operation to wipe out the remaining forces of the Unity Cult would commence. The once peaceful Isolae Forest was now blanketed with the screams of monsters and humans.

– Boom!

The Non-Awakened Soldiers fired their electromagnetic rifles in rapid succession. Bullets pierced through the fanatics, causing flesh to burst.

– Bang!

An Awakened believer hurled a bolt infused with Ether. A white smoke billowed from an armored vehicle.

But soon, the panicked believers couldn’t withstand the flood of gunfire and took cover behind barriers.

“Ugh, I can’t die without seeing Unity!”

“Brothers! Sisters! Everyone, calm down!”

In the midst of chaos, a terrified believer stepped forward, hands raised.

“Save me! I surrender!”

– Bang!

The believer’s head exploded from a heavy metal bullet. The wails of the believers who lost their comrade were soon drowned out by the cacophony of gunfire.

– Smash!

The rapid-fire gunfire obliterated the protective barriers. Awakened officers charged forward.

Blue blades cut through the air. The Ether-infused sword strikes disregarded the magic-protected bodies and sliced through flesh.

– Thud! Thud!

Giant knights clad in heavy armored suits trampled the fanatics.

With each swing of the massive sword, the bodies of resisting believers were cleaved in half, blood boiling over.

Their obsessions with life and their failed beliefs were drowned out by the heavy footsteps and rolling sounds of the armored suits.

“The remnants have been completely eliminated.”

Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, a frown creased Major Klein’s forehead.

The battlefield was swarming with the corpses of fanatics.

Memories of the past passed through his mind.

‘All the matters regarding Vittorio Arcade have been settled.’

When he closed his eyes, the sight of soldiers perishing easily in the dungeon still lingered.

Thanks to the efforts of the Ariel Group, the larger grievances had been resolved, but he held no particularly good feelings toward these fanatics.

At that moment, a subordinate approached and saluted as he reported.

“Commander, we’ve secured important data from the hideout search.”

He moved toward a shoddy pile of tents that the Unity Cult had been using as a hideout.

A foul smell assaulted his nose as it was filled with countless documents inside.

“This is…”

“We have evidence that the Unity Cult had relationships with various underground organizations. It seems it’s not just one or two.”

Klein rummaged through the papers. The so-called secret religious organization had plastered it all with messy codes.

Among the barely recognizable books and documents, unfamiliar names caught his eye. Could it be a hint of a new conspiracy?

“Hey, Major. How long are we going to be here? This is why non-awakened ones are considered slow…”

The armored knight beside him grumbled, looking down at him.

The creaking of his armor emanated an intimidating pressure.

Major Klein barely managed to resist the invisible pressure as he lifted his head.

“It’s not slow; it’s meticulous. These bastards are dangerous. They can control monsters through unidentified means.”

“What’s that? Relics that control lower monsters are common. It’s no big deal. Even if we encounter them, we can just wipe them out. Why worry?”

“It’s not just lower ones. They can control higher-tier ones…”

Just as the Major was about to continue, the armored knight scoffed, dripping with disdain for the non-awakened.

“Hmph, what are you scared of? Just remember to share your intel, okay?”

The knight grumbled before turning away. Watching the scene, the Major sighed.

He suddenly found himself longing for that mysterious girl from the terrorist organization they’d encountered in the dungeon.

Taking a seat in the command vehicle, the Major scrutinized the documents once again. Suddenly, a word he’d never seen flashed by his sight.

‘Ilshimdan?’

Klein’s eyes sharpened. What new organization was this?

“Return to base as per your observations.”

The mobile unit departed with a new question on their minds.

Inside the swaying vehicle, the Major thought.

There were so many bizarrely named groups in this cramped academy city.

 

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