The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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As Daphne reflected on the memories of her first day in the dormitory, she found herself wondering how her dreams had brought her to this point.

‘Could it be…?’

She had heard that just before a person dies, memories from the past flash through their mind like a movie.

What was she doing before she started dreaming?

‘…I was kidnapped.’

Then she got caught up in an explosion. Daphne seriously contemplated whether she was experiencing a near-death situation.

She wasn’t afraid of dying. After losing her family, she had become somewhat indifferent to death. Knowing it could approach at any time, death no longer felt like a catastrophe.

Above all, there was hardly anyone in reality who would miss her.

Yet still, a sense of longing welled up inside her.

Was there really not a single person?

Against her will, her memories kept replaying.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m fine! I’m healthy! Hehe…”

Violet, her clumsy and unpredictable roommate.

Time sped by until the entrance ceremony. They shared sandwiches and had conversations. It had been a short and awkward time, but there were moments of joy to look back on.

It was fun to reminisce.

Suddenly, Daphne remembered someone when she recalled Violet’s appearance.

***

The memories in front of her shifted rapidly.

‘Is this the landscape of… the entrance ceremony day?’

She still remembered. During the freshman welcome event, a monster had barged in. Surprisingly, a girl who looked just like Violet had taken a hammer and shattered a window. According to what she’d heard, it was a clone.

‘In an emergency, the most important thing is to guide the escape route.’

She borrowed the hammer from Violet to widen the space, smashing the remaining glass and covering herself with her clothes to avoid getting scratched. With this, others should be able to escape too.

As she stepped back with Violet, taking a breath, the wall exploded, and a mid-level monster, Kranos, burst forth. The giant reptile, pursued by the students’ attacks, was covered in blood and trembling. In a final act of defiance, the monster gathered magical power at its jaws, aiming it toward Daphne and Violet.

‘Stay calm, just like in training. You can do this.’

Though fear coursed through her, she held it in and enacted her unique ability.

The blessing unfurled, and a powerful barrier appeared. The breath launched by Kranos, sensing the threat of death, crashed into the barrier. The weakened rays scattered in various directions, causing collateral damage, but no one was injured.

“Ha… ha… Thank goodness. I was able to block it.”

Feeling relieved, Daphne steadied her breathing. With her ability, she had finally managed to protect someone.

‘My efforts were not in vain!’

As she barely concealed her joy and moved forward, a scream rang out from behind.

“Keeeeek!”

Turning around, she saw Violet collapsed. Just as she tried to rush over, something fell from the sky.

In a thud, Violet’s form was crushed under something large and white.

Daphne’s eyes widened. A shiver ran through her body without her realizing it.

The tragedy of that day replayed in her mind. The monster’s attack, her fleeing family,

And her younger sister hit by a car. The past, which she thought had been buried, resurfaced, stabbing her heart like a dagger.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaa!”

She screamed as she ran.

‘This time, I can save her!’

But once again, it was too late. There was no need to check for a pulse. Violet had been crushed dead under the air conditioner.

Still, she poured out her magical power again and again. No, this time, I can save her. I can.

Nothing happened.

Daphne realized once more that she had failed.

Though she hadn’t known her for long, their time together had been joyful. Her kind and adorable roommate, and yet she couldn’t save her.

Immediately, the wounds in her heart, which she thought had healed, burst open again. Regrets poured forth.

“Nooooo! Lulu! Not again…! Ugh…”

Even though she had trained and practiced for moments like this, she felt so powerless.

“Huh… I’m sorry… even now… I…”

Even now, she couldn’t do anything. Please forgive me…

As Daphne clung helplessly to the girl’s corpse, a miracle occurred.

“Kyaah…!”

The girl, whom she thought was dead, let out a short scream and got up. A memory of what the girl had said about her unique ability flooded back to Daphne.

“Ah… um… so, this is Lulu’s clone… it must be her unique ability, right?”

“I think so… I don’t really know, but it should be!”

Oh, I see.

Though she didn’t fully understand the situation, one thing was clear. The girl, Violet, was not dead.

When she regained her composure, she found herself tightly embracing Violet and shedding tears.

Thank you. For being alive after all.

From that day on, a corner of Daphne’s heart, which had always been empty, began to fill up without her realizing it.

***

In the face of her mindless replaying memories, the current Daphne realized one important thing.

‘Lulu looks a lot like my younger sister.’

An unpredictable personality, a love for food. Yet, she wasn’t greedy.

“Look! It’s Daphne! I brought delicious food!”

Especially with her obsession for sweet snacks, her innocent yet pure demeanor.

“I’m sorry! It wasn’t me! It was my clone that ate it… I was just so hungry.”

So when Violet took her snack away, she couldn’t possibly get mad.

‘I understand; she must have been quite hungry.’

Watching her enjoy the treats reminded her of someone who loved sweets and had a big appetite.

And when she saw the sleeping Violet whimpering in pain and fear, she couldn’t help but think of Laurel, who had sought out her parents in bed during her childhood. She couldn’t ignore the pitiful plea for help.

So, every night, she used her healing ability over Violet’s head to take care of her.

At the time, she had acted impulsively, but now looking back, she understood why.

Yes, perhaps she was projecting her younger sister onto Lulu.

At first, it was out of sympathy. It was too hard to watch you suffer, and it reminded her of her sister, who had been searching for their parents every night.

Therefore, the day Lulu pushed her off the bed, what she said then was sincere.

“I’m grateful you forgave me for pushing you earlier. Daphne, you’re really such a nice person!”

“…I’m not really that nice…”

I, Daphne Grace, am definitely not a good person. Perhaps everything I’ve done until now was just a facade to comfort myself.

I was just a foolish girl trapped in the snare of the past.

But, as time passed, my thoughts about you gradually changed.

You remained innocent, loved eating, and acted impulsively. But you also knew how to admit your wrongs. You were a girl who could get angry about things that did not concern you.

You were a good person.

Thinking back over the past month, the time spent with you was always joyful and delightful. There were strange incidents and frequent accidents, but I believe it was the best time she had while at this academy.

It was all thanks to you.

Right, now I understand why I fell into this dream.

I was kidnapped by the mean group at school. The blessing of the Clear Eye was about to shatter under hours of continued attacks. I was scared; there was no one around me.

At that moment, you appeared. And you dealt nicely with the bad guys. Bravely saving me, you even blocked the fireball.

Did I die? Or did I just faint for a bit? If I died, please don’t blame yourself. You were incredibly brave.

My one and only friend. Violet.

I am truly grateful.

At a certain moment, Daphne’s recollections began to blur. The world started to fade to white. She felt she had reached the end of the dream.

“…!”

She snapped back to consciousness, eyes wide open, looking around. It was a hospital room.

***

Back in the present time.

Daphne patted Violet’s back, who was sobbing. Right now, in this moment, Violet was no longer the playful and mischievous student; she was just a powerless, timid, and exhausted girl. Whiny Violet slowly opened her mouth and began to explain to Daphne what had happened while she was asleep.

“Umm, actually…”

She recounted how she had brought Daphne to the hospital with Irene’s help, how she had lost her cool and challenged Martina to a duel, and finished explaining all about the duel’s outcome. She didn’t bother mentioning the trivial and messy details, like how she had dealt with the Perian siblings or their group.

Feeling sorry, Daphne hugged Violet tighter. How hard must it have been for her? How terrified and in pain?

“It must have been very difficult. Here, come here…”

“…Thank you…”

Violet slowly moved away from Daphne’s warm embrace. Suddenly, she seemed curious and opened her mouth.

“Daphne.”

“What is it?”

“If you happen to find out that bad guys are plotting evil deeds in our town, and I think I’d lose if I faced them… what should I do?”

Violet thought of the Board’s wicked plot. She recalled the catastrophic outcome that would happen three months later. For Violet, who had been on the verge of losing during the duel, it now carried a heavier weight.

What could someone like me do?

Daphne, puzzled by the unexpected question, answered thoughtfully.

“I suppose fighting back would be right, but if you’re too weak, then it would be right to run away.”

“Run away? But then, wouldn’t that seem too cowardly? Isn’t it better to fight back?”

Daphne thought to herself. Perhaps her question arose because of the duel that had just occurred.

Looking at her expression, even though Violet had won, she looked quite gloomy. What Daphne had heard was fragmented information at best, but Violet’s choice seemed reckless. She could see Violet appeared troubled by it too.

‘Right now, Lulu seems lost. Isn’t the act of choosing what’s scary?’

After a moment’s thought, Daphne provided her answer.

“Well, I think you’re missing a few things, Lulu.”