NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
Ever since awakening my status window, I’ve been sorting out my thoughts. Mainly about the game world I find myself in.
To survive, I needed to get a good grasp of things from here on.
“By the way, I had no idea the Infinite Witch was from here.”
Did he become a villain after living in such a trashy environment? His backstory hadn’t been covered much, either in the game or outside of it.
Well, it wasn’t exactly in line with the scenario team’s motto of “This guy was actually a poor soul too.”
Regardless of anything, I wanted to escape this place.
That’s why these days, I’ve been practicing my powers. Of course, it’s not entirely voluntary; the researchers had me do it.
As footsteps drew closer, a Guard opened the door and called for me.
“Come with me.”
“Yes…”
I quietly followed the Guard.
After regaining my consciousness, there was one thing I was particularly mindful of: acting dim-witted.
If a fool suddenly started speaking clearly, it would only draw unnecessary attention. They might just want to split my brain open out of curiosity.
I arrived back at that exam room. This time, I entered with two researchers and one Guard.
“Okay, Violet. This time we’re going to try some new exercises. You see the tools in front of you?”
As a slicked-back Hair Man researcher operated the computer and various unidentifiable electronic devices, a ponytailed woman researcher explained calmly to me.
When I awakened my unique ability, the researchers’ attitudes seemed to soften. Their gazes were remarkably warm.
“Y-yeah… I-I understand…”
[Clap!]
“Ugh!”
No way. It’s just like before! My body jerked from a light electric shock.
“Pull yourself together. 10-6-8. Are you going to keep up with us like that?”
Maybe not liking my tone, the Male Researcher activated the necklace around my neck. It hurt less than before, so it must have been a lower output. Still stung.
“Y-yes… I’m sorry…”
“Answer properly!”
“I’ll do better…”
This strict researcher kept being grumpy toward me. It was tough to speak clearly.
Meanwhile, the woman researcher placed a brainwave measurement helmet with electrodes and wires all over it on my head. Could this thing even read my thoughts?
“Trash! Abusing bastards! You goblin mothers!”
“You’re not thinking anything suspicious, are you?”
No way, how did he know? Was this really a brainwave detector that could read my mind?
“If you don’t want to taste electricity again, focus. Got it?”
Oh, it was just a scare tactic. When he brandished the switch for the electric collar in his hand, I acted frightened and shrank back…
No, I genuinely shrank back. Reflex, good grief!
Seeing this, the ponytailed researcher stepped in front of me as if to shield me from the slicked-back hair guy.
“Enough! Louis, the child is scared. Our Violet is such a good girl who listens well… right?”
Excuse me, ma’am. I appreciate the defense, but since when did we become ‘our Violet’ after knowing each other for only a few days? It feels a bit burdensome.
Ponytail turned away from the slicked-back guy, leaning down to look at me as if cooing to a baby.
“Did it hurt? You’re okay now. It wasn’t Violet’s fault. Just don’t make any mistakes next time.”
“Y-yes…”
“It’s okay; if you just do a few things that the lady and uncle ask, you won’t have to hurt. Our Violet is such a good girl, right?”
“….Y-yes… I will do my best…”
Once I answered, the ponytailed researcher stood up with a gentle smile, exchanging a subtle glance with the slicked-back guy. What was that about?
Soon they instructed me on several tasks.
First, manipulating the ether in my body, I extended my arm.
The flow of invisible ether coursed through my arm, and a human-like shape seemed to rise from the floor across the room.
As the shape materialized, a girl resembling me popped out.
“Good job! Now, let’s do some simple stretches!”
Now I controlled the clone as the researchers instructed. I started with light limb movements for the stretches.
One-two! One-two! I followed the rhythm while performing jumping jacks a few times and stretching my limbs.
Thinking of it as puppet manipulation, the clone moved naturally.
“10-6-8, can you see the equipment in front of you now? Lift them one by one as instructed.”
Next, I practiced moving the clone to handle tools. In front of me were baskets, trays, dolls, several large and small dumbbells, and plates piled on a barbell.
I manipulated the clone to lift and set down the items one by one. Heave-ho!
I easily picked up items like baskets and dolls. I managed to lift the dumbbells, but I couldn’t lift the barbell. The clone’s strength was similar to mine.
The clone struggled long and hard with the barbell. As the time limit expired, it vanished into shimmering dust.
But just as I thought I was done and turned around, the slicked-back guy ordered me.
“I didn’t say you were done? Lift that.”
“…The clone… disappeared… I can’t lift something heavy…”
Come on, can’t you see that?
How could I, a girl, lift something that looks like it would crush you? Trying to stammer out a protest, he pointed at the barbell with his chin.
“Then, just lift it with your clone, right? If you both lift it together, you can do it, right?”
“I don’t have the strength… I don’t feel any ether.”
“That’s a lie. The readings show you still have half left?”
He rambled while peering at his tablet. As I hesitated, he flicked the switch.
[Zap!]
“Ah! I’ll do it…!”
Reluctantly, I created a clone. Unlike before, a significant fatigue hit me.
I barely managed to lift the barbell with the clone, avoiding another electric shock. Bang! The barbell clattered as it hit the floor.
Approaching from behind, the ponytail researcher squealed, “Well done! Violet! I believed in you!”
What are you believing, you crazy woman… oh, my back!
After doing all sorts of nonsense, I finally stepped out of the exam room. So this is what it feels like to be as heavy as a waterlogged sponge.
The girl’s body was vastly weaker compared to the previous man’s body. Behind me, the slicked-back guy was talking about something like heart reactions when ether runs out with the ponytail girl.
Following the orders, I left the exam room. But this time, the ponytail researcher spoke to the Guard and personally escorted me to the door.
“Our poor Violet… you went through a lot, didn’t you?”
“Yes… I’m okay…”
Suddenly, she hugged me. Wait, this doesn’t feel comforting at all. What are you doing?
“This is all for you. Understand? Just a little more patience…”
“Eek…?”
Hold on a second. Ma’am…? Where is your hand going?
“Our cute Violet…”
The ponytailed researcher’s hand was subtly sliding down beneath my waist.
Excuse me, where do you think your hands are going? On a young girl? This is creepy!
I barely held back my mouth from cursing.
“Hiick… I-I’m fine…”
“Oh dear… that wicked uncle made you very upset, huh? But if you just try a little harder, it will be okay. Got it?”
No, I’m not upset. So please don’t grope me. Okay?
The ponytailed researcher smiled at me with a strangely sticky gaze and turned away.
I heard the lock clicking as the door closed. I collapsed onto the bed with the worst feeling.
“Sigh… this is seriously pathetic…”
A curse slipped out of my mouth. I was surprised by myself and cautiously scanned my surroundings before flipping back over.
There’s CCTV in this room. It seems it doesn’t have audio surveillance, but I messed up.
I cursed the being that sent me here. If you were going to reincarnate me, why not choose me as a comfortable noble or a conglomerate? Why make me a lab rat? I can’t even curse in fear of repercussions.
“I can’t do anything.”
Oh heavens, if you want to reincarnate me in a place called ‘Academy City’, couldn’t you have sent me to a school where girls wear halos or one where they shoot railguns with coins? Why throw me in this dump?
If I’ve become a pretty girl, wouldn’t it make sense to send me somewhere people shower me with praise and affection?
In novels or comics, an ordinary guy becomes a pretty girl one day. Then, he becomes an invincible idol, raking in money and popularity through internet broadcasts or sponsorships.
But here I am, becoming a pretty girl, receiving electric shocks instead of money, and being watched instead of getting attention.
I thought my life was a romantic comedy, but it’s just absurdist theater!
I quietly opened my status window. Thankfully, this is visible only to me.
—————————————————————-
[CHARACTER STAT]
Name: Violet Dunhind Rugilinn
Alias: Test Subject 10-6-8
Status: Research Laboratory Test Subject
Health: 900/1000
Magical Power: 0/1500
Unique Ability:
■■■■: ???
Lv1 Clone Technique: ???
*Your fate is in your hands.
—————————————————————-
‘I’ve exhausted my magical power.’
I used the clone technique a couple of times but consumed about 750-800 magical power each time I created one. Although the magical power consumed when the clone moves is small, it also needs to be calculated separately.
I was exhausted because that slicked-back bastard worked me to the bone. I learned that exhausting all my ether leads to severe fatigue. My health depletes, too.
Thinking about it, those researchers were playing good cop & bad cop.
It’s a classic gaslighting technique. The male researcher scares me, while the female researcher pretends to comfort me, compelling me to listen.
Was my fool act too effective? I had momentarily worked in education, and yet they were trying to deceive me.
What kind of preference does that female researcher have? The sensation of her hand wandering below my waist was horrific.
A bewitching beauty who seduces regardless of gender, how impressive.
But if the first person attempting such things had been a dark older man, I probably would have lost my composure and exploded, so let’s think of it as a vaccination…
Positive thinking, positive thinking…
A sound similar to a choke escaped my mouth. I pulled a thin blanket over me, closed my eyes, and stuffed my bad emotions deep inside.
Right now, I may be a powerless level 1 girl, but I will definitely repay this in the future.
‘The grudge for the electric shocks!’
‘The grudge for that old lady trying to grope me!’
So let’s remember all the grudges from now on. Once I regain my strength, I won’t let any of this slide.