I Became an Outcast in the Academy

1. Nightmare (1)

I am an orphan.

I don’t know what my parents’ faces look like. Naturally, since I began to recognize my surroundings and start thinking, I grew up on the streets.

Of course, I must have had parents at some point, but I never really felt the urge to see their faces or search for them now.

That’s because, even if they were not my biological parents, there were people I could call family.

Letisha, Seria, Ellie, Lobelia.

Children who, just like me, were abandoned by this world and by their parents.

Even though we were not bound by blood, I thought of them as my own younger sisters and took care of them wholeheartedly.

In a way, it might be that I was trying to heal the wounds I had through caring for the four of them.

Even if it was hypocrisy, it was okay. I truly cherished them and planned to love them in the future as well.

However, there was one problem.

I was an orphan of unclear origin, and this world was not at all kind to an orphan who had nothing.

The age difference between my sisters and me was only two years at most.

But from a very young age, I had to do all sorts of jobs to feed my sisters.

And among all the things I had experienced, the most suitable job for me was being a mercenary.

It might sound a bit arrogant, but it turned out that I had a considerable talent for the sword.

Moreover, although it was a secret I never told anyone, I also had one special ability.

Killing people, or risking my own life, earned me a considerable amount of money. I fed my sisters with that money, and I saved whatever was left.

Although I was living as a bottom-level mercenary, I would not let my sisters live like this.

I would make them happy in direct proportion to the blood and sweat I shed.

With this mindset, I relentlessly worked as a mercenary, saved money, and put in a lot of effort to prevent my sisters from living like me.

One of those efforts was spending a fortune to have my sisters undergo a “talent test” to measure any hidden abilities they might have, just in case.

I didn’t have high expectations, but if even one of my sisters had a special ability… they wouldn’t have to live the same life as me.

A week after the talent test was completed, I received news.

‘My sisters are actually geniuses.’

According to the test results, all four children were born with incredible talents.

Letisha had an immense mana storage capacity and calculation ability that would make even top magicians envious.

Seria possessed a divine power that surpassed that of a high-ranking priest.

Ellie was born with a perfect body and reflexes for mastering swordsmanship.

And Lobelia was born with an astonishing affinity that allowed her to interact with intermediate spirits even before making an official contract with them.

Of course, the world had turned upside down, and my younger sisters transformed overnight from destitute orphans into promising talents entrusted with the future of the empire.

And I, seeing their transformation, couldn’t help but rejoice as if it were my own job.

Because they had always struggled under their useless older brother, I had hoped to clear their path and let them walk a smoother one from now on.

On the evening when their talents were confirmed, a person in a high position in the royal palace discreetly sought me out for a conversation.

Naturally, it was a discussion related to my sisters’ future.

“So, your name is Si An, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Privately, we did a bit of background check on you. Your name is Si An, your occupation is a mercenary. Your current age is estimated at 17, and we don’t know who your parents are. You started working as a mercenary at the age of nine, and you’ve saved most of your earnings in a bank. And you don’t share a blood relation with your step-sisters. Is there anything incorrect here?”

“…No.”

To be honest, I was immensely surprised. That’s because it had been just over a week since my sisters’ talents were confirmed, and in that short time, someone had thoroughly investigated my life.

“Or it could mean that my life is so unremarkable that it can be unraveled in just a week.”

As I thought to myself with a wry smile, the person stared at me for a moment and then began to speak.

“I’ll be straightforward. First, the empire wishes to enroll your step-sisters in the academy.”

“Yes?”

This was an announcement I hadn’t expected at all.

“Your step-sisters were born with unparalleled talents that are extremely rare, even if we search the entire empire. If they are well nurtured, their talents are significant enough to leave a lasting mark on the empire’s history. Unfortunately, your step-sisters have one fatal flaw.”

“…You mean their social status.”

To my bitter response, he nodded.

In truth, I had expected that my social status would be an issue. Street orphans are generally at the very bottom of society, and being a mercenary is one of the most socially stigmatized professions.

But I had no choice but to ignore those two attributes, because I was, after all, their older brother.

“…But how does that relate to my step-sisters enrolling in the academy?”

“In truth, the empire… I mean, the royal side doesn’t care much about your step-sisters’ social status. In fact, in a sense, it’s even a favorable atmosphere. Because, as your status is lowly, you won’t be swayed by nobles and can fully support them.”

By now, I was starting to grasp what he wanted to say.

“Do you mean to use my step-sisters as hunting dogs for the royals?”

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong. But let’s put it more diplomatically and say I want to be the guardian figure for your sisters.”

At my response, he chuckled and smiled at me.

“But no matter how little the royal side cares about your status, it’s still impossible to completely ignore public perception. In this world, there are plenty of people who look down on street orphans who used to sit on the streets.”

“…So the way to compensate for that weakness of being orphans is enrolling in the academy.”

“That’s right. Rather than just having the title ‘orphans,’ doesn’t ‘academy graduates from an orphanage’ sound somewhat better?”

The only condition to enter the empire’s sole academy, Lutra Academy, was not one’s social status but an individual’s ability itself.

As such, not only did nobles attend, but many talented commoner students also entered Lutra, and it was often said that the school was relatively free from the constraints of social status since students did not distinguish between classes.

“You don’t have to worry about tuition. There are already several people who want to sponsor your stepsisters, and even if they don’t, the royal family is planning to provide scholarships.”

I thought about his proposal.

‘…Certainly, it’s not a bad idea.’

No, it was more than just not bad – it was an excellent suggestion. This was because I often thought that if given the chance, I would like to send my younger sisters to Lutra as well.

Lutra was a top educational institution, sponsored by the royal family.

Simply graduating from Lutra was enough to ensure a high-ranking position or be treated as a valuable talent.

However, there was one sticking point that made it impossible for me to wholeheartedly accept his proposal.

“Then would you be able to grant me one condition?”

“What is it?”

“I’d like to enroll in Lutra Academy along with my younger sisters.”

“Why?”

“Because I am their guardian.”

To be precise, it was a statement thrown out to express that I didn’t trust them and wanted to protect my sisters within my sight.

At my words, he smirked and soon nodded.

“Alright. I’ll grant permission. However, you’re not our sponsorship target, so you’ll have to pay your tuition yourself. And pass the entrance exam on your own. We’ll let that slide on our end.”

“…Understood.”

And so, the following year, I enrolled in Lutra as a freshman along with my stepsisters.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and I couldn’t help but feel proud seeing my sisters happy.

Their happiness was no different than my own happiness.

But six months later, my sisters gathered in one place, called me out and suddenly said this.

“Brother, we’re sorry, but please drop out of the academy. For us, at least.”

That was the beginning of my nightmare.