The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character

What the hell is happening here?

I thought that after taking down the so-called mastermind of the academy, the stress would be over. I thought I could finally relax.

But no.

Of course not.

That was too much to ask, apparently.

"She told me she was leaving early."

Was that a lie?

No, scratch that. That was a lie.

Rachel lied to me.

Right now, I was supposed to be focusing on basic magic class. You know—mana channels, wand control, all the usual stuff. But instead of focusing, my mind was spiraling like a cursed magic circle.

"Cadet Rin Evans," a bright voice called out, snapping me back to reality. "As always, would you like to answer?"

Professor Alice Draken smiled at me with that same cheerful energy she always had. Like nothing was wrong.

But everything was wrong.

At least for me.

"Yes, but… Professor, may I ask a question first?"

"Ooh? What is it?" She grinned, tilting her head like a curious puppy. "I'll answer almost anything for our top student Rin. Oh—but just to clarify, I'm still single, but you're not my type~"

Some of the students giggled. I didn't. I wasn't even embarrassed—just completely done.

The reason she was being extra playful today had nothing to do with her usual antics.

It was because of her.

Sitting calmly in the very back of the classroom, watching everything with sharp, polished eyes, was Rachel Evans—my older sister.

"…Are cadets' family members normally allowed to sit in and observe classes?"

"Aha!" Alice clapped her hands. "So that's what our Rin is curious about. How cute! I thought you were going to ask something deep about spell theory or magic resonance. But of course not, silly! The academy may be a little flexible about cadet movements, but we don't just let anyone walk in and spectate."

I glanced back again.

Rachel didn't even flinch when our eyes met. Just gave a small, perfectly polite smile.

I turned forward again, stiff.

"Then… why is my sister here?"

"Oh, come now. Hero Rachel Evans isn't just anyone." Alice twirled her staff and winked at the class. "I bet there's not a single person in this room who doesn't know who she is. Honestly, I thought you two looked alike the moment I saw her. Honor student blood must run in the family!"

The class chuckled. I didn't.

I wanted to sink into my seat and evaporate.

Then Alice smiled more gently, lowering her voice just a touch.

"Kidding, kidding. Relax. She's not just here as your big sister—she's here in an official capacity. Her status isn't just as a visitor or observer. She's an inspector."

An inspector?

"She's here to evaluate the quality of our teaching and internal systems," Alice added, twirling a loose strand of hair. "You all know about the external inspections happening lately, right? It's part of the academy's new transparency initiative after all the… unpleasantness last semester."

Ah. That made sense.

In the original story, after the whole series of security breaches and suspicious incidents, the academy started letting external figures in to help supervise and evaluate.

Apparently, in this version of events, Dad had pulled some strings—money, influence, or both—and secured Rachel one of those coveted inspection spots.

And now she was here. At my academy.

In my classroom.

Watching me.

I understood the reasoning. I really did.

It all made sense. This is part of a series from My Virtual Library Empire (MVLEMPYR).

But that didn't make it any less humiliating.

How the hell was I supposed to focus on wand posture when my sister was sitting in the back row like a living judgment emoji?

My shoulders sagged as I tried not to scream into my sleeve.

Rachel caught my eye again.

And winked.

I died a little inside and I quickly looked away.

She was enjoying this.

No, worse—she planned this.

This was a long-con ambush in broad daylight. She knew I couldn't run. Not while I was in a classroom, surrounded by people, under the eyes of a Hero and a professor.

And worst of all?

Nobody else thought this was weird.

Everyone around me was either starstruck, entertained, or whispering excitedly like we were filming a drama.

"Oh my god, is that really Rachel Evans?"

"I thought she was taller…"

"Rin's related to her?! How is that fair?!"

I tried to act like a normal cadet and not a panicking younger brother being shadowed by a nationally recognized war goddess.

And then—

"Alright then, Rin," Alice said, spinning her chalk between her fingers. "Since you had a question, it's only fair I return the favor. Now, how about you answer this next one—"

I froze.

Wait, what?

I blinked. "...Sorry, Professor, could you repeat the question?"

The class chuckled.

Alice stopped mid-step and turned slowly, theatrically, hand over her chest like I had just wounded her pride.

"Rin Evans," she gasped. "Our beloved honor student. Our star cadet. Our golden child. You weren't listening?"

"I—uh—no, I just—" My eyes flicked toward the back row again. "There were... distractions."

Alice gave me a devilish smile. "What kind of distractions, I wonder?"

More giggles from the class. Leona wasn't here to save me. She was probably passed out somewhere from fangirling too hard.

I cleared my throat. "I was… reviewing a related formula in my head and didn't hear the full question."

"Ohhh, I see." Alice raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I'll just have to dock your participation score today."

I panicked. "Wha—Professor!"

"Kidding," she laughed, waving her hand. "Relax. I wouldn't dare traumatize our little genius in front of his big sister. It's just too delicious."

Rachel smiled.

Rachel smiled wider.

I wanted to scream.

"Alright, alright," Alice said, finally giving in. "Here's the question again. What is the primary difference between a basic elemental conjuration spell and a transmuted spell of the same elemental attribute?"

Okay. Easy. We went over this last week. I just had to get my brain back online.

"Elemental conjuration draws on raw mana to create the element from scratch," I said, trying to sound like I hadn't nearly short-circuited. "Transmutation, on the other hand, alters existing matter into that element. The process is more stable but requires higher elemental affinity and control."

"Perfect," Alice said, snapping her fingers. "Back on track, as expected from Rin. See, everyone? Even when distracted, he nails it."

The class clapped politely.

Rachel also gave a single clap.

Just one.

The sound echoed through my bones like judgment from the heavens.

Alice smirked. "Good job. And good recovery. Just don't zone out again—or next time, I will put your name in the 'Needs Special Tutoring' box."

More laughter.

I forced a smile.

Haha. Very funny. Let's all laugh at the guy being dissected alive by his sister's eyeballs.

I sat down and tried not to think about how long this class was going to last.

Rachel didn't say a word the entire time.

But she didn't need to.

She was watching.

And that was worse.

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Author Note:

Thank you for reading the chapter. I hope you continue to do read more in future.

It's my first novel so if there's any kind of mistakes you find in the novel related to grammar please tell me and I'll edit it as soon as possible.