The Academy's Doomed Side Character

Ironically, even after asking, I never got a clear answer about the real reason Rachel showed up.

All I got was, "I’m here as an external inspector, that’s all." Or, "I told you last week I’d come visit."

Which, to be fair, she did—right after Leo and I finished that dungeon raid.

She called, said she’d be here the next day, all cheerful and determined.

I somehow managed to stall her visit for a whole week.

...And now here she is.

At the academy. In my dorm. Inspecting my classes. Eating my food.

A force of nature, impossible to stop.

And then there’s that whole "Rachel’s not actually your sister by blood" thing Zaho Yuren dropped on me.

What a surprise that was.

But it’s not like I could turn to Rachel right after that and casually say, "Hey, by the way, are we even related?" I mean, how do you even begin that conversation?

It’s complicated.