Chapter One: A Scum Awakens with Three Souls and Three SystemsPain. A searing pain pierced through his skull, shredding the fabric of his consciousness as if a thousand red-hot needles were stabbing into his brain all at once. His thoughts scattered, his memories fragmented, and voices blended into an unbearable cacophony. He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt heavier than molten lead. A faint flicker of light slipped through narrow slits, revealing a simple, cracked, and ancient wooden ceiling.Where… am I?The question echoed in the void of his shattered mind, but no answer came. Instead, a flood of contradictory images and emotions surged in, as if multiple dams had burst simultaneously. He saw himself sitting at a dreary desk, staring at a computer screen under dim fluorescent light, weighed down by the burden of his forty years and the monotony of a clerical life that had amounted to nothing noteworthy. Then, in the blink of an eye, the scene shifted. He was dressed in lavish clothing, sneering at another student, hurling degrading insults, and feeling a strange, cruel pleasure as fear flickered in his victim's eyes. A young man in his prime, handsome but with a gaze that carried loathsome arrogance. This… Ethan?Another image stormed in: a cramped room cluttered with anime and manga posters, where a scrawny young man with glasses crouched in front of a large TV screen, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he watched a battle between cartoon characters with supernatural powers. Whispers in a language he didn't fully understand—Japanese, perhaps? Then, another drastic shift. A battlefield drenched in blood and littered with corpses, where he stood tall, his silver armor stained crimson, his long sword dripping with blood, and his eyes carrying an icy coldness and an unfathomable depth, the wisdom and weariness of thousands of years of combat and survival."Aaah!" A muffled scream escaped his parched throat. He tried to raise his hand to clutch his splitting head, but his body didn't respond as it should. It felt heavy, weak, and ached in every muscle and joint. This isn't my body! The realization cut through the chaos of memories like a blade. His body—the body of the forty-year-old man—had been slightly flabby, bearing the scars of a sedentary office life. This body, despite its current frailty, pulsed with latent vitality, the athletic build of a young man in his late teens.Slowly, with exhausting effort, he managed to open his eyes fully. The room was as simple as he'd glimpsed initially. Cold stone walls, a small, high window letting in faint sunlight, a hard wooden bed barely fit for one, and nothing else. No lavish furniture, no decorations—just the bare essentials. Is this a cell? Or a room in a humble infirmary?The conflicting memories began to settle, taking on a more organized, though still painful, form. Piece by piece, he started assembling the puzzle of his new identity. He, the nameless forty-year-old clerk, had died. How? He couldn't recall clearly. A car accident? Overwork? It didn't matter now. What mattered was that he was here, in this youthful body, in a completely different world. A world of magic, monsters, nobles, and strange academies.Ethan's body. Yes, that was the name of the young man whose body he now inhabited. Ethan, the third son of a prestigious count, but known at Saint Maria's Academy as the "scum of the nobles." Arrogant, a bully, lazy, and a troublemaker. His reputation was in tatters, and his enemies were numerous, both among students and even some teachers. Ethan's original memories were filled with shameful scenes, moments so repulsive they disgusted even the forty-year-old man, who hadn't exactly been a saint in his previous life.Then there were the memories of the Japanese otaku. A young man obsessed with fantasy stories, anime, manga, and light novels. His vast knowledge of these fictional worlds seemed useless at first, just more noise in his head. But something about these memories—perhaps his instinctive understanding of concepts like "systems" and "reincarnation"—might prove useful later.Finally, the memories of the millennial warrior. These were the strangest and most powerful. They weren't just images but deeply ingrained combat experience, strategic tactics, a profound understanding of power and conflict, and an icy calm in the face of danger. Where had these memories come from? Were they part of the original Ethan? Or were they another gift from this mysterious reincarnation process? He didn't know, but he felt a strange gratitude for their presence. In this dangerous world, in his current wretched state, these memories might be his only lifeline.Merging four lives, four personalities, into one vessel. A pragmatic, weary forty-year-old man, a corrupt and hated noble youth, a dreamy and reclusive otaku, and a wise and ruthless ancient warrior. An explosive mix, but now he was Ethan. He had to be Ethan.Understanding his current situation was the next step. Why was he in this humble room? Ethan's original memories provided the bitter answer. He had gone too far this time. A particularly violent bullying incident, targeting the son of a minor but well-liked baron, had sparked widespread outrage at the academy. His family's name could no longer fully shield him. The disciplinary council was meeting today to decide his fate.The disciplinary council… The mere thought sent a cold shiver through his new body. Based on Ethan's original memories, expulsion from the academy was the most likely outcome. And expulsion meant disaster. The count's family, already fed up with his antics, would likely disown him. Without the protection of his family or the academy, the enemies Ethan had made—numerous and varied—wouldn't hesitate to tear him apart. They wouldn't even find his body."I can't be expelled," he whispered hoarsely, his first words in this new world. I have to find a way to stay within the academy's boundaries, at least until I regain my strength, until I understand this world and its rules better. The millennial warrior's memories supported this decision. Staying in the shadows, even the shadow of a known enemy, was better than facing the unknown alone and weak.A soft knock on the door, followed by it opening, revealed a guard in the academy's official uniform. The guard looked at him with an expressionless face, but Ethan could sense the hidden disdain in his eyes. "The council awaits you, Ethan," he said in a monotone voice.With a body still aching and a mind buzzing with clashing memories, Ethan forced himself to stand. Every movement was painful, but he suppressed any sign of weakness. The warrior's memories had taught him that showing vulnerability was an invitation to predation. He followed the guard through cold stone corridors, their footsteps echoing as the only sound. The few students they passed whispered and pointed, their gazes a mix of curiosity, schadenfreude, and hatred.They finally reached a grand hall with massive wooden doors. The guard pushed them open, revealing a majestic chamber where five figures sat behind a long table at the far end. These were the members of the disciplinary council: senior teachers, a representative of the academy's administration, and even a priest representing the Church of Light, which held significant influence here. The atmosphere was charged with tension and heavy silence.Ethan stood alone in the center of the hall, under their scrutinizing gazes. There was no lawyer, no one to defend him. In this world, it seemed accused nobles defended themselves or faced the consequences.The council's chairman, an elderly man with a long white beard and a gaze as sharp as a hawk's, spoke. "Ethan de Valois, you stand accused of repeated assaults on your fellow students, abusing your family's name, and blatantly and continuously violating the academy's rules. The recent incident with the student Leonard was the final straw. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"A moment of silence passed. The original Ethan would have shouted denials, blamed others, and tried to use his family's name as a shield. But the new Ethan, the complex amalgamation of four lives, was thinking at lightning speed. Defend himself? Pointless. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and his reputation preceded him. Denial would only worsen things. Confession and repentance? It might lighten the punishment slightly, but it would show weakness and might not be enough to avoid expulsion.What if… what if he accepted the punishment? Any punishment short of expulsion?He slowly raised his head and looked directly into the chairman's eyes. It wasn't a look of defiance or fear. It was a calm, strange gaze, carrying a cold acceptance of reality. "I have no defense," he said in a steady voice, surprising himself before he surprised the council. "I accept the council's judgment, whatever it may be."Silence fell over the hall again, but this time it was laced with astonishment and disbelief. Even the priest raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise. Was this the arrogant scum Ethan they knew? This calmness, this acceptance… it was utterly unexpected.The council members exchanged quick glances. They had clearly anticipated a fight, an argument, an attempt to wriggle out. Ethan's swift acceptance threw them off slightly but also made their task easier. They conferred in whispers for a few minutes before the chairman turned back to him."Given your implicit confession and acceptance of the council's authority, and considering certain… circumstances related to your family's history, the council has decided not to resort to the ultimate punishment of expulsion." A faint wave of relief washed over Ethan's tense body. The first step had succeeded. "However, your actions cannot be ignored. The council's ruling is as follows: First, you are immediately and permanently expelled from the student dormitories. Second, a private tutor will be assigned to oversee your studies individually, away from regular classrooms. Third, you are suspended from attending any official academic activities for two full months. Fourth, during this suspension, you are required to perform daily volunteer work at the Church's orphanage located at the edge of the academy's forest. You will assist in caring for the orphans, playing with them, and performing necessary cleaning tasks. This ruling is final and non-negotiable. Do you understand?"Expulsion from the dorms… a private tutor (a clear insult for a noble student)… a two-month suspension… volunteer work at an orphanage? It was far from a light punishment. It stripped him of his status, isolated him, and forced him to perform work nobles would consider humiliating. But it wasn't expulsion. That was what mattered."I understand," Ethan replied with the same steady calm. "I accept the council's ruling."The chairman waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. Ethan left the hall under gazes that were more complex this time. No longer just disdain, there was curiosity, confusion, and perhaps even a hint of caution. He had acted completely unlike what they expected.Once alone in the corridor again, he allowed himself a long exhale. He had survived, barely. Now the real problem began. Where would he live? He'd been expelled from his dorm, and his family would likely not take him in. The forest… yes, the forest near the orphanage and the academy. The warrior's memories kicked in. He could set up a temporary camp there. A hidden, defensible spot, close enough to perform his volunteer work at the orphanage and access basic resources. He'd need tools, food, and shelter. It would be tough and dangerous—the forest wasn't entirely safe—but it was better than dying in the city streets or falling into the hands of his enemies.As he walked, lost in planning his next steps and feeling physical and mental exhaustion piling up, something completely unexpected happened.Directly in front of him, three rectangular screens appeared in the air, glowing with a faint blue light, slightly transparent so he could see the corridor through them. No one else seemed to notice them.[Suitable host detected with unique spiritual complexity…]
[Initiating binding process for Super Check-In System…]
[Binding complete! Welcome, Host, to the Super Check-In System!]Another screen flickered beside it.[High compatibility with fate fluctuations detected…]
[Initiating binding process for Random Gacha System…]
[Binding complete! Good luck with your pulls, Host!]And a third appeared on the other side.[Consciousness capable of crossing dimensions detected…]
[Initiating creation of Multidimensional Chat Group…]
[Creation complete! Host designated as 'Group Admin.' Searching for initial members…]Ethan froze in place, his eyes wide with absolute shock. For a moment, he thought his mind had finally cracked under the strain, that these were mere hallucinations. But… the screens were too clear, and the text on them felt strangely familiar. The otaku's memories surged to the forefront."Systems? A chat group? Check-in? Gacha?" he whispered to himself, a mix of disbelief and excitement boiling within him. Is this real? Is this the "cheat" or "golden finger" that reincarnated protagonists get in those web novels?He glanced around cautiously. No one seemed to notice. These screens were visible only to him. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out toward the first screen, the Super Check-In System.[Super Check-In System]
[Host: Ethan]
[Daily Check-In Status: Available]
[Weekly Check-In Status: Unavailable (6 days remaining)]
[Monthly Check-In Status: Unavailable (29 days remaining)]
[Annual Check-In Status: Unavailable (364 days remaining)]
[New Host Initial Check-In Reward: Available]
[Would you like to perform the daily check-in and claim the new host reward? (Yes/No)]His heart pounded. This was real! A real system! Like those in the novels! A chance… this was his chance to change his fate, to survive, and maybe… to live in peace as he had always hoped.He looked at the second screen.[Random Gacha System]
[Host: Ethan]
[Available Pulls: 1 (Starter Bonus)]
[Would you like to use the free gacha pull? (Yes/No)]A free gacha pull too! The temptation was strong.Then the third screen.[Multidimensional Chat Group]
[Group Admin: Ethan]
[Current Members: 0]
[Searching for suitable members across dimensions…]
[Potential candidate found. Would you like to send a join invitation? (Yes/No)]A chat group with people from other dimensions? That sounded insane and intriguing at the same time. Who could these members be? Characters from the anime and manhwa the otaku inside him knew?Three powerful systems had appeared out of nowhere in his darkest moment. The punishment that seemed like the end of the road might actually be a brand-new beginning. A small, slightly sardonic but genuinely hopeful smile curled on Ethan's lips for the first time in this new world."Well, world," he whispered to himself, his eyes gleaming with a new spark, a blend of the forty-year-old's wisdom, the otaku's knowledge, and the warrior's calm. "Let's see what you've got for me."He pressed his finger on the "Yes" button on the Super Check-In System screen.[Processing daily check-in…]
[Granting new host reward…]A new chapter in his life had begun, one filled with dangers, secrets, and power beyond imagination. The scum of the academy had just awakened, but the world had no idea what kind of monster they had unleashed.