The morning after his third unblocking, Lysander woke to a world transformed. His enhanced magical senses registered every living being in the Academy with crystal clarity—students sleeping in their dormitories, night guards patrolling corridors, even insects crawling through the gardens. Most notably, he could sense the magical signatures of his fellow students with unprecedented detail, identifying not just their primary affinities but subtle nuances in their abilities.
Marcus stirred in the opposite bed, his dual Terra-Ignis signature now brilliantly apparent to Lysander's perception. "You look... different," Marcus observed, studying Lysander's face.
"I feel different," Lysander acknowledged, examining his hands where faint white energy occasionally sparked between his fingers.
"The procedure worked?"
"Beyond expectations." Lysander closed his eyes briefly, focusing on containing his expanded abilities. "But we have little time to adjust. Darius expects me at the palace in two days."
After dressing, they made their way to breakfast where members of The Broken Crown had intentionally scattered themselves throughout the dining hall. Though they appeared to be sitting separately, Lysander could sense the subtle magical connections Elara had established between them—a communication network invisible to normal perception.
As he collected his meal, Lysander noted the reactions of students around him. Some stared openly, others whispered behind hands. Word of his confrontation with Cassius had spread, and rumors of his developing abilities had clearly followed.
"Your reputation grows," Julian murmured as Lysander passed his table. "Three separate noble houses have requested information about you from their Academy contacts."
Lysander nodded slightly, continuing to his own table where he ate quietly, monitoring the room with his enhanced senses. He detected Cassius Drakos's approach before the older student appeared, flanked by two companions.
"Prince Lysander," Cassius announced loudly enough to draw attention. "I bring formal notification of your required presence at the Imperial Palace. Crown Prince Darius has arranged an escort departing tomorrow at dawn."
Tomorrow—not two days hence. Darius was accelerating the timeline further.
"Thank you for the notification," Lysander replied calmly. "Though as an imperial prince, I'm capable of arranging my own transportation."
"The Crown Prince insists," Cassius countered, his tone hardening. "For your safety, of course."
"Of course," Lysander echoed with the faintest hint of irony. "Please inform my brother that I acknowledge his... concern."
After Cassius departed, Lysander felt a gentle magical pulse—Elara's signal for immediate gathering. Following established protocol, members of The Broken Crown excused themselves from breakfast at staggered intervals, converging on their secure meeting room.
"They're moving faster than anticipated," Sera stated once everyone had assembled. "My sources confirm the 'escort' includes two imperial guards with magical suppression training."
"Darius isn't taking chances," Julian observed. "He intends to bring you to the palace with your abilities contained."
Lysander nodded. "Which means we accelerate our own plans. The summons leaves us no choice."
"You could refuse to go," Marcus suggested.
"And give Darius justification for more forceful measures? No." Lysander paced the room, his enhanced senses allowing him to monitor the corridors outside simultaneously. "This confrontation was inevitable—we're simply facing it sooner than expected."
"What do you need from us?" Elara asked practically.
"Implementation of contingency protocols," Lysander replied. "Sera, activate your network in the city—I'll need eyes watching the Imperial Guard's movements. Julian, contact your family connections—we need accurate information about court conditions. Marcus, it's time for your public demonstration of dual affinity."
"Today?" Marcus asked, visibly nervous.
"During Practical Applications this afternoon. The timing must coincide with my meeting with Professor Thorne."
Elara frowned. "You're having another session so soon after yesterday's procedure? That's dangerously unstable."
"Not for unblocking," Lysander clarified. "For final preparation before facing my brother. Thorne has agreed to help me establish controlled containment—the appearance of limited ability that can withstand imperial scrutiny."
The meeting concluded with each member departing to execute their assigned tasks. Lysander proceeded to morning classes, deliberately performing at an impressive but not extraordinary level. With every demonstration, he felt the eyes of Darius's informants tracking his movements.
During the midday break, he briefly met with Headmistress Vail in her office.
"Crown Prince Darius has officially requested your academic records," she informed him without preamble. "Including all magical assessments."
"What will you provide?" Lysander asked.
"The truth—to a point. Your improved performance, your Arcanum placement, your advancement to upper-level classes." Vail's expression remained carefully neutral. "Nothing about the unblocking procedures or your Anima specialization."
"And if imperial physicians attempt examination at the palace?"
"Professor Thorne is preparing protective measures." She studied him with penetrating intensity. "Your brother moves against you with remarkable urgency, Prince Lysander. One might wonder what he fears."
"Perhaps the same thing my mother feared when she helped block my abilities in infancy," Lysander suggested.
Vail's eyes narrowed. "You believe your mother acted out of fear?"
"I believe she acted to protect—though whether to protect me or others remains unclear." Lysander met her gaze directly. "What's certain is that my siblings consider my developing abilities a threat to their ambitions."
"Be careful at court, Your Highness. The Academy cannot protect you there."
"I never expected protection," Lysander replied. "Only preparation."
That afternoon, as planned, Marcus publicly demonstrated his dual Terra-Ignis abilities during Practical Applications, creating a sensation among students and faculty alike. The revelation of Drakos magical heritage in a Thornwood student provided perfect cover for Lysander's discreet meeting with Professor Thorne.
"Your connection to the Covenant has altered your magical signature," Thorne explained as they worked in his secured office. "You now radiate Anima energy at levels impossible to completely conceal."
"Then we don't conceal it," Lysander decided. "We control it—present it as a limited emerging talent rather than the full scope of what I've become."
For the next two hours, Thorne guided him through complex containment techniques. Unlike his previous suppression, which had blocked his abilities entirely, these methods would allow Lysander to channel his power precisely—revealing only what he chose to reveal.
"Your brother will have expert magical assessors," Thorne warned as they finished. "This deception has limits."
"It doesn't need to last forever," Lysander replied. "Only long enough."
By evening, The Broken Crown reconvened for final preparations. Reports from Sera's city contacts confirmed unusual activity around the palace—additional guards, specialized magical practitioners arriving from the provinces, and most concerning, a private meeting between Crown Prince Darius and representatives from House Lunaris.
"Princess Seraphina aligns with Darius against you," Julian concluded. "At least temporarily."
"My sister always hedges her bets," Lysander noted. "She'll observe before committing fully to either side."
As night fell over the Academy, Lysander packed a small travel bag, including his hidden journal and the protective devices Elara had provided. Tomorrow would bring his first true confrontation with his siblings since receiving his second chance at life.
"You're remarkably calm for someone heading into the viper's nest," Marcus observed as they prepared for sleep.
Lysander smiled faintly. "I've faced these particular vipers before."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say I understand my siblings better than they understand me." Lysander extinguished the light with a casual gesture. "And this time, I'm prepared for their venom."
The game had accelerated beyond his original timeline, but Lysander welcomed the challenge. The rising tide of his power could no longer be contained—only directed. And he intended to direct it precisely where it needed to go.