The Flamingo family dining hall was a showcase of wealth and magical heritage. Flames danced in ornate sconces along the walls, casting a warm glow over the polished mahogany table without the need for conventional lighting. No servants were present—the family preferred privacy when discussing important matters.
Alexander paused at the entrance, taking in the scene with new eyes. His father, ArchDuke Flamingo, sat at the head of the table—a formidable man with bright red hair and piercing crimson eyes that seemed to burn with internal fire. To his right sat Alexander's eldest brother Marcus, a perfect mirror of their father. To the left was his second brother, Damien, equally impressive with the same vibrant coloration.
All three pairs of eyes turned to him, and Alexander felt the weight of their collective disappointment.
"Finally decided to join us, Alexander?" his father's deep voice carried across the room. "We were beginning to think the fever had addled what little wits you possess."
[Ouch! Daddy dearest doesn't pull punches, does he?]
Alexander ignored the system's commentary and moved to take his seat at the far end of the table—the position of least importance. It was where the original Alexander had always sat, according to his borrowed memories.
"My apologies, Father," he replied, keeping his voice neutral and controlled. "I wanted to ensure I was properly recovered before tomorrow's return to the Academy."
Marcus snorted. "As if it matters. You'll embarrass the family name regardless of your health."
Alexander reached for his water glass, using the motion to hide his expression. The original Alexander would have responded with petulance or sullen silence. Instead, he took a careful sip before responding.
"I intend to improve my standing this term," he said simply.
This earned him three identical looks of skepticism.
"A Flamingo with hair the color of dried blood improving his standing?" Damien shook his head. "Your emblem is barely functional, Alexander. Your mana capacity is an embarrassment. What exactly do you think will change?"
[Your stats ARE pathetic. But they don't know about ME!]
"Perhaps nothing," Alexander conceded, his mind rapidly calculating the optimal approach. Appearing too confident would raise suspicions, but complete subservience would establish a pattern difficult to break later. "But I've had time to reflect during my illness."
ArchDuke Flamingo waved a hand dismissively, and servants entered with the first course. "Reflection without ability is meaningless. The Academy reports place you in the bottom percentage of your class—not just in magical aptitude but in theoretical knowledge as well."
Alexander accepted the soup placed before him. "And my behavior hasn't helped matters."
This caught his father's attention. The ArchDuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "You acknowledge this?"
"It would be difficult not to, Father," Alexander replied carefully. "My... actions last term were unbecoming of a Flamingo."
The original Alexander had been caught attempting to spy on female students in the bathing facilities three times during his first year. Only the family's influence had prevented his immediate expulsion.
"Yet you persist in them," Marcus said, scowling. "The heir to the Stoneheart family complained directly to me about your harassment of his sister last term."
Alexander remembered that from the novel. The original Alexander had indeed harassed the sister of Lucas Stoneheart, the story's hero, contributing to the antagonism that eventually led to his death.
"An error in judgment I won't repeat," Alexander said.
[Boring! But strategic, I suppose.]
His father studied him with suspicious eyes. "Your sudden self-awareness is... unexpected."
Alexander shrugged slightly. "Near-death experiences can provide clarity."
This was met with skeptical silence as they continued their meal. Alexander used the opportunity to observe his family members more carefully, noting the dynamics between them. His father's authoritative presence. Marcus's eager attempts to mirror their father. Damien's slightly more thoughtful approach.
"Regardless of your alleged epiphany," ArchDuke Flamingo finally said, "we must discuss your allowance for this term."
Ah. Money. A crucial resource.
"I understand if you wish to reduce it, given my past performance," Alexander said, strategically preempting the conversation.
His father's eyebrows rose slightly. "Indeed. Your allowance will be half what it was last term. Perhaps financial constraint will encourage better decision-making."
"Thank you, Father," Alexander replied with appropriate humility, even as his mind raced. Half an allowance would limit his options initially, but he had foreknowledge of valuable opportunities the original Alexander had missed.
"You should be grateful for receiving anything," Marcus commented. "If it were up to me, you'd be cut off entirely."
[Your brother is SUCH a charmer. Can we set him on fire?]
"What are your plans for improving your standing?" Damien asked, showing marginally more interest than Marcus.
Alexander considered his response carefully. "Focus on the fundamentals. My theoretical understanding of magic is lacking."
"An understatement," his father muttered. "Your professors report that you can barely channel enough mana to light a candle."
"Hence the need for fundamentals," Alexander replied calmly. "I've been wasteful with what little mana I possess."
This caught his father's attention again. "Explain."
Alexander recalled the programming optimization principles from his previous life. "Even weak code can run effectively if properly optimized. Perhaps the same applies to magic."
The ArchDuke stared at him for a long moment. "An... interesting analogy. Though I know not what 'code' refers to."
"A turn of phrase I read in a book," Alexander improvised smoothly.
Damien leaned forward slightly. "You've been reading? Voluntarily?"
The surprise in his voice made it clear how low their expectations for Alexander truly were.
"During my recovery," Alexander confirmed. "I had little else to do."
His father waved a hand dismissively. "Reading without practical ability is meaningless. The Flamingo name was built on power, not theory."
"Of course, Father," Alexander conceded.
The rest of the dinner passed with discussion of family politics and Academy matters that excluded Alexander entirely. He listened attentively, gathering information that might prove useful, while appearing appropriately subdued.
As they finished the final course, ArchDuke Flamingo fixed Alexander with a stern gaze. "Understand this, Alexander. This is your final chance. Another term of embarrassing reports, perverted behavior, or academic failure, and you will be removed from the Academy and sent to manage our most remote estate. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly clear, Father," Alexander replied.
When they were dismissed, Alexander returned to his chambers, mind racing with plans and contingencies.
[Well, THAT was depressing. Your family really doesn't think much of you, do they?]
"They don't think much of the original Alexander," he corrected quietly. "And with good reason. He was pathetic—by design."
[And yet here YOU are, with all his pathetic stats and that tragic excuse for an emblem.]
Alexander smiled coldly at the floating text. "For now. But unlike him, I know exactly what's coming. I know who rises, who falls, and every plot point in between."
[Ooh, confident! I like it! So what's your first move, oh strategic mastermind?]
Alexander moved to the window, looking out at the night sky. "Tomorrow we return to the Academy. That's where everything begins to change."
[Don't forget your first quest! Touch a female student's breast within 24 hours, remember?]
"I haven't forgotten," Alexander replied, his mind already formulating an approach that would fulfill the quest without damaging his reputation. "Unlike the original Alexander, I intend to complete it without anyone ever suspecting it was deliberate."
The blue text shimmered with apparent delight.
[I think I'm going to enjoy this partnership very much!]
Alexander's smile remained coldly calculating as he prepared for bed. His family saw a defective disappointment. The original novel had written him off as a perverted weakling destined for humiliation and death.
They would all learn just how wrong they were.