The day after his second unblocking, Lysander woke before dawn, his body humming with new energy. The ability to draw power from external sources had transformed his magical perception. Where before he had sensed only isolated signatures, now he perceived the intricate web of energy flowing throughout the Academy—currents and eddies of magic connecting everything.
He dressed quickly and slipped from the room while Marcus still slept. Control was his immediate priority; the raw power flowing through him felt dangerous, volatile.
The Academy's eastern courtyard was empty at this hour. Lysander positioned himself at its center and began the advanced containment exercises he'd mastered in his previous life. Slow, deliberate breathing. Visualization of internal channels. Gradual expansion and contraction of his magical aura.
As the sun rose, he extended his awareness outward, carefully testing his new abilities. A nearby fountain contained water infused with trace magical elements. Lysander reached out with his magic, connecting to the water's energy and drawing a thin stream of power from it.
The sensation was intoxicating—external power flowing into him, supplementing his own reserves. In his previous life, he hadn't gained this ability until months later, after multiple unblocking sessions.
"Impressive progress," said Professor Thorne, emerging from the shadows of a nearby archway. "Most practitioners require weeks to achieve external channeling after restriction removal."
Lysander released the connection, centering himself before turning to face his teacher. "I've had excellent instruction."
"Indeed. Though I suspect there's more to it than that." Thorne approached, studying him with clinical interest. "Your adaptation rate suggests prior experience with these techniques."
A dangerous observation. Lysander kept his expression neutral. "Perhaps my blocked pathways retained muscle memory from my mother's training when I was very young."
"Perhaps," Thorne conceded, though his tone suggested skepticism. "Regardless, we need to accelerate your formal education to match your developing abilities. I've arranged for you to join advanced practical sessions with third-year students."
"Won't that draw unwanted attention?"
"Less than the accidents that will inevitably occur if your growing powers remain untrained." Thorne handed him a sealed scroll. "Your modified schedule. Headmistress Vail has approved it, though she shares your concerns about visibility."
Lysander accepted the scroll, scanning its contents. Advanced Channeling. Practical Combat Applications. Specialized Theory in Rare Affinities. All courses typically reserved for upper-year students.
"This will certainly raise questions," he noted.
"Which is why we've created a cover story—your Arcanum placement revealed unusual potential requiring specialized instruction. Common enough for faction members, rare enough to explain special treatment." Thorne's expression hardened. "But make no mistake, these classes are necessary precautions, not privileges. Your uncontrolled abilities could harm yourself and others."
"I understand," Lysander assured him.
"Do you?" Thorne stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Last night's procedure revealed something troubling about your blockage—it wasn't designed merely to suppress your magic, but to contain it. The second signature we detected was implementing fail-safes, emergency measures in case your power broke free unexpectedly."
Lysander's blood ran cold. "What kind of measures?"
"The lethal kind," Thorne replied bluntly. "Which is why mastering control must be your priority. Whatever your mother and her co-conspirator feared about your abilities, they considered them dangerous enough to implement magical kill switches within your own system."
Before Lysander could process this revelation, the Academy bell rang, signaling the beginning of the day's sessions. Students began emerging from dormitories, heading toward dining halls and classrooms.
"We'll continue your unblocking treatments," Thorne said, returning to his formal demeanor as others approached. "But more slowly than planned. The remaining barriers are integrated with these fail-safes—removing them carelessly could trigger catastrophic backlash."
Lysander nodded, his mind racing. "Thank you for your guidance, Professor."
As Thorne departed, Lysander spotted Elara watching from a nearby colonnade, her sensing bracelet glowing bright blue. She approached once Thorne was out of sight.
"Your signature has changed again," she observed without preamble. "Dramatically. Your external channel connections are fully active now."
"Your bracelet is remarkably precise," Lysander commented.
"Precise enough to detect the fail-safes Thorne mentioned." Her expression grew serious. "My family has seen similar constructs before—in magically gifted children the High Houses wanted to control."
"You were eavesdropping," Lysander noted without surprise.
"Information gathering," she corrected. "House Silverwind didn't achieve its position without developing exceptional surveillance methods."
"And what does House Silverwind intend to do with this particular information?"
Elara studied him thoughtfully. "That depends on you, Prince Lysander. Your abilities are developing faster than anyone anticipated—faster than should be possible for someone in your position. It raises questions."
"Questions you're hoping I'll answer?" Lysander asked with a slight smile.
"Eventually." She matched his smile with her own. "For now, I have something that might help with those fail-safes." From her pocket, she produced a small silver disk etched with complex technological runes. "This dampener can mask magical fluctuations that might trigger automated responses. It won't remove the danger, but it buys time."
Lysander accepted the device cautiously. "Why help me?"
"Because whatever game you're playing affects the entire magical landscape of Valterra." Elara's eyes met his directly. "And House Silverwind prefers to back winning players."
As she walked away, Lysander slipped the disk into his pocket, weighing its significance. Another ally with her own agenda. Another tool for his increasing arsenal. Another step toward reclaiming his rightful power.
His first class of the day was Elemental Harmonics—a basic course he'd now attend for the last time before his schedule changed. As he entered the classroom, he noted the curious glances from fellow students who had already witnessed his improving abilities.
Cassius Drakos sat with his usual entourage, watching Lysander with poorly disguised hostility. Whatever reports had reached Crown Prince Darius, they had clearly indicated change was occurring with his supposedly failed brother.
Lysander took his seat calmly, a slight smile playing at his lips. Let them watch. Let them wonder. Let them report back to his brother that the failed prince wasn't quite so failed anymore.
The game was accelerating, pieces moving faster than even he had anticipated. But he was ready. This time, he wouldn't be the sacrifice. This time, he would be the victor.