Dawn broke over the Academy with unusual tension. Students and faculty moved through morning routines with stiff formality, aware that Crown Prince Darius's inspection party would arrive before midday. Lysander rose early, performing centering exercises to ensure perfect control over his partially unblocked abilities.
"You seem calm," Marcus observed, watching from his bed.
"Appearances are everything in royal politics," Lysander replied. "Show nervousness, and they smell weakness."
As they dressed in formal Academy attire, Marcus asked, "What should I do during the inspection? Stay invisible?"
"On the contrary," Lysander said. "Continue exactly as normal. Any sudden change in behavior will attract unwanted attention."
They separated after breakfast, Marcus heading to regular Terravian classes while Lysander reported to the Headmistress's office. He found Thorne and Vail already waiting with strained expressions.
"The inspection party just passed through the city gates," Vail informed him. "They'll be here within the hour."
"Remember our strategy," Thorne added. "Demonstrate controlled progress—nothing exceptional, nothing that suggests Anima specialization."
Lysander nodded. "And my brother? Will he participate directly?"
"Crown Prince Darius will observe the advanced combat class," Vail confirmed. "He's specifically requested to see your performance."
Of course he had. In Lysander's previous life, that confrontation had ended with him in the infirmary. This time would be different.
The Academy bell tolled as the imperial procession entered the main courtyard. From the window, Lysander observed his brother dismounting—resplendent in military formal wear, flanked by Drakos officers and a collection of scholarly figures. Among them, Lysander spotted an older man with silver-streaked dark hair—Elara's father, bearing House Silverwind's technological insignia.
"Time to begin," Vail murmured.
The inspection started with formal pleasantries in the Great Hall. Crown Prince Darius played his role perfectly—the concerned royal heir ensuring Academy standards remained exceptional. His gaze passed over Lysander with practiced indifference, but the momentary tightening of his jaw revealed his true focus.
"We've heard reports of... unusual developments among the student body," Darius announced to the assembled faculty. "Exceptional abilities manifesting unexpectedly. The throne wishes to ensure such talents are being properly nurtured and documented."
Properly monitored and controlled, Lysander mentally translated.
"The Academy takes pride in developing all magical potential, Your Highness," Headmistress Vail replied smoothly. "Including late-blooming abilities that might surprise even the students themselves."
Darius's eyes narrowed at the subtle reference to Lysander. "Indeed. I look forward to witnessing these developments firsthand."
The morning proceeded with inspections of basic classes. Lysander attended his regular Elemental Theory session, where he performed competently but not extraordinarily—exactly as planned. He felt the observational devices Elara had warned about—House Silverwind's magical monitors discreetly recording energy signatures throughout the Academy.
During the midday meal, Julian slipped him a note: "They're testing all students, but watching you, Sera, and three others specifically. Proceed as planned."
The real test came during the afternoon advanced combat class. Master Rex had arranged paired demonstrations—third-year students showing progressive techniques. Lysander was paired with a neutral student rather than Cassius Drakos, a small mercy.
Crown Prince Darius watched from an elevated platform, his expression inscrutable as Lysander took position in the training circle.
"External channeling demonstration," Master Rex announced. "Defensive applications only."
Lysander's partner—a talented Lumina specialist named Varian—began with standard light-based attacks. Lysander defended competently, showing enough skill to justify his advanced placement without revealing his full capabilities.
"Increase intensity," Master Rex instructed.
Varian complied, launching a series of rapid-fire light bursts that would challenge even third-year students. Lysander deflected each one, careful to make it appear difficult but achievable.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Darius leaning forward, attention fully focused now. It was working—his brother was seeing exactly what The Broken Crown wanted him to see: impressive but not extraordinary progress.
Then Darius raised his hand. "If I may suggest a more challenging opponent?"
Master Rex bowed immediately. "Of course, Your Highness."
"Cassius Drakos," Darius called. "Demonstrate the advanced Ignis techniques we discussed."
The trap was sprung. Cassius stepped into the circle with barely disguised anticipation. In Lysander's previous life, this moment had ended in humiliation and injury when Cassius unleashed combat-level Ignis attacks against an unprepared opponent.
But Lysander wasn't unprepared this time.
"Begin," Darius commanded.
Cassius attacked immediately, unleashing fire techniques far beyond Academy practice levels. Multiple faculty members tensed, recognizing the dangerously advanced magic, but none dared contradict the Crown Prince's orders.
Lysander centered himself, drawing on the external energy sources he could now access. Rather than merely defending, he channeled Cassius's attacks through his system and redirected them—not back at his opponent, which would be obviously aggressive, but into controlled dissipation patterns in the air.
The display looked impressive but defensive—exactly on the edge of what someone with his official abilities might accomplish.
Sweat beaded on Cassius's forehead as he intensified his assault, clearly frustrated by his inability to overwhelm Lysander. Finally, he resorted to a forbidden technique—a concentrated fire burst designed to cause actual harm.
The attack came too quickly for normal defense. Lysander had a split-second choice: reveal more of his abilities than planned or take the hit.
He chose a third option. He partially deflected the attack, allowing a portion to strike his shoulder—enough to show injury but not enough to disable him.
Pain seared through his arm as his uniform smoldered. Master Rex immediately called a halt, but Darius raised his hand again.
"Continue," he ordered coldly. "My brother appears capable of defending himself."
It was a direct challenge—and a revealing one. Darius wasn't merely testing his abilities now; he was actively pushing for failure or exposure.
Lysander made his decision instantly. He straightened, ignoring the burning pain, and resumed defensive posture. But instead of channeling externally as before, he allowed a controlled glimpse of his Anima ability—using it to visibly heal his injury while maintaining his defense.
The subtle white glow that briefly surrounded his wounded shoulder did not go unnoticed. Elara's father leaned forward, adjusting his monitoring devices, while Darius's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Enough," Master Rex declared firmly, stepping between them. "This exceeds training parameters."
After a tense moment, Darius nodded. "Indeed. Most... educational."
As the class dispersed, Lysander caught his brother's cold stare. The message was clear: the game had changed. Darius had confirmed his suspicions about Lysander's developing abilities—exactly as The Broken Crown had planned.
Now the real work would begin.