Lysander's first day of classes began with Elemental Theory under Professor Mira Lunaris, a distant relative of House Lunaris known for her strictness. Students from all factions filled the lecture hall, arranged in a hierarchy that placed Arcanum members in the front row.
"Magic flows through established channels in the body," Professor Lunaris explained, pacing before a glowing diagram of human magical pathways. "The strength of these channels determines magical potential. Bloodline influences these pathways but is not the sole determinant."
Lysander took careful notes, though he knew the material thoroughly from his previous life. What interested him now were the glances Lunaris cast in his direction when discussing blocked pathways.
"Blockages in magical channels can occur naturally or be induced," she continued. "They manifest as resistance when attempting to channel power, often causing physical discomfort."
Beside him, Elara Silverwind whispered, "She's watching you specifically. Almost like she knows something."
"Or suspects something," Lysander murmured back.
After class, Lysander deliberately lingered, arranging his books slowly until only he and Professor Lunaris remained.
"Prince Lysander," she acknowledged without looking up from her notes. "Your questions are best saved for Professor Thorne."
"I haven't asked any questions yet, Professor."
She finally raised her eyes to his. "But you have many, don't you? About blocked pathways, perhaps?"
Lysander went still. "What makes you say that?"
"The Discerner's reaction to you was... illuminating." She closed her notebook. "White Anima radiance struggling to emerge through substantial interference. Quite unusual."
"I wasn't aware the faculty analyzed students' sorting so thoroughly."
"We don't. But imperial princes who supposedly lack magical talent yet show Anima affinity? That warrants attention." Her voice dropped. "Especially when that prince's mother was the last known Anima specialist in the royal line."
Lysander controlled his reaction carefully. His mother's magical specialty had never been mentioned to him in either timeline.
"I know very little about my mother," he said cautiously.
"Convenient for some, I imagine." Lunaris gathered her materials. "Your session with Professor Thorne tonight should be enlightening. Mind you don't mention this conversation."
As she swept from the room, Lysander added another piece to his mental puzzle. His mother had been an Anima specialist—the same rare affinity he possessed. Was this why his magical pathways had been blocked? And who had ordered it done?
The day's remaining classes passed quickly. Practical Channeling with Master Terrin, where students demonstrated basic magical control; Historical Applications with Professor Vex, covering magical warfare throughout Valterran history; and finally, Covenant Studies with Professor Alaric, a sanitized version of the empire's magical foundations.
Throughout each class, Lysander noticed professors paying him unusual attention—some suspicious, others curious. His sorting had clearly disrupted expectations.
When evening came, Lysander made his way to Professor Thorne's office in the east wing of the Academic Complex. The door—heavy wood inscribed with Umbra sigils—stood slightly ajar.
"Enter, Prince Lysander," Thorne called before he could knock.
The office was exactly as Lysander remembered: walls lined with ancient texts, artifacts displayed in glass cases, and a large desk positioned beneath a skylight that revealed the stars above. Thorne sat behind the desk, hands steepled before him.
"Thank you for seeing me, Professor," Lysander said, taking the offered seat.
"I'm curious about your magical development," Thorne began without preamble. "Or rather, the lack thereof. Your tutors reported minimal progress over years of instruction, yet the Discerner detected significant potential. How do you explain this discrepancy?"
In his previous life, Lysander had been defensive and confused at this point. This time, he had a strategy.
"I've always felt... resistance when attempting magic," he explained. "As if something was preventing the energy from flowing properly. Court physicians dismissed it as lack of innate talent."
Thorne's eyes sharpened with interest. "Resistance, you say? Physical symptoms?"
"Headaches. Sometimes nosebleeds with greater exertion."
"Show me," Thorne commanded. "Attempt a simple Lumina illumination."
Lysander raised his hand and attempted to channel light magic—deliberately pushing harder than necessary against the blockage he knew existed. Pain lanced through his skull, and blood trickled from his nose as a flickering, weak light manifested above his palm.
Thorne was on his feet instantly, moving around the desk to examine Lysander more closely. "Extraordinary," he murmured. "Your pathways are deliberately blocked."
"Blocked?" Lysander feigned shock, dabbing at his nose with a handkerchief. "That's impossible. Who would—"
"Who indeed?" Thorne's expression grew calculating. "Such a working would require exceptional skill in Umbra magic and access to you as an infant."
"You believe this was done intentionally? To limit my magic?"
"Without question." Thorne moved to a cabinet and withdrew a crystal sphere similar to the Discerner but smaller. "This will allow me to examine the nature of the blockage more thoroughly."
Lysander placed his hands on the sphere as directed. Unlike the public spectacle of the sorting, this examination was focused and precise. Thorne muttered incantations as the sphere revealed Lysander's magical pathways—complex channels glowing with potential but constricted at key junctions.
"Anima affinity," Thorne confirmed, his voice tinged with awe. "Possibly the strongest I've seen in decades. And someone went to extraordinary lengths to suppress it."
"Can it be reversed?" Lysander asked, though he already knew the answer.
"With time and careful work," Thorne said. "Though removing such blocks risks magical backlash if done improperly. We would need to proceed gradually."
"When can we begin?"
Thorne studied him curiously. "You seem remarkably calm about this discovery, Prince Lysander."
"Should I be raging? Demanding justice?" Lysander smiled thinly. "Without knowing who did this or why, such reactions seem premature."
"A prudent approach," Thorne acknowledged. "Though I wonder if you've suspected this condition for some time."
"Let's say I've wondered why magic came so easily to my siblings yet remained frustratingly out of reach for me." Lysander met Thorne's gaze steadily. "Will you help me, Professor?"
"Yes," Thorne decided. "But not solely out of academic interest or imperial obligation."
"What else motivates you?"
"The truth about magic in Valterra." Thorne lowered his voice. "Do you know what the Awakening is, Prince Lysander?"
"Commoners spontaneously developing magical abilities? I've heard rumors."
"Not rumors. Reality. The Covenant is weakening, and with it, the artificial restrictions on who can access magical power." Thorne leaned forward. "Your condition and the Awakening may be connected—two sides of the same phenomenon."
This was new information. In his previous life, Thorne had never suggested a connection between Lysander's blockage and the Awakening.
"How could they be related?" Lysander asked, genuinely curious.
"That," Thorne said with a slight smile, "is what we'll discover together. Return tomorrow night. We'll begin the unblocking process—carefully."
As Lysander left Thorne's office, his mind raced with new possibilities. The connection between his blocked magic and the Awakening suggested a broader design than merely limiting one prince's power. It hinted at systematic manipulation of magical access throughout Valterra, with implications that could reshape his understanding of the empire's foundations.
Back in his room, he found Marcus already asleep. Lysander quietly retrieved his journal, adding notes about the day's revelations. His mother's Anima affinity. The possible connection between his condition and the Awakening. Thorne's willingness to help—presumably connected to his involvement with The Archive.
The game was evolving faster than he had anticipated, with new rules and stakes emerging. But Lysander welcomed the challenge. Each revelation brought him closer to understanding who had blocked his magic—and why they had feared his power enough to cripple it.
Tomorrow would bring the first step toward reclaiming his birthright. And with it, the beginning of his true return.