Alex woke to morning light filtering through his dormitory window. For exactly three seconds, his mind remained blank. Then muscle memory kicked in and he was upright, essence channels primed, scanning for threats that didn't exist.

Empty room. Familiar walls. Academy grounds visible through the window.

Safe.

The realization settled slowly, fighting against three days of conditioning that had taught him nowhere was truly safe. His enhanced stamina had processed the exhaustion completely. His body felt rested, functional, ready.

Movement from the other bed caught his attention. Gareth was already awake, sitting at his desk with methodical precision as he organized his belongings into travel cases. Books stacked by category. Clothing folded with geometric precision. Personal effects sorted according to some analytical system only he understood.

"You're packing," Alex observed.

"Academic suspension means most students are returning home until formal instruction resumes." Gareth didn't look up from his organizational task. "My family's estate is three days' travel by carriage. I'm departing this afternoon."

Alex pushed himself upright, processing implications. The Academy had suspended all activities pending security review. Students were leaving. The campus that normally housed hundreds would become nearly empty.

"How many are staying?"

"Approximately fifteen percent according to administrative records I accessed yesterday." Gareth's analytical mind had clearly cataloged the data. "Mostly students whose families live too far for practical short-term return, or those who prefer Academy resources over family estates during recovery."

"And the survivors?" Alex asked quietly. "From the rift?"

"Split evenly. Half returned home immediately upon medical discharge. The other half chose to remain here." Gareth finally looked up, his analytical gaze studying Alex with uncomfortable precision. "Sarah Millbrook departed yesterday with her father. Baron Millbrook arrived within hours of her discharge, arranged private transport, extensive medical support."

Something tightened in Alex's chest. Sarah was gone. The opportunity to observe her temporal manipulation, to potentially fill his second ability slot, had vanished before he'd even decided whether pursuing it was ethical.

"Others?"

"Damien is preparing to leave today. His family's estate is within the capital, but his parents insisted on his return during suspension." Gareth resumed packing with mechanical efficiency. "Petra and her group departed two days ago. Most first-year students who survived have already left."

The dormitory felt emptier suddenly. Alex's tactical mind cataloged the social isolation that was coming. Reduced population meant fewer observation opportunities. Fewer chances to study abilities naturally. Less cover for unusual behavior.

"What about you?" Gareth asked, not looking up. "Are you returning to House Ashford's estate?"

The question hung heavy. Alex hadn't considered it. Hadn't thought beyond immediate recovery and royal audience. But now the practical reality settled over him like weight.

Lord Ashford would expect his youngest son to return home during suspension. Would want to hear firsthand accounts of dimensional survival. Would have expectations about King's Guard service and House obligations and political calculations.

"I don't know," Alex admitted.

"Your family hasn't sent word?"

"Not yet." Though they would. House Ashford wouldn't ignore their SS-rank awakened son's survival when one hundred forty-eight others had died. Political implications alone demanded attention.

Gareth closed one travel case and moved to the next with characteristic precision. "I'm not pressuring you to decide. Simply noting that administrative staff expect students to declare their intentions by end of day. Remaining on campus during suspension requires formal approval and justification."

Alex moved to his own desk. His belongings were minimal. Textbooks he'd barely used. Nothing that truly mattered.

"What justification works for staying?"

"Medical observation for survivors showing unusual recovery patterns." Gareth's analytical voice carried no judgment. "Continued security monitoring for students who encountered dimensional anomalies. Academic research requiring Academy resources unavailable at family estates."

there were bureaucratic excuses available if Alex wanted to avoid going home.

"You think I should stay."

"I think you should do whatever serves your recovery and development best." Gareth paused his packing, turning to face Alex directly. "But I also think returning to House Ashford immediately after survival would place you under family pressure before you've processed what happened. Your father will have expectations. Your brother will have opinions. The House will want answers you may not be ready to provide."

Perceptive. Uncomfortably so.

"Whereas staying here gives you space," Alex said slowly.

"Precisely. The Academy is nearly empty. Security is enhanced. Medical support remains available. And most importantly, you have time to recover without family politics complicating the process." Gareth returned to his packing. "Though that's merely analytical assessment, not advice. Your circumstances differ from mine."

A knock interrupted their conversation. Damien entered without waiting for response, carrying covered plates that steamed with fresh breakfast.

"Thought you might be awake." He set the plates on the small table between their beds. "Last hot meal from Academy kitchens before I head home. Seemed worth sharing with friends before departure."

Alex moved to the table automatically. The food smelled real. Eggs, bread, seasoned meat. His stomach reminded him that recovery required fuel.

"You're leaving today," Alex observed.

"This afternoon. My parents sent a carriage." Damien sat across from him, his characteristic charm gentled by genuine concern. "They were... insistent about my return. Apparently nearly losing your heir to dimensional catastrophe makes families protective."

"Understandable."

"What about you?" Damien asked. "House Ashford must be expecting your return."

Alex focused on his food, using the act of eating to buy thinking time. "Haven't decided yet."

Damien and Gareth exchanged glances. Some silent communication that bypassed words.

"You're considering staying," Damien said carefully. "During suspension, on a nearly empty campus, when most survivors have already left."

"Maybe."

"That will create talk. Speculation about why Lord Ashford's youngest son isn't returning home immediately after surviving dimensional hell." Damien's perceptive abilities were working overtime. "Your family might take offense. Political complications could arise."

"Let them complicate." Alex met Damien's gaze directly. "I need time to process what happened without family expectations and House politics interfering. If that creates social friction, so be it."

Gareth nodded approvingly. "Practical decision. Family estates provide comfort but demand performance. You're not ready to perform yet."

"Exactly."

Damien's expression shifted. Recognition that Alex had made his decision and wouldn't be swayed by social concerns. "Then you'll need justification for administrative approval. Medical observation is most defensible given your documented injuries and unusual recovery rate."

"Professor Harold already wants follow-up examinations," Alex confirmed. "That provides legitimate reason to remain."

"Good." Damien stood, his breakfast barely touched. Anxiety about departure was affecting his appetite. "Then I'll see you when suspension ends and formal instruction resumes. Try not to develop any additional concerning survival habits while I'm gone."

Alex felt something tighten in his chest again. Friendship. Real connection that had developed through shared experience and mutual respect. Damien was leaving. Gareth was leaving. The social anchors that had made Academy life tolerable were departing.

"Travel safely," Alex said quietly.

"You as well. Even if you're only traveling between dormitory and medical wing." Damien's charm reasserted itself, lightening the goodbye. "And if you need anything, send word. My family's estate is within the capital. I can return quickly if necessary."****

After he left, the room felt smaller. Just Alex and Gareth, packing and processing, preparing for separation.

"I'll be gone by evening," Gareth said, returning to his methodical organization. "The room will be yours alone until suspension ends. Use the time well."

"I intend to."

Gareth paused, his analytical gaze studying Alex with uncomfortable precision. "One observation before I leave. You're planning something. Not immediately, but strategically. The way you assess situations, calculate responses, position yourself for future advantage. That's not Academy student behavior. That's someone operating with agenda beyond basic survival."

Alex said nothing. Confirmation would invite questions he couldn't answer.

"I'm not asking you to explain," Gareth continued. "I'm simply noting that I recognize the pattern. Whatever you're planning, whatever you're developing toward, I hope it serves your interests rather than consuming them."

"Appreciated."

"Good luck, Kael. I'll see you when suspension ends." ******

By evening, the dormitory was silent. Gareth had departed with his precisely organized luggage. The few remaining students had scattered to their own rooms or common areas. The Academy grounds that normally bustled with hundreds of awakened learning to master their abilities stood nearly empty.

Alex sat alone in his room, staring at his minimal belongings.

He had time now. Space. Opportunity to develop without constant observation from classmates or instructors.

The second ability slot remained empty, waiting for decision. Sarah's temporal manipulation was gone, departed with her to Baron Millbrook's estate. Other potential targets had evacuated.

But the Academy wasn't completely empty. Fifteen percent of students remained. That meant abilities to observe, capabilities to study, potential mimicry targets who might present themselves naturally.

Alex pulled up his status window.

**[STATUS WINDOW]**

**[Name: Kael Ashford (Alexander Chen)]**

**[Age: 19]**

**[Level: 4]**

**[Class: Adept]**

**[EXP: 309/4500]**

**[Rank: ???]**

**[HP: 120/120]**

**[Strength: 18]**

**[Agility: 19]**

**[Stamina: 38]**

**[Essence: 20,000,000/20,000,000]**

**[Available Stat Points: 0]**

**[Ability: Mimicry]**

**[Ability Slots: 1/2]**

**[Mimicked Abilities:]**

- Slot 1: Fire Manipulation (SS-Rank)

- Slot 2: EMPTY

**[Skills: Adept Eyes, Phantom Step, Emergency Overdrive, Enhanced Recovery]**

**[Warning: Dimensional Marker Detected - Cannot Be Removed]**

The empty slot stared back at him. Opportunity and challenge combined.

He would fill it eventually. Through observation. Through strategic positioning. Through development that respected boundaries while pursuing capability.

But first, he needed to formalize his stay. Speak with Professor Harold about medical observation justification. Secure administrative approval for remaining on campus during suspension.

Small steps. Careful planning. Strategic patience.

Alex stood and moved toward the door. The Academy awaited, nearly empty, full of potential.

Time to begin.

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