Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the dining room, casting everything in warm golden hues that should have felt peaceful. Instead, I felt like I was walking into a performance where one wrong move could bring the whole charade crashing down.
Six days until the academy. Act natural, Marcus. You're still the innocent prince who definitely didn't spend last night discovering you have supernatural sexual abilities.
I entered the dining room to find Mother and Lyanna already seated, sharing what looked like important correspondence over their morning tea. They looked up as I approached, and I caught the way Mother's violet eyes immediately scanned me with that familiar intensity.
Level 180 Ascendant.
"Good morning," I said with a gentle smile, settling into my usual chair. "I hope I'm not late?"
"Perfect timing, actually," Mother replied, though her gaze lingered on me with curiosity. "We were just discussing some rather extraordinary news from the academy."
That doesn't sound ominous at all.
Lyanna looked up from the letter she was reading, ice-blue eyes bright with excitement. "The immortals have issued an unprecedented summons. They're calling back every genius, princess, heir, and top-tier young talents from all six empires."
Wait, what?
"Called back?" I asked, genuine confusion replacing my careful act. "For what?"
"That's what makes it so extraordinary," Mother said, leaning forward with the kind of intensity she usually reserved for major political developments. "The academy is opening an entirely new educational path. Something they're calling the 'Transcendence Track.'"
Transcendence? That sounds... significant.
As if summoned by our conversation, Cassandra appeared in the doorway. She looked... different. Not obviously so, but there was something in the way she carried herself—a subtle contentment that seemed to radiate from her very being.
And she's walking a bit carefully. Probably still feeling the effects of last night.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, moving to her seat with deliberate grace. "I slept more deeply than usual."
Understatement of the century.
"Perfect timing, dear," Mother said. "We were just discussing the academy's announcement. It affects all of you."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow as she took her seat. "All of us?"
Lyanna practically vibrated with excitement. "They're opening a new path for potential immortality candidates. The immortals believe they've discovered something in the forbidden regions that could change everything."
Immortality candidates? Forbidden regions? This just got a lot more interesting.
"What kind of discovery?" I asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.
"They're being deliberately vague," Mother replied, holding up an official-looking document with the academy seal. "But they mention 'breakthrough discoveries in the nature of transcendent advancement' and 'preparation for expeditions into previously forbidden territories.'"
The forbidden regions. Areas that even immortals approach carefully. What could they have found?
"The really unprecedented part," Lyanna continued, "is that they're specifically requesting the most powerful young generation from every empire. Princess Seraphine, Princess Glaciana, Princess Amara—all the potential heirs are being recalled immediately."
She paused, her ice-blue eyes gleaming with something like anticipation. "Including both of us."
Wait, what?
"Both of you?" I asked, looking between my sisters.
"Cassandra's SS-rank puts her in the top tier of her generation," Mother explained with obvious pride. "But Lyanna..." She smiled with the kind of maternal satisfaction reserved for truly exceptional achievements.
There's something in that smile. Something bigger than just being proud.
"Lyanna is SSS+," Mother said simply.
The words hit me like a physical blow. I stared at my twin sister—quiet, analytical Lyanna who I'd thought was Level 95 Grandmaster—and felt my entire understanding of my family shift.
SSS+. That's... that's like most empresses. That's legendary-tier power.
"SSS+?" I managed to say, my voice slightly strangled.
Lyanna shrugged with characteristic understatement. "It's not written on my forehead or visible in my aura. I prefer to keep it quiet."
No fucking wonder she's so analytical and observant. She's not just smart—she's operating on a completely different level than everyone around her.
"Quiet?" Cassandra laughed, though there was something like awe in her voice. "Lyanna, you're considered one of the three most promising individuals of the entire younger generation across all six empires."
Three most promising. In the entire world. My twin sister.
"The immortals specifically requested her by name in the initial召回令," Mother continued. "She's in the same tier as Princess Seraphine and the other imperial heirs, despite being a generation younger than most of them."
A generation younger and still considered their equal. Jesus Christ, what kind of family did I reincarnate into?
I looked at Lyanna with completely new eyes. Suddenly her casual dismissal of most people's opinions, her analytical approach to everything, her subtle confidence—it all made sense.
She's not just my smart sister. She's a legendary-tier prodigy who could probably reshape continents if she wanted to.
"So all three of us are being called back?" I asked, still processing this revelation.
"All three of you," Mother confirmed. "Marcus for his unprecedented classification, Cassandra for her SS-rank mastery, and Lyanna for... well, being Lyanna."
The most powerful ducal family in the empire just became even more terrifying. And I'm planning to seduce two women who could probably level cities.
This just got significantly more complicated.
"Does this affect Marcus's enrollment?" Cassandra asked, and I caught something protective in her tone.
She's worried about me being thrown into something dangerous. The possessiveness is strong.
"Actually," Mother said, turning to me with a mixture of pride and concern, "you're specifically mentioned by name again. The immortals want you there for the program launch."
Of course they do. The first Unclassifiable male in history would be exactly what they'd want for their mysterious new program.
"That's... a lot," I said, putting on my best overwhelmed expression. "I still don't really understand my own abilities, and now they want me for some advanced program?"
True enough. Perhaps I can get theoretical knowledge from the System, but practical understanding is still limited.
Mother's expression immediately softened with maternal concern. "That's exactly what worries me. You're being thrust into situations that even experienced mages would find challenging."
And there's the opening I need.
"I've been thinking about that too," I said, tilting my head with innocent uncertainty. "I know my awakening was unusual, but I don't really understand what any of it means. The academy instructors will expect me to know things I've never been taught."
Perfect blend of genuine concern and calculated vulnerability.
"What kind of things?" Mother asked, her protective instincts clearly activating.
"Well..." I put on my most confused expression. "I don't understand how my magic actually works, or what being 'Unclassifiable' means, or how to control abilities I can feel but can't access. The awakening gave me power, but not knowledge."
Completely true. Time Magic still won't respond to me, and I have no idea what the locked Ravencrest techniques do.
"That's a very mature concern," Mother said with approval. "Most young people would assume they knew everything after an awakening like yours."
Because most young men in this world are treated like decorative flowers who don't need to understand anything complex.
"And with this new program..." I continued, looking genuinely worried. "I don't want to embarrass the family by being unprepared. Could you... could you help me understand my abilities better? I know you're busy, but I'd really value your guidance."
The perfect combination—appealing to her expertise, her protective instincts, and her family pride.
Mother's entire expression melted into warmth. "Of course, darling. I've been waiting for you to ask, actually. I didn't want to overwhelm you, but I've been hoping you'd seek guidance."
She's been waiting for me to ask. Perfect.
"Really?" I said with grateful relief. "I was worried I'd be bothering you with basic questions."
"Never," Mother said firmly. "Understanding your abilities is crucial, especially now. After breakfast, we'll go to my study and I'll explain everything you need to know."
Private time with the Level 180 Ascendant, under the pretense of magical education. Exactly what I needed.
"Thank you," I said with genuine appreciation that wasn't entirely acting. "I really do want to understand what's happening to me."
True on multiple levels. The System, my abilities, this mysterious immortality program—there's a lot I don't understand.
Lyanna looked between us with her analytical gaze. "This new program timing is interesting though. Why now? Why recall everyone for this specific discovery?"
Good question. And knowing my luck, it probably has something to do with whatever cosmic game I'm apparently playing.
"The letter mentions 'recent developments that necessitate accelerated preparation,'" Mother said, scanning the document again. "Very cryptic, but it suggests urgency."
Recent developments. Like the first Unclassifiable awakening in history? Like someone breaking the magical system itself?
Like me.
"Well," I said with innocent optimism, "at least if I'm going to be thrown into something unprecedented, I'll have the best teacher to prepare me."
Mother smiled with pure maternal pride. "We'll make sure you're ready for whatever they have planned."
Oh, Mother. You have no idea what I'm planning to be ready for.
But you're about to find out.