Kaelen sat up slowly on the bed, his heartbeat steady but heavy with memory. The morning bell echoed outside the window, signaling the start of another ordinary day in the Ashborne estate. Ordinary for everyone else. Not for him.
He looked around the room again to be certain. The wooden desk by the wall. The cracked mirror. The faded noble emblem hanging crookedly above the door. This was the room he had lived in before everything fell apart. Before the academy. Before the betrayal.
Ten years had truly passed backward.
A knock sounded on the door.
His expression cooled instantly.
Come in, Kaelen said.
The door opened, and a familiar face appeared. His cousin Maren. In this time, Maren still wore a gentle smile and spoke with false concern. In the future, this same man would testify against him without hesitation.
You are late for training again, Maren said lightly. Uncle is not pleased.
Kaelen lowered his gaze, pretending to feel shame. He remembered this moment clearly now. On this very day, his name would be added to a secret report labeling him as unstable and dangerous. A seed planted for his future execution.
I will go now, Kaelen replied calmly.
Maren nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave. As the door closed, Kaelen's fingers tightened slowly.
Blood meant nothing in this family.
In his previous life, he had trusted them. He had believed loyalty still existed among nobles. That belief had killed him.
Kaelen stood and changed into his simple training clothes. As he walked through the estate halls, servants bowed politely, but their eyes held quiet disdain. He was a noble by name only. A weak branch. A useless heir.
Outside, the training grounds were already filled with young nobles practicing magic. Flames flared. Blades clashed. Laughter echoed.
Kaelen stepped onto the field, and the noise softened.
Someone scoffed.
The failed one is here again, a voice whispered.
He ignored them all and took his place at the far edge of the grounds, exactly where he had always been pushed.
The instructor arrived moments later and began the assessment. One by one, students displayed their talents. Praise followed the gifted. Applause followed the powerful.
When it was Kaelen's turn, the instructor barely looked at him.
Begin, the man said flatly.
Kaelen extended his hand.
A faint glow appeared. Weak. Unimpressive. Exactly as expected.
Mockery followed instantly.
Kaelen lowered his arm and stepped back without protest.
Inside, his mind was calm.
They still believed he was powerless.
They still believed he was harmless.
That was fine.
Because this time, he would let them build their lies again.
And when the moment came, he would bury them with the truth.