I watched Lady Brunhilde leave, her footsteps leaving perfect ice patterns across the training yard. My muscles ached from maintaining proper form; this young body's limitations were all too apparent. The morning's careful display had depleted more strength than I'd anticipated.

Sebastian materialized at my side, a warm towel ready. "Young master."

I accepted it, wiping frost from my face while analyzing the morning's events. Franz's attack pattern showed the same flaws I remembered, too much power, too little efficiency. Lady Brunhilde's intervention was unexpected but potentially useful.

Daily training under her supervision would provide cover for building this body's capabilities. "The lady instructor seems to have taken an interest," Sebastian said carefully, helping me remove my outer training coat.

"So it seems." I flexed my fingers, watching small ice crystals form and dissolve. The magic flowed smoother now, but this vessel's physical limitations were concerning. One wrong move with Absolute Zero would shatter me from within.

"Shall I adjust your morning schedule?" Sebastian's tone remained neutral, but I caught the slight tension in his shoulders. He'd always worried about these training sessions.

"Yes. And bring breakfast to my chambers early." I needed to maximize every hour now. "I'll be working on my basics before dawn."

I clenched my fist. "I need to get stronger."

Sebastian frowned slightly but said nothing. My legs trembled slightly as we walked back inside. This younger body's stamina was pitiful, but I couldn't risk using magic to enhance it yet. Every noble in the house would sense that level of power.

Small steps. Careful progress.

I sank into the chair in my chambers, muscles still trembling from the morning's exertion. The familiar weight of political machination pressed against my chest as I considered the dangers ahead.

If Franz discovered my true capabilities too early, he'd move to eliminate me immediately. No hesitation, no mercy—just swift and brutal execution, likely staged as a training accident. The other noble sons would back his version of events without question.

Who'd doubt the word of our family's pride against the supposed failure?

The Council of Thirteen posed an even greater threat. They'd survived centuries of political intrigue by eliminating potential disruptions before they fully emerged. If they sensed Absolute Zero's presence in my magic, they wouldn't wait for proof. Their response would be immediate and overwhelming.

I rubbed my temples, feeling the phantom pain of my previous death. Twenty-one years of preparation meant nothing if I revealed my hand too soon. This body was still too weak to defend against a coordinated attack.

My magical channels weren't developed enough to properly channel Absolute Zero's power. The morning's display had already pushed the boundaries of what they'd accept as natural improvement.

Lady Brunhilde's intervention bought me some time, but her attention was a double-edged sword. She'd notice any significant changes in my capabilities.

I stared at the ceiling of my chambers, muscles still trembling from the morning's display. Lady Brunhilde's intervention kept spinning in my mind. In my previous life, I'd seen what happened to students who caught her attention.

Her methods redefined the meaning of physical conditioning. One noble son spent three months unable to walk properly after her "special training program." She'd made him run with weighted chains until his legs gave out, then used alchemical stimulants to force his muscles to keep working.

When he finally collapsed, she'd waited just long enough for the healing potions to take effect before starting again. Another student trained with ice-weighted armor in the bitter cold until his skin turned blue. She called it "environmental adaptation."

He'd survived, barely, and his ice magic grew remarkably stronger. But….

I sighed. My young body could barely handle basic training. Her advanced conditioning would tear me apart. But refusing wasn't an option; that would draw more suspicion than showing weakness.

Sebastian placed a cup of hot tea on my desk as if sensing my thoughts. "Perhaps Lady Brunhilde will consider your... current limitations."

I shook my head. "I have my doubts." The tea's warmth did little to dispel the cold knot in my stomach.

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"Do not worry, young master. I'll have a talk with her," Sebastian suddenly said.

I looked up sharply at Sebastian's words. "You'll what?"

His face remained perfectly composed, the model of proper servant dignity. "Lady Brunhilde and I have... an understanding regarding the young master's wellbeing."

"Sebastian..." A chill ran through me that had nothing to do with ice magic. The last thing I needed was drawing more attention. "Whatever you're planning—"

"I merely ensure the household runs smoothly." He adjusted my coat with precise movements. "That includes preventing overzealous training methods from interfering with your studies."

I caught his wrist. "The last servant who tried to influence a noble's decisions ended up in the dungeons."

"How fortunate then that I am simply performing my duties." His slight smile hadn't changed. "Maintaining your schedule, coordinating with instructors, ensuring proper rest periods. All standard responsibilities for a head servant."

"Sebastian."

"Do not worry, young master. I'll have a talk with her."

I stared at Sebastian. Frost crackled across my desk, not from my magic, but from his presence. The temperature in my chambers plummeted.

"Sebastian?" My voice came out uncertain. Even in my previous life, I'd never sensed this from him.

He released my wrist, and the cold vanished as if it had never existed. His posture remained perfectly correct, not a hair out of place. "My apologies, young master. I sometimes forget myself."

"You... have ice magic?" The implications staggered me.

"A minor talent, hardly worth mentioning." He adjusted his gloves with practiced precision. "Sufficient only for maintaining proper wine cellar temperatures and ensuring your bath water stays appropriately cool."

But I'd felt it—power that rivaled some of our family's senior members, carefully contained and perfectly controlled. How had I missed it?

"How long have you..." I couldn't even finish the question.

"I have served House Eiskar for three generations, young master." His smile held secrets deeper than winter. "Lady Brunhilde and I have had many... productive discussions regarding the proper treatment of promising students."

Three generations.

"Now, about your morning schedule." Sebastian's voice returned to its usual proper tone, the brief glimpse of power hidden once more behind perfect servant's poise. "I believe a gradual increase in physical conditioning would be most appropriate. Lady Brunhilde will undoubtedly agree."

I watched Sebastian leave, my mind still reeling from the revelation. A servant with that level of power... it explained much about his position and influence within the household.

I'd been blind to miss it in my previous life. I glanced outside to judge what little light of day there was. I had a few hours before my scheduled appearances would be required.

Time to plan. My body's weakness remained the greatest immediate concern. Even basic magical theory suggested channeling Absolute Zero through unprepared pathways would be catastrophic.

I needed to strengthen my body without drawing attention. I pulled a blank journal from my desk drawer. Sebastian always made sure I had fresh quills, ink, and paper.

I dipped my quill and began writing in precise, measured strokes:

Priority One: Physical Conditioning

* Dawn runs before training with Lady Brunhilde

* Basic strength exercises in chambers

* Proper breathing techniques between studies

* Gradually increase intensity without drawing attention

Priority Two: Magical Pathways

* Focus on smallest possible ice manifestations

* Perfect control over minor temperature changes

* Practice precise freezing during private study

* Build foundation for larger workings

Priority Three: Frost Gauge Reading

* Research previous ceremony records

* Identify optimal power output range

* Target A-rank minimum display

* Show enough potential to interest Council, not enough to threaten

Priority Four: Heat Chamber Strategy

* Calculate minimum freezing requirements

* Study past successful techniques

* Practice precise control daily

* Aim for efficient containment over raw power

Priority Five: Spire Construction

* Master basic ice architecture

* Focus on stability over height

* Demonstrate careful planning and control

* Show tactical awareness in defense

I paused, considering the political implications. The Council respected capability but feared threats to stability. An A-rank showing would mark me as valuable without triggering defensive reactions.

Several council members actively sought promising talents to mentor, especially Lord Beoulve and Lady Syldra.

The key would be demonstrating precise control rather than raw power. They'd appreciate efficiency over brute force, technique over spectacle.

I added a final note:

Target Outcome:

* Display A-rank potential

* Emphasize control and efficiency

* Show room for growth

* Demonstrate tactical thinking

* Avoid any hint of Absolute Zero

I set the quill down and stared at my carefully laid plans. Twenty-nine days until the ceremony.

I stood up and moved to the center of my chambers where the thick carpet would cushion any falls. My muscles still ached from the morning's training display, but there was no time to waste.

"Time to start," I muttered, dropping into position for pushups. The movement felt clumsy, my arms already shaking just from supporting my weight.

I lowered myself, trying to maintain proper form. My arms trembled violently. Sweat beaded on my forehead from just this simple motion. Pathetic.

"One..." I ground out through clenched teeth. My elbows threatened to buckle.

Halfway up, my arms gave out completely. I collapsed face-first onto the carpet, chest heaving from even this minimal exertion.

One.

"Again."