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<<[Absolute Zero] - SS+ Rank>>

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<<[Eiskar Bloodline] - S Rank>>

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Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

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<<30 days until Awakening Ceremony>>

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****

The morning training grounds of House Eiskar were exactly as I remembered them - a vast courtyard of polished ice and stone, surrounded by crystalline pillars that captured the dawn light. Twenty years of future memory couldn't dull the anxiety this place stirred in me.

"Young Master Isaac," Sebastian murmured as he helped me don the traditional training robes. "Perhaps today..."

He didn't finish the sentence. He never did. Every morning for the past year had been the same - hope followed by disappointment. In my past life, this had been the period where my lack of magical talent had become undeniable. Now, with Absolute Zero dormant within me, I had to carefully navigate the next thirty days.

The other young nobles were already gathered. I spotted Franz, nineteen and already wearing the confident smirk of an acknowledged prodigy. Helena stood with her usual group of sycophants, while Liliana, only thirteen, practiced basic ice formations with dedicated precision.

"Ah, the failure arrives," someone whispered. In my past life, such comments had cut deep. Now, with the memories of my death fresh in my mind, they seemed almost amusing.

Master Aldrich, our combat instructor, stood at the center of the training ground. "Today we begin preparation for the Awakening Ceremony. All those of age will demonstrate their progress." His eyes lingered on me with familiar disappointment. "Form pairs for sparring."

Predictably, no one stepped forward to partner with me. In my previous life, this had been another humiliation. Today, I welcomed it.

"I'll take him," Franz announced, that same cruel smile I remembered from my death playing across his face. "Someone needs to show him proper ice magic."

Perfect.

We took our positions. Franz's ice magic manifested immediately, frost swirling around him in an impressive display. I remained still, watching, analyzing. Twenty years of theoretical study let me see what I'd missed before - the inefficiencies in his magic circulation, the wasted energy in his showy display.

"Begin!" Master Aldrich called.

Franz launched his attack - a basic ice spear formation, but executed with exceptional power. In my past life, I'd barely managed to dodge it. This time, I felt something different. The ice in the air responded to my presence, even without active manipulation. My body might be untrained, but my magical senses were razor-sharp from decades of study.

I sidestepped the spear with deliberate awkwardness, letting it graze my robes. Had to maintain appearances, after all.

"Still can't even manage a basic ice shield?" Franz taunted, preparing his next attack. "You shame our bloodline, little brother."

I raised my hands in the basic defensive stance, purposely flawing my form just enough to look unpracticed. When I tried to summon ice, I carefully restricted the power, letting only the barest fraction of my potential respond.

A small, malformed ice crystal formed in front of me.

The courtyard erupted in familiar laughter. Even Master Aldrich shook his head. But Franz... Franz's expression shifted to something darker. In my past life, I'd never understood why my weakness angered him so much. Now, with the wisdom of age, I recognized the fear behind his contempt - fear that my failure somehow reflected on him.

"Pathetic," he spat, launching a barrage of ice shards.

I let most of them hit, using the smallest amounts of magic to prevent serious injury. Each impact stung, but nothing compared to the memory of being crushed to death by these same techniques. Through the pain, I analyzed every aspect of his magic, noting how much stronger it was than I remembered. Had he always been this powerful, and I'd simply been too ignorant to notice?

"Enough," Master Aldrich called. "Lord Franz, please don't damage your brother too severely before his ceremony."

I caught the slight emphasis on 'before.' Everyone expected the ceremony to confirm my failure, after which harsher treatment would be acceptable. Just as it had been in my past life.

As I picked myself up, I felt the power of Absolute Zero stir restlessly within me. It would have been so easy to release it, to show them all the true meaning of ice magic. But that would raise too many questions. I needed these thirty days to plan, to prepare.

"Master Isaac," Aldrich addressed me with carefully masked disdain, "continue practicing the basic forms. Perhaps... perhaps something will manifest before the ceremony."

I bowed, playing my role. "Yes, Master Aldrich."

As the others moved on to more advanced training, I took my usual spot at the edge of the grounds. There, I began the most basic ice manipulation exercises, all while my mind raced with possibilities.

In my past life, these thirty days had been a countdown to shame. Now they were an opportunity. I had knowledge from decades of research, power beyond anything House Eiskar had seen in generations, and most importantly, I knew exactly what was coming.

A small, genuine smile crossed my face as I purposefully failed to form a proper ice crystal. Let them watch. Let them mock. In thirty days, everything would change.

But first, I had preparation to do.