As usual, Lorin slightly adjusted his attire after waking up and prepared to head to the academy. This was his daily routine on non-rest days.

Before he could leave, a message arrived from the palace summoning him.

Normally, Lorin only visited the Royal Capital’s palace on rest days for meals with Baneka and Romon.

Coming at this hour was a first.

Still, Lorin figured it was about time they called him.

Romon, now Baneka’s heir and the Empire’s future emperor, had been under his father’s close guidance for months. Baneka knew him inside out.

But Lorin—the Second Prince—had suddenly wielded Advanced Magic, and Baneka, his own father, knew nothing about it. Awkward didn’t begin to cover it.

Anyone capable of Advanced Magic would draw the royal family’s attention. Yet here it was Lorin, at this critical moment. Suspicious, to say the least.

Was this a sudden rise to power? Or something more calculated? No one could tell.

Lorin changed into formal wear and rode a carriage to the palace.

Bathed in sunlight, the palace gleamed. Lorin stretched—he’d never seen it in broad daylight before.

Guards led him not to the dining hall, but to a garden courtyard.

Baneka sat in a pavilion, deep in conversation with an elderly man. Even Romon stood silently to the side, listening. The old man’s status was clear.

As Lorin approached, both pairs of eyes turned to him. Only after he bowed did Baneka speak.

"Lorin. You’ve come."

"Hmm." Lorin nodded. "What’s the matter today?"

Before Baneka could reply, the elder stroked his beard with a withered hand and smiled warmly. "So this is the Second Prince?"

"And you are?" Lorin met the stranger’s gaze. They’d never met.

"Headmaster Lixen," the Bookkeeper in Lorin’s mind supplied before Baneka could introduce him. "Also Baneka’s former mentor."

Lorin bowed respectfully. Anyone sharing a seat with the emperor commanded respect.

"I never realized the Second Prince had grown so tall," Lixen mused, studying Lorin. "Rumors say you used Advanced Magic days ago. True or false?"

"You must already know the answer, Headmaster," Lorin said lightly, narrowing his eyes. With so many witnesses, verification took one question. No need to ask him directly.

"Oh?" Lixen seemed surprised. Used to deference, he rarely encountered such bluntness.

"If you doubt me," Lorin stepped back, casually raising a hand as if to cast, "I can demonstrate right here."

Palace guards instantly surged forward, shielding Baneka and Romon.

"Just kidding." Lorin lowered his hand, chuckling. He wouldn’t unleash apocalyptic-level magic here—not with his current stamina. One spell, and he’d pass out cold alongside them.

"Truly a rare genius," Lixen remained unperturbed. "Such power at your age... What do you intend to do with it?"

*So that’s it,* Lorin thought dryly. *They fear I’ll threaten the throne.*

If he were Romon, a magically gifted younger brother would keep him up at night. Who wouldn’t?

Lorin played along. "Father already assigned me a territory. If possible, I’d simply like to protect it well."

Baneka and Romon exchanged stunned glances. The territory plan existed, but neither expected Lorin to embrace it so earnestly.

Romon finally spoke, his voice tight. "Lorin... Are you truly content with just that territory? Nothing else?"

Before, the easygoing Second Prince was harmless—even welcome back at court. But a prince wielding Advanced Magic? That was a threat. Even Baneka felt it.

"Hmm." Lorin noted their shifting expressions. "Unless you’d prefer I go elsewhere?"

In the original story, Baneka and Romon were true father and son. This imposter Second Prince changed nothing between them.

*Ah, right.* If he failed to alter Xueyi’s fate within a year, they’d discover he was a fraud.

Baneka stroked his chin, thoughtful. After a long pause, he declared, "Since you’ve mastered Advanced Magic, the academy holds nothing more for you. If you’re so eager for your territory... depart in a few days."

"A few days?" Lorin frowned. He hadn’t expected such urgency.

Romon visibly relaxed. Lixen merely shook his head. Something was off.

Lorin had no choice but to agree. "Understood."

The rest of the meeting faded into small talk. Only the territory’s details held value.

On the return carriage ride, unease gnawed at Lorin. *Why rush me out?*

He’d never navigated court politics. Why exile him from the Royal Capital now, when his departure was months away?

His thoughts shattered as the carriage jolted to a halt.

Ahead, another carriage blocked the road. Its door opened slowly.

A woman in a lavish gown elegantly stepped down, facing Lorin’s carriage.

"Second Prince," she called, voice honeyed. "It’s still early. Care to join me at a new pastry shop nearby? We could chat over sweets."

Lorin leaned out. The woman was none other than Oulei—Romon’s fiancée.

She hadn’t been at the palace. She’d been waiting here.