The dining hall buzzed with morning chatter as Alexander entered, his meeting with the Headmaster still fresh in mind. Students clustered around tables, their colored uniforms creating islands of elemental allegiance throughout the vast chamber.
Alexander selected a modest breakfast and found an empty spot at the Ignis table, maintaining his unassuming demeanor while scanning the room. Claire sat among her Aqua housemates, occasionally glancing toward Lucas at the Terra table. So far, their interactions followed the novel's early chapters—mutual interest restrained by house traditions.
Princess Serena, however, broke from the expected pattern again. Rather than dining separately as depicted in the novel, she moved between tables, spending time with students from various houses. Her silver emblem caught the light as she laughed with a group of Ventus students.
"Mind if I join you?"
Alexander looked up to find Eliza Windhaven standing before him, breakfast tray in hand. Her second appearance in as many days—definitely not part of the original plot.
"Please," he gestured to the seat across from him.
She settled in, her blonde hair seeming to stir slightly even in the still air of the dining hall—a subtle manifestation of her wind affinity.
"Everyone's talking about your crystal test score," she said without preamble. "The Ignis students say you've never shown that level of power before."
Alexander allowed a modest smile. "I've been practicing more seriously lately."
"And the color fluctuation? That's not something practice explains."
[She's sharp, this one. Not just a pretty face. Might make a valuable addition to your collection.]
Alexander maintained his pleasant expression while assessing Eliza more carefully. The novel had mentioned her only in passing, a background character with no significant role in the plot. Now she seemed more intriguing—observant and direct.
"I'm still trying to understand it myself," he admitted, offering a calculated half-truth. "The Headmaster had some theories."
Eliza's eyes widened. "You've already met with Headmaster Orion? That's... unusual for a first-year."
"Apparently I'm unusual," Alexander replied with deliberate self-deprecation.
Before she could respond, a commotion rose from the Aqua table. A student—Victor Raincaller, Alexander recalled from the novel—had spilled an entire pitcher of water across the table, drenching several students including Claire.
In the original story, this accident had led to Claire revealing her exceptional water control, instantly drying herself and others with a casual gesture that impressed onlookers. A small moment establishing her prodigious talent.
Alexander watched expectantly, curious if this event would play out as written.
Claire rose calmly, water dripping from her uniform. Victor apologized profusely, his face burning with embarrassment. Then Claire closed her eyes momentarily, and the water began lifting from her clothes, forming perfect spheres that hovered in the air before streaming back into the pitcher.
The display drew appreciative murmurs—exactly as described in the novel.
"Impressive control," Eliza commented, watching the demonstration. "They say she's the strongest water user in three generations."
Alexander nodded, though his attention had shifted to Lucas, whose reaction differed subtly from the novel's description. Rather than obvious admiration, the Terra student's expression showed something more complex—respect tinged with concern.
Another small deviation. Interesting.
"First class today?" Eliza asked, drawing his attention back.
"Advanced Elemental Theory," Alexander replied, watching her reaction carefully.
Her fork paused halfway to her mouth. "Advanced? But that's a third-year course."
"Apparently my results yesterday prompted some schedule adjustments."
"That's..." Eliza seemed genuinely surprised. "That almost never happens. They must think you have significant potential."
Alexander shrugged modestly while inwardly calculating the advantages this change provided. Advanced placement would expose him to knowledge the original Alexander never accessed, potentially accelerating his plans.
"Would you walk with me?" he asked, finishing his breakfast. "I'm not entirely sure where the Advanced Theory classroom is located."
Eliza brightened. "Of course. It's in the eastern tower, third floor. I pass it on my way to Practical Applications."
They left the dining hall together, Alexander subtly aware of several gazes following them—including Claire's brief glance and a more lingering look from Princess Serena.
[Ooh, creating jealousy already? You work fast!]
"Not jealousy," Alexander murmured nearly inaudibly, "curiosity."
"Pardon?" Eliza asked.
"Just thinking about the class," he covered smoothly. "I hope I'm not too far behind."
As they crossed the central courtyard, the morning sun illuminated the Academy's five towers—each corresponding to an elemental house, with the taller central tower representing the Headmaster's authority over all elements.
"The Advanced Theory class is quite small," Eliza explained. "Mostly third-years, with occasional second-years who show exceptional talent. I don't think they've admitted a first-year in decades."
Perfect. A distinguished position that the original Alexander never achieved.
They reached the eastern tower, its white stone gleaming in the morning light. Before they could enter, a voice called out behind them.
"Alexander Flamingo?"
They turned to find Princess Serena approaching, her silver-trimmed uniform distinctive among the standard house colors. Up close, her resemblance to the novel's description was striking—platinum blonde hair, silver eyes, delicate features with an unmistakable regal bearing.
Alexander bowed respectfully. "Your Highness."
"Please, just Serena here," she corrected with a smile. "I understand you've been placed in Advanced Theory?"
"Word travels quickly," Alexander observed.
"The Headmaster is my uncle," she explained. "He mentioned your unusual emblem fluctuations."
This detail—Headmaster Orion being the princess's uncle—had never appeared in the novel. Another significant divergence from the original plot.
"I experience something similar," Serena continued. "Though my silver emblem is stable now, it underwent fluctuations when I was younger."
Alexander saw Eliza's eyes widen at this exchange. Clearly, the princess discussing emblem mechanics so openly with a first-year was unusual.
"I'd be grateful for any insights, Your—Serena," Alexander replied.
"Walk with me to class," she suggested. "We're both headed to Advanced Theory."
Eliza glanced between them, then smiled politely. "I should get to my own class. See you later, Alexander?"
"Of course," he nodded. "Thank you for your help."
As Eliza departed, Alexander fell into step beside the princess, aware that this interaction represented a massive deviation from the original timeline. In the novel, he'd barely interacted with Princess Serena before his expulsion, and she'd shown no particular interest in his character.
"Your emblem," Serena said as they climbed the tower stairs, "fluctuates between fire and silver, correct?"
"Yes. The Headmaster mentioned something called a Sovereign Emblem."
Serena nodded. "They're exceedingly rare. Most people manifest affinity for a single element, inherited through their bloodline. But sometimes—especially when bloodlines mix across elemental types—potential for multiple affinities emerges."
"And the silver coloration?"
"It indicates harmony between elements rather than dominance of one over others," she explained. "My royal lineage carries this trait, though it doesn't manifest in every generation."
They reached the third floor, where a small group of older students waited outside an ornate door. Their conversation hushed as they noticed the princess—and their eyes widened at the sight of Alexander beside her.
"Don't be intimidated," Serena advised quietly. "Professor Nightshade values insight over experience."
The classroom door opened, revealing a tall woman with striking violet eyes and a shadow emblem gleaming black at her throat. Professor Nightshade—another character barely mentioned in the novel, now standing before Alexander in vivid reality.
"Princess," the professor acknowledged with a respectful nod before her gaze shifted to Alexander. "And you must be our unexpected first-year. Come in, all of you."
The Advanced Theory classroom differed dramatically from the first-year rooms. Rather than orderly rows of desks, a circular arrangement of cushioned chairs surrounded a central platform where five crystalline pillars rose from the floor, each glowing with elemental energy.
Alexander took a seat beside Princess Serena, aware of the curious and occasionally skeptical glances from the older students. In the novel, he'd never entered this room or met these people. Each step now carried him further from the original plot into uncharted territory.
[You're certainly making waves, handsome! From perverted washout to special prodigy in just three days. I'm so proud!]
As Professor Nightshade began the lesson, Alexander absorbed every word, storing knowledge the original Alexander had never possessed. The pieces of his new game were assembling—different from what he'd expected, but potentially more advantageous.
The perverted villain was gone. In his place, a calculating mastermind built his foundation, one careful step at a time.