Riyan's consciousness emerged gradually from the deep recovery sleep that had been necessary for processing cellular manipulation and quantum enzyme dissipation. His awareness reassembled piece by piece—first recognition of medical monitoring equipment's steady rhythms, then awareness of his own body feeling properly eighteen years old again, then analytical assessment of his current situation that immediately began calculating optimal responses to various scenarios.
His scarlet eyes opened to medical chamber ceiling, the familiar sterile white that characterized Academy medical facilities. His Fire affinity cycled through normal patterns, his Darkness affinity coiling around him like comfortable companion, and his strategic mind immediately noted the five distinct presences positioned around his recovery chamber.
