Reborn as a Useless Marquis's Son!

Dylan Greyworth was born as the unwanted heir of a declining noble house. Weak body. Poor reputation. No expectations. But the soul inside him is not ordinary. In his previous life, he was Osric Hale, an Eighth-Circle Archmage who reached the peak of mortal magic and died while chasing the unfinished mystery of the Tenth Circle. Now reborn into a world where magic has grown rigid, politics rot beneath polite smiles, and noble families measure children by usefulness, Dylan intends to live quietly.
Unfortunately, quiet lives do not belong to people who remember too much. When old instincts awaken and forgotten knowledge begins to surface, Dylan discovers that the magic of this era is full of cracks. Spells are inefficient. Noble customs are traps. The academy is not merely a place of learning, but a battlefield wrapped in manners, bloodlines, and hidden ambition. To survive, Dylan must rebuild his strength from the beginning, hide the depth of his power, and outwit those who think him harmless.
But as enemies gather and secrets from his former life begin to echo through his second one, Dylan realizes that his reincarnation may not have been a miracle. It may have been preparation. Perfect for readers who enjoy reincarnated archmages, magic academy intrigue, noble family politics, hidden-power protagonists, and progression fantasy with sharp strategy and steady growth.