Apply-stage SDK verification (javap on android-34/35/36 platform jars plus api-versions.xml) proved FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_ALARM and the FOREGROUND_SERVICE_ALARM permission are fictional constants. The existing mediaPlayback|systemExempted declaration is the documented correct pattern for an alarm app holding exact-alarm permissions, so slice 1 ships no code and root cause B is withdrawn. Spec, design, and tasks amended with the evidence; volume-override and fade-dedup slices proceed unaffected.