Bloodline: Sovereign's Awakening - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Threads of Solitude: Judio’s Silent Vigil
As the resonant bells of the Union Academy of the Freedom Confederation of Sandigsal rolled from the four towering spires, signaling the end of the academic day, the campus buzzed with a harmonious blend of youthful energy and scholarly pursuit. Students streamed out of classrooms, their animated conversations filling the air, while the academy’s enchanted infrastructure responded in seamless synchrony.

In one such classroom, Maestra Luningning observed with a satisfied smile as her students departed. The chairs aligned themselves with precision, the chandelier lights dimmed gracefully, and unseen forces tidied the space, restoring it to its pristine state. As the last to leave, Maestra Luningning stepped into the corridor, the door closing softly behind her.

Judio, a diligent student, navigated the lantern-lit hallways, the sound of his bakya echoing softly against the polished stone floors. His mind replayed the morning’s lecture, where Maestra Luningning had outlined the forthcoming assessments designed to evaluate their resonance and attunement levels. These evaluations would determine their aptitudes as Weavers, Anchors, or Conduits—roles integral to the fabric of their magical society.

The academy’s courtyard bustled with activity as students dispersed, some heading towards the expansive library to immerse themselves in study, while others sought the tranquility of the gardens to reflect and prepare. The sun casts a warm, golden hue over the ancient stone structures, enhancing the academy’s ethereal beauty.

As evening descended, the Union Academy remained a beacon of knowledge and magic, its ever-vibrant community embodying the pursuit of wisdom and the nurturing of innate talents. The preparations for the upcoming evaluations infused the atmosphere with a blend of anticipation and determination, with each student ready to embrace the challenges ahead.

Judio trailed along the softly glowing path, the luminescent trails of the academy guiding him back to his dormitory. Though he had long since memorized the way, the flickering orbs of light hovering above the cobbled walkways felt almost sentient, like old friends welcoming him home.

The academy at night was a marvel of quiet magic. The lantern-like wisps drifted lazily through the air, painting gentle halos of golden and sapphire light against the twilight. Beneath them, the cobblestones shimmered faintly, imbued with residual enchantments that pulsed in harmony with the Aetherflow coursing through the very foundation of the academy.

Judio’s steps slowed as he approached the Fountain of Threads, a mesmerizing spectacle where strands of liquid Aetherflow burst into the air like ethereal ribbons before cascading down as water. The fountain pulsed in a steady rhythm as if the academy itself were breathing, drawing in magic from the land and releasing it in luminous streams. He had seen it countless times before, yet it never failed to captivate him.

Taking a deep breath, Judio continued onward, allowing the familiar scents of the eastern gardens to soothe his nerves—dew-kissed foliage, the faint spice of enchanted flora, and the distant tang of alchemical tinctures brewing in the research halls. The nocturnal hum of distant whisper-crickets, whose chirps carried faint echoes of past conversations, filled the air, blending with the gentle rustling of wind through the leaves.

At last, he arrived at the dormitories. Unlike the grand towers of the professors or the sprawling halls of the library, the dorms were modest, yet imbued with the same enchanting charm. The walls bore glowing calligraphic etchings that shimmered in response to students approaching, adjusting their intensity based on the time of night.

Before the entrance, several circular platforms embedded in the ground glowed faintly. Above each was a wall-mounted lamp intertwined with a numeric keypad, a sophisticated fusion of technology and magic. Judio stepped onto his designated platform, the familiar engravings beneath his feet pulsing in recognition.

Taking a moment to recall the sequence, he pressed the keys.

VIII–III–I–II–III.

He pressed the last number, and the lamp above him flared to life, weaving a cocoon of radiant threads around him. The filaments of light thrummed with energy, a soft harmonic hum filling his ears. The moment was always fleeting yet profound—a brief suspension between one place and another, between reality and woven possibility.

The world blurred.

And then he was home.

Judio exhaled as the threads unraveled, depositing him gently into the familiar warmth of his dormitory. The space was modest but cozy, its wooden walls etched with ancient inscriptions that pulsed like sleeping embers. The large window stretched open to a breathtaking view of the academy grounds, the Twin Moons reigning above in their celestial watch.

One moon, Aviris, shone in soft blue luminescence, casting a tranquil glow across the land. The other, Kyreth, was a warmer ash-colored orb, its light carrying an almost melancholic warmth, as if whispering forgotten stories to those who gazed upon it. Together, they bathed the night in an otherworldly radiance.

Judio’s stomach grumbled, snapping him from his reverie.

He made his way to the kitchenette by the window—a humble corner of his dorm, yet equipped with compact alchemic heat stones for cooking. With practiced ease, he gathered some fresh vegetables from the academy rations, a selection of crisp greens and golden-root tubers that glowed faintly from their lingering magical properties.

Placing a pot onto the enchanted stove, he flicked his wrist. The heatstone beneath flickered to life, shifting colors from azure to ember-red. The pot warmed instantly, and he tossed in the vegetables, the sizzling aroma blending with the earthy scent of his room. To accompany the dish, he prepared fried rice infused with Ember-Garlic Essence, a common staple among students who needed extra energy for late-night studies.

Within minutes, his meal was ready.

As he sat by the window, the warm glow of his lantern contrasting with the moonlit blues and grays of the academy outside, Judio let himself relax. His eyes wandered across his dorm—the wooden desk cluttered with scrolls and notes, the faintly glowing runes on the walls that shifted in response to his emotions, and the bookshelf lined with tomes detailing the history of Weaving and the Loom System.

Here, in the embrace of both familiarity and the ever-present wonder of the academy, he felt a brief moment of true tranquility.

Tomorrow, the next cycle of lessons will begin. Tests, studies, and weaving practice.

The world outside would continue moving, and with it, the challenges of their age.

Judio’s mind drifted to how his mother, Lena, was doing. Since he still could not go beyond the academy for the current cycle, he could not send any letters back home or check if her mother left mail for him. He hopes that she is doing fine and not sick, that she will have the protection she needs, and that she won’t ever overexert herself to work.

Then Judio sighed; the aroma of his food wafted to his nostrils, slowly savoring the food, but his mind was flying away.

His worry for Nena and Amon had faded, especially when the sudden announcement from the Tala Noble House reached the halls of the Academy, crowning both as heir and heiress to the Tala Family. This clears out all those who wanted to stain their name, fix the rumors of their name, and question their birth; however, it does not lighten up Judio to reach out to them, as he still feels inferior in contrast to his friends, thinking that it would be best to remain far from them for now and does not want to make his presence an inconvenience or a way for others to pick against Nena and Amon again.

Three weeks had passed since he walked the halls with no one to laugh with, no one to share their studies with, and no one to make assignments. Always do things alone.

Thanks to their homeroom professor, Maestra Luningning, at least he did not feel completely alone. At the start of the second week, when Judio started trailing those with bad intentions against Nena and Amon, he always reported it back to her and was the first to point out the student council being part of those who spread the rumors. With enough evidence over the week, Maestra Luningning, who had the prefix of discipline, lectured the student council and even warned those who spread the rumors of expulsion if such behavior continued.

Judio subdued the rumors and schemes against Nena and Amon with his quiet yet relentless efforts. His careful observation, discreet reports, and Maestra Luningning’s swift intervention ensured that those who sought to taint his friends’ names had been silenced.

Though he never sought recognition for his actions, a small part of him found solace in knowing that Nena and Amon could now walk the academy halls without fear of whispers and deceitful glances. Yet that did not erase the growing distance between them.

Judio sighed as he finished his meal, the remnants of Ember-Garlic Essence still tingling faintly on his tongue. With practiced ease, he tidied up the table, placing the dishes into the enchanted basin, where small, water-bound runes activated to cleanse them. His thoughts drifted toward the Resonance Test—an event looming at the end of the week, one that would determine the strength of his unawakened Loom Threads and set the course of his future.

He clasped his hands together for a brief prayer, gazing at the softly flickering runes on his dormitory walls.

“Please, let the gods have granted me something… at least above average. Let me have a chance to stand on my own in this world.”

With a weary breath, he settled at his desk, unrolling a parchment filled with notes about the test. The Resonance Test wasn’t just a measure of power; it was an unveiling of potential. It would dictate his class placement, his eligibility for advanced weaving techniques, and whether he could rise beyond the mediocrity that gnawed at his self-worth.

The Loom System was merciless in its judgments. A weak resonance meant fewer threads to weave, limited potential, and an uphill battle to remain relevant. Though not all talents shone from the start, being below average in the academy was equivalent to fading into obscurity.

Judio’s quill glided across the parchment as he reviewed the criteria.

Weaver resonance—Their threads attune to the offensive powers of the threads of the loom, creating powerful constructs and devastating magical damage.

It involves the Weaving Affinity Evaluation using the Loom Mirror. A mystical, reflective surface infused with artificial threads that react to a person’s emotional and spiritual connection to the Loom. The individual places their hand on the mirror, and the artificial threads within the object react to the innate resonance of their Loom Affinity. As they touch the mirror, the threads light up in an intricate pattern, weaving across the surface. The mirror begins to glow with a blue hue, and a construct that forms in front of them visually represents the person’s power.

The more complex and refined the weaving ability, the larger and more intricate the construct becomes. A person with high Weaving Affinity would create an elaborate spiritual beast or weapon, while someone with low affinity might only manage a faint, incomplete shape. The strength of the construct depends on the individual’s current weaving affinity level and their control over emotional harmony. The brightest and most powerful glow shows the user’s ability to manifest the most devastating spells or intricate magical manipulations, signifying their potential in offensive and creative powers.

Anchor resonance—Their threads resonate for defensive power, absorbing damage, providing stabilization, and ensuring the safety of others through fortification.

Evaluated through the Shield of Defense, a large, ethereal shield that is bound with artificial threads designed to measure the defensive capabilities of an individual. The shield absorbs both magical and physical attacks, adapting its strength based on the person’s affinity. Upon: Immediately, the shield glows golden as the individual places their palm on it, resonating with their Anchor affinity.

The more in tune they are with the Anchor class, the stronger the shield becomes, responding to the person’s emotional balance and inner fortitude. The shield starts to glow, and it grows in size and durability, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier as the individual’s Anchor affinity increases. A series of magical projectiles and physical strikes generated by the artificial threads themselves then attacked this shield. The strength and resilience of the shield will indicate how well the person can withstand and redirect attacks, showcasing their potential to tank and defend. Those with high Anchor Affinity will create a massive, indestructible shield capable of deflecting most types of magic, while someone with low affinity will manifest a smaller, weaker shield that can only withstand a few strikes before breaking. This reveals their capacity for defensive magic and tactical fortitude in battle.

Conduit resonance—Attuned to the threads of enhancements and support skills, enhancing the capabilities of allies by boosting their abilities and recharging magical energy or curses to weaken enemies.

The Conduit Affinity Evaluation uses a device called the Heart of Resonance. A mystical crystal orb, bound with artificial threads that reacts to the user’s supportive, healing, and buffing abilities. This object measures the person’s ability to enhance, debuff, and assist in a battle scenario. To project a person’s ability, the individual places their palm on the crystal orb, and it begins to pulse with a green light.

The orb tests the person’s Conduit affinity by resonating with their emotional energy and ability to connect with others. The orb’s glow intensifies based on its ability to boost others, debuff enemies, and support allies. As the Conduit places its hand on the orb, it shifts and reacts to its innate affinity by creating energy constructs that showcase its support abilities.

The stronger the affinity, the more complex and powerful these constructs become. A high Conduit Affinity would create large healing fields, powerful buffs, or a debilitating curse capable of overwhelming enemies. For those with high Conduit affinity, the orb will emit a bright pulse, creating an aura around the user that can either heal and protect allies or debilitate enemies with a massive debuff.

For those with low affinity, the orb might show only a faint glimmer, representing the user’s struggle to generate powerful support or debuff effects.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. The third criterion worried him most—resonance depth was the most enigmatic aspect of the test. Some students with weak resonance had managed to excel through sheer connection to the Loom, while others, despite their talent, found themselves stifled by an inexplicable limit.

“What if my loom barely responds? ”

Judio shook his head, pushing away the doubt. He had studied, trained, and observed how the best of his peers prepared for this moment. All he could do was trust that his efforts had not been in vain.

An hour passed.

Feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into his bones, he rose from his desk and moved toward the wooden trunk at the foot of his bed. Methodically, he stacked his scrolls, adjusted his uniform for the morning, and infused his enchanted quill with Aether for the next day’s lessons.

Satisfied, he grabbed a fresh set of garments and stepped into the small yet efficiently designed bathing chamber. The moment he activated the Aqua Rune, warm water cascaded over him, washing away the tension in his muscles. The academy’s baths were a marvel—self-regulating heat stones ensured the perfect temperature, and the water, imbued with faint purification magic, left him feeling not just clean but subtly refreshed in both body and spirit.

Once done, he slipped into his sleeping attire, a soft woven tunic infused with subtle fabric embroidery for warmth. He sprawled onto his bed, feeling the mattress shift slightly beneath him, adjusting to the contours of his exhausted form. The academy spared no detail in ensuring students were well-rested—an odd kindness amidst the relentless expectations placed upon them.

The cushion embraced him like a gentle tide, the sounds of the academy’s nocturnal hum fading into the background. The moons still watched over the land, their celestial light seeping faintly through his window.

As his mind wandered, drifting between thought and slumber, a singular hope flickered in his chest.

“Please… let me be more than just ordinary.”

And with that, Judio surrendered to sleep, his dreams carrying him toward an uncertain fate.