Bloodline: Sovereign's Awakening - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Flowing Earth
The first month of classes had come and gone, leaving behind the echoes of lectures, the rustle of turning pages, and the scent of ink-stained scrolls. Now, as the sun slanted through the towering windows of the academy halls, Judio made his way toward the Office of Maestra Luningning, his steps light yet deliberate. The air smelled faintly of parchment, polished wood, and the lingering trace of alchemical dust from previous experiments.

Clutched carefully in his arms was his month-long project—a construct designed to replicate the flow of the Loom’s threads based on the theories he had studied. The instructor provided every student with core materials and allowed daily requests for additional parts. Yet, Judio had gone beyond mere assembly, investing himself in perfecting the creation. He had spent countless hours in the academy’s grand library, where floating scrolls hovered like silent sentinels, revealing intricate diagrams, and where automated illusions demonstrated the modern innovations of weaving constructs.

His fingers brushed over the smooth, glassy surface of the outer shell as he walked. Beneath it lay the heart of his creation: silver-plated steel threads, fine as silk, woven around a central core—an orb riddled with countless perforations. Ethereal dust, shimmering faintly within, served as its power source. Below the outer sphere, runic stone slots allowed only two engravings, forcing students to make calculated choices.

Judio had chosen the Earthen Rune, an archaic and often overlooked inscription. In an age where advanced runes shaped cities and skies, the Earthen Rune simply anchored constructs to the fundamental laws of nature—binding them to the cycle of stability, decay, and renewal. His second choice was the Temperature Rune, another forgotten relic. It adapted, shifted, and harmonized with its surroundings, reflecting the natural flow of the seasons.

Others sought runes that bent nature to their will, but Judio believed in understanding its rhythm instead.

As he strode through the teacher’s wing, his gaze swept over the nameplates affixed to each door. They gleamed in different metals—steel, copper, bronze, and gold—each signifying rank and prestige. Some bore intricate embellishments of rare gems, their soft glow hinting at enchantments woven into their frames. He made a mental note to uncover their meanings later.

At last, he reached Maestra Luningning’s office. Her nameplate was silver, adorned with sapphires and diamonds, the gems catching the sunlight and casting faint, prismatic flecks onto the stone floor.

Judio knocked.

With a soft hum, the door unlocked itself, opening with a whisper of unseen threads unraveling.

Inside the room was a scholar’s haven—towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and research scrolls that radiated soft, bluish luminescence. The scent of old paper and ink blended with a subtle floral aroma. At the center sat Maestra Luningning, perched behind a sleek obsidian desk, her reading glasses glinting as she studied a record hovering in midair.

She barely looked up, but acknowledged him with a gentle nod.

“Ah, Judio,” she said, her voice carrying the grace of one accustomed to both wisdom and patience. “You’re submitting your project early? ”

Judio inclined his head. “Yes, Maestra. There are still two days left, but I believe this is the best version I can present.”

Maestra Luningning finally lifted her gaze, adjusting her glasses as she gestured toward an empty table nearby. “Place it there.”

Judio obeyed, setting his creation onto the smooth metallic surface. The table hummed to life, mechanical filaments—thin as strands of light—emerging from its surface and connecting to the base of his construct. A soft pulse of energy coursed through them, activating the artifact.

Maestra Luningning stood, walking over with a composed but curious air.

Judio clasped his hands behind his back as he spoke. “I call it Flowing Earth—because while the Loom’s threads are free-flowing, they must also remain stable, much like the earth beneath us.”

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the choice of name. “A profound analogy.”

The construct flickered to life.

A faint ember of light ignited within the central core, and the ethereal dust spiraled outward, drawn along the delicate silver threads. The outer core began a slow, deliberate rotation in the opposite direction, creating an illusion of suspended motion. The strands shimmered—first barely visible, then undulating as though breathing. A moment later, something astonishing occurred.

Silken filaments extended beyond the physical orb, flowing as though the glass had captured the Loom itself. The ether dust illuminated every fiber, creating an intricate, shifting tapestry that danced through the air. The central core swirled horizontally, its dotted surface guiding the strands like an unseen loom, while the outer core subtly twisted vertically, balancing the motion.

Then the runes activated.

A tremor passed through the construct as the Earthen Rune took effect. The threads became heavier, as if gravity had acknowledged their existence. Their movement remained fluid, but now they carried weight, echoing the steady rhythm of natural cycles. The Temperature Rune followed, subtly altering the surrounding air—warmth fading into coolness, the simulation shifting between unseen seasons.

Maestra Luningning’s breath hitched. She remained composed, yet there was a flicker of something rare in her sharp eyes. Awe.

She reached out, hovering her fingers over the shifting strands, observing the construct’s flawless mimicry of the Loom’s threads. Not just a visual copy, but a behavioral one.

“This…” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “I have never seen anything quite like this before.”

She turned to Judio, eyes keen. “What materials did you use? ”

Judio, standing straight, replied without hesitation. “Only the standard materials provided, Maestra. And two runes—Earthen and Temperature.”

Maestra Luningning’s gaze flickered with something unreadable—approval, curiosity, perhaps even amusement. “Most would have chosen runes of elemental amplification or direct control. You chose resonance and adaptation instead.”

Judio nodded. “I had some guidance,” he admitted, thinking back to the lessons of a certain teacher whose insights had broadened his understanding of the Loom’s behavior. “A mentor once told me that the loom does not merely flow—it listens, it shifts, it breathes.”

Maestra Luningning let out a soft hum. “A wise lesson.”

The construct remained stable, its silvery strands undulating in a mesmerizing display. She studied it a moment longer before stepping back.

“This is an excellent simulation of the Loom’s natural state,” she finally declared. “Not only have you understood its theory, but you have demonstrated its essence—its balance, its rhythm.”

A pause.

“Well done, Judio.”

He bowed slightly in gratitude. “Thank you, Maestra.”

With that, he turned and took his leave.

As the door sealed shut behind him, Maestra Luningning remained standing before the Flowing Earth, its glowing threads weaving through the air.

She reached out once more, letting her fingers graze the invisible strands.

The silvery strands feels vibrant… listening. Shifting. Breathing.

A rare smile touched her lips.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this student was onto something greater than he realized. Setting aside Judio’s craftsmanship, he is also smart and has excellent character.

Maestra Luningning’s gaze lingered over the flowing earth, still admiring the construct. I am thinking of checking with Judio if she can keep it after the other evaluators assess his creation.

“Surely that construct maniac would take an interest in Flowing Earth; I am one step ahead of you this time,” Maestra Luningning muttered to herself, thinking of another deeply obsessed craft professor.

Judio went straight to the dormitory, the quiet corridors lit by the warm glow of mage lights hanging from intricately woven cords. As he entered his room, his eyes immediately fell on his desk, where two neatly wrapped packages and a sealed envelope awaited him.

Curious, he set his belongings aside and reached for the first package. Unwrapping the crisp parchment, he revealed his newly delivered Union Uniform—a finely tailored deep-blue tunic with silver linings at the cuffs and collar. Though it lacked any embroidered emblems of distinction, it was still an honor to wear. The academy’s official uniform signified his place among the Union’s scholars, and Judio allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as he ran his fingers over the smooth fabric.

The second box contained a pair of polished leather shoes, black and sturdy, designed for both comfort and formal wear. He could already picture himself walking through the academy halls in full uniform, blending in with the countless other students who bore the same aspirations.

Next, he turned his attention to the envelope. Breaking the wax seal, he pulled out a finely crafted school ID embedded with a small, enchanted crystal at its center. It bore his name, student classification, and a sigil indicating his division within the academy. With this, he could now officially explore the outside markets on weekends—a long-awaited freedom that he was eager to take advantage of.

Judio placed the ID carefully in a small pouch attached to his belt before turning his focus to preparing for the next day—Saturday.

He retrieved a fresh parchment sheet and ink, settling by his desk as he composed a letter to his mother. His handwriting was neat and deliberate, each stroke carrying the weight of his experiences over the past month.

Dearest Inay,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. The academy is as grand as I had imagined, and I have been learning much in my studies. Just today, I presented my first project to Maestra Luningning, and I believe it went well. The work has been challenging, but I welcome it.

My uniform arrived today, and so did my official ID. This means I will finally be able to visit the city’s markets on weekends. Is there anything you’d like me to send you? Let me know, and I will do my best to find it.

I miss home, but I know that this path will lead me to greater things—for both of us. Please take care and give my regards to our neighbors.

With love, your son, Judio

He set the letter aside to dry, his thoughts lingering on home for a brief moment before shifting back to his studies.

With some time left in the evening, he picked up a book on rune stones, flipping through its worn pages. The subject had fascinated him ever since he chose the Earthen and Temperature Runes for his project.

He sought to understand them beyond their basic function—why were they so often overlooked? What ancient principles did their essence contain?

He read deep into the night, absorbing passages about runic origins, their connection to the Loom, and theories regarding their lost potential. Some pages hinted at forgotten runes, ones that scholars had abandoned in favor of modern applications.

The idea intrigued him—what if these forgotten inscriptions still held power that no one had fully realized?

By the time he set the book down, the night already had descended. The twin moons cast their luminous glow.

Tomorrow, he would send his letter. And perhaps, while in the markets, he might find something even rarer than the books in the academy’s grand library. His mind races at the thought of things he can find within the Sovereign Capital of the Kingdom.

His last thoughts lingered on how he would start his day by tomorrow before he slowly drifted to sleep, embraced by the comfort of his soft bed and warm blanket.