Morning broke over Min Academy like silver fire, painting the rooftops in light. Dew shimmered on the courtyards, and the breeze carried the faint scent of sakura from the eastern gardens. Beneath one of those trees stood Kaito Fei, eyes half-closed, feeling the quiet pulse within his chest.
It's time.
He had sworn never to rely on the Karma Thread again unless absolutely necessary—it burned through his fate each time it stirred. His Thread Resonance Index already displayed:
> Rank 1 Weaver — 23,546 Karma Points
Enough to tempt fate itself. Yet each time he used the Karma Thread, those points accumulated, twisting reality and drawing attention from forces better left asleep.
What he needed now was something different—something to let him act without invoking karma at all.
A Lifeline Thread.
It wouldn't purify karma, nor control it. It would simply let him live and fight without using the Karma Thread.
In short, it was the thread that would let him exist freely again.
A thousand options floated through his mind: Flame Thread, Spirit Thread, Shadow Thread. But only one resonated with his nature—
the Dark Thread.
Rare. Forbidden in some academies. Only a handful of Weavers had ever attuned to it.
It wasn't evil—it was equilibrium itself, swallowing excess light and giving back form. It suited him perfectly.
He exhaled slowly. With Liora's help, I can claim it… without exposing the Karma Thread.
---
Liora found him moments later, her snow-white hair catching the morning sun.
"You look deep in thought again," she said softly.
Kaito's gaze drifted toward her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I was waiting for you."
She blushed. "You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
They started walking toward the northern training grounds, hands brushing but not yet joined. Students along the path pretended not to stare. Their whispers carried in the wind—envy, disbelief, and frustration from the boys who'd already tried and failed to win Liora's attention.
"Look at them again…"
"She's really with him?"
"Fei's only Rank 1! What's his secret?"
Liora leaned closer, smiling faintly. "They're jealous of you."
"No," Kaito murmured smoothly. "They're jealous of you. They think I don't deserve you."
She gave him a sideways glance. "And do you?"
He met her eyes, crimson against sapphire. "You'll have to decide that."
Before she could reply, a sharp voice cut across the courtyard.
"Fei!"
A tall figure strode forward—Daren Myrr, Rank 2, top third in the latest evaluation, and one of the strongest among the first years. His fists glowed faintly with golden thread energy as he stopped a few paces away.
"I've had enough of watching you parade around with Vex," Daren snapped. "Face me in a duel, now!"
The surrounding students drew in excited breaths. Daren was notorious for his pride; few dared provoke him.
Kaito's expression didn't change. His voice came out cold, almost bored. "No."
"What?"
"I said no." His eyes flicked toward him like frost cutting through air. "You're not worth the time it takes to draw a thread."
Liora folded her arms, tone equally chilled. "You're interrupting us, Daren. Go practice your basic weaves before you embarrass yourself further."
A low laugh rippled through the crowd. Daren's face reddened, his threads flaring briefly—but under Kaito's steady gaze, he hesitated. Something in those crimson eyes made even arrogance falter.
Kaito turned back to Liora as if nothing happened. "Where were we?"
She smirked. "Something about me deciding if you deserve me?"
He tilted his head slightly. "Right. I'll make that easier for you later."
Her cheeks colored again, and the watching boys collectively groaned in despair.
---
When the courtyard finally quieted, Kaito's tone shifted—calm, focused.
"Liora," he said, "there's something I need your help with."
Her playful expression faded. "What is it?"
"My Vital Thread—its use increases my karma points every time I channel it. If I keep relying on it, those points will eventually reach a critical level. When that happens, misfortune will burst outward… affecting everything around me."
Liora frowned softly. "So you're saying your power builds up bad luck?"
"Exactly," Kaito replied. "Not instantly—but if I keep using it, it'll overflow. That's why I need a Lifeline Thread—to fight and survive without touching karma at all."
She hesitated. "And you've already chosen which one?"
"The Dark Thread," he said simply.
Liora blinked, stunned. "Dark Thread? That's extremely rare. Only Rank 2 Weavers can channel it safely. You're still Rank 1."
Kaito's lips curved slightly. "No problem with that."
Her brow furrowed. "You're serious?"
"I can elevate it," he said. "Using my Vital Thread as a bridge… or something else."
For a fleeting instant, crimson light flickered behind his eyes as he thought:
I can use the Karma Thread to elevate instantly. A little luck manipulation, and I'll handle Rank 2—maybe even Rank 3—with ease.
Out loud, he added only, "It's risky, but worth it."
Liora looked conflicted, glancing around to ensure no one overheard. "The Dark Thread is stored in the academy's restricted vaults. Only students cleared by the Headmaster can access it."
"And can you get that clearance?"
She hesitated, then smiled softly. "For you? Anything."
Kaito met her gaze, his voice low and velvety. "Then I owe you more than gratitude."
She rolled her eyes lightly, trying to hide her blush. "You can start by not making the entire courtyard jealous again."
He leaned closer. "But that's half the fun."
A few petals drifted between them. He caught one, twirled it between his fingers, then brushed it gently against her cheek. "Thank you, Liora."
"You're welcome, Kaito," she whispered.
Students nearby exchanged helpless groans and muttered curses under their breath—half admiration, half envy.
"Unbelievable…"
"Even Daren backed off."
"She's really smiling at him like that?"
Kaito ignored them all, focused only on the faint rhythm between their linked threads.
---
That night, as moonlight poured over Min Academy, Kaito sat alone in his dorm, eyes closed, sensing the faint vibration of the Karma Thread deep within him.
With the Dark Thread, I can finally stop using you.
No more karma points. No more chains.
The forbidden thread pulsed once—like acknowledgment.
Soon, he would elevate, gain the Lifeline Thread, and act freely once again.
But deep within, the Karma Thread still coiled like a sleeping serpent, waiting for the next ripple of fate to stir it awake.
He opened his eyes slowly, a faint smirk ghosting across his lips.
"Darkness fits me better anyway."
Outside, thunder rolled softly beyond the horizon, echoing the pulse of unseen threads that bound the world to its silent reckoning.