The Codex faded.
But the weight it left behind didn't.
Here Nclai sat still in the silence of his room. His cold hand lay in his knee. No longer stays. Just... aware.
His breath came slow. Measured.
Then...
......
System Notification
Sync Ratio increased: 10.1% to 15.1%
New Trait Unlocked: Crimson Thread
Allows the user to sense and manipulate trace lines of blood in battle
Threads can reinforce movement, enhance strikes, or tether targets within range
Status: Dormant (Activation pending first use)
......
A pulse ran through his spine.
It didn't hurt.
But it was there.
A pull. Like invisible strands unraveling from inside his bones... red lines connecting him to something deeper than instinct.
Before he could think further...
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Nclai didn't speak.
The door creaked open.
Lyra peeked in.
She scanned the dim room... then saw him.
"...Hey," she said carefully. "You okay?"
He looked up.
Didn't answer.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
"People are talking," she said. "About the match. About you."
She sat across from him, studying his face.
"Some think you cheated. Some think you lost control."
A pause.
"I think you changed."
Still nothing.
She tried again, voice softer.
"You're not bleeding anymore."
Nclai tilted his head slightly.
"Did you come to check if I was dead?"
"No," she scoffed, then shrugged. "Maybe. A little."
Then...
A distant chime rang out through the dorm halls.
......
Tournament Round Two:
Participants to Combat Hall Theta.
Match begins in twenty minutes.
......
Lyra stood.
"Guess it's your turn again."
Nclai rose without a word. He reached for his coat.
He didn't feel nervous.
He didn't feel tired.
He felt... aligned.
Like something had finally clicked into place.
The red threads under his skin pulsed faintly.
Lyra opened the door for him.
"Still not talking?"
He walked past her.
At the doorway, he paused.
"...Thank you," he said, quiet.
Lyra blinked.
"Wait, was that–?"
But Nclai was already gone.
...