Silence And Threads
"Knock, knock."
The sound of heavy stomps echoed through the large Gothic castle.
A striking figure descended the stairs as he made his way to the wooden door.
Behind the door stood a boy with a masculine physique, black hair, and brown eyes. Clutched tightly in his rough hands was a white envelope.
"Hey, I'm Ed Rolls. I was just wondering if you could join my team?"
"Oh, hey. I'm Kaiser Vanguard, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, young Master Ed."
Ed scratched his head in embarrassment. "No need for that. So, do you accept my offer?"
Flashing a wide smile, Kai took the young man's letter before slamming the door.
He turned toward the small passageway next to the staircase and tossed the letter onto a large pile of discarded papers.
Sighing loudly, Kai made his way back to his room.
Lying on the bed, he pulled out his phone and checked the latest rankings.
His gaze fixed on a single number:
87. Kaiser Vanguard – 15,679 points – No. 1 Fan Favourite – Elijah Guild, Tanpopo Guild, Arandel Guild.
Seeing the number written after his name, Kai flung his hand sideways, ready to smash his phone against the wall but stopped midway.
"I'd be stupid if I did that."
Just as Kai thought everything went south after his battle with the wasp mother.
At first, he had made Alpha disconnect the drone's stream so he could harvest the loot and maybe give the spectators time to relax or, better yet, find another interesting participant.
But life didn't go the way he planned.
Just as he left the cave he was instantly transported back to the hall, only to be met with both wary gazes and eyes filled with reverence and trust.
"Tsk."
Kai clicked his tongue loudly.
"Their attitude did a complete 360," he sighed, resting his head on the pillow, his energy slowly fading.
He quickly glanced at the messy pile of strings he had completely ruined.
"She hasn't woken up yet?" Kai muttered, gripping his chest tightly.
His annoyance didn't only stem from the joint test but also from the fact that Alpha had gone to sleep immediately after they returned.
"It's already been two days."
Kai immediately jolted upright and sat cross-legged at the edge of his bed.
"Better do something productive so she doesn't nag me to death." As he said this, the seamstress Vesper formed in his palms, along with a large mana stone.
Due to Kai's unexpected display of power the examiners and high rankers decided to extend his match for two days since they felt his opponent wouldn't fit his power.
'They just want to know how strong I am,' Kai thought as he fixed the threads to the fingers of his black leather gloves.
Kai already knew all too well that he couldn't show the world the full extent of his power if he wanted to survive and live his dream life but he also knew that no one would believe him if he didn't give them a show.
So that brought him to his present task; before Alpha fell into her slumber, she gave him a simple task.
[Weave a teleportation ability.]
According to her, Kai didn't have enough affinity for fire, and that was what hindered him from weaving the flame ability, though his lack of practical knowledge also played a crucial role.
So throughout his two-day break, Kai had constantly been training his weaving skills, sword art, spear art and magic theory and practice, though that class was done with Neko-sensei.
The only time he left his room was during his evening training or when some annoying student came to offer him a stop in their team.
Kai's frown soon melted as a gentle smile appeared on his face.
The process of weaving was more entertaining than he thought.
With the help of the mana stones and monster core he took from the cave, he was able to increase his speed by over sixty per cent.
His finger swirled from left to right, weaving together a spiral shape, but at the centre of it was a form and shape he couldn't comprehend.
But due to Alpha's extended knowledge of constructing weaves, he was able to skip the phase of learning the advanced patterns, at least for now.
The mana core at the centre of the spiralling thread soon shone bright as a small dagger slowly formed using the threads.
Releasing the thread on his fingers, he watched as the threads were sucked into the bright glow.
Instantly the system voice rang in his head as the dagger dropped onto his hands.
YOU HAVE WOVEN A SPIRIT RANK VESPER.
POISON DRAIN DRAGON.
Kai swung the dagger a few times in the air before summoning his UI.
[CUBE INTERFACE]
Name: Kaiser Vanguard.
Celestial Code: Weaver Of Life
--
Affiliation: None
Title: Heir Of Death
--
Rank: Apprentice/Awakened
--
Status: Mana Manipulation
--
Total Stats: Core Ability: 1300/1000
Stats points: 300
Stranger's Sword Dance: (1/9)
--
Trait:
Weaver[X-rank]
Description – You can stitch together any element, skill, or entity to life using mana. limited
Ability:
Alpha [Tier 0] – You can peer into the content of any substance. You have an adaptable companion who can analyse, virtualize and provide all information.
Shadow Glider [D rank] – You can cling to narrow shadow for 30 seconds.
Transmission [A rank] – ??????
Ability Points – 40
•Store•
--
Vespers:
Seamstress [Weapon] –
Ability:
Stainless Steel – Spirit – [Description] – Just a silver thread given by Mom.
Shrouded Mystery [Weapon] –
Ability:
Unknown – ????????
Saint Gloves [Utility] –
Ability:
Weaver – Divine – [Description] – Crafted by the Weaver of Life. Invulnerable against all attacks below the Masters rank.
Dread [Utility] –
Ability:
Golddigger – Divine – [Description] – I shall take everything that shines. Contains all valuable items the user obtains.
Poison Drain Dragon x6 [Weapon] –
Ability:
Poison Drain – Spirit – [Description] – Crafted by the Weaver of Life. You can drain and inflict poison on anyone below your rank.
Kai let out a satisfied smile before waving the UI away.
He concentrated on the name of his new ability, and a mess of thin threads concentrated around a single core soon appeared.
Placing his fingers at the edge of the strings he began following the pattern Alpha had given him.
Slowly the mess of thread started having a defined form.
All his practice and failures had finally given a result.
The core at the centre of the intricate weaving began to shine brightly until its light engulfed the room.
This time it was many times greater than what had appeared after forming the dagger vesper.
Soon the light found its way to his chest, sending a chill feeling through him.
The bright light made his eyes squint till it was fully closed.
YOU HAVE WOVEN AN A-RANK ABILITY TRANSMISSION.
Kai immediately fell onto his bed as it made a creaking sound, a pale smile formed on his lips.
YOU HAVE EXHAUSTED YOUR MANA.
'Yeah, I know.'
Soon Kai fell into a deep slumber.
------
[Kai, wake up; you have visitors.]
Kai stirred, stretching his hands widely in his bed as a soft groan escaped his lips.
The previous day's strength hadn't been fully recovered yet.
Recalling the voice that called out to him, he immediately jolted up.
"Are you alright, Alpha?" Kai asked, concern laced in his voice.
[Are you actually worried about me? Ha… Just find something productive to do, and don't tell me you didn't complete your tasks.]
Kai smiled softly. "Good to have you back, Alpha."
[...]
[Tsk…]
"Did you just click your tongue?"
[No, I didn't.]
"Nah, you definitely did."
A loud sound from his front door sent soft tremors through the building.
"Who the hell?"
Kai immediately fell deeper into his bed as an invisible pressure pressed onto him.
His eyes darted to the door as a figure of a beautiful blonde woman wearing a simple gown barged into his room.
"Kid, are you alright?" Neko sensei paused as she looked at the squirming figure. "Did you get attacked?"
Kai hesitated before a single word escaped his lips. "Yeah."