The night was quiet.

  A faint breeze slipped through the wooden window of Ren’s small room, carrying the distant sounds of the town settling into sleep. Somewhere outside, a lantern flickered in the darkness.

  Ren sat on the edge of his bed.

  His eyes were calm.

  Tomorrow was the first day of the academy.

  For most children his age, such a day would bring excitement, nervousness, even pride.

  For Ren, it meant almost nothing.

  He leaned back slowly and stared at the ceiling.

  An academy…

  In his past life, he had walked through countless cultivation halls, sects, and territories ruled by beings far stronger than anyone in this town.

  This place was insignificant compared to those memories.

  Yet even the smallest steps mattered.

  Power was not built in a single moment. It was built piece by piece.

  Thread by thread . Ren closed his eyes.

  “Just another beginning,” he murmured quietly.

  Not long after, sleep took him.

  Morning arrived with the faint glow of sunlight spilling through the house.

  Ren woke up before anyone else.

  Years of discipline had carved that habit deep into him. Even after rebirth, his body naturally rose with the dawn.

  He washed his face with cold water and quietly stepped out toward the dining table.

  His aunt was already there, preparing breakfast. She glanced at him briefly before turning away without a word.

  His uncle sat nearby, drinking tea with a tired expression. Neither of them spoke. Shiro soon entered the room, stretching his arms lazily.

  “First day of academy,” Shiro said with a grin. “You ready?”

  Ren gave a small nod.

  “I suppose.”

  Shiro laughed lightly.

  “You always act like everything’s boring.”

  The table fell silent again as they finished their meal.

  Ren stood up first.

  “I’m leaving.”

  His uncle barely reacted.

  “Don’t embarrass the family,” he muttered.

  Ren didn’t respond. He simply walked out.

  The streets were already filled with movement.

  Groups of teenagers headed toward the academy, their voices filled with excitement and curiosity.

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  Clan banners fluttered near the main road, marking the territories of the town’s families.

  Some students walked proudly with their clan members.

  Others looked nervous.

  Ren observed everything quietly as he walked.

  To these people, today was the beginning of their cultivation journey.

  To him, it was merely returning to a path he had already walked once.

  Before long, the academy gates came into view.

  Tall stone pillars stood at the entrance, engraved with old symbols representing the town’s cultivation heritage.

  Students gathered in the large courtyard beyond the gates.

  Several instructors stood on a raised platform, watching the crowd.

  Ren stepped into the courtyard. His eyes observed the area. He quickly noticed familiar faces.

  Akamine Ryu stood among a group of confident students from his clan. His posture was straight, his expression calm but proud.

  The talent he displayed during the ceremony had already made him popular among the new students.

  Shiro waved at Ren from a distance before joining him.

  “You’re late,” Shiro joked.

  Ren ignored the comment.

  Moments later, one of the instructors stepped forward. The courtyard slowly fell silent. The instructor was a tall man with sharp eyes and a firm voice.

  “Welcome to the academy.”

  His voice carried easily across the courtyard.

  “From today onward, you will begin your cultivation journey.”

  Several assistants stepped forward, carrying wooden boxes.

  Inside the boxes rested small crystals. The instructor continued speaking.

  “These are thread crystals.”

  Students leaned forward slightly, curiosity shining in their eyes.

  “Every cultivator must learn to control threads.”

  “Threads are the foundation of power in this world. They connect life, energy, and existence itself.”

  He picked up one crystal.

  “This crystal will help you sense and refine thread energy.”

  The assistants began handing the crystals to the students.

  Ren accepted one when it reached him. It was cool to the touch. The crystal was dull and lifeless, its surface faintly cloudy. Unrefined. Just as he expected. The instructor raised his hand again.

  “Now, each of you will choose your cultivation path.”

  A faint murmur spread across the courtyard.

  “Different paths specialize in different forms of thread control.”

  He gestured toward several banners behind him.

  “Strength Path.”

  “Ice Path.”

  “Flame Path.”

  “Shadow Path.”

  “And many others.”

  “Choose carefully. Your path will determine how you cultivate your threads.”

  Students began stepping forward one by one.

  Some chose strength. Others chose flame or ice. Excited whispers filled the air.

  Soon, Akamine Ryu stepped forward confidently.

  “Ice Path.”

  The instructors nodded approvingly. Murmurs spread through the crowd.

  “Of course he chose ice.”

  “His thread affinity was already strong.”

  Shiro stepped forward next.

  “Flame Path.”

  He smiled proudly as he received his crystal.

  Then it was Ren’s turn. He walked forward calmly.

  The instructor looked at him.

  “What path?”

  Ren answered without hesitation.

  “Shadow.”

  A few students exchanged curious glances.

  Shadow path was rare in the town. Not many cultivators chose it.

  The instructor simply nodded and handed him the corresponding crystal. Ren returned to his place.

  The instructor raised his voice once more.

  “There is one final announcement.”

  The courtyard quieted.

  “Whoever refines their crystal first will receive a reward from the academy.”

  Excited reactions immediately spread among the students.

  “A reward?”

  “What kind of reward?”

  The instructor continued calmly.

  “Crystals begin unrefined.”

  He held up one of the dull stones.

  “When properly controlled through thread energy, the crystal will glow.”

  “That glow represents refinement.”

  “Show us you can control your threads… and the reward will be yours.”

  The students’ determination ignited instantly. Competition had begun. The instructor finally dismissed them.

  “You may return home and begin your refinement.”

  “Tomorrow, we will observe your progress.”

  Ren walked home without wasting time.

  He knew the reward will be crystal shards , which helps to cultivate and make crystal stronger.

  The moment he entered the house, he went straight to his room.

  He locked the door.

  The crystal rested in his palm. In his previous life, refining something like this would have been effortless.

  But now—

  His body was weaker. His threads were immature. His spiritual pressure was far from what it once was.

  Still…

  The knowledge remained. Ren sat cross-legged on the floor. He closed his eyes.

  Slowly, he began guiding the threads within his body toward the crystal.

  Time passed quietly.

  Outside, the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon.

  Dinner time came. His aunt called Shiro downstairs. But Ren’s name was never mentioned.

  No one knocked on his door. No one asked if he would eat. Inside the room, Ren didn’t even notice. His entire focus rested on the crystal. Threads slowly wrapped around it.

  Hours passed. The night deepened. Midnight approached.

  Then—

  Suddenly

  A burst of light exploded from the crystal.

  A brilliant flash filled the dark room.

  Ren’s eyes snapped open. The crystal in his hands began to glow. And the light grew brighter. The room trembled faintly.

  Then

  Everything went white.