Thread 1 – The Red Threat of Fate. [0.5. Red Thread of Fate]
On November 26, 2024 By Fang Dokja In Arc 0.5. Red Thread of Fate
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Content and Trigger Warnings for the Continued Story:
1. Verbal Aggression and Insults: The story contains scenes where characters exchange sharp insults and engage in heated arguments, which may include harsh or demeaning language.
2. Themes of Rivalry and Jealousy: The narrative heavily focuses on intense academic and personal rivalries, with characters expressing jealousy, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.
3. Mild Physical Aggression: Characters occasionally engage in minor physical altercations, such as shoving or grabbing, though these moments are more comedic than violent.
4. Social Isolation and Alienation: One character experiences ostracization and is labeled as an outsider, which might resonate with feelings of exclusion or loneliness.
5. Manipulative and Competitive Behavior: The story includes instances of characters plotting to undermine one another in pursuit of dominance and recognition.
While these elements are central to the story’s exploration of complex relationships and conflicts, they are balanced with humor and character development. The narrative maintains a light-hearted tone despite its intense themes.
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Status: Draft #1
Last Edited: November 26, 2024
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The students of Bona Fide Academy didn’t just gossip about Reine Albertine; they revered him. His name was synonymous with brilliance, success, and charm. He was a prodigy in every sense of the word, the crown jewel of a family already basking in the glory of political power. They spoke of him in hushed tones, both admiring and envious, for his rise to the top was nothing short of meteoric.
One afternoon, a group of students gathered in the courtyard, sipping on chilled juices as they discussed the boy everyone in the academy seemed to love—whether they admitted it or not.
“Reine Albertine, huh? He’s really something.” Marielle, a sweet-faced girl with hair as glossy as polished wood, leaned forward, her voice low, as though sharing a secret. “He’s basically the heir to a throne we’ll never get to sit on.”
Her friend, Xavier, a tall, sharp-featured boy with glasses perched on the tip of his nose, nodded enthusiastically. “You think I don’t know? Reine’s the golden child. The youngest student to ever enter Bona Fide and the only one to make it to the top of the class before even reaching double digits!”
Marielle’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “And don’t even get me started on his family. His mother’s a senator, and his father’s part of the ruling party. That guy’s basically royalty, except, you know, without the crown.”
Xavier chuckled. “Yeah, they all talk about him like he’s destined to run the country one day. And the way he just… slides into social situations? Like, one minute you’re in the courtyard, the next, he’s surrounded by all the popular kids, laughing with them like they’ve been best friends since birth.”
“Don’t forget,” Marielle added with a grin, “he’s also a total playboy. I heard he already has a list of girls he’s ‘considering’ for the ‘honor’ of being his girlfriend.”
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“Of course he does,” Xavier said, rolling his eyes. “With those looks? It’s impossible not to want him.” He paused, a slight tone of jealousy creeping into his voice. “Black curls that literally look like a storm cloud, those red eyes, and that charming smile that makes you think he’s the perfect gentleman—until you realize he’s got a new girl every week.”
The students exchanged knowing glances, and Marielle shook her head in mock disbelief. “He’s so smooth about it, too. Everyone loves him, especially the professors. I heard Professor Soliel once said Reine was, and I quote, ‘the best thing to happen to Bona Fide in decades.’”
Xavier snorted. “She probably has a soft spot for him because he’s the only student who doesn’t constantly challenge her authority. But, seriously—how does a kid that young do it? How does he keep everyone in line? How does he always know exactly what to say to make people fall in love with him?”
Marielle smirked. “It’s because Reine isn’t just a student. He’s a future leader in the making. I mean, we all joke about it, but there’s no denying it. He’s the future of this country.”
Xavier laughed bitterly. “Sure, that’s great and all. But have you noticed something weird? He only just became a real student here last year. And Deon Fonias? She’s already outshining him in all the subjects that matter.”
Marielle looked confused. “Wait… Deon? You mean the weird one?”
Xavier leaned back in his seat, narrowing his eyes. “The one who thinks she can get by without interacting with anyone. The pale, creepy kid who doesn’t talk to anyone, yet somehow—somehow—has the highest grades in the school. She’s breaking all of Reine’s records.”
“That… that doesn’t make sense. No one breaks Reine’s records,” Marielle scoffed, tossing her long braid over her shoulder. “Not unless they’ve got the right connections or… a miracle.”
Xavier chuckled darkly. “And yet, here we are, watching her rise to the top like a storm cloud of doom. It’s… unsettling.”
“It’s Reine, Though…”
Meanwhile, in another part of the school, Reine himself lounged in a sunlit corner of the garden, surrounded by an entourage of adoring classmates. His curls bounced in the gentle breeze, his red eyes glinting mischievously as he regaled a group of girls with tales of his “exploits.”
“…And then I told her,” Reine said, his voice smooth like silk, “‘If you don’t like me now, you’ll love me when I run for office in the future.’”
The girls giggled, eyes wide, hanging on his every word.
One girl—tall, with long black hair—blushed brightly and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Oh Reine, you’re so confident! You’ll definitely be the youngest president in history!”
Another giggled. “I swear, you’re too good to be true.”
Reine laughed, the sound rich and deep, like he was the answer to every question. “Well, what can I say? I was born for greatness.” He leaned back in his chair, flashing that infamous grin—the one that made hearts flutter and jaws drop. “But, you know, greatness doesn’t come without a little competition.”
A young boy, eager to please, piped up, “Oh, you mean that weird new kid, Deon? I heard she’s a freak. No one even knows where she came from, right?”
Reine’s smile faltered for a moment, and his gaze shifted. “Deon Fonias,” he said, the words rolling off his tongue like they were foreign. “Yeah. That kid.”
There was a pause. Reine wasn’t one to be caught off guard, but something about Deon’s sudden appearance had rattled him. She was an enigma, and enigma meant chaos—something Reine couldn’t stand.
“She doesn’t belong here,” Reine muttered under his breath, his blood-red eyes flashing darkly. “But mark my words. No one—not even a prodigy like her—takes my crown without a fight.”
The girls leaned forward, captivated by his words, but they didn’t notice the darker edge in his voice. It was just another game to Reine, another victory to be claimed. They didn’t realize how much this “new kid” was eating at him.
The Golden Child Strikes Back
Later that afternoon, Reine stood before his reflection in the ornate mirrors of the academy’s lobby, adjusting his blazer, fixing his hair, and checking that his blood-red eyes gleamed with the same confidence he always carried.
No one would take his place. Not even a prodigy.
“Let’s see how long you last, Fonias,” he muttered to himself, staring at his own reflection as if daring it to speak back. “This academy is mine, and I’ll make sure you know it.”
The golden child had a new rivalry now.