New Beginnings

Zenith Academy was a heavily funded government institution where military discipline and strictness were the norm. However, since the advent of Regalia, some of that strictness had given way to a focus on power. If you were strong, you could do pretty much anything. 

As I arrived at the meeting room five minutes early, I noticed everyone was already seated and waiting. Perhaps there was an unspoken rule about arriving much earlier, given that everyone was already in their seats. As I walked to my seat, my peers finally noticed me, and everyone looked shocked, even the calm and collected Takeshi. The sole exception was Yukiko, who smirked as if thinking, "I knew it." It seemed no one expected me to be here, except possibly Yukiko. 

The first orientation essentially consisted of piling information on us about expectations, class schedules, and training routines. We were given detailed information about how our coursework would progress, how we could earn our high school diplomas, and even take the GRE early if we wanted to focus solely on training. Those of us who were slightly more advanced in high school would finish earlier and be expected to fully commit to training for the remaining years of our three-year contract. The week was structured with early morning training sessions followed by classes, and then additional training in the late afternoon. Saturdays and Sundays were solely dedicated to training, with no apparent days off for the next three years. However, Sunday training sessions were kept short to allow us some time to rest and unwind, providing a necessary break from the intense regimen. 

We were also briefed on our limited interactions with the outside world and much more. The academy was nearly self-sufficient, with state-of-the-art facilities, including a massive cafeteria that resembled a high-end food court, multiple training arenas equipped with the latest technology to simulate various combat scenarios, and advanced labs for scientific research on the secrets of Regalia, though we wouldn't be going near those. The training grounds were expansive, featuring everything from obstacle courses to specialized areas designed to push the limits of our Regalia. 

By the time we finished with the orientation and tours, it was already 5:40 PM. The admitted cohort was then taken to a new meeting room where we were to dine together and socialize. Tomorrow, we were to meet our mentors who would help us 'unlock the full potential of our Regalia' and 'train our bodies to best take advantage of our powers'. 

As we sat down to eat, the conversation flowed naturally, with everyone introducing themselves and sharing a bit about their backgrounds. I felt a bit uncomfortable given my Tier 3 status and my poor performance in the entrance exam, so I shied away from the conversation. However, I managed to catch their names. 

Takeshi Nakamura, the cool, calm, and collected Super Regalia user I faced in my entrance exams, sat across from me. He had a lean, athletic build with sharp, defined muscles and piercing blue eyes. His dark brown hair was neatly styled, and he exuded an air of quiet confidence. 

Next to him was the muscular Ryuji Takeda, who was still wearing a sleeveless shirt despite the formal setting. His jet-black hair and sharp green eyes, along with his confident stance, made him stand out even more. 

Sophia Martinez was a striking girl with wavy dark brown hair and hazel eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. Her olive skin and athletic build hinted at her dedication to training. 

Daniel Smith had short blonde hair and blue eyes. He had a friendly smile and a stocky build, giving off a welcoming vibe that contrasted with his powerful presence. 

Akira Tanaka, a petite girl with straight black hair and almond-shaped brown eyes, had a calm demeanor. 

Mei Ling, with her long, silky black hair and gentle brown eyes, radiated a sense of warmth and kindness. Her slender frame and graceful movements made her seem almost angelic. 

Jin Park had a rugged look with straight black hair and intense dark eyes. His large shirt made it difficult to assess his build, but given his presence at Zenith Academy, it was safe to assume he was athletic. 

Emily Davis, with her curly blonde hair and bright green eyes, had a bubbly personality that matched her vibrant appearance. She was always smiling and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know everyone. 

Haruto Watanabe had a serious expression, with short, neatly trimmed black hair and sharp brown eyes. His lean build and quiet intensity hinted at his focus and determination. 

And then there was the Tier 1 queen, Yukiko Miyamoto, with her commanding presence. 

Despite the various conversations, Takeshi remained mostly silent like me. Any question directed at him was answered with a very brief explanation. His handsome features and aloof demeanor caught everyone's eye, but he clearly had no interest in socializing with others. What a shame—he would've been a hit with the girls. 

Finally, Yukiko, the person currently standing at the top of the food chain, directed everyone's attention to me. "Hey, Tier 3! I knew you would make it. I mean, you did manage to actually hurt me. It was a given. I would have thought less of you as a man if you weren't accepted. By the way, do you really have a Tier 3 Regalia? I don't buy it." 

"Well, that's what I was rated, so I guess so," I answered sheepishly. 

Sophia Martinez then attempted to respond to Yukiko's comment. "Come on, Yukiko. Did you see his other fights? I don't mean to offend you, Tier 3, but you really sucked." Her hazel eyes twinkled with a mix of mischief and sincerity. 

"Haha, you got that right," said Ryuji, laughing heartily. 

"Come on, guys, give him a break. What's your name? I know it's not Tier 3," said Mei Ling, her voice soothing and kind. 

"My name is Natsuya Kiyotaka." 

"Well, Natsuya, how about you tell us about your Regalia? It can't just be creation, right? I mean, after what we all witnessed in the entrance exams, you made that abundantly clear," Mei Ling said, her gentle eyes encouraging me to open up. 

"It really is just creation" at least from what I am aware of." Everyone seemed to look at me skeptically. 

Haruto leaned forward, his curiosity evident. "That doesn't explain your speed, Tier 3." I guess the Tier 3 nickname was going to stick. 

"That's right. You were so fast I couldn't react," Yukiko added, her eyes narrowing slightly. Everyone seemed to agree that my creation Regalia and the speed I displayed didn't add up. 

"Guys, I don't know what to tell you. It really is just creation." I said, feeling the pressure of their expectations. 

Ryuji crossed his arms, his muscular frame tense with frustration. "What I'm wondering is why the hell you didn't use that power against me. You think you're better than me or something? Because I'll have you know my Regalia is anything but weak." 

"No, I promise I didn't hold back. I really don't know what happened in Yukiko's fight. I think I just got in the zone or something. I swear." 

"Whatever. We are going to be here for three years. I'll prove to you and everyone else that my Regalia is superior," Ryuji declared. 

Yukiko smirked "Oh really?" 

"That's right. Even better than yours," Ryuji shot back. 

"I'd like to see you try. It's always fun seeing weaklings struggle," Yukiko retorted. 

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING WEAK!" Ryuji's face turned red with anger, and the conversation soon derailed from me as Yukiko and Ryuji continued to argue. Their clashing personalities were evident. 

Mei Ling sighed, trying to intervene. "Come on, guys, let's not fight. We're all here to learn and grow together." 

But her efforts were in vain. The bickering continued until one of the instructors finally stepped in, informing us that it was time to head back to the dorms. 

Zenith provided each of us with our own room. The hallways were lined with identical doors, each leading to a small but comfortable space. My room had a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. It felt strange to have such privacy after sharing a home with my sister for so long. Being government-funded clearly allowed for some luxuries, and maybe it was also because of our younger age compared to other recruits. 

I was incredibly tired after the orientation day we just had. Although I didn't do much physically, I actually paid attention, unlike my time at my other high school. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming for my brain. The moment I entered my room, I prepared to go to sleep. 

Tomorrow would be our first day of class and training. Anxiety gnawed at my thoughts, whispering fears of falling behind my peers given my lower tier rating. I knew that my Tier 3 status made me the underdog here, but I had to remind myself that I was chosen to participate for a reason. Zenith saw something in me, something worth investing in, even if I didn't fully understand what it was yet. 

But amid the anxiety, my thoughts drifted to Aiko. It had been less than a day since I left home, yet I was already worried about her. She had always been strong and independent, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving her. I pictured her trying to navigate her day without my help, tackling household chores and making meals. 

Sleep came slowly, my thoughts a whirlwind of anticipation and worry. The first day at Zenith awaited, and with it, the chance to prove that I belonged.