School training

Hoshi no Gakko, the School of Stars, stood as a beacon of meritocracy, starkly different from the traditional norms of the noble families and sects. In contrast to the sects that outsourced their educational aspects and primarily focused on physical prowess, Hoshi no Gakko offered a holistic and specialized education. Here, merit and achievement were the sole determinants of a student's success, regardless of their background or family status.

This school was an ideal setting for Ryujin. Its ethos and approach provided the perfect backdrop for the unfolding events of Regressor Survival, the novel where the story began with Pedro's failed attempt to unmask Ryujin. With that pivotal plot point now skewed, the novel's narrative had descended into chaos, deviating from its original course.

Now, as Ryujin stood at the gates of Hoshi no Gakko, he was unwittingly poised to disrupt the plot of Regressor Survival further. Unaware of the extent of the impact of his actions, he soon heard a voice shouting at him.

"Ryujin-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Lexia's voice echoed as she sprinted toward Ryujin, who was about to enter the school.

"Yo, Lexia-chan," Ryujin greeted her with his usual casual demeanor.

"Why didn't you wait for me, Ryujin-sama? Hmph," Lexia pouted, her disappointment evident in her tone.

"Why would I?" Ryujin replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"You're mean, Ryujin-sama! I did everything as fast as possible just to enter the school with you and be by your side!" Lexia's words were filled with a mix of frustration and affection.

"I see. Well, you can do it now." 

Without any hesitation on her part, Lexia wrapped her arms around Ryujin in a warm embrace. Then, together, they began to walk toward the school entrance.

"Well, I'm extra here, so I'll proceed. If you need anything, just call me." 

Ester interjected, passing them by. Her agenda for the school was quite different from Ryujin's. While Ryujin sought enjoyment in fights and training, Ester found her pleasure in manipulation.

"Ryujin-sama, do you know what they say about people who enter the school hugging and together?" 

"No, what do they say?" 

"They say that those people are destined to be together," Lexia stated with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"I see..."

(What a cute girl.) 

"Yes... fufufufu, we're going to be together forever," Lexia declared, though it was an obvious exaggeration to mark her territory.

(Not even death will separate us, fufufufu.)

Being half-foxes, Lexia and her sister Amanda had an innate instinct to claim and mark their territory. This little act of entering the school while embracing Ryujin was Lexia's subtle way of staking her claim and establishing her presence by his side before any other girl could get close. It was a clever tactic, rooted in her fox-like nature, to subtly assert her presence and connection to Ryujin in this new and unfamiliar environment.

◆

As Ryujin and Lexia made their way through the school corridors, the combination of Ryujin's distinguished Wan heritage and Lexia's striking beauty turned heads. Despite Lexia not possessing the same physical attributes as her sister Amanda, her allure was undeniable. Ryujin, too, was a figure of note, and their arrival together sparked a flurry of whispers and rumors among the students.

"Ryujin wasn't engaged to Suzune, right? Is he two-timing her?" one student speculated, eyeing them curiously.

"I heard Suzune made a false accusation against him about teaming up with Pedro to get Ryujin expelled. Maybe she's the one who betrayed him," another chimed in, sharing their version of events.

"Poor Ryujin, his heart must be broken if his engagement is over," a sympathetic voice added.

While Lexia subtly basked in the attention, amplifying her image as Ryujin's girlfriend, Ryujin's attention was captured by something else entirely – a display that seemed like a treasure trove to him. In celebration of the newcomers' first day, the school organized a grand exhibition showcasing various items of interest. Among these was a vibrant and exciting display of action comics, a sight that made Ryujin's eyes light up with excitement.

The comics display was set up in a spacious school area dedicated to the exhibition. Bright, colorful posters adorned the walls, depicting scenes of adventure and heroism from the comics. The comics themselves were displayed in protective cases, their covers showcasing dynamic illustrations that promised thrilling narratives. It was a feast for the eyes, especially for someone like Ryujin, who found a special connection with such stories.

"That's right, it must be the gods' doing, bringing us here..." 

Without hesitation, he grabbed Lexia's hand and dashed toward the comics exhibition, his enthusiasm clearly palpable. Lexia, caught off guard by his sudden excitement, was pulled along in his wake. 

"Sir, how much for these incredible works?" 

Ryujin's demeanor was akin to that of a child in a toy store, completely captivated by his favorite playthings. His eyes shone with unbridled enthusiasm as he admired the comics up close.

"Uh, nothing, they're just for display. They're not really for sale," a boy responded with a hint of surprise at Ryujin's keen interest.

"You made these?" 

"Yes, I did," the boy replied, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. 

He appeared to be around Ryujin's age but lacked the distinct aesthetic qualities that made Ryujin stand out. His hair was black, and his eyes brown, like most of their peers. However, to Ryujin, this boy shone brighter than anyone else, not because of his looks but because of his incredible talent for drawing.

As a fervent fan of action movies, Ryujin was also a devoted reader of comics, especially those featuring famous heroes like Tim Cruise. To come across someone who could replicate such art with high fidelity was, for Ryujin, akin to meeting a saint.

"Ryujin-sama, we should get going. The opening ceremony is about to start," Lexia interjected, sensing the need to pull Ryujin away from his newfound fascination.

At that moment, Lexia felt an unexpected surge of jealousy. With his artistic skills, the boy posed a new threat that could captivate Ryujin's attention away from her.

"Yes... All right, goodbye for now. Can I call you a friend?" 

"Y-yes, of course," the boy stammered, taken aback by Ryujin's friendly overture.

"Let's go, Ryujin-sama." 

(Oh no, I didn't expect a male rival!) 

◆

As Lexia and Ryujin made their way to the school, Amanda found herself in an unlikely and uncomfortable situation – traveling alongside Yumi Okamizawa, one of her most formidable rivals. Yumi, a half-wolf girl with a fiercely competitive spirit, had been a strong contender for the position of Ryujin's personal maid, a role that Amanda had ultimately secured. However, Yumi's abilities didn't go unnoticed, and she was appointed Ryujin's training partner. Unlike Amanda, who primarily served as an observer, Yumi actively trained and sparred with Ryujin.

"So, Amanda, you lost your position as personal maid to your younger sister, fufufufufu." Yumi's laughter rang out as they walked.

Amanda, trying to maintain her composure, replied casually, "Well, yes, but I'll regain it."

Yumi's laughter grew louder, filled with mockery and confidence. "Hahahahahaha, I might just snatch that position from you before you get the chance, hahahahahahah."

The rivalry between Amanda and Yumi was well-known, and their current situation only intensified the tension. Despite her outward calm, Amanda couldn't help but feel the sting of Yumi's words. Losing her position as Ryujin's personal maid to her younger sister, Lexia, was a blow to her pride. And now, with Yumi's taunts, the pressure was mounting.

Yumi, reveling in Amanda's discomfort, continued to laugh, her amusement clear. Amanda knew she had to regain her position and prove her worth as soon as possible.