Regalia Power of the King

The sun was just beginning to rise as Takeshi, Jin, and I finished our early morning training session. My body ached from the relentless drills, but for once, the atmosphere wasn't entirely dominated by Takeshi's intensity. Jin stretched lazily, letting out a long yawn as he plopped onto the ground.

"You always wake up this early?" Jin asked, glancing at Takeshi, who stood off to the side, silently wiping down his gear.

"Discipline is key," Takeshi replied without looking up. "It's the only way to improve."

Jin chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, you're like a walking motivational poster."

I couldn't help but laugh, earning a sharp glance from Takeshi. "He's not wrong," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "You're all business, Takeshi. Ever take a break?"

"Breaks are a luxury you earn," Takeshi said curtly, slinging his towel over his shoulder. "Not something you take just because you feel like it."

"Noted," Jin said, smirking. "Guess that means you've never just… enjoyed yourself?"

Takeshi finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "Enjoyment comes from achieving goals. Anything else is a distraction."

Jin sighed dramatically and looked at me. "This guy. Does he ever lighten up?"

"Not from what I've seen," I said, shaking my head.

Takeshi didn't respond, instead walking a few paces away. Jin stretched out, looking up at the sky. "You know," he said, "for someone who's all about control and planning, you seem like the type who doesn't really know how to unwind."

Takeshi glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Unwinding isn't productive. What's the point?"

Jin laughed. "The point is not everything has to be productive. Sometimes you just need to let your brain take a break. Otherwise, what's all this discipline even for?"

"Discipline isn't for comfort," Takeshi said bluntly. "It's for results."

"You're a tough sell," Jin muttered, rolling his eyes. Then he turned to me. "What about you, Natsuya? You ever take a day off training?"

"Not really, I still train on Sundays, though less," I said with a shrug. "But if I did, I'd probably sleep through half of it."

"Smart man," Jin said with a laugh. "If I were in charge, I'd make 'Mandatory Rest Days' a thing. Can you imagine how much better everyone would be if we weren't constantly running on fumes?"

"Rest days don't win battles," Takeshi interjected. "If anything, they make you soft."

Jin smirked, sitting up. "Okay, but what if rest made you stronger? Like a buff. Maybe you're just too intense to see the value in taking a breather."

Takeshi turned, finally meeting Jin's gaze. "Strength isn't given. It's earned. Buffs, rest, excuses… they're all irrelevant. Either you put in the work, or you fail."

"Right," Jin said, raising an eyebrow. "And yet, here you are, standing in the same place as the rest of us. Makes you wonder if all that work is really paying off."

I tensed, expecting Takeshi to snap, but he only narrowed his eyes. "I'm here to improve. Not to wonder."

Jin leaned back again, unfazed. "Whatever you say, man. Just don't forget to breathe every once in a while."

I couldn't help but laugh at their exchange. Despite their opposing personalities, there was something oddly entertaining about watching them clash. It was like watching a storm meet a calm sea—unpredictable but strangely balanced.

"So," Jin said after a moment, turning back to me. "What do you think about this whole tournament thing? Nervous yet?"

"Beyond nervous," I admitted. "Facing upper-years and graduates? It feels like we're way out of our league."

"You'll be fine," Jin said, waving a hand dismissively. "You've got me, after all."

"And Takeshi," I added.

"Right. Him too," Jin said with a grin. "If nothing else, he'll scare the other teams into submission."

Takeshi ignored the comment, instead focusing on packing up his gear. "If you're done talking, we should go. There's no point standing around."

Jin sighed, getting to his feet. "Man, you really know how to kill the mood."

"Focus on what matters," Takeshi replied, already walking away.

I exchanged a glance with Jin, who just shrugged. "Well, he's consistent, I'll give him that. Let's catch up before he leaves us behind."

We trailed after Takeshi, the sun climbing higher as another day at Zenith Academy began.

•

After training, I decided to grab breakfast in the cafeteria. The massive space was alive with chatter and movement, students from all cohorts mingling as they ate. The smell of fresh coffee and breakfast wafted through the air, a welcome contrast to the intensity of the training grounds. I spotted Mei Ling and Emily sitting together at a corner table, engaged in conversation. Jin and Takeshi trailed behind me, their trays piled high with food. We made our way over, grateful for a moment of reprieve.

"Hey, Natsuya!" Emily's green eyes lit up as she waved me over. "Come sit with us!"

"Don't mind if we do," Jin said before I could respond, dropping his tray on the table. Takeshi followed, his movements deliberate as always, taking a seat across from me.

"What're you guys talking about?" I asked as I slid into the chair next to Jin.

"How ridiculous this tournament is," Mei Ling said, her calm voice carrying a hint of worry. "Facing graduates? I mean, who even thought that was a good idea?"

"Right?" Emily stabbed her fork into her fruit salad with a bit too much force. "And I'm stuck with Ryuji. He's so intense, it's like he doesn't even believe in teamwork. Just brute force all the way."

Jin laughed. "Sounds like Ryuji. Subtlety's not exactly his strong suit."

Takeshi, who had been quietly cutting into his food, finally spoke. "Ryuji's methods may be blunt, but they work. If he pushes you hard, it's because he expects results."

Emily frowned, her usual cheer dampened. "It doesn't feel like that. It feels like he's just waiting for me to mess up."

"You'll figure it out," Mei Ling said gently, her presence calming as always. "You're good at adapting, Emily. Focus on what you can control."

"You're not wrong," Jin said, leaning back in his chair. "Ryuji can be a lot to handle, but you're putting in the effort, and that's what matters. Maybe focus on what you bring to the team—your game plan—and let Ryuji's approach balance itself out."

Emily gave a reluctant laugh. "Thanks, guys. I'll try not to get crushed in the process."

"What about you, Mei?" I asked, steering the conversation away. "How's your team?"

"Daniel and Akira," Mei Ling said, her voice steady. "They're both reliable. Daniel's great at keeping things organized, and Akira's sharp as ever. I think we'll be fine."

"Daniel's super reliable, always making sure everyone's on the same page," Jin said, nodding. "And Akira's like a ninja—quiet, but when she does speak, it's always something worth hearing."

Mei Ling smiled. "Exactly. I feel lucky to have them."

"And how's it going with you three?" Mei Ling asked, her warm tone shifting the focus to us. "Already training together, I see."

I glanced at Takeshi, who was methodically eating his breakfast, and Jin, who was grinning at me as if he already knew my answer. "It's… an adjustment," I admitted. "Takeshi's intense, and Jin's… well, Jin."

"Hey, I'm a delight," Jin said, pointing at me with his fork.

"He's tolerable at best," Takeshi muttered, earning a laugh from everyone.

"At least Jin's not yelling at you to do another rep every five minutes," Emily said, smiling despite herself.

"That's true," I said, grinning. "Just hang in there, Emily. You've got this."

"Thanks," Emily said, her smile returning.

"Speaking of Ryuji," Jin said, leaning forward, "what's the over-under on him smashing something during the tournament?"

"Depends on if it's intentional," I said with a laugh.

Even Takeshi cracked a small smirk at that.

•

After a short rest following breakfast, we regrouped at the agreed-upon time to hit the weight room. The facility was massive, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment that made my old high school gym look like a relic. Students filtered in and out, each focused on their routines. It was the perfect place to push limits—and, apparently, egos.

Takeshi arrived first, as punctual as ever, already stretching near the free weights. Jin and I followed soon after, both carrying water bottles and an equal mix of enthusiasm and trepidation.

"Finally," Takeshi said, without looking up. "You're late by two minutes."

"Two minutes isn't late," Jin said, rolling his eyes as he plopped his bag down. "You've gotta loosen up, man."

"Punctuality is an important trait for a soldier," Takeshi replied flatly, grabbing a pair of dumbbells and beginning his set.

We each found our groove. Takeshi stuck to his regimented program, barely sparing us a glance except to offer sharp corrections. Jin alternated between lifting and making conversation, his casual demeanor masking an effortless strength that left more than a few students staring.

I settled in somewhere between them, focusing on form while trying not to overthink every movement. The atmosphere in the weight room was charged—a mix of competitiveness and camaraderie that felt uniquely Zenith.

As we moved through our sets, the clang of weights and hum of exertion were interrupted by an unmistakable voice.

"Come on, Ryuji! One more rep!" Sophia cheered, her voice full of energy and encouragement. We turned to see Ryuji at the squat rack, lifting what looked like an absurd amount of weight. His jet-black hair was slicked back with sweat.

"I've got this!" Ryuji grunted, his muscles straining as he completed the lift. As he set the bar down with a heavy clang, he noticed us and waved, his expression equal parts confidence and cockiness.

"Yo, Tier 3! You here to join the fun?" he called out, grinning broadly.

"Not today," I said with a laugh. "Just passing through."

"Smart move," Sophia said, turning her radiant smile toward us. She leaned casually against the rack, looking completely at ease despite the intensity of the weight room. "Ryuji's on a mission to out-lift everyone in the academy."

"And I'm gonna do it," Ryuji declared confidently, grabbing a towel to wipe his face.

Jin leaned over to me and whispered, "Maybe Ryuji's Regalia is his ego."

Sophia caught the comment and laughed. "Hey, say what you want, but this guy's determination is kind of inspiring." She glanced at Ryuji, who seemed to bask in the compliment.

"See? Someone gets it," Ryuji said, flashing a smug grin. "Unlike some people who just stand around and talk."

Sophia didn't miss a beat, her tone shifting from playful to instructive. "Ryuji, your form's solid, but you're leaning too far forward at the bottom of your squat," she said, her arms crossing as she took on a coach-like stance. "You're putting unnecessary strain on your back. Keep your chest up, engage your core more, and focus on driving through your heels. That'll not only protect you but also help you lift even more weight."

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Wait, are you actually critiquing me? I just lifted twice what half this room can manage."

Sophia smirked, unfazed. "It's not about what you've done—it's about what you could do. Better form means better results, Takeda. Isn't that what you're all about?"

For a moment, Ryuji looked like he might argue, but then he shrugged. "Alright, coach. Show me what you've got."

She grabbed an empty barbell, set it on the rack, and stepped into position. "Watch closely," she said, her voice confident as she demonstrated.

Her movements were fluid and deliberate. She adjusted her stance, braced her core, and lowered into a perfect squat. "See? Neutral spine, weight balanced, and all the power comes from here." She gestured to her legs as she pushed back up with ease.

I couldn't help but be impressed. "You really know your stuff," I said, crossing my arms as I watched. "How'd you get so knowledgeable about all this?"

Sophia set the bar back on the rack and turned to me with a grin. "I've been training since I was a kid. Gymnastics, athletics—you name it. If you want to get stronger, you've got to understand how your body works."

Ryuji stepped forward, shaking his head but smiling begrudgingly. "Alright, alright, I get it. Let me try."

He took her place at the rack, adjusted his stance slightly under her watchful eye, and started his set. This time, his movements were noticeably more controlled.

"Much better," Sophia said with a nod. "Now you're actually using all your power efficiently."

Ryuji racked the bar and turned to her with a cocky grin. "Guess you're not just here to look pretty."

"Don't forget it," Sophia shot back, laughing.

Jin, who had been watching the entire exchange, leaned over to me. "She's got him eating out of the palm of her hand. Didn't think that was possible."

"Neither did I," I admitted.