What I gathered from the internet is that entrance exams are held in March and September, with registration closing a month prior on the 16th. Decisions are made rather quickly because only a month later, you are admitted into the academy. While Tier 2s are recommended, the baseline to apply is being a Tier 3 Regalia user. The two cohorts start at different times of the year and each undergo their own specialized training and education. Our country places such a strong emphasis on Regalia that we are one of the few nations to have academies accepting high school students year-round. Since awakenings can happen spontaneously at any given moment, the academies have adapted to accept students at any time. The educational aspect continues until you earn your high school diploma, but for the academy, you must devote at least three years of rigorous training to improve your Regalia. From there, individuals may be scouted to join military regiments and use their Regalia for their country.
I still had time to apply, so I could think it over. For now, I decided to begin testing my Regalia and seeing what it was capable of. I would probably drive out into an open field in the coming days and just work on my Regalia. Since the powers were so varied, no facility existed like a gym for growing muscles to improve your Regalia. That's why Regalia Academies only accepted a small number of students every year. Each and every one needed to be personally trained by superior officers. What I read online is that you get a variety of mentors to train you and come up with creative and unique ways to use each Regalia in combat.
Time flew by as I devoted most of my time investigating the Zenith Academy of Regalia Training, learning what they offered and what people commented about it online. Overall, Zenith was one of the top Regalia academies in Azuria, probably due to the fact that it was located in the capital city.
After Aiko arrived home, I ended my day by continuing to browse the web in bed, learning more about Regalias and looking into the social media of Zenith. I think I subconsciously made the decision to join the Academy. All this excitement, all of this time spent researching, pretty much confirmed that I wanted to join. But I was going to sleep on it; excitement, as fast as it comes, goes. I'll give it a week, and if I am still this excited, I'll apply. With that decision, I ended my day.
•
Ever since school was postponed, I've had the luxury of waking up a little later. Now I wake up at 8:00 AM and start my day from there. My sister, however, basked in the luxury of no school and began waking up very late.
Once my sister woke up, she reminded me, "Hey Natsuya, don't forget you're meeting my friends today. They want to say thanks. We're meeting at a cafe at 3, so you can just show up and leave afterward if you want. Or if you're a cool brother, you can stay and hang out with us," she said, rubbing her eyes, clearly still groggy.
"I remember, I'll be there." I probably wouldn't stay; I think it would be a bit awkward for Aiko's friends to try and make conversation with me, someone they rarely talked to.
Maybe I should go out with my friends too, like Aiko was doing so often lately. But as I began to think, I realized I had many acquaintances but not many people I could readily text to hang out with. Before, every time people asked me to hang out, I always rejected because I had to take care of Aiko, make sure she had food, and handle everyday house chores that no one else would take care of. I guess I could have postponed the house chores for one day, but then again, what would Aiko eat? In the end, I stopped receiving invites.
Once 3:00 PM arrived, I met Aiko and her friends at the cafe. They all thanked me deeply for stopping the Regalia user. Some of the students were in the class when I stopped him, and they celebrated my awakening, telling me it couldn't have come at a better time and that I was a hero. After about 30 minutes of chatting with Aiko's friends, I decided to make my leave.
As I was heading back home, one of Aiko's friends caught up to me. "Natsuya!"
"Oh hey, what's up, Hana?" It was one of Aiko's closest friends. She's been over at the apartment multiple times. She tended to be quite shy, so I was surprised she actually came up to talk to me on her own this time.
"Oh, nothing. I had just talked to Aiko before, and she said you were unsure about joining the Regalia Academy. I just wanted to let you know you are amazing! And I think you would definitely get in!" That heartfelt comment made me blush.
"Oh, well thank you, Hana, but honestly, I am only a Tier 3. My creation Regalia is limited by my human abilities. Truth be told, I don't think I will make the cut. But I am leaning towards at least trying the exam."
"That's good to hear. I am sure you will get in! By the way, I've been meaning to tell you. I know you said you have a creation Regalia, but I think no one noticed you other than when you hit the Regalia user with the bat. But I saw you when you walked into the classroom. You were too far away from the Regalia user to stop him in time. You practically seemed to teleport next to him when you noticed what was going on. Are you sure your Regalia is simply creation? You moved way too fast; I could barely keep track."
Her comment left me speechless. First my ocular Regalia somehow creates, and now this. No, it can't be. She must've seen wrong from the shock. "Hana, maybe it just appeared that way because of what was going on. I can assure you my Regalia does not make me faster."
"No! I know what I saw, Natsuya. You definitely can. Try it! Well, I have to head back now; my friends are waiting for me."
"No worries, have fun," I said, ending the conversation.
"I know you'll do great at the Regalia Academy!" said Hana as she ran off.
Now she had me thinking about what my Regalia could do. I knew she was wrong, but on the off chance she wasn't, I supposed it was worth keeping in mind.
Once I arrived home, I was feeling pretty good. I had just been bombarded with compliments telling me I was a hero, and Hana's encouragement about the academy left me inspired. I wanted to continue feeling this way. This little meet-up with Aiko's friends made me decisively make up my mind to try and join Zenith.
Now that I had made up my mind, I decided to call my dad and hear his thoughts on the matter. Although I had decided to register for the exam, my resolve was still fragile, and if my dad told me to reconsider, I might not go through with it. That's why I needed to hear what he had to say. I needed his cold, objective, and harsh opinion.
I called him, and he picked up on the first ring—efficient as ever.
"Hello, Natsuya. What do you need?"
"Dad..."
"What is it? Make it quick; I'm working."
"I want to join a Regalia Academy. I've been told my regalia has awakened, and I'm now considered a Tier 3. I wanted to let you know and see if you approve."
"..."
My dad was silent. I heard a door open and close, and then he spoke. "Natsuya, you understand that joining a Regalia Academy entails becoming a military officer. That is the path that school leads to." He seemed to brush off the fact that I said I awakened, but knowing him, he had probably already concluded that from hearing the news about the school. My old man was pretty clever.
"I understand."
"You also understand that the life of a Regalia officer is harsh, time-consuming, and risky."
"I understand," I repeated.
"I see. Then I don't see why not. Your mom might not be as on board with the idea, but I'll convince her."
"But I thought you both wanted us to go to university and get professional jobs?" I said, trying to give him a reason to deny me.
"Natsuya, what your mom and I want for you and your sister is a bright future. I don't care what you do as long as you have a comfortable life. If you think joining a Regalia Academy will be better for you, so be it."
"Thanks, Dad." I always knew he wanted the best for us, but I didn't realize he was this understanding and open-minded about it.
"Do you need extra funds to pay for the entrance exam? I hear those aren't free."
"Yeah, but don't worry, Dad, I've got it covered."
"Nonsense. That's why I work so hard. Let me know through text how much money you need, and I'll send it over. Now, is that all?"
I couldn't argue with his offer. "Okay, Dad, thanks. And yes, that's all I wanted to talk about today."
"Great. Goodbye." And he hung up.
I was left with a grin I couldn't wipe off my face. My last excuse to avoid the entrance exams for a Regalia Academy was gone. I was probably going to apply to Zenith, even though it's more competitive. If I was going to do this, I was going to aim for the top.
Afterwards, I enrolled for the entrance exams at Zenith and spent the remaining time exploring the capabilities of my Regalia. I walked to an empty area with no buildings or people nearby to start my training. I also began going to the gym to improve my stamina and strength. If I was limited by my human capabilities, then I should at the very least upgrade them as much as I can.