World of Regalia

The second Regalia

Damian woke to the sharp scent of antiseptic and the sterile chill of an unfamiliar ceiling. His eyes traced the white tiles above, each one identical and unyielding, until the fog in his mind began to lift. He turned his head slowly, taking in the rows of beds lined against pale walls, the soft hum of monitoring equipment, the distant murmur of voices from somewhere down the hall. He was in some sort of medical facility.

Then the memories crashed back—the test, the machine, the voice that had spoken inside his head. He sat up abruptly, his back pressing against the wall as his heart hammered in his chest.

Status.

The word formed in his mind, and instantly a translucent holographic screen materialized before his eyes. It was surprisingly simple, nothing like the elaborate game interfaces he’d seen in old magazines. Clean, precise, almost clinical.

[Name: Damian ??]

[Age: 17]

[Main Regalia: Body of Divinity — currently reduced to Uncommon grade (198/200)]

[Other Regalia: Power of Beelzebub

— currently inactive. Conditions not met.]

[Physique: 20]

[Abstract: 20]

According to the information flooding into his mind, Physique encompassed strength, speed, stamina, agility, defense, and all other physical attributes. The average human’s Physique hovered between 1 and 3. Damian’s base was already twenty—ten times that of an ordinary person.

Abstract covered intelligence, vitality, Zeta energy, and other non‑physical stats. Again, the average was 1 to 3. He was at twenty.

[Body of Divinity: Increases base stats to 20 passively. When actively used, can multiply all stats depending on control. Current maximum multiplier: ×2 (40).]

He stared at the numbers, trying to process what they meant. He was already stronger, faster, tougher than most people—and this was only the beginning.

But other questions clawed at his mind. Other Regalia? Humans could only awaken one Regalia in their entire lifetime. Yet the system claimed he had a second, one of a rank he had never even heard of: God Rank. And it was currently sealed, waiting for conditions he didn’t understand.

Before he could spiral further, a soft voice broke through his thoughts.

“You’re awake.”

Damian looked up to see a nurse standing at the foot of his bed. She was young, with kind eyes and a gentle smile, and in her hands she held a folded piece of paper and a strange ring. The ring pulsed with a faint, almost imperceptible aura—something Damian’s heightened senses could now detect.

[Ding! Artifact detected.]

[Spatial Bracelet — Grade 3: Can hold up to 10000 kg of weight within a space of 15 cubic meters. Only non‑living items. Contents retain their freshness and quality.]

Damian blinked. A spatial artifact? Those were incredibly rare and expensive.

“Mr. John brought you here,” the nurse said, placing the items on the bedside table. “He asked me to give you these when you woke up. He also said your classes start today.”

Damian’s heart swelled. He had made it. He was officially a student of Alpha Academy.

“Thank you,” he managed, accepting the items with both hands.

Once the nurse left, Damian unfolded the paper. The handwriting was neat, professional.

---

I write to inform you that you passed. Your Regalia is a growth‑type enhancement ability. You can gain more insight into it by focusing on yourself. You have been placed in Class 2A. Your basic knowledge is already at that level, and your growth‑type Regalia is also exceptional—it allowed you to skip one year.

Respect yourself and keep a low profile.

Inside the spatial bracelet are some important resources. I hope you find them to your liking.

---

Damian read the note twice, then slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. A small, intuitive command let him peer inside the space within: a void the size of a small closet, neatly organized with several items.

[1000 Z dollars.]

[Guidebook on Regalias.]

[Grade 2 Growth Pendant.]

[Grade 1 Outfit.]

[Student ID.]

His breath caught. A thousand Z dollars? He had worked for two years to save a hundred. This was a fortune. The pendant and outfit were likely worth even more. And the guidebook—he could finally learn the fundamentals he had been missing.

He glanced down at his current clothes, shabby and worn from years of use. Finding a nearby washroom, he changed into the Grade 1 outfit: a sleek black body‑fit suit that felt like a second skin—comfortable, flexible, and oddly reassuring.

[Grade 1 Outfit (Random Wear): Provides defense against attacks below a Physique stat of 10.]

Damian smiled. Against ordinary humans, he was practically invincible.

He examined the pendant next. It was small, unassuming, set in a simple chain.

[Grade 2 Growth Pendant: Useful for growth‑type Regalias. Absorbs Zeta energy passively to upgrade the Regalia. Capacity: 50 fragments. Passive absorption: 3 fragments/day. Active absorption (while concentrating): 15 fragments/day.]

The system explained that Zeta energy permeated the atmosphere, especially at night when it was most concentrated. Humans absorbed it subconsciously depending on their Abstract (Spirit) stat. For Damian, whose Spirit was effectively 20, his natural absorption was 4 fragments per day. Combined with the pendant’s passive rate, he could gather 7 fragments daily without effort. If he concentrated, he could reach 25 fragments per day.

He checked his current progress.

[Body of Divinity — Uncommon grade (198/200)]

Only two fragments needed to reach the next rank. He could achieve that today, without even trying.

He also discovered that Zeta fragments could be used not only to advance growth‑type Regalias but also to enhance his own body and soul, permanently increasing his stats.

After settling the bracelet on his wrist and securing the pendant around his neck, Damian made his way out of the infirmary. The corridors of Alpha Academy stretched before him, clean and modern, filled with students moving between classes. He felt their gazes flick toward him—some curious, others dismissive—but he kept his head high and his focus forward.