Cold.That was the first thing Ryo Takashi felt.
A numbing, bone-chilling cold that wrapped around him like an unrelenting grip. His body sank deeper into the dark waters of the lake, limbs unresponsive, lungs burning with a desperate need for air. The more he thrashed, the faster his strength drained. His vision blurred as the final bubbles of air escaped his lips, drifting upward, mocking his helplessness.
Is this how I die?
A strange calm settled over him, the last flickers of consciousness triggering a rush of fragmented memories.
He remembered the acceptance letter—the beginning of everything.Ryo had never applied to Celestia Academy, yet somehow, he received an invitation sealed in gold. His mother had been ecstatic, nearly dragging him through the towering gates of the prestigious institution. He hadn't even questioned how a normal guy like him had been accepted into a place that didn't exist on any map.
Then came the entrance ceremony.
Hundreds of students gathered—horned demons, ethereal beings with glowing wings, vampires with crimson eyes like rubies. Ryo had stood among them, out of place, painfully human.
And then—the headmistress called his name.
"You… aren't supposed to be here."
The great hall fell silent. Supernatural murmurs filled the air—mentions of the Celestial Record, a divine book that only recognized the chosen. Yet, somehow, his name had been there.
Even as the staff debated what to do with him, Ryo had felt something ominous looming. It was that very moment, he would later realize, that sealed his fate.
A few days later, it happened.
He was ambushed—dragged to a secluded lake by a group of students who loathed the idea of an unworthy human sharing their world. Their mocking laughter echoed in his ears. Then came the push.
A violent shove.A plunge into darkness.And now—death.
His lungs screamed. His mind faded. His heart slowed.
No… I don't want to die like this!
Then—A voice. Cold. Mechanical.
[System Activation: Limitless Regression Unlocked]
—
He gasped.
Air slammed into his lungs as he shot upright—no longer submerged in water. His eyes darted wildly. The golden gates of Celestia Academy stood before him once more. Students passed by, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened.
Ryo staggered back, his mind spinning.
This… this was the first day.
The same golden gates. The same crowd. The same gentle breeze brushing through the trees. It was exactly where he had been before everything happened.
A horrifying realization struck him.
He had died.And yet—he was here.
Alive.Back at the beginning.
How?
The panic hit him like a wave.
"I have to go home," he muttered under his breath, turning and running.
His feet pounded the path as the world blurred around him. Faster. Faster. He didn't care where he went—only that he got away.
Then—something was wrong.
He wasn't just running fast. He was moving at a speed beyond comprehension. Landscapes, forests, even entire city blocks rushed past him in seconds. His legs didn't ache. His breathing remained steady.
How… am I moving like this?
Before he could think further—
Blinding headlights.A deafening horn.A sudden, brutal impact.
Then—nothing.
He gasped again.
The gates of Celestia Academy stood before him.
Again.
His heart pounded, his hands shaking. "No way… I just died. Again…"
He stumbled toward a bench in the nearby garden, gripping his arms, trembling. His mind screamed for logic, but none came. He had died twice—once by drowning, once by collision—and both times, he returned to this same point.
And then he saw him.
The same teacher who had coldly told him he wasn't supposed to be here.
Only now, the man looked at him and said:
"What are you doing here? The entrance ceremony is about to start. Hurry along."
Ryo froze.That… wasn't what he said last time.
Had he forgotten? Or had time actually reset?
He hesitantly walked toward the main hall. More oddities began to surface.
The sky looked slightly darker.The bell chime was off-pitch.A student tripped over a stone—yet no one reacted, as if it had always been meant to happen.
Is this really the same timeline? Or… is something changing every time I die?
By the time the ceremony ended, the words spoken felt like static. He barely listened.
He was assigned a dorm room. The key was cold in his hand. Only one thought anchored him:
Just get through tonight. Tomorrow, find answers.
The hallway to his room was quiet, filled with murmuring students and flickering wall sconces.
He turned the corner—
And a hand grabbed his wrist.
Ryo flinched, heart lurching. He spun around, body tensed—
She stood before him.
A girl, silver-red hair cascading like molten light, her crimson eyes fixed on him. Her presence was commanding, yet eerily calm.
"Wh-What happened?" he stammered, unsure why she stopped him.
She tilted her head, her expression unreadable.
"It's time for dinner," she said. "Students should head to the cafeteria now."
Ryo blinked. "Dinner…?"
That didn't happen last time. No one had told him anything about dinner.
Had he missed it? Or… was this another change?
A growl from his stomach pulled him from thought. Whatever this new timeline was, he was still hungry. "Alright… I'll go," he muttered.
The girl turned wordlessly, walking ahead.
Ryo followed, but then—
[Ability Unlocked: Blood Rampage][Ability Unlocked: Blood Weaponry][Ability Unlocked: Hemokinesis][Ability Unlocked: Regeneration Boost][Ability Unlocked: Blood Puppetry]
He froze, body rigid.
A surge of energy rushed through him—sharp, primal, as if some ancient instinct had awakened inside his blood.
His veins pulsed with power. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. It wasn't just a hallucination. Something had changed in him. Something unlocked.
The girl paused, turning slightly.
"Are you coming?"
Ryo clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe. "...Yeah. Nothing's wrong."
He followed her into the cafeteria, heart still pounding.
But deep down, he knew—This was only the beginning.
Hey readers! If you're enjoying this series don't forget to drop some Powerstones to show your support! Your votes, comments, and love keep this series alive and thriving
Every stone helps Ryo get one step closer to uncovering the truth behind his regression… and maybe survive another day
Thanks for reading—see you in the next chapter!
— Author