Ryo's mind reeled as he stood before the stone slab for the second time.
I died again… but how?
He clenched his fists, taking in the familiar scene—the murmuring students, the demon opponent standing across from him, and the instructor watching with that same sharp gaze. Everything was the same.
No. Not exactly.
This time, he was prepared.
Ryo adjusted his stance, his eyes sharp with focus. He wouldn't die here again. He altered his approach in the rematch, wielding his blood abilities more efficiently. His movements were sharper, his instincts keener. Each regression refined his combat skills, making him stronger than before.
The demon attacked with the same reckless aggression, but this time, Ryo anticipated every move. His control over Blood Weaponry had improved—he formed blood needles with surgical precision, launching them with deadly accuracy. Within moments, he exploited an opening and delivered a devastating blow.
The demon collapsed.
The match was over. He had won—again.
But the celebration never came.
A powerful presence suddenly filled the training ground.
The crowd parted as a girl with flowing silver-red hair and piercing crimson eyes walked in. She moved like a predator—elegant, but dangerous. Her gaze swept across the students before locking onto Ryo.
Whispers erupted.
"That's her… The Vampire Princess…""Why is she here?"
Still catching his breath, Ryo felt an uneasy chill crawl down his spine as her eyes narrowed at him. She took a step forward, her expression unreadable.
Then, her eyes widened slightly. She whispered, "This blood… Impossible."
What does she mean?
The murmurs fell silent. The Vampire Princess stood before him now, her voice calm and commanding.
"You," she said. "Who are you?"
"…Ryo Takashi?" he answered, unsure what else to say.
A long pause.
Then, in front of everyone, she declared:
"Ryo Takashi is my fiancé."
Chaos.
"WHAT?!"
Even the stoic instructor looked stunned.
Ryo blinked. "Wait… WHAT?!"
His defeated opponent on the ground looked just as confused.
But the Princess remained composed, her tone unyielding. "I've decided. You're mine."
"P-Princess, I'm not sure that's how engagements are arranged—" the teacher began.
"It is for me," she cut in, and silence returned.
Ryo stood frozen as his world shifted once again. First regression. Then victory. Now… a Vampire Princess fiancée?
Waiting for Death
That night, Ryo returned to his dorm, mind spinning.
I survived the match. I won. But… how the hell did that turn into an engagement?!
He sat on the bed, rubbing his temples. In the previous regression, he had died before reaching the next morning.
Determined to understand, he forced himself to stay awake.
Hours passed in silence.
Then—a noise. The doorknob turned.
A group of demon students stepped inside. Their eyes burned with hostility.
So this is how I died last time.
There were nine of them—six senior students and three lower-class demons, including his earlier opponent.
He tried to fight.
He died instantly.
Regression after Regression
He woke up in bed.
Again.
Prepared better. Died.
Adjusted strategy. Died again.
Over and over, he faced the same group, each time learning, improving.
By the eighth attempt, he wasn't just surviving. He was killing.
The Eighth Life – The Turning Point
As the intruders entered once more, Ryo was ready.
Blood needles formed in an instant, slicing through the air with lethal intent. He dodged, countered, dismantled their attacks with calculated fury.
One fell. Then another. Bones snapped. Screams echoed.
By the end, only silence remained.
He had won.
The battle had been loud. Within minutes, dorm guards and instructors rushed in. Shock filled their faces at the sight of unconscious, bloodied students on the floor.
A senior academy official stepped forward.
"What happened here?"
Ryo exhaled. "They attacked me. I defended myself."
The man studied the scene. "Self-defense is within your rights."
One by one, the unconscious attackers were carried away.
Ryo was left alone in his blood-stained room, heart racing.
Even in victory, unease clawed at him.
I can't let my guard down. Not for a second.
Ryo woke up feeling drained. Surviving the night didn't ease the weight of everything he had endured. Death, regression, battles… and now, a royal engagement?
His body, however, felt stronger—every revival sharpened his instincts.
A knock came.
A fellow student delivered unexpected news: "No classes today. All the teachers are in a meeting."
Probably about last night's attack.
With time to spare, Ryo considered calling home.
His parents must've been worried. But… what could he say?
In the end, he decided to keep it simple. "Classes start soon. I'm doing fine. Just adjusting."
He left out the blood powers. And the vampire fiancée.
As he reached for his device, a second knock came—firm and official.
A regal attendant stood outside, wearing the crest of the Vampire Royal Family.
"Lady Selena requests your presence."
Ryo sighed.
Of course she does.
The meeting place was a lavish tea lounge. Ryo entered, and there she was—Selena, the Vampire Princess, seated gracefully at a table.
She motioned for him to sit.
Tension thickened the air.
Then she spoke.
"Who are you, really?"
Ryo hesitated. He had no good answer. Before he could respond, she leaned forward.
"Your blood isn't normal. It carries an ancient power."
He clenched his fists. He'd suspected something—but this confirmed it.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he lied.
She smirked, clearly unconvinced.
Then she dropped another bomb.
"Regardless… you are my fiancé now. And as my fiancé, you must meet my father."
Ryo's soul nearly left his body. "Why?!"
Her smile deepened. "Because, Ryo Takashi… you belong to me now."
Ryo woke the next day feeling strangely refreshed—but uneasy.
The Status Window from the night before still haunted his thoughts. His powers were growing: Blood Puppetry, Hemokinesis, Regeneration… but how far would this go?
He called his parents again—kept things light. Left out the death, blood, and fiancée part.
Dressed in his academy uniform, he headed to the cafeteria.
Selena was waiting.
"You took your time," she said, motioning to a seat.
Ryo sat, warily. "I needed the rest."
"Good," she replied. "You'll need the energy. You're meeting my father soon."
He choked. "Fiancé?! Again?"
"You didn't object yesterday," she said innocently.
"You can't just—!"
"Why not?" she countered. "Father will be expecting you."
Ryo groaned into his food. There was no winning here.
As they ate, his thoughts drifted to his new abilities. Hemokinesis? Blood Puppetry? They sounded powerful—too powerful. He needed to test them… in secret.
As he stood to leave, Selena leaned in.
"Be careful today, Ryo Takashi."
He froze. "You know my name."
"Of course," she said smoothly. "Everyone will, soon enough."
She left. The cafeteria buzzed behind her.
History Class and Shadows
First class: History of Supernatural Races.
Ryo took a seat in the large lecture hall. The professor introduced the course.
"As you know, our world is shaped by countless races—humans, elves, dragons, demons… understanding their past helps you understand your future."
Ryo tried to focus. But something felt… off.
A chill crept down his spine.
He turned.
At the edge of the hall, hidden in the shadows—a pair of violet eyes stared back.
Cold. Empty. Inhuman.
Then—gone.
Ryo gripped his desk, heart pounding.
What the hell was that…?
For the first time since he'd started regressing, Ryo Takashi felt fear.
True fear.
Something far worse was coming.
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— Author