Class had just ended. The elderly, white-haired instructor hobbled slowly out of the lecture hall.
Shin yawned and slumped onto his desk, barely settling in before a familiar voice called out.
"Tachikawa-kun!"
He glanced sideways. A petite girl with chestnut shoulder-length hair was standing by his seat. She wore the red-and-white uniform of Shin'ō Academy, her delicate features marred by an overly stern expression.
"You still haven't submitted your graduation exam application."
"Isn't that optional?" Shin muttered, not even lifting his head. "I doubt I'm the only one who didn't turn it in."
Beside him, Hisagi Shūhei was sorting through his notes. He looked over but didn't say anything.
Kani Sawa's brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
As one of Class A's two student reps, Kani took her duties seriously—sometimes to the point of seeming cold. She didn't have many friends; in fact, these two were probably the only people she spoke to regularly.
Shin tilted his head lazily to look at her. "I just don't think I've mastered the material well enough. I don't want to overestimate myself and fail."
Kani blinked, surprised. She glanced at Hisagi, who only responded with a helpless shrug.
"You're not planning to graduate this year?"
"I'd rather take some extra time to improve."
Kani pulled out a roster and skimmed through it. Many students had already applied for graduation exams, though the final list would be reviewed by their homeroom teacher, Namita-sensei, who'd weed out the obviously unqualified.
Hisagi passed over his own list. "Can you give this to Namita-sensei too?"
He was the other class rep, sharing the same responsibilities as Kani.
Kani took both rosters, frowning again. "Why isn't your name on here either?"
"Same reason as that guy," Hisagi replied.
"…"
Kani went silent, tucking the forms away.
Hisagi stood and nudged Shin's leg with his foot. "Next class is Kidō. We have to switch rooms. Don't sleep."
Tachikawa Shin was a genius. Their teacher, Namita Hidezawa, believed this wholeheartedly—and was equally infuriated by his lazy attitude. In Namita's view, Shin was wasting his talent.
"This is what he said?" Namita asked after Kani explained the situation.
She nodded. "Hisagi said the same."
Namita frowned. "What are those two up to?"
Kani said, "Tachikawa's been skipping a lot of classes lately—not just Zanjutsu yesterday. He missed Kidō theory the day before. Maybe he's aware of his weaknesses and wants to stay longer to work on them."
She pictured Shin dozing at his desk, and realized even she didn't believe her own words.
Namita flipped through the student list. He knew his class well. Very few were truly ready to graduate, and the one with the best shot… didn't even apply.
The graduation exam was grueling for a fourth-year. And after that came entrance exams for the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, or the Onmitsukidō. Fail those, and you were sent right back to the Academy.
Namita sighed. "If they're genuinely that self-aware, maybe that's not so bad."
He looked at Kani. "And you? Same reason?"
She pressed her lips together and nodded silently.
The Kidō Practical class was held outdoors.
By fourth year, students had nearly completed the full curriculum. The fifth and sixth years were mostly practical: soul burials in the human world, internal patrols, and other groundwork for becoming full-fledged Shinigami.
This wasn't the students' first Kidō practical. By now, it came down to how skillfully one could perform.
Officially, Shin'ō taught all Kidō below No. 70. In reality, students mostly practiced up to No. 50. Only in important assessments would Nos. 51–70 be included, and even then, the number assigned depended on one's Spiritual Pressure. Perfect execution wasn't required.
High-level Kidō demanded high-level Reiryoku. Most students weren't there yet. Once they became Shinigami, they could train those techniques further.
Shin's Kidō skill ranked near the top of his class—not just because of his system, but due to innate talent. His Reiryoku level was already at Lv13, far beyond the norm.
He guessed Hisagi was around Lv7.
"Yo, good afternoon, everyone!"
They arrived at the training grounds to find their usual instructor replaced by a handsome man in a black Shihakushō.
Everyone recognized him: Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of Squad Thirteen. He often guest-lectured at the Academy.
It was common for senior Gotei 13, Kidō Corps, or Onmitsukidō officers to teach at Shin'ō—sometimes even Captains.
Kaien was friendly, beloved by the students. But every time he came, he used it as a recruiting mission for Squad Thirteen.
"Been a while, huh?" Kaien grinned. "Today I'm your substitute teacher."
His eyes scanned the group, and when they landed on Shin, he gave a little wink.
"…He's definitely here for you," Hisagi muttered.
While plenty of students graduated each year, only a handful were truly outstanding. Fourth-years could apply to graduate early, which explained Kaien's timing.
Shin sighed. "What can I say? A genius attracts attention."
Hisagi: "…"
Recalling last night, Hisagi whispered, "Did you turn down Matsumoto-san because you want to join Squad Thirteen?"
Shin shook his head. "No."
Kaien chatted with a few students before raising his voice. "Let's get started. First exercise: Hado No. 63—Raikōhō. First group: Tachikawa Shin, Aoshika."
He began calling names.
Shin walked up with a tall, long-faced boy named Aoshika. Twenty meters ahead stood a set of targets—these weren't the wooden dummies used by juniors, but targets crafted from Killing Aura Stone.
Anything below Hado 50 wouldn't even leave a mark.
Kaien looked at Shin and smiled. "We'll start with Hado 63 today."
The class groaned. Raikōhō was notoriously difficult.
Kaien chuckled. "Come on now. Your finals will cover everything up to Hado 70. If you don't master this range, you'll lose points."
When things quieted down, Shin calmly raised his hand, focused on the white stone target—
"Hado No. 63: Raikōhō."
Golden lightning burst from his palm, lashing into the air with snapping arcs and trailing sparks, slamming dead-center into the target.
Kaien arched a brow. "Tch."
Form-wise, it was textbook. The Killing Aura Stone concealed the full impact, but Kaien had felt the spiritual pressure—he could guess its power.
"This kid…"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the students.
Kaien's grin widened. He turned to Aoshika.
Aoshika, flustered, cursed inwardly. Why'd he skip the incantation?!
He considered copying it for style points, but knew he couldn't. So he chanted the full spell.
"Hado No. 63: Raikōhō!"
Golden lightning surged forward, spreading into a net of crackling arcs. But his control faltered—his Reiryoku was too unstable.
He tried to stabilize it, but it was too late.
Suddenly, the world spun. When he came to, he was two meters back from where he'd started.
Breathless, he gasped, "Th-thank you, Vice-Captain Shiba!"
Kaien chuckled. "Glad you're alright."
Shin and Aoshika returned to their seats. Aoshika still looked shaken. Glancing at the serene expression on Shin's face only deepened his frustration.
Why'd I get paired with him?!
Kaien skimmed the roster again. Aoshika's grades were decent for the class.
"Next up, let's try Hado 54."
Many students sighed with relief.
"You really can't help showing off, can you?" Hisagi muttered.
"I was born like this."
"…"
Practice continued. Aside from Hisagi and Kani, most students had trouble—some couldn't cast the spell at all.
Kaien pointed out each person's errors, then led them through another round of mid-tier Hado and Bakudō drills.
Near the end, students broke into small groups to review Kidō or just chat. Kaien was soon surrounded, regaling them with Squad Thirteen tales.
Shin lay alone on the wooden floor, eyes half-closed, gazing at the azure sky.
A shadow fell across him.
"Kani-san. Something you need?"
She sat beside him, studying his delicate features before speaking.
"With scores like yours, the graduation exam should be no issue."
"I'm bad at Kaidō," Shin replied.
Kani didn't buy that for a second. Compared to Aoshika's top Kaidō scores, maybe, but Shin wasn't "bad."
The exam tested overall skill, but those with exceptional ability in one area could still graduate. With Shin's Zanjutsu alone, he more than qualified.
Kani fell silent, then said softly, "I didn't apply for the exam either."
"Is that so?" Shin said, unmoved.
The way he brushed it off left her momentarily speechless. She recalled crossing her name off the roster herself.
She stood and left.
All three top-ranked students in Class A had refused to graduate early. Namita-sensei was going to lose his mind.
Only after she'd walked away did Shin shut his eyes again.
The bell rang, signaling the end of morning classes. Fourth-years had three classes per day: two in the morning, one in the afternoon. There was plenty of free time.
Fewer field trips happened during graduation season.
As students filtered out, Shin was just about to get up when Kaien reappeared beside him, grinning.
"Come on. Lunch's on me."
Shin'ō Academy Cafeteria
"…Why am I paying?" Shin stared blankly.
"I forgot my wallet," Kaien said cheerfully.
Shin sighed. They were seated by a window. Kaien's black Shihakushō caught many students' eyes.
"Man, I missed this food."
Kaien devoured his tray, smiling all the while.
"You were only here a year," Shin remarked.
Kaien had graduated in one year and entered Squad Thirteen as Third Seat. It'd caused a huge stir. If Shin was a genius, then Kaien was genius among geniuses—plus, his surname carried weight.
Captain Ukitake of Squad Thirteen was chronically ill, so Kaien handled all administrative duties. He had strength, charisma, and an impeccable reputation.
A man bound for greatness.
"Let's not dwell on the past. You know why I'm here, don't you?" Kaien asked mid-bite.
"You want me in your squad."
Kaien gave a "smart boy" smile. "I know Matsumoto's probably already approached you. Sure, my uncle leads the Tenth, but he's a total flake. No future there. Join me. Once I'm Captain, I might even make you my Lieutenant."
He slandered his own uncle without shame and dangled the ultimate bait.
Lieutenant?
Shin chuckled softly. If all went well, Kaien probably would make Captain.
If all went well…
"I'm not graduating this year. Or next," Shin said flatly.
Kaien's smile slipped. "Why?"
He truly believed Shin was more than ready.
Shin didn't give a reason. "I'll consider Squad Thirteen when I do graduate. But in the meantime, I want to do something—and I need your help."
Kaien's eyes lit up. "I'm listening."
"I want to create an official student organization here at Shin'ō. As a normal student, I can't do that. But you—Vice-Captain of Squad Thirteen and next head of the Shiba Clan—you can make it happen."
Kaien's grin slowly faded. His gaze turned sharp.
"You're from Rukongai, right?"
Shin smiled. "Yep. Zaraki District. Got a problem with that?"
Kaien smirked faintly, eyes unreadable. "Big ambition for a street kid."
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