Chapter 26: Instruction
The second day, early morning.
Thin mist had yet to fully disperse, and grass blades in the courtyard still bore dewdrops.
The same dawn, the same training.
Only the location and audience had changed.
The place had shifted from Terada-ya's back courtyard to this tranquil yard at the Shinoreijutsuin.
The figure nearby was no longer the always gentle and smiling Terada-san, replaced instead by an uninvited cool silhouette.
Suoh stood upon the courtyard's bluestone, holding Hazy Night with complete focus, simply repeating the most fundamental striking motions.
Swing the blade, draw it back, swing again.
The movements were concise, swift, and precise. Each breath's rhythm, each swing's angle—every motion had become a beat carved into his bones.
After countless repetitions of training, the stability was astonishing.
Ten thousand strikes with complete mental immersion—this was the morning practice he'd set for himself, the purest tempering of fundamentals and will.
Hitsugaya Toshiro's appearance was a small surprise.
Having always followed his grandmother's teaching that "children who sleep more grow taller," according to his usual biological clock he should still be immersed in dreams at this hour.
But because the new bedding was too soft, he found it somewhat difficult to sleep and had risen much earlier than usual.
Pushing open the sliding door, he hadn't expected someone in the courtyard to be up even earlier, and training at that.
The steady yet swift sound of air being cut through the quiet morning air immediately seized his attention.
Following the sound to see Suoh's focused figure on the stone slab—
That extreme stability maintained through countless repeated motions.
The beauty and power contained within made him instinctively stop to watch.
When Suoh completed his final strike, slowly returning to a ready stance and calming his breathing while wiping away sweat, he simultaneously noticed the gaze from the side and turned toward the other end of the courtyard.
Their eyes met.
"Suoh-san, good morning."
Hitsugaya Toshiro didn't shift his gaze away. He stepped forward proactively, his cool voice breaking the courtyard's final silence.
His gaze swept across Suoh and the wooden sword in his hands, his pupils contracting slightly with a flash of tension he might not even have noticed himself.
This scene in the morning light was too overwhelming.
The other's flowing movements, his steady-as-a-mountain presence—everything reminded him that with no training experience himself, he'd already fallen far behind.
"Morning, Hitsugaya-san."
"Want to try?"
With a turn of his wrist, Suoh steadily extended Hazy Night toward him.
Unlike himself who'd made thorough preparations before enrollment, Hitsugaya Toshiro had registered completely empty-handed.
"Thank you."
This natural, casual gesture made Hitsugaya Toshiro pause slightly. After expressing thanks, he accepted it with one hand.
"It's heavy."
Taking Hazy Night, the ebony sword's weight made his wrist visibly sink.
The boy's inner pride made him attempt to stand holding the sword with one hand like Suoh. His arm muscles instantly tensed, his knuckles turning slightly white from the effort.
Suoh watched this scene quietly, his gaze carefully observing the other's thin frame and the way he exerted force.
Hitsugaya Toshiro's body was far too small right now, barely reaching Suoh's lower chest.
His eyes held no mockery whatsoever, only meticulous observation.
Exceptional spiritual power talent was both good and bad for Hitsugaya Toshiro. The rapidly increasing spiritual pressure combined with Hyourinmaru's awakening had turned his body into a container with leaks.
"Your grip position is wrong—too far back."
"Don't try to imitate me. Every person's body has its own unique way of using a blade. You need to find the most harmonious point between yourself and the sword."
"When blade and person achieve balance, the sword in your hand will become an extension of your body."
Suoh stepped forward, extending his hand to point toward the very front of the handle, his voice steady.
With his height, naturally gripping the middle-to-rear of the handle was most coordinated. Given Hitsugaya Toshiro's current height that only reached his chest, he could only grip the very front.
This subtle adjustment was precisely what beginners most easily overlooked, yet also the most important foundation.
"Mm."
Hitsugaya Toshiro adjusted as instructed, his gaze intent.
"Watch carefully. Don't use your arm's strength to swing."
"Feel the flow of power through your waist, let the force flow naturally to drive the blade's momentum."
Suoh gripped empty air with both hands, as if holding an invisible sword.
Whoosh—
His waist moved, power rising from the ground to drive shoulder, elbow, and wrist. A perfectly natural force conducted through his motion to the "blade's" end.
Hitsugaya Toshiro mimicked the motion and swung his first strike. Though his natural talent was high, the movement was still somewhat stiff and clumsy.
His gift manifested more in spiritual pressure. He was genuinely unfamiliar with this kind of pure physical technique.
"Too stiff. Relax, carefully feel your body's axis."
Suoh stepped forward without any courtesy, using his fingers to tap the boy's spine and waist.
"Power begins from the ground, transfers here, and finally releases from your hands. Again!"
Suoh acted like a strict instructor, constantly correcting the silver-haired boy's striking posture.
And this future captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro, like the most ordinary student, repeated the most basic movements again and again, fine beads of sweat gradually appearing on his forehead.
A moment later, sunlight had climbed to the eaves.
"Alright, that's enough for a first training session."
Suoh's palm lightly pressed against Hitsugaya Toshiro's arm as he drew back the blade.
The boy's silver hair was already soaked with sweat, his arm muscles trembling slightly, but his eyes were brighter than when they'd first met.
"Remember this feeling of exerting force. Training is like weaving brocade—don't rush for quick results."
"Haa—thank you."
Taking a deep breath and returning Hazy Night, Hitsugaya Toshiro offered solemn thanks.
"Don't mention it."
"Let's go. After we clean up, let's head to the dining hall together."
Suoh accepted the wooden sword, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
The two returned to their respective rooms for simple cleanup. In less than the time it took to brew tea, they'd already changed into the Shinoreijutsuin's regulation uniforms.
After meeting up, Suoh's gaze swept across the thin shoulder line of the youth beside him, and he began offering his opinion.
With his current physique, even possessing outstanding spiritual power talent, he'd struggle to bear the burden that high-intensity sword training would place on his body.
"Your weight needs to increase by at least a third of what it is now."
"Until then, I don't recommend you engage in formal training in zanjutsu or hakuda."
"I can sense you're somewhat anxious, but the current situation is what it is. Your body can't support intense physical exertion."
"Your primary goal right now is to learn balanced nutrition. This is the first step of training."
"Eating is also a science—not just randomly stuffing yourself, but a gradual process."
They said a growing boy could eat his old man into poverty. Rukongai's resources were scarce. Forget balanced nutrition—just managing to barely fill one's stomach was difficult.
Hitsugaya Toshiro's body was severely depleted. Of the three human treasures—essence, qi, and spirit—he was seriously lacking in essence. It could only be slowly supplemented over time.
Suoh taught earnestly, and the boy listened earnestly.
"Mm."
Hitsugaya Toshiro listened very carefully, his emerald eyes flickering slightly.
Ultimately, he only tucked this stirring feeling deep within, nodding his head heavily.
***
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