Chapter 28: Insights
After the new student assembly ended.
Led by their homeroom teacher, Suoh and Hitsugaya followed the crowd to a spacious, bright classroom.
The classroom followed traditional Japanese room style, with desks arranged in neat rows.
A massive wooden-framed blackboard occupied the front wall. Through the windows, one could see the courtyard's current vibrant spring scenery, adding several degrees of tranquility to the solemn classroom.
All elite class students took their seats in order, awaiting their homeroom teacher's address.
"Do not seek aesthetics in battle.
Do not pursue virtue in death.
Do not concern yourself with preserving only your own life.
If you wish to protect what deserves protection, then cut down the enemies who must be defeated—from behind if necessary."
"The above content comes from the Shinoreijutsuin textbook: The Great Compendium of Shinigami Insights."
The homeroom teacher's gaze slowly swept across each still-immature face below the platform.
"Once again, I am Kaminoki Bokumori, homeroom teacher for Class One, Year One."
"First, congratulations to all of you for passing the selection. Welcome to Class One, Year One."
"You are all outstanding individuals among the new students. I hope that in the future, you will not only successfully enter the Gotei 13, but also truly comprehend the true meaning of that passage from the textbook."
Homeroom teacher Kaminoki Bokumori placed both hands on the desk. His voice wasn't loud, his pace measured, yet every word was clearly distinguishable.
"Next, new student self-introductions, beginning with student number one."
No unnecessary pleasantries—straight to the point.
As his words fell, everyone's gaze instantly focused on that thin silver-haired figure in the front row.
Hitsugaya Toshiro stood expressionlessly and walked to the center of the platform. The platform's height nearly reached his neck.
His flat gaze swept across those below, silencing the previously whispering crowd.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro. West District One."
Concise and to the point, without a single superfluous word. He nodded slightly, then turned and descended from the platform.
Cold, unapproachable—his self-introduction perfectly matched the first impression he'd left on everyone.
"Next."
Regarding his performance, Kaminoki Bokumori said nothing, merely nodding slightly.
Middle-ranking nobles, lower-ranking nobles, and commoners from the Seireitei.
Those from Rukongai's forward districts and rear districts.
Differences in background and upbringing meant students were destined to struggle becoming friends.
The relationship between peers was more like competitors, with the elite class atmosphere even more tense.
"I am Suoh Tsukasa, from West District Three. I look forward to learning with all of you."
Student number two, Suoh, walked onto the platform with measured steps.
In stark contrast to Hitsugaya's coldness, his posture was upright with an appropriately gentle smile on his face.
His introduction was equally brief, but the steady bearing in his words and remarkable appearance made him impossible to ignore, even with a Rukongai background.
Self-introductions proceeded in order by student number.
Perhaps influenced by the first two, each person's introduction was quite short.
When the last student finished introducing themselves, Kaminoki Bokumori returned to the platform.
"Very good. Class schedules and textbooks have been distributed to each of your desks."
"Remember, every assessment at the Shinoreijutsuin relates to your future division assignment."
"Elite class means more resources, but also fiercer competition and stricter elimination."
"After one year, whether you can still remain here depends on the sweat and performance you yourself provide."
"That concludes today. Starting tomorrow, courses officially begin."
"Dismissed!"
As his words fell and the homeroom teacher turned to leave, the classroom's atmosphere immediately loosened.
Below the platform, new students either sat in solitary contemplation, conversed in low voices with acquaintances, or more commonly gathered their textbooks and rose to leave.
"Hitsugaya, I'm planning to look around first."
Their forms of address had quietly changed since that morning's training guidance.
"What about you?"
Suoh stacked his textbooks neatly and returned them to his drawer, turning his head to look at Hitsugaya still seated beside him, leafing through the textbooks.
He'd already flipped through the textbooks once during the self-introduction segment.
The Shinoreijutsuin's textbooks hadn't seen much version updating over all these years, and he'd long since thoroughly mastered their contents.
Everything that should be learned from the books, he'd already grasped. The other content full of limitations or guidance that held no meaning wasn't worth wasting his time on.
The textbooks couldn't bring him any new gains. His target was the Shinoreijutsuin's library.
In the Soul Society, knowledge and information were priceless.
Throughout the entire Seireitei, there were only fourteen places where knowledge and historical information could be relatively openly obtained.
The Shinoreijutsuin plus the libraries within each of the Gotei 13 divisions' living quarters.
"Suoh, I won't go."
"I'm returning to the dormitory."
Hitsugaya shook his head. He was very clear that what he currently lacked most was fundamentals.
Aside from spiritual power rating, he'd already fallen far behind Suoh in every aspect.
"Alright, we won't meet for lunch then."
"Pay attention to balance and moderation. I'm heading out."
"Mm."
Leaving his instructions, Suoh said no more. After leaving the classroom, he turned and walked in the opposite direction from the dormitory district.
Hitsugaya's psychological maturity far exceeded his outward appearance. He didn't need to watch over him constantly like a small child.
...
Passing through the corridor connecting the teaching district and central courtyard.
The deeper he ventured into the academy, the sparser the foot traffic became.
Gradually, only Suoh's footsteps echoed clearly against the floorboards in the corridor, until he arrived before a building with "Library" hanging above its entrance.
Pushing open the wooden door, the hinges released a low groan. His arrival broke the silence of this place.
The library's interior space was even more magnificent than the building's exterior suggested, with several rows of towering bookshelves standing like mountain peaks.
Fine dust particles floated in the air, dancing silently within the columns of light slanting in through high windows.
Behind the wide wooden desk at the entrance, a female administrator wearing silver-rimmed glasses looked up.
She set down the catalog she'd been organizing, her gentle gaze examining the visitor through her lenses.
"Coming here at this time—a new student?"
"Yes."
"It's rare for a boy to love reading like this, heading straight to the library on the very first day of school."
The administrator smiled slightly. The quiet youth before her suited this room full of scholarly atmosphere very well.
With some appreciation and curiosity, she recalled few new students in her memory who loved books like this.
"There aren't many places to read in Rukongai."
Suoh answered calmly.
"How admirable."
"Basic texts are all over there. If you can't find any book, come ask me anytime."
This understated explanation transformed the curiosity in the administrator's eyes into a hint of understanding as she replied gently.
The administrator lightly adjusted her glasses, pointing toward a row of shelves on the right.
"Thank you."
After expressing his thanks, Suoh walked directly toward the depths of the bookshelves.
The youth's footsteps gradually dissolved into the sea of books, like a drop of water merging into the ocean.
The administrator watched his departing figure before continuing to organize the catalogs at hand. She welcomed everyone who thirsted for knowledge.
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