"Then if not a Shinigami… what else would you be?"
"You planning to crawl into a nest of maggots, Kisaragi?"
A massive head, topped with horn-like tufts of hair, suddenly appeared in front of Akira. The expression was resolute, and the face radiated an almost tactile sense of strength.
The rectangular glasses reflected the light so sharply it nearly blinded him.
"Tessai-sensei."
Aizome gave a small nod, his demeanor respectful, as always.
As the class's exemplary student, Akira's grades were flawless in theory despite only average physical ability. He had carefully cultivated the "model student" image.
Teachers from various squads were already scheming to recruit Aizome.Talents like him—adept in paperwork and theory—were extremely rare.
"Next time, try making some noise when you walk." Tessai said."Had I not noticed you in time, I would have landed a punch."
Akira's lips twitched as he murmured under his breath, a trace of wry humor in his voice.
To be fair, he hadn't seen Tessai approaching.
This future Chief Kidō Master seemed overwhelmingly powerful in any field.Still, there was no malice in the man's approach; otherwise, Akira's Danger Instinct would have sounded the alarm.
"Kisaragi, your thoughts are dangerous."
Tessai's rugged face belied a gentle personality, especially with students.He had never scolded a single student.
Of course, with a presence like Tessai's, few dared to misbehave in his classroom.
"I was only joking with Sousuke."
Akira's expression hardened as he spoke with conviction:
"Becoming a qualified Shinigami is my lifelong goal. I will dedicate all my efforts to achieve it!""I will uphold the name of the Seireitei to the very end!"
Tessai's eyes softened, and he patted Akira on the shoulder with a firm hand."Good. Full of spirit."
"As expected of the pillar of talent the Captain General spoke of."
Akira blinked. "o_O??"
"Keep working hard."
Tessai patted him again, this time with enough force to make his shoulder bones resonate.Akira was tough enough to endure it, but any other student would have been in the infirmary instantly.
Before Akira could speak, a deafening explosion rocked the empty dojo.Crimson flames shot up toward the ceiling, filling the air with blistering heat.
Akira watched the fire rise and murmured,"A true talent…""Even something as simple as a Scarlet Cannon can blow you up. Reminds me of an old friend."
Tessai rushed to handle the emergency before Akira could respond.
"I hope that 'old friend' isn't yourself." Aizome said calmly."I won't experiment unless Kidō can be fully controlled."
He had noticed Tessai approaching, but thankfully the man hadn't overheard his earlier comment.Some things were best kept secret.
The Soul Society was far from as peaceful as it seemed.
Akira nodded seriously."Understood."
The Kidō class ended amidst the chaos.The student who had self-detonated with the Scarlet Cannon was treated urgently by Tessai, then sent directly to the Fourth Division's medical center.
Burns covered 74.3% of his body—he was almost unrecognizable.
Many students were relieved to leave early, while the more competitive ones stayed behind to practice Kidō.Akira and Aizome were among them.
The dojo was vast, and they found a quiet corner to study.Others like them weren't rare, so they drew no unwanted attention.
"Which Kidō are you most familiar with?" Aizome asked.
Akira thought for a moment before answering decisively:"Number 4—Breaking Spell: White Thunder.""I mastered it even before I officially became a student."
At that, Aizome instinctively recalled Akira's method of unleashing White Thunder back at Zenjōji Temple.
Completely different from the White Thunder taught at the Academy—more of a self-taught improvisation, yet surprisingly powerful.
Even a rogue Shinigami officer hadn't survived a direct strike to the heart.Clearly, Akira had an exceptional grasp of this spell.
"Good." Aizome nodded."First, try reducing your spiritual pressure output. Release White Thunder at its weakest."
"Like this."
Akira's eyes widened as Aizome opened his fingers.White arcs of electricity danced along his fingertips like countless musical notes composing a breathtaking symphony.
He held his breath, suddenly focused.MAX-level talent engaged:Reishi flow traced in the air, spiritual pressure patterns, hand seals, incantations…
In that moment, Aizome noticed a subtle change in Akira.Calm, natural, focused, and attentive.In some ways… he resembled Aizome himself.
This kid…
When the lightning vanished, Akira returned to his usual carefree self.
"Did you feel it?"
"Just a little!"
"Good. Demonstrate."
Curious, Aizome watched as Akira slowly opened his fingers in the same posture.His surprise skyrocketed.
The arcs of electricity danced brilliantly, like a miniature fireworks display on his fingertips.
Spiritual pressure was kept extremely low—just enough to maintain the glow, with zero destructive power, even if touched.
"White Thunder? That's nothing for me."
Akira's cocky grin shattered Aizome's shock, returning him to calm.
He looked at Akira again.The talent was undeniable, and he knew how to use it—a first-rate genius.
A pity… that kid had a mouth on him.
"Step one complete."
Aizome glanced at Akira playing with White Thunder, a small smile forming."Next is step two. Also simple."
"With your talent, you'll master it quickly."
"Kidō often takes the form of a barrier. Constructing one involves combining incantations and hand seals to form specific patterns.""Your job is to learn Kidō patterns."
"This is White Thunder."
Akira's eyes widened in shock as Aizome's fingertips traced faint arcs in the air, forming a pattern.
Soon, a completely new Kidō pattern appeared before him.
"Wait!"
Akira frowned."If I remember correctly, only certain Kidō can form barriers.""White Thunder isn't one of them. Where did this pattern come from?"
Aizome completed the final stroke and replied calmly:"I researched it."
"When? I never saw you do any Kidō research!"
Aizome smiled, his natural genius radiating effortlessly."Just now…"