Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Since arriving in Soul Society, Sombravida had lived in near-constant motion — hunting by night, foraging by dawn, compressing and refining his spiritual pressure during the day.
In those three months, his growth had been extraordinary.
His total spiritual pressure had reached a level comparable to a lower seated officer — perhaps around Eighth or Ninth Seat by raw volume. But what truly distinguished him was not quantity.
It was density.
Through relentless compression, Sombravida's reiryoku had become abnormally condensed — far more refined than typical Shinigami of equivalent output.
Against a Fourth or Fifth Seat, he could survive.
Against a Third Seat, he might endure briefly.
A Vice-Captain?
He would not win.
He knew that clearly.
Even the weakest Vice-Captains possessed combat experience, Kidō training, and Zanpakutō mastery beyond his current level. He might escape a few exchanges — but sustained battle would be suicide.
As for someone like Sōsuke Aizen…
Sombravida did not even allow that thought to finish.
"Big brother, tomorrow is the entrance exam for Shin'ō Academy! I can't sleep!" Momo whispered excitedly from her futon.
It had been rare lately for them to talk like this at night. Sombravida's nocturnal routine rarely aligned with her schedule.
"Three months already…" Sombravida murmured.
During that time, the steady supply of high-reishi game had accelerated both Momo and Tōshirō's spiritual growth. Even Grandma, who possessed no spiritual pressure, looked noticeably healthier.
The insulating garments Sombravida had made from Seireitei reishi-dampening cloth worked perfectly. Grandma had not once complained of cold pressure from Tōshirō's leaking reiatsu.
As for Kira Izuru—
Sombravida had continued his instruction.
When Kira returned after the first month, Sombravida immediately sensed the change.
His steps were no longer unstable.
His lower body was grounded.
His wrist no longer trembled during extended swings.
He had trained properly.
Over the following two months, Sombravida refined Kira's spiritual control further. By the end of the third month, Kira could consistently project a compressed reiryoku slash roughly ten to fifteen meters.
Sombravida had named the technique:
Sword Aura Slash.
Simple.
Functional.
Accurate.
Compared to typical Academy applicants — many of whom struggled to stabilize surface-level reiryoku — Kira was already far ahead.
"Momo," Sombravida said quietly, "how's your spiritual pressure?"
"It's improved a lot!" she replied proudly. "It's all thanks to you."
They began speaking of the future.
"Will we fight Hollows immediately after becoming Shinigami?"
"Not immediately," Sombravida replied. "Academy training lasts six years under normal progression. Combat assignments only come later."
He paused.
"And Hollows are not… simple."
Momo turned.
"I've read that Hollows are wicked souls who devour the innocent."
Sombravida spoke carefully.
"Some are. Many lose themselves completely."
He remembered the desert.
"But Hollow existence is driven by hunger for reishi. It is instinctual survival. Shinigami purify Hollows with their Zanpakutō — sending cleansed souls back into the cycle of reincarnation. That is the balance between worlds."
He did not mention the Lord of Hueco Mundo.
"Big brother… you know a lot about Hollows."
"I traded with a noble hunter once," Sombravida answered smoothly. "Information in exchange for game."
Momo accepted it.
After a while, she asked quietly:
"Do you think we can change Soul Society?"
Sombravida's tone grew firm.
"First grow stronger. Then survive. Then understand the system. Only then can you speak of changing it."
Momo nodded seriously.
"Never forget your original intention."
That night, long after Momo slept, Sombravida lay awake.
What was his own original intention?
Revenge?
Survival?
Protection?
He did not yet know.
The next morning, they visited Tōshirō and Grandma.
Today was the Shin'ō Academy entrance examination.
If admitted, their home would be unattended.
Tōshirō would manage both melon fields.
With irrigation and basic semi-automation in place, maintenance was manageable.
Sombravida quietly slipped a pouch of silver currency rings to Grandma.
"Spend what you need."
She resisted.
He insisted.
She finally accepted, joking it would be saved for Momo's future dowry.
"Call me Tōshirō!" the boy grumbled when Momo said goodbye.
"You better not wet the bed at the Academy!"
"I do not!" Momo flushed.
Then Tōshirō turned serious.
"Brother Yuecheng… become Captain."
Sombravida ruffled his white hair.
"Take care of Grandma."
They headed toward Seireitei.
From Junrinan, the western gate was not far, but all Academy registration occurred through the West District entrance.
Many applicants walked the same road, dressed in white student robes with red-and-blue trim.
There was no strict age limit for Shin'ō Academy.
Only spiritual pressure thresholds and aptitude mattered.
Initial screening tested:
Total reiryoku
Reiryoku control
Spiritual perception
Physical endurance
Reaction speed
Basic combat potential
From thousands of applicants, roughly two thousand would be admitted.
Those rejected must wait three years.
The moment Sombravida passed through Seireitei's gate—
The difference struck him instantly.
Reishi density surged.
The ambient spiritual particle concentration was several times higher than Rukongai's outer districts.
Even without hunting, one could passively accumulate spiritual energy here.
"Resources determine power," Sombravida thought.
Through his thin blindfold, vague silhouettes formed — towers, massive white walls, wide avenues, noble crests displayed on storefronts.
The Seireitei was orderly.
Structured.
Layered in authority.
Momo stared in awe.
"Will we live here after becoming Shinigami?"
"Most Shinigami reside in division barracks," Sombravida replied. "Not private estates."
She glanced at his eyes.
"I wish you could see it properly."
"I can perceive shapes through reiryoku," Sombravida answered calmly. "Movement patterns. Concentrations."
He pointed.
"The registration hall is that direction."
Indeed, a large gathering of white-robed applicants filled the courtyard.
At the entrance, a young Shinigami addressed them.
"Here for the exam?"
"Yes."
He led them inside.
A bearded Shinigami handed over forms.
"Name. Height. Weight. Basic information."
Momo filled in Sombravida's details.
The examiner frowned — then noticed the blindfold.
"You're blind?"
"Yes."
"And you're taking the Shinigami entrance exam?"
"Does blindness interfere with spiritual pressure measurement?" Sombravida asked mildly.
The man scratched his head.
"Strange. Second blind applicant I've seen."
"Second?" Sombravida asked.
"Besides Captain Tōsen."
"Discussing a captain's attributes casually is inappropriate."
A calm, steady voice cut through the room.
The bearded examiner froze.
He turned quickly and bowed.
"Captain Tōsen!"
Standing at the doorway was Kaname Tōsen.
Dark skin.
Dreadlocked hair tied back.
Captain's haori flowing neatly over his uniform.
Across the right side of his neck ran a visible scar — a remnant of a past battle.
Sombravida felt the subtle, disciplined stillness in the captain's reiatsu.
Controlled.
Quiet.
Contained.
The man Sombravida had once nearly killed — before his rebirth.
Tōsen stepped forward.
"You are blind as well?"
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL to gain access to 40+ chapters