Tsukabishi Tessai fell into silence. He set the documents down, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and stared blankly ahead.
Spatial formulas were a taboo strictly forbidden by the Soul Society. The Central 46 guarded against it fiercely, and any related research was treated as a grave offense. The only task where spatial formulas were legitimately permitted was opening the Senkaimon to create a pathway to the World of the Living. Yet even the formula for opening the Senkaimon was pre-packaged; Soul Reapers only knew how to operate it without understanding its underlying principles.
Tessai had studied Kido for most of his life. Gifted as he was, he had long since mastered the existing Kido system inside out. Ultimately, he couldn't help but turn his gaze toward the two most difficult and complex branches of formula architecture—Time and Space.
But even he only dared to tinker with them in secret within the deepest chambers of the Kido Corps barracks. Now, Hasumi Ren had come to him with a fully formed Garganta blueprint, asking for guidance on this forbidden art.
To teach, or not to teach?
Tessai glanced once more at the blueprint in his hand. It was Urahara Kisuke's handiwork. Urahara was already steps ahead, having drafted the concrete framework. In that case, for him to provide a few supplements and explanations shouldn't be considered a greater sin, right?
'The Central 46... Hmph, a bunch of pedantic, stubborn old fools. What do they know anyway?'
Tessai withdrew his gaze and looked at Ren.
"Spatial formulas are one of the most profound branches of Kido. It involves the anchoring and perception of spatial nodes, as well as the precise control of spiritual pressure fluctuations. I do happen to have some insights into these matters."
Tessai looked at Ren, his voice turning serious. "However, there is one thing I must warn you about first. Researching the Garganta is an absolute taboo. The Central 46 strictly forbids any experiments related to space. If anyone finds out what you are doing..."
"I understand. That's exactly why I came to you."
Tessai stared at him, fell silent for a brief moment, and then sighed. "Are you certain you want to learn?"
"Certain."
Tessai nodded. "Very well. Then I shall teach you."
He hesitated no longer. Raising his hand, he gathered spiritual pressure at his fingertips and traced a spiritual pressure trajectory in the air.
"Urahara's blueprint is correct; his spiritual pressure nodes are optimized beautifully. A Hollow's spiritual pressure differs from a Soul Reaper's. A Soul Reaper uses formulas to anchor nodes, whereas a Hollow uses instinct to tear through space. If you want to learn spatial formulas, your Hollowfication ability might give you an even greater advantage over us, allowing you to explore the balance between the two."
Ren stared at the glowing trajectory, lost in thought. "Meaning, I can try using Hollow spiritual pressure to guide it, and a Soul Reaper's formula to anchor it?"
Tessai nodded. He dissipated the spiritual pressure and turned to face Ren. "Next, I will teach you the fundamentals of spatial formulas. This should be enough to keep you occupied for a while."
Ren nodded. "Thank you, Grand Kido Chief."
Tessai waved his hand and began his explanation. His voice was low and steady, breaking down every single concept with crystal clarity. Ren listened intently. In his field of vision, tiny specks of light began to drift off Tessai, surging into his body.
[Obtained High-Tier Kido Insights × 5, Kido XP +500] [Obtained High-Tier Kido Insights × 8, Kido XP +800] [Kido Level Up ↑] [Kido: Lv.7 (200/20000)]
A level 7 Kido already surpassed the caliber of an ordinary Captain. Feeling the influx of knowledge pouring into his mind, Ren marveled inwardly. The level up in Kido gave him an even deeper comprehension of the art. Those spatial formula concepts that had once seemed obscure were now perfectly clear. Many technical aspects within Urahara Kisuke's Garganta blueprint that he previously couldn't grasp or understand had now miraculously clicked into place.
Tessai spoke for a long time, but as he continued lecturing, he suddenly ground to a halt. He suddenly realized he was teaching too fast and delving too deep. This material was the accumulation of most of his life, insights distilled from over a century of research. An ordinary person could study diligently for years and still fail to grasp even the surface elements. Yet, without even realizing it, he had shared so much.
Clearing his throat, he looked at Ren. "Of everything I just explained, how much did you actually comprehend?"
Ren pondered for a moment. "Most of it."
Tessai's brow furrowed slightly.
'Comprehended?'
The things he had just explained weren't matters that could be understood simply by memorizing them. Perceiving spiritual particle nodes required repetitive practice, and tracking the fluctuation patterns of spatial barriers demanded extensive live testing—it took thousands of rounds of refining.
'To understand it all after hearing it just once? How could that be possible?'
"Then tell me, what is the absolute most critical factor when anchoring a spatial node?"
Ren answered without a second thought. "Timing. Doing it too early results in an unstable node, while doing it too late means the spatial barrier has already restored itself. You must anchor the node with spiritual pressure at the exact microsecond the spatial barrier is torn open. Furthermore, the spiritual pressure applied for anchoring cannot be too intense, or it will tear an even larger rift. It must be kept moderate to minimize any excessive disruption to the space."
Tessai's brow knitted even tighter. He followed up with several questions on other advanced concepts. Ren's answers aligned flawlessly with Tessai's own explanations and understanding, and the youth even supplemented details that the master hadn't mentioned. Not only had Ren memorized the lecture, but his comprehension ran incredibly deep. The intricate details that normally required endless practice to realize fell from his lips as though he had already executed them countless times.
As he spoke, Ren raised a hand, plucked a single strand of hair, and gathered an incredibly faint trace of Hollow spiritual pressure at his fingertips. With a gentle flick of his finger, the strand of hair vanished into thin air, instantly reappearing a short distance away, hovering briefly before floating slowly downward.
Tessai froze instantly.
Spatial teleportation. Moving an object from one location to another. This was the most basic yet core technique within spatial formulas. The theories he had just taught Ren were meant to lay the groundwork for this very skill. Yet, he hadn't even taught Ren any related Kido spells.
How could this be...
Tessai found it impossible to wrap his head around. He never expected that Ren would be able to apply the theories immediately after hearing them. Relying purely on the fundamental theories, the boy had directly exploited the unique properties of Hollow spiritual pressure to replicate the effect of spatial teleportation. And against all odds, he had succeeded.
Though the positioning lacked precision, achieving this level of success on a first attempt was completely beyond his wildest imagination. Tessai watched the strand of hair drift down. Behind his lenses, his deep eyes were filled with profound shock and disbelief. There was also another emotion bubbling up—one he hadn't realized was there, one that hadn't surfaced in a very long time.
Excitement.
This was a talent that defied all logic, unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. He looked at Ren as if gazing upon a priceless treasure.
"Ren." His voice was barely a whisper. "Just now... did you use Hollow spiritual pressure to simulate spatial teleportation?"
Ren nodded. "Yes, and I did manage a somewhat imprecise teleportation. This proves your hypothesis is entirely feasible. By taking advantage of the Hollow spiritual pressure inside me, I managed to pull off a spatial formula through a shortcut."
Tessai nodded slowly. "Impressive. However, while your teleportation succeeded, the deviation is substantial. There is still immense room for improvement."
He paused, leaving his next thought unsaid.
'But these are things some people fail to comprehend in an entire lifetime.'
Tessai checked the time, a strange pang of disappointment inexplicably rising in his chest. "I didn't realize so much time had passed. You should head back early. Come back when you have time later, and I will teach you more detailed formulas."
"Understood."
Ren stood up and departed. Behind him, Tessai sat at his desk and let out a long, heavy breath. He stared at the closed door, his eyes drifting shut behind his spectacles, remaining motionless for a long time.
---------------
Want more chapters?
patreon.com/Hard_Worker