A few days later, during another night of training with my Zanpakuto, she noticed that I was rather distracted.
Personally, I didn’t think it was affecting my performance, but she disagreed.
“Master, if something is weighing on your mind, we are ready to listen,” she said, pausing our sparring match.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
I hadn’t even been missing hits that often.
“Doubts about yourself and your sword are eroding your resolve.
Without resolve, your hand will weaken and your blade will dull.
We cannot afford that.”
“Alright, alright,” I clicked my tongue.
“Let’s talk, then.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s affecting me that much.
How did you even notice?”
“What kind of Zanpakuto would I be if I didn’t notice?” She asked, glancing sideways at Cobalt, implying a categorical answer.
“Hey, we split the duties.
Philosophical talks are your department.
And besides…”
“Okay, don’t fight!” I said, cutting off their bickering.
“It’s nothing to worry about, I was just thinking about what you said when we first met: “I was with you the moment your hands touched this sword”.
What did you mean by that?
I didn’t pick up an new Asauchi, it was already an awakened blade.
That means, setting aside the ‘Zaraki Kenpachi’ scenario, where there’s ambiguity about whether he found someone else’s sword or an Asauchi, I’m likely following the path of Tosen.
He inherited the awakened Zanpakuto Suzumushi after his friend’s death and possessed two Shikai activations.
And both were genuine.
Which case applies to us?”
“Is that what was worrying you?” she asked.
“You really do get quite anxious when things go beyond your understanding, Master.
Well, this is a rather complicated situation, but you didn’t take the easy way out.
To clarify the situation, we’ll probably need the ability of your Fullbring, the Hero’s Diary.
”
“I’ve found it!
Come here,” Cobalt called out to us, an open information window hovering before her eyes, one that we could all see.
“Look.
It says here how you picked up the sword.
Unfortunately, you didn’t have time to read its description back then because you weren’t the only one vying for the Shinigami’s blade.
And right after the battle, which you won solely thanks to that weapon, you used Absorption on the corpses.”
“Even back then, I was beginning to gain a vague sense of self.
You were magnificent in that fight, Master.
A wild, desperate gamble.
A burning desire to turn your life around for the better.
Born of despair, an absolute will to triumph filled your soul to the brim in that moment,” Golden said, sharing her memories with neon-glowing eyes as if trying to prove something to me.
I felt almost embarrassed.
“So, what are you getting at, Cobalt?” I said, reviewing the events of the past few days in my mind.
“Just look at the update logs for the ‘Right Zanpakuto Blade’ item.”
She opened another window and clicked a few times on a left-facing arrow that had appeared out of nowhere.
“Ta-da~”
“Well?
Nothing has changed except for the line reading ‘Imbued with the spiritual essence of the previous owner’,” I said, reading the message closely.
“Isn’t that enough for you?
This literally proves that, in addition to the souls of those losers, during the first Absorption through the sword, you completely absorbed the sword-spirit’s reiryoku, effectively returning it to its nameless Asauchi state.
This is what allowed the Golden to take her place.
You literally did the same with my sword, whose formless spirit I ultimately absorbed.
Moreover, there were never any lines with their names, meaning those reapers only met their Zanpakuto, but never learned their names.
”
“But…” I pointed to the sword’s guard.
“A change in the Asauchi’s shape doesn’t necessarily mean Shikai.
It’s simply the unreleased form of a fully formed Zanpakuto.” She tapped her temple.
“If you don’t believe me, check the database.”
I did it…
she turned out to be right.
Well, I didn’t remember many details of the anime and manga.
And a decade has already passed since they were read, and this is only in this world.
At least one of my misconceptions had been cleared up, though.
“So, I can devour the reiryoku of the spiritual swords…” I scratched my chin thoughtfully.
“Absorption” is areally useful ability after all.
It might unlock more features as I level it up further.
It was almost worth what I had to do for it…
But it doesn’t matter, Hollows do this all the time, I shouldn’t dwell on it.
“That’s right.
Immediately after that, the part of your soul, that was me, merged with this formless entity, and I almost completed the process of my formation.
I wanted to meet you, but I couldn’t, because I no longer saw in you the determined person I had chosen to serve.
You chose a relatively safe life of slow self-improvement rather than explosive growth, overcoming overwhelming adversity,” with silent condemnation, Golden struck me at the most painful spot.
“Can you blame me?
I’ve already died at least twice.
Sorry I wasn’t exactly looking forward to a third time.”
“I can’t blame you, I’m just explaining the seven years of silence,” she bowed deeply, lowering her mask to the ground.
“It was not easy for me either, Master.
Pending years in a fog of unawareness, a mere bystander waiting for a spark I had glimpsed but lost.
I waited so long for you to take that first step that I had nearly lost hope…
The moment you resolved to consume the Hollows, I was ready to face any consequence, if only to put an end to that wretched, silent existence.”
I placed my hand on her head and stroked it.
She showed no positive reaction, yet there was no negative one either.
“Well, now that we’ve sorted things out, my mind is at ease,” I chuckled.
“On one hand, it’s a shame I won’t have two Shikai.
But on the other, I’m glad you’re completely mine—and mine alone.”
“And when will I get to hear such sweet words?” the Hollow snorted.
“You’re… really helpful and creative, a good trainer… you look cute?” I tried to come up with a compliment on the fly.
“Alright, alright, I’m just teasing,” she waved it off cheerfully.
“Pet your doggy.”
“█████!” Golden broke free from my grasp, hurling an empty sword that passed right through her.
“Yes, that’s my name.
Yours too, by the way,” she nodded cheerfully.
“And he still isn’t hearing it, so get back to training.
His Swordsmanship rank is about to level up, so push a little harder.”
“Brazen brat,” the Zanpakutō hissed, though the point was valid.
The resource of time-dilation within the inner world was starting to run dry for the day.
After a great training session and a heart-to-heart talk, I felt closer to Golden.
No, it wasn’t about her Shikai or her name.
It just felt like, for a brief moment, I had found a sense of unity with myself, a kind of harmony.
It’s a shame the feeling faded so quickly, but at least Golden had started speaking up outside my inner world.
About time, too.
I’d sure been missing having voices in my head.
Nothing particularly interesting happened in the time leading up to the exam.
I trained with my Zanpakuto, practiced Fullbring, and occasionally worked on Kido with Hachigen.
I also kept studying ancient Japanese writing.
The results…
well, predictably unimpressive, but I’d manage somehow with the help of the Diary.
The main thing was to impress them with my skills!
I don’t remember Renji, who came to Class 1 from almost the same trash heap as me, being particularly literate.
Or is there something about Southern Rukongai I don’t know?
Quest: The Start of a New Life III
Description: After enduring a series of trials, you have finally reached the finish line.
Beyond it lie only new adventures, battles, and hardships.
But isn’t that what you have always strived for, Hero?
Objective: Enroll in the Academy of Spiritual Arts
(Optional): Get accepted into Class #1
Early one morning, Ushoda and I headed to the North Gate of Seireitei.
The Black Ridge Gate.
I never got an answer when I asked what the Black Hill was or where it was actually located.
Apparently, the name was so old that the history behind it had been lost to time.
It was guarded by a Gatekeeper just as massive as Jidanbo, though a different individual entirely.
We approached the nearby checkpoint, where Shinigami were waiting for us and others like us.
Of course, I hid my swords in my inventory beforehand.
Hachigen even asked why I didn’t take them with me.
After all, before I had never parted with them for literally a second.
Crossing my fingers behind my back, I fed him an excuse about not wanting to unnecessarily unsettle the Reapers.
He simply shrugged.
I didn’t tell him those were my Zanpakuto, but it seemed he suspected something of the sort.
In any case, I decided to get another standard Asauchi.
It would be foolish not to take advantage of such an opportunity.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a spare, and I could always swap it out for my own two later.
Besides, I needed to figure out if there had been any Shinigami in Soul Society with dual blades before me.
If not, I’d have to stick to using just Golded, while Cobalt would have to wait.
That was the plan we’d made from the start, after all.
We had to wait our turn for a while.
Most of the people ahead of us walked away looking dejected after failing a simple test.
What kind of test?
We were given balls similar to the ones Kuukaku Shiba gave to Ichigo’s gang and asked to demonstrate our spiritual energy levels.
We had to pour as much of it in as possible, without holding back, so that the data on our spiritual power could be recorded in our files and factored into the admission process.
I followed the instructions and poured crimson energy into the sphere.
The word “High” lit up inside mine, while “Medium” appeared for Hachigen.
We were congratulated and given a brief explanation of how spiritual power levels are determined.
The lowest level is “Basic”.
The vast majority of souls fall into this category, and it won’t get you into the Academy.
Next comes “Medium” — the standard for most applicants and Gotei 13 officers.
Followed by “High” for high-ranking officers and lieutenants, “Great” for captains, and finally “Immense” for titans like General Yamamoto and the former First Kenpachi.
Unohana “Yachiru” — Eight Thousand Styles
I received a modest word of congratulations and was told that someone like me had every chance of a bright future in the Gotei.
All I had to do was study hard and pass my exams.
These Shinigami turned out to be surprisingly friendly.
No wonder they had been assigned to work with civilians.
I couldn’t help but glance at their armbands.
The Eighth Division, was it?
I’d make a mental note that there were decent people there.
After the standard questions regarding my first name, surname, clan, and district, we were quickly issued our documents.
After being reminded several times not to lose them, we were ushered through a smaller side door rather than having the massive Sekkiseki stone gates lifted for us.
That made sense.
You wouldn’t want to lift such heavy gates every single time.
You could easily work the giant gatekeeper to death that way.
The Academy of Spiritual Arts building looked majestic and spanned a vast area.
It likely housed numerous blocks, training grounds, and other facilities.
We handed over the documents to the appropriate office, and were quickly herded into a large auditorium.
The necessary materials were already laid out on the desks.
All the prospective students had to do was sign the forms.
We were given one hour to complete the exam under the watchful eyes of the proctors.
The questions weren’t too difficult.
A hodgepodge of Japanese, basic arithmetic, and general knowledge about the Gotei 13, Noble Clans, Soul Society, and Hollows.
I tried not to stand out too much.
After all, if someone from Zaraki turned out to be too smart, they might well end up in the Second Division’s interrogation cells.
But I think my amazing level of written illiteracy will erase all suspicions.
Once the tedious preliminary phase was over, the applicants were gathered in front of a massive gymnasium.
We were being admitted one by one, and it looked like my turn wouldn’t come for a long, long time.
There weren’t that many of us, just a little over forty people.
Presumably, the main wave of applicants had already passed through.
I wanted to get all the screenings done today, which meant finishing before closing time.
However, that didn’t guarantee everyone would be processed today.
No one was going to spend the whole night dealing with us.
The teaching staff had plenty of other business to attend to.
Fueled by my nerves, time dragged on with agonizing slowness.
My nerves were still acting up.
I tried to spot familiar faces among the aspiring Shinigami, but to no avail.
None of the three people I might have recognized were there.
I wouldn’t have even recognized that friend of Tousen’s by sight, even if she were standing right in front of me.
On top of everything else, I still hadn’t managed to figure out exactly how many years had passed since the war against Lichtreich.
“A century” was far too vague a timeframe!
“Hey, how’d you do?” I asked the only acquaintance I had there.
A guy who was nervously stretching out the sleeves of his shirt.
“I hope I did well.
And you, Kaoru-san?”
“Eh, it was a mixed bag.
The questions were easy, but actually writing down the answers was tough,” I chuckled, drawing a smile from the big guy.
“Ready to WOW everyone with your talent?”
“As best I can.
I’ve come this far, It’s too late to turn back now,” Hachi said with a shrug
“Yeah.
Honestly, I can’t wait until they give us our Asauchi and get us settled into the dorms.
I’ve spent almost all my money, and I really don’t want to go back to working as a tavern servant.”
“I can lend you some money, Kaoru-san.
If you need it.”
“Let’s hope I don’t.
I still haven’t paid you back for last time.”
Hey, Cobalt, Golden, talk to me.
The waiting is killing me.
`Welcome to my world, Hero,` the Hollow chuckled.
`That’s how I feel 24/7.`
`She’s right about something, Master, as much as I don’t want to admit it.`
Oh, just great.
Where can I find entertainment for you here?
Nothing major is going to change for the next couple of centuries.
I don’t know how faithful those Sega games were to the canon, but I certainly don’t want a surprise invasion by Arturo Plateado.
He’d wipe us out with a single sneeze.
`Pfft, you’re so boring.`
Oh, come on.
You can’t be serious?
Cobalt didn’t reply.
Having nothing better to do, I sat in the corner and checked whether I had filled out the documents correctly.
I listed my birth date from my first life, the only one I remembered for sure.
I also didn’t bother making up a last name, since it didn’t mean anything here anyway.
Even the name Kaoru came to me by accident, it was just the first thing I remembered.
I didn’t make anything up regarding the district, either.
District 80, North Rukongai.
To some extent, I am proud that I went through such a school of life…
but certain moments still come to mind with a shudder.
“Hachi, give me a nudge if I get called,” I asked the big guy and settled into meditation.
Of course, this skill didn’t fast-forward time like in a video game, but at least it kept boredom at bay.
A couple of hours later, a tap on the shoulder woke me up.
After receiving an encouraging nod from Hachigen, I headed to the training ground.
A group of examiners met me there. New chapters come out on g.com first.
They sized me up with appraising glances, and I did the same to them.
What could I tell about my future teachers right off the bat?
There were four of them, each representing a different discipline.
A bunch of self-important bigwigs.
Half of them already disliked me, and the other half couldn’t care less.
Yamamoto wasn’t among them, though that was hardly surprising.
A General wouldn’t concern himself with such trifles.
Besides, he supposedly teaches the history of Soul Society here.
Why?
I don’t know.
Maybe it’s just an excuse to keep a finger on the pulse of their brainchild.
The Academy was considered an independent structure from the Clans, the Gotei, and even outside the jurisdiction of the Central 46, but was still, in fact, under the Gotei.
But that wouldn’t last long.
Once the echoes of the recent war faded, the teaching posts would be filled not by veterans, but by the clan-affiliated rats from the Lesser—or even the Great—Houses.
In a way, I was lucky to end up here right now, while the Academy was still truly independent.
However, don’t think that the dirty hands of the aristocrats won’t get you here if you cross their path.
They wouldn’t hesitate to cause any amount of collateral damage to destroy anyone standing in their way.
While I was lost in thought, the examiners were reviewing my test answers, repeatedly asking for clarification on what exactly was written there.
The results turned out surprisingly well.
I wasn’t written off.
I proved my worth in another way by demonstrating the first and fourth spell numbers, Shō and Byakurai, on the kido targets.
I had managed to master the latter on my own, despite burning my fingers time and again.
“I can also demonstrate Sai, but I need a live target…” I quickly corrected myself.
“I mean, a volunteer.”
“Of course, that’s why I’m sitting here,” Haruki Takeda, the Demon Arts teacher, came out from behind the table.
He looked to be about forty, though that could mean anything.
Takeda was unremarkable in appearance.
Dark hair, dark eyes.
His expression, however, was way more approachable than the others’, which was a plus.
After he gave an affirmative nod, I thrust my hand forward and cast Sai.
The instructor’s arms were forced behind his back, and he had to release his spiritual energy to break the spell by force.
“Without incantations?
Not bad at all for a beginner.
Either talent or diligent practice,” he said, demonstratively rotating his wrists.
“However, it’s immediately obvious that you’re self-taught.
The power is impressive, though that’s largely due to your Reiatsu.
Still, your control certainly deserves praise.
Can you demonstrate anything else?”
“Zanjutsu.
My hand-to-hand combat skills would hardly pass for Hakuda.
And I don’t know how to use Shunpo yet,” I admitted self-critically, but honestly.
“A typical barbarian, he thinks that Hoho is only Shunpo,” grumbled a petite woman of rather old age.
Her hair had been completely bleached white by time, and her eyes bore a distinct resemblance to a hawk’s.
“Then teach him, Miho, how to think about Hoho correctly.
I think we’ve got a promising student on our hands,” said the huge, muscular blond named Takao Yamaoka, stepping out from behind the table, grabbing two bokken from the rack and tossing one to me.
I gave it a few experimental swings.
After seven years with only the Golden in my hands, I simply got out of the habit of such fragile swords.
“If I break it, I won’t have to pay for the damages, will I?”
Snorts came from the table.
With disdain, from the Hakuda teacher, a rather young, arrogant, brown-haired Kaito Kobayashi.
Yeah, the first thing I thought of was a joke about his dragon maid.
And laughter from the Kido instructor and that cantankerous granny.
At least she had a sense of humor.
Though, in truth, I hadn’t actually been joking.
“It’s all on the Gotei, don’t hold back,” Zanjutsu teacher chuckled and dropped into a combat stance.
He gestured for me to take action.
Deciding not to play my trump cards right away, I tested his defenses.
He didn’t go on the offensive at all, allowing me to showcase my skills.
Well, time to shine.
Casting aside excessive caution, I ramped up the power and speed of my attacks until I forced him to take me seriously.
It felt more like a fencing match than a fight to the death, so I felt a bit out of my element.
Seizing a moment to create some distance, I tightened my grip on the bokken.
With as much acceleration as I could muster without using a Fullbring, I turned on Killing Intent, catching him off guard, and charged the Burst through the wooden blade.
As a result, the bokken was shattered into pieces, and he was strongly pushed away from me by the explosion.
Success.
I tried the skill on a living enemy for the first time and didn’t blow myself up.
Since I hadn’t poured my entire reserve into that single strike, the examiner got off with nothing worse than a torn kosode and a nasty burn on his chest.
Stat Increase!
Charisma: E → D
It seems I impressed everyone who mattered.
And quite significantly, too.
Though I suspect I earned most of that reputation by flirting with the girls at the tavern.
“So that’s why you were asking…” Master Yamaoka’s hand glowed green as he pressed it against the wound.
I simply shrugged.
They were the ones who had told me to show what I was capable of.
“Your foundation is weak and you lack a clear style.
However, you have some decent skills.
Experience shows too, you don’t hesitate.
You aren’t afraid to leave yourself open, yet you don’t take hits recklessly,” he said, analyzing our brief spar.
The wound vanished as if it had never been there, leaving behind only my torn uniform as a reminder of the successful attack.
“Material for Squad 11, I’d say,” my recent opponent remarked to the other instructors.
When I turned toward the examiners, I was pierced by gazes filled with killing intent.
It was as if a black shadow, teeming with slitted red eyes, had descended upon the hall.
The air density increased several times.
Not literally, but breathing still became significantly harder.
An unpleasant prickling sensation washed over my skin, as if thousands of needles were stinging me.
It wasn’t just the killing intent.
I was being crushed by the weight of their combined Reiatsu.
Yet, it wasn’t enough to break me.
I struck back with the same combination.
My spiritual energy reserves were already nearing the level of a lieutenant, so I poured it lavishly into the surrounding space.
A faint, reddish cocoon of energy formed around me, aggressively pushing outward against the pressure bearing down on me.
Breathing instantly became easier.
I planted my feet firmly and took a defensive stance, gripping the broken wooden sword.
It ended as abruptly as it had begun.
The examiners acknowledged me as a student, and the Kido instructor even gave me an approving nod.
“From Zaraki, eh?” “The hakuda teacher, who had been silent all this time and who for some reason had immediately taken a dislike to me, chuckled.
“Congratulations, you’re going into Class #1.
It’s going to be a very interesting six years,” he casually stamped my documents, and I was sent out.
̶E̶n̶r̶o̶l̶l̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶A̶c̶a̶d̶e̶m̶y̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶S̶p̶i̶r̶i̶t̶u̶a̶l̶ ̶A̶r̶t̶s̶
̶G̶e̶t̶ ̶a̶c̶c̶e̶p̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶C̶l̶a̶s̶s̶ ̶#̶1̶
Quest completed
All objectives met
I left the room in high spirits, carrying a piece of a bokken.
I probably should have left it behind, but the thought simply slipped my mind.
The remaining applicants’ glances crossed at me, and specifically at this piece of wood, but I magnanimously ignored them.
I had nothing to prove to them.
I don’t know what was going through their minds, but the atmosphere grew noticeably more tense.
I wonder what kind of scenarios they’re imagining while they wait for their turn?
After sharing the good news with Hachigen, I decided to wait for him to finish the selection process.
Despite his nerves, he also successfully made it into First Class.
I’ll skip the details of us settling into our dorm rooms.
It’s a shame we didn’t end up as roommates, but let’s see who fate pairs me with this time.
I’ll try to fix them.
And comments are welcome in general.