Chapter 2

"Th-this is..." The Soul Reaper conducting the test gradually opened his mouth wide.

The people around them continued to talk among themselves. It was the first time they had seen such a dazzling light.

"Sixth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level, almost fifth-grade. That's nearly the Spiritual Pressure Level of a lieutenant..." the Soul Reaper murmured.

Miyako Amamiya was surprised. According to Shunsui Kyōraku, Spiritual Pressure Level referred to the concentration of Reiatsu within Reishi. A fifth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level was already on par with a lieutenant's, and Miyako's was nearly fifth-grade already. Such extraordinary talent proved Miyako's potential, but it could also attract unwanted attention. In the worst case, Sōsuke Aizen, who was still in Soul Society, might take notice.

On closer consideration, though Miyako Amamiya's potential was indeed exceptional in Soul Society, it was not indispensable in Aizen's eyes. Besides, Soul Reapers lived extremely long lives, and a "lieutenant" who had yet to grow up posed no real threat. Having made up her mind, Miyako Amamiya understood that life from here on should not hold too much trouble, but still could not afford to let down her guard. All Miyako Amamiya needed to do was diligently absorb everything available and grow stronger quickly.

"Excuse me, sir, have I passed?" Miyako Amamiya asked softly.

"O-of course. Please, come in," the Soul Reaper conducting the test replied, immediately arranging for someone to lead Miyako Amamiya inside.

Although a fifth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level had been detected, Miyako Amamiya did not flaunt that talent in front of others. In Soul Society as it stood, being too talented was not a good thing. If Miyako Amamiya also did anything out of line, there was no telling whether someone higher up would take notice.

Miyako Amamiya was then led to the true location of Shin'ō Academy. A teacher in charge of receiving applicants brought Miyako Amamiya inside to take the entrance exam, and after a series of tests Miyako Amamiya could make no sense of, Miyako Amamiya was deemed qualified.

I really don't know why Shūhei Hisagi failed twice and still became a lieutenant in the end. This exam is really strange, Miyako Amamiya thought.

Afterward, teachers assigned to the task handed out Shin'ō Academy student uniforms and allocated living quarters to the new students. Miyako Amamiya went to the dormitory and looked out the window. The next six years would be spent here.

That was right. Regardless of whether Miyako Amamiya's training at Shin'ō Academy truly reached the level of an ordinary Seated Officer among the Soul Reapers, Miyako Amamiya intended to stay for all six years. Skipping grades was out of the question, whether Miyako Amamiya was capable of it or not.

In Soul Society's history, very few Shin'ō Academy students had possessed the talent to skip grades: only Kaien Shiba, Gin Ichimaru, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Those three who skipped grades were undoubtedly true geniuses. But being a genius had its drawbacks, especially for geniuses under Aizen's watchful eye, who all received special treatment.

Kaien Shiba's wife was devoured and killed by Metastacia, a Hollow with the ability to merge that Aizen had created, and Kaien himself also died at that Hollow's hands. Gin Ichimaru went undercover as Aizen's subordinate and ultimately died at his hands as well. Tōshirō Hitsugaya was even toyed with by Aizen through Momo Hinamori on multiple occasions.

Graduate early to learn more advanced knowledge and seize the time to improve, or stay obediently at Shin'ō Academy for six years and avoid Aizen's attention? Miyako Amamiya now faced that choice.

Don't die. I don't want to die. Stay alive. No matter who it is, no one can take my/your life...

In sleep, there was another similar voice. Some time after joining Shin'ō Academy, a voice had begun constantly "harassing" Miyako Amamiya.

Thinking back on the story of Bleach, Miyako Amamiya guessed that it might have something to do with a Zanpakuto. There was a similar case in Tōshirō Hitsugaya: a voice had called out to him before he became a Soul Reaper. Perhaps Miyako Amamiya's situation was similar.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya was the youngest captain in Soul Society, so his talent goes without saying. Yet even a genius like that was easily manipulated by Aizen. If I'm in the same situation and Aizen finds out, who knows? He might kindly show me his Kyōka Suigetsu, Miyako Amamiya thought. But displaying talent early had its benefits too: Miyako Amamiya could improve until possessing enough strength to survive before the thousand-year blood war began.

Miyako Amamiya opened her eyes and woke in the Shin'ō Academy dormitory. It was still early, but Miyako Amamiya was no longer sleepy. Today was a special day: Shin'ō Academy would be issuing Asauchi to all its students, and even Miyako Amamiya could hardly wait.

"Listen carefully. The Asauchi are only being lent to you temporarily. If you fail to graduate after the next six years, Shin'ō Academy will take back the Asauchi it issued. Only those who truly graduate and join the Gotei 13 can truly possess an Asauchi and become true Soul Reapers."

"In the days ahead, you must eat and sleep alongside this 'Asauchi.' By accumulating experience and honing yourselves, you must imprint the essence of your soul onto it to create 'your own Zanpakuto.' However, those who can turn an Asauchi into a Zanpakuto are renowned throughout Soul Society. Some people may spend their entire lives without obtaining a Zanpakuto that truly belongs to them, so you must treat your Asauchi with care."

The Shin'ō Academy teacher responsible for issuing the Asauchi spoke to the assembled students from the platform. Behind him lay a row of "Asauchi" resembling Japanese swords. Everyone stared fixedly at them, eager to pick one up right away.

As the Asauchi were handed out, Miyako Amamiya's turn soon came. With a calm expression, Miyako Amamiya picked up the Asauchi in front of her.

"You're the only one this time with a fifth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level, aren't you? Now that you've received your Asauchi, make sure you take it seriously," the Shin'ō Academy teacher handing them out said, looking at Miyako Amamiya.

"Yes, I understand. I'll take it seriously." Miyako Amamiya was not surprised. A fifth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level was enough to make some people remember her. During the days ahead at Shin'ō Academy, Miyako Amamiya could not show too much talent. Be careful. I must be careful, Miyako Amamiya told herself.

"Next, I'll tell you how to imprint the essence of your soul onto your Asauchi, so it can better record your soul..." Once all the Asauchi had been handed out, the teacher in charge began instructing everyone on the key points of transforming an Asauchi into a Zanpakuto.

Back in the dormitory, Miyako Amamiya waited until everyone was asleep before taking out the Asauchi. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Miyako Amamiya laid it across her legs and quietly began to sense it.

When Miyako Amamiya had first received the Asauchi that day, she had noticed that the voice that had been harassing her for the past few months was growing louder and clearer.

Miyako Amamiya had not entered deep meditation during the daytime lesson, to avoid doing anything conspicuous. Now was a good opportunity to find out the voice's true source.

As Miyako Amamiya concentrated more deeply, consciousness slowly faded...

Opening their eyes again, Miyako Amamiya found themself in a room. On closer inspection, it was the same room from the World of the Living. Its arrangement and the placement of its contents were exactly as he had seen them when he first regained consciousness.

"Why is it this place...? Am I in my inner world now?" Miyako Amamiya walked to the window, only to find nothing but a void outside, not the street seen in the World of the Living.

"You should understand why it's this place, and why everything is exactly the same as it was then..." The voice that suddenly came from behind made Miyako Amamiya turn around quickly to look at its owner.

It was a black-haired, blue-eyed boy who looked no older than ten. He wore a long white robe and had his arms folded across his chest. A cross pendant hung from his right wrist. The boy looked at Miyako Amamiya, waiting for an answer.

"Are you my Zanpakuto? Even if I just imprinted the essence of my soul on it, the Asauchi shouldn't change that quickly, should it?" Miyako Amamiya asked. Miyako Amamiya did not understand. Even with truly extraordinary talent, releasing the sword on the very first infusion of essence should not have been possible.

"A Zanpakuto... Hmph. I'm no Zanpakuto right now. I only got a chance to meet you because of this Asauchi. As for who I am, the voice in your heart should have told you, shouldn't it? After all, you understand what that voice represents, don't you?" The black-haired boy in white had no intention of explaining in too much detail, giving only an ambiguous reply.

Miyako Amamiya recalled the strange things that had happened recently. At first, Miyako Amamiya had thought that, like Tōshirō Hitsugaya, a Zanpakuto was calling out. But now that did not seem to be the case.

On careful recollection, the voice sounded much like the one Miyako Amamiya had heard just before regaining consciousness in the World of the Living. Without exception, those voices all represented a single emotion, just like the words Miyako Amamiya had spoken to Ryūken Ishida...

"That's right. I don't intend to keep you guessing. You know you've already truly died once, but before you died, your desire to live and your unwillingness to accept death awakened the power hidden in that original body. You know that, don't you?"

"...The power of a Quincy?" That was the only possibility, Miyako Amamiya replied.

"Hahaha, that's right. I am that power. But haven't you wondered how you survived as a Mixed-Blood Quincy? Yhwach is no merciful man. Auswählen reclaimed the power of every Mixed-Blood Quincy, including their souls. So why did 'you' alone survive as a soul?"

Miyako Amamiya frowned. The earlier guess had not been wrong. A deceased person who could draw Ryūken Ishida's attention and prompt him to investigate could only have been a Mixed-Blood Quincy after Auswählen. And Miyako Amamiya was the only surviving "dead person." But what made Miyako Amamiya the special one?

"There's someone else like you. No, he should be even more special than you. After all, he's the only Mixed-Blood Quincy who wasn't affected by Auswählen."

"Uryū Ishida!" Miyako Amamiya exclaimed, thinking of the person who was truly special.

"That's right, Uryū Ishida." The black-haired boy in white smiled at Miyako Amamiya. "Then you should understand the power I represent, shouldn't you?"

"The Antithesis, Uryū Ishida's as-yet-unawakened Schrift, allowed him to escape the effects of Auswählen. And likewise, you're my Schrift..." Only then did Miyako Amamiya truly understand. That unwillingness to accept death had successfully awakened a trace of the Schrift's power. Although the body had died, the soul had survived.

"A Schrift... I suppose that's not wrong. You really are lucky. At death's door, you managed to call forth a trace of my power and keep your soul alive. Originally, if you hadn't come into contact with an Asauchi, I could only have remained unnoticed within you for your entire life. But because of the Asauchi, I had the chance to gain a will of my own and speak with you."

"Then what is your 'Schrift' power? Why could it keep my soul from being affected?" Miyako Amamiya frowned. Miyako Amamiya knew the Schrift's power had to be extraordinary, or the soul would have perished along with the body long ago.

"Heh, as for that, I'll leave you to find out for yourself. Sooner or later, you'll use my power. After all, you're aiming to become a Soul Reaper now. A Soul Reaper should obtain power the 'Soul Reaper' way, shouldn't you?"

With that, the black-haired boy in white gradually turned to smoke and vanished. The room then began to blur as well.

Miyako Amamiya felt dazed as consciousness gradually slipped away...

He just had to be a riddler instead of explaining clearly. Sigh. Miyako Amamiya had quite a headache.

Although Schrifts were powers bestowed by Yhwach, each Quincy's Schrift had different characteristics. That suggested the unique power of a Schrift might still come from some trait of the Quincy themself.

Just like Uryū Ishida, who had most likely escaped that Auswählen by relying on his own as-yet-unawakened Antithesis. Moreover, in his final battle with Haschwalth, Auswählen had taken Haschwalth's power, while Uryū Ishida had remained unharmed. That was enough to prove that either Uryū Ishida himself or the Antithesis was special, preventing even Yhwach from taking Uryū Ishida's power.

So, is there something special about my Schrift's power too...? Miyako Amamiya pondered.

Awakening my Schrift on my own should be impossible, unless I contact someone from the Wandenreich and meet Yhwach. But that's too risky, so forget it... Miyako Amamiya thought. But he said the Soul Reaper way. Could he mean Shikai or Bankai...?

It seemed Miyako Amamiya could not neglect Zanpakuto training. Miyako Amamiya got up and picked up the Asauchi. A ray of sunlight struck the blade, drawing a glint from it. Miyako Amamiya gripped the Asauchi tightly, knowing it was what could be relied upon in the future.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai." White lightning glimmered at Miyako Amamiya's outstretched fingertip, then shot out in an instant and struck a target not far away.

"Look! Miyako learned Byakurai after studying for such a short time. Is that what a genius is like?"

"That's the only person this time with a fifth-grade Spiritual Pressure Level. Of course Miyako's impressive."

"Fifth-grade? Really? Doesn't that mean Miyako might become a lieutenant someday?"

"Hmph. Soul Society's history has never lacked geniuses, but those who become lieutenants are few and far between. I don't think Miyako can do it."

The whispers around Miyako Amamiya were a warning. Perhaps Miyako Amamiya had still performed too well. But the feeling of releasing that Kidō just now struck Miyako Amamiya as strange.

Miyako looked at their hand. When releasing Byakurai, Miyako had already held back the spiritual power released. If all of it had been poured in, the result might have been even more astonishing. But controlling even a low-level Hadō had been extremely strenuous. It seemed Miyako needed to find another way to practice control.

Strangely, though, using Hadō had not felt as difficult as Miyako Amamiya had imagined. Maybe it's a Quincy's instinct, the instinct to manipulate Reishi in battle, Miyako Amamiya guessed. In that case, the plan might need to change.

Miyako Amamiya's original plan had been to graduate from Shin'ō Academy safely as a sixth-year student, without displaying too much talent and drawing the attention of certain people in Soul Society.

But what if Miyako still retained some Quincy traits? Steady development might not keep pace with the drastic changes coming to Soul Society. Perhaps Miyako should take a risk?

I have to try it, Miyako Amamiya thought deeply.

At night, everyone fell asleep. Miyako Amamiya sat cross-legged with the Asauchi across their legs, seemingly imprinting the essence of their soul onto it. After seeing that everyone was asleep, Miyako Amamiya held out one hand and recalled the feeling of using Kidō during the day.

Kidō used specific incantations and the power of spoken words to gather Reishi and Reiryoku, then release them in a special way.

What Miyako Amamiya wanted to do was simply gather Reishi, just like the Quincy basic ability of Reishi Convergence. As time passed, no change appeared in Miyako Amamiya's palm.

Am I doing it the wrong way, or does Reishi Convergence require a Quincy Cross? Miyako Amamiya wondered.

A Quincy Cross might be an essential medium. Uryū Ishida could not do without one whenever he used his Quincy abilities, but later, the people of the Wandenreich had used Quincy powers without that medium. That proved Reishi could be gathered without a Quincy Cross.

Perhaps Miyako Amamiya should not use a Soul Reaper's method to gather Reishi. Miyako Amamiya relinquished control and closed their eyes. If Miyako Amamiya truly had Quincy blood, then instinct would have to do: the instinct of the small amount of Quincy blood in their veins. Come on, gather in my hand...

Finally, Miyako Amamiya's eyes snapped open and saw a faint blue-white light in their palm. Miyako Amamiya stared fixedly at that trace of blue light, slowly breaking into a smile.

Just as I thought. Even as a soul, I can use Quincy abilities. Just as Ichigo Kurosaki awakened Blut after coming into contact with a Quincy, perhaps my contact with Ryūken Ishida in the World of the Living caused my Quincy blood to gradually awaken too.

Miyako Amamiya dispersed the Reiryoku gathered in their hand and decided not to keep trying. A Quincy's Reishi Convergence ability was easily detected by Soul Reapers. From now on, while in Soul Society, Miyako Amamiya must never use this ability unless the environment was absolutely safe.

Looks like the plan has to change. If possible, I should try to master both Soul Reaper and Quincy powers. But for Quincy powers, can I only go to the World of the Living and find Ryūken Ishida...? Then I know how to choose which Gotei 13 division to join.

But there's another question. Should I graduate early...? Miyako Amamiya believed that, while skipping grades one after another like Tōshirō Hitsugaya might be impossible, graduating one or two years early should not be much of a problem.

If my estimate of the timing is right, then if I graduate normally, there'll be less than a year left before the story begins. So I could graduate early and gain time to go to the World of the Living. If I can reach an arrangement with Ryūken Ishida, it'll be worth the risk of attracting attention.

After all, once the story starts, I won't have much time left to train. I can't guarantee I'll have the same cheat-like ability as Ichigo Kurosaki and learn Bankai in just a few days.

Miyako Amamiya had decided that graduating early was necessary. Miyako Amamiya also wanted to master Quincy powers, and Ryūken Ishida was the best choice. Ryūken Ishida had once told Uryū Ishida, "I have no interest, and you have no talent," and his later actions had also shown that his Quincy abilities were extremely powerful.

Besides, of the Quincy still alive in the World of the Living, Ryūken Ishida was the only one Miyako Amamiya knew.

Miyako was reasonably confident of persuading Ryūken Ishida to teach those Quincy abilities. So Miyako would study swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, movement, and Kidō diligently in Soul Society, meet the graduation standards, then travel to the World of the Living in a suitable way, find Ryūken Ishida, persuade him, and learn Quincy abilities.

That's how I'll arrange the plan from here on. Miyako Amamiya began Soul Reaper training, looking at the Asauchi on their thighs and starting today's imprinting of essence.

In this dangerous world, only one's own power was real. If Miyako merely kept a low profile and survived, there was no telling when Miyako might become cannon fodder. So Miyako would grow stronger: strong enough that no one could kill them, strong enough to survive anywhere, and strong enough to do what they wanted.

The feeling of dying during Auswählen was still vivid in Miyako Amamiya's memory. I will never let anyone take my life again, whether you're the king of the Quincy or the Soul Reapers' Zero Division. Without realizing it, Miyako Amamiya clenched both hands.

"That's right, just like that. Your will, your desire. You must reject him, reject them, reject anyone who intends to intrude upon you." In a messy room, the black-haired, blue-eyed boy walked to the window and looked outside.

The night in which Miyako Amamiya had once died seemed to reveal a glimmer of light as well...

At the Thirteenth Division barracks on the outskirts, Kiyone Kotetsu ran quickly toward Rukia Kuchiki, who was practicing in the open space behind the barracks.

"Rukia, have you heard?!" Kiyone looked at Rukia excitedly.

"What is it? Why are you so excited?" Rukia asked in confusion, slowly lowering the sword in her hand. Even now, she still had not grown accustomed to Kiyone's loud voice, and could not help asking helplessly.

"A newcomer! It's a newcomer! Someone new has joined our Thirteenth Division!"

"It's only one newcomer. Why did you come all this way to tell me?" Rukia was puzzled. Newcomers joined the Gotei 13 every year. Although not many joined the Thirteenth Division, a new arrival was nothing worth paying special attention to.

"This newcomer is different," Kiyone continued to explain excitedly in her loud voice. "The newcomer joining us is a genius! I heard it took only four years to complete Shin'ō Academy's six-year curriculum."

"A genius who graduated early?"

"That's right, just like the current Captain Gin Ichimaru and Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. They all graduated early. And I heard that when the newcomer entered Shin'ō Academy, the test showed a Spiritual Pressure Level close to fifth-grade. That's nearly a lieutenant's level!"

Rukia's thoughts drifted back. She had not joined the Thirteenth Division by passing the graduation exam and division entrance test in the usual way. When she first joined, rumors about it had troubled her. Only with the warm guidance of the lieutenant at the time, Kaien Shiba, and his wife, Shiba Miyako, had she gradually put those troubles behind her.

Come to think of it, Lieutenant Kaien was a genius who graduated early too, but... Rukia's face fell as she remembered the moment Kaien Shiba had died by her blade.

"Rukia..." Seeing her expression, Kiyone knew what she was thinking about, and her usually loud voice grew quiet.

"No, I'm all right. To become a Soul Reaper like Lieutenant Kaien and Miyako, I can't keep feeling down after all this time." Rukia forced a smile as she spoke to Kiyone. "So, what's the newcomer's name?"

"I heard it's Miyako Amamiya. The captain even attended the entrance test in person."

Amamiya... Miyako? Rukia was momentarily lost in thought again. That name had once belonged to Shiba Miyako, the wife of Kaien Shiba, the Soul Reaper she respected most.

"Hey, what are you two still talking about? The captain will be back any minute." Sentarō Kotsubaki appeared beside them and shouted at Rukia and Kiyone.

"I already knew that! I know better than you what Captain Ukitake went to do today! I don't need you to remind me!" Kiyone immediately shouted back.

"What did you say? You obviously only came running back after hearing the news, and now you're standing here bragging that you knew all along?" Sentarō Kotsubaki strode over and looked down at Kiyone.

The two glared at each other, neither willing to give in. Rukia could only laugh awkwardly beside them. Though she knew the two were close, it was a little exasperating that they argued over Captain Ukitake from time to time.

"Captain Ukitake will be back any minute!" a division member inside the barracks suddenly called. Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone immediately got up and ran toward the entrance.

"It'll be me! I'll be the first to greet Captain Ukitake!"

"No, me! I'll definitely be the first to appear before the captain and greet him!"

The two argued as they ran, picking up speed.