And so Jun moved into the girls' dormitory and became the pet of the fourth girls' dormitory. Within three days, he had become the adorable little brother of all the female students. After that, the male students found out too, and surprisingly, very few of them had anything to say against the way Jun was treated.
Jun soon learned what had happened. The incident involving the Shimizu couple had caused quite a stir. It was the first time in nearly a century that a Menos Grande had appeared in Soul Society, and it had been a major incident in which people had died. The Shimizu couple had died protecting Rukongai, while the entire Tenth Division, which had failed to handle the matter properly, had been severely disciplined from top to bottom.
That was how everyone learned who Jun was. Being the child of a heroic couple gave him a certain halo, and unless Jun did something wrong, no one could point fingers at him. All of Soul Society regarded the Shimizu couple's deaths positively. As Soul Reapers in the Eighth Division's intelligence unit, they had not been obliged to fight the invaders themselves, yet to protect Rukongai, the two had unhesitatingly faced an enemy they could not defeat and fought until they died. That was what made them heroes!
Among this news, Jun also learned a few things about Rukongai. In the current era, Rukongai had only 63 districts. In the original story, Kenpachi Zaraki came from District 80, which had already been the most chaotic district when he was young. By the time the plot began, Rukongai had nearly a hundred districts. This was also part of the growth of Soul Society's population.
But for now, none of this had much to do with Jun. The most important thing for him was still his studies.
"Wake up~ Jun!"
"Hah~~ Yes~ Good morning, Yuzu~"
Yuzuki Samidare, the oldest of the D+ pair, was also the head of the dormitory. She was 19 years old, had been enrolled for 32 years, and was an older student ready to graduate. After accepting Jun's arrival, she seemed to have developed an overflowing maternal instinct. In any case, she treated Jun so well that he thought she was a wonderful woman. If he were a little older, he would definitely pursue her.
Since she was a student nearing graduation, this was a good time to explain the Spiritual Arts Academy's enrollment and graduation rules. (This was the second version of the setting. In the first, the term was only six years, which was far too short and didn't really fit the situation in Soul Society.)
The maximum term at Shin'ō Academy was sixty years. This meant that if someone still could not graduate after sixty years, they were not suited to becoming a Soul Reaper. It was an absolute deadline, with no extensions, meaning every student had to choose to graduate before the sixty years were up.
Because the teaching followed a private-school model, when there were fewer students in the early days, each one could be examined carefully. But as student numbers gradually grew, such thorough testing became impossible. There had apparently even been a scandal in which examining instructors helped certain noble children cheat, so a graduation season was established.
This graduation season ran from August to October every three years, and it was also the enrollment season. The next enrollment and graduation season was still a year away, so Jun's enrollment was exceptional.
Jun was not the only exception, however, because there was a squad called the 11th Division. Hardly any of the freaks in it enrolled during the enrollment season. They were all thrown into the academy at short notice, studied for a year or two, and then graduated after a cursory examination at the next graduation season.
But the members of the 11th Division really were badass. Under their special graduation regulations, not one had failed to graduate so far, and none would in the future either.
So what were the requirements for graduation? They varied slightly depending on the division a student chose to join afterward. Since this was still an ancient era, all proficiency rankings were divided into three levels.
These were Mokuroku, Menkyo, and Kaiden.
Mokuroku meant that everything learned was still on the curriculum—in other words, the student had not yet fully mastered it.
Menkyo meant one could announce one's school in battle. It meant one was exempt from requiring a master's permission, proving one's ability was sufficient to represent the school. One no longer needed a master's protection and could represent the school oneself. Someone at this level was the face of their school and very strong, having basically completed their apprenticeship.
Kaiden was the level at which one could establish a school of one's own. That was as formidable a level as they came.
The graduation requirements for becoming a Soul Reaper were: mid-Mokuroku Hakuda, mid-Mokuroku Zanjutsu, mid-Mokuroku Shunpo, level 34 Kidō with an incantation, and level 14 with Incantation Abandonment. These varied slightly depending on the squad.
The First Division took no new recruits.
The Stealth Force of the Second Division required at least high-Mokuroku Hakuda and high-Mokuroku Shunpo.
The Rescue Squad of the Fourth Division required an additional 16 Kidō levels, meaning level 50 with an incantation and level 30 with Incantation Abandonment.
The Inner Court Guard Squad of the Seventh Division and the Patrol Guard Squad of the Tenth Division required high-Mokuroku Hakuda and high-Mokuroku Zanjutsu, with the Kidō requirements lowered accordingly.
The Research and Development Institute of the Twelfth Division required an additional 30 Kidō levels. How difficult was that? One only had to look at the handful of people in the Twelfth Division to know. If one's Kidō level was high enough, the Hakuda and Zanjutsu requirements could be waived.
The Purification Squad of the Thirteenth Division required an additional six Kidō levels and at least intermediate proficiency in one art: the tea ceremony, Shodō, or Kadō.
The Combat Squad of the 11th Division required at least high-Mokuroku Zanjutsu and high-Mokuroku Shunpo, as well as spiritual pressure among the top ten graduates of the year. It did not test Kidō.
The Kidō Corps required an additional 26 Kidō levels, while low-Mokuroku Hakuda and Zanjutsu were sufficient.
Of the three people currently in the dormitory, Yuzuki Samidare's abilities were mid-Mokuroku Hakuda, mid-Mokuroku Zanjutsu, high-Mokuroku Shunpo, seven additional Kidō levels, and intermediate Kadō. She planned to join the Thirteenth Division during graduation season. Her abilities were already more than sufficient, and she would graduate next year.
Nana Onibe, the second-oldest and a tsundere girl, was 17 years old and had been enrolled for 26 years. She had high-Mokuroku Hakuda, low-Mokuroku Zanjutsu, mid-Mokuroku Shunpo, three Kidō levels below the requirement, and no training in the arts. Judging by her abilities, the Second Division was actually the best fit, but it was very particular about its recruits, usually choosing retainers of the great noble Shihoin family. Outsiders faced fairly high requirements to get in, and there was no telling how many more years she would need to train.
Isuzu Takasugi, the endearingly airheaded girl, was 15 years old and had been enrolled for 17 years. She had no Hakuda training, low-Mokuroku Zanjutsu, low-Mokuroku Shunpo, nine additional Kidō levels, and intermediate proficiency in all three arts. Judging by her abilities, if she did not train in Hakuda and Zanjutsu, she would end up joining either the Research and Development Institute or the Kidō Corps. In any case, her chances with the other twelve divisions were rather slim, mainly because she seemed to have no intention of training in close combat.
What situation did Jun face now? During enrollment season, there were more open classes than at any other time. The instructors who came then were exceptional: the best lecturers from each division and the Kidō Corps. Then, after about half a year, other instructors would replace them and give the students guidance in various areas.
But Jun had arrived at the wrong time. The next enrollment and graduation season was still a year away, and those top instructors would not be coming yet. There were hardly any open classes either. If he wanted to learn anything, he had to find an instructor himself. With Jun's current abilities, no different from an ordinary person's, that was basically like hoping to run into an immortal. He simply could not find one.
So Yuzuki Samidare became Jun's chauffeur. She had already completed enough training, and was now consolidating her knowledge and looking for a breakthrough, neither of which could be accomplished overnight. So Yuzu accompanied Jun everywhere all day long.
After washing up and eating breakfast, she even helped Jun get dressed. Once she had him looking neat and tidy, she wrapped him in her arms, stepped forward, and used Shunpo to take him several hundred meters away. In two steps, they had left the dormitory area. If Jun had run, it would have taken him at least half an hour, since he would have had to take a roundabout route, while she used Shunpo to fly high over everything.
As for why he was held in such a humiliating position rather than carried on her back, Jun had once done his best to protest. But when she carried him on her back, he could not hold on to her at all, and one Shunpo sent him flying off. Left with no choice, he had to let her carry him in her arms. Between humiliation and his life, Jun chose the former.
The two soon reached the teaching area, where Yuzu brought Jun to a separate side room. They had come here the previous few days as well. This was where Kadō was taught, and the current Kadō instructor was a very quiet man. Not many people studied Kadō to begin with, and he liked to occupy himself in the Kadō room.
They had sought him out first because he was easy to find, second because the knowledge Jun currently needed was extremely basic and anyone could teach it, and third because Jun was the child of heroes. Even if the instructor was rather ill-tempered, he could not refuse.
"Good morning, Instructor Hanazawa," Jun and Yuzuki Samidare said, bowing respectfully.
Instructor Hanazawa was already arranging flowers. He acted as though he had not heard them, and the two were used to it, remaining bowed as they waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the instructor spoke.
"Come in."
"Thank you, Instructor~" they both said.
Instructor Hanazawa was a very refined man. He first covered his unfinished work and carried it to the back, refusing to let Jun and Yuzuki see it at all. Only then did he return and kneel with great solemnity. Everything he did was extremely dignified.
Both sides knelt, and Jun and Yuzu bowed again. Instructor Hanazawa nodded in greeting, and the lesson began.
"Jun, did you feel nothing yesterday either?"
"Yes~ I'm sorry~"
"No~ You don't need to apologize to me. Sensing Reishi is an introductory ability for Soul Reapers, but it is also where the greatest obstacle to becoming one appears. Even among those born into noble families, many cannot sense Reishi and cannot become Soul Reapers. I would rather the child of heroes not be unable to sense it, so have you done as I told you?"
That was the instructor's personality. His words were extremely sharp and made Jun rather uncomfortable, but there was nothing to be done. He was already the most suitable person to serve as Jun's introductory instructor. Jun did not respond, because he knew Instructor Hanazawa would ignore him.
"Come here. We'll begin today's writing lesson."
"Yes~ Instructor."
Instructor Hanazawa was not very good-tempered, but he was extremely responsible. He had now taken full charge of Jun's elementary education. Jun studied writing and the arts in the morning, and practiced Hakuda, Zanjutsu, and footwork in the afternoon.
One had to understand that he was a veteran member of the Kidō Corps. Although his Hakuda and Zanjutsu were not as proficient as those of the Soul Reapers in the Gotei 13, teaching a complete novice like Jun was a waste of his talents. Moreover, Jun currently had no abilities at all. It was like Ultraman playing on a seesaw with a child while also making sure the child had fun. That required exceptionally strong composure and control.
"The brush you hold, the ink you dip it in, and the white paper you write on—you must treat them with respect. Calm your mind and focus completely. Feel each character appear and take shape. That is the foundation of Shodō."
"Yes~"
"Your hand! Higher!"
"Yes~!"
Recognizing and writing the characters was difficult. Fortunately, the Shodō used in Soul Society was written in traditional Chinese characters, which were fairly easy to recognize. As for Japanese, Jun retained memories of it and had also studied a little in his previous life, so he learned rather quickly. That was also why Instructor Hanazawa could keep teaching him. If he had been an idiot, the instructor would have cast him aside long ago.
But Jun did not really understand his teaching method. On the first day, Instructor Hanazawa had told Jun that whether it was Kadō, Shodō, or Zanjutsu, Reishi existed within them all. Any of them could allow Jun to sense Reishi; he had to sense it with his heart.
But what exactly did using his heart mean? That was something Jun could never understand. Fortunately, not much time had passed yet, so it was normal that he could not sense it. Jun could only live with that unease and put his mind at ease as he did what he needed to do. That was also an ability an adult ought to have: personal emotions could not be brought into work.
Noon soon arrived, and Yuzu went to get lunch for Jun and herself. Instructor Hanazawa never ate lunch. Jun suddenly recalled that when he had come these past few days, he had seen no sign of breakfast either, and even when they left late, he had never seen Instructor Hanazawa eat dinner. But the instructor did not forbid Jun and Yuzu from eating here, so it was not because of some rule. Jun was very curious.
"Don't you eat, Instructor?"
"Food is also Reishi. Soul Reapers have the ability to absorb Reishi, so they no longer need to eat or drink. The reason we continue to do so is simple: it is only to preserve our humanity. It is a way, just like Shodō and Kadō."
Those words, however, brought Jun a sudden revelation. What was Reishi? The original story had actually mentioned that everything in Soul Society was made of Reishi. In fact, even souls were made of Reishi.
In Soul Society, whether eating, dressing, living, or traveling, it was all Reishi. Even breathing involved Reishi. In that instant, Jun understood: the beings in Soul Society were not living people! They were all souls!
Souls had no hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, or stomachs. They did not need metabolism to fuel their growth, nor did they need to breathe. These instincts to eat and drink were, at their core, a process of absorbing energy in the form of Reishi. There were no biological or chemical reactions involved. It was simple and crude.
Jun took a mouthful of food, chewed slowly, and closed his eyes. He used every bit of perception he could muster to sense the changes in that mouthful, while also feeling each breath he took and every sensation of heat and cold.
As his teeth ground it down, the food broke apart. The grains of rice turned to powder and mixed with saliva to become a paste, but something even finer was also dispersing. Jun tried to sense those tiny things.
As he breathed, he sensed the gases of comprehension filling the space around him and felt every part of himself perceiving the outside world. Then he seemed to see every pore. Jun found that he seemed to be looking at himself from another angle.
The next moment, heaven and earth changed color.
"Did he succeed?"
Instructor Hanazawa looked at Jun, who had entered that state, with an expression caught between laughter and tears. Beside him, Yuzu was stunned with shock.
"Instructor, did Jun succeed?"
"Yes. Jun can already sense the presence of Reishi. That was incredibly fast. It's only been five days, hasn't it?"
"Yes~!! Five days~~~" Yuzu exclaimed. "The fastest person I know of took about half a month, I think? That student Aizen, who enrolled a year before me."
"Yes, he was the fastest in nearly a century," Instructor Hanazawa said with a nod. "The fastest I know of was the current captain of the Eighth Division, Kyōraku. He learned to sense Reishi in seven days. He is the academy's most accomplished student, and the first captain to come from the academy."
"Amazing~~! Jun~~" Yuzu was completely dumbfounded. Kyōraku was the pride of the entire academy and the goal of every student. Graduate from the academy and become a captain—what more could one want? That was the highest achievement.
"Still, Jun is the only one to have sensed Reishi through eating," Instructor Hanazawa remarked with a perfectly serious expression. "Jun seems to be someone with a particular fondness for the pleasures of the palate."
"That's true~" Yuzu said in complete agreement.
And so, without Jun knowing anything about it, the label of Gourmand was fixed on him from then on.
But come to think of it, had he just heard something incredible? Something about Aizen?