Conditions for a Speedrun

Boom—

Lu Li was sent flying backward, crashing into several carts loaded with teaching equipment before finally adjusting his posture and coming to an unsteady stop.

He glanced at the bamboo sword in his hand, sensing the profundity behind the Head Captain's earlier strike.

"Kid, we'll stop here for today. You should have fully realized your shortcomings by now."

On the other side, the Head Captain draped his broad haori back over himself. He looked at the scar-covered Lu Li. "You're still not quite ready if you want to graduate early."

Lu Li stretched his aching body. "This student simply wishes to join the Gotei 13 as soon as possible. I believe only real combat can help me grow faster."

Hearing this, the Head Captain paused mid-step as he was about to leave the classroom. Turning around, he said, "So that's what you think. But you should also know that if you spend a few more years studying at the Spirit Arts Academy before graduating, you can directly obtain a higher position."

The students present were all stunned by the Head Captain's words. They had not expected him to speak so bluntly; this was practically an explicit hint.

With Lu Li's talent, his Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō were already among the very best in the academy. If he spent a few more years building up his Reiatsu, then upon graduation, Lu Li could directly become a Seated Officer in the Gotei 13, or even a Lieutenant!

But if Lu Li chose to skip ahead and graduate in this final exam, then limited by his current Reiatsu level, he could only become an ordinary squad member. At most, a Captain might show him a little more consideration because of his talent.

Lu Li met the Head Captain's gaze. "A fledgling must always leave the nest. Only in the sky can it fly higher."

The corner of the Head Captain's mouth rose slightly beneath his white beard. "In that case, this old man will give you one chance. If you can satisfy the 'Examiner,' then you may graduate early."

With that, the Head Captain left the classroom. Clearly, this had been his final lesson for Lu Li.

Lu Li walked into the uproarious crowd and began treating his injuries with Healing Kidō.

This was already his third swordsmanship spar with the Head Captain. The strongest Shinigami was no empty boast. In Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō, the Head Captain had no weaknesses; he was formidable in every category.

Including Hakuda, they had sparred a total of seven times so far. Lu Li's win count was zero. Defeating an old monster whose base attributes were not even on the same dimensional level as his was truly difficult.

But the Head Captain had originally come to teach him, so during battle, he naturally and deliberately demonstrated all sorts of advanced combat techniques. Lu Li had gained a great deal from it.

As reflected on the panel, several of his core specialization abilities had improved significantly, each rising by three levels.

Master-level Swordsmanship Specialization:

Level: lv.23/40 (+3)

Specialization Effect: The Explorer has achieved considerable accomplishments in swordsmanship and may be called a master of the generation. When attacking with a blade-type main weapon, they deal an additional 46% damage.

Master-level Hand-to-hand Combat Specialization:

Level: lv.21/40 (+3)

Specialization Effect: The Explorer has achieved considerable accomplishments in hand-to-hand combat and may be called a master of the generation. When attacking in unarmed combat, they deal an additional 42% damage.

Master-level Force Redirection Specialization:

Level: lv.24/40 (+5)

Specialization Effect: The Explorer is more sensitive to the flow of force in battle. When subjected to powerful force, they can redirect and disperse it, greatly reducing damage caused by blunt-force impacts and shockwaves.

Well, the specialization Lu Li had improved the most was neither unarmed combat nor swordsmanship, but Force Redirection Specialization.

The main reason was that Head Captain Yamamoto was simply too fierce. Lu Li was always at a disadvantage in their spars, and if he wanted to avoid defeat, the first thing he needed was to become more "durable."

Otherwise, against the Head Captain, whose combat specialization abilities were likely already at Master level, he would be crushed head-on in an instant.

"Lu-kun, are you really in such a hurry to graduate?"

After class, Aizen headed toward the Cafeteria with Lu Li and could not help asking along the way.

Lu Li smiled as he treated his injuries with Healing Kidō. "What, Sōsuke? Are you afraid of being lonely?"

"Not at all."

Aizen's expression did not change. "I simply think you could study for another two years before graduating. Raising your Reiatsu would do no harm. The daily life of a Gotei squad member is not so safe. When carrying out missions in the Living World, anything can happen. If your luck is bad and you run into a Menos Grande, that'll be the end of you."

I'd love to stay another two years and farm attributes here, but End Space hasn't given me that much time.

The final exam was only two days away, and End Space had clearly calculated the timing. He only had four days of remaining stay time now.

"Sōsuke, don't you know me quite well? I just want to get out there and seek some excitement."

Lu Li said with a smile, then patted Aizen's shoulder. "If you can't bear to part with me, why not graduate with me?"

"Lu-kun, you're joking again. My Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō are far behind yours. What right do I have to graduate early?"

Aizen remained calm. "Besides, judging from what the Head Captain said, I do not know how things were in the past, but the difficulty of graduating early this time will probably be extraordinarily high. If a Captain serves as the Examiner, there is no way you could 'pass.'"

Aizen had roughly deduced the current situation. The Head Captain greatly appreciated Lu-kun and did not want him to graduate so early. He wanted Lu Li to understand that there was always someone stronger, to train obediently for a few more years, hammer this piece of divine iron a thousand times over, and only then throw it onto the battlefield.

Under such circumstances, the Examiner selected to test Lu Li would certainly be at maximum difficulty. Given Lu Li's exceptionally high level in Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō, even a Lieutenant would not be guaranteed to defeat him without relying on superior Reiatsu.

Then the Examiner was very likely one of the Captains of the Gotei 13. Even if they restrained their Reiatsu, how could Lu Li possibly win?

After considering it all, Aizen felt that the Head Captain had merely found an excuse to suppress Lu Li a little further. He would not truly allow Lu Li to graduate early.

"But Sōsuke, you can already use Shikai. Very few Shinigami can achieve that while still at the Spirit Arts Academy, right? You're also an undisputed genius. Graduating early should not be difficult for you."

As Lu Li spoke, he set a huge basin of food on the dining table, preparing to replenish his health.

"You flatter me, Lu-kun. Since your mind is made up, all I can do is wish that you pass the Head Captain's trial and successfully set a new record for the fastest graduation in Spirit Arts Academy history."

Aizen spoke helplessly. Normally, it would not be difficult for him to graduate early. Throughout the Spirit Arts Academy's history, there had been geniuses who graduated after only two or three years of study.

The Spirit Arts Academy would not deliberately hold those geniuses back from graduating. As long as they demonstrated excellence in Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō and possessed outstanding Reiatsu, they could graduate.

For example, if a student scored "full marks" in Zan, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō and possessed tenth-level Reiwei, they could naturally graduate immediately. Upon joining a squad, they would directly become a Seated Officer, though perhaps the lowest-ranked one.

He already possessed fifth-level Reiatsu. If he truly wanted to graduate, he would definitely meet the requirements. The problem was that Lu-kun was being too conspicuous. This semester, anyone who wanted to graduate early would most likely go through the same thing as Lu-kun... challenging a Captain.

Therefore, whether considering his future goals or the difficulty of graduating early this time, he would not choose to take the challenge with Lu-kun. They could only meet again in the Gotei 13 in the future.