Two days later, beneath warm clouds and a bright sun, Head Captain Yamamoto took Asano Kiyoshi to the Great Spirit Art Corridor beneath Central 46.
This was also Asano Kiyoshi's first time entering the power center of Soul Society, though it did not leave him with a particularly good impression.
Before entering the Great Spirit Book Gallery, he was required to wear a blindfold and was led by designated personnel to Central 46's judgment seats.
As the blindfold was pulled away, several intensely bright beams pierced his eyes. The glaring white light left Asano Kiyoshi's vision swimming, and at the same time, an exceedingly arrogant voice rang out:
"So you're the top student of Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy this time? You seem rather immature."
The words did not sound like much at first, but upon closer consideration, the mockery in them was hard to miss.
Someone like you could be first place? Had Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy really declined to the point where it let a little brat take first place?
Listening to that heavily mocking voice, Asano Kiyoshi wore a gentle smile, like the most obedient sheep in the pen.
"Yes, my lords."
At his response, several dismissive clicks of the tongue came from atop the platform, as though this had been expected.
Those clicks were filled with boredom at Asano Kiyoshi's failure to confront them head-on, contempt for his accurate understanding of his own place, and the sense of superiority his answer gave them.
Hearing the disdainful voices from the platform and feeling those arrogant, contemptuous gazes, Asano Kiyoshi remained composed. He merely kept a faint smile on his face. In this situation, any display of his emotions would have been exceedingly unwise and foolish.
From the moment he joined Head Captain Yamamoto's division, he no longer represented