The Beginning of Academy Life

The two bursts of Reiatsu came from Yumichika and Asano Kiyoshi. Blue spiritual power and ink-like special spiritual power erupted in an instant.

In almost an instant, they blocked the spiritual pressure bearing down on them from the nobles!

As the Reiatsu collided, the surrounding desks and chairs creaked under the unbearable strain. One or two pieces of chalk that had fallen to the floor were crushed directly into powder. Even the air around them seemed to freeze, and a heavy scent of gunpowder began to spread through the classroom.

Asano Kiyoshi felt no fear as he watched the scene before him. His personality might have been mild, but he was not weak.

He knew what needed to be done and when. The nobles' Reiatsu had been pressing down on all three of them, and Ikkaku was standing up for them. If he still chose to hide like a turtle or play peacemaker now, that would be far too pathetic. Though his mental age was no longer that of a teenager, a man remained a teenager until the day he died! Getting fired up once in a while was not a bad thing.

The Ink-Black Reiatsu was exceptionally eye-catching, like storm clouds in the sky that could crush everything beneath them. Among all the erupting Reiatsu, it stood out like a crane among chickens. Tsunayashiro Kojiro narrowed his eyes slightly at the familiar Ink-Black Reiatsu and spoke to Asano Kiyoshi, who stood between the three of them.

"Heh, first place?"

Hearing the provocation in his voice, Asano Kiyoshi smiled faintly. He then stepped forward, and the Ink-Black Reiatsu around him erupted further, directly occupying more than half the space. Looking at the noble students, he smiled openly and said, "Yes, I'm Asano Kiyoshi, the top-ranked student of Class A this time. Unless something unexpected happens, I should remain first in this class. I hope we can all get along peacefully in the future. Please take care of me."

Asano Kiyoshi spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. He wore a smile, his tone gentle and full of confidence, as though he were a radiant sun.

Just after Asano Kiyoshi finished speaking, a crisp round of applause rang out. Everyone instinctively looked toward it and saw a man with silver hair cascading like a waterfall and a face as fair as jade walk into the classroom. He wore a pure white Captain's Haori, with the character for "Thirteen" on its back.

The man's voice was gentle, though it carried a hint of weakness and weariness. He looked at Asano Kiyoshi, his clapping hands not stopping as he said with a smile, "A very good speech. A very appropriate way of handling things."

At the sight of the newcomer, the Reiatsu that had been on the verge of exploding instantly dispersed. Once the Reiatsu faded, a breeze was finally able to enter the stifling classroom. Almost every student lowered their head at once and respectfully said to the silver-haired man who had suddenly appeared, "Lord Jushiro Ukitake!"

Jushiro Ukitake merely waved his hand lightly, signaling that there was no need for such formality. Then, he swept his gentle gaze over everyone before continuing, "Find your seats and sit down first. You will all be classmates from now on, so it would be best if what happened today does not happen again."

Asano Kiyoshi, Ikkaku, and the others found seats near the back by the window. Only then did he quietly wipe away some sweat. He had only just obtained his Asauchi, and although his spiritual power had increased considerably, that brief, intense confrontation had nearly consumed half his Reiatsu.

Ikkaku quietly said to Asano Kiyoshi, "You're pretty good with words, aren't you?"

Asano Kiyoshi smiled but did not reply.

Yumichika handed Asano Kiyoshi a small bread roll and said, "Eat it after class. It'll help your Reiatsu recover."

Without making a fuss, Asano Kiyoshi accepted the bread. He needed to replenish his Reiatsu and make thorough preparations for meeting Head Captain Yamamoto later.

Still, when he took the bread, he could not help but marvel. As expected of a Kido Department Zanpakuto, its ability to sense Reishi was truly impressive.

While the three whispered among themselves, Jushiro Ukitake began to speak as well. "First of all, congratulations on entering Class A of Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy. Due to certain issues with my health, I will be your main instructor from now on. I will be responsible for teaching you Zanpaku, Hakuda, Kido, and Shunpo, as well as various basics of Soul Society. The first requirement I wish to make is that no one in this class may engage in unhealthy competition in any form, including malicious injury or malicious killing. If such a situation occurs, I will expel the offender and, depending on the severity of the circumstances, consider sending them directly to the Nest of Maggots!"

At Jushiro Ukitake's words, many students turned pale. The Nest of Maggots was the most terrifying place in all of Soul Society. Prisoners sent there either became a pile of yellow earth or research material for the Science Development Bureau. There was practically no good outcome.

As he said this, Jushiro Ukitake seemingly casually glanced twice at those noble students, his gaze carrying a trace of warning. Then, his gaze swept toward Asano Kiyoshi. This time, however, it held little warning, only a hint of persuasion.

After delivering that most important first point, Jushiro Ukitake went over their upcoming course arrangements, dormitory arrangements, and various other trivial matters.

Once he had explained everything, Jushiro Ukitake offered the students a formal round of congratulations before telling them they could leave for now. He reminded them to gather at the training field at one in the afternoon to hear a speech from the Captain-Commander, who was also the principal of Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy.

Jushiro Ukitake left after saying that, and the students immediately began discussing matters among themselves. However, they all agreed that being taught by Jushiro Ukitake, the Thirteenth Division Captain, was something extremely fortunate, whether in terms of teaching quality or future connections.

After Jushiro Ukitake's warning, the nobles restrained themselves somewhat and no longer targeted Asano Kiyoshi and the other two so openly. Still, everyone knew the matter would not end so quickly.

Asano Kiyoshi went with Ikkaku, Yumichika, and the others to the student dormitories, where they selected a room for four. Class A had relatively good accommodations. Other classes started with twelve-person rooms, but because Class A had many nobles who chose not to live on campus, the dormitories were more spacious.

The three went to the cafeteria for lunch. The Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy cafeteria was somewhat like a university cafeteria from Asano Kiyoshi's previous life, with many service windows and very cheap prices. A lunch cost around ten to fifteen Kan. Yumichika ordered milk and a bowl of noodles, Ikkaku bought several onigiri, and Asano Kiyoshi, like Yumichika, bought a bowl of noodles.

The afternoon speech was rather boring, but in order to leave a better impression on the Captain-Commander, Asano Kiyoshi remained focused throughout the entire speech.

Finally, after the long and tedious speech ended, Asano Kiyoshi arrived outside the Principal's Office. Looking at the ancient door before him, he took a deep breath and knocked softly.