Everyone cast another round of envious, jealous, and resentful looks his way, their hostility toward Ronglin growing even deeper.
People were always quick to envy those stronger than themselves, even if it was merely luck.
Ronglin gently closed his book and looked at Kuchiki Byakuya with a grave expression. "I'll say it again: I want to study. I'm not going anywhere!"
Chapter 23: How Strange?
Kuchiki Byakuya stared at Ronglin in astonishment, his expression constantly shifting. He had never expected Ronglin to reject the invitation from the Seireitei's foremost noble house so directly and decisively. How many people in the entire Soul Society dreamed of such an honor yet could never attain it?
After a moment, Kuchiki Byakuya smiled. He slowly rose to his feet, looked at Ronglin, and said, "Any true powerhouse has their own principles. I admire your spirit and conduct!"
Ronglin: "Huh?"
Kuchiki Byakuya adjusted his clothes, his gaze sharpening with fighting spirit as he stared straight at Ronglin. "I admit that I'm not your match. Before this, I hadn't even regarded you as an opponent. But your detached attitude, your single-minded pursuit of strength, your refusal to flatter the powerful or chase fame and profit—I admire all of it. From now on, I, Kuchiki Byakuya, will regard you as my strongest opponent. I'll keep working hard, even harder. One day, I will defeat you!"
"Huh?" Ronglin had not reacted at all. He had only refused to attend a gathering of great nobles, so how had this kid suddenly decided to treat him as an opponent? He simply could not keep up with this leap in logic!
"Hmph! I didn't expect you to have some backbone. You actually look down on the powerful nobles that so many people want to cling to!" Shiba Zhu snorted, wrinkling her