Above the Podium

Above the Podium

True Spiritual Arts Academy.

Today was the first day of school. After completing the enrollment procedures and attending the opening ceremony that afternoon,

there was still some time before returning to the dorms to rest, similar to evening self-study. Normally, there would have been a short class during this period.

But today was special, so it had been changed into a small speech session for the class.

Class 5, First Year.

Arima Shizuya, one of the new students, currently wore an extremely nervous expression.

This was his twenty-fifth year since transmigrating here, and also his first step toward escaping the struggle of making a living in the Kusajishi District of Rukongai.

It was only natural to be nervous when first starting school.

But what had Arima Shizuya so nervous that his asshole clenched was the man standing on the podium...

His short, slightly curled hair was like lotus petals unfurling after rain, soft yet elegantly curved.

His brown Double Pupils were hidden behind square-framed glasses. His flawless eyes curved slightly, carrying a faint trace of apology.

On the surface, he appeared to be a gentle man. Judging by his build alone, he even seemed rather thin.

But that face, along with that voice from earlier, was simply too distinctive.

"Good evening, everyone. I will be the instructor responsible for your mental health and academic progress from this point onward."

"My name is Aizen Sōsuke."

"Starting today, I will spend the next six years with all of you. As your instructor, this is my honor. I hope we will get along well."

That gentle voice was like a series of terrifying armor-piercing rounds, blasting Arima Shizuya's brain to pieces.

The True Spiritual Arts Academy was an educational institution meant to cultivate future members of the Kidō Corps, Stealth Force, and Gotei 13.

Its courses lasted six years, and only exceptional talents could skip grades and graduate early.

Arima Shizuya had originally just wanted to secure a meal for himself. After all, as long as he got into this place and did not perform too terribly, he would definitely have work waiting for him.

Guaranteed job placement, brother.

Arima Shizuya was quite satisfied with his current situation. So long as his life was better than that of a drifter, that was enough. He was not expecting to become invincible beneath the heavens, was he? That was not something a person could reasonably hope for...

But who would have thought it? On his very first day of school, he had run into the ultimate boss.

Whoa, those dead memories were starting to attack him!

The man who ran through the entirety of Bleach.

One of Kurosaki Ichigo's three fathers.

The glasses destroyer, producer of suggestive lines, and the number one man in the world at making prison clothes look like Victoria's Secret.

This guy showed up here directly—how was he supposed to play this? Huh? Should he just kill himself? Arima Shizuya's soul was practically floating out of his body... Yet Aizen's next words brought him back to his senses somewhat.

"As you can see, I currently serve in the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13. Within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, it is a special organization attached to the Rescue Squad."

"Beneath the division number is the silhouette of Pieris Japonica... Does anyone know the meaning behind its flower language?"

Two seconds of silence followed. Clearly, there were no refined souls present.

Aizen was not surprised in the slightest, as though he had expected this result.

"Is it the nervousness of entering school for the first time? Hehe, please adapt to this environment as soon as possible. Time is tight, after all, and the True Spiritual Arts Academy's curriculum is arranged quite densely."

Aizen adjusted his square-framed glasses, the smile on his face unchanged.

"The flower language of Pieris Japonica is sacrifice, danger, purity, and sweet affection. This is also my blessing for all of you."

"Certainly, studying is bound to be painful."

"But at the same time, I hope all of you can understand the essence of the True Spiritual Arts Academy. After truly becoming useful people, do not forget your missions and responsibilities."

The more Arima Shizuya listened, the stranger his expression became.

Something was off. Very off.

Aizen was exceptionally skilled at disguising himself, but the seriousness in his attitude as he spoke these words allowed Arima Shizuya to sense a subtle sincerity.

It was as though he truly agreed with these words from the bottom of his heart, which was why he spoke them aloud.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I might not be able to see through people's hearts, but did you always talk like this? That was way too deceptive.

Or was this also part of Aizen's twisted little game? As he pondered this, a girl in the front row nervously raised her right hand. Aizen called on her.

"Please, go ahead."

"Um, um... Teacher Aizen, I have heard of you! You are also an outstanding graduate of the Academy, right? May I ask what Seat you currently hold in the Fifth Division?"

The Seat System stood above ordinary members, ranking just below captains and Vice-Captains.

In other words, holding a Seat itself represented strength and status.

Aizen Sōsuke, dressed in his uniform, smiled bashfully. His eyes curved into warm crescent moons.

"I am not particularly capable. At present, I merely hold the Fourth Seat."

He spoke modestly, but the students below immediately began chattering.

"Huh?! At such a young age... he is already the Fourth Seat?"

"No, no, Teacher Aizen is so amazing! The Fourth Seat should be something he could obtain effortlessly, right?"

The discussions below continued without pause.

Aizen showed no intention of interrupting them, merely smiling as he watched everything unfold before him.

There was not the slightest trace of a teacher's authority to be found on him...

At the same time, being able to get along with everyone at their very first meeting was, in a sense, an extraordinary talent.

The atmosphere in the classroom was remarkably harmonious.

Arima Shizuya finally came to his senses.

Thinking carefully about it.

According to the plot, this man seemed to have started doing evil only after becoming a Vice-Captain?

Although he had not paid much attention to Aizen's life history, Aizen did seem to have served as an instructor at the True Spiritual Arts Academy for a period of time.

Even after becoming a captain, he still held regular "calligraphy" classes at the Academy.

The information about his Seat can serve as a reference. If that is the case, then there is still a long time before the plot begins—at least over a hundred years... right?

Perhaps Aizen had indeed begun to develop ambitions after becoming a Vice-Captain, but regardless, he was probably still fairly normal at this stage.

So he still had a way to survive? His thoughts rose and fell, but Aizen's voice sounded by his ear again.

"Student Arima, Student Arima?"

"...Huh? Ah, present!"

He stood up reflexively. Arima Shizuya saw more than twenty classmates staring at him, while Aizen, acting as their instructor, smiled and nodded at him.

"Student Arima, in order for our lives together to be more harmonious, appropriate communication is also an opportunity to open one another's hearts... Since everyone has gathered here with such difficulty, we should get to know each other. Perhaps we may have opportunities to work together in the future."

Aizen held the roster in his hand and added softly.

"So, please give a brief self-introduction. You have one minute."

While he had been distracted, the gazes of the more than twenty students in the classroom had already focused on him.

Although Arima Shizuya sat in the back row, he happened to be first on the roster.

An indescribable sense of nervousness welled up within him.

But this was not the time to back down.

Arima Shizuya lightly clenched his right hand into a fist, raised it halfway to his chest, and pressed down gently.

Breathe in, breathe out. Calm down like this, me...

Following everyone's gaze, the youth slowly rose to his feet.

His features were quite delicate. His long black hair was tied high into a ponytail, like a horse's tail feathers—vivid and eye-catching.

His lips pressed together slightly. They moved for a moment before he finally opened his mouth as though taking a deep breath.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Arima Shizuya. I come from the Kusajishi District of Rukongai. I like tofu and spinach, and I dislike natto. What I am best at is... Kendo!"

The class meeting ended.

It should have been time to rest as usual.

But in truth, the True Spiritual Arts Academy did not impose particularly strict dormitory rules.

After all, some Noble Lords also studied here. They had social obligations outside of class, and a fully closed-off system would instead prove inconvenient.

Furthermore, those who came here to study were not children. Everyone had their own goals—academics were merely the minimum requirement, and as long as they completed them, that was enough.

After the class meeting ended, Arima Shizuya did not return to the dormitory. Instead, he headed toward the Kendo Hall.

There was an indescribable anticipation in Arima Shizuya's expression.

After all, he had been looking forward to this place for a long time.

In fact, Arima Shizuya possessed a special panel called the Stat-Adding System.

He could obtain corresponding attribute points simply through training. It was an incredibly straightforward ability that even a silverback gorilla would know how to use.

For example, back when he was in the Kusajishi District, he had constantly practiced with a wooden sword and eventually gained attribute point rewards related to Kendo.

After swinging a wooden sword for a full day, Kendo +1.

And his panel had undergone obvious changes as well.

Arima Shizuya

Zan: 20 Fist: 0 Step: 0 Kido: 0

As the contents showed, Arima Shizuya's panel consisted of the Four Great Basic Skills of a Shinigami.

And as a commoner, the only simple thing he could access was something called "Kendo."

Twenty attribute points had not come easily.

Because of his relentless training, Arima Shizuya's palms had long since been rubbed raw. They were now covered in pale calluses that looked rather vicious.

But starting today, things will be different...

After previous experiments, Arima Shizuya had discovered that his ability could also take certain shortcuts.

As long as someone far more capable than him was willing to teach him, the corresponding attribute point gains would increase significantly.

Arima Shizuya had reached this conclusion when someone in the Kusajishi District had beaten him with a wooden sword until his head was covered in lumps and he had nearly lost his life.

Training after receiving guidance was undoubtedly far better than fumbling around on his own.

Even if all he had to do was sweet-talk them and put in some effort to make certain veteran seniors use their True ability to beat him up, that would not be difficult.

Come on, do not hold back. Just treat me like a punching bag and beat the hell out of me! Woohoo~

This time, this time, I am definitely taking off immediately!

He excitedly changed into Kendo attire. As a first-year student, Arima Shizuya only had the right to practice by himself outside the hall.

It was fine. Every beginning was difficult! This tiny setback was nothing to fear!

But just as he assumed his stance, that voice that made his asshole clench sounded from behind him.

"Student Arima, you are quite diligent."

He awkwardly turned halfway around and saw Aizen standing five meters away, his hands tucked inside his sleeves as he smiled at him.

This was a secluded corner outside the hall, and no one else stood near Arima Shizuya.

So Aizen had come specifically for him?

"My apologies... Everyone else has already gone to rest, yet Student Arima is still working so hard. Your serious attitude truly caught my attention, and I ended up following you here."

"To be honest, although I am an instructor, like you, Student Arima, I am also teaching for the first time. How I should guide you, and what tone I should use when speaking with young people like yourselves, are also challenges for me."

"I may have said a little too much, but I hope Student Arima can forgive me."

After pausing briefly, Aizen's eyes curved even further. Beyond his smile, there was now something subtly strange within them.

"Speaking of which, Student Arima, you were admitted to the Academy as a special talent, were you not?"

"Kendo... What a simple yet sharp name. In this era, there must be very few people who can still devote themselves to the fundamentals."

"My apologies, it seems I have said something unnecessary again. Let us return to the matter at hand... Student Arima, I am rather curious about your Kendo. Would you allow me to observe it more closely?"

He was clearly talking to himself, yet everything he said somehow sounded perfectly logical.

Reasonable and well-founded, making him hard to refuse.

Considering the man's secretly dark nature, and since he had already said this much, the "no" that had reached Arima Shizuya's lips could no longer leave his mouth no matter what.

Sweating awkwardly, Arima Shizuya could only nervously purse his lips.

"Then, then please excuse my poor showing..."

Calm down. This guy was only watching.

Just keep a normal mindset.

Arima Shizuya adjusted his breathing and completely relaxed his body—only to tense up after a single pause in his breath.

He entered the zone.

A Kendo attribute value of twenty was not enough to make him a master, but it was still a modest accomplishment.

Such a foundation caused Arima Shizuya's entire bearing to change.

The muscles throughout his body began trembling in rhythm with his breathing. The sensation in his palms grew solid, while his nerves seemed to extend outward from within his body, wrapping around the thick handle of the wooden sword.

It was as if the inanimate object had become an extension of his own flesh.

"Oh..."

A slight ripple appeared in Aizen's previously indifferent gaze.

At his level, there was nothing surprising about what Arima Shizuya displayed.

But precisely because his standards were so high, he could understand... this was not something an ordinary child could develop merely by holding a wooden sword and practicing.

Compared to certain good-for-nothing children of noble families, this youth who seemed to have learned through "wild methods" instead possessed a greater sense of proper form.

His body was stable, and his centerline was solid. His footwork still had room for correction, but his posture was extremely sharp, carrying the cutting edge unique to the young.

Excellent.

Beyond that, Aizen could not think of any other conclusion for the moment.

Just from a single round of Suburi, he could tell that this was something only possible after pouring in sufficient effort.

Such seriousness, rather than a casual hobby... this youth was so genuine and earnest—yet he had already attained this level before even enrolling.

Aizen had initially approached with only the desire to experience and learn, but now his interest had been somewhat stirred.

After a series of Suburi and back-and-forth footwork drills, Arima Shizuya, lightly sweating all over, finally stopped moving.

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause sounded from behind him. It was Aizen Sōsuke.

He sized up Arima Shizuya with a curious gaze, his words brimming with praise.

"Impressive! During the entrance exam, Arima was able to handle a Squad Member's attacks with composure. I had thought that description was exaggerated, but it seems my experience was simply lacking."

In response to that discourtesy, to his own arrogance—

"I apologize, Arima. Your strength is beyond question. However, from the standpoint of an instructor, I believe there is still room for improvement..."

Here it came.

Though this was indeed the scene Arima Shizuya had imagined, the moment he saw Aizen's face, his heart began pounding with unease.

Fortunately, Aizen did not seem to care about those subtle expressions.

He sincerely offered his guidance. Arima Shizuya gradually became absorbed in listening, and in the end, he could not stop himself from nodding.

He already had 20 points in Kendo fundamentals.

Even without the corresponding system knowledge, he could understand why what Aizen said made sense through his muscles and body alone.

So that was it. I still had so much room to improve...

In other words, Aizen really was guiding him in earnest.

He had long known that Aizen was proficient in all four disciplines, but he had not expected him to possess such an understanding of Kendo as well.

All he could say was that the real person was far more vivid and substantial than his image in the manga.

As his thoughts drifted, familiar text flickered into view.

You wielded a Wooden Sword and received Aizen's guidance. Kendo +5

Huh?!

Arima Shizuya immediately snapped wide awake.

When he practiced in the past, his attributes had only risen one point at a time, and they did not even settle every day.

Yet today, after receiving nothing more than some pointers, he had gained a full five attribute points in one go.

It felt like he had been grinding away manually while someone else simply adjusted the numbers in the backend...

Wow, wow, wow. Was this what one should expect from the mastermind behind everything?

Even in this regard, the ability he displayed was absolutely no joke.

"Arima, it is getting late. Why not head back and rest early? What do you think?"

With things already said to that extent, Arima Shizuya could only nod in response.

"No problem, Teacher Aizen."

After heading back, Arima Shizuya changed into a lighter outfit and met Aizen outside the door again.

The two walked side by side through the corridor leading toward the dormitories.

The moonlight was faint, while dark clouds gathered overhead. Candlelight flickered along both sides of the corridor, and the ghostly spiritual flames twisted in winding arcs, stretching the pair's shadows flat and long.

Aizen walked ahead. His back was not particularly broad, yet it gave Arima Shizuya an indescribable sense of pressure.

"Arima, may I ask you something?"

One of the Parties carefully swallowed.

"Please, go ahead, Teacher Aizen."

"I can tell that you seem quite passionate about Kendo. Is there some reason for that?"

Ah... was he talking about that?

Arima Shizuya chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.

"I just happened to come into contact with it, so I wanted to learn more about it."

In truth, it was only because he was too poor.

In the Kusajishi District, he could not learn proper Shunpo or Kido... and between Zan and Fist, Arima Shizuya had ultimately chosen the former.

After all, now that he was in the world of Shinigami, who would not dream of owning a cool, distinctive sword? Besides, although it was nominally a slum district, he had muddled through there for over twenty years. Getting hold of a battered Wooden Sword had been easy enough.

As long as he performed the corresponding training, attribute points would slowly accumulate and eventually become effective combat strength.

For instance, if Arima Shizuya kept running or practicing punches... his abilities in Fist and movement would improve sooner or later.

But progress was also something he had to consider.

One could not cook without rice.

In such harsh circumstances, Arima Shizuya could only specialize in one skill and use it as a stepping stone to enter the Academy.

Kendo was the answer!

"Just because you like it? Heh, that does indeed suit the impression you give."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, turned his head halfway toward Arima Shizuya, and gave him a kindly smile.

"I do not dislike people who are good at deception, because it makes me feel that they care greatly about what I think. But compared with overly polite words like those, I still prefer people who can be honest."

Aizen's gaze was calm, and the way he looked at Arima Shizuya was equally gentle.

"After all, that is the most normal kind of interaction, is it not?"

Arima Shizuya chuckled twice and raised a hand to rub the back of his head.

"Teacher Aizen, I do not think I am as clever as you say..."

"Haha, Arima, this humility of yours is also quite a rare quality."

From this brief interaction, Arima Shizuya had gained a rough understanding of Aizen's current state.

Perhaps he really would become someone who looked down on everything in the future, but at least from the current situation, he did seem to be a good person?

But regardless...

Always passively going along with things was not good.

Every now and then, he had to strike back!

"Teacher Aizen, may I ask you something?"

The smile on Aizen's face deepened. He stopped walking, turned fully toward him, and spoke gently.

"The desire for knowledge is the foundation of progress. Ask whatever you wish."

"Why... are you paying so much attention to me?"

If this guy had not been watching him like some stalker, how could he possibly have shown up in the Kendo Hall?

There was no need to say it aloud. It was obvious just from thinking about it.

Aizen seemed somewhat surprised.

After pondering for a moment, he gave another bashful laugh. Arima Shizuya even saw an expression on his face that bordered on embarrassment.

"So you noticed? It seems my intentions were a little too obvious... My apologies, Arima."

Aizen sighed softly, his expression carrying a trace of reflection.

"As I said before, this is also my first time serving as a teacher. How to guide and educate others is an entirely new attempt for me as well."

That was right.

"In truth, I am the same as all of you. In a sense, I am also a beginner. I worry too, because I do not know how to interact with young people like you... But fortunately."

Aizen gazed at Arima Shizuya, his eyes filled with amusement.

"Arima seems to be a fine example. I think I now understand what I should do next."

Huh? I was teaching Aizen how to do things?

Why would Arima Shizuya have such a strange dream...

Facing the embarrassed student, Aizen Sōsuke merely watched him with a smile.

He was earnest, yet he also understood humility. Though he came from the Slum Area, such character was truly precious.

In this otherwise ordinary class, Arima Shizuya's performance could be called exceptionally eye-catching.

"Arima may not have noticed, but you are actually already quite an outstanding student."

Of course, that did not mean Arima Shizuya could relax because of it.

"Compared to true geniuses, Arima may still find it difficult to reach such exaggerated heights... But witnessing a student's growth is also one of a teacher's greatest responsibilities."

Aizen did not dislike carrying that burden.

"I-Is that so..."

Though he still felt somewhat uneasy, this seemingly harmless Aizen Sōsuke should be someone he could interact with normally, right?

As he hesitated, Arima Shizuya saw Aizen extend his right hand toward him.

"Arima... no, Shizuya-kun. In any case, I look forward to working with you from now on."

After thinking for only a moment, Arima Shizuya generously extended his own right hand and clasped Aizen's.

"Mm, likewise. I look forward to working with you, Teacher Aizen!"