Real Sword Practice

Real Sword Practice

"Although the Academy organizes a group lending ceremony half a year after first-years enroll, as the name implies, these are merely items rented out in the Academy's name."

"They'll be taken back in the end... That isn't hard to understand, is it? After all, students are synonymous with being young and immature."

"Letting students wander around the Academy carrying weapons could easily stir up a desire to fight. To eliminate that possibility, students are not permitted to carry swords on campus as a rule."

So that was how it was. He had considered something similar before, but hearing Aizen explain it himself gave him a few more insights.

"For mediocre, commonplace people, it makes no difference whether they acquire an Asauchi sooner or later. Simply merging with one's soul and calling out a Zanpakuto's name requires a tremendous amount of effort."

It made management easier and reduced expenses.

From the perspective of an operator and administrator, there was indeed nothing wrong with such an approach.

"Of course, where there are ordinary people, there will naturally be prodigies blessed by heaven. For those truly capable, bypassing the rules for their own convenience is hardly unusual."

"As long as someone is willing to stand as guarantor, a student can receive an Asauchi in advance, begin interacting with a sword, and start the process of soul fusion... There are quite a few students who call out their Zanpakuto's names while still at the Academy, Shizuya-kun."

So.

Aizen chuckled softly and spoke in an even tone.

"I believe Shizuya-kun can do it too."

Gasp...

Being expected to succeed was a good thing, but it still made him feel some pressure at a time like this.

Ugh, Teacher Aizen was really placing a lot of expectations on him!

Arima Shizuya gave an awkward laugh and tried to change the subject.

"By the way! Teacher Aizen, what exactly is the difference between an Asauchi and a Zanpakuto?"

Aizen pondered for a moment, raising a hand to lightly rub his chin with a thoughtful expression.

It was not a difficult question to answer, but because it was so basic, explaining it in simple terms was a challenge in itself.

"Asauchi and Zanpakuto are not particularly different as terms."

"After all, the latter is simply the former's advanced form, its special name after being released."

"At their core, the only difference is whether or not they have a name."

That answered Arima Shizuya's question. He truly had not considered that before.

"The process of soul fusion differs from person to person, and the time it takes can be long or short. But regardless, those with exceptional talent will quickly find the answer..."

"So look forward to it, Shizuya-kun. That precious thing engraved with your name, bearing your spirit, refined and elevated from all that you are."

"What kind of thing will it be?"

He had entertained similar thoughts before, but now that Aizen had brought it up, he was even more excited. Arima Shizuya was growing rather impatient.

"Speaking of which, Teacher, was that why you went out?"

"Mm... More or less. I handled a few other matters as well."

Hearing that, the person concerned could not help feeling a little embarrassed.

"Um... Thank you, Teacher Aizen."

"It was nothing worth mentioning."

Seeing the guilt written all over the boy's face, Aizen merely smiled faintly. He reached out and patted Arima Shizuya on the shoulder, speaking calmly.

"These are things a supervising teacher ought to know. If you truly feel guilty... then improve quickly, Shizuya-kun."

"Only by doing that can you best repay me as your supervising teacher."

That only made him feel guiltier!

Arima Shizuya could only scratch at the corner of his mouth awkwardly and let out a couple of embarrassed laughs.

"I-I understand..."

Aizen led Arima Shizuya toward the upperclassmen's instructional district.

Much like when he had met Yoruichi, Arima Shizuya, as a lower-year student, did not have permission to enter a place like this.

He was relying entirely on the Prison Master to lead the way.

After they entered a peculiar standalone building, Arima Shizuya suddenly felt his vision darken.

The building seemed to have been thickened, smeared black, and shielded from light.

His eyes took a moment to adjust. Arima Shizuya rubbed them twice and saw Aizen speaking with someone at the front desk.

Before long, he saw Aizen return.

With a smile, he said to him.

"All right, there are no issues with the identity verification. My responsibility ends here for the time being. I'll have to trouble you to walk the rest of the way yourself, Shizuya-kun."

It was time.

Taking a deep breath, Arima Shizuya respectfully thanked Aizen.

"Teacher, thank you very much for your help!"

"Mm, I appreciate it."

Unlike his usual lengthy speeches, he was unusually succinct this time.

Watching Aizen wave to him, Arima Shizuya stepped forward. Yet after only two steps, he heard Aizen's voice again from behind him.

"Shizuya-kun! If you find it difficult or confusing, try adjusting the way you think from time to time. Try giving up thinking and entrusting it to your instincts."

It was a somewhat baffling remark.

But since Aizen had said it, perhaps there was a reason behind it... Arima Shizuya nodded heavily and turned back around.

Guided by a Squad Member, he stopped before a dim room.

"The Sword House is inside. Under the normal granting ceremony, everyone receives an Asauchi at random... But since you have a guarantor, you're an exception."

The man took out a long ring of keys. Arima Shizuya watched him lift the one at the very top and fiddle with it for a moment.

Then he unlocked the door before them.

A dull echo rang out, and a dark, silent scene slowly unfolded before Arima Shizuya.

"Go in and take a look. For your guarantor's sake... you have the right to choose."

As if possessed, Arima Shizuya stepped inside.

The walls on either side curved around him, like a magnificent circular archway.

At first, his eyes still struggled to adapt to the darkness, but Arima Shizuya soon realized there was no need for lighting at all.

Because the swords were dazzling.

Flashing, shifting, brightening and dimming... Light reflected endlessly, circling and turning, flickering in and out until Arima Shizuya could not help narrowing his eyes.

Long swords stood like a forest, an endless woodland gleaming with chilling white light.

There was no difference in the patterns on their blades. They were all the same standard issue, identical in appearance, yet against the dim backdrop they seemed to twist endlessly, as though...

They had turned into pairs of lifeless eyes, staring straight at Arima Shizuya at that very moment.

—Look.

Another stranger has come.

Goosebumps rose all over his skin, and his throat tightened in waves.

Arima Shizuya's breathing quickened uncontrollably, and moments later, his expression grew tense as well.

What was this? A test for him? Arima Shizuya understood then that Asauchi were far less simple than Aizen had described.

Because these sharp weapons were not truly "inanimate objects."

Each was a unique piece personally forged by Ōetsu Nimaiya.

Every single one was one of a kind.

He had thought he would simply come in, choose one, receive it, and be done for the day.

He had never expected the process of obtaining a sword to be so strange...

Under the sensation of being watched and observed, he felt caught between advancing and retreating.

A rustling sound came from all directions, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense until it reached a certain point.

It was as though he suddenly understood something.

Arima Shizuya slowly closed his eyes.

He recalled Aizen's advice before he had entered.

"Give up thinking and entrust it to your instincts..."

Even now, it remained a perplexing statement.

But under the present circumstances, he seemed to have no better choice.

Then I'll do as you say.

Arima Shizuya took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and at that moment, suddenly...

He began to relax his body.

Tap...

His right foot stepped forward, landing lightly on the floor.

He turned sideways and dropped his shoulder.

His left hand rose high, palm facing upward, fully enveloping the right hand that had come together with it.

His 33 points of Kendo skill flowed completely into his flesh and bones, then surged through his entire body.

Breath flowed in and out in an endless cycle.

A flash of insight, and he understood at once.

Arima Shizuya's right hand trembled slightly. His index and middle fingers rose together, stubbornly stretching out through the gap between his left thumb and forefinger.

If he could not maintain himself under these circumstances, then he would try changing the decision itself.

Rather than him choosing an Asauchi, he would let one choose him.

Do you like watching? Then open your eyes wide and look carefully. Look clearly.

This is everything I, Arima Shizuya, have to offer! Come on!

In an instant, the Sword House, which had been somewhat noisy moments ago, suddenly fell "silent."

As he watched Arima Shizuya walk safely toward the exit, Aizen, who had been standing nearby with his eyes closed in rest, finally opened them.

For some reason, the smile on his face was much broader than usual.

Had he heard news that pleased him? Before Arima Shizuya could ponder it further, Aizen spoke.

"Have you finished choosing, Shizuya-kun?"

Arima Shizuya smiled brightly and turned half sideways, almost showing off.

He lifted the long blade hanging at his waist.

Its black, standard-issue sheath had a grip cord wrapped around its end to prevent slipping.

It suited the high-spirited young man perfectly, making Aizen shake his head with an amused smile.

"Though it is a good thing that you have gained an Asauchi's approval, please do not get too carried away."

Arima Shizuya chuckled and jogged over to Aizen's side.

"Just for a little while! Let me be proud of myself a bit!"

"I really don't know what to do with you..."

The two gradually walked away.

The Sword House fell quiet once more.

The person who had led Arima Shizuya there looked as if he had just awakened from a dream, suddenly wearing a dazed expression.

"...Huh?"

He patted his forehead, feeling as though he might not have rested well the day before.

How could he have dozed off during work? That was careless. If his superior saw him, he would be punished...

He hurriedly checked whether any keys were missing. After quickly scanning them, the middle-aged man finally relaxed.

There was no problem.

Everything in his care was still there.

Yet at the same time, one thing alone struck him as strange.

"Did I... speak to someone just now?"

He could not remember. It was simply too vague.

Perhaps he had merely confused a dream with reality.

Patting the key ring at his waist, he looked at the one hanging at the very top.

It opened a special room containing what was known as the Problem Asauchi. Inside were violent souls judged by the teachers to be too ill-tempered to get along with ordinary students.

If ordinary students came into contact with them on their own, something terrible could happen.

So...

"As long as this is still here, it's fine!"

Meanwhile.

Elsewhere, Aizen did not lead Arima Shizuya back to the instructional district.

Instead, after taking several turns, he eventually arrived at a place the boy knew very well.

The Kendo Hall.

After showing his teacher's identification, Aizen easily rented the largest private room.

What were they doing here?

"Shizuya-kun, you should hurry and change as well."

Aizen spoke with a smile, removing his loose robe and changing into a somewhat tight-fitting black outfit.

"...Huh? What do you mean?"

Aizen did not answer immediately. He simply walked calmly to stand opposite Arima Shizuya.

Then he turned to the side.

His right hand lowered onto the hilt of his sword, fingers closing around it in a firm grip.

Gasp...

With an almost inaudible hum, the slender Zanpakuto quietly appeared in his hand.

"It's nothing. I merely had a sudden whim..."

Aizen's expression reflected upon the pale blade, looking strange, teasing, and faintly amused.

"I want to have a Real Sword Practice match with you, Shizuya-kun."