The Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy was the only civilian educational institution in Soul Society. To put it bluntly, it was the Gotei 13's private military academy.
Since Soul Society had no ordinary schools for civilians, the academy taught not only combat skills but also all sorts of general knowledge and etiquette. It was a comprehensive educational institution.
After all, the Gotei 13 handled almost all of Seireitei's administrative affairs. Knowing how to swing a sword wasn't enough.
Don't let the numbers fool you. Each year, the academy graduated anywhere from a few dozen students to a dozen or so, and sometimes only a single-digit number.
But as spiritual beings, Soul Reapers had terrifyingly long lifespans.
Unless they met with disaster while hunting Hollows in the World of the Living, or suffered some other "accident," they could live for centuries before their spirit particles naturally dwindled and they died of old age.
So aside from the Thirteenth Division, which was stationed in the World of the Living, and the Eleventh Division, which was full of battle maniacs, the other divisions weren't actually that short on personnel.
"Speaking of which, it's strange that neither the Eleventh nor the Thirteenth Division sent anyone this time..."
Miraiji Yanadera mused to himself. His gaze swept over the graduates standing neatly in three rows, then settled on the three outstanding students at the very front. He couldn't help giving an approving nod.
At the head of the line stood Lisa Yadomaru, a girl with glasses and black hair in braided pigtails.
She wore a serious expression, her gaze behind her lenses calm and focused. Her Soul Reaper uniform was immaculate, and she gave off a mix of "model student" and "bookworm" vibes.
A future member of the Visored, with unquestionable skill—and she was pretty, too.
Next was Hiyori Sarugaki. She was petite, and her short blond hair made her look full of energy. Right now, she was pouting slightly, impatience and defiance in her eyes.
She was another future member of the Visored, and she had a bit of a temper.
Last was Sōsuke Aizen.
He might be smiling warmly and brightly right now, like the friendly big brother next door, but if they recruited him into the division, they'd probably have to sleep with one eye open every night, for fear he'd "optimize" them with a smile one day.
Yanadera quickly ran through the possibilities in his head.
Honestly, the best outcome would be to recruit Lisa Yadomaru, this class's best Shunpo practitioner, into the Ninth Division.
She had excellent grades and looked capable, too. Maybe she could help with the mountain of division paperwork!
The problem was that she was a top talent. She'd definitely be aiming for at least a lieutenant's post.
A division like the Ninth, which already had a lieutenant, probably wouldn't even be on her list of options.
Sigh. I'd love to trick a few more people—no, recruit a few more outstanding talents to come back and handle paperwork, but I guess I'll let it go this time.
Yanadera sighed inwardly, his gaze unconsciously drifting back to Aizen's smiling face.
With that guy here, I'll be grateful if we get through today without incident.
As if sensing his gaze, Aizen turned his head slightly and gave Yanadera an even brighter, gentler smile.
Yanadera's spiritual senses jolted! Oh, no!
He quickly stole a glance at the back of Shinji Hirako's head.
He and Hirako, along with Kyōraku, were often called Seireitei's "Three Perverts."
But who could say what Hirako was really thinking?
Shunsui Kyōraku was just as much of a deep, old fox.
I'm the only pure, innocent little flower here, stuck in a gang with two old foxes. If I'm not careful, they'll eat me alive and leave nothing but bones.
"Clap, clap, clap."
Captain Kirio Hikifune smiled as she clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"You're all outstanding graduates! The divisions recruiting this time are the Twelfth, Ninth, Eighth, and Fifth. Of course, if any of you already have a division in mind, you can go straight to the headmaster and submit an application after we're done~"
Her eyes narrowed with a smile. Her full figure radiated a reassuring warmth that made people want to be near her.
Quite a few graduates already looked eager. They felt that joining such a kind captain's division probably wouldn't be too hard on them.
Hikifune continued, "All right, anyone who wants to join one of our divisions, please step forward."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lisa Yadomaru was the first to step out.
She took two steps forward and introduced herself calmly.
"Hello, Captains. I'm Lisa Yadomaru. Shunpo was my strongest subject at the academy, but that doesn't mean I'm lacking in other areas. I've also studied division administration, document organization, financial accounting, and other related fields in depth."
Before she could finish, Shunsui Kyōraku cheerfully cut in. "Lisa-chan~ The Eighth Division would be delighted to have you! I've even saved the lieutenant's position just for you~"
At this, Lisa's brows furrowed ever so slightly.
This captain... seems a little frivolous.
A suppressed murmur of astonishment and discussion rose from among the waiting graduates.
"The lieutenant's position! Captain Kyōraku just promised her a lieutenant's post!"
"That's incredible! No wonder Lisa's the best at Shunpo!"
"I'm so jealous..."
Seeing that Lisa hadn't accepted right away, Shinji Hirako spoke up with a smile, too.
"Lisa Yadomaru, the Fifth Division would be just as happy to have you. If you join us, you can immediately take the position of Fourth Seat. How does that sound?" He didn't offer her the lieutenant's position.
Lisa looked at Hirako. For some reason, his seemingly hearty smile made her feel a subtle sense of unease, and her impression of him took a knock.
Finally, she turned her gaze to Kirio Hikifune.
However, the Twelfth Division captain merely maintained her warm smile and made no offer.
Lisa's gaze moved between the three captains as she rapidly weighed her options.
In terms of future prospects, the Eighth Division was indeed the best choice. Captain Kyōraku had directly promised her the lieutenant's position.
My senior, Mashiro Kuna, became a lieutenant in two years. I'll do it even faster! I have to make it within a year!
She completely overlooked Miraiji Yanadera, who was almost entirely hidden behind Kirio Hikifune.
As far as she was concerned, the Ninth Division wasn't even worth considering.
In the end, she walked over to Shunsui Kyōraku and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Captain. Would you like me to demonstrate my grades and abilities?"
"Hahaha, there's no need, no need~" Kyōraku laughed and waved a hand.
"Lisa-chan, all those tedious procedures would just be a waste of time." He pointed warmly to the spot beside him, inviting her to stand there.
Normally, the graduates would demonstrate their abilities while the captains introduced their divisions' principles, and both sides would choose one another.
But for these talented graduates, who had long been on everyone's radar, there was no harm in skipping those steps.
Of course, ordinary students didn't get that treatment. They should be grateful if any division was willing to take them.
After all, becoming a Soul Reaper meant securing a "steady job" and a worry-free future.
As for the graduates who failed to become Soul Reapers, they either had to seek positions as private soldiers for the nobility or find their own way in the world. Their futures were uncertain.
The second person to step forward was Hiyori Sarugaki.
She ignored the smiling Shunsui Kyōraku and Shinji Hirako and went straight to Kirio Hikifune.
Hikifune's smile remained warm. "Everyone in the Twelfth Division is like family~"
Hiyori didn't respond.
Suddenly, she thrust her head out and pointed at Miraiji Yanadera, who had been standing behind Hikifune the whole time, and demanded loudly,
"Hey! Why's there a Fifth Seat standing over there?! Are you looking down on us graduates?!"
Miraiji Yanadera looked completely baffled.
What's going on? This girl was clearly interested in the Twelfth Division. Why did she suddenly turn her attention to me?
When did I offend her? No way!
"Oh?" Shunsui Kyōraku immediately added in his lazy drawl, "So Yanadera's looking down on the graduates? That's not very nice~"
"Hmph. Idiot Yanadera's always been arrogant," Shinji Hirako added impassively.
Yanadera's eyes flew wide open.
Wait! How did I suddenly become an arrogant jerk who looks down on graduates?!
You two old foxes, stop stirring things up from the sidelines!
Captain Kirio Hikifune smiled and took an elegant step to the side, fully exposing Miraiji Yanadera to everyone's view. "Fifth Seat Yanadera."
Yanadera sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't avoid this.
He calmly walked up to Hiyori Sarugaki, lowered his head slightly, and looked at the furious blond girl. In a clear, steady voice, he said,
"So, as a Fifth Seat, why should I look up to newly graduated... you people?"
As soon as the words fell, the training ground fell completely silent.
Since they'd put him on the spot, then he, a "mere Fifth Seat," would have to teach these proud "geniuses" a proper lesson today.
Otherwise, when he got back, his fellow seated officers would drown him in spittle.
Before you continue