First Meeting, I am Aizen

"Lord Kisaragi, we can only escort you this far."

In front of the Shin'o Academy, a young girl dressed in white robes and scarlet hakama was bidding farewell to a boy whose face held a hint of reluctance.

"The path ahead is one you must walk alone."

The girl's smile was as bright as a flower, and she seemed to be looking forward to the days to come.

"My, my, Ise Shizune, that is truly heartless of you."

The boy curled his lip in disdain. "Regardless of anything else, I am still your Chief Priest!"

"Yes, yes, Chief Priest."

Ise Shizune coaxed him gently, "During your time at the academy, you must, must, must not stir up any trouble."

"After all, there is no shortage of students here from the high-ranking noble houses, and even the Five Great Noble Clans."

"If you were to provoke them, given our status, I fear we would be dragged to the execution grounds in no time!"

For once, the boy did not talk back to the girl; instead, he nodded slightly and replied with a smile:

"I understand, Shizune."

This reaction left Ise Shizune stunned for a moment, but she soon broke into a smile, waved goodbye, and departed from the vicinity of the Shin'o Academy.

Today was the enrollment day for the Shin'o Academy, and there were many boys like him, including no shortage of nobles dressed in extravagant attire.

This was the Soul Society, the world of the Shinigami.

His name was Kisaragi Akira, the Chief Priest of the shrine in the Nikkotsu District of the Rukongai—or, as they say, the head priest.

Kisaragi Akira could no longer quite remember how long it had been since he transmigrated into this world.

The difficult life of constant hunger in his early days had ended when he joined the shrine, and thereafter, relying on his understanding and familiarity with the profession of a "charlatan,"

Kisaragi Akira had climbed step by step to the top of the shrine, becoming the—ah, no, the Chief Priest.

Although the Nikkotsu Shrine consisted only of him and Ise Shizune, This did not hinder Kisaragi Akira's current status within the Rukongai.

As the only Chief Priest for several nearby districts, Kisaragi Akira wielded considerable authority.

Duties such as rituals, exorcisms, and prayers were all handled by him personally, while Ise Shizune served as his assistant.

Of course, in certain emergency situations, Ise Shizune still had to step up.

For instance, when encountering thugs, rebels, riots, or even Hollows infiltrating the Rukongai.

After all, Kisaragi Akira had never undergone any systematic training and had absolutely no idea how to fight; even if he possessed a certain amount of talent, he could not convert it into sufficient combat power.

To prevent such situations from happening over and over again, Ise Shizune, after careful consideration, made the executive decision to send Kisaragi Akira to the Shin'o Academy for training.

Although this would cost the Nikkotsu Shrine a certain amount of prestige, considering the future of the shrine and its Chief Priest, Ise Shizune still made this decision.

However, Kisaragi Akira had no grand ambitions, nor did he wish to enter the whirlpool of trouble that was the Seireitei.

He only wanted to protect his own little corner of the world.

Admittedly, this idea seemed quite extravagant in such a dangerous world.

But Kisaragi Akira believed he still had a glimmer of hope.

Because a year ago, his golden finger had finally arrived.

[Check-in System]

Just as the name implied, one could grow stronger simply by checking in, requiring far less effort than those "self-discipline" systems next door.

However, when Kisaragi Akira delved deeper into his golden finger, he discovered that this thing was an absolute pit.

Daily check-ins, monthly check-ins, yearly check-ins.

The current three methods of checking in could only be described as increasingly treacherous.

On the first day of checking in, he received a refined broom; it was incredibly smooth to use and swept with clean, crisp efficiency.

The reward for the second day was two stone lanterns, which he placed right in front of the shrine, focusing on "vertical illumination."

The reward for the third day was a set of high-quality shrine maiden robes, which he gifted to Ise Shizune, significantly boosting the girl's favorability toward him.

That one could barely be considered useful.

The subsequent check-in rewards were all scattered, useless junk.

Only occasionally would he encounter items that could improve his quality of life.

Useful items were few and far between.

These included, but were not limited to, Yamamoto's secret roasted sweet potatoes, high-quality konpeito, sweet and crisp dried persimmons, and bound volumes of the Seireitei Communication.

This situation continued until the first monthly check-in.

[First monthly check-in successful]

[Obtained exclusive trait: Reishi Affinity]

[Reishi Affinity: Reishi views you as a friend and is highly compatible with you, doubling your spiritual power cultivation speed!]

Benefiting from the acquisition of this trait, Kisaragi Akira began to attempt cultivation. Although there was still a significant gap compared to those geniuses, he could be considered a standout among commoners.

Through his arduous training and the rewards obtained from constant check-ins.

On the eve of heading to the Shin'o Academy, Kisaragi Akira's panel had reached a relatively "luxurious" level.

[Name: Kisaragi Akira]

[Identity: Nikkotsu Shrine Chief Priest, Rukongai commoner, Shin'o Academy first-year student]

[Reiatsu: lv10]

[Zanjutsu: lv10]

[Hakuda: lv10]

[Shunpo: lv10]

[Kido: lv10]

[Exclusive Trait: Reishi Affinity]

This incredibly simple, all-around panel clearly marked Kisaragi Akira's current strength.

According to his calculations and deductions, his current level of strength was equivalent to that of a standard Shinigami soldier.

Even though Kisaragi Akira could no longer clearly recall the details of what happened in the Shinigami world due to the passage of time.

He was still aware that a soldier-level existence didn't even count as cannon fodder.

Not to mention that his current strength might not even be on par with Ise Shizune.

Fortunately, this level of ability was more than enough to enter the Shin'o Academy, and he had even been assigned to the elite class.

One could only say that Reishi Affinity had made a great contribution.

As Ise Shizune's back completely disappeared from view, Kisaragi Akira put away his chaotic thoughts and officially cast his gaze toward the magnificent, massive gates of the Shin'o Academy.

[Location Check-in: Shin'o Academy]

[Obtained Exclusive Trait: Danger Instinct]

[Danger Instinct: You are born with a sensitivity to danger that exceeds that of ordinary people, especially when encountering a life-threatening crisis.]

The sudden acquisition of this trait caused Kisaragi Akira's six senses to undergo a massive transformation, and everything in the world became clear within his perception.

The lurking crises made his hair stand on end, and his entire mental state tightened.

His weak strength made Kisaragi Akira feel as though the entire world was filled with malice toward him.

Until—

A gentle voice came from behind: "Excuse me, are you also a new student at the Shin'o Academy?"

Kisaragi Akira turned around, and what came into view was a boy also wearing the blue and white academy uniform.

A sunny, kind smile, short, slightly curled brown hair, and brown eyes; his somewhat slender frame gave off a fragile impression.

"Yes, I am. My name is Kisaragi Akira."

Upon hearing the other's self-introduction, the refined and courteous boy raised the corners of his mouth and said slowly:

"Nice to meet you, I am Sosuke, Aizen Sosuke..."

New book setting sail!

The pacing of this book will be slightly slower, but overall it won't be too slow, with some daily life content interspersed throughout.