Silence is Cambridge Tonight

The next day.

Everything was as usual.

At the very least, in the eyes of Aizen, Kisaragi Akira was no different from his usual self, still as carefree as ever.

He even found the time to sneak a bite of Aizen's grilled fish.

Today's lesson was Kido.

Kisaragi Akira's greatest weakness.

During class, he was exceptionally attentive, clearly recording every key point the teacher mentioned; he was practically ready to pull out a notebook to take notes.

Fortunately, he had no pen.

An abnormality within the normal—this was the true state of Kisaragi Akira.

Aizen observed him for a long time, failing to detect even a shred of worry from the guy.

He didn't seem to take what happened last night to heart at all.

"The Reiatsu circulation methods for Hado #4 and Hado #11 are different, which leads to different release forms, but in essence, there is no significant difference in their power."

"Of course, this is based on the premise of equal Reiatsu levels..."

Being able to serve as the Kido instructor for Class One, he was a standout among the Shinigami.

Kisaragi Akira had a slight impression of the Kido instructor on the podium, who possessed a resolute face and muscles that made him look more like a berserker than a mage.

The future Grand Kido Chief, Hikifune Tessai.

It is worth mentioning that among all the teachers, Hikifune Tessai was the only one capable of suppressing Kisaragi Akira through sheer force.

"Teacher Tessai, judging by the numbering, there are fewer than three hundred types of Kido. If all these Kido were countered by an enemy, would we just be forced to sit and wait for death?"

The curious student's question made Hikifune Tessai pause for a moment before he let out a hearty laugh:

"Haha, almost every batch of students asks a similar question."

"But once they try to delve deeper into Kido knowledge, they realize that mastering all Kido is a fantasy in itself."

"Of course, the Soul Society has a long history, and there is no shortage of so-called geniuses."

"There was once a genius who mastered all Kido, and what he did next was to create his own Kido based on the existing ones."

"And because the sequence numbers were already exhausted, the Kido he created were not included in our textbooks."

"If any of you are interested, you can go to the library to study them in your spare time."

"In daily life, you should still prioritize your formal studies."

Hikifune Tessai's expression turned slightly stern, his pectoral muscles twitching like mice:

"Otherwise, I will not show any mercy during the exams!"

Truth be told.

His posture was more intimidating than the Kido itself.

As expected.

A mage should max out their health and stamina, adding points to skills like Skull Cracker, Block, Critical Strike, Charge, Decapitation, and Armor Shred.

Then, just one point in Light spell is enough.

After a Kido class, Kisaragi Akira was deeply convinced of this conclusion.

"Sosuke, what do you think?"

Aizen sighed helplessly: "Whatever makes you happy."

Facing similar questions posed by Kisaragi Akira, he had become almost immune.

If you take him seriously and discuss it with him earnestly.

This guy would drag your IQ down to his level in just a few sentences, and then use his rich experience to make you feel inferior.

Therefore, the best choice is to shut up.

That night.

The moon was dark and the wind was high.

A young figure leaned against the wall, looking left and right. After discovering there were no patrolling Shinigami, he leaped over the high wall of the Spiritual Arts Academy in one bound.

Just as he was feeling smug about not being discovered, he saw the door beside him slowly open, and a familiar figure stepped out.

"The door wasn't locked," Aizen said expressionlessly.

Kisaragi Akira was stunned, his eyes widening slightly: "I thought you weren't coming?"

"Who said that?"

"No, wait?!"

Kisaragi Akira suddenly realized that it seemed Aizen had never said he wouldn't come along.

"Your strength is too poor."

Aizen said calmly, "If Azashiro Soya were to make a move, you wouldn't even have a chance to run."

"But with me here, it's different."

Hearing this, Kisaragi Akira suddenly perked up, asking with a hint of excitement:

"Are you saying you can beat him?"

Aizen stared at the youth before him as if looking at an idiot:

"I can ensure that the two of us die with a bit more dignity."

Kisaragi Akira: "..."

In the silence, mosaic-like white light rippled in the empty air, and as a massive amount of spirit particles gathered, a pristine white figure gradually emerged.

Azashiro Soya's expressionless face appeared before the two once again.

Noticing that Kisaragi Akira and Aizen had both arrived as promised, Azashiro Soya seemed somewhat surprised.

After a moment of silence, the corners of his mouth curled into an imperceptible arc, and he said flatly:

"Since you are both here, come with me."

"Where to?"

"The Central Execution Grounds."

Hearing this, Kisaragi Akira and Aizen exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

But as Azashiro Soya's figure drifted further away, the two could not discuss it further and followed with heavy footsteps.

A massive pit sat within the desolate expanse, its interior paved with sturdy stone slabs, still stained with dark red, undried remnants.

There were not even any Soul Reaper guards nearby, and even the sealed iron gate was covered in rust, as if this place had not been used for a very long time.

Kisaragi Akira didn't even see Azashiro Soya move before the iron gate blocking their path was twisted like a pretzel and tossed aside like trash.

As they drew closer to the pit, the stench in the air grew heavier.

It was as if a bloody hell filled with corpses lay ahead!

The scattered deaths lingered over Kisaragi Akira's heart, as if invisible hands were gripping it tight.

Even though he had seen enough hell in the Nikkotsu District, he still found it difficult to adapt to this oppressive atmosphere.

The three arrived before the giant pit, where the blue stone slabs had been stained black-red by mottled blood, the pungent stench stimulating their nerves as if narrating the brutality of this execution ground to those who arrived.

"One hundred years ago, the Azashiro Clan suffered a catastrophe."

Azashiro Soya narrated calmly, as if speaking of something completely unrelated to himself.

"Other nobles, coveting the wealth of the Azashiro Clan, framed most of its members to their deaths."

"The remaining family members were thrown one after another into the Central Execution Grounds—this very pit before us—where they were forced to fight against Hollows used for executions."

"Those who were lucky enough to survive were exiled into the Dangai without the guidance of a Hell Butterfly."

"The nobles who framed the Azashiro Clan sat in the stands, enjoying the sight of the victims' suffering below."

"My sister and I were the last two, thrown into the execution grounds together."

Only then did a trace of imperceptible fluctuation appear in Azashiro Soya's tone.

"To protect me, my sister forcibly activated a Hado she could not yet use: Soren Sokatsui."

"With that, her life came to an end."

Having said this, Azashiro Soya turned his head to look at the silent Kisaragi Akira beside him, whispering:

"If it is possible..."

"I want to see my sister one more time..."