Team Leader Inspection

Among the first-year students, Hinamori Momo and Izuru Kira were assigned to the Organization Department under Hisagi Shūhei.

No one had a very concrete idea of each student council department's specific functions, so there were no objections—they only thought about doing their own work well in the future.

Rukia's name was the last to be called.

"Rukia, serving as the Student Council President's assistant."

Student Council President's assistant?

Many were surprised to hear this. Was there even such a position?

But soon, others showed envy in their eyes.

In the eyes of these first-year students, the Student Council President was a major figure, likely on the same level as the Spirit Training Academy's teachers. Being able to stay by his side was naturally a good thing.

Rukia herself was a bit dazed. She didn't understand what made her special among the crowd of new students, or why she alone had been given such a role.

Truth be told, she didn't really like this kind of special treatment. The various looks from those around her put her under great pressure, even to the point of unease.

Ever since Renji had been eliminated in the first round of student council selections, she hadn't had much interest in the council itself. It wasn't a must-join for her; if Renji hadn't encouraged her, she might have given up back then.

But beside her, Hinamori Momo couldn't help gently tugging at her sleeve, looking excited.

Rukia suppressed her restless thoughts and responded with a "Yes."

After the department assignments for all first-year students were finished, the newcomers were taken away by their respective department heads or senior students for private talks.

Rukia was left alone in the office.

Xin looked at the girl before him and spoke unhurriedly: "You don't seem very satisfied with this arrangement?"

Rukia quickly replied, "No! It's just... I just don't think I'm capable of handling such an important position."

Xin smiled faintly. "It's just a student council assistant—hardly an important position. If you're unwilling, I can find someone to swap with you. I don't like forcing people to do things they don't want to do."

Rukia's thoughts raced. She felt that refusing outright would be very rude, so she said, "You misunderstand... I, I'll do my best!"

Xin smiled encouragingly. "I already told you, it's not that important a position. You should be more confident. Even if it were a very important role, how would you know you couldn't handle it? Spend the next couple of days getting familiar with the work, and once you're used to it, it'll be fine."

At least the president is a very kind person...

Rukia thought to herself.

"Y-yes, President!"

"Then you can head back now. Don't you have class this morning?"

Actually, after binding the Reaper's Wedge to Rukia, Xin had already started to regret it. He hadn't known this "Second Reaper's Wedge" could be activated before. Xin had thought that, as the female lead of the original Bleach story, Rukia's rewards should be higher than others.

But Rukia was also someone not so easy to win over.

In comparison, Hinamori Momo was much simpler.

Still, since he'd already come this far, there was no point in regretting it. He'd just have to take it one step at a time.

With Rukia and Hinamori Momo in sight, Xin's strength should usher in another period of rapid growth.

After leaving the student council's main office, Rukia couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief. She noticed Hinamori Momo standing at the end of the hallway, apparently waiting for her.

"Rukia!"

Hinamori waved at her with a bright smile.

"How was it?"

As soon as Rukia got close, she heard Hinamori asking eagerly.

"How was what?"

"The President! You're the President's assistant now, so you'll get to stay by his side often from now on." Hinamori Momo said excitedly.

Rukia was feeling anxious about this very matter, so she replied, "I don't even know if I can do this job well..."

Hinamori Momo cheered her on. "You'll definitely do great!"

"I'll do my best," Rukia said, then asked in return, "What about you? Your department head is that senior Hisagi, right?"

Hinamori Momo looked a bit deflated. "Senior Hisagi is kind of stern. And those two classmates assigned with me—that guy named Izuru Kira always has a long face too. They all feel really dull. Honestly, I envy you, Rukia. The President is such an easygoing person."

Rukia thought that was true. Then she also thought that someone with a more outgoing personality like Hinamori Momo would be more suited for her own job.

With that thought, Rukia, who was already lacking in confidence, became even more shaken.

"Anyway, once we all get familiar with each other, it'll be fine. Let's both do our best, Rukia."

Hinamori Momo comforted herself a little, then shared the encouragement with Rukia.

During the break, Renji Abarai, who was in Class A, came to find Rukia.

Rukia told him about some things in the student council, including that she had become the President's assistant.

"President's assistant..."

Renji Abarai scratched his head. It felt like a pretty high position, like a captain's vice-officer.

Of course, he didn't know there was such a thing as a vice president in the student council. He wasn't very familiar with the council to begin with.

But Renji was still happy for Rukia. "That's great, Rukia! Looks like that president knows what's good after all!"

"Idiot! I'm not some piece of cargo!" Rukia snapped.

Renji corrected himself: "I mean, your President has great taste, hahahaha!"

"..."

Seeing her friend genuinely happy for her, Rukia's expression softened considerably.

"Renji, now that we've come to the Spirit Training Academy with the goal of becoming Soul Reapers, we both need to work hard. You're in Class A, so you have to try even harder!"

"Yeah, I know!"

Renji raised his fist, his face full of confidence: "Don't worry, Rukia. We're definitely going to become incredibly strong Soul Reapers!"

#

With the Student Council in place, Xin could openly skip class.

Nanda Hidezawa felt helpless about this behavior, but he also knew there was really nothing left to teach him.

All he could do was advise Xin not to neglect his training. Though Xin's overall strength was top-tier within the Spirit Training Academy, outside it he was nothing—plenty of people were stronger than him.

Xin was well aware of this too. Even with the system helping him improve, he still set aside time each day for cultivation.

However, thanks to the system's character information interface, he could sense that his training progress was very slow—far less effective than interacting with Rukia and Hinamori Momo right now.

"A captain is coming to inspect the Spirit Training Academy?"

Xin suddenly received this news from one of the academy's teachers.

"That's right. This happens every year, as you should know. This time, your Student Council will be in charge of reception. The main task is to guide them through each first-year class."

Xin knew the academy had this tradition. Shortly after new students enrolled each year, a captain would come to inspect the Spirit Training Academy.

One of the main reasons was to let the new students see a captain of the Thirteen Divisions with their own eyes, thereby inspiring their resolve to join the Thirteen Divisions.

"Then may I ask which captain is coming to inspect this year?"

"Oh, Captain Sosuke Aizen of the Fifth Division."