Aizen's Lesson

Aizen's Lesson

"I didn't expect Captain Aizen to notice it," Xin said in surprise.

"Oh? Could it be that President Tachikawa had been deliberately hiding it?" Aizen asked with a smile.

Xin shook his head. "It doesn't count as hiding it. This is indeed my Zanpakutō's ability. Since I haven't had my Zanpakutō for long, I've been practicing how to use it. Besides, I train often in my daily life, and these spirit particles help me avoid getting injured during training."

"I see." Aizen nodded. "President Tachikawa is so diligent. No wonder you are so outstanding."

"Many people around me are like that. I can hardly call myself diligent," Xin said modestly.

"President Tachikawa is being too modest. I heard that your Swordsmanship Class grades far surpass those of students in the same year. Talent alone could never achieve such a level. Yet someone with your swordsmanship possesses a healing-type Zanpakutō. That is quite surprising." Aizen continued smiling, his tone as casual as if he were merely chatting. Despite being a captain, he carried no airs at all, making it easy for others to lower their guard around him.

Xin sighed. "Actually, I find it surprising too. I also wish my Zanpakutō were one with powerful strength."

"President Tachikawa, you are not being honest."

Aizen suddenly shook his head, and the smile on his face seemed to take on a deeper meaning, causing Xin to pause in surprise.

"A Zanpakutō is part of a person's soul, and its ability is a reflection of their heart. Since President Tachikawa possesses a healing-type Zanpakutō capable of using healing Kido, it means you truly desire such power deep down. It is clear that President Tachikawa is someone who thinks of others."

"..."

Xin did not know how to respond to that, so he simply stood there with a thoughtful look on his face.

Aizen set down the documents in his hand. "Let us go take a look at Class A first. Is it almost time for their lesson?"

Xin checked the schedules for each class as well. "They happen to have Kido Class today, so they should be practicing Hakudō. We can observe them. If Captain Aizen is willing, you could offer them some guidance."

With Rukia, Xin led Aizen and Ichimaru Gin to the outdoor Kido Class classroom used by first-year Class A.

The arrival of the Fifth Division captain and Lieutenant Captain caused quite a stir among the students.

The teacher who had been giving the lesson hurried over to Aizen.

"Hello, Captain Aizen. May I ask why you are...?"

"It is nothing. I merely came to take a look around. Please continue your lesson as normal," Aizen said gently.

The teacher said, "Would Captain Aizen be willing to give the students some guidance?"

"If you do not mind, Teacher."

"Of course not."

Aizen walked to the front of the students and greeted them with an easygoing manner.

Xin stood quietly at the classroom entrance with Rukia. Rukia seemed to be secretly greeting a student, and Xin followed her gaze to see a red-haired boy with an unusual hairstyle.

Aizen took the teacher's place and explained some theoretical knowledge from Kido Class. Every student present listened with rapt attention. In their eyes, the chance to be personally taught by a captain of the Gotei 13 was not something that came often.

Afterward, Aizen thoughtfully had every student come forward to try casting Kido, pointing out each person's shortcomings and what they needed to correct.

Watching from the side, Xin could not help but marvel at how "admirable" Aizen's earnest demeanor was. Even Shiba Kaien, who could likewise mingle easily with students, was slightly inferior in this regard.

However, a small incident occurred during Aizen's lesson. When it was Renji's turn to cast Hado #31: Crimson Cannon, he made a mistake and nearly injured himself. Aizen used his own spiritual pressure to neutralize the blast's aftermath, then carefully explained the principles of Crimson Cannon and what to pay attention to when casting it, encouraging Renji to try again.

Standing in the middle of the field, Renji noticed that every student's gaze was fixed on him. Even Rukia was watching from the side, and the pressure on him multiplied.

He took a deep breath, raised his arm forward, and began to chant, "Ruler of the heavens! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter your wings and bear the name of man! Scorching heat and strife, roll across the sea and march south, step forward..."

There was nothing wrong with the incantation, but Xin noticed that the fluctuations in Renji's spiritual pressure were completely off. He silently retreated half a step.

"Hado #31: Crimson Cannon!"

Aizen had clearly noticed it as well. The instant Renji's spiritual pressure burst forth, Aizen moved in a flash and pressed down on his arm. The spirit particles that should have turned into flames immediately fizzled out, leaving only a wisp of black smoke rising from his palm.

Renji: "..."

Aizen: "..."

Aizen stared straight at Renji, then suddenly sighed. "This student, after you return, study the theoretical knowledge related to Kido more carefully."

The students immediately burst into laughter. Renji's face turned bright red. He did not even dare look toward Rukia at the classroom entrance, merely answering "Yes" meekly before turning and returning to his place.

Xin had been watching Aizen's reaction the entire time and unconsciously let out a soft laugh. Although Aizen wore glasses, Xin caught something that flashed through his eyes for an instant from the side.

It was the calmness of realizing that someone had no talent.

"Renji works very hard!"

Rukia suddenly spoke from beside him.

Xin glanced sideways, realizing that Rukia thought he had been laughing at Renji as well. "I was not laughing at that student."

"Then who was President Tachikawa laughing at?"

Another voice sounded beside him. It was Ichimaru Gin, his eyes narrowed as he looked over with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Nothing. I merely remembered what I was like when I first began learning Kido. Honestly, I was not much better than that student just now."

"Is that so?" Ichimaru Gin seemed somewhat surprised. "I find that a little hard to believe."

In his eyes, the Student Council President of the Spirit Training Academy was at the very least no mediocrity when it came to talent for cultivation. Ichimaru Gin knew very well what it felt like to have talent—the feeling of being able to learn anything with ease.

"Of course it is true."

Xin's expression remained unchanged as he shifted the topic. "Still, although that student's Kido performance is a little poor, I can see that he has an exceptional frame. Perhaps he has great talent in some other area."

Rukia

Affection: 31

Ichimaru Gin did not respond further.

The smile on Xin's face only grew brighter.

Aizen conscientiously taught the entire lesson, successfully earning every student's affection. Everyone liked this approachable captain. At first, many of them had thought that a captain of the Gotei 13 would be an imposing and unapproachable figure.

After class, under the students' reluctant gazes, Aizen and the others left the classroom.

"These students' lessons are truly interesting. They reminded me of when I studied at the Spirit Training Academy."

Aizen seemed to still be recalling what had just happened as he spoke unconsciously.

He then looked at Xin with a warm smile. "It has also been a long time since I last came to the Spirit Training Academy. Suddenly, I feel that I could come here more often in the future. If the teachers and students here do not mind, it would be nice to substitute for a class now and then."