Field Training in the Human World

Xin found it a little unsettling that Rukia was no longer around to linger nearby.

The news that Rukia, a first-year student in Class B, had been adopted by the Kuchiki family quickly spread throughout the Spirit Training Academy. Many envied Rukia's incredible fortune, for the Kuchiki were one of the Four Great Noble Clans!

Hinamori also came to ask about Rukia. She had known about the adoption at the time but was unaware that Rukia had taken a month-long leave of absence.

"I wonder what Rukia will be like when I see her next," Hinamori couldn't help but sigh.

An orphan from the Rukon District had suddenly become a top noble in Seireitei. Such a drastic change in status was difficult even for those close to her to adapt to. She wondered how Rukia would fare.

Rukia's temporary departure became mere gossip among the students and didn't significantly impact their lives.

With nothing better to do, Xin went to the classroom to prepare for his next lesson.

Hisagi Shūhei was quite surprised to see him. "Is there something you need?"

"Can't I come to class if I don't have anything to do?"

"How strange!" Shūhei said plainly.

Many classmates were surprised to see Xin. Xin also spotted Kanazawa in a seat not far away.

Ever since the Student Council dinner during the cultural festival, she seemed to be deliberately avoiding Xin. Normally, the basic affairs of the Student Council were handled by other members who would approach Xin for tasks.

Xin greeted her with a smile. The usually stern disciplinary committee member's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she turned her head away.

Today's class was about communication methods with Zanpakutō, taught by their homeroom teacher, Nanda Hidezawa.

Teacher Nanda's eyes nearly popped out when he saw Xin. The kid finally remembered he was a student!

He had been forced to adopt an attitude of willful ignorance towards Xin. Knowing he couldn't change the kid's bad habits, he stopped bothering.

This kid's standing and influence in the school had surpassed his own, and even the principal admired him.

The content of the lesson wasn't particularly profound or obscure for Xin. Ever since he obtained his Zanpakutō, he had diligently studied such knowledge, basically going through all the books related to Zanpakutō in the library.

The class passed by peacefully.

When the dismissal bell rang, Nanda Hidezawa called out several names from the podium.

"Hisagi Shūhei, Kanazawa, Aoshika, please come here."

Xin casually asked, "What do they want you for?"

Shūhei explained, "It's probably about the first-year students' practical training in the Human World. They want us to lead the teams. Teacher Nanda had already informed me in advance."

Xin was taken aback. Practical training in the Human World...

There were two types of practical training in the Human World: Soul Burial training and simulated Hollow combat training.

After a period of study at the Spirit Training Academy, first-year students could undergo the latter training under the guidance of upperclassmen.

Simulated Hollow combat training also took place within a barrier space set up in a certain location in the Human World, involving combat with low-level Hollows.

"Why didn't I know about this?"

Shūhei looked speechless. "You don't come to class even once a month, how could you possibly know?"

"When do we depart?"

"In three days, I believe."

"Is it with Class A of the first-years?"

"It should start with Class A."

Xin suddenly stood up and said, "I'll go with you."

"Go, go where?" Shūhei was a bit bewildered.

This kind of job was essentially being a babysitter for the lower-grade students. As upper-grade students, they had already undergone practical training in the Human World many times.

Kanazawa instinctively averted her gaze when she saw Xin walking out with Shūhei.

The four of them went to Nanda Hidezawa's office together.

Teacher Nanda was also surprised to see Xin accompanying them. "Is there something you need?"

Xin directly recommended himself. "Teacher Nanda, when it comes to leading practical training in the Human World, it should naturally be the most outstanding students in the class who go. I believe I am precisely that kind of student."

Nanda Hidezawa was speechless. He thought to himself, If you came to class normally every day, I would naturally call on you. But you're never around; where would I even find you?

Although it involved combat with Hollows, the risk was actually very low. Besides the upper-grade students leading the teams, there were also active Shinigami secretly overseeing the operation. The Hollows brought in were weak, low-level fodder for the first-year students to practice on.

Nanda Hidezawa pondered for a moment. "In that case, you shall lead the team this time. Although the main participants are first-year students, I hope you will be diligent."

Practical training in the Human World was something familiar to Xin and the others, so not much more needed to be said.

Shūhei and Aoshika were both curious why Xin, who had never shown interest in classes, would suddenly volunteer for such a thankless task.

Kanazawa, however, thought differently.

She lowered her head, with only one thought in her mind: Did Xin come specifically because of me...?

The more she thought about it, the more she believed it. If it were Xin's usual personality, let alone volunteering, he would probably find ways to refuse even if Teacher Nanda personally sought him out.

Besides this reason, Kanazawa couldn't think of any other.

Thinking about it, I really have been too distant from him these past few days.

If Xin hadn't come, Hisagi Shūhei would have most likely been in charge of leading the team this time, and Shūhei would have been happy to take it easy.

Nanda Hidezawa explained the details of this current world internship, including the specific time and location in the current world, the Shinigami Divisions that needed to be handed over to, and the members of the classes participating in the internship.

He organized it into a document and gave it to Xin.

On their way back, Shūhei reminded them, "You need to prepare your things for going out in advance."

Aoshika replied, "Got it."

This trip to the current world would take two to three days, so they needed to pack some food and other necessities.

Actually, even if Xin hadn't come to class today, he would have found out about the current world internship from Shūhei later.

Since the two heads of the Student Council would be away for a few days, they naturally needed to inform him in advance.

Kanazawa, who had been silent, suddenly stopped. She called out, "Xin."

Shūhei glanced over and then proactively pulled Aoshika away.

Xin also stopped and looked at her.

Kanazawa hesitated before asking, "Why did you volunteer to join this time?"

As she asked this question, she already had an answer she wanted to know in her heart.

Xin glanced at the document in his hand and chuckled lightly, "Because of you."

"..."

Kanazawa's face instantly turned red.

She didn't know that if Xin hadn't come this time, she might have died in the current world.

She didn't know Xin's inner thoughts, nor that this current world internship might have a conspiracy secretly set up by someone.

She just felt that what she had imagined might be true and had come true.

Kanazawa's voice trembled slightly, "What do you mean by saying something like that?"

Xin didn't explain. Instead, he rolled the document in his hand into a cylinder and gently tapped her forehead with it.

"You don't need to know."

He couldn't explain something like this. Should he just say that Aizen might be behind this?

After speaking, Xin turned and left.

Kanazawa, however, reached up to cover her forehead, staring blankly at Xin's receding figure.

The last time he had kissed her, it was on the forehead