Application for early graduation

"That's insane!"

"Is this what the elite children of the Five Great Noble Clans are capable of?"

"He's on a completely different level from us. No, even among the current division captains, how many could use Kidō of this caliber?"

The Central Spiritual Arts Academy students stared at the obliterated ceiling, utterly dumbfounded. That power was simply outrageous. The thought that he might unleash Kidō of that caliber at them made their scalps tingle and left them uncomfortable all over.

"Um... young master Sōgo Shihoin... no, Lord Sōgo Shihoin, I'll apply for your early graduation right away."

Feeling the bright sunshine and refreshing natural breeze overhead, the examiner shuddered, then bowed to Sōgo Shihoin with the utmost respect. Before, he had treated Sōgo respectfully because of the Shihoin surname. Now, his respect for Sōgo was based entirely on absolute strength. This child was simply a monster!

"W-where did this monster come from?"

"Does someone at this level need to study at our academy?"

"Does Captain-Commander Yamamoto think too highly of us?"

"With Kidō at this level, this child could already become the Grand Kidō Chief of the Kidō Corps or serve as captain of any division, couldn't he?"

As acting headmaster of Shin'ō Academy, Gorō Ninomiya understood better than anyone how terrifying this Kidō's power was. As far as he knew, even the current Grand Kidō Chief absolutely could not unleash such an outrageous Senju Kōten Taihō. This had already exceeded his understanding of the spell.

"Early graduation?"

"I've thought that was how it should be all along!"

"Hurry up and apply for me!"

The moment Sōgo Shihoin heard that he could graduate early, he perked up, shedding his earlier laziness and lethargy. Had there not been so many people around, he would have sung a hymn praising the examiner's wise decision.

"Ha!"

Meanwhile, Shaoling Fon's test results were also out. She had received an A in all four disciplines of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō! Whether it was swordsmanship, Hakuda, Shunpo, or Kidō, she was a well-rounded fighter with no weaknesses. Her proficiency in Shunpo in particular far surpassed the level students could reach. Although she fell somewhat short of those truly gifted geniuses, she was more than qualified for a place in the elite class.

"Phew..."

"As expected of Lady Yoruichi Shihōin's younger brother. He's another genius that an ordinary person like me could never hope to catch up to!"

Shaoling Fon gazed at the blasted-open ceiling, her large, watery eyes shining with admiration.

"Little Fon, my neck's a little sore."

After doing all that, Sōgo Shihoin found a bench and sat down, crossing his legs with a languid air.

"Yes, sir!"

"I'm coming, Lord Sōgo!"

With a Shunpo, Shaoling Fon appeared behind Sōgo Shihoin and began kneading his shoulders.

"Ah..."

"You're so professional at this. Little Fon, stay by my side from now on!"

Sōgo Shihoin spoke as he enjoyed Shaoling Fon's massage.

"Stay by Lord Sōgo's side?"

"Is this a confession?"

Shaoling Fon's little face instantly turned bright red, heat rising from it. She turned her head aside, scarcely daring to look Sōgo in the face.

"What's wrong, Little Fon?"

Sōgo had not caught Shaoling Fon's words. Or rather, even Sōgo could not read other people's thoughts. He questioned her, a little puzzled.

"It's nothing, Lord Sōgo. I'll always stay by your side."

After hearing Sōgo's question, Shaoling Fon composed herself and answered him somewhat shyly, then began massaging him vigorously.

"Ah... is that brat the one who tore the roof off Shin'ō Academy's training grounds as soon as he arrived? He really pisses me off..."

"And what's with the person behind him? Does he need a maid to keep him company even at school?"

A sixth-year student with long blond hair and straight-cut bangs-a so-called Soul Reaper reservist-stood at the entrance to Shin'ō Academy's training and assessment grounds. Leaning against the doorframe, he stared irritably at Sōgo Shihoin, who sat on a bench enjoying a massage like some lord.

"Damn it! Why didn't I have such a cute maid keeping me company at school?! Bastard!"

The blond man roared angrily. Yes, in his eyes, Sōgo Shihoin, who had a maid accompanying him to class, was a heretic, because he wanted a cute little maid too.

"Don't say that, Senior Hirako. With your talent and popularity, finding a cute girlfriend should certainly be possible."

As the blond man fumed, a bespectacled man with short brown hair and a rich, resonant voice came to stand behind him.

"Yo~"

"Well, if it isn't my junior, Sōsuke Aizen?"

"What a coincidence! Did you come here to look at the pretty junior girls too?"

The blond man, whose actual name was Shinji Hirako, fixed his eyes on the refined, gentle-looking man behind him.

"Not at all. I'm merely passing through. Someone of mediocre talent like me doesn't have the spare time to socialize with a girlfriend the way you do, Senior Hirako."

The man named Sōsuke Aizen smiled slightly at Shinji Hirako, then bowed deeply.

"Then please continue enjoying the rare, lovely scenery before you, Senior Hirako! I'll head back and keep working hard. After all, I only have a year left, so I need to prepare for graduation too. If I don't work hard now, it'll be difficult to join a division and become a qualified Soul Reaper later."

With that, Aizen turned and walked slowly away.

"That guy... just what is he plotting?"

Ever since his days at Shin'ō Academy, Shinji Hirako had begun paying attention to the man named Sōsuke Aizen, who clearly possessed extraordinary talent yet never displayed it, disguising himself as someone utterly unremarkable.

Elsewhere, a few hours later.

A document bearing the seal of Shin'ō Academy's acting headmaster, Gorō Ninomiya, was delivered to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, captain of the First Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

The document's contents were simple: an application from the academy for a certain student's early graduation. The entire application was very detailed and fully complied with the rules and procedures. Under normal circumstances, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto could have simply stamped the document with his seal and allowed this gifted student to graduate early, but...

"Rejected!"

Upon seeing the name of the student applying for early graduation, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai spoke to his lieutenant with a smile.

"Yes, sir!"

The First Division's lieutenant, a man who had long been capable of serving as captain of another division, nodded in assent without a second thought.

And so, Sōgo Shihoin did not get to graduate early...

(End of chapter)