Probing

"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

The flames streaked out like a meteor, but grazed the edge of the target, nearly missing it altogether.

"Focus. Don't let your mind wander."

Hearing Wang Xun's voice behind her, Nanao pulled herself together.

Damn it, who do you think is responsible for all the thoughts running through my head right now...?

The next moment, anger surged uncontrollably in Nanao's heart.

She imagined the target as Wang Xun's face, and a Shakkahō filled with fury instantly blasted it to pieces.

"Good!"

The supervising teacher couldn't help praising the Shakkahō, which had been excellent in both power and accuracy.

Nanao looked back and saw Wang Xun giving her an approving look, and warmth rose in her heart.

But when she recalled what had happened yesterday, her mood wavered again. She gave a soft huff and deliberately turned her head away from him.

Wang Xun was somewhat baffled.

How did she suddenly awaken her tsundere trait?

Before long, this group of examinees left the field one after another, and it would soon be Wang Xun's turn.

He had spent the past few days making plenty of preparations for today's test.

Wang Xun looked around. Dozens of elite-class students had gathered at the edge of the field, and tension hung in the air.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the training ground.

Several teachers hurried over, their expressions instantly turning respectful when they saw who it was.

The students also turned to look, whispers spreading like ripples.

"That's... Lieutenant Aizen of the Fifth Division! Wow, he's so handsome!"

"Why would Lieutenant Aizen come to the Spiritual Arts Academy?"

"I heard he occasionally comes to inspect the new students and guide their studies..."

Under everyone's gaze, a figure walked slowly into the training ground.

Aizen appeared in a black shihakushō, accompanied by several teachers.

The supervising teacher bowed, and the students taking the test instinctively straightened their backs.

It was a rare honor for a lieutenant of the Gotei 13 to come in person for an inspection.

Aizen smiled and nodded to the teachers, his gaze slowly sweeping over the students on the training ground.

His gaze was calm, as if he were merely looking around.

But when it passed over Wang Xun's position, it paused almost imperceptibly.

Wang Xun maintained the same respectful, curious expression as the other students, though he felt a little uneasy.

Aizen, why is he here?

Although Aizen had occasionally come to the Spiritual Arts Academy to observe classes before, he rarely seemed to appear at assessments this early in the school year.

Aizen exchanged a few quiet words with the teacher in charge of the test, then walked over to the edge of the field with him.

His manner was casual and relaxed, as though he really had just happened to drop by to watch the test.

The test continued.

When Wang Xun's turn came, he deliberately controlled his performance.

His Shakkahō was entirely ordinary, with both his spiritual pressure output and accuracy kept at an average level.

This was the reliable shot he had carefully rehearsed over the past few days to maintain a below-average standing.

"Pass," the supervising teacher said, making a note in his book. "Next."

Wang Xun stepped back to the edge of the field and felt a gaze fall on him.

He turned and met Aizen's gentle gaze.

Aizen gave him a faint smile and a nod, seemingly in approval.

Wang Xun lowered his head and eyes, returning the gesture humbly.

But he was not so calm inside, though he didn't know if he was being a little biased by his preconceptions.

Although Aizen cast his gaze at the examinees at random, Wang Xun couldn't shake the feeling that he looked at him more often.

Is Aizen paying a little too much attention to me?

When the morning's testing came to a pause and the students took a break, Aizen came down from the viewing stand.

He walked slowly across the training ground, speaking with several teachers and occasionally stopping to ask about a student's test results.

His gentle manner left quite a few students flattered.

Then he headed in Wang Xun's direction.

Wang Xun was chatting with Nanao, whose mood had improved somewhat, when he suddenly noticed the commotion around them.

Nanao turned and saw Aizen approaching. She hurriedly bowed. "Lieutenant Aizen."

Wang Xun also bowed in greeting.

"No need for such formality," Aizen said in a gentle, magnetic voice. "You're fifth-year students, aren't you? You did well in the test just now."

Aizen turned his gaze to Wang Xun. "What's your name?"

"Wang Xun, Lieutenant Aizen."

Wang Xun looked at the smiling Aizen, his heart tightening.

Now he was finally certain.

Aizen had come for him.

"I watched your Kidō test just now." Aizen pushed up his glasses. "Your incantation for Shakkahō was very precise, and your spiritual pressure control was steady too, but..."

He paused and smiled. "It gave me the impression that you weren't using your full strength. I wonder if that was just my imagination."

Wang Xun's heart clenched, but he put on a slightly embarrassed expression.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Lieutenant. I haven't mastered Shakkahō well enough yet, and I was worried about making a mistake during the test, so I chose a more reliable approach."

"Caution is a good thing," Aizen said with a nod. "But Soul Reapers sometimes have to take risks in battle. Being too conservative may also cost you a good opportunity."

"You're right, Lieutenant."

"I didn't mean it as criticism," Aizen said with a smile. "Besides, being able to conceal your edge to achieve a goal is a talent in itself."

He paused, his gaze growing deeper. "Wang Xun, what plans do you have for the future? Which division would you like to join after graduation?"

The question made Nanao, standing beside them, prick up her ears too.

Wang Xun pondered briefly before answering cautiously, "I don't have any specific plans yet. Graduation is still some time away, after all."

"A very practical attitude." Aizen nodded approvingly. "Each of the Gotei 13's divisions has its own characteristics. It's important to find the path that suits you."

He looked Wang Xun straight in the eyes, his voice gentle yet carrying a certain irresistible appeal.

"The Fifth Division has always been committed to nurturing promising newcomers. If you're interested, you can consider joining us after graduation."

The air around them seemed to freeze for an instant.

Nanao's eyes widened slightly in surprise, while the other students who had been eavesdropping looked envious or astonished.

His words could already be considered a personal invitation from the lieutenant of the Fifth Division. For a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy, it was an immense honor.

But alarm bells were ringing in Wang Xun's head.

Why would Aizen invite an unremarkable fifth-year student like me for no reason?

He recalled his encounter in the valley of West District Two a few days ago.

Wang Xun could be almost certain that the person hidden in the shadows then had been Aizen.

He noticed me after all.

"Thank you very much for thinking so highly of me, Lieutenant."

"But as I said just now, there's still time before graduation. I'd like to give it more thought before making a decision."

"Don't feel pressured by what I said. Just follow your heart."

Aizen looked at him, the gentle smile still on his face.

"Well then, I look forward to seeing how you do in the future."

He patted Wang Xun on the shoulder, turned, and left.

Wang Xun stood where he was, watching Aizen walk away.

In that brief exchange, every word and every glance had been like dancing on the edge of a blade for him.

What a troubled fate.

"Wang Xun, Lieutenant Aizen seems to think very highly of you. He even wants you to join the Fifth Division. What do you think?"

Nanao's voice beside him brought Wang Xun back to his senses.

He thought for a moment.

"I'm scared to tears."

Nanao: ?