Kaien's Invitation

Faint morning light fell over the training grounds of Shin'ō Academy.

Wang Xun stood at the edge of the training grounds, practicing alongside the students.

Aizen's appearance had put him under considerable pressure.

Training on his own could also earn him experience points. Although the gains were modest, picking up fragments around the academy had become increasingly inefficient, so the experience from training was no longer insignificant by comparison.

Unfortunately, he still couldn't go all out on the academy training grounds. He could only suppress his strength and do some basic exercises.

Beneath his loose academy uniform, Wang Xun had strapped several steel bars to his body as weights. He trained alongside the students on the grounds.

After half a day of training, a system message appeared.

[Shunpo insight gained. Shunpo experience +5]

The system panel unfolded in his mind, its various stats clearly visible.

[Name: Wang Xun]

Spiritual Might: rank 9 (experience: 505/5000)

Kendō: lv3 (experience: 55/3000)

Hakuda: lv3 (experience: 20/3000)

Shunpo: lv3 (experience: 10/3000)

Kidō: lv3 (experience: 1755/3000)

Zanpakuto: Asauchi resonance 91%

[Special abilities]

Hollowfication: lv1 (experience: 10/1000)

Hōgyoku (awakening: 0.05%)

Because his Shunpo experience had been so far behind, he had worked hard at training it and finally brought it up to the level of his other skills.

Some time had passed since the assessment at the beginning of the school year. During that time, Wang Xun had finally raised all four Zankensōki skills to lv3, achieving a natural, seamless mastery of them.

Besides that, although his Reiatsu was improving slowly, it was rising steadily.

With his true strength as it now stood, he was guaranteed to pass if he applied for an early graduation assessment.

He would also most likely be appointed a Seated Officer upon joining a squad. He felt he could probably become an eighth or ninth seat.

Another pleasant surprise was his Zanpakuto's resonance.

As his overall strength improved, especially after his Spiritual Might broke through to rank 9, he could sense the will sleeping within the Asauchi at his waist more clearly.

It was a faint response. Though indistinct, it was real.

He wondered what his Zanpakuto's ability would be.

Slowly exhaling a stale breath, Wang Xun came to a stop and walked to the edge of the grounds to catch his breath.

As he wiped the sweat off with a towel, a familiar voice came from beside him.

"You're actually training hard today?"

Nanao's voice held obvious surprise.

She was carrying a few books and looked as though she had just come from the library, passing the training grounds on her way.

Wang Xun turned and saw Nanao push up her glasses and look him up and down, as though he were some rare sight.

"Graduation's getting closer. I'm feeling the pressure."

Wang Xun smiled, unscrewed his water flask and took a drink.

"By the way, has this year's Konsō practicum in the World of the Living been scheduled?"

"Mm-hmm." Nanao sat down on the steps beside him and placed her books on her lap. "It's in two weeks. We're fifth-years this year, so we'll be responsible for leading the younger students. The group assignments should be announced next week."

Wang Xun nodded.

For this Konsō practicum, he, as a member of the elite class, would form a group with Nanao, another fifth-year and three younger students. The three fifth-years would be responsible for guiding them through the process.

It would be the same next year when they became sixth-years.

This model of older students guiding younger ones was a Shin'ō Academy tradition, intended to give upper-year elite-class students nearing graduation experience working in teams.

The sights from his trips in previous years came to Wang Xun's mind.

Narrow streets lined with townhouses, kerosene lamps casting a dim yellow glow.

Pedestrians in traditional kimonos or newer styles of clothing walked along the streets, while large chimneys billowing black smoke could be seen faintly in the distance.

It was an era of fierce collision between tradition and modernity. Electricity was beginning to spread, and horse-drawn carriages were still the main means of transport, but Western culture had already begun to challenge the ancient, traditional society.

The clothes, speech and even lingering attachments of the souls of the dead all bore the deep imprint of that era.

By comparison, Soul Society now seemed more developed and advanced.

"We're going to the same place as last time. It should be just like last year."

Nanao pulled a sketch map from between the pages of a book. Wang Xun took it and read the information and notes about their destination.

At the same time, he had other things on his mind.

Ever since Aizen's seemingly casual inspection, the past few days had been unusually quiet.

Aizen hadn't appeared again, as if their conversation really had been nothing more than an ordinary lieutenant offering a student encouragement.

But that hadn't dispelled Wang Xun's unease.

Given Aizen's nature, if he really had taken an interest in him, he would never stop at a single meeting.

This calm felt more like the oppressive stillness before a storm, or a hunter patiently waiting as he studied his prey's habits.

The practicum in the World of the Living would take them far from Seireitei's direct supervision, into a complicated environment where Hollows appeared from time to time. It was the perfect stage for an accident.

I have to be on guard.

"Wang Xun?"

Nanao's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"What are you thinking about? You've seemed to have a lot more on your mind lately, and you've been training harder too. Did something happen?"

Wang Xun looked at the concern in Nanao's eyes, and a trace of warmth rose in his heart.

But there were some things he still couldn't tell anyone.

"It's nothing serious. We're going to start leading groups this year, so we have more responsibility. Speaking of which, we haven't been assigned to the same group these past few years. Maybe we'll get a chance to be together this year."

Nanao's face flushed slightly. She turned her head a little and murmured, "What are you talking about? Who wants to be with you...?"

Wang Xun looked at her teasingly, but Nanao had already averted her gaze and was pretending to straighten the books on her lap.

Just then, an energetic voice called out, drawing closer. "Wang Xun-senpai!"

The two turned to see Kaien Shiba striding toward them, his trademark cheerful smile on his face.

He had fully settled into life at the Spiritual Arts Academy and was doing exceptionally well among the new students.

"Kaien, finished training?"

Wang Xun stood up.

"Just finished." Kaien brushed the dust off his clothes. "Oh, Nanao-senpai, you're here too."

He glanced at Nanao beside him and nodded politely in greeting.

Nanao gave a slight nod. "You two talk. I'll head back first."

She picked up her books and said to Wang Xun, "Don't forget the notes for tomorrow afternoon's Kidō seminar."

"I won't."

Wang Xun replied.

Only after watching Nanao's petite figure disappear through the exit of the training grounds did Kaien move closer and lower his voice, looking a little embarrassed.

"Wang Xun-senpai, here's the thing... My Kūkaku's been pestering me. She wants to properly thank you for looking after us before. After eating your ramen so many times, we have to return the favor at least once."

He scratched his head. "So she asked me to invite you. If you're free this weekend, could you come over for a simple meal? It's not far, in West Rukongai. Of course, if Nanao-senpai would like to come, she's welcome too."

Wang Xun's heart stirred slightly at that.

Kūkaku...

But right now, Wang Xun was more interested in Kaien, who stood before him.

With rank 6 Spiritual Might, Kaien was clearly stronger than Wang Xun at present.

If he could train against him, his experience might well see a major increase.

At the thought, Wang Xun smiled and replied.

"You're too kind. Since you've invited me, it would seem inappropriate to refuse. Saturday works well for me."

"As for Nanao... I'll ask her, but don't get your hopes up."

Kaien clapped his hands together happily.

"Then it's settled. I'll wait for you at the Spiritual Arts Academy gate on Saturday afternoon."