Leveling Up

Time flew by, and the Konsō field training was fast approaching.

Kaien was visibly haggard.

When he saw Wang Xun on campus that day, Kaien noticeably avoided his gaze.

"S-Senior Wang Xun, are we continuing today...?"

"Kaien, you're a grown man. Why are you acting so bashful?"

"No, Senior, it's just that we've been sparring so intensely these past few days, and I really can't take much more... How about we take a break?"

Kaien looked exhausted. He really hadn't expected Wang Xun to have so much energy.

Seeing how utterly drained Kaien looked, Wang Xun felt a rare, faint pang of conscience.

He really had been pushing Kaien a little too hard these past few days.

As the system notifications kept updating, Wang Xun could clearly feel himself steadily growing stronger.

His resonance with his Zanpakuto had also been climbing slowly but steadily toward a higher percentage, thanks to the constant practical training and growth in his Reiatsu.

The Konsō field training in the World of the Living was the day after tomorrow.

His preparations were almost complete.

Wang Xun patted Kaien on the shoulder.

"Thanks for all your hard work these past few days, Kaien. Get some good rest over the next couple of days."

"When I get back from the Konsō field training in the World of the Living, I'll treat you to something good at Ichiraku Ramen. The yakitori we recently added to the menu is delicious."

"Thanks for understanding, Senior. Honestly, you've improved a lot. I'm already having a hard time fighting you now."

Kaien visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

After seeing off the reprieved Kaien, Wang Xun opened his panel.

[Name: Wang Xun]

Spiritual Might: eighth class (experience: 80/8000)

Kendō: lv4 (experience: 120/5000)

Hakuda: lv4 (experience: 85/5000)

Shunpo: lv4 (experience: 70/5000)

Kidō: lv3 (experience: 1880/3000)

Zanpakuto: Asauchi resonance 98%

[Special abilities]

Hollowfication: lv1 (experience: 10/1000)

Hōgyoku (awakening: 0.05%)

All of Wang Xun's basic skills except Kidō had now reached lv4.

That meant his proficiency in every skill except Kidō was enough to rival that of the experienced veteran Seated Officers of the Gotei 13.

His Spiritual Might had also broken through to the eighth class.

As his Spiritual Might increased, his resonance with his Asauchi grew higher as well.

Perhaps he would soon be able to release his Zanpakuto and achieve Shikai.

Unfortunately, after his skills reached lv4, the experience he gained from sparring with Kaien had also begun to decrease, making it much less efficient.

This improvement was already the limit of what he could achieve by squeezing Kaien dry over this period.

He could only hope that no unexpected situation they couldn't handle would arise during the Konsō field training, and that it would pass without incident.

The final preparations before the Konsō field training were proceeding at a hectic pace.

The group assignments had already been handed out, and this time he really had been assigned to the same group as Nanao.

Wang Xun met his two companions for the trip, Nanao Ise and Heita Harada, in the classroom they had agreed on.

Heita Harada was an ordinary-looking, introverted but dependable fifth-year student. He wasn't very strong, though, and had always hovered near the bottom of the class.

When he saw Wang Xun, he nodded politely, looking somewhat ill at ease.

Seeing him act like that, Wang Xun didn't even need to think about it. He was surely from Rukongai and had grown accustomed to being ostracized by the noble students in class.

Nanao had already switched into work mode. She took out a small notebook containing the location of the Konsō assignment and some basic information.

"This is our group's designated area of operations."

She adjusted her glasses and looked at Wang Xun and Harada.

"The procedure is the same as before. The Konsō field training lasts one day. We'll operate at night and return at daybreak."

"We're all familiar with the normal Konsō procedure. After that, there'll be some work guiding our juniors."

"If we encounter a Hollow, Wang Xun, you're the strongest overall, so you'll hold it off at the front. Harada, you'll provide support from the rear with Kidō. I'll handle reconnaissance, early warning and backup from the flank. As for the three third-years..."

"We need to give them clear instructions and have them keep watch over the relatively safe flanks and rear. We absolutely can't let them out of our sight or allow them to act on their own."

When Nanao finished, Wang Xun nodded in approval.

Nanao really did have a knack for this kind of paperwork.

"Agreed. Harada, what do you think?"

Harada looked a little nervous.

"Ise covered everything thoroughly. I agree too."

"All right."

Wang Xun gave one final summary.

"Nanao's plan makes good sense. We're a team, so we look out for one another. Remember what Instructor Hasegawa said: safety first, the mission second. If anything unusual happens, make sure the third-years are safe before anything else."

The three of them carefully checked their equipment list once more.

Their individually issued Asauchi, rations and water, a Denreishinki issued for the occasion, a map of the area...

Once the preparations were complete, Harada left first, leaving only Wang Xun and Nanao in the classroom.

Nanao raised her head and looked at Wang Xun.

"I didn't expect us to actually end up in the same group."

"Yeah. I wonder if things will go smoothly."

"So, how has your training with Kaien been going lately?"

Nanao looked at Wang Xun. Although he rarely showed it, she could make out the trace of fatigue hidden beneath his relaxed expression.

Seeing the concern in Nanao's eyes, Wang Xun felt a little warmth in his heart.

"I'm fine. I'll be all right after resting for a couple of days. Speaking of which, thanks to Kaien, I've gotten a lot stronger."

"I'll keep you all safe during this field training in the World of the Living."

Nanao nodded gently, then a hint of suspicion entered her eyes.

"Speaking of which, you and that girl from the Shiba Clan..."

"I'm so hungry. Isn't it almost time to eat?"

Wang Xun rubbed his stomach and made a getaway at lightning speed.

Nanao watched Wang Xun's retreating back and could only sigh softly, a hint of resignation entering her gaze.

On the day of departure, at Shin'ō Academy's central square.

More than a hundred students stood in orderly ranks, the new students filled with excitement and anticipation at the novelty of their upcoming trip to the World of the Living.

The upper-year students taking part in supervising the field training, meanwhile, looked much more serious.

Wang Xun stood in the formation, with a focused Nanao to his left.

To his right was Heita Harada, who looked a little nervous but was trying to keep his back straight.

Behind them stood the three third-years, Yoshida, Kobayashi and Satō, both excited and apprehensive.

Their gazes occasionally drifted to the backs of the three upper-year seniors in front of them.

Hasegawa, the instructor in charge, stood at the head of the formation. Broad and imposing, his gaze sharp as lightning, he swept his eyes over every young face.

"Is everyone here?"

His voice rang out, drowning out every faint murmur.

"Let me emphasize the key points of this field training once more."

"First, safety. The World of the Living is not the Seireitei, much less a playground. Hollows are dangerous threats that devour souls. Everyone must obey orders without exception. No one is to act on their own."

"Second, the mission. Your primary objective is to guide wandering souls back to Soul Society and purify the area. Each person must complete at least three Konsō to pass."

"Third, cooperation. You are not lone wolves. You're in groups of three, led by seniors, and you must be one another's hands, feet, eyes and ears. If you encounter a Hollow, assess the risk and prioritize holding it off, evading it and calling for help! Do not try to play hero, and do not pursue it on your own. The Denreishinki in your hands aren't decorations."

He paused, his voice reaching everyone's ears.

"Finally, remember who you are. You are the elites of Shin'ō Academy, the Soul Reapers of the future."

"During this field training, you must not only complete your mission, but also protect the juniors behind you, the companions at your side, and!"

"Protect yourselves! Is that understood?!"

"Understood!!!"

The students' voices resounded across the square.

Wang Xun took a deep breath and placed his hand on the Asauchi at his waist.

Spiritual light began to flow around the Senkaimon, and the vortex leading to the World of the Living slowly took shape.

"Groups, get ready. Move out!"