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Shackle Lotus naturally knew who Wang Xun meant.

The ancient monster who had lived in Soul Society for who knew how long, the man who knew the names of every Zanpakuto.

The regent of the three worlds, the Soul King's corpse keeper, the one who could tell the truth at a glance.

Ichibē Hyōsube.

Shackle Lotus nodded gently.

"That's right. He only knows the last two characters of my name and my first ability. He has no way of knowing what the system gave me."

Wang Xun understood. That much wasn't surprising.

"Then can you analyze and seal The Almighty too?"

"Of course. Once I've analyzed it successfully, his ability naturally won't work on you anymore either. It's just... analyzing it might take quite a while."

"As for whether it can be sealed, that depends on you, Master."

Shackle Lotus stretched and lay down on the ground again.

Watching the blonde loli begin to squirm on the ground, Wang Xun suddenly felt as though his blood sugar was a little high.

His Zanpakuto was powerful, all right, but she was a little goofy.

"All right, Master. If there's nothing else, you can go back."

"Or do you want to have some... more intimate communication with me?"

Shackle Lotus lifted the hem of her kimono little by little, but when she looked up, Wang Xun had already vanished.

"Tch, you fake-prude mob master~"

She pouted, looking rather bored.

"Even now, all he knows how to do is reach out and pick up fragments like an idiot. Doesn't he ever get tired?"

"Oh well, I'll help you out one more time. You are my master, after all."

Then she lay back and yawned softly.

She reached out and tapped away at the system panel, humming a lilting tune. Drifting leisurely through the vast world, she gradually fell asleep.

The next moment, Wang Xun opened his eyes.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he was still sitting in the dojo at Shin'ō Academy, his Asauchi resting across his knees.

But the Asauchi was a little different now.

The once-plain Asauchi had undergone a subtle change in appearance. Its guard had become circular, engraved with a lotus pattern, bringing it closer to its Shikai form.

The entire sword now had a completely different bearing as well.

"Wang Xun?"

Nanao's lowered voice came from beside him, tinged with surprise.

"Your Asauchi..."

She stared at the Asauchi on Wang Xun's knees, its bearing now utterly different, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

The other students also began waking from Jinzen. Quite a few noticed the unusual sight by Wang Xun and cast curious or surprised glances his way.

The teacher standing nearby, a stern-faced middle-aged Soul Reaper, noticed what was happening and strode over.

He stared at the sword on Wang Xun's knees, a trace of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

A change in the blade like this clearly meant that the Zanpakuto had acknowledged its wielder, which was then reflected in the Asauchi.

An explanation flashed through his mind, one that seemed unlikely but fit the situation at hand.

"All right, quiet down. Focus on your Jinzen training. Don't let outside matters distract you."

The teacher gave the students around them a few instructions, then spoke quietly to Wang Xun.

"You, come with me."

Wang Xun picked up his Zanpakuto and followed him out of the dojo. Only after they had gone some distance did the teacher turn to face him.

He looked at Wang Xun, his composed expression finally unable to hide his surprise, and his voice was faintly excited.

"You... achieved Shikai?"

Wang Xun looked at the teacher, then slowly nodded.

"Excellent! I didn't expect this class to have a student who successfully achieved Shikai before graduating."

Then the teacher suddenly froze, reminded of a rumor that had been going around the academy a while ago.

"Wait, you're a fifth-year. You... wouldn't happen to be the student they say killed a Menos Grande during Konsō practice, would you?"

"Uh, well..."

Seeing Wang Xun scratch his head and start looking around, the teacher paused, then suddenly recalled some rumors that had come out of the Fifth Division.

Then it suddenly clicked, and he nodded knowingly, saying nothing more.

"I understand, I understand. You don't need to say anything else."

He let out a long, heavy breath.

"I didn't expect that rumor to be true."

"That would explain it. With your abilities, it's no wonder you managed to achieve Shikai."

"But there's something I must tell you. Try not to tell anyone about your Shikai's ability, lest someone with ulterior motives use it against you."

"After you join the Gotei 13, the paperwork you submit will ask whether you've achieved Shikai and what its ability is."

"Of course, that information will be treated as classified and stored in the Gotei 13's archives. You don't need to worry about it leaking, so rest assured."

Wang Xun nodded at that, without taking it to heart at all.

The Seireitei leaked like a sieve, and he was saying there was no need to worry about leaks.

That might fool students who had just graduated.

The teacher had no idea what Wang Xun was thinking. He simply looked at Wang Xun, growing more amazed the longer he did so.

"With your current abilities, you should be able to apply for early graduation and join the Gotei 13, shouldn't you? What do you think?"

That was true...

"I'll apply to graduate early once this year's courses are over. As for which division I'll join, that's already been arranged, so you don't need to trouble yourself, sir."

The teacher was taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on.

Just as I thought. How could a student at this level really be unknown?

It looks like the higher-ups already made arrangements.

"Then I won't say anything more. Do well for yourself from now on, and when you have time, remember to come back and visit us old fellows."

He patted Wang Xun on the shoulder with feeling.

"All right, go on back. But don't make a fuss about your Shikai. I'm sure you know what to do."

Wang Xun nodded lightly.

"Don't worry, sir."

Seeing Wang Xun's response, the teacher showed an approving expression.

When they returned to the dojo, though there was no obvious commotion inside, quite a few people still secretly opened their eyes to look at the two who had left and come back.

Nanao did the same.

Only after seeing Wang Xun return did her somewhat restless feelings gradually settle.

But she couldn't help wondering why the teacher had called Wang Xun outside just now.

Could it be...

She saw Wang Xun return to his place and wink at her.

Nanao's heart couldn't help beating a little faster.

After this little interruption, the Jinzen class soon passed with the students' minds in a restless state.

Quite a few people also cast curious glances at Wang Xun, who had never drawn attention to himself before.

After all, there had been a faint rumor at the Spiritual Arts Academy about a fifth-year who could slay a Menos Grande with his sword, and it pointed to Wang Xun in their class.

But since Heita Harada, who had been in his group at the time, hadn't dared spread the story either, most people remained skeptical despite the rumors and didn't take them seriously.

After class, the students got up and left one after another.

The crowd had dispersed, and the sun was setting.

Nanao rubbed her slightly sore shoulders as she walked with Wang Xun toward the cafeteria.

"What, are your shoulders sore? Want me to give you a massage?"

Hearing Wang Xun's voice, Nanao's eyes widened slightly.

She imagined Wang Xun's big hands resting on her shoulders and gently kneading them...

When Wang Xun received no reply, he looked down at Nanao curiously.

All he saw was Nanao's face gradually turning red as she hugged her shoulders, looking at him as though he were a thief.

"Sexual harassment?"

Wang Xun: ?