Renji sat cross-legged on the ground, his gaze fixed on Izuru. "Yeah, we're headed to the Shin'o Academy for the entrance exam. You going too?"
"Yep, I'm enrolling in the Shin'o Academy as well," Izuru replied. He then asked, "Which district are you guys from?"
"We're from the 78th district, Inuzuri District," Renji's voice softened. The 78th district was known for its turmoil, and many looked down on its residents.
Izuru nodded and suggested, "Since we're all heading to the Shin'o Academy, why not come over to my place? Rest a bit, and we can leave together in the afternoon."
Hearing this, Renji's eyes brightened. "Is that okay?"
He didn't mind taking refuge in someone else's home, and the fact that the invitation was offered without hesitation made him genuinely happy.
Izuru gently said, "Sure, let's go."
Leading the trio to his home, Izuru's parents were welcoming. They headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch, not concerned about their guests' backgrounds.
Looking at Renji, Izuru introduced himself, "I'm Izuru Kira."
"Renji Abarai."
"Rukia."
"Yamahiko."
Each of them introduced themselves. When it was Yamahiko's turn, Izuru raised an eyebrow and questioned, "And you? Are you accompanying your older siblings to the exam?"
Before Yamahiko could answer, Renji draped his arm around Yamahiko's shoulder and chimed in, "Don't be fooled by Yamahiko's age; he's got a fourth-level spiritual class."
Izuru's eyes widened, and he looked at Yamahiko with surprise. Stunned, he asked, "How old are you?"
Yamahiko replied, "Eleven."
Izuru sighed in amazement, "Took me decades to reach the third-level spiritual class, and here you are at eleven with a fourth-level. Quite something."
Hearing his words, Yamahiko couldn't help but smile wryly. He was already surprised at having a fourth-level spiritual class at the age of eleven.
But if you knew that five years later, Toshiro Hitsugaya, at the age of thirteen, had a sixth-level spiritual class and graduated from the Shin'o Academy in just one year, you'd probably be even more astonished.
Yamahiko, Renji, and Rukia stayed at Izuru's place, where they were warmly treated. They enjoyed a hearty lunch, composed of Reishi-made food — Yamahiko's first meal since arriving in this world.
The Reishi-infused food was incredibly rich in spiritual energy, with a portion of it becoming part of the consumer's body. A single meal's boost to spiritual level was akin to the outcome of half a day's training. Two meals equated to a full day's training.
If it were a dish crafted by Squad Zero's Kirio Hikifune, it could even propel the eater's spiritual power by a significant margin. In the original work's Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Kirio Hikifune used her cooking to help Renji, Byakuya, and Rukia raise their spiritual level.
The efficacy of Reishi food was undeniable. Yamahiko couldn't help but sigh. If he could have meals like this every day, his spiritual level would likely reach fifth-level after just six months.
Yet, he also pondered a question: Rukia and Renji had rarely consumed Reishi food in the past century, nor had they relied on it as their main method of growth. So, how rapidly could their spiritual power increase if they started using it regularly?
Yamahiko was aware that the Shin'o Academy provided free food and lodging, including Reishi-made dishes. This might be a factor that could set Rukia and Renji apart in the future.
After the meal, Izuru packed up, and the four set out together, heading towards the Seireitei.
Seireitei was where the Shinigami and nobles resided, clearly demarcated from the Rukongai. It was like two distinct worlds, completely separate.
To enter the Seireitei, one needed a Gate Pass. Without it, they would be stopped by the Shidai Seireimon (Four Great Pure Soul Gates). Four Great Seireimon Gatekeepers protected the entrances in each of the cardinal directions.
At the South Gate, the Red Hollow Gate, the guardian was a formidable figure named Higonyūdō. He wasn't a Shinigami, but his massive stature granted him great power, and his combat skills made ordinary Shinigami no match for him.
At this moment, Higonyūdō sat cross-legged near the Red Hollow Gate. Not far away was a simple shed, with several Shinigami seated behind tables. In front of them hung a banner that read:
"Southern Assessment Site of the Shin'o Academy."
Renji curiously asked, "Is this the assessment location?"
Izuru nodded and replied, "Exactly. Passing the assessment here is the requirement to enter Seireitei and attend the Shin'o Academy."
"In that case, let's head over."
Renji's eyes sparkled, and the four of them approached the assessment point. There, residents of Rukongai were already undergoing assessment. Most of them were youths between the ages of fifteen and nineteen.
Of course, in the Soul Society, souls aged at a much slower rate than in the living world. Especially with higher spiritual pressure, the aging process was even more gradual.
Most individuals who appeared to be in their teens were actually over a hundred years old. For instance, in just fifty years after Toshiro Hitsugaya, his appearance barely changed from his thirteen-year-old self.
Among the crowd, Yamahiko's gaze was focused on the assessment proceedings. He noticed the Shinigami responsible for the assessment, who asked a few questions and then employed two devices for testing.
"What are those two devices? What are they testing?" Yamahiko asked softly from behind.
Izuru smiled and replied, "These two devices. One measures age, and the other gauges spiritual class."
Renji appeared slightly taken aback. "Isn't it just about passing the spiritual class requirement?"
Izuru nodded. "To enter the Shin'o Academy, aside from achieving third-level spiritual class, candidates must also be under two hundred years old."
"It's about testing age."
Renji agreed with a nod. "That's not an issue for us. None of us has reached that age."
Yamahiko's age was even younger, so he had no concerns.
The four of them stood in line, waiting their turn. Some ahead of them passed the assessment, while others left dejectedly.
Soon, it was Renji's turn. The examiner, a middle-aged Shinigami dressed in captain's attire, greeted him with a faint smile.
Beside the examiner sat a young girl who pulled out a form.
Renji was the first. The examiner looked at him and inquired, "What's your name?"
"Renji Abarai."
"Place of residence?"
"South Rukongai Street, Inuzuri District."
The examiner continued to ask questions, while the young girl beside him noted down the information. Once the basic inquiries were done, the examiner brought out a device, resembling goggles, all black with a screen and a black strap. He handed the device to Renji and said, "Put this on."
Renji quickly wore the device. After a few seconds, three digits appeared on the screen: 126.
The examiner nodded. "One hundred twenty-six years."
The young girl recorded the information, and the examiner retrieved the age-testing device. He then brought out a wristband for Renji to wear.
Renji put on the wristband, and shortly after, a four-word phrase appeared on the display: "Fourth-level spiritual class."
The examiner announced, "Meets the Shin'o Academy assessment criteria. You're qualified to become a student of the Shin'o Academy."
"Great!"
Upon hearing this, Renji cheered joyfully.
The middle-aged Shinigami waved his hand and said, "Alright, wait over there. A teacher will come to lead you to the Shin'o Academy shortly."
Renji nodded and moved to the side to wait. He gave a thumbs-up to Izuru, Rukia, and Yamahiko.
Next in line were Rukia and Izuru. They both demonstrated their ability to gather spiritual particles and passed the assessment.
Rukia was 112 years old, possessing third-level spiritual class, while Izuru was 136 years old, also with third-level spiritual class.
With them done, it was now Yamahiko's turn. After answering the basic questions, the examiner handed him an age-testing device.
Yamahiko put it on, and only a two-digit number appeared on the screen: 11.
Seeing this, the examiner raised an eyebrow and remarked, "Eleven years old? So young? You must be a newly-formed soul."
In the Soul Society, age and appearance differed greatly. Many individuals appeared to be in their teens, but in reality, they were over a hundred years old.
Individuals like Yamahiko, who appeared as young as their age, were generally newly-formed souls.
The examiner then handed Yamahiko a wristband and said, "Let's test your spiritual class."
Yamahiko nodded and put on the wristband. After a brief moment, a four-word phrase appeared on the screen: "Fourth-level spiritual class?"
The examiner looked surprised as he regarded Yamahiko. "Having fourth-level spiritual class at eleven years old, your potential is remarkable."
The Shin'o Academy had numerous students with exceptional potential and even geniuses possessing sixth-level spiritual class
For example, fifty years ago, Kaien Shiba graduated with sixth-level spiritual class. Although his Shiba clan had fallen, he still wielded considerable influence and entered the Shin'o Academy after receiving family guidance. He was over a hundred years old at the time.
Another instance was Gin Ichimaru, who also possessed sixth-level spiritual class. Despite growing up in Rukongai and being an orphan, he entered the Shin'o Academy at over a hundred years old, after seeing Rangiku Matsumoto attacked and seeking to approach her attacker.
However, someone like Yamahiko, being just eleven years old and a newly-formed soul, possessing fourth-level spiritual class, showcased exceptional potential. Such aptitude was rare even within the Shin'o Academy.
Yamahiko looked at the Shinigami before him and asked with eagerness, "Does that mean I've passed the assessment, Examiner? Can I enter the Shin'o Academy for training?"
The examiner smiled and said, "Of course, you can wait over there as well."
Suppressing his excitement, Yamahiko joined his companions. Except for Izuru, who maintained his calm demeanor, Rukia, Renji, and Yamahiko all appeared excited.
Entering the Shin'o Academy meant the next six years would be spent in a stable environment.
They wouldn't have to reside in dilapidated houses, endure the harsh cold and scorching heat, or face the disturbances of bandits. They could even relish delicious food.
Moreover, in the future, becoming Shinigami would allow them to live within Seireitei, enjoying a privileged life.
Entering the Shin'o Academy marked the beginning of their destiny's transformation.