The next day.
Everything seemed normal. From Aizen's perspective, Akira hadn't changed at all — still carefree enough to steal his grilled fish without a care in the world.
Today's lesson was Kidō, Akira's greatest weakness.
During class, he showed unusual focus, carefully noting every key point the teacher mentioned. He might have even taken notes! If he'd had a pen.
This was typical of him — being atypical in the most typical way.
Despite Aizen's careful observation, he couldn't detect any concern in Akira about the previous night's events.
"The Hadō #4, Byakurai, and the Hadō #11, Tsuzuri Raiden, utilize different Reiatsu operation methods and have distinct release forms. However, their power levels are quite similar when using the same amount of Reiatsu..."
As the Kidō instructor for Class 1, he ranked among the elite Shinigami.
Akira studied the teacher on the platform — a man with a stern face and muscular build who looked more suited to berserking than spellcasting.
The future Captain of the Kidō Corps, Tessai Tsukabishi.
Notably, Tessai was the only teacher who could physically overpower Akira.
"Tsukabishi-sensei, looking at the sequence numbers, there are less than 300 types of Kidō. If all these Kidō were deciphered by the enemy, would we be helpless?"
The curious student's question made Tessai pause before breaking into hearty laughter.
"Haha, every class asks something similar. But once they dive deeper into Kidō studies, they realize that mastering all spells is practically impossible. Of course, throughout Soul Society's long history, we've had our share of so-called geniuses."
"These geniuses who mastered all Kidō went on to create their own spells based on the existing ones. Since the sequence numbers were already taken, their new spells weren't included in our textbooks. If you're curious, visit the library in your free time. For now, focus on your core studies."
His expression turned serious, his pectoral muscles twitching noticeably.
"Otherwise, don't expect any mercy during exams!"
Truth be told, his intimidating presence overshadowed Kidō itself.
You know what they say! A mage needs to bulk up and master combat skills — skull-smashing, hit-blocking, head-chopping — just add a light spell for flair, and you're set!
After the Kidō class, Akira couldn't agree more.
"Sōsuke, what do you think?"
Aizen sighed helplessly, "Whatever makes you happy."
Having faced similar questions from him before, Aizen was nearly immune now.
Trying to engage in serious discussion was pointless — within moments, this guy would drag you down to his level of thinking and then somehow make you feel inferior with his wealth of experience.
So silence was the wisest choice.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
That night was dark and windy.
A young figure leaned against the wall, scanning the area. Finding no patrolling Shinigami nearby, he leaped over the high wall of the Shin'ō Academy in a single bound.
Just as he was feeling smug about his stealth, the door beside him slowly opened, and a familiar figure stepped out.
"The door wasn't locked." Aizen said expressionlessly.
Akira's eyes widened in surprise, "Weren't you not coming?"
"Who said that?"
"…Yeah, I forgot that part." Akira came to his senses, realizing Aizen had never actually told he won't come.
"You're too weak." Aizen said calmly, "If Sōya Azashiro were to make a move, you wouldn't even have a chance to escape. But with me here, it's different."
Hearing this, Akira perked up.
"You mean, you can beat him?"
Aizen stared at the young man in front of him as if looking at an idiot.
"I can make our deaths a bit more dignified."
"..."
In the silence, a white light like a mosaic wavered in the empty space. As Reishi gathered in abundance, a white figure materialized clearly.
Sōya's utterly expressionless face appeared before the two once again.
Noticing that Akira and Aizen had arrived together as promised, he showed a hint of surprise. After a moment of silence, the corner of his mouth curved into a barely perceptible arc.
"Since you're both here, follow me."
"Where to?"
"The Central Great Underground Prison."
Hearing this, Akira and Aizen exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
But as Sōya's figure grew more distant, the two felt it unwise to discuss the matter and followed with heavy steps.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
A massive pit dominated the vast area, its interior lined with sturdy stone slabs stained with fresh, dark red marks.
The place seemed abandoned — no Shinigami guards patrolled nearby, and the sealed iron gate had rusted from disuse.
In a blur of motion too quick for Akira to follow, Sōya twisted the iron gate like a pretzel and tossed it aside as if it were nothing.
As they approached the deep pit, a nauseating stench grew stronger, reminiscent of a hell filled with corpses.
Death's presence weighed on Akira's heart like invisible hands squeezing tight. Despite his familiarity with the horrors of the Sakahone District, the oppressive atmosphere here made him deeply uneasy.
When they reached the pit's edge, they saw blue stone slabs stained black-red with mottled bloodstains. The acrid smell assaulted their senses, telling visitors all they needed to know about this execution ground's brutality.
"A hundred years ago, the Azashiro family met with misfortune." Sōya narrated dispassionately, as if recounting someone else's story, "Other nobles, coveting our wealth, framed and killed most of our family. They threw the survivors into this pit — the Central Great Underground Prison. Here, we were forced to fight against Hollows used for executions."
"Those who survived would be cast into the Dangai (Parsing World) without a Jigokuchō (Hell Butterfly) to guide them. The nobles who had framed the Azashiro family watched from above, reveling in the condemned's suffering below. My sister and I were the last ones thrown into this execution ground."
Only now did Sōya's voice betray the slightest emotion.
"To protect me, my sister attempted the Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui — a spell beyond her capabilities. It cost her her life."
He turned to face the silent Akira and whispered:
"If possible... I want to see my sister one more time..."
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: Some important terms to understand.
Dangai — Parsing World, is the corridor-like dimension that connects Soul Society and the Human World.
Jigokuchō — Hell Butterfly, They guide the Shinigami through the Senkaimon when traveling between Soul Society and the Human World, thereby saving them from the inconvenience of passing through the Dangai.
Hadō #4, Byakurai — Pale Lightning
Hadō #11, Tsuzuri Raiden — Bound Lightning
Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui — Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down
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