As Byakuya visited Squad 10 more frequently for training, he gradually realized that being beaten one-sidedly was not the most boring lesson.
"What is this?"
He watched as Ethan pointed at his wrists and ankles. A layer of spiritual light wrapped around them, and the light on his hands seemed to attract each other, forcing his hands to move closer together.
"A type of training."
This method came from Reikō Hadōken. Those marked with this seal had to constantly use their spiritual power to resist the restraints on their wrists and ankles in order to move freely.
In other words, the restrained person had to continuously mobilize their spiritual power, achieving the effect of training it. It was somewhat similar to weighted training, but it targeted spiritual power.
"What is it for?"
"To train your control over spiritual power and increase the intensity of your spiritual pressure."
Byakuya looked at the glowing restraints on his wrists and ankles. It sounded useful, but it was too conspicuous.
Before he could mention it, Ethan made a wiping motion with both hands. The spiritual light vanished. If his limbs were not still heavy, he might have thought the seal was gone.
"From now on, you will wear this continuously."
Ethan originally intended to say it should only be removed in emergencies, but considering Byakuya's status as the future head of the Kuchiki family, dangerous emergencies were unlikely. Even so, to be safe, he still taught Byakuya how to remove the seal.
"Aside from emergencies, how long must I train before I no longer need this?"
"Until the day it no longer affects you."
Byakuya nodded firmly. He believed he could reach that level quickly.
Facts proved his talent was indeed exceptional.
With a solid foundation and strong determination, Byakuya's growth under Ethan's guidance was astonishing.
This made him respect Ethan even more, and it also slightly surprised Ginrei. It seemed he had truly found an excellent teacher.
After just one year, Byakuya realized the restraints on his wrists no longer affected him. His spiritual pressure had grown significantly compared to a year ago. Controlling spiritual power felt easier, and he had even learned several lower-level Kidō during that time.
His current strength was no weaker than that of lower-year students at the Shin'o Academy, and perhaps even stronger. Ordinary students did not have someone like Ethan as a sparring partner. Even being beaten one-sidedly increased combat experience greatly.
"Teacher, I'm here."
Because his strength was improving rapidly and visibly, Byakuya now held Ethan in high regard. In Ethan's eyes, the young boy was slowly overlapping with the future Byakuya.
However, the current Byakuya would still become irritable and expressive whenever he saw Yoruichi. This was completely different from the future version, who maintained a cold face no matter what.
Expecting the usual sparring and spiritual control practice, Byakuya did not anticipate that Ethan would lead him past the training hall and warehouses toward a corner of the barracks.
"What is this?"
In an inconspicuous corner of Squad 10, there stood a strangely shaped metal building.
"A training facility prepared especially for you."
"Huh?" Confusion was written all over his face. He did not understand what this odd metal structure had to do with training.
"You will understand once you go inside."
Byakuya asked no further questions and followed quietly. After Ethan opened the heavy metal door, Byakuya was surprised to see Kisuke and Yoruichi inside.
If Ethan had not been present, Byakuya would have immediately argued with Yoruichi. Now he could only stand aside with a displeased expression, hoping she would not provoke him.
At the moment, Yoruichi's attention was focused more on the strange room.
"I heard from Kisuke that you built this facility yourself?"
"What about it?"
"I remember you do not like tinkering with these things."
"I just do not like it. That does not mean I cannot do it."
When he had studied with Tony Stark, Ethan had learned quite a lot. His hands-on skills were already solid, and most of his earlier equipment had been made by himself. Over the years, he had accumulated various knowledge. Building a training facility like this was not difficult.
Yoruichi rolled her eyes and stopped dwelling on it. Instead, she asked about its purpose.
"Training."
"Just that?"
"What else?"
"How does it train?"
Ethan glanced at Kisuke. Although Ethan built the facility, Kisuke had provided many key materials and frequently assisted during construction. After becoming interested, he often came to observe.
Aside from Ethan, Kisuke understood this equipment best. Receiving the signal, he walked to the door, ensured it was tightly closed, and then moved to the control panel.
"Get ready. I am starting it."
Byakuya and Yoruichi did not know what to prepare for, but they nodded.
After Kisuke operated the controls and strange sounds echoed, everyone felt their bodies suddenly become heavy.
"What is happening?"
Byakuya felt as though something was pressing down on him. It reminded him of the restraints he had worn before, but now the pressure affected his entire body.
Yoruichi remained calm and observed quietly. After sensing it for a moment, Ethan asked, "What is the multiplier now?"
The facility was essentially a Gravity Chamber. However, to suit this world and Shinigami training, the field it generated was not pure gravity, so the name was not directly used.
"Three times."
Kisuke had not set it too high. If only the captains were present, he might have tested a higher setting, but considering Byakuya's presence, he chose three times.
For the captains, this level was not significant, but for Byakuya it felt like carrying a heavy burden. Even lifting his arms required effort.
"Turn it off for now."
Unlike activation, which increased gradually for safety, shutting it down only required lifting the transparent cover and pressing the stop button. In emergencies, the cover could be smashed.
The pressure gradually decreased and returned to normal. Byakuya exhaled deeply. Even though he had only stood there briefly, it felt like intense training.
He now understood why it was called a training room. Training here for one year might equal ten years outside.
"That was three times? What is the maximum?"
Yoruichi grew interested. If possible, she wanted one in Squad 2 as well.
"For now, it can go up to ten times."
"Ten times?"
She wanted to try it, but glancing at Byakuya, she decided to wait until he left.
"Are you looking down on me?"
"Byakuya, do not be reckless."
Just one glance from Yoruichi made Byakuya flare up. His temper was indeed fiery at this age.
However, Ethan could calm him with a single sentence. That was the result of a year of guidance.
"You have taught him well."
Yoruichi looked surprised. She had expected to watch a show, but there would be none today.
"You teach him first. Kisuke and I will step outside."
The two left, leaving Ethan and Byakuya inside.
After ensuring the door was closed, Ethan activated the system again, setting it to three times as the base level.
"All your future training will be here, starting at three times."
Running laps, swinging swords, sparring.
The content remained basic. Only the environment had changed.
This slight change made Byakuya feel as though he had returned to the beginning, when wearing the seal made even lifting his hand difficult.
"After completing training here, will there be something similar waiting for me?"
He felt Ethan's method was simple and direct, all fundamentals with added difficulty.
In response, Ethan chuckled.
"Complete it? You are thinking too far ahead."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)