As researchers, they naturally want their experimental Hollows to be as close to real Hollows as possible.
Therefore, every time the sixth-grade students battle the experimental Hollows, researchers are present to record data.
"Assessment, begin!"
Kyoya's ears suddenly caught the voice of the 12th Division's researchers standing on the steps.
As the command was given, a door on the opposite side of where Kyoya stood slid open.
"Groooowl-"
A terrifying growl echoed from the passage.
Thud, thud, thud, thud-
After the growl faded, the sound of something rapidly charging forward followed.
Soon, a green-skinned Hollow, about the size of a calf and wearing a white bone-like mask, appeared before Kyoya.
"Grrr…"
Upon spotting Kyoya, the experimental Hollow adjusted its direction slightly and charged straight at him.
Swish-
Kyoya drew his Zanpakuto from his waist, his Reiatsu erupting beneath his feet as he activated Shunpo, instantly appearing in front of the Hollow. With a single slash of his blade-
Shlick-
Kyoya's Zanpakuto cut through the Hollow as effortlessly as if it were slicing through cloth, cleaving the experimental Hollow cleanly in half.
Crimson blood sprayed from the Hollow's bisected body, but just before it could touch Kyoya, both the blood and the Hollow's remains dissipated into white spiritual particles.
Though this was Kyoya's first real battle, the difference in strength between them was far too vast.
The Shinigami of the Gotei 13 all possess at least 10th-class Reiryoku and have a certain level of mastery in Zanjutsu, Hoho, Kido, and Hakuda.
This standard wasn't arbitrarily set by the Gotei 13.
The Hollows in Hueco Mundo, as well as those that manifest in the human world, all possess 10th-class Reiryoku.
Only Shinigami with equivalent Reiryoku and sufficient skill in the four combat arts can successfully purify Hollows and maintain the balance of the world.
Otherwise, Shinigami who lack the necessary strength, no matter how many there are, would not only fail to purify the Hollows but might even end up as mere deliverymen, offering themselves up as meals to the Hollows and making them stronger, thereby increasing the difficulty for others to purify them later.
After all, for Hollows, Shinigami with strong Reiryoku are their most delectable prey.
Moreover, due to the nature of Hollows, which is to devour souls to grow stronger, once a Hollow consumes enough powerful souls, it undergoes an evolution.
Lesser Hollows have Reiryoku between 10th and 8th-class.
Medium Hollows range from 8th to 6th-class.
Gillian-class Menos is far stronger than Medium Hollows, possessing 4th-class Reiryoku. However, due to their lack of consciousness, massive size, and limited attack methods, high-ranking officers can usually defeat them.
Adjuchas-class Menos possess 3th-class Reiryoku, which is equivalent to the Captains of the Gotei 13.
The highest class, Vasto Lorde-class Menos, have Reiryoku of 2nd-class or above.
The experimental Hollows used for training in the Shin'o Academy lack both the 'obsessions' that fuel real Hollows and the ability to grow stronger by devouring souls. Their Reiryoku is roughly around 15th-class.
For most sixth-grade students, these experimental Hollows serve as decent training opponents.
However, Kyoya's Reiryoku had already reached 8th-class.
Even within the Gotei 13, those with 8th-class Reiryoku is considered 'Elite Shinigami' level.
Such a massive gap in strength made this experimental Hollow no different from a newborn baby in front of Kyoya.
"Groooowl-"
"Groooowl-"
"Groooowl-"
Three consecutive Hollow cries let Kyoya know that this assessment wasn't over yet.
Sure enough, within moments, three more identical experimental Hollows emerged from the passage, charging toward Kyoya.
"Too weak…"
After sensing the Reiatsu of these three experimental Hollows and observing their movements, Kyoya couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Kyoya had fantasized about his first real battle many times over the past while.
At first, Kyoya thought he might be the type who enjoyed overwhelming weaker opponents.
After all, who doesn't want to be invincible?
Who doesn't want to be undefeated?
Cutting down swathes of enemies like an unstoppable force… what grandeur!
But now, it seemed that what Kyoya truly desired was a battle against an evenly matched opponent.
When he actually fought these experimental Hollows, he realized just how weak they were… so weak that he couldn't even muster the will to lift his sword.
There wasn't even the slightest spark of fighting spirit.
Shaking his head, Kyoya raised his Zanpakuto and swung it fiercely toward the three experimental Hollows-
Swish-
As Kyoya's Zanpakuto descended, a white arc of energy over three meters wide tore through the air, bisecting all three experimental Hollows in an instant before slamming into the coliseum's wall.
Boom!
Dust and debris exploded outward.
When the smoke cleared, a one-meter-deep gash had been carved into the wall.
"Sensei, I have no interest in fighting these things."
"If the rest of the opponents are all like this, then please release them all at once."
"…This…"
Hearing Kyoya's words, the sixth-grade instructor hesitated and glanced at the researchers beside him.
These experimental Hollows were all products of the 12th Division's Research and Development Institute.
From the moment they were created, these experimental Hollows were destined to be nothing more than expendable test subjects.
But judging by Kyoya's performance, these Hollows couldn't even begin to measure his true strength.
The sixth-grade assessment was simple:
Killing an experimental Hollow would be considered passing the assessment, and the student would not be expelled and would be admitted to Class D.
Killing three experimental Hollows is a good result and they can be assigned to Class C.
Kill six experimental Hollows and they will be assigned to Class B.
Those who kill more than ten experimental Hollows can be assigned to Class A.
Originally, the instructor had assumed that Kyoya, having skipped fifth grade entirely and lacking real combat experience, would at best manage to kill five Hollows and hold out for a while against ten.
That would have been enough to place him in Class 6-B.
However, he never imagined Kyoya would be this terrifying.
Forget ten, even if they summoned the Captain of the Research and Development Institute and got approval to release all the experimental Hollows stored in this arena, it would only mean Kyoya swinging his sword a few more times.
His ability to unleash Kenatsu through sheer Zanjutsu alone was already beyond standard for this level. (T/N: Kenatsu means Sword Pressure. It's an ability similar to flying slash in One Piece World.)
In fact, even some of the Shin'o Academy instructors had to admit that, without releasing their Zanpakuto, they might not stand a chance against Kyoya as he was now.
And even with Shikai, their odds of victory were slim.
So, they follow Kyoya's request and release the remaining fifteen experimental Hollows all at once, or should they simply end the assessment and declare him pass outright?
…
"Moriyama-san, what do you think?"
The researcher called Moriyama stroked his chin, glanced at the damaged walls of the arena, and shook his head.
"Forget it."
"Given this student's strength, sending out more experimental Hollows would be meaningless… it would just be a waste."
"While it's true that producing experimental Hollows isn't difficult for us..."
"Scientific research must avoid wastefulness."
"That's enough. Let's end it here."
"Understood. I'll take him with me, then."
…
Rumble-
Kyoya didn't hear what his instructor and the researchers had discussed, but when he saw his instructor gesture for him to leave and the exit open, he knew the assessment was over.
Sheathing his Zanpakuto, Kyoya stepped out of the arena.
"Well done, Kyoya."
"Your strength is more than enough to place you in Class 6-A."
"Come with me. I'll introduce you to your classmates."
Kyoya remained silent, simply following his teacher.
It wasn't that he had any issue with the instructor… rather, the moment he left the arena, another 'ding' echoed in his mind.
Kyoya was curious about what achievement he had unlocked this time, so he diverted part of his focus to his consciousness to check. As a result, he barely registered the instructor's words.
However, Kyoya's demeanor led the instructor to misunderstand.
At that moment, the instructor said in a deep voice: "Kyoya, I know you're strong. Exceptionally strong!"
"In fact, I dare say there isn't a single student in the entire Shin'o Academy right now who can match you."
"But you must understand… once you graduate and join the Gotei 13, the dangers you'll face will be far beyond those of the defective Hollows you fought in the exam."
"Real Hollows are far more terrifying than experimental ones."
"Not just in strength, but in cunning as well."
"Some Hollows, twisted by their own corrupted obsessions, act with extreme cruelty. They set traps to lure Shinigami into ambushes."
"In situations like those, your comrades are the ones who'll have your back when you're in danger."
"And your classmates at Shin'o Academy will be your most reliable allies in the future."
"I understand, sensei."
Distracted by the teacher's lecture, Kyoya didn't bother checking his new achievement and instead gave a perfunctory reply.
The instructor's advice might have been invaluable to others… a veteran Shinigami's decades, if not centuries, of experience.
Whether joining the Gotei 13 or being assigned to the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, trusted comrades were essential for survival.
But to Kyoya, none of this mattered.
Only the weak gather in numbers.
The strong walk alone.
Kyoya's ambitions stretched far beyond just becoming a Captain.
Besides, he didn't plan on staying in the sixth grade for long.
Ten days?
A month?
At most, he'd leave Shin'o Academy after the next graduation exam.
In less than three months, unless he genuinely bonded with them, how deep could any superficial friendships go?
"...Very well."
Hearing Kyoya's response, the instructor realized his words hadn't gotten through.
There was nothing more he could do about this.
He could only hope the other students in the class would adjust their attitudes and sincerely try to connect with Kyoya.
After all, in the future, they might need Kyoya's protection… not the other way around.