Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the first half of the school year had ended.
Kurotsuki Renya had learned far more than what was expected of a first-year student. Under the guidance of Instructor Tsuruno Hidetoshi, he not only advanced in Kidō but also managed to grasp the basics of Shunpo.
In particular, Renya's progress in Kidō was extraordinary. By now, he had already mastered the first twenty Hadō spells and the first fifteen Bakudō spells. The higher the number, the greater the difficulty and the longer the training required. Yet his speed of mastery had already surpassed nearly every other student at the Shin'ō Academy.
Most Academy students did not learn Kidō in numerical order. Instead, they were expected to focus on select spells most applicable to combat: Hadō #1: Shō, Hadō #4: Byakurai, Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden, Hadō #31: Shakkahō, along with binding spells such as Bakudō #1: Sai, Bakudō #4: Hainawa, Bakudō #8: Seki, and Bakudō #21: Sekienton. For the first-year final examination, simply demonstrating proficiency in five Hadō and five Bakudō was sufficient.
But Renya had already mastered thirty-five. Outside of Kidō specialists, few in the Academy could claim such breadth.
Renya's goal was clear: to master every Hadō and Bakudō up to the sixtieth spell. With his rapidly growing spiritual pressure — already at the level of a fifth-class Shinigami — he could handle intermediate Kidō. Mastery of a wide range of techniques meant adaptability in combat.
Some Shinigami combined multiple Kidō to devastating effect. For example, skilled users could layer Shakkahō, Haien, and Sekienton, creating explosive combinations. Renya aspired to similar creativity — to weave Kidō together into techniques unique to himself.
His progress had placed him well ahead of his peers. Even Renji Abarai, one of his closest rivals, had begun to feel the gap widening.
⸻
In the Academy's training hall, Renya and Renji stood facing each other, both armed with wooden swords. Renji charged forward, swinging for Renya's head.
Renya shifted lightly to the side, spiritual power unconsciously infusing his steps, and in an instant he slipped past Renji with Shunpo. Appearing at his side, Renya extended a single finger.
"Hadō #1: Shō."
A sudden force burst outward. Renji twisted sharply, narrowly avoiding the brunt of it, then countered with a thrust aimed at Renya's chest.
Renya raised his hand, and a flash of white light danced across his fingertip.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
The lightning shot forth, striking Renji's hand. Renji froze, his body shuddering with numbness, and his wooden sword clattered to the ground.
"Damn…" Renji muttered, shaking his hand. "Your strength's getting more and more ridiculous."
Renya gave a modest smile. "With enough practice in Kidō, anyone can reach this point, Renji."
Renji grimaced. "Easy for you to say. You taught me Hadō #1: Shō weeks ago, and I still need to chant the full incantation just to get a weak push out of it. Takes me forever, and by then the fight's already over."
Kidō talent was never Renji's strength. Without incantations, his spells were weak and unstable. In combat, chanting aloud often gave the enemy time to react, reducing its effectiveness. Only at higher levels — with advanced spells like Hadō #54: Haien, Hadō #63: Raikōhō, or Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui — could Kidō turn the tide of battle.
Even their instructor, Tsuruno Hidetoshi, had only mastered a handful of such spells. As for forbidden Kidō, even the Kidō Corps Commander himself could rarely employ them freely.
⸻
Leaving the training hall, Renya and Renji returned to their dormitory. With Izuru Kira already gone home for the holiday, only the two remained. Evening fell, and after washing up, they both settled into their beds.
But deep into the night, a shadow slipped soundlessly through the window. A figure landed silently, reached for Renya, and in a single fluid motion slung him over their shoulder before vanishing into the darkness with Shunpo.
Renya sensed it immediately. He kept his eyes closed and body limp, pretending to sleep while quietly analyzing.
The figure was not tall — the height difference wasn't great. Their shoulders were narrow, but their Shunpo speed was flawless: thirty meters in a flash, weaving between buildings with ease. Their movement was steady, unshaken even when leaping across rooftops.
This person's control over Shunpo was far beyond his own. Their breathing was calm, steady, barely perceptible. Whoever it was possessed refined control over both body and spirit.
Renya kept still. If he attacked now, he might surprise them, but the risk was too great. Instead, he tracked their path in his mind. South, then east… toward the very heart of Seireitei. Soon, they ascended into the mountains — the domain of the Onmitsukidō, the covert ops branch under the command of the Second Division.
It all made sense now: the impeccable Shunpo, the flawless stealth, the destination.
Only one person in all of Soul Society fit this profile.
The figure finally set him down. As they crouched to rouse him, Renya opened his eyes suddenly, locking onto the sharp black irises behind the mask.
"…Captain Soi Fon," Renya said quietly. "It's late. Why have you brought me here?"
The masked woman froze, eyes narrowing.
"…You," she said coldly, "how did you know?"