In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed, and by March of the second year, the new semester began.
In the grand auditorium, Kurotsuki Renya stood in line, excitement running through him as he awaited his turn to temporarily receive a Zanpakutō.
Strictly speaking, it was not a true Zanpakutō yet, but an Asauchi—a "shallow blade." It was the blank, unformed state of a Zanpakutō before being awakened and given its true name.
Every Asauchi was originally forged by Ōetsu Nimaiya, the progenitor of all Zanpakutō.
Renya had skipped directly into the sixth-year class after completing the fourth, joining other sixth-years to be issued their blades.
Although the borrowed Asauchi would not officially belong to them until they joined a division, as long as the student obeyed academy rules, the weapon would remain with them permanently.
Renya was eager to meet his Zanpakutō, though he knew it would still take time before he could unlock its true form.
Over the past six months, his power had grown steadily.
In the latter half of the term, Renya dedicated even more focus to Kidō. He had mastered the basic Hadō and Bakudō spells, his fundamentals strong.
He could already use techniques like Bakudō #26: Kyokko, cloaking an object in reishi to render it invisible, and Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen, which summoned three triangular beams of light to pin an enemy by their waist and arms.
With only one more month remaining in his third-year curriculum before skipping forward, he began studying practical intermediate-level Kidō.
For example, Hadō #31: Shakkahō, the Red Flame Cannon, which fired a blazing orb of explosive fire—fast, destructive, and reliable. It was one of the most widely used Hadō in Soul Society for its balance of power and efficiency.
He also studied Hadō #32: Ōkasen, releasing a wide arc of yellow energy; Hadō #33: Sōkatsui, summoning devastating blue flames; and even Hadō #58: Tenran, unleashing a violent tornado that ripped through enemies.
Among Bakudō, he practiced useful spells such as Bakudō #37: Tsuriboshi, forming a net of spiritual energy that acted like a suspended safety hammock; Bakudō #39: Enkōsen, projecting a round defensive shield; and Bakudō #58: Kakushitsuijaku, a technique to detect and trace spiritual pressure.
After completing these studies, Renya formally advanced and entered the sixth year.
Here, every student would be granted an Asauchi. Though still a temporary loan, they could infuse their soul into it, commune with its essence, and eventually learn its true name, allowing them to achieve Shikai.
Renya stood toward the front of the crowd, but because he had advanced by skipping grades, his enrollment was technically listed last. When all others had been called, the teacher's voice rang out:
"Kurotsuki Renya."
"Here!" Renya shot upright and hurried forward.
As he walked, teachers and students alike gave him complex looks. At only fourteen, he was the youngest in the Academy's upper classes. His brilliance overshadowed even those older than him.
Of course, Renya thought to himself, in a few years, an even younger and more terrifying prodigy will appear to shake all of Soul Society.
He approached the podium, where a teacher handed him a sheathed blade. "This Asauchi is lent to you for now. When you join your division, it will be formally recognized as yours."
Renya bowed respectfully, fighting to contain his excitement, and carried the weapon back to the line.
The Asauchi was bound in a plain scabbard, a precaution issued by the Academy. In truth, the sheath was not part of the blade itself, and once a Shinigami awakened their Zanpakutō's true form, many abandoned the scabbard altogether. Most captains and lieutenants never used one at all.
Ōetsu Nimaiya's craftsmanship was so flawless that the sharpness of his blades surpassed anything that could contain them.
Renya slowly drew the weapon from its scabbard. Inch by inch, the black-and-white steel gleamed, its edge razor-sharp.
Fully unsheathed, it revealed itself as a long katana, roughly two shaku in length.
Most Asauchi took the form of traditional Japanese swords, though subtle variations existed. Some resembled the longer tachi, curved and worn edge-down, while others mirrored the shorter katana, worn edge-up for quicker draws.
Renya stared at the blade in his hands, his heart overflowing with joy. This sword would walk beside him for the rest of his life.
After the ceremony concluded, he returned to the dormitory, listening only half-heartedly to the teachers' closing words.
The moment he entered, Renji Abarai spotted the weapon. His eyes widened, and he rushed forward. "Renya! Let me see it!"
Renya handed him the Zanpakutō. Renji immediately unsheathed it, admiring the polished steel. "So this is a Zanpakutō…"
He raised it high and brought it down in a heavy slash, the cut sending a rush of wind through the room.
"Man, I'm so jealous," Renji said honestly. "You're already getting yours so fast."
Renya smiled. "Don't worry, Renji. Once you reach sixth year, you'll receive yours too."
Renji sighed. "That's still three years away."
He had just completed his second year and would soon enter his third. His reiatsu reserves and swordsmanship were strong, but his written scores dragged his overall ranking down.
Still, his graduation was certain. His path wasn't closed.
Nearby, Kira Izuru and Kondo Isamu passed Renya's blade between them, awe and envy plain on their faces.
Renji turned back. "You've already been scouted by Squad Two. You'll be heading straight there for your internship, right? When do you leave?"
"One month from now," Renya replied.
Before that, he would learn the method of soul fusion, pouring his essence into the blade to awaken communication with it. Only by doing so could a Shinigami hear its true name, the key to unlocking Shikai.
Of course, many graduates never achieved Shikai at all, but still performed their duties as Shinigami.
The Academy spent the first month teaching students this method. Afterward came the field internship, which determined graduation eligibility. Those who failed performed poorly could have their Asauchi reclaimed.
Internship exams had two core tasks: the Konso, or soul burial, performed by using a Zanpakutō to guide a plus soul to Soul Society, and the extermination of a Hollow. Even a low-level Hollow could be defeated through a mix of swordsmanship, Kidō, and Shunpo without requiring Shikai.
Strong results guaranteed graduation.
Renya, however, had already been preselected by Squad Two. His performance would not determine his placement—his graduation and assignment were secured.
Hearing this, Renji's expression dimmed slightly. Renya would soon be leaving them for his squad, and they would not reunite until graduation.
Renya felt a similar heaviness, but Renji clapped him on the shoulder and grinned. "Renya, don't slack off. Even if you've already been recruited, I'll catch up. Maybe I'll even make lieutenant before you."
Kira laughed quietly. "Renji, by the time you reach lieutenant, Renya might already be captain."
Renji rounded on him with mock outrage. "Captain?! You're underestimating me, Kira!"
Kondo Isamu chuckled. "Honestly, I agree with him."
"You two bastards!" Renji shouted, raising a fist as the three of them fell into playful scuffling.
Watching their antics, Renya smiled faintly and thought to himself: Brother Renji… I'll do my best.