Soul Society, West Rukongai, District 1—Junrinan.
Soma Kiryu opened his eyes, stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment, then swung his legs off the bed. He changed into a plain yukata and slid the door open.
"Up early, huh, Ichigo?"
The first thing he saw was the orange-haired teen rinsing off at the courtyard well.
"Didn't really sleep," Ichigo muttered, slinging a towel around his shoulders. Up close, the red veins in his eyes were obvious.
"Shame. The elder went through all that trouble for us." Soma stretched, sunlight glaring down from an impossible sky. Was that sun even hanging in the same heavens as Earth, or did Soul Society have its own version? He narrowed his eyes, burning the sight of that boundless, alien-blue expanse into memory.
The air here was pure, untouched by industry. Fresh, almost too clean. Combined with rows of old-fashioned wooden houses, it felt like stepping straight into the Edo period.
This was Soul Society—the land of the dead.
Thanks to Rukia Kuchiki, they'd been dropped into the safest district around. With the help of a respected local elder, instead of hostility they'd been given free lodging, clean clothes, and hot meals. A soft landing for their first day in the afterlife.
"For the record, it's not that I hate living here," Ichigo said quickly.
"Then what, worried about flunking out?" Soma teased.
"Shut it!"
That reaction said enough.
"Relax. You're not gonna end up like Shūhei Hisagi. Guy failed the entrance exam twice, and now he's a lieutenant. Inspiring as hell if you ask me."
Yesterday, the elder had explained the basics of Soul Society. And after seeing Rukia's strength firsthand, Ichigo's interest in becoming a Shinigami had only grown. Lucky for him, Shin'ō Academy's admissions period wasn't over yet. He could still slip in under the wire.
The decision was obvious.
Shinigami had a mixed reputation in Rukongai, but the elder hadn't discouraged them. In fact, he'd shared Hisagi's story as a reminder: failure wasn't the end. A late bloomer wasn't worth less than a prodigy.
Problem was, Ichigo hadn't exactly absorbed the moral.
"If I can help it, I don't want to wait another year—or longer. It's not about patience, it's just…" His voice trailed off, caught between words and silence. His brows furrowed tighter, like they'd been locked that way since he died.
Soma walked over, bumped him aside with a towel in hand, and splashed his face at the well. "Look, Rukongai's a grab bag of every kind of person. If there's some kind of background check, sure, some get filtered out. But us? We're different. Modern education. Good aptitude. Clean records. Zero criminal tendencies. Textbook citizens." He flicked water from his fingers. "Our only real problem is that people like us—'honest guys'—make easy targets."
Ichigo scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, fair. Worst case, if I wash out, I'll try another route. Elder said some squads recruit outside the Academy. If you've got a Zanpakutō and enough strength, you're in. But man… if I show up with some random sword I found outside and beat a real Shinigami with it, I'll make enemies fast."
His fire was back.
Soma opened his mouth to reply—then froze. Words like ink and smoke scrolled across his vision.
[As the great traveler, you've already attempted to murder the Child of Destiny, the era's chosen hero. The Machine Soul is pleased…]
What? Murder Ichigo? Soma kept his face still, but fury boiled in his chest. You don't just throw accusations like that. Even if you're my cheat ability, don't slander me.
[Your boldness has earned the world's respect. A gift awaits. Accept?]
…Fine. Accept.
[You have obtained Märchen Dragon: Blood of Cinderella. Physical abilities greatly enhanced. Growth rate +1000%.]
Thump.
His heart slammed like a war drum.
On the surface, nothing had changed. But he could feel it: a new power had woven itself into his soul, tangling with his reiatsu until both grew stronger. His grip tightened. His breath deepened. Hauling up a water bucket felt like lifting a pebble.
This wasn't training-induced refinement of spiritual power. This was innate. Born. The kind of talent only the densest Hollows could match.
And that growth rate? Ten times faster than normal. A gift reserved for true prodigies—potential that could actually cash out.
"So… did I just become a dragon? Or a dragon-bonded host?"
In this world, Europe had its own faction, opposed to Soul Society. Dragons and dragon hosts belonged to them. From what Soma remembered, the dragon wasn't particularly powerful. But here? Hybrids always seemed to end up as the ultimate answer.
Most Hollows, Shinigami, Quincy, even Fullbringers weren't untouchable. What mattered was that every group used a different foundation of power. And by pushing those boundaries, you could break the limits of the soul itself.
Escape the leash of the world. Rise above it all. Transcend existence.
That was the road Aizen had chosen. Maybe his, too.
Soma bent low over the well, washing his face. Cold water slid down his cheek, dripping from strands of damp hair across his sharp features. His eyes, bright as polished mirrors, reflected his only current goal.
Get into the Academy. Become a Shinigami.
"Good luck on the exam," one of the local kids called.
"Thanks," Soma and Ichigo said together.
After breakfast, they said their goodbyes to the elder and the children. Then the two stepped into Seireitei, clutching the passes that marked them as official candidates, and walked to Shin'ō Academy.
The ancient signboard loomed above them. Centuries old, maybe millennia. Their hearts pounded.
"Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"See? Told you I was right."
"About what?"
"Getting nailed by a dump truck is main character treatment. Then a goddess ships you off to another world."
Ichigo snorted. "I'll give you half credit. But calling her a goddess? No way."
"Want the full sequel?"
"The what?"
"Gain incredible powers, become a hero, protect the kingdom, slay the demon king, marry the princess. Roll credits. Happy ending."
Ichigo groaned. "That's literally an RPG script. I'm not some cringey middle-schooler chasing princesses. Saving kingdoms, whatever. Not my thing. But… the rest of it? Not bad."
Soma grinned. "Then let's go. Time to start our new school life in another world."
Ichigo sighed. "Can't believe I died just to go back to school. Guess this really is hell."
They still stepped forward with fire in their eyes. Confidence bleeding from every word, as if their acceptance letters were already in hand.