It was nearly three in the afternoon.
"Tsukishiro-nii, this is the assembly hall. The entrance ceremony will begin here soon," Nakai Yuu said nervously.
Over the past two hours, Nakai had shown Sombravida nearly every accessible area of the Academy — training grounds, lecture halls, the Kidō practice courtyard, the supply building, even the outer paths near Seireitei's inner districts.
Sombravida did not refuse.
Although he could perceive everything through spiritual pressure, allowing Nakai to guide him reinforced his identity as "the blind student." After the entrance exams, his name had already circulated among instructors. Maintaining consistency now would prevent suspicion later.
More importantly, spending time with Nakai allowed Sombravida to study him carefully.
His reiryoku was shallow but steady.
No concealed fluctuations.
No killing intent.
No unnatural composure.
Just nervous sincerity.
"Thank you, Nakai," Sombravida said calmly.
"It's nothing! I was told to assist you, after all."
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto rarely appears publicly," Nakai added in a hushed tone. "Upperclassmen say this is the only guaranteed chance to see him unless you become a Shinigami."
"That makes sense," Sombravida replied.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni did not involve himself in trivial matters.
The massive white structure before them loomed like a fortress. Students in red and blue Academy robes flowed inside in steady lines.
Though the hall could accommodate over ten thousand people, only the new intake was present today. The vast space felt solemn rather than crowded.
"Big brother!"
Momo's voice cut through the air.
She ran over from another entrance, slightly out of breath.
"I was worried I wouldn't find you!"
Sombravida smiled faintly.
"Nakai, this is my sister, Hinamori Momo. Momo, this is my roommate, Nakai Yuu."
Momo bowed politely.
"Thank you for taking care of my brother."
"N-no, no! I'm the one being helped!" Nakai stammered.
As they walked toward seating, Sombravida quietly explained Nakai's situation to Momo.
She seemed relieved.
"The Academy arranged this for you?"
"Most likely based on examination feedback," Sombravida answered neutrally.
He did not mention the possibility of surveillance.
Speculation without evidence was meaningless.
The Ceremony Begins
A composed man stepped onto the stage.
White hair.
Neatly trimmed mustache.
Refined aristocratic posture.
"I am Sasakibe Chōjirō, Vice-Captain of the First Division and Vice-Principal of the Shin'ō Academy."
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Even without releasing overt spiritual pressure, Sasakibe's presence carried quiet authority. His long service under Yamamoto was known throughout Seireitei.
He spoke clearly.
"For the next six years, you will train here in the Four Fundamental Arts of the Shinigami: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. Your foundation here determines your future."
He paused.
"Graduation is not guaranteed. Advancement requires effort."
A measured warning.
Then—
"Please welcome the Headmaster of the Shin'ō Academy. Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni."
The hall fell silent.
The old man stepped forward slowly.
His staff struck the floor with deliberate rhythm.
His white beard was tied neatly.
His aged body radiated restrained power.
The staff was not merely support—
It concealed his sealed Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, the strongest fire-type Zanpakutō in Soul Society.
Even sealed, the pressure was immense.
Sombravida felt it immediately.
Not aggressive.
Not oppressive.
But absolute.
"Students."
Yamamoto's voice was gravelly yet thunderous.
"Welcome to the Shin'ō Academy."
The air trembled faintly.
He did not shout.
He did not need to.
"You will learn discipline. You will learn control. You will learn the Four Arts."
"When your foundation is sufficient, you will receive an Asauchi."
Not awaken a Zanpakutō immediately.
Receive an Asauchi.
Sombravida noted the distinction carefully.
"Only through forging your bond will your Zanpakutō reveal its true name."
"Those who excel will find many paths — the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, the Onmitsukidō."
"Strength without discipline is chaos. Discipline without strength is useless."
His spiritual pressure pulsed gently through the hall — not enough to harm, but enough to awaken determination.
Sombravida recognized it immediately.
A refined application of reiatsu influence.
Command through presence.
The applause that followed was instinctive.
Class Assignments
After Yamamoto departed, Sasakibe resumed.
"Class assignments will now begin."
Six instructors stepped forward.
Each cohort contained Groups A through F.
Group A — highest entrance rankings
Group B–E — descending performance tiers
Group F — special admissions and nobility-based entries
Reassignment would occur every six months based on cumulative evaluation.
Names were called.
Sombravida listened carefully.
"Hinamori Tsukishiro — Group A."
"Hinamori Momo — Group A."
"Kira Izuru — Group A."
Nakai hesitated—
"Nakai Yuu — Group A."
Murmurs followed.
Nakai lowered his head nervously.
Sombravida understood immediately.
Nakai's placement was deliberate.
Either accommodation.
Or observation.
But not random.
The four regrouped.
Momo beamed.
"We're together!"
Kira nodded calmly.
"Competition will be intense."
Sombravida summarized quietly:
"Group A means higher expectations. Better instructors. Faster pacing."
"And harsher elimination."
Nakai swallowed.
But raised his hand slightly.
"I'll work hard."
The Academy encouraged study units.
Four-person groups were common for practice drills and Kidō exercises.
Sombravida approved silently.
Two members he trusted.
One cautious unknown.
Manageable.
After the Ceremony
The remainder of the day was free.
As long as students did not leave Seireitei without permission or enter restricted areas, they had freedom of movement.
Classes would begin the following morning.
Kira, being from a Seireitei noble household, returned home.
Nakai excused himself to finish unpacking.
That left Sombravida and Momo.
They walked toward a commercial street.
"Let's enjoy today," Momo said brightly.
They stopped at a grilled meat stall.
The aroma was rich and layered.
Unlike Rukongai's simple cooking, Seireitei food incorporated higher-quality ingredients infused with balanced reishi.
Momo took a bite.
"Big brother! It's so good!"
Sombravida allowed himself a quiet smile.
After decades in Hueco Mundo consuming Hollows, real food carried weight.
Flavor.
Memory.
Civilization.
"If only Grandma and Shiro could eat like this," Momo said softly.
"Maybe we could open something like this in Rukongai?"
Sombravida shook his head gently.
"Seireitei residents all possess spiritual power. Demand here is different. Rukongai relies on subsistence. Most souls there don't require high-reishi meals."
"Supply chains differ. Economics differ."
Momo sighed, but understood.
After a moment, she asked quietly:
"Big brother… when we become Shinigami, our families' lives will improve, right?"
"Of course."
Then Sombravida added thoughtfully:
"Tōshirō's spiritual potential is extraordinary. Once his Zanpakutō awakens, his reiryoku will likely surpass most students instantly."
"What?!"
Momo puffed her cheeks.
"Don't underestimate me!"
"I'll awaken mine first!"
Sombravida laughed softly.
"I believe you."
But inwardly—
He felt it.
That subtle stirring within his own soul.
The faint, distant presence.
Zanpakutō.
"When will it awaken?"
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