Chapter 7: Sixth Level Spiritual Power
Kuchiki Cangchún, standing before Mahiru, had an expression frozen on his face.
Under his shocked gaze, a pillar of spiritual pressure erupted from Mahiru, soaring into the sky.
"Boom!"
The pillar of spiritual pressure instantly blew off the dojo's ceiling, illuminating the eyes of everyone present.
Several students with lower spiritual pressure in the dojo were sent flying by this sudden, powerful spiritual pressure, crashing against the walls with a series of thuds.
One student flew out the door and was caught by a man wearing black-rimmed glasses.
"Student, there's a limit to how much you should practice kendo."
"Ah… Teacher Aizen, what are you doing here?"
"I just finished class. What happened in there? Regardless, releasing spiritual pressure or throwing students out of the classroom is going too far…"
Aizen adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and looked up into the dojo.
Inside the dojo, Kuchiki Cangchún released his spiritual pressure, a Captain-class spiritual pressure of the third-tier spiritual power, firmly suppressing Mahiru's spiritual pressure to prevent it from harming other students.
Through the clash of spiritual pressures, he could be 100% certain that Mahiru's asauchi had transformed into a Zanpakuto, and his spiritual pressure at this moment had reached the sixth-tier spiritual power, just a hair's breadth away from the fifth-tier spiritual power.
His first thought was to be happy for his student.
But then, he fell into confusion.
Aozaki Mahiru entered the academy from Rukongai; his record clearly stated that he had sixteenth-tier spiritual power upon enrollment, and now he had directly jumped to the sixth-tier. This level of spiritual pressure already surpassed most seated officers.
Even if he had learned Shikai, it shouldn't be this exaggerated…
Typically, when a Shinigami learns Shikai, their spiritual pressure increases by at most one tier; those with extraordinary talent might increase by two tiers, but a ten-tier increase is truly unprecedented.
Aizen stood rooted to the spot, his hand gripping the bridge of his glasses tightly, his entire being like a motionless statue, eyes wide as he stared at Aozaki Mahiru.
Without him even realizing it, his characteristic gentle smile gradually twisted, the curve of his lips stretching wider and wider.
From the perspective of the academy student, the usually amiable Vice-Captain Aizen seemed to have transformed into a hideous demon in an instant.
As a Shinigami from a commoner background, Aizen did not know how to cultivate spiritual pressure before entering the Central Spirit Arts Academy.
However, due to his extraordinary talent, after he began cultivating spiritual pressure upon enrollment, he reached the level of a top-tier seated officer—the so-called sixth-tier spiritual power—in less than half a year.
Even though he hid it well and no one knew, he was proud of it in his heart.
The records of past outstanding students at the Central Spirit Arts Academy are public, and it is clear that no one's cultivation speed could compare to his.
So, although he knew Aozaki Mahiru's cultivation speed was very fast after a few years of interaction, his starting point was too low.
He never thought that Mahiru was a genius on the same level as him.
He sometimes wondered if he was born a different level of life than ordinary people, a thought that often made him feel lonely.
For a period of time, he would always subconsciously search for someone who could stand at the same height as him, only to be met with disappointment in the end.
As a result, just when he wanted to give up on this idea, fate played a cruel joke on him.
This man's talent is no less than my own; perhaps he can stand at the same height as me!
Once this thought arose, it could no longer be stopped.
For a moment, Aizen's mood was incredibly complex.
He himself couldn't be sure what he was thinking right now.
This man is too dangerous; he should be eliminated as soon as possible.
No, perhaps he is just a flash in the pan, and in a few years, he will fade into obscurity.
Why harbor a Luck mentality? The plan is nearing a critical stage; any risks should be eliminated promptly.
In an instant, various thoughts disrupted his thinking, and Aizen couldn't help but take a deep breath.
He had considered that the existence of such a man might pose an obstacle to his schemes.
Yet, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.
It turns out, I am not strange; I am not a lonely being.
It's not that there's no one in this world who can stand at the same height as me; this person is right before my eyes.
"Let's observe for a few more years," Aizen took a few more deep breaths, calming his inner excitement.
In his heart, a long-lost sense of anticipation emerged, even if what he anticipated would bring him great risks.
"Teacher Aizen, are you alright?" the academy student asked worriedly.
Aizen's gaze flickered, then he put on his signature fake smile: "I'm fine, I just felt a bit unwell earlier."
"Ah… I see, I was wondering why your expression was so scary just now, Teacher. I'm fine, you should go to the Fourth Division and get checked out."
"You saw all that?" Looking at the nodding academy student, Aizen smiled: "Thank you for your concern, then I'll be leaving now."
"…"
"Teacher Cang, are you alright?"
Mahiru finally controlled his spiritual pressure and waved his hand in front of Kuchiki Cangchún.
"I'm fine."
Kuchiki Cangchún replied, staring blankly at Aozaki Mahiru.
Learning Shikai on the first Blade Meditation, with the spiritual pressure of a top-tier seated officer.
This was only the second day of enrollment at the Central Spirit Arts Academy, the first day of formal classes.
This was simply too exaggerated.
Even his brother-in-law, Kōga Kuchiki, who was hailed as a genius rarely seen in centuries and now serves as the Captain of the First Division's Special Forces, wasn't this exaggerated when he first entered the Central Spirit Arts Academy!
A rare excitement showed in his eyes, as if he had seen a rising new star.
This child might become a pillar of the Soul Society in the future!
Although his own broken body was useless, if he could teach a Shinigami who could protect the Soul Society, it would be considered not having failed his father's teachings.
Thinking of this, Kuchiki Cangchún smiled even more happily, though this smile no longer had its usual noble demeanor; instead, it revealed a hint of foolishness.
Mahiru shook his head, coughed twice, and pulled Kuchiki Cangchún out of his fantasy world.
"Teacher Cang, you said before that by injecting Souls and knowing the blade's name, one can obtain their own Zanpakuto. So, I don't have to return my Zanpakuto to the Central Spirit Arts Academy, right?"
He slid Senbonzakura into its sheath, hung it at his waist, and caressed the hilt.
Even if I said I wanted to return it, you wouldn't be able to!
Seeing that Mahiru had no intention of returning it, Kuchiki Cangchún shook his head and chuckled: "That's natural, it's your Zanpakuto. However, you still need to come with me after class to report it to the Lingshu Institute."
"Long live, Teacher!" Mahiru jumped up excitedly, "Let's go quickly!"
When he watched the "Shinigami" anime in his previous life, he had fantasized about having his own Zanpakuto.
Now that his wish had finally come true, he couldn't even face it calmly.
"You brat… sit down first, the class isn't over yet."
Aozaki Mahiru, despite now having sixth-tier spiritual power, was still easily pressed into his seat by the seemingly frail Kuchiki Cangchún.
"Is Shinigami combat all about spiritual pressure? Even the seemingly weak teacher has such strength," Mahiru grumbled.
" Aozaki Mahiru knows quite a lot," Kuchiki Cangchún smiled, "But don't underestimate your teacher. Even if I'm not good at combat, I'm still a third-tier spiritual power, and you still have much to learn."