Chapter 2: Geniuses and Geniuses

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As the break began, the white-haired teacher slowly departed from the lecture hall. Shinto yawned and rested his head on the desk when a familiar voice sounded beside him.

“Tachikawa!”

Glancing sideways, he saw a petite girl with mid-length brown hair standing near his seat, dressed in the red-and-white school uniform. Though her features were delicate, her overly serious expression somewhat spoiled her appearance.

“You haven’t submitted your graduation exam application yet.”

“Isn’t it voluntary? I’m sure I’m not the only one who hasn’t,” Shinto replied gloomily, still leaning on the desk.

Next to Shinto, Shuhei Hinagaki was organizing his textbooks. Hearing the exchange, he merely glanced over without speaking.

Kanezawa furrowed her brows. “What do you mean by that?”

As one of the two class leaders of Class A, she was always diligent in her duties, though that made her seem somewhat unapproachable. She had few friends, and it seemed the only ones she could casually talk with were these two boys.

Shinto turned his head slightly toward her and spoke calmly, “I don’t feel confident enough in my subjects. I’m not ready for the graduation exam, so I won’t overestimate myself.”

Kanezawa looked surprised and glanced at Hinagaki, who responded with a helpless look.

“You’re not planning to graduate this year?”

“No, I want to improve myself more.”

After a moment’s thought, Kanezawa pulled out a roster and scanned it. Many names had already been recorded—these were students applying for the graduation exam. Their homeroom teacher, Nanada, would screen the list again to remove those obviously unqualified before sending the rest for assessment. Only those who passed could graduate smoothly.

Hinagaki also handed over a roster. “Please give this to Teacher Nanada.”

He was the other class leader of Class A, sharing the same responsibilities as Kanezawa.

Kanezawa looked at the second list closely and frowned. “Why isn’t your name here either?”

“Same reason as this guy,” Hinagaki replied.

“...”

Kanezawa fell silent and quietly put away both lists.

At that moment, Hinagaki stood up and lightly nudged Shinto’s shin. “Next period is Kido class. We have to change classrooms. Don’t fall asleep.”

Tachikawa Shinto was a genius. His homeroom teacher Nanada Hidetsu particularly thought so but was also frustrated with his lax attitude, believing it was a waste of talent.

“Did he say exactly that?” Nanada asked after hearing Kanezawa’s report.

Kanezawa nodded. “Hinagaki said the same.”

Nanada frowned. “What are those two up to?”

Kanezawa explained, “Tachikawa has missed quite a few classes recently—not just yesterday’s Kendo but also the Kido Theory class the day before. Maybe he realized his shortcomings and wants to study another year.”

Seeing Shinto’s indifferent posture just now, she felt a bit insincere saying this.

Nanada flipped through the roster in his hand. Of course, he knew his students’ scores well. In his view, the number of students likely to graduate this year was very few, and the one with the greatest potential seemed unwilling to graduate early.

The graduation exam at the Spirit Arts Academy was very difficult for fourth-year students. After passing, there were also entrance exams for the Thirteen Squads, Kido Corps, and Stealth Mobile Unit. Failure meant repeating the year.

Nanada sighed softly. “If they truly have such resolve, that would be good.”

He looked at Kanezawa. “What about you? Same reason?”

Kanezawa lightly pursed her lips and nodded silently.

#

The Kido practical class was held outdoors.

By the fourth year, students had completed all the courses available at the Academy. The fifth and sixth years focused mainly on practical application—participating in soul burial in the living world and internal Soul Society duties—to lay a foundation for becoming official Shinigami.

For the fourth years, this Kido practical class involved many repetitions of exercises, only differing in proficiency.

The Academy officially taught all Kido techniques below number seventy. However, students mainly practiced those under number fifty. More important assessments involved Kido between fifty and seventy, selected based on spiritual pressure levels, without demanding perfect execution.

Advanced Kido required high spiritual pressure. Students, who were not yet official Shinigami, obviously could not handle them. After becoming official Shinigami, they could choose to learn and improve.

Shinto’s Kido level was among the top of his peers—not only because of his system but also due to his natural talent. His Level 13 spiritual pressure far exceeded that of Academy students.

He estimated that Shuhei Hinagaki, another outstanding student, had a spiritual pressure level around Level 7.

“Hey, everyone!”

Arriving at the outdoor classroom, they found not their usual Kido instructor but a handsome young man in a black Shihakusho.

Most students recognized him—Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Squad, who had come to substitute as a teacher before.

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The Academy often invited high-ranking Shinigami from the Thirteen Squads, Kido Corps, and Stealth Mobile Unit to teach, sometimes even captains.

Shiba Kaien was very approachable, and students liked him. However, whenever he came, he enthusiastically promoted the Thirteenth Squad, “tempting” excellent students to volunteer for his squad upon graduation.

“Long time no see, everyone,” Shiba Kaien greeted with a smile. “I’ll be teaching today.”

He scanned the students, and upon meeting Shinto’s gaze, he winked at him.

“Feels like he’s here just for you,” Shuhei whispered to Shinto.

Though many students graduated yearly, only a few were outstanding. Fourth years hadn’t reached graduation yet but could apply early for the graduation exam. Shiba Kaien’s intention was clear.

Shinto sighed, “It’s natural for someone as outstanding as me to get attention.”

Shuhei was speechless.

Recalling last night’s events, Shuhei suddenly asked softly, “Did you reject Miss Matsumoto because you want to join the Thirteenth Squad?”

“No,” Shinto replied.

Shiba Kaien chatted briefly with a few familiar students before announcing, “Enough small talk. Let’s start with Hado practice. First group: Tachikawa Shinto and Aoshika.”

He took out a roster and began calling names.

Called upon, Shinto and a tall, long-faced boy rose and moved to the front. About twenty meters ahead stood several targets made of energy stones, unlike the wooden targets used by lower grades.

Fourth years had basically mastered Kido up to number fifty, and their power was considerable. Ordinary wooden targets could no longer withstand their attacks.

Shiba Kaien looked at Shinto standing there and smiled. “Today, let’s start with Hado #63.”

Instantly, grumbling arose among the students. Hado #63, Thunder Roar Cannon, was considered extremely difficult.

Shiba Kaien’s smile didn’t fade. “Why complain? Your future exams will also be limited to below #70. Not mastering Kido from #51 to #70 will cost you points.”

Once the back row quieted, Shinto slowly raised his arm and glanced at the white energy stone target ahead, executing without hesitation.

“Hado #63: Thunder Roar Cannon!”

Golden lightning surged from his palm, scattering dense arcs that precisely struck the white target.

Shiba Kaien raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue. The form of the Thunder Roar Cannon was perfect. Though it was hard to gauge the power since it hit the energy stone, the spiritual pressure fluctuations gave him a rough idea.

“That kid…”

A few suppressed gasps arose among the students. Shiba Kaien smiled wider and then looked at Aoshika beside Shinto.

Aoshika internally cursed. Shinto’s sudden abandonment of incantation put enormous pressure on him, his teammate.

Feeling the many gazes behind him, Aoshika wanted to finish as coolly as Shinto but knew he couldn’t and had to chant properly.

“Hado #63: Thunder Roar Cannon!”

As his spiritual pressure fluctuated wildly, golden lightning spread out in front of him, forming an electric net.

The unruly spiritual pressure made it impossible for him to concentrate the lightning as Shinto did. Just as he thought he was in trouble, his vision blurred suddenly, and when he regained focus, he found himself two meters behind.

Shaken, Aoshika breathed heavily and looked at Shinto. “Th-thank you, Vice-Captain Shiba!”

Shiba Kaien smiled. “Good to see you’re okay.”

Shinto sat back down with Aoshika, who felt embarrassed and frustrated looking at Shinto’s calm expression.

Why did I have to be paired with this guy?

Shiba Kaien checked the roster again, noting Aoshika’s good grades within the class. After pondering, he said, “Next, we’ll practice Hado #54.”

This eased many students.

“You sure like to show off,” Hinagaki teased Shinto.

“I’m naturally handsome,” Shinto replied.

“…”

The Hado practice continued. Besides Hinagaki and Kanezawa, who performed flawlessly, others had various issues, with some failing to cast the spells.

Shiba Kaien pointed out everyone’s mistakes and then had them practice Hado and Bakudo techniques numbered in the fifties.

In the final minutes before class ended, students mingled, discussing Kido or chatting casually. Shiba Kaien was surrounded by many, happily sharing tales of the Thirteenth Squad.

Shinto lay alone on the wooden floor, squinting at the azure sky, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Suddenly, a shadow blocked his view.

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“Kanezawa, is there something you need?”

Kanezawa sat beside him, looking at the handsome boy thoughtfully before speaking. “Your grades are so good. The graduation exam shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

Shinto replied, “Not really. My performance in Kido class is quite poor.”

Kanezawa didn’t believe his nonsense. His “poor” was only relative to Aoshika, who topped the Kido class.

The graduation exam assessed comprehensive skills. Even if a student excelled in some areas, they could graduate smoothly. To Kanezawa, Shinto’s Kendo alone was enough.

After a pause, she added, “I haven’t applied for the graduation exam either.”

Shinto casually responded, “Is that so,” showing no concern.

Her prepared argument was cut off, and recalling the roster where she had crossed out her own name, she stood and left.

None of the top three in Class A planned to graduate early. Nanada-sensei’s thoughts on this were unknown.

Hearing Kanezawa walk away, Shinto slowly closed his eyes.

The bell rang, ending the morning classes. Fourth-year students generally had three classes daily—two in the morning and one in the afternoon—leaving ample free time.

As graduation and new student enrollment approached, off-campus practical classes decreased.

Students gradually left the outdoor classroom. Just as Shinto was about to stand, Shiba Kaien, who should have left, approached him with a smile.

“Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

At the Academy cafeteria.

“Why should I pay if you’re treating me?”

“I forgot my money today.”

Shinto looked speechless at the vice-captain. They sat by the window at the edge. Shiba Kaien in his Shihakusho drew many students’ gazes.

“I really miss the school food,” Shiba Kaien said, eating heartily.

Shinto observed him. “You only spent a year here, right?”

Shiba Kaien graduated from the Academy in a year and joined the Thirteenth Squad as a Third Seat, causing quite a stir. If outsiders saw Shinto as a genius, Shiba Kaien was a genius among geniuses. His family name “Shiba” added to his aura.

The Thirteenth Squad captain, Fushiguro Jūshirō, was physically weak, so as vice-captain, Shiba Kaien fully managed squad affairs—a man of strength, ability, and charisma.

His future was boundless.

“Let’s not talk about the past. You know why I came to see you, right?” Shiba Kaien said between mouthfuls.

“You want me to join your squad?”

A knowing smile appeared on Shiba Kaien’s face. “I know Miss Matsumoto must have approached you. Although the Tenth Squad captain is my uncle, he’s extremely unreliable. Joining him is a dead end. Come with me instead. When I become captain, maybe I’ll promote you as my lieutenant.”

He spoke ill of his uncle without hesitation while painting a grand future for Shinto.

Lieutenant?

Shinto smiled faintly at Shiba Kaien. If all went well, Kaien would surely become captain.

If all went well.

“I don’t plan to graduate this year or next,” Shinto said bluntly.

Surprise crossed Shiba Kaien’s face. “Why?”

He valued Tachikawa Shinto because of his talent. To him, Shinto had already met the graduation criteria.

Shinto didn’t specify his reasons, only saying, “After I graduate, I might consider the Thirteenth Squad first, but for the next two years, I want to do something. I hope you can help me.”

Interest flashed in Shiba Kaien’s eyes. “Tell me.”

Shinto said slowly, “I want to establish an official organization among the Academy students. As an ordinary student, I can’t do it alone, but with you—vice-captain of the Thirteenth Squad and heir of the Shiba family—it would be much easier.”

Shiba Kaien’s smile slowly faded as he stared at Shinto.

“You’re from Rukongai, right?”

Shinto smiled. “Ah, Moreki District. Any problem?”

Shiba Kaien snorted, his gaze inscrutable. “Ambitious.”