Chapter 7: Use Official Titles While Working!

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The Freshman Entrance Ceremony at the Spiritual Arts Academy.

As usual, only the entire faculty and the newly enrolled freshmen were expected to attend.

However, at this moment, Shin was standing among the teachers, beside Hidetaka Nandata.

Principal Suzume Takezono stood on the stage, addressing the first-year students below. His speech was formal, encouraging the students to study diligently, strive for progress, and become outstanding Soul Reapers as soon as possible.

Shin seemed somewhat distracted, his gaze wandering as he stood there.

Nandata gently kicked his calf to remind him to focus.

The newly enrolled students were full of enthusiasm, looking forward to their future life at the academy, and Principal Suzume’s speech was effective.

“Next, we invite the representative student of Mao Spiritual Arts Academy, Student Council President, fifth-year Tachi Shin, to deliver a speech.”

The academy had never before had a student representative speak at the freshman entrance ceremony.

Hearing his name called, Shin straightened his lazy expression and slowly walked up to the podium.

The venue was large, with hundreds of students standing below, many curious about what the student council was and who this Tachi Shin was.

Shin had a prepared speech, given to him by the academy’s teachers. Aside from encouraging the freshmen, it mainly promoted the student council.

His speech was straightforward, without any antics, and after finishing, he stepped down from the stage.

After the ceremony ended, as Shin was about to return to the dormitory, someone stopped him.

“Who are you?”

The person was also a student, wearing a white uniform, but Shin had no impression of him.

“Kazaro Kōgorō,” he said indifferently.

Shin thought for a moment, then grinned. “Oh, it’s you. This is our first time meeting.”

This was the candidate for vice president appointed from above, from the noble Kazaro family of the Seireitei, currently a sixth-year student.

He was also the one who dashed Shin’s original plan to have Shuhei take the vice president position.

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Kazaro Kōgorō frowned at Shin and said, “I looked over the student council’s appointment list. You stuffed many of your own friends into department head positions?”

Shin replied, “Not many, only two.”

Following higher-level decisions, the student council was divided into seven main departments:

The Executive Committee, Academic Department, Organization Department, Discipline Department, Arts Department, Public Relations Department, and Finance Department.

The 13th Division Vice-Captain, Shiba Kaien, served as the sole honorary chairman of the student council.

What Kazaro referred to was Shin appointing Hisagi Shuhei as head of the Organization Department and Kanisawa as head of the Discipline Department.

Both were key departments.

Kazaro, seeing Shin admit this without explanation, furrowed his brows deeper. “Why did you make this decision unilaterally without consulting me?”

Shin looked innocent. “This is our first meeting today, right? Before this, I didn’t even know where to find you. Besides, the student council had already been preparing for half a month before the freshmen arrived, and I never saw you show any interest then.”

His words implied Kazaro had just appeared out of nowhere.

Kazaro’s expression darkened. He’d been abruptly informed by his family to take up the vice president position, and was shocked and confused upon learning the president was Tachi Shin.

Within the academy, Tachi Shin was a well-known figure. Many knew he came from Rukongai’s Jukon District, one of the most lawless areas. Rumor had it he often skipped classes. How could such a person be president, let alone have someone like him as a subordinate?

Kazaro said, “I think you appointed those two out of personal bias. I don’t agree.”

Shin countered, “Kazaro, do you really know those two?”

“I’m one year ahead of you; you should call me senior.”

Shin smiled brightly. “We’re discussing student council internal affairs, right? Shouldn’t we address each other by our titles? You should call me President!”

“You!”

Unexpectedly, Kazaro, despite looking angry, held back.

“President, I think the appointments for Organization and Discipline Department heads should be reconsidered. I also have the right to participate in the selection.”

Kazaro’s change in tone surprised Shin, who then found it dull. Where was the usual aristocratic disdain for commoners?

“Kazaro, if you think my decisions are wrong, you can personally evaluate those two before deciding if they’re suitable.”

“I will!” Kazaro said seriously. “Just hope… President, you won’t abuse your power!”

Shin waved his hand and left, feeling his preconceived notions about Kazaro soften considerably.

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What’s the meaning of abusing power?

If he couldn’t benefit those around him, wouldn’t his presidency be meaningless?

Besides, he was confident that both Hisagi Shuhei and Kanisawa were more than capable.

The school had many new faces, radiating a different energy than the upperclassmen—more youthful, spirited, curious about everything.

Shin had been just like that when he first arrived.

Cherry blossoms floated gently on the breeze across the campus, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

Shin truly enjoyed this serene leisure. If he didn’t know what the future held, he might have wished to remain a student here forever.

Before the freshmen arrived, the student council had already recruited some members from upperclassmen, establishing a basic team.

Many of these members were not chosen by Shin.

Aside from Shuhei and Kanisawa, all department heads were noble students.

Honestly, Shin didn’t mind. The student council was just a tool for him.

But his influence was still limited. With someone like Kazaro Kōgorō around, no one could predict what the student council’s future would be.

In the central plaza, several bulletin boards displayed detailed information about the student council, recruiting new first-year members.

Shin glanced over and suddenly stopped in his tracks.

[Rukia]

[Affinity: 7]

[Every 10 points of affinity increases Spiritual Pressure Level by 1 and Zanpakutō Unlock Progress by 1%]

[Affinity reaching 90 unlocks full reward]

[Can form the Soul Reaper’s Bond; upon forming, unlocks the third reward]