"Is that all? Why are you giving me money for this? You're treating me like a stranger…"
That's what he said, but Mahiru watched as Wei Wan pocketed the money right after speaking, with no intention of returning it.
"Don't worry, it's the same as previous years, testing spiritual pressure… In fact, it's already very difficult to pass this test."
"In Rukongai, it's good enough to just solve the problem of food and clothing; there aren't many people whose spiritual power can reach a high level to begin with."
"If the admission requirements continue to increase, it will be impossible for many people from Rukongai to pass the test."
"You're right, then I'll go sign up first." Mahiru said, then pulled out some more money and gave it to Wei Wan.
This guy often helped him open doors.
Those nobles in Seireitei were used to living well, and some of them liked some tattered things from Rukongai. The two of them had earned a lot of money doing this business over the years.
Not to mention, he also took this opportunity to meet many beautiful noble ladies and madams, had some in-depth exchanges, and earned a little extra money along the way.
Of course, his standards for selecting service objects were as strict as his self-training.
Mahiru had nothing to say, he could only thank his good looks.
Mahiru… after becoming a Shinigami, he would be under the nobles' noses, so he should restrain himself, right?
Wei Wan thought so.
But this matter could only be thought about; he didn't have the guts to say it out loud.
Those nobles valued their reputation above all else, and when they were ruthless, they would even kill their own siblings. No one would care whether he, a mere gatekeeper, lived or died.
A few years ago, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, a member of the Tsunayashiro Family, abused his colleagues, assassinated the family heir, and even killed his own wife.
Captain Kyōraku reported him, and the Forty-Six Chambers sentenced him to house arrest for several hundred years.
For souls with a lifespan of two to three thousand years, what's a few hundred years!
Compared to the worried Wei Wan, the culprit, Mahiru, looked perfectly fine, chatting animatedly with the female examiner from the Central Spirit Arts Academy.
"Examiner, we've chatted for so long, but I still don't know your name?"
"…" The beautiful examiner was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Lisa Yadōmaru."
"So it's Third Seat Lisa Yadomaru. I heard Captain Kyōraku thinks highly of you. I estimate you'll be promoted to Vice-Captain soon." Mahiru smiled.
"You know me?"
"Don't look at me like this, I'm actually a businessman, and I have some connections in Seireitei."
Mahiru rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a stack of cards.
"These are my business cards. My name is Aozaki Mahiru. Please take care of me."
Lisa Yadōmaru picked up a business card: "Jack-of-all-trades…"
"That's right, it's Jack-of-all-trades. As long as the money is in place, we'll do anything." Mahiru's face showed a charming smile, "We have all kinds of services…"
"All kinds of services…" Lisa Yadomaru looked at Mahiru, snorted coldly, put away the business card, and said indifferently, "Hmph, I'm not interested in those services."
As her voice fell, Lisa Yadomaru seemed to feel ashamed, and a blush of annoyance colored her cheeks.
This bastard named Mahiru actually said such things to her. For Lisa Yadomaru, who had been studying gender education books for many years, it was simply impossible to refuse… to accept.
Not to mention, she came from the Eighth Division this time with a mission from the Gotei 13 to select talents, and this was during the Spiritual Arts Academy test, in broad daylight.
If such a person could become a Shinigami and join the Gotei 13, he must be properly educated!
" Aozaki Mahiru!"
A shout from the spiritual gate interrupted their conversation.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Lisa Yadomaru, it seems it's my turn. I'll go take the test first, let's chat again next time." Mahiru said with an apologetic expression, then ran towards the spiritual gate.
" Aozaki Mahiru?"
"That's me."
Mahiru took the form; it had his name, and the age and spiritual pressure columns were blank.
This was his pass to enter the Spiritual Arts Academy!
"Go ahead, it's your turn to test."
"Yes."
Mahiru walked to the spiritual gate and saw Matsumoto Rangiku and Gin, who had passed the test, on the other side.
"This is Kido for testing age and spiritual pressure. Relax." The examiner's eyes lit up, and she placed her hand on Mahiru's back, reminding him.
Mahiru shrugged easily, winking at Matsumoto Rangiku, making the nervous Matsumoto Rangiku tremble.
" Aozaki Mahiru's score." The examiner swallowed, handing the form to the examiner beside her.
"Hey, Yui… you're not intentionally going easy on him because he's handsome, are you? But it can't be this outrageous! Or did the test go wrong?"
The examiner beside her whispered secretly.
Lustful woman!
He cursed silently in his heart.
He had seen Aozaki Mahiru's appearance; he was handsome and dashing. How could she lie about the score like this!?
Damn it, I'm only a little less handsome than him, so why didn't anyone help me when I took the Central Spirit Arts Academy exam? I had to take it six times to get in!
Most importantly, Lord Lisa Yadomaru over there had been staring at this kid.
She was not only the Third Seat of the Eighth Division, but also a young lady raised by Captain Kyōraku like his own daughter!
This identity… just thinking about it is exciting…
Ahem… Captain Kyōraku probably didn't come, right?
Yui glared at him, the light in her hand brightened again, then she shook her head, smiling wryly without speaking.
The examiner beside her gasped.
"Spiritual power, sixteenth class."
Undoubtedly, the Spiritual Arts Academy had found a treasure this time.
This was someone from Rukongai, not a Shinigami descendant from Seireitei who had been practicing spiritual pressure since childhood.
A twenty-year-old with sixteenth-class spiritual power, after systematic study in the Academy, the height he could reach was unimaginable. At graduation, he would at least be a Seat Officer!
"Did I hear that right? Spiritual power? Not spiritual energy?"
"I heard that graduates of the Central Spirit Arts Academy generally have twentieth-class spiritual power…"
"You mean this person is going to graduate before even enrolling?"
The examinees discussed animatedly, their tones somewhat sour.
"Congratulations, you've passed the test. Go on in."
The examiner filled in "sixteenth-class spiritual power" on the form and handed it to Mahiru.
Yui then cautiously stepped forward, glanced at Mahiru, who was standing there looking at the form, and a hint of shyness flashed in her charming eyes as she softly murmured:
"Um… Mahiru, this is my address."
The examiner beside her immediately froze, dumbfounded.
Teacher Yui, so this is the kind of person you are, but there are other students watching now.
Wait!
What are you doing? Let go of that student quickly.
In broad daylight, a teacher and student pulling and tugging—what kind of decorum is this?
"Um… from now on I'll be an academy student, and you'll be my teacher. I'll definitely have many things to ask you." While pulling and tugging, Mahiru took a slip of paper and said with a smile.
He looked at Yui's beautiful face, squeezed her soft hand incidentally, and then turned to gesture towards the direction of Seireitei.