After an unknown amount of time, Amamiya Miyako gradually regained consciousness. He looked around, and what caught his eye the most was the towering wall in the distance.
'That's Seireitei, the center of Soul Society.' Amamiya Miyako looked at this unfamiliar world, his thoughts complex. Perhaps he would have to live in this place for the rest of his life.
Around him, there was a group of people also looking around in confusion, seemingly all souls who had just arrived in Soul Society. And at the very front, there was a man dressed in black, with a samurai sword tied at his waist. Amamiya Miyako knew that he was a Shinigami of Soul Society. In Rukongai, Shinigami held considerable power and were an unattainable existence for ordinary souls.
Next, this Shinigami began to introduce the current situation, and then started to arrange these newly arrived souls.
...
After receiving the relevant guidance, Amamiya Miyako gradually understood his current situation. Although he wasn't clear about the order of soul distribution, he was fortunate that he hadn't been assigned to a remote area, so he didn't have to worry too much about security.
The reishi concentration in Soul Society was extremely high. Ordinary souls did not require solid food; they could survive by simply absorbing reishi from the atmosphere and drinking water. Amamiya Miyako, in his soul state, didn't need to worry about food, but he would still feel hunger, indicating he possessed spiritual power.
'During this time, Aizen has already finished manufacturing the Hōgyoku, so he shouldn't be frequently going to Rukongai to acquire souls. Therefore, there's no need to worry too much about safety. The most urgent task is to find a way to enter the True Spiritual Arts Academy early.' Amamiya Miyako thought to himself.
A few days later, Amamiya Miyako gradually adapted to life here. Most importantly, Amamiya Miyako still felt a certain degree of hunger after consuming water, which was undoubtedly proof of possessing spiritual power. So now, what he needed to do was to quickly register at the True Spiritual Arts Academy in Seireitei and quickly gain the power of a Shinigami.
If Amamiya Miyako wasn't mistaken, the story would begin seven years from now, when Kurosaki ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki would first meet. Therefore, he had to race against time to acquire at least the ability to protect himself.
After inquiring about the address of the True Spiritual Arts Academy, Amamiya Miyako immediately rushed to its registration office: West District, past Hakutōmon, then one hundred meters south past Jidanbō. According to the information Amamiya Miyako had previously gathered, this period was precisely the registration time for the True Spiritual Arts Academy, and missing it would waste valuable time.
Looking at the long queue in front of him, Amamiya Miyako couldn't help but sigh, stroking his forehead. It seemed that becoming a Shinigami was still the aspiration of most souls. Although many souls in Rukongai disliked Shinigami, there were also many who aspired to become true Shinigami, as the status of a Shinigami in Soul Society was the highest, second only to the nobles.
"No spiritual pressure, next." The Shinigami responsible for testing spiritual pressure levels was examining the souls who came to register, one by one.
"Twenty-grade spiritual pressure, passed."
"Spiritual pressure level too low, failed."
"If you've failed, don't keep watching here. You don't have the qualifications to become a Shinigami." The Shinigami shouted at and expelled those who had failed.
As people in front were weeded out one by one, it was finally Amamiya Miyako's turn. Amamiya Miyako took a deep breath and placed his hand on the crystal ball used for detecting spiritual pressure.
As Amamiya Miyako's hand approached, the light within the crystal ball gradually began to expand.
"This, this, this is…?" The Shinigami in charge of the inspection gradually widened his mouth.
The people around were still discussing. This was the first time they had seen such dazzling light.
"Sixteenth-rank, almost approaching fifth-rank reishi. This is reishi nearing the Vice Captain's level…" the Shinigami muttered to himself.
Amamiya Miyako was surprised. According to Shunsui Kyoraku's description, reishi refers to the concentration of spiritual pressure residing in reishi. Fifth-rank reishi was already the level of a Vice Captain, and she now possessed reishi close to fifth-rank. Such extraordinary talent, while proving her potential, could also attract unwanted attention. The worst-case scenario was being noticed by Aizen Sōsuke, who was still in Soul Society.
However, upon careful consideration, although her potential in Soul Society was indeed extraordinary, in Aizen's eyes, it wasn't indispensable. Moreover, Shinigami have extremely long lifespans, and a "Vice Captain" who hadn't yet fully matured posed no threat. Having made up her mind, Amamiya Miyako understood that her life ahead shouldn't have too many troubles, but she couldn't let her guard down. She just needed to diligently absorb all nourishment and grow quickly.
"Excuse me, Shinigami-sama, am I qualified?" Amamiya Miyako asked softly.
"Of, of course, please come in." The Shinigami in charge of the inspection replied, immediately arranging for someone to escort Amamiya Miyako inside.
Although she was detected to have fifth-rank reishi, Amamiya Miyako did not show off her talent in front of others. In the current Soul Society, being too talented was not a good thing. If she did anything out of line, she might be noticed by the higher-ups.
Amamiya Miyako was then taken to the True Spiritual Arts Academy's actual location. The teacher responsible for reception led Amamiya Miyako inside to take the True Spiritual Arts Academy's entrance exam. After a series of incomprehensible tests, Amamiya Miyako was deemed qualified.
"I really don't know why Hisagi Shuuhei failed twice and still became a Vice Captain. This exam is really strange," Amamiya Miyako muttered to herself.
Then, a dedicated teacher was responsible for distributing the True Spiritual Arts Academy student uniforms and assigning their dormitories. Amamiya Miyako arrived at her dormitory and looked out the window. The next six years would be spent here.
That's right, regardless of whether her cultivation at the True Spiritual Arts Academy truly reached the level of a regular Shinigami seat officer, Amamiya Miyako planned to stay for the full six years. Skipping grades was out of the question, regardless of whether she had the ability.
In the history of Soul Society, there have been very few True Spiritual Arts Academy students with true talent who could skip grades, only Shiba Kaien, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya. These three who skipped grades were undoubtedly true geniuses. But geniuses also have their downsides, especially those under Aizen's nose, who all received special treatment.
Shiba Kaien's wife was devoured and killed by Metastascia, a Hollow with fusion abilities created by Aizen, and he himself died at the hands of this Hollow. Ichimaru Gin, who infiltrated Aizen's ranks, also died by Aizen's hand. Tōshirō Hitsugaya was repeatedly toyed with by Aizen using Hinamori Momo.
Should she graduate early to learn higher-level knowledge and quickly improve her strength, or should she honestly stay at the True Spiritual Arts Academy for six years to avoid Aizen's attention? Amamiya Miyako was now facing a choice.