"Maō Spiritual Arts Academy."
Katori Natsuki gazed up at the engraved plaque mounted on the academy's outer wall. The Maō Spiritual Arts Academy served as Soul Society's premier institution for training Shinigami, its graduates assigned throughout the Gotei 13's divisions.
Yet Natsuki himself had never attended—Batsu'unsai had recruited him directly into the 8th Division, providing personal instruction instead.
"Halt!"
A petite Shinigami with shoulder-length brown curls stood guard at the gatehouse, her demeanor bright and energetic.
"This is the Maō Spiritual Arts Academy. Unauthorized entry is—ah!"
As she stepped forward, her foot caught on the doorframe. She tumbled to the ground with an audible thud.
"—Ow!"
"Are you injured, miss?" Natsuki asked, scratching his cheek awkwardly. The formal challenge had become rather informal.
The small Shinigami pushed herself up, rubbing her forehead.
"I'm fine… Hm, you seem familiar somehow?" She squinted at Natsuki, trying to place his face.
"I'm Katori Natsuki, applying for the swordsmanship instructor position," he replied gently.
A translucent interface flickered across Natsuki's vision—visible only to him:
[Shirai Riko]
[Talent: C]
[Spiritual Pressure: Lv. 20]
[Reputation Level: Unknown]
[Status: Dizzy (Hurts! Hurts! Hurts!!!)]
Since activating the Teacher System, Natsuki could access these personal profiles. He'd made a habit of checking new Shinigami he encountered.
His observations suggested C-rank talent represented the average Shinigami baseline—those below likely couldn't achieve even seated officer status.
Out of curiosity, Natsuki summoned his own status panel:
[Katori Natsuki]
[Basic Abilities: Reiatsu Lv. 5 | Kenjutsu Lv. 50 | Kidō Lv. 20 | Hakuda Lv. 10 | Shunpo Lv. 20]
[Swordsmanship: Shunsei (Mastered) | Stream (Proficient) | Senmaizuru Shiki (Beginner) | Shunpo Iai (Beginner) | Sai (Beginner)…]
[Kidō: Kaidō (Proficient) | Hadō #1: Shō (Beginner) | Bakudō #1: Sai (Beginner)…]
[Disciples: None (Recruitment Inactive)]
His dashboard displayed far greater detail than others', cataloging every mastered and developing technique. Kenjutsu stood as his only exceptional skill—other abilities remained mediocre at best.
His Reiatsu proved most lacking, barely equivalent to a 20th Seat's spiritual pressure.
"Katori Natsuki? Oh—!" The petite Shinigami's tiny fists clenched in recognition. "The 8th Division members mentioned Captain Katori had a younger brother! No wonder you looked familiar! You resemble her!"
"We share some family traits." Natsuki pinched two fingers together in a playful gesture.
Few Shinigami knew him well. Though technically part of the 8th Division, Batsu'unsai had kept him training at the dojo rather than assigning missions. After her resignation, the new captain—Kyōraku Shunsui—gave Natsuki one assignment: care for his ailing mentor.
"You're applying to teach swordsmanship?" The Shinigami retrieved a ledger.
"Correct. Might you direct me to the dean's office?"
"Of course! Dean Kotetsu's office is the second room on the second floor of that building." She logged his name before pointing toward an adjacent structure.
"My thanks."
Following her directions, Natsuki soon stood before the dean's office. Behind the desk sat a silver-haired woman—Kotetsu Ayane, the academy's director.
Her long hair framed her face with two slender braids accenting her right cheek, red earrings completing the elegant ensemble. Rather than a Shinigami's black shihakushō, she wore a pristine white kimono, radiating dignified grace.
Her resemblance to the future 4th Division captain—Kotetsu Isane—was no coincidence; she was Isane's mother. Though appearing no older than her twenties, she was already a widow raising two daughters.
"Dean Kotetsu, I've come regarding the swordsmanship instructor position," Natsuki announced.
He discreetly checked her profile:
[Kotetsu Ayane]
[Talent: S-]
[Spiritual Pressure: Lv. 89]
[Reputation Level: Friendly]
[Status: Spiritual pressure has reached vice-captain threshold with minor growth potential remaining]
Her spiritual pressure dwarfed any Shinigami Natsuki had previously encountered.
"Please, Natsuki-kun, make yourself comfortable."
Kotetsu Ayane prepared tea using a boiling iron kettle.
"How fares Captain Katori?" she asked while pouring. "She seemed quite frail during my recent visit. Has her condition worsened?"
Natsuki accepted the teacup solemnly. "This episode required thirty-two days to stabilize. Captain Unohana believes… the prognosis isn't favorable."
"Visit her often in these coming days." Ayane sighed inwardly—Katori Batsu'unsai's time grew short. If even Unohana Retsu couldn't help, what hope had she?
"I'm familiar with your swordsmanship credentials. You're certainly qualified to teach here. With our new student cohort, you'll instruct one class while serving as homeroom teacher." She flipped through a registry.
New instructors traditionally mentored incoming students—part of the academy's long-standing practice. Starting their third year, students undertook field missions under their teacher's supervision, experiencing real Shinigami duties.
"Hmm… Kuchiki… Kasumiōji… Ōmaeda… Amanomori…" Ayane's brow furrowed. "The promising students are already assigned. There's one family candidate left, but given their clan's current…"
"I'd hoped to give you an easier class, but Vice-Principal Tsunayashiro finalized the placements. Noble-born students generally prove more teachable." Her tone turned apologetic.
Normally, class assignments fell to the vice-principal. She'd wanted to secure Natsuki a manageable group, but all the high-potential students had been claimed.
Students from Shinigami families or noble houses typically had stronger foundations than Rukongai recruits. The remaining unassigned class comprised mostly the latter.
"That's perfectly acceptable. Rukongai students will do just fine—I'll ensure they excel," Natsuki declared before sipping his tea.
With the Teacher System active, he needed students to instruct. This position was essential.
Dean Kotetsu smiled faintly—she appreciated his confidence.
Swordsmanship began with mental discipline. Hesitant minds could never master the blade.
"Then this class is yours." Ayane inscribed Natsuki's name on the roster. "Welcome aboard, Natsuki-kun."
[Swordsmanship Instructor position secured at Maō Spiritual Arts Academy]
[Teach students to obtain feedback rewards]
[Apprenticeship function unlocked—guide disciples' growth for additional rewards]
[Note: Apprenticeship requires mutual consent]