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Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: How Many talents Are There?

On the first day of school, Katori Natsuki arrived at the Spirit Arts Academy's logistics department.

He saw the petite Shinigami again.

"Miss Shirai, aren't you the security guard?" Natsuki asked, puzzled.

"I was on duty that day! I'm actually in the logistics department!" Shirai Riko took out a booklet, glanced at it, and handed it to Natsuki. "This is the class roster. The class schedule is at the back. Mr. Katori teaches swordsmanship, right? If the wooden swords in the sword room wear out, you can come get new ones."

"Thank you, Miss Shirai." Natsuki received the class roster and schedule.

Looking over the roster, he saw his class contained over thirty students.

Most names were unfamiliar, but one immediately caught his attention.

"If I'm teaching him, it won't take up too much of my time, right?!" Natsuki was delighted.

There on the roster was Kensei Muguruma!

Though Kensei Muguruma might be considered a "unit of measurement" compared to captains, he still ranked among the Shinigami's most powerful combatants. In truth, his talent surpassed most Shinigami—a genuine prodigy.

Continuing down the list, Natsuki spotted another familiar name at the bottom—Shinji Hirako!

Like Muguruma, Hirako possessed captain-level potential.

This class was stacked!

Natsuki's anticipation grew.

Natsuki entered the swordsmanship classroom—a chairless space with wooden shelves lining both walls, each holding numerous practice swords.

The room buzzed like a hive when he arrived.

Students clustered in a central circle, voices raised in argument.

"I told you, I didn't ruin your breakfast!"

"But everyone says you arrived first!"

"It was already like that when I got here!"

"Wasting food is shameful—I challenge you to a duel!"

Natsuki raised an eyebrow and approached.

Within the crowd, two students clashed with wooden swords over the breakfast dispute.

Those with substantial spiritual energy still required sustenance, though Soul Society's food consisted of reishi particles.

Some students noticed Natsuki and, at his subtle gesture, fell silent rather than interrupting the duelists.

"I won't go easy just because you're a girl!"

The silver-haired boy's muscular frame delivered powerful strikes, his form completely unstructured. Natsuki recognized his identity instantly and checked his status:

[Kensei Muguruma]

[Talent: S]

[Reiatsu: Lv. 15]

[Reputation Level: Unknown]

[Status: Angry (It wasn't me!)]

His opponent was a girl with striking, fluffy dark hair.

Clack!

Their swords met with a sharp crack. Though outsized, the girl blocked each powerful slash, her knuckles whitening from the impacts.

Natsuki checked her profile:

[Azashiro Kana]

[Talent: S]

[Reiatsu: Lv. 10]

[Reputation Level: Unknown]

[Status: Hungry (Breakfast gone, woooo!)]

The name surprised him—unfamiliar from his past life, yet bearing S-rank talent. A welcome discovery for any teacher.

Muguruma roared, swinging with full force.

The girl raised her sword, its edges already cracked from previous blows.

Snap!

Her weapon shattered from the impact. Muguruma couldn't halt his momentum—the blade continued toward her face.

In that instant, Natsuki appeared between them, hands raised.

Catch.

He clasped the wooden sword bare-handed.

Muguruma stared in disbelief. The girl gaped—she knew firsthand how impossible catching that strike should've been.

"Classroom spars should end before injuries occur," Natsuki said calmly, lowering the sword. "Preserve camaraderie."

"You're our teacher?" Muguruma noticed Natsuki's attire differed from student uniforms.

"Your swordsmanship instructor." Natsuki nodded.

Students erupted with questions:

"Teach us how you caught that!"

"So cool!"

"I want to learn that too!"

A playful voice cut through the chatter: "Wow—lively crowd."

A blond boy lounged in the doorway. Natsuki checked his profile:

[Shinji Hirako]

[Talent: S]

[Reiatsu: Lv. 20]

[Reputation Level: Stranger]

[Status: Full of Energy]

Three S-rank talents in one class! Among all students Natsuki had assessed, most were C-rank—this concentration was unprecedented.

"Whose breakfast is that in the corner? I stepped on it accidentally, so I brought replacements!" Hirako shook a food bag teasingly.

"Mine!" Kana's eyes locked onto the bag.

"See? Not me!" Muguruma spread his hands.

"Sorry! I was just starving!" Kana clasped her hands in apology.

With the conflict resolved, Natsuki smiled.

"I'm Katori Natsuki, your homeroom and swordsmanship teacher. Address me as Katori-sensei moving forward."

Natsuki taught basic stances, grips, and Suzumebachi drills. Noticing Kana's famished expression—she'd refused to eat Hirako's offered breakfast during class—he dismissed them promptly.

"Today's lesson concludes. Swordsmanship forms a Shinigami's foundation. Dedicate yourselves—it may save your lives someday."

[Lesson completed. Rewards calculated]

[Reward: 10 Swordsmanship EXP]

[Bare-handed catch sparked student interest, doubling feedback]

[Additional Reward: 10 Swordsmanship EXP]

[First lesson bonus…]

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