The noble children were gathered on one side, and the commoners on the other. Yes, this was deliberate segregation.
Of course, that didn't mean the standards were different. Regardless of status, noble or commoner, everyone was evaluated by the same criteria: strength. As long as one met the benchmark, they could pass. The only reason for the separate testing areas was simple: the passing rate among the nobility was simply too high.
Most of them were expected to pass. Even those who failed were usually just a sliver short. After all, their families were well aware of the admission requirements for Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy. If a child's abilities were truly lacking, no respectable noble would even think of sending them to the exam, it would be a disgrace.
In addition, nearly all noble children had already received basic training at home. While geniuses occasionally emerged from the commoner ranks, averages dictated everything. Combine that with some of the nobles' less-than-savory habits, and having everyone test together would only lead to conflicts.
Once everyone entered the academy, they'd all have passed the entrance exam anyway, so the gap between them, even if it existed, wouldn't be too wide at that point.
As for Shirō… his small stature would have made him stand out if placed among the commoners. But among the nobles, though he was still smaller than most, he didn't appear particularly out of place.
With no friends or companions to speak to, Shirō passed the time by observing others. Who knew, maybe he'd spot someone familiar. Most of the applicants appeared nervous. Despite being nobles, despite having strong spiritual pressure, this was still their first time facing such an uncertain situation. That kind of anxiety was only natural.
But Shirō? He was as calm as could be.
He already had a manifested Zanpakutō, and was on the verge of achieving Shikai. Put him straight into the 13 Court Guard Squads, and he could probably pass as a seated officer.
Naturally, in a crowd of people, Shirō stood out again. He gave off the impression of either being a clueless airhead, or someone with absolute confidence in his talent. Considering his spiritual pressure, the examiners leaned toward the latter, though it did seem a bit arrogant.
Many proctors were already mentally evaluating him. His reiryoku was probably around fourth or fifth grade, not bad, but not rare either. Students entering with sixth-grade reiryoku were true prodigies. Fourth and fifth grade? They popped up every year.
Huh? Wait a second...
Shirō's eyes lit up. He suddenly stepped out of line and made his way up to someone in front, as if trying to cut.
"Hey~" he chirped, pecking at them verbally.
The person lowered their head, raising a hand to block their face. Clearly avoiding eye contact.
"Hey~ hey~" Shirō wasn't about to let them off the hook. He circled the person endlessly, stroking his chin and studying them without saying another word.
"I said, have you stared enough?!" the person finally shouted, unable to take it anymore.
"Whoa~! Isn't this Kaien?!" Shirō acted as though he'd only just realized who it was. With exaggerated astonishment, he shouted, "What are you doing here?! Weren't you granted early admission already? The legendary sixth-grade reiryoku genius, Shiba Kaien!"
"Whoa! Sixth grade spiritual pressure?!"
"Is that real?!"
"No way…"
"He doesn't look like much…"
"Idiot, that's a Shiba, watch your mouth."
"What?! A Shiba?! Even they need to attend the Academy now?!"
"Shhh!!"
Thanks to Shirō's loud and enthusiastic declaration, murmurs immediately rippled through the noble applicants.
"Ahem." Shiba Kaien looked completely embarrassed, clearly caught in an awkward situation.
Still, this guy was no stranger to thick skin. With a forced chuckle, he told Shirō, "Oh, it's you, brat. I was hoping to keep a low profile, but since you've outed me, I guess I have no choice. Ahem. Today's just a re-evaluation for me. Yeah, a re-check. I wanted to see what kind of people are entering this year, didn't want to look like I was enjoying some kind of special treatment, you know? Ha ha!"
What a lousy excuse. Boldfaced nonsense. Weren't you worried your bragging might blow up in your face?
Shirō silently cursed him in his mind, but on the surface, he nodded with admiration and even a touch of flattery.
"As expected of Kaien-sama! We'll all be watching your results closely!"
Hmph. Let's see you try to hide now.
If Kaien was here, Shirō no longer believed any of that "early admission" crap.
"Ahem. I said I wanted to keep a low profile. I can't just go around flaunting my scores in front of everyone." Kaien shook his head.
"Oh no, not flaunting at all! It's an inspiration! A once-in-a-century genius like you, whether you say it or not, the whole Academy will be talking about you!"
"You brat, are you ever going to stop?" Kaien leaned in, whispering threateningly, but his expression still wore a big smile, as if the two were best buddies.
"What? I'm just repeating what you said!" Shirō replied with innocent surprise.
Kaien narrowed his eyes. "Alright, what do you want? Just say it."
"Hm… well…" Shirō rubbed his chin. "I heard you have a little sister…"
"Absolutely not!!!" Kaien shouted at once, cutting him off and fleeing toward the testing area.
"Tch. Cutting the line and pretending like it's nothing," Shirō muttered.
"And you have the nerve to say that? You cut the line too!" a voice said beside him.
Huh? That voice…
"Soifon?" Shirō turned, surprised. "It's really you! What are you doing here?!"
"Hmph! Lady Yoruichi's already joined the Punishment Force. She doesn't need me as a reader anymore. So I'm going to graduate from the Academy quickly and join the Stealth Force to serve her again!" Soifon replied coldly.
But inside, she was cursing Shirō up and down. This idiot didn't even notice me standing here, how blind can one person be?!
"Heh, then let's do our best together!" Shirō said cheerfully, completely oblivious to her internal rage.
"Hmph, who said I wanted to do anything with you?!" Soifon snorted.
At that moment, a loud voice echoed from the testing chamber:
"Shiba Kaien! Sixth-grade reiryoku! A genius! A once-in-a-century genius!!!"
…Wait, what?! Shirō's eyes widened. Could it actually be true?
He had always known Kaien was a prodigy, but timeline-wise, this should've been his early years, there was no way he'd already reached this level. Maybe that "early admission" talk really had some truth to it?
As it turned out, the "special admission" part was fake, but the sixth-grade spiritual pressure? That was real.
Sixth-grade reiryoku, equivalent to a Vice-Captain level, was something the Shiba Clan could recognize immediately. So even if he hadn't officially passed the exam yet, Kaien knew where he stood.
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150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter