"Kisaragi-sama, this is as far as we can escort you."
Outside the gates of Mao Spiritual Academy, a girl dressed in a crisp white top and crimson hakama smiled warmly at a young man who looked reluctant to part ways.
"The rest of the way… you'll have to walk on your own," she said, her expression bright as if she were anticipating the days to come.
"Hah! Ise Shizune, you really know how to be cruel," the boy said with a playful pout. "No matter what, I am your Guji-sama!"
"Yes, yes, Guji-sama," Shizune cooed gently. "During your time at the Spiritual Academy, you absolutely must not cause any trouble." She gave him a teasing glance. "There are nobles here… even from the Five Great Noble Families. If you anger them, with our status, we might quickly end up on the execution grounds!"
For once, the boy didn't argue back. He merely nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I understand, Shizune."
Shizune blinked, momentarily surprised by his composed response, then smiled and waved, finally leaving the vicinity of the academy.
Today was the enrollment day at Mao Spiritual Academy, and there were many young newcomers like him—some dressed in lavish, noble attire.
This was the Soul Society, the realm of the Shinigami.
His name was Kisaragi Akira, the Guji of the Gyokukotsu Shrine in Ryuhon District—the so-called spiritual master.
Akira had long since lost track of how much time had passed since he transmigrated into this world. His early days of hunger and struggle had ended when he joined the shrine. From there, thanks to his understanding of the Guji profession, he gradually climbed to the top, ultimately becoming the shrine's Guji.
Though the Gyokukotsu Shrine consisted of only him and Ise Shizune, it did little to diminish Akira's standing in Ryuhon District. As the sole Guji in the area, he wielded considerable authority. Ceremonies, exorcisms, prayers—these duties fell squarely on his shoulders, with Shizune assisting when needed. Of course, certain situations still required Shizune to take the lead, like dealing with intruders, rebels, unrest, or even hollows sneaking into Ryuhon District.
The truth was simple: Akira had received no formal combat training. Even with some natural talent, he couldn't convert it into practical fighting ability.
To prevent repeated mishaps, Shizune had made a carefully considered decision: he would be sent to the Spiritual Academy to learn and train. Though this would cost the Gyokukotsu Shrine some prestige, she believed it was necessary for both the shrine and Akira's future.
Akira, however, had no lofty ambitions. He had no desire to get entangled in the messy politics of Seireitei. All he wanted was to protect his own little corner of the world—a notion that seemed almost luxurious in such a dangerous place.
But Akira still had hope. One year ago, he had received his "golden finger":
[Sign-In System]
As its name suggested, it simply required signing in to grow stronger—a much easier path than training rigorously on his own.
Yet the system was deceptive. Day, month, and year sign-ins—each progressively more ridiculous.
On the first day, he received a finely crafted broom. Sweeping the shrine had never felt so smooth.
On the second day, two stone lanterns appeared, perfect for placing at the shrine entrance, radiating a "standing light" aesthetic.
The third day brought a high-quality miko outfit for Shizune, instantly improving her favorability toward him. At least this one had some practical use.
The rest of the rewards? Mostly oddities or trivial items. Occasionally something useful appeared, like Genryusai's secret roasted sweet potato, premium sugar candies, sweet persimmons, or bound editions of Seireitei Gazette.
This continued until his first monthly sign-in:
[First Monthly Sign-In Complete][Exclusive Attribute Acquired: Spirit Affinity][Spirit Affinity: Spiritual particles regard you as a friend, greatly increasing your training efficiency!]
With this bonus, Akira began serious cultivation. Though still far from the level of geniuses, he became a standout among ordinary civilians. Thanks to both diligent training and daily sign-ins, by the eve of his academy enrollment, his stats had reached a surprisingly solid level:
[Name: Kisaragi Akira][Title: Guji of Gyokukotsu Shrine, Ryuhon District civilian, Mao Spiritual Academy freshman][Spiritual Pressure: Lv10][Swordsmanship: Lv10][Martial Arts: Lv10][Flash Step: Lv10][Kidō: Lv10][Exclusive Attribute: Spirit Affinity]
A straightforward, all-purpose panel, clearly outlining his current strength. By his calculations, he was roughly equivalent to a standard Shinigami soldier—though soldiers were hardly considered noteworthy. In fact, he might still be weaker than Shizune. Still, his abilities were more than enough to enter the academy, even placing him in the elite class. Spirit Affinity had truly proven its worth.
With Shizune's figure finally disappearing from view, Akira shook off the clutter of thoughts and fixed his gaze on the grand entrance of Mao Spiritual Academy.
[Location Sign-In: Mao Spiritual Academy][Exclusive Attribute Acquired: Danger Instinct][Danger Instinct: You possess an extraordinary sensitivity to danger, particularly life-threatening situations.]
The sudden acquisition sharpened Akira's senses dramatically. The world seemed clearer, every lurking threat more tangible. His weak strength made him feel the world itself was hostile.
Until a gentle voice called from behind:
"Excuse me… are you also a new student at the academy?"
Akira turned and saw a boy in the blue-and-white academy uniform. His warm, sunny smile, soft brown eyes, and slightly tousled brown hair made him seem almost fragile.
"Yes… I'm Kisaragi Akira," he replied.
The other boy smiled back gently. "Nice to meet you. I'm Souzuke, Souzuke Aizen."
New adventures begin!
This opening chapter sets a slightly slower, slice-of-life pacing while building the supernatural and school setting, leaving space for action, rivalry, and daily interactions to unfold naturally.