"Although the Academy holds a collective lending ceremony for first-years after six months of enrollment, as the name suggests, those blades are merely loaned under the Academy's authority."
"They will ultimately be reclaimed. That isn't difficult to understand. After all, students are synonymous with immaturity."
"If you allow students to walk around campus armed, some are bound to develop a taste for reckless fighting. To eliminate that possibility, as a matter of principle, Academy students are not permitted to carry blades within school grounds."
I see.
Shizuya had entertained similar thoughts before, but hearing Aizen explain it personally gave him a clearer understanding.
"For those of mediocre talent, obtaining an Asauchi sooner or later makes no difference. Merely achieving soul synchronization and calling forth a Zanpakutō's name demands immense effort."
Convenient management. Reduced expenditure.
From an administrative standpoint, the approach was entirely reasonable.
"Of course, where there are the ordinary, there are also the extraordinary. For those truly capable, bending the rules for their own convenience is nothing unusual."
"As long as someone is willing to serve as guarantor, a student may receive an Asauchi early and begin the process of bonding with it… Shizuya-kun, it is not uncommon for students to call out their Zanpakutō's name while still enrolled."
And so—
Aizen let out a soft chuckle, speaking in his usual calm tone.
"I believe you are capable of doing the same, Shizuya-kun."
…Oof.
Being expected to succeed was a good thing—but expectations carried weight.
Damn. Aizen really piled it on.
Shizuya forced a laugh and tried to shift the subject.
"By the way, Aizen-sensei—what exactly is the difference between an Asauchi and a Zanpakutō?"
Aizen fell silent for a moment, lightly rubbing his chin in thought.
The question itself was simple. Explaining something so fundamental clearly, however, required care.
"Asauchi and Zanpakutō are not truly different in nature."
"The latter is merely the evolved state of the former—the name used after it has been released."
"In essence, the only distinction lies in whether it possesses a name."
That answered Shizuya's question. He hadn't thought much about it before.
"The process of soul synchronization varies from person to person. The time required differs as well. But those with exceptional talent will inevitably arrive at their answer quickly…"
"So allow yourself some anticipation, Shizuya-kun. The precious existence engraved with your name, imbued with your spirit—refined and elevated from all that you are."
"What kind of being will it become?"
The excitement he'd already felt deepened.
Shizuya found himself genuinely impatient.
"So that's why you went out, Sensei?"
"More or less. I handled a few other matters as well."
That only made Shizuya feel more embarrassed.
"Um… thank you, Aizen-sensei."
"It was nothing worth mentioning."
Seeing the guilt on the boy's face, Aizen merely smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"These are simply the responsibilities of a guidance instructor. If you truly feel indebted… then grow stronger, Shizuya-kun."
"That alone would be the greatest return you could offer me."
That just makes it worse!
Shizuya scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I—I understand…"
Aizen led him toward the upper-year district.
As with his earlier visit to meet Yoruichi, Shizuya lacked clearance to enter such areas on his own. It was entirely thanks to his teacher.
They eventually arrived at a peculiar standalone building. The walls were thickened, darkened, treated to block out light.
The interior was dim.
Shizuya blinked a few times to adjust while Aizen spoke with someone at the front.
Not long after, Aizen returned.
"Your identity has been verified. My role ends here. The rest, Shizuya-kun, you must walk yourself."
It was time.
Shizuya took a deep breath and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Sensei."
"Mm. I accept your gratitude."
Unusually concise.
As Aizen waved him onward, Shizuya took a step forward—only for Aizen's voice to call out once more.
"Shizuya-kun. If you find yourself confused or uncertain, try adjusting your perspective. Abandon thought. Trust your instincts."
Cryptic as ever.
Still, if it was Aizen who said it, there had to be meaning behind it.
Shizuya nodded firmly and proceeded.
Under the guidance of a seated officer, he stopped before a dark chamber.
"This is the blade chamber. Under normal circumstances, Asauchi are distributed at random during the ceremony… but since you have a guarantor, you are an exception."
The man produced a long string of keys and selected the one at the very top.
With a heavy click, the lock disengaged.
The door creaked open.
Darkness.
Silent.
"Go on. In consideration of your guarantor, you may choose."
Shizuya stepped inside.
The walls curved inward like a grand circular vault.
His eyes struggled at first—but then he realized illumination was unnecessary.
The blades themselves gleamed.
Flickering. Flashing. Reflecting. Endless refractions of pale steel shimmered through the darkness.
Blades stood like a forest—an infinite silver grove.
Their designs were uniform. Identical patterns. Standardized shapes.
And yet in the dimness, the warped reflections made them appear like countless lifeless eyes.
Watching him.
—Look.
Another stranger has arrived.
A chill crawled up his spine. His throat tightened.
His breathing quickened.
Is this a test?
The Asauchi were nothing like Aizen's calm description.
They were not inert objects.
Each one was forged individually by Ōetsu Nimaiya.
Each one was unique.
He had expected to walk in, select one, and leave.
Instead—
Under the sensation of being observed, he felt caught between advance and retreat.
A faint rustling echoed from all directions.
The tension mounted.
Until—
Something clicked.
Shizuya slowly closed his eyes.
Aizen's words resurfaced.
Abandon thought. Trust your instincts.
Even now, the advice felt puzzling.
But there was no better option.
Very well.
He inhaled deeply.
And then—
Relaxed.
Step.
His right foot moved forward.
He shifted his stance, lowered his shoulder.
His left hand rose, palm up. His right hand folded into it.
Thirty-three points of swordsmanship melted through his muscles and bones, coursing through his body.
Breath in.
Breath out.
The cycle turned.
Enlightenment struck in an instant.
His right hand trembled slightly. His index and middle fingers extended forward between the crook of his left hand.
If he could not maintain himself under their gaze—
Then he would change the premise.
He would not choose the Asauchi.
They would choose him.
You want to watch?
Then watch closely.
This—
Is everything I am.
Come.
In that instant—
The blade chamber fell silent.
…
Aizen, standing outside with his eyes closed, slowly opened them as Shizuya emerged unharmed.
For some reason, the smile on his face was deeper than usual.
"Have you made your choice, Shizuya-kun?"
Shizuya turned slightly, lifting the blade at his waist with unmistakable pride.
A standard black sheath. Wrapped hilt cord at the end.
It suited him.
"Receiving recognition from an Asauchi is a good thing," Aizen said mildly, "but do not become carried away."
Shizuya grinned and hurried to follow behind him.
"Just for a moment, at least!"
"I truly cannot with you…"
They walked away.
Silence returned to the chamber.
The officer who had led Shizuya there blinked suddenly, as if waking from sleep.
"…Huh?"
He rubbed his head.
Had he dozed off?
Careless. If a superior noticed—
He hurriedly checked the keys.
Everything was accounted for.
Nothing missing.
And yet—
"…Who was I speaking to just now?"
He couldn't remember.
Perhaps he had simply blurred dream and reality.
He tapped the keyring at his waist, eyes settling on the one at the top.
The chamber labeled as containing "problem Asauchi"—those deemed too violent, too unstable to pair with ordinary students.
Contact with them could cause serious trouble.
As long as that key remained—
All was well.
Meanwhile—
Aizen did not return to the teaching district.
Instead, he circled around to a place Shizuya knew intimately.
The sword training hall.
After presenting his instructor's credentials, Aizen easily secured the largest practice space.
Shizuya blinked.
Why here?
"Shizuya-kun, change into training clothes."
Aizen removed his loose outer robe and donned a fitted black training uniform.
"…Eh?"
Aizen did not answer immediately.
He walked calmly to stand opposite Shizuya.
Turned slightly.
His right hand lowered to the hilt at his waist.
His fingers tightened.
A faint metallic whisper.
His Zanpakutō slid free.
"Nothing much," Aizen said lightly.
Reflected in the pale steel, his expression appeared strange—amused, layered with something unreadable.
"I simply felt the impulse…"
"To have a live-blade spar with you."
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