After all, it's still hard to escape the fate of being a salted fish.
Moyu lay sprawled on the desk, gazing blankly at the Kidō class instructor, Yuta Onoue, who was drooling on the podium.
Though Onoue's combat power was mediocre, his mastery of theoretical Kidō knowledge surpassed many battle-hardened Shinigami.
That was why he held a teaching position in Kidō at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
"A high-level Kidō places tremendous strain on the caster when used," Onoue Yuta explained, pointer tapping against the blackboard. "For example, Hadō No. 63: Raikōhō—Fiery Lightning Howl."
"In essence, it shares some structure with Hadō No. 4: Byakurai, but its complexity is considerably higher."
"During execution, the surge of reiryoku through the caster's body generates intense pressure. Without enough spiritual energy, there's no way to release it."
———
[Your Hadō No. 63: Raikōhō has benefited from attentive listening. Practice efficiency and power increased by 80%.]
Onoue Yuta's lesson brought substantial gains for Moyu.
With his solid foundation and the 80% bonus, the improvement was far beyond what normal Shinigami would achieve.
For most, gaining this level of mastery required at least a year of dedicated training.
For talentless Shinigami, it might as well be a lifetime.
Just as Moyu pondered deeply, Rukia suddenly leaned in close and whispered:
"Brother Moyu, are you thinking about which division you want to join?"
Startled, Moyu blinked.
Only then did he remember: after completing the soul burial practice, they now qualified for selection into the Gotei 13.
"Well, I think Captain Aizen is a solid option."
Rukia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Brother Byakuya's Sixth Division is also a good choice."
"And there's always the Fourth Division as a backup. Captain Unohana's mastery of kendo is really admirable…"
She continued listing reasons for each team, but Moyu was inwardly struck by some of her suggestions.
Join the Fifth Division?
Sister, what kind of illusion are you under?
Do you even understand how dangerous that squad is?!
"Don't worry about this now."
Moyu ruffled her hair. "We can think about it after graduation."
"Life~~"
But even though Moyu wanted to avoid things, life didn't always go the way he wished.
After returning to the dormitory from class, he could only bury his face in his hands.
"Why…"
His tone was filled with quiet despair. "Do captains like sneaking into other people's homes so much?"
"This is really bad manners!"
Sitting on the tatami at the center of the room was a tall figure with long black hair cascading down, a pale face with an emotionless expression that Moyu found hard to like.
His hair was neatly held with a silver star-shaped clip, his white scarf hung down from his shoulders and neck, and he calmly sipped hot tea from a porcelain cup held in an elegant pale hand.
By appearance, he was handsome. But his aura was cold and distant.
He was the Sixth Division Captain—28th Head of the Kuchiki Clan—Byakuya Kuchiki.
"I heard about the soul burial incident from other squad members," Byakuya said calmly, holding his teacup.
"I came to check on your condition."
"Judging by the situation, it appears you're unharmed."
Moyu sighed, then sat cross-legged across from him.
He understood his older brother well.
On the surface, Byakuya was cold and unapproachable. But in truth, he deeply valued family.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come in person.
"What could've happened to me..."
Moyu explained, "Yushirō lent me several artifacts. They were enough to guarantee safety."
Byakuya placed the teacup down and leaned forward, eyes sharpening.
"As someone born into the Four Noble Families, I know exactly how strong Yushirō's artifacts are."
"Yes, they're powerful. But they also place a demand on the user."
"Without sufficient reiryoku, their true power cannot be released at all."
Moyu flopped onto the tatami like a salted fish.
"You're so serious..."
"If you've got something to ask, just ask already..."
Byakuya's eyes softened slightly, a faint gleam of satisfaction flickering in their light violet depths.
His "incompetent" little brother always appeared lazy and indifferent.
But there was something beneath the surface.
Byakuya had always believed that Moyu carried secrets—more than anyone realized.
But he never intended to pry.
As long as Moyu remained Moyu, that was enough.
After a moment of quiet thought, Byakuya asked softly:
"Have you decided which squad to join?"