Contrary to what others were feeling, Rangiku found her battle with Kyoya incredibly exhilarating.
The sword in her hand felt like an extension of her own arms. Many of the awkward movements she had struggled with during training, or the parts of her swordplay that had never felt quite right, were now flowing more smoothly.
From an outsider's perspective, it seemed as though Rangiku's attacks were growing fiercer, as if just one more step would completely overwhelm Kyoya.
But despite appearing to be on the verge of defeat, Kyoya always managed to evade danger at the last moment, slipping away from Rangiku's sword.
"Is this… a guidance battle?"
At this point, one of the Zanjutsu Instructors watching from the sidelines finally realized something, speaking in an uncertain tone.
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, the other instructors were startled. After observing closely for a while, they all nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, it is a guidance battle."
Though the instructors had now discerned the true nature of Kyoya and Rangiku's battle, their estimation of Kyoya's skill rose yet again.
A guidance battle typically only occurred when there was a vast disparity in strength between two fighters.
Because of the immense gap, the instructor could guide the student to push beyond their limits, helping them refine their techniques step by step.
This wasn't just about raw power… it required keen insight into the student's flaws and the ability to lead them toward breakthroughs.
Even among the instructors at the Shin'o Academy, only a handful were capable of conducting such guidance battles.
This meant that Kyoya's mastery of basic Zanjutsu had already reached, or perhaps surpassed, the level of the academy's instructors.
Using his Observation Haki to sense that Rangiku's potential had nearly been exhausted, Kyoya sidestepped three of her strikes in succession. Then, as Rangiku's momentum waned, he lightly tapped her forehead with his bamboo sword.
"Rangiku-nee, you lose."
"Ah… ouch-"
Rangiku rubbed the spot where Kyoya had tapped her, letting out a small groan.
"Kyoya, you really are strong!"
"You're not weak either, Rangiku-nee."
Kyoya replied with a smile, "Among all the students I've fought, only two or three could match your Zanjutsu."
This wasn't just empty praise.
Rangiku's natural talent was exceptional. With her 8th-class Reiryoku at enrollment, she ranked among the top three in this year's Class A.
In terms of physical enhancement from Reiatsu alone, Kyoya's speed and strength were far inferior to Rangiku's.
It was only because his Observation Haki allowed him to read her movements, combined with his profound mastery of basic Zanjutsu, that he could guide her to break through her limits.
It can be said that among the freshmen, in terms of pure Zanjutsu, Rangiku now stood just below Kyoya.
"Winner… Kyoya!"
Once Kyoya and Rangiku finished speaking, the referee immediately announced the end of the match.
"The first-grade combat assessment is now concluded."
"Congratulations to Kyoya! With overwhelming strength, he has claimed the title of this year's top first-grade student!"
[Ding-]
The moment the referee declared the results, a chime echoed in Kyoya's mind.
"A new achievement?"
Kyoya's heart leaped with excitement.
Though he hadn't yet focused on checking, he knew by now that this [One Piece Achievement System] in his mind only notified him when he accomplished something significant, rewarding him accordingly.
Clearly, becoming the top first-grade student was recognized by the system as a new achievement.
'The 'Top Student' achievement must be connected to the 'Entering the Marine Training Base' achievement… perhaps even a continuation of it.'
'The reward for this achievement should be better than the last one.'
'Last time, I got one month's worth of training experience.'
'I wonder how much I'll get this time… Will it be enough to comprehend the Breath of All Things and become a swordsman capable of launching flying slashes?'
Kyoya gently touched the bamboo sword tucked at his waist.
In the Bleach World, armed with Observation Haki, Kyoya was confident he could master the 'breath of the wind' within a year, transforming the gales unleashed by his sword swings into 'wind slashes'.
If he were to claim this achievement reward now, even if he didn't become a great swordsman outright, it would significantly shorten the time needed for him to reach that level in the Bleach World.
By then, even if Kyoya's Reiryoku was still somewhat lacking, his swordsmanship, capable of launching flying slashes, would allow him to contend with seated officers in the Gotei 13 who had already released their Zanpakuto.
With that thought, Kyoya closed his eyes and focused his mind inward.
[Congratulations, Host, for becoming the top graduate of this year's Marine class, unlocking the achievement [Marine Rookie].]
[Would you like to claim the [Marine Rookie] achievement reward?]
'Yes!'
As Kyoya confirmed, a white orb floated out from the One Piece Achievement System, faintly displaying the words [Marine Rookie].
Though it was the lowest-tier white achievement, this white orb was ten times larger than the one he had received upon entering the 'Marine Training Base'.
Clearly, the more difficult the achievement, the better the reward.
The gap in difficulty between merely entering the Marine Training Base and becoming the top graduate of his class was tenfold.
With a thought, four options appeared in Kyoya's mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for unlocking the primary achievement reward, [Marine Rookie]. Reward: one year of training results.]
[Please select a training focus-]
[1. Physical Combat.]
[2. Swordsmanship.]
[3. Devil Fruit Ability.]
[4. Haki.]
Compared to his first reward, the reward duration had increased from one month to a full year, a twelvefold improvement, which matched the achievement's difficulty.
Additionally, among the four training options, the first, second, and fourth glowed brightly, while the third, Devil Fruit Ability, remained dimmed and unselectable.
'Select 2… Swordsmanship!'
Without hesitation, Kyoya made his choice.
In the next instant, the white orb of the [Marine Rookie] achievement merged into Kyoya's soul, flooding him with memories of 365 days of relentless sword training.
A full year of uninterrupted training… if translated to the Bleach World, this would have taken Kyoya at least three to five years to achieve.
'Hmm…'
After opening his eyes, Kyoya's hand, which was holding the hilt of the bamboo sword at his waist, suddenly tightened.
At that instant, he seemed to sense the 'breath' of the surrounding air. Instinctively, he felt that if he swung his sword along the rhythm of that breath, he could unleash a flying slash!
After a long pause, Kyoya suppressed the urge to draw his sword and released the hilt.
'Sigh…'
'Finally, I've grasped it.'
'Now, I at least have some measure of self-defense, don't I?'
Once the instructor announced the end of the assessment and dismissed everyone, Kyoya didn't linger on the training grounds. After saying goodbye to Rangiku, he headed back to the dormitory.
Normally, Kyoya would spend this time practicing his Zanjutsu.
But now, having suddenly absorbed a full year's worth of sword training memories, he felt mentally exhausted.
So, he decided to take a day off to recover.