"Homura, we haven't been able to find you for the past few days. Where have you been?"
As Homura Kudanoki was heading home, he was stopped by several people. Looking closely, he saw they were his friends.
They were all his peers living in the noble district. He was the youngest; the others had already graduated from the academy but had not become Shinigami, instead spending their days idling and having fun.
"Don't mention it. I've been kept after class for training by my swordsmanship instructor these past few days. I'm exhausted!" Homura's face fell as he complained to his friends.
"Hahahaha, what's wrong? You're about to graduate and you're still being kept after class?"
"Yeah, you can't even communicate with your Asauchi. What's the point of training your swordsmanship?"
"Homura, did you offend your professor?"
"And you actually listened obediently? That's not like you!"
"That Yoruichi Shihōin from my class also stayed for training, so I had no chance to escape! Stop rubbing it in and come have a drink with me!" Homura wasn't angered by his friends' teasing. Their group of similarly untalented youths often mocked each other.
"Let's go, let's go. We'll keep young master Kudanoki company."
They had come looking for him to freeload drinks anyway. The Kudanoki family was small, but they had many businesses, so their per capita resources were high.
The group went to a shop in the pleasure quarter to drink and have fun.
After drinking a lot, Homura opened up, complaining about what had happened at the academy.
"Was I wrong? After they graduate, they probably won't even be qualified to be my family's guards!"
"Why should I waste my time learning all this?"
His companions chimed in: "Yeah, we have guards to protect us. Learning this stuff is a total waste of time."
"That's right. With enough money, what kind of guard can't you hire? My family's head guard is even a retired seated officer!"
"That may be true, but if I could feel my Zanpakutō, I'd want to become strong too!" Homura drank another cup, his cheeks flushed and his mind already drifting.
"The Kudanoki family was built on prowess. A person like me won't get many resources after graduation. I'll just be left to eat and wait for death!"
His words silenced the group. They were all in the same situation: marginalized within their own families and viewed as little more than tools to ensure the family line continued.
After a few more rounds, when everyone had had their fill, they prepared to leave.
"I've just called for a carriage to take Homura home," said Shū Nukii, a friend with a shaved pate, taking on the task of seeing the drunk Homura home.
"You better watch him closely."
"Don't worry, I didn't drink that much."
"You don't have to help me, I'm not that drunk," Homura mumbled, though he was already unsteady on his feet. Shū Nukii just smiled and helped him into the carriage.
After the carriage started moving, Shū suddenly asked, "Homura, do you want to obtain a Zanpakutō?"
"A Zanpakutō?" Homura was taken aback, then scoffed. "Of course I do, but what's the use of wanting it?"
"If..." Shū's voice was low, like a demon's whisper. "I mean, if... there was a chance for you to have your own Zanpakutō..."
The carriage left the pleasure quarter and slowly drove into the darkness, though it didn't seem to be heading in the direction of the Kudanoki household.
"Professor Katori, your lecture was wonderful. I feel you explained it so thoroughly that even someone as slow as me could understand," Rii Hoshino said gratefully to Katori Sora.
Since the assessment, she had often come to the office to ask him questions about Kaidō, and he had always answered patiently.
She also felt that Professor Katori was an incredible lecturer, even better than Chief Yamada of the Kaidō Corps. He could explain concepts she used to find difficult with perfect clarity.
"You shouldn't belittle yourself. Your foundation is just a bit weak," Sora said gently.
"After all, Kaidō involves so much medical knowledge, and it's not easy to grasp it all in a few years. I believe that through your own effort, you can learn Kaidō and join Squad 4."
The "Patient Guidance" ability played a large role in making his lectures easy to understand.
Rii Hoshino
Talent: D+ (C-)
Spiritual Pressure: LV 10
Affinity Level: Admiration
While he was teaching her, Rii's learning-related talents were temporarily raised by a small level, which is why she felt his explanations were easier to understand.
What surprised Sora, however, was that her Affinity Level had reached "Admiration."
Even among his direct disciples, only Kana Azashiro had reached that level, and that was likely due in large part to his cooking conquering her stomach.
Through this experience, Sora deeply understood just how powerful his "Patient Guidance" ability was. It was a massive boost to his teaching abilities and a great help in his work.
His disciple slots were now more plentiful, and he decided to continue recruiting students of different talent levels to keep upgrading the ability.
For Rii, a student who loved Kaidō and was serious but had limited aptitude, Sora decided to give her a chance.
He said gently, "I greatly admire your love and dedication to Kaidō. If you were like the other students, it wouldn't be difficult for you to improve your overall strength, meet the graduation standard, and become a Shinigami."
"But you still chose the most difficult path—learning Kaidō, which requires a foundation of medical knowledge."
"I would be very happy to see someone with your passion join the medical corps."
"Rii Hoshino, would you be willing to be my disciple?"
Rii was stunned.
Ever since he had lectured in the advanced Kaidō class, she had idolized this swordsmanship instructor who taught Kaidō. His exquisite Kaidō skills had even earned the praise of Captain Unohana and Chief Yamada.
She never imagined her most admired professor would now want to take her as a disciple.
She suddenly felt a bit dizzy.
The sudden joy almost made her faint!
After she came to her senses, she quickly bowed and said, "Professor Katori, I am willing to become your disciple!"
"Good. From now on, you are my disciple," Sora said. "You must be loyal to our school and study diligently, and I will teach you Kaidō."
[Successfully accepted Rii Hoshino as a direct disciple.]
[First time having a D-rank talent disciple. Obtained extra reward...]
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