Soul Society, West Rukongai, District 1 - Junrinan.
Shigū Takeru opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a while before getting out of bed. He changed into a clean, simple yukata and stepped out of the room.
"You're up early, brother Kurosaki."
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the orange-haired teen washing his face by the courtyard well.
"That's because I barely slept."
Ichigo slung a towel over his shoulder. A closer look revealed his bloodshot eyes.
"Then you've wasted the Elder's kindness."
Shigū Takeru stretched.
The sunlight shining from the sky was a bit harsh. He wondered where the sun was hanging—was it in outer space beyond the sky's horizon, or somewhere else entirely?
He squinted his eyes slightly, deeply imprinting this exceptionally high and distant otherworldly sky into his mind.
The air he breathed was free of any industrial pollution, filled with the rich scent of nature. Combined with the sprawling, old-fashioned Japanese longhouses around them, it felt as if they had truly returned to the Edo period.
This was the Soul Society, the land of the dead.
Thanks to Rukia, they had been assigned to the district with the best public order.
With the help of the respected local elder, not only were they not ostracized as outsiders, but they also received temporary housing, clean clothes, and food for free.
They had passed their first day in the Soul Society peacefully.
"Let me be clear, I'm not complaining about the living conditions here," Ichigo emphasized.
"Is it because you're worried about failing the entrance exam?"
"Shut up!"
From that reaction, Takeru was clearly right.
"Relax. You definitely won't fail twice in a row like that guy, Hisagi Shuhei. Besides, isn't he a big shot at the Captain-level now? What an inspiring and touching story."
Yesterday, the Elder had given them a full rundown of the basic common knowledge of the Soul Society.
Ichigo, having witnessed Rukia's power earlier, now had a seed of interest planted in his heart and had become fascinated with the Shinigami profession.
As it happened, the Shin'ō Academy (Shinigami Arts Academy) was still accepting applications for this year.
If they applied now, they could still catch the last train.
The choice was obvious.
Shinigami had a mixed reputation in the Rukongai, but the Elder was very open-minded. When he learned they both intended to apply to the Academy, he gave them some guidance.
Among the things he mentioned was the story of a certain high-ranking Vice-Captain who had failed the exam in the past.
Takeru figured the Elder's intention was to give them a preparatory pep talk. Even if they failed, they shouldn't give up; it didn't mean the other first-years who passed on their first try were any better.
But it seemed the message hadn't gotten through to Ichigo.
"If possible, I'd rather not wait another year or more... It's not that I lack patience, it's just..."
Ichigo's voice grew fainter, as if he'd said something, or perhaps fallen silent, unsure how to express his feelings.
His brow was furrowed, as it had been all along, never seeming to relax.
Shigū Takeru walked over with his own towel, patted Ichigo on the shoulder, and pushed him aside. He began washing his own face as he spoke.
"The Rukongai is full of all kinds of people. If the exam has a 'political background check,' it wouldn't be surprising to be screened out. But we're different. We're educated in the modern world, we have potential, our backgrounds are clean, we're law-abiding, and our moral character is impeccable. We've never caused trouble. We're the very model of honest citizens."
"The only thing we need to worry about is that honest people like us are easy to bully."
"Hmph... You're right. If I get eliminated this time, I'll try another way. The Elder said some divisions have special recruitment channels. As long as you have a Zanpakuto and enough strength... But if I use a sword I just picked up to beat a real Shinigami, will they hate me?"
Ichigo's fighting spirit quickly returned.
Just as Shigū Takeru was about to speak, a line of text, like ink-wash smoke, suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[As a great transmigrator, you have just arrived and already participated in the murder of the Son of Destiny, the protagonist of this era. The Machine Spirit is delighted...]
"Who? Who did you say murdered Ichigo?"
Takeru's expression remained calm, but inwardly he was furious.
Even if you're my golden finger, you can't just throw out accusations like that. You're slandering my good name!
[Your bold performance has earned the respect of the world. You have a welcome-gift package to collect. Do you accept?]
"..."
Accept.
[—You have obtained 「Fairytale Dragon: Cinderella's Blood」. Your physical abilities have been greatly enhanced. Growth Rate +1000%.]
Thump.
A strange heartbeat echoed in his chest.
It didn't feel much different from before.
But Shigū Takeru could clearly feel a new power inside him, intertwining with his existing spiritual power, then merging and growing stronger.
His grip strength increased, his breathing became more powerful. He felt as though picking up the water bucket was no different from picking up a grain of sand.
This wasn't the kind of athletic ability a high-concentration soul gained through training and mastering its spiritual power.
It was more like an innate talent.
Only a Hollow, with its highly compressed soul, could compare.
As for "Growth Rate +1000%"...
As Takeru understood it, it meant that when he trained his physical abilities, his growth speed would be ten times faster than before.
This was also a unique skill of a genius—not only possessing potential far beyond ordinary people, but also being able to realize that potential quickly.
"By the way, did I become a 'Dragon,' or a 'Dragon-bearer'?"
In this world, Europe had another organization that opposed the Soul Society. Dragons and Dragon-bearers were products of that side.
Although, from what Takeru remembered, that particular dragon wasn't very strong.
But in this world, "hybrids" were always the 'version answer.'
The vast majority of Hollows, Shinigami, Quincies, and even Fullbringers weren't that strong.
The key was that the essence of these groups' powers was different.
To use different types of power to break the limits of the soul.
To escape the shackles placed on life by the world, until one transcends everything and stands above all creation.
—This was the path Aizen chose, and in the future, it might be his path as well.
"..."
Shigū Takeru bent over, picked up his towel, and washed his face, his expression hidden.
When he finished, the cold well water dripped from his cheeks, and a few strands of hair stuck to his damp, handsome face.
His eyes were like mirrors polished to a brilliant shine.
Right now, there was only one thing to consider.
Get into the Academy. Become a Shinigami.
"Good luck on your exams."
"Thanks."
After eating breakfast, they bid farewell to the Elder and a few enthusiastic children.
Shigū Takeru and Ichigo officially entered the Seireitei. Using the clearance passes they were given when they registered, they arrived at the entrance of the Shin'ō Academy.
Looking at the ancient, fragrant plaque that had existed for who knows how many years, the two couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Brother Kurosaki."
"Yeah?"
"See? I was right."
"About what?"
"Getting hit by a dump truck is main character treatment. And then we were sent to another world by a goddess."
"I guess you were right... although that girl didn't seem much like a goddess."
"Want to hear the rest?"
"What?"
"In the new world, we'll gain powerful abilities, protect the kingdom as heroes, defeat the Demon King, marry the princess, and then... Happy End."
"...That's a game trope, isn't it? I'm not some chuunibyou. I'm not interested in playing hero, defeating demon kings, or marrying princesses. But... the other parts, I don't mind."
"Then let's go. It's time to start our school life in another world."
"I can't believe I died and still have to go to school. In a way, this really is hell."
Though they said that, both of them stepped through the gates, full of anticipation.
The confidence radiating from their words made it clear they already considered their acceptance letters to be in the bag.
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