But let's move on to the curriculum.
There are many subjects here. And if a student passes some of them early, they move on to others—either new ones or more advanced versions. But for the first three months, everything will be standard for us.
There are core subjects that will be taught this year, but no one stops you from completing them quickly and moving on to advanced courses or entirely new disciplines. The thing is, especially in the 1st Class, individual development is encouraged.
The compulsory subjects, at least for the first month, are Spelling and Mathematics. Everyone attends these classes. Not everyone can read, write, and count, but even those who already can need to prove it so the teachers have no doubts. Those who pass the test in a month are no longer required to attend.
The next compulsory course—one that may take some time—is the basics of physical training.
To perform many of the duties expected of a shinigami, you need physical strength, at least at an average level. That's where students will be drilled for three months. After all, this is a military institution. Then, of course, there will be a test. Those who pass move on to the Basics of Hakuda. This course includes not only physical exercises but also sparring sessions and martial arts training.
Another important subject is the Basics of Reiryoku. This is a theoretical course where students learn what reiryoku is, how to work with it, and what to do with it. After completing this course, we move on to the Basics of Kido, that is, Magic. It is also mostly a theoretical and practical course that will provide us with basic knowledge of Kido and all the necessary initial skills. The best students will be admitted to Advanced Kido, where they will study the most complex and powerful spells.
We also have compulsory geography lessons. These, too, will be tested, as will history.
Starting next year, students will begin taking electives. These will include advanced versions of current subjects as well as new, useful, and not-so-useful disciplines. Also, at the end of the first year, we will be given asauchi, and all 1st Class students will be required to learning the essence of the blade. For the 1st Class, it is considered a disgrace not to awaken the power of one's sword. And our studies cannot progress without it—without an awaken sword, continuing is impossible. We are future officers, and it's rare to find an officer who does not know the name of his zanpakuto.
Although there is such a captain… but he has so much power that for him the name of his sword is completely meaningless.
Starting next year, Zanjutsu training will be mandatory. Though they will teach us only the basics—because the rest will be taught by our own swords. The thing is, when a sword's power awakens, it can drastically change shape. And it's unlikely anyone will teach you how to wield a mace or a ring-shaped blade. The zanpakuto themselves teach their masters.
But we are still far from receiving our blades. It is rare for a student to receive one early, and no one explains why.
That's how things stand.
Our training has just begun, so it's too early to say how we will develop. But no one is having particular difficulties—except with history.
"We'll finish for today," said Doe, setting her folder on the table. "For homework, read the chapter about the Quincy War in Motogabarenkuda Kakatsu's textbook."
People began to come out of their trance. Some had already mastered the art of sleeping with their eyes open. I need to learn this technique myself as soon as possible—I have a feeling it will be useful.
As soon as she ended the lecture, everyone rushed for the exit. We had to get out before she remembered anything else. So I dove out the window and ran immediately. Those with sharper survival instincts followed my example: jump out the window, grab a tree. But after me, there were more escapees who wanted to get away than the tree could bear, and the branch with those who were on it broke off. Three students had to go to the infirmary to treat what the wretched gravity had done to them.
How nice that this was the last lecture of the day. Now I could rest and sleep. Two hours of Doe is too much. It's wildly boring, and you're not allowed to sleep. A nightmare. A tyranny!
Walking deeper into the park, I found a large tree by the lake and settled beneath it.
Good. The weather is perfect. The sun is shining. The rustling of leaves fills the air, and a light breeze gently brushes my skin.
Beautiful.
I drifted off to the music of the world.
I didn't dream, simply drifted in a light trance.
But woke to the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing.
"Where is she?!" someone shouted nearby.
Opening my eyes, I saw Rukia—the girl who is supposedly my sister. Although that happened because of a misunderstanding and a mistake. We're not related, even though we look like twins. It's even a little strange to look at her, actually. After all, we really do look alike. But when we're together, it is difficult to confuse us. I'm a little taller, and my face is unmistakably a guy's.
By the way, we even checked with a doctor to see if we were related. But no. We're not. Not directly, anyway. We have some distant similarities, but nothing immediate. Considering that I died recently and she's been here for over a hundred years, I could be a descendant of her distant relatives. It's like she died but someone from her family line remained, so I ended up looking like great-great-grandmother or something—though that's a stretch. The theory is flimsy at best.
But we decided nothing needed to be changed. Let people think whatever they want. It doesn't bother us.