"What a pain in the ass…"
Kyoraku Shimo stared at the entrance exam in front of him, his face full of irritation.
"As I thought, compared to the high-risk profession of a Shinigami, the extravagant life of a noble suits me much better."
If it weren't for a certain unscrupulous elder in his family, he wouldn't be here in the first place.
Even while suppressing some of his power, Shimo still managed to enter the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy as an outstanding student.
His excellent test results had him assigned to the top class even before the school year officially began.
"The orientation ceremony is tomorrow, right?"
Shimo glanced doubtfully at the Shinigami instructor in charge of the dormitories.
"Yes, once all the new students are settled, the ceremony will be held the next day."
Even a formal Shinigami spoke to him with utmost respect—after all, he wore the robes of an upper-class noble.
The Soul Society was a place with a strict social hierarchy, and that reality showed itself everywhere.
Shin'ō Academy used a residential system—every student had their own room, with little difference between them.
"A single-person room. Not bad."
Shimo surveyed his surroundings with a satisfied nod.
Everything necessary was provided, and if anything was missing, the supervising Shinigami could be contacted.
[Ding—Detected that Host has officially arrived at Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy and registered as a student. Check-in successful.]
[Reward distributing…]
The familiar voice in his head stirred Shimo's usually calm heart with excitement.
[Congratulations, Host has obtained Swordsmanship—Limitless.]
A flood of knowledge about the Limitless Sword Path surged into Shimo's mind, causing his refined brows to furrow slightly.
"The blade mirrors the will."
"Form comes before brute strength."
"The Way of Limitlessness is sustained within."
Shimo picked up the practice blade in the room and gave it a few swings.
The blade, once heavy and clumsy, now moved with surprising grace.
It flowed like an extension of his own body—light, fluid, yet deadly sharp.
"Limitless swordsmanship... true mastery appears effortless."
Shimo couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
From just those few swings, he realized he had made clear progress in the way of the sword.
Since arriving in the Bleach world, his swordsmanship talent had always been mediocre.
But for a Shinigami, mastery of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hōhō, and Kidō was essential.
That reality had troubled Shimo for a long time—until his cheat finally activated.
Even though he'd been strong-armed by that morally bankrupt elder into entering the academy...
He had to admit, deep down, he was looking forward to this place.
According to his memory, there was a certain short-haired girl with a curled fringe who was in the same academic year as him.
Unfortunately, because of her background and innate talent, they weren't placed in the same class.
"Forget it. No point overthinking."
Shimo shook his head, muttering indifferently to himself.
"I'll be in Shinō Academy for a while. Anything's possible."
"Tomorrow's the day the Asauchi selection opens... let's hope it goes smoothly."
Just as his words fell, the system's prompt chimed in.
[New check-in mission issued. Please check in during the Asauchi Selection and successfully acquire an Asauchi.]
[Mission Reward: Unique-Type Zanpakutō]
Shimo sighed, shaking his head with mock regret.
"Farewell, my peaceful noble lifestyle…"
---
The next day, the entrance ceremony officially began.
Just as he expected, it was an endless speech.
Shimo had heard the same kind of talk countless times back at the Kyoraku estate.
Even in his previous life, as a proud office worker, he'd sat through plenty of these.
In his words: "So many speeches, my ears grew calluses."
Hard work. Future. Tradition. Honor.
The whole speech boiled down to one thing—obedience.
Only through obedience could you obtain everything you desire.
Once the academy head and faculty finished speaking, the class placements were announced.
As expected, Shimo was already predetermined for Class One.
Things like that happen in every world, especially when you're a high-ranking noble.
And Shimo had no issue enjoying the perks of his status.
After all, transmigrating was a skill in itself.
Still, among the crowd, he spotted a familiar figure.
A petite girl, nearly swallowed by the standard academy robes. Her short black hair flipped upward at the ends, a single fringe fell across her refined face, and her eyes held a quiet, yet determined glint.
Rukia Kuchiki.
Unlike him, Rukia's swordsmanship talent wasn't strong enough to land her in Class One.
The students were now temporarily separated and led by their respective teachers to prepare for the Asauchi Selection—the ritual to obtain one's Zanpakutō.
Shimo, part of the first batch, also noticed a cocky red-haired youth in the group—
Renji Abarai.
Not exactly someone Shimo wanted to chat with.
In a way, Renji was his competition.
Of course, Shimo had no intention of giving him any chances.
Following the teacher's cue, the gatekeeper began chanting the incantation to open the Asauchi chamber. Spiritual energy stirred uneasily before them.
Bright spell markings lit up on the barrier, distorting the space around them.
"Open!"
With a sharp cry, the barrier split—and the Asauchi chamber revealed itself.
What met their eyes were countless pristine white blades stabbed into the ground, their sharp aura cutting through the air.
[Ding—Check-in started. Please successfully acquire an Asauchi to complete the mission.]
The system's voice rang at just the right moment.
"Everyone, please enter the chamber in order."
"Follow the call of your inner soul, and find the Asauchi that belongs to you!"
The teacher's voice echoed across the field.
Shimo didn't hesitate. He walked straight in.
Choosing? That was meaningless.
All Asauchi looked the same. The strength of a Zanpakutō depended solely on the soul of the Shinigami.
After all, when Ōetsu Nimaiya forged them, he granted each one unlimited potential.
His hand gripped the cool hilt of a blade.
In that instant, the fusion with his soul completed.
[Check-in complete. Reward distributing.]
[Congratulations! Host has acquired a Unique Time-Type Zanpakutō!]