Chapter 62: Breakthrough
Passing through the long Dangai corridor, the group returned to the Seireitei from the World of the Living with its sparse spirit particles.
Setting foot once more on the Shinoreijutsuin departure platform, the stone beneath Suoh Tsukasa's feet brought a reassuring sense of solidity.
"We're back."
Suoh glanced up at the sky. The Soul Society's sun wouldn't rise for another five or six hours.
Returning to the dormitory now would give him just enough time for proper rest.
"Finally back!"
"Hurry up and dismiss us so we can get to the dorms. I'm exhausted."
Around him, students' relieved conversations mixed with several tired yawns.
After all, they'd been busy in the World of the Living all night, completing Konso assignments while fending off Hollow ambushes.
Now that they'd returned to the familiar grounds of the Shinoreijutsuin, everyone had shed their burdens.
"Whew..."
Suoh felt the same. No longer needing to guard against potential surprise attacks, his shoulders instantly felt lighter as the tension that had kept his nerves taut finally relaxed. He exhaled deeply without realizing it.
Unlike the other students' excitement, he simply walked calmly behind the crowd. Guide Toyama didn't disappoint, his booming voice ringing across the plaza.
"This training exercise is officially concluded."
"Dismissed on the spot. Tomorrow is a rest day, so everyone get proper sleep."
"Students with injuries, remember to visit the infirmary for treatment."
"Yes, sir! Thank you for your guidance, upperclassmen."
The students responded in unison to their seniors' earnest instructions.
"You all worked hard as well. Farewell!"
Guide Toyama replied warmly, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue as he waved. He'd been the one to unlock the Senkaimon both times, and he still had to file his mission report. He was pressed for time too.
Fortunately, this Konso training had gone quite smoothly. After submitting his report, he could finally rest. He promptly departed with the other two sixth-year students.
The crowd quickly dispersed, the vast plaza becoming empty in moments.
Several minutes later, inside the dormitory room.
Suoh closed the door behind him, filled a cup with clean water, lightly tapped the rim with his fingertip, and set it on the small table.
He then returned his Asauchi to the sword rack and hung his academy uniform neatly on the wall.
By the time he turned back around, steam was already rising from the water cup.
Suoh approached the storage cabinet and retrieved a package of dried meat and tea leaves.
Returning to the table, he sat down, opened the paper wrapping, and pinched a few gray-green tea leaves to drop into the cup.
The room gradually filled with the tea's refreshing fragrance. Just breathing in the aroma, Suoh could feel his spirits lift and his thoughts become clearer.
Soft chewing sounds filled the room.
While the pills he refined could produce similar effects, they couldn't compare to the satisfaction of actually eating solid food.
Savoring the sweet and spicy taste of the dried meat, he slowly finished it while sipping the warm green tea.
Then Suoh sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
Absorbing spirit particles felt exceptionally smooth. His consciousness guided them like silk threads through his body, slowly converting them into pure spiritual power at his Chain of Fate and Soul Sleep.
When the spiritual power within his body reached a certain fullness, he didn't stop. Instead, he focused even more intently on refining every fraction of spiritual power.
As the food digested and each breath drew in more spirit particles, new spiritual power continuously emerged from these nodes like countless streams flowing into a vast sea.
When his spiritual power reached its absolute limit, he could clearly feel the qualitative change occurring within his body in a single instant.
His spiritual pressure became more refined, its circulation speed much swifter.
When he opened his eyes again, the sky was still dark.
"Success!"
Suoh clenched his fist excitedly, joy flooding through him beyond measure.
At enrollment, his spiritual power rating had already been approaching the upper limit of Sixth Class.
After throwing himself fully into the battle with the serpent-tailed Hollow, he'd faintly sensed an opportunity for breakthrough.
However, the World of the Living's sparse spirit particles and the potential dangers lurking in the shadows had forced him to suppress that stirring feeling deep in his heart.
After returning to the Seireitei, that faint breakthrough sensation had grown increasingly intense.
And now, after such long accumulation, everything had finally come to fruition at this moment, breaking through that chasm countless Shinigami found impossible to touch.
Fifth Class spiritual power was already lieutenant level, belonging to the upper tier of elites within the Gotei 13.
"My spiritual perception range has expanded significantly. The maximum distance has nearly doubled, and the detection speed is much faster too."
He carefully experienced the changes after his breakthrough. What surprised him most was that he'd originally thought expanding his perception range would slow his ability to capture individual fluctuations.
But now his spiritual perception extended faster, and his detection efficiency had actually improved.
Suoh then spread his fingers on both hands. Spirit particle orbs shifted through various numerical shapes at his fingertips.
Even after breaking through, his control over spiritual pressure hadn't declined at all. In fact, it had become even more refined and responsive.
Just over a month, progressing from upper seated officer to lieutenant level, Suoh felt thoroughly satisfied.
This sensation after breaking through gave him greater confidence about the challenges ahead.
He couldn't help thinking about that Hollow that would appear at a certain time and place in the future.
When that moment came, would that creature be able to withstand his attacks?
The pleasant thought brought a surge of satisfaction. After some simple practice to familiarize himself with his abilities after the breakthrough, he stopped.
Originally he'd wanted to communicate with his Asauchi, but his thoughts were far too active at the moment, clearly not an ideal time for quiet communion.
After clearing the table, Suoh stood and decided to rest first.
Early morning, just as dawn broke.
After washing up, Suoh picked up Hazy Night from beside his bed and stepped into the courtyard.
The morning air still carried a touch of chill, but his body felt hot, as if fire flowed through his blood.
The progress in his strength and the joy brought by his breakthrough had woken him early.
This occasional disruption to his sleep schedule had no effect on his condition. He breathed deeply of the air carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, gradually calming his surging emotions.
Just as he was adjusting his state, Toshiro also emerged from his quarters with his sword on his back.
The moment he stepped through the doorway and spotted Suoh's figure, he froze slightly, his sharp gaze immediately detecting the change.
"Morning. You're in a good mood today."
"What happened?"
He walked to Suoh's side, glancing up at him. His eyes had already seen through everything as he asked knowingly.
After only a few hours apart, Suoh's spiritual pressure fluctuations had become much harder to detect than before.
Even someone dense would have realized the reason.
"Broke through."
Suoh's tone was understated, though his slightly upturned mouth corners betrayed his satisfaction.
"Impressive."
Hearing this, Toshiro didn't hesitate to give a thumbs up in congratulation.
"You've caught up to me in spiritual power rating. I'll need to work harder in other areas."
"Let's start training!"
Toshiro drew the wooden sword from his back, his expression serious.
Suoh rotated his wrist, spinning Hazy Night in a circle before him.
"Let's warm up first. We only have one rest day today. After eating, I'm planning to go to the library. How about you?"
"I don't have any plans after morning practice. I'll come along."
"Good. I'll recommend a few books to you."
The two exchanged a smile, warmed up briefly, then each began swinging their wooden swords for morning practice.
Last night's training exercise in the World of the Living remained vivid in memory, yet at this moment Suoh's life rhythm had already returned to peaceful routine.
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