"Welcome, new students!"
A loud voice echoes throughout the hall.
"Our Shino Academy possesses a proud history of over a thousand years; it is a traditional institute that nurtures the youth with promising futures who will form the future Kido Corps, Onmitsukidō, and the Gotei 13!"
Gathered in the grand auditorium, which claims to be able to accommodate all students belonging to the Academy, we, the first-years—in other words, the new students—are listening to the valuable words of the Principal standing on the podium.
Yes, put simply, it is the entrance ceremony.
"So that you students do not bring shame to that tradition—..."
However, I wonder if the contents of entrance ceremonies and graduation ceremonies remain unchanged in any era or place. Should I say it follows a set form, or rather, it is easy to understand because of that?
When I glance around, my peers also seem to be listening seriously, but they look somewhat bored.
I am sure there is a ceremonial meaning to it, but we are young people eager for action. Something like this must be nothing but boring.
Moving my gaze further, a banner hangs a little above the podium. Inscribed there are words to the effect of the so-called "Congratulations on your enrollment," and next to it is the enrollment year.
...It is fine that the fiscal year is written, but I don't know what happened in what year.
They say last year's graduates were the [Number]th graduating class, but I really don't know who was in that graduating class!
"I state this once again: our Shino Academy is a six-year system. Furthermore, graduating does not mean you can become a Soul Reaper or a member of the Kido Corps. Unless you pass the enlistment exam, you will not be formally recognized—... You students, especially those who made it into Class 1, the advanced class, must not be satisfied with your current standing but strive for further self-improvement—... Every day, to become the center of the next generation, your own—..."
Thankfully, the speech seems likely to continue.
I wonder how many of my peers are actually listening properly?
"Everyone, once again, congratulations on your enrollment."
When the long, long, valuable speech ended without any accidents or a single surprise, we headed straight to the classrooms for each course and class.
As mentioned in the Principal's speech, the Shino Academy is not a school just for Soul Reapers.
Children aiming to be Soul Reapers go to the Soul Reaper Course.
Children aiming for the Kido Corps—a special unit organized by those among Soul Reapers who excel in Kido—go to the Kido Corps Course.
Children aiming for the Onmitsukidō—a unit that mainly handles undercover work like so-called spies and assassins—go to the Onmitsukidō Course.
And well, the departments are divided by objective.
After being divided into each department, we are further divided into classes.
These classes are determined completely by ability order. Those with excellent grades go to Class 1. If you don't perform well, Class 2, Class 3... —although the total number of classes depends on the number of enrollees—the class number appears as a direct reflection of the difference in ability.
And lo and behold! I was in the Soul Reaper Course, Class 2!!
...That's average. Moreover, it is Class 2 out of only two classes!! It seems the number of students aiming to be Soul Reapers was low this year, so the number of students in Class 2 is a bit high.
Hrmm... Even though Master should have trained me plenty, is this the result...?
I feel like my pride, which had grown a little, has been snapped. I didn't intend to be conceited, but the fact that I feel disappointed means my optimism—or rather, my objective view—was naive.
By the way. Renjōji-san was in Class 1, and Ayase-san was in Class 2... I am a little worried about Renjōji-san. I wonder if she can get along properly in her class?
Maybe I'll go check on her with Ayase-san later.
"Now then, that concludes things for today. But before that, there is something I must hand out to everyone."
While I was absentmindedly thinking about such things, the homeroom teacher's talk had progressed quite a bit. When I realized it, the teacher was holding a large number of swords.
"This is a sword called an Asauchi; it is like the foundation of the Zanpakutō held by the Soul Reapers you aim to be. This Asauchi is in the form of a temporary loan to you students, but it is also something that will be formally awarded to you upon enlistment."
Oh my!? This was a little unexpected.
I knew about holding an Asauchi because Master taught me, but I didn't think it would be handed over this early.
"An Asauchi is also a Zanpakutō, but as it is now, it is 'Mumei'—nothing more than a nameless sword. You must live and eat with this sword and stack your training. By doing so and writing the essence of your own soul onto the sword, the Asauchi is created into 'your own Zanpakutō' possessing a name. Soul Reapers grow together with their Zanpakutō... please do not forget that."
"""Yes!!"""
After confirming that the Asauchi had been distributed to everyone, the teacher concluded with those words. Perhaps instinctively impressed, everyone in the classroom replied clearly.
"So this is an Asauchi... my own Zanpakutō, huh..."
Today ended with just the entrance ceremony and explanations. There is no problem if I go home now.
However.
"I wonder what kind it will become?"
"Hehehe, nice to meet you, partner!"
A large number of students remain in the classroom. Everyone is deeply interested in the loaned Asauchi. Some wear it at their waist, some talk to it, and some are even rubbing their cheeks against it...
I am no exception to this; I am gently stroking the sheathed sword with my fingertips.
"I wonder what kind of form the Zanpakutō will take? Airi-san!"
"Hrmm, I can't say anything about that yet... Since they said it copies the soul, I guess it's not something that will happen right away. We have to spend time training properly."
"I see—... that's true."
Ayase-san seems to feel the same, hugging her own Asauchi. Cute.
"According to Master, there is a method for dialogue with the Zanpakutō called Jinzen... but anyway, for now—"
"For now?"
"Shall we go tease Renjōji-san?"
"Sounds good! Kosuzu-san might be feeling lonely!"
I have finally begun to walk the path to becoming a real Soul Reaper.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]