"I am Yano Masahiko, entrusted by Central 46 to preside over this Spiritual Arts Academy entrance examination.
I now declare that the first stage of the entrance examination, the Spirit Pressure Test, officially begins!"
The man wrapped in a white robe spoke as soon as all the equipment on the platform finished being adjusted.
As soon as his words fell, the sixteen Shinigami in soul reaper uniform who were supervising the examination immediately surrounded the four instruments from four directions, preventing any possibility of cheating.
"Hasegawa Masami, Spirit Power Level 13, failed!"
"Mori Satsuki, Spirit Power Level 17, failed!"
"Inagaki Masaki, Spirit Power Level 11, failed!"
"Suzuki Keigo, Spirit Power Level 10, failed!"
...
A chain of failures right from the start instantly made the atmosphere in the hall even more oppressive.
"It's too hard. Level 9 Spirit Power is ridiculously difficult to reach. Damn it, to get this recommendation slot I borrowed high interest money from those bastards in District 79. If I fail, my whole family is finished."
A thin green haired man standing in front of Ito Makoto clutched his head and muttered to himself.
"Kaga Yoshio, Level 9 Spirit Power, passed!"
At last, a different voice rang out, easing the suffocating tension.
"I passed, I passed!"
Kaga Yoshio shouted in excitement when he saw the result.
The supervising officer looked at him helplessly.
"You only passed the first stage. Hurry and go to the second stage."
Only then did Kaga Yoshio remember and hurried away in embarrassment.
"Matsumoto Rangiku, Level 7 Spirit Power, passed!"
"To think it is Level 7. Even elite Squad Members are not this strong. This girl's Spirit Pressure is terrifying."
The rules said Level 9 or above passed, yet most people barely reached Level 9 in past exams. Even Level 8 was rare. Now a Level 7 suddenly appeared. How could it not shock everyone.
Whispers spread instantly. The surrounding examinees looked at Matsumoto Rangiku with envy and jealousy. Many male examinees were already staring at her with infatuation.
Ito Makoto raised his head in surprise and saw a golden haired girl around fourteen or fifteen at the very front. She had a charming face and a faint mole at the corner of her mouth that added extra allure.
And without question, the most eye catching part of her body was those two overwhelming curves.
Ito Makoto's eyes seemed glued there, unable to move.
Oda You, who was leading the team, forced a bitter smile. After so many years of hard work he was only Level 8. Now a young girl was already Level 7. How could he accept that.
Watching Rangiku walk to the next area, Ito Makoto propped his chin on his hand.
"At this time, Rangiku should already have lost the Spirit King's fingernail to Aizen. Even so she is Level 7. If she were complete, what level would she reach."
"Shimazu Hyouya, Level 11 Spirit Power, failed!"
"Makino Kazuki, Level 9 Spirit Power, passed!"
"Kubo Touya, Level 20 Spirit Power, failed!"
"Nagasawa Masami, Level 9 Spirit Power, passed!"
"Hoshimiya Ichika, Level 10 Spirit Power, failed!"
The examination continued when Ito Makoto heard another familiar name.
"Hisagi Shuuhei, Level 7 Spirit Power, passed!"
"I didn't expect him to be in the same class as me. Interesting."
Ito Makoto looked up and saw a thin boy around twelve or thirteen. His eyes were steady, and the number 69 was freshly tattooed on his left cheek, still red and swollen.
"Two Level 7 Spirit Powers!"
The hall exploded with noise. Two geniuses appearing back to back ignited everyone's emotions.
Even the examiners were shocked and then laughed loudly.
"Not bad. This batch truly has many talents."
Yano Masahiko laughed heartily, then quickly restrained himself and continued.
After a long time, it was finally Ito Makoto's turn.
"Tsukada Shinji, Level 9 Spirit Power, passed!"
"I passed, I passed!"
The green haired man in front of Ito Makoto shouted with trembling excitement.
"No shouting. Go to the next stage."
The supervisor waved him away.
"Is it finally my turn."
Even with San Hana baba's recommendation, Ito Makoto had waited a long time. He wondered if those outside could even finish today.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, took another deep breath, and grabbed the handle.
Instantly, dazzling golden light filled the hall. It lasted over ten seconds before fading.
"This is… Level 5 Spirit Power."
The supervising officer was stunned before speaking slowly.
"Ito Makoto, Level 5 Spirit Power, passed."
The hall exploded.
"Is this machine broken."
Those who failed started shouting, especially Kubo who yelled the loudest.
"Silence."
Yano Masahiko released his Spirit Pressure. A heavy invisible force swept the hall. Many examinees struggled to breathe, especially those below Level 9.
Kubo, who had Level 20, collapsed on the ground gasping.
Ito Makoto felt nothing special and walked calmly onward.
No wonder they reacted so strongly. Ichimaru Gin, called a prodigy years ago, was only Level 6 at his exam.
Spirit Power ranking was simple.
Below Level 9 meant weak or none.
Level 9 was normal for students. Level 8 for ordinary Squad Members. Level 7 for elite members.
Level 6 for Seat Officers.
Level 4 and Level 5 were Vice Captain level, though most Vice Captains were Level 4. Level 5 would at least be a high Seat Officer.
That was why Level 5 caused shock.
Level 3 and above had one title.
Squad Captain.
Oda You, who had been dismissive, laughed and said to the others.
"See. I told you he would definitely pass."