For the vast majority of the new students present, the dazzling modern city of interwoven steel and glass displayed on the projector screen was still too distant from them.
Only when they grew into Soul Reapers capable of being stationed in the World of the Living would they have the opportunity to see this scenery for themselves.
But for Asuka, that was the real world where he had once lived, fought, and even nearly lost himself.
The flickering lights reflected in his eyes, and his previously furrowed brow relaxed without him even realizing it.
Those familiar street scenes reminded him of the earth-shattering battle in Fuyuki City, the days of delivering goods in Karakura Town, and his life from even further back—
Ding—dong—
A few hours later, the melodious bell signaling the end of class rang outside the window.
The class had unknowingly come to an end amidst Mr. Kinpachi's visual presentation and lecture.
Mr. Kinpachi smiled and snapped his fingers. The Shikigami at the back of the classroom immediately flew forward and pulled up the blackout curtains.
Bright sunlight once again flooded the classroom, dispelling the dreamlike atmosphere brought by the projection.
"Alright, that concludes this morning's World of the Living Anthropology," Mr. Kinpachi announced gently while packing up the film and projector on the podium. "I hope today's lesson gives you a bit more reverence and longing for the world you might be protecting in the future. Class dismissed."
"Stand! Bow!"
The class representative led the commands, and the students stood up in unison, bowing in gratitude to this new teacher with a vastly different teaching style.
Immediately after, the classroom erupted like a boiling pot, their previously suppressed curiosity completely unleashed.
The students gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing the miracles devoid of Spiritual Energy they had just witnessed, and bustled out of the classroom.
Asuka did not participate in any of the discussions. He simply packed away the copy of General History of the Soul Society that gave him a splitting headache, casually stuffed it into his desk cubby, and prepared to leave the classroom that made him feel entirely out of place.
To him, this so-called academy life was nothing more than fulfilling a compromise with Squad Zero. He just had to endure it for two more months and it would be over...
"Asuka."
Just as Asuka stepped out of his seat, a gentle voice called out from the front.
Asuka stopped in his tracks and saw Mr. Kinpachi standing at the end of the aisle holding his teaching materials, wearing that lazy smile that seemed like it would never fade.
"If you're not in a hurry, could you stay behind for a moment? I'd like to take up a little of your time after class to speak with you privately."
Asuka's first reaction was to refuse.
'A private talk? About what?'
'About my abysmal learning speed, or my terrible Kido talent that prevents me from casting even the lowest level Hado?'
He could sense the fear and helplessness the other instructors felt toward him.
If it weren't for the decree from the Soul King's Palace looming over them, he had no doubt he would have been kicked out long ago.
However, just as he was about to voice his refusal, a scene from before he left the house this morning suddenly flashed through his mind.
In the courtyard early that morning, Shinobu Kocho had helped him adjust the collar of his Shihakusho while reminding him in her gentle tone.
"Mr. Asuka, you can't just lose your temper at the academy! I know those theory classes are difficult for you, but no matter what, you must respect your teachers."
Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and pushed the irritation back down to the bottom of his heart.
"...Fine. Where are we talking?"
Mr. Kinpachi breathed a sigh of relief. He had already prepared a persuasive speech in case he was rejected by this troublemaker, but he didn't expect the boy to be so surprisingly agreeable.
"Let's go to my office. It just so happens I have some excellent tea leaves brought over from the World of the Living."
A moment later, in the faculty office.
Unlike Head Teacher Ohara's office, which Asuka had visited before and was filled with imposing files and certificates, this place was different.
Here, there were only a few tall stacks of books from the World of the Living piled in the corner. Several oddly shaped human-world crafts sat on the desk, and a vibrant potted plant thrived on the windowsill. It looked cluttered but organized.
Mr. Kinpachi walked over carrying two steaming cups of green tea. He gently placed one on the coffee table in front of Asuka before sitting down on the single sofa opposite him.
"Try it. This is sencha from Shizuoka Prefecture in the World of the Living. Compared to the tea in the Soul Society, it has a bit more bitterness and a sweeter aftertaste." Mr. Kinpachi picked up his cup and took a sip first.
Asuka held the warm teacup and asked curiously, "Mr. Kinpachi, what did you call me here for?"
"If it's about my academic progress... I can only say that I'm already trying my best."
"If Head Teacher Ohara or the rest of you feel that I'm dragging down the entirety of Class 1-B... you can go report it to Squad Zero and have me expelled. Honestly, I never wanted to be here in the first place."
Hearing Asuka's clearly resistant remarks, Mr. Kinpachi didn't look exasperated or stern like the other teachers would have.
He gently set down his teacup, interlaced his fingers on his lap, and let out a cheerful laugh.
"Haha, Asuka, you might have misunderstood."
Mr. Kinpachi looked at Asuka, his eyes clear and sincere. "I didn't call you here to discuss how much of the General History of the Soul Society you've memorized, nor to check if your Kido has improved."
"I actually don't care whether you can write or not."
Asuka froze, his brow twitching slightly. "Then what do you want to talk about?"
"I want to talk about you."
Mr. Kinpachi's voice was soft. "I know that Head Teacher Ohara and the other teachers have been trying to force you into the mold of a standard Soul Reaper."
"They want you to be like the graduates of the Shin'o Academy—memorizing the laws of the Seireitei, mastering elegant Kido, and becoming a qualified cog in the machine of the Gotei 13."
"But they've overlooked a fundamental fact." Mr. Kinpachi's gaze fell upon the Zanpakuto at Asuka's waist.
"You are not a blank slate."
"Before stepping into this classroom, you were already a fine blade forged through countless trials."
"Expecting you to be the same as those students who are trained from scratch is, in itself, an utterly absurd notion."
Asuka's expression shifted.
He looked at the seemingly frail middle-aged man with an average Spiritual Pressure level in front of him, and a sense of genuine respect began to take root.
In the half-month since he arrived at the Shin'o Academy, this was the first person who didn't look at him like a freak, nor try to bind him with rigid rules.
Mr. Kinpachi leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry. "Compared to those rigid report cards, I'm much more curious about your past."
"Asuka, I've heard of your feats at Sokyoku Hill, and I know you are a privileged agent personally appointed by the Soul King's Palace."
"But I want to know more. What kind of experiences could forge such a powerful soul like yours?"
"How did you... step by step, make it to where you are today?"
This question was like a stone tossed into a deep pool, stirring ripples in the depths of Asuka's heart.
'My past?'
Asuka leaned back against the sofa, his gaze unconsciously drifting out the window.
In this Seireitei, no one had ever asked him this question.
Those Soul Reaper Captains and the lofty Squad Zero—they only saw the power in his hands, or rather, the threat.
Asuka could feel that they were on guard against him, or trying to control him.
But no one had ever asked him how difficult his journey had been, using a tone that sounded like they were asking a traveler returning from a long voyage.
'But where should I even begin?'