"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"
In the training grounds, during Kidō class, Luca was halfway through an incantation when he stopped helplessly.
It wasn't because he forgot the words, but...
"Seriously... why are you guys running away? I'm not an idiot like Renji. I can control the power of my Kidō!"
Looking at his classmates, who had scattered the moment he started chanting, and the Kidō instructor, who was trying to look brave but had quietly taken several steps back, Luca was speechless.
"Ahaha, it's nothing! Luca, unleash your full power! We're just giving you enough space!"
Izuru Kira, who was hiding far away, had one arm around Renji Abarai—who had been called out by Luca and looked a bit embarrassed—while laughing dryly to explain for everyone.
Luca looked helplessly at his classmates, then turned to his Kidō instructor.
Unexpectedly, the embarrassed instructor hesitated for a moment, then chimed in.
"It's fine, Luca. Just use your full power. I also want to see the extent of your Kidō!"
Since it had come to this, Luca could only raise his right hand again, aiming at the cluster of targets in the distance.
"Ye lord... forget it. Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
The next moment, a crimson fireball half the height of a person instantly condensed in Luca's palm. Then, it suddenly shrank, turning into a solid sphere the size of a palm, emitting a blinding white light.
Whoosh—
The instantly formed white sphere flew out in a perfect parabolic arc, precisely hitting the bullseye of one of the targets.
Then...
BOOM————
Blazing fire shot into the sky. In an instant, the two rows of targets at the end of the field were swallowed by the flames.
The violent explosion sent shockwaves rippling outwards, kicking up dust that messed up the hair of the students watching from afar.
Except for Luca standing in the center of the field. Before anyone noticed, a faint, arc-shaped barrier had risen in front of him, blocking all the incoming wind and sand.
After the dust settled, Luca dismissed the barrier, spread his hands, and looked innocently at the dazed Kidō instructor.
Although he didn't speak, his meaning was clear.
See? That was me holding back.
Then, ignoring the strange looks from his classmates, Luca casually walked back to the group.
"I knew it! Dodging was the right call!"
"Luca is a monster! Whose Shakkahō turns white?!"
"Was that barrier just now Bakudō #8: Seki? My Seki is only the size of a palm! Even my dad's #81 Dankū doesn't look that sturdy!"
Listening to the whispers around him, Luca sighed internally.
Over this period, he had gotten used to the "monster" looks from others.
His plan to keep a low profile upon enrollment had completely failed after his talent in Spiritual Power and Kidō were revealed one after another.
So Luca decided to stop hiding. He might as well use the benefits brought by his talent to absorb more knowledge and gain preferential treatment.
And once he let loose, he really scared the hell out of these sheltered kids at the Academy.
Kidō was a given.
Back on Earth, out of boredom, Luca had treated Spirit Particle manipulation like pen-spinning, molding energy into all sorts of fancy shapes.
Kidō, which had clear theoretical guidance, incantations, and hand signs, was a piece of cake for him.
For many low-level Kidō, Luca didn't just skip the incantation; he didn't even need to say the name or number. With a thought, he could cast instantly.
Specifically, for elemental Kidō like fire, wind, and lightning, thanks to his [Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Pink Dragon], Luca even got a damage bonus.
Aside from Kidō, his progress in Shunpo (Flash Step) was similar.
Excellent body control and Spirit Particle mastery meant doubled talent in explosive footwork and balance. His improvement was meteoric.
As for Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand) and Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship), these should have been Luca's weaknesses. He hadn't even put much effort into training them.
Initially, upon enrollment, these were indeed his shortcomings.
But the physical stat boost from a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit was terrifying.
With just a little practice, Luca could bully most average Soul Reapers using sheer Reiatsu and brute force.
This led to Luca being seen as a hexagonal genius with no weaknesses in the eyes of ordinary students.
Unfortunately, corresponding to his personal training...
The Spirit Particle technology Luca wanted to learn most seemed practically non-existent in the Academy curriculum.
These Soul Reapers, wearing old-fashioned clothes and using cold weapons, lived daily lives that truly seemed like technologically backward ancient people.
Sigh... looks like I still have to aim for the 12th Division. I just hope Mayuri Kurotsuchi doesn't have a psychotic episode when I join...
During this time, aside from making some barely-functional Spirit Particle gadgets based on his existing knowledge, Luca had made no substantial progress in that area.
If he didn't feel there was still necessary knowledge to learn in the Academy, he might have tried to graduate early.
Maybe I can spend some time learning Kaidō (Healing Kido). Although healing in Bleach isn't as broken as in Naruto, it's soul repair. Might be useful later.
However, while Luca was focused on absorbing knowledge, an event he had long anticipated finally arrived on schedule, bringing him a bit of joy.
In a Zanjutsu class two months after the official start of the term.
Unlike usual, today's Zanjutsu class was held indoors.
The students, anticipating what was coming, couldn't hide the excitement on their faces.
When several senior students, under the instructor's direction, carried in crates of standard-issue Asauchi, that excitement reached its peak.
"Everyone, in the previous theory classes, you have all memorized the knowledge regarding Asauchi and Zanpakutō."
"Today is the day you are officially granted your Asauchi."
"It is also your first lesson in Jinzen (Sword Meditation)!"