The next morning, the Academy awoke not with bells or loudspeakers—
But with Kidō.
A faint vibration brushed across Sombravida's spiritual pathways.
A subtle signal.
Nakai jerked upright.
"Tsukishiro-nii! Did you feel that?!"
Sombravida nodded calmly.
"That was Bakudō #77 — Tenteikūra."
Tenteikūra was a high-level communication Kidō that transmitted messages directly through reiryoku pathways. Unlike normal sound-based communication, it resonated through spiritual channels and could cross vast distances.
Mastering it required considerable spiritual control.
For first-year students, it was something to admire from afar.
"Amazing…" Nakai muttered. "It reached everyone at once…"
Sombravida didn't comment.
He was more interested in how cleanly the signal had been transmitted.
No interference.
No distortion.
Precise.
First Lecture — The Four Arts
Half an hour later, they arrived at the tiered lecture hall.
Group A filled seats quickly.
The atmosphere was disciplined.
After most students had gathered, a thin man with thick, magnifying glasses entered.
"I am Instructor Kiyono Shigezō."
His voice was steady, direct.
"You are Group A. I will not waste time on motivational speeches."
He picked up a roster.
"Hinamori Tsukishiro?"
Sombravida stood.
"Yes, sensei."
"I was informed of your condition. A specialized text has been prepared. The ink is layered with fine reishi threads that can be traced through spiritual perception."
A thoughtful adjustment.
Sombravida nodded.
"Thank you."
"The cost will be recorded under your name. Payment can be arranged later through Fourth Division channels."
Mizuiro.
So she had intervened.
Sombravida understood.
He inclined his head slightly.
"I will thank her personally."
Kiyono adjusted his glasses.
"Good."
Then he turned to the class.
The Four Core Disciplines
"The foundation of a Shinigami rests upon four pillars."
He wrote on the board:
Zanjutsu
Hakuda
Hohō
Kidō
"Zanjutsu — the art of the blade. Control of the Zanpakutō in sealed form. Without this foundation, release techniques are meaningless."
Sombravida listened carefully.
Zanjutsu in the Academy was not flashy.
It was posture.
Breathing.
Grip discipline.
Reiryoku flow through steel.
"Hakuda — hand-to-hand combat. Your body is a weapon. Before your Zanpakutō awakens, this will protect you."
Unlike Sombravida's previous Hollow combat, Hakuda emphasized precision over brutality.
"Hohō — high-speed movement. Shunpo is a derivative technique built upon correct reiryoku distribution in the lower limbs."
Important distinction.
Shunpo was not raw explosive force like Sonído.
It was controlled displacement.
Detectable.
But efficient.
"Kidō — the art of spiritual invocation. Divided into Hadō (destruction), Bakudō (binding), and Kaidō (healing)."
Sombravida noted internally:
No such thing as a "Return Path."
Kaidō was healing.
Hadō and Bakudō required incantations and spiritual alignment.
Kaidō demanded fine control.
Kidō required sensitivity.
Which he lacked.
Major Selection
Students were instructed to select a focus discipline.
Not exclusive specialization.
But primary emphasis.
Momo looked conflicted.
"I want to try everything…"
Sombravida responded calmly.
"Choose Kidō."
She blinked.
"But—"
"You have strong spiritual rhythm. Your control is precise. Kidō offers attack, restraint, and support. It's systemically versatile."
He did not exaggerate.
Kidō specialists often developed strong overall control.
Momo nodded.
"I'll choose Kidō."
"And you?" she asked.
Sombravida considered carefully.
Kidō was inefficient for him.
His spiritual nature resisted it.
Hakuda he already understood through Hollow combat instincts.
Hohō he would learn regardless.
Zanjutsu offered the most growth.
"I'll focus on Zanjutsu."
Momo seemed slightly disappointed.
But she understood.
Practical — Hakuda Basics
Even with chosen focuses, all four arts were mandatory foundations.
They moved to the training ground.
The Hakuda instructor was broad-shouldered, stern.
Second Division background.
Onmitsukidō discipline.
"Stance. Breath. Centerline."
Sombravida followed precisely.
Not showing too much.
Not too little.
He subtly corrected inefficiencies from past battles.
Reducing wasted movement.
Optimizing force distribution.
The instructor watched him carefully.
He had heard about the entrance exam incident.
Two strikes.
Examiner down.
But Sombravida did not overstep.
He refined quietly.
Which impressed the instructor more.
"Combat experience," the instructor thought.
Real combat.
Not drills.
He chose not to interfere.
A Familiar Presence
Momo trained nearby.
Distracted.
Watching Sombravida.
A tall, red-haired boy beside her spoke.
"Don't worry. That guy's strong."
Momo turned.
"You saw him too?"
"Yeah. Two moves."
He grinned confidently.
"My name's Abarai Renji."
Momo blinked.
"Hinamori Momo."
Before conversation could continue—
"Abarai Renji! Step forward!"
The instructor's voice cut sharply.
Renji froze.
"Yes!"
"Daydreaming during stance drills? You'll clean the training yard after class."
Renji scratched his head.
"…Yes."
He didn't argue.
Didn't complain.
Just accepted it.
Momo bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry…"
Renji laughed.
"It's fine. Cleaning's easy."
Sombravida turned slightly.
Abarai Renji.
That matched canon timing.
Renji's physical potential was already apparent.
Large reiryoku output.
Raw.
Unpolished.
Rukia would be in a different group.
That aligned.
Sombravida returned to training.
More pieces were assembling.
Renji.
Kira.
Momo.
The timeline was moving.
And so must he.
He tightened his stance.
Refined his breath.
He needed power.
He needed speed.
He needed graduation.
The sooner he entered the Gotei 13—
The sooner he could position himself properly.
The story was advancing.
He had no intention of falling behind.
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