Chapter 5: Roommate

[Asauchi]

Origin: Derived World: Soul Society (Bleach)

Rarity: Fine

Primary Weapon Type: Sword-class

Durability: 30/30

Sharpness: 11

Toughness: 11

Details: Crafted by Ōetsu Nimaiya. When imbued with the spirit and convictions of its wielder, it transforms into a one-of-a-kind Zanpakutō. Ōetsu refers to it as "the most powerful Zanpakutō with limitless potential."

Weapon Skill 1 (Passive): Resonance

Skill Description: Synchronizes with the Asauchi. Once its true name is learned, it becomes your unique Zanpakutō.

Current Resonance Progress: 0%

Evaluation: Though it appears ordinary, it holds infinite potential.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Ren withdrew his gaze from Asauchi's information. He began reviewing the details of his acquired items—basic contractual abilities granted by the EndSpace.

According to the contract, passing the trial world would make him an official explorer, granting access to a personal storage space. Managing his belongings would then become significantly easier.

He had arrived in the Seireitei at night and, under Unohana's recommendation, was admitted as a provisional transfer student at the Shin'ō Academy.

The "provisional" part was because he wasn't technically a full student yet—this wasn't the official enrollment period. However, as a favour to Unohana, the academy allowed him to "transfer" on the condition that he pass an entrance exam.

Though he had missed the "enrollment season," the academy made special arrangements for a simpler assessment to complete the process.

Unohana didn't seem to think the exam would pose any challenge. Judging by the attitude of the teacher processing his dormitory registration, they already considered him a student.

But Ren wasn't entirely confident. While he had read parts of the Bleach manga, he had no idea what the Shin'ō Academy's entrance exam entailed.

If it tested subjects like Kido—something he was utterly unfamiliar with—it would be a real problem.

"Room 406..."

Murmuring his dorm number, Ren confirmed the door and knocked.

The student dormitories at Shin'ō Academy offered decent accommodations, with two students per room. According to the dormitory teacher, his roommate was supposedly an outstanding individual—top grades, approachable personality, and someone he could turn to for help.

After about ten seconds, the door opened.

The person who answered was a young man with short brown hair and matching brown eyes. Behind his black-framed glasses was a gaze as warm as sunlight, accompanied by a gentle smile—like a harmless next-door brother.

This can't be happening...

That was Ren's first thought.

He scrutinized his roommate—appearance, demeanour, and the distinct sense of danger detected by his "power radar"—all pointing to one alarming possibility.

His roommate seemed to be none other than a future antagonist from the original work… Sōsuke Aizen.

"Can I help you?"

The young man with chestnut-coloured hair spoke calmly.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Ren replied, "Hello, I'm Ren, the new transfer student. I've been assigned to this dorm."

"I see," the young man smiled. "Sōsuke Aizen. Welcome."

He stepped aside and invited Ren in, even offering to help him unpack and set up his bed.

Through their casual conversation, Ren confirmed his suspicions. This seemingly harmless young man this gentle, almost disarming demeanour, was indeed the Aizen—future 'Keikaku' master, hair-gel enthusiast, king of smug monologues, and a man capable of making a straitjacket look fashionable.

Yet, Ren had to admit that interacting with Aizen at this stage was surprisingly pleasant. He seemed like the ideal roommate: polite, helpful, and patient.

Aizen not only helped Ren settle in but also explained the dorm facilities and answered numerous questions about the academy without showing a hint of annoyance.

No wonder the dorm teacher had called Aizen a "good kid" and mentioned that everyone enjoyed being around him.

"So, Aizen-senpai, what year are you in?" Ren asked, sitting on his freshly made bed. Since he was already here, he decided to adapt. Aizen might become dangerous later, but for now, he probably wouldn't cause trouble—especially not within the academy.

Besides, Ren suspected that the younger Aizen's ambitions weren't as grand yet. At this stage, his goals likely involved lying low and enjoying the thrill of outsmarting others.

"Just call me Sōsuke. I'm not your senior or anything. Like you, I'm a first-year," Aizen replied, handing Ren a freshly brewed cup of tea.

"No wonder we were assigned to the same dorm."

Ren took the tea with a smile, discreetly using his inventory's appraisal function to confirm it wasn't spiked before taking a sip.

Earlier, Aizen's detailed knowledge about the academy had made Ren think he was a seasoned upperclassman. Who would've thought he was also a first-year, just a few months ahead?

The two chatted for a while longer before lights out. However, Ren noticed that Aizen didn't go to sleep after the lights were off. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his bed with his Zanpakutō resting across his knees, seemingly meditating.

So this must be how Soul Reapers enhance their abilities, Ren thought. No wonder Aizen is so overpowered. Not only is he naturally gifted, but he's also ridiculously diligent.

Sensing Ren's gaze, Aizen opened his eyes and offered a small, apologetic smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing your rest. I can move to the balcony if it bothers you."

Ren shook his head and chuckled. "It's fine. Who knows? Maybe we'll be training together someday."

With that, he turned away and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Now that he had safely arrived at the Shin'ō Academy, as long as he didn't mess up the entrance exam tomorrow, he would complete the first phase of his mission.

The academy was a relatively safe place for the time being, so he decided to organize the information he currently had at his disposal.

While pondering, Ren mentally accessed the system menu of the EndSpace. He hadn't had the chance to explore it earlier due to various distractions during the day, but now he could finally examine its contents thoroughly.

Aside from the basic attributes, he noticed several other tabs: Bloodline, Cultivation Methods, Skills, and Special Abilities.

The Cultivation Methods tab was empty. In his era, most of the legendary techniques that granted extraordinary abilities had been lost to time, leaving only combat techniques behind.

Some of his specialized techniques had been categorized as Skills by the system. He had dabbled in a variety of styles, ranging from practical to flashy, but those were details for another time.

As for the Bloodline tab, it was also blank—he hadn't used any advanced biotech or enhancements from corporate technologies. He was purely human.

The most intriguing section, however, was Talent. Today, he finally learned the reason behind his innate superhuman strength.

[Talent: Limiter-Initial Release]

Talent Rating: S (E- ~ SSS+)

Talent Details: Your body's natural limiters have been partially lifted, granting you exceptional growth potential. Through rigorous training, you can continuously surpass the physical constraints of the human body and achieve immense power.

Talent Skill - Limiter Release (Passive): All training and exercises aimed at improving the explorer's attributes receive a 1000% effectiveness boost.

Talent Evaluation: Oh dear, are you sure you won't go bald in the future?

Ren struggled to keep a straight face as he read the End Space's evaluation. He had no idea how limiters and baldness were even related.

------

The Next Day

A clear spring flowed nearby, and the sound of bamboo striking stone resonated through the air.

Sunlight filtered through the paper-panelled windows, casting its warm glow onto Ren's face as he stood before a stone platform.

Inside the dojo, several young trainees in white uniforms curiously observed him.

Yes, he was currently taking his entrance exam.

Though Aizen had assured him that the Shin'ō Academy entrance exam was simple and that he would pass without issue, Ren hadn't expected it to be this casual.

He had imagined being led into a secret chamber for some kind of special, private test. Clearly, he'd overthought it.

According to Fujimoto-sensei, the instructor overseeing Zanjutsu (swordsmanship) training, the test consisted of only two parts. Passing the first part—the Spirit Class test—would grant him official admission to the Shin'ō Academy.

The passing standard seemed almost laughably low to Ren. All he had to do was resonate with the testing device, which simply required a basic aptitude for spiritual energy manipulation.

This made sense. In this world, even the rank-and-file members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads typically had a spirit class level of only Grade 20. Graduates of the Shin'ō Academy were usually at that level, so it wasn't realistic to expect prospective students to surpass it from the outset.1

Thus, for the spiritual power test, the academy had set the bar modestly: new students only needed to achieve the third mark out of ten on the testing scale to pass.

Under the curious gazes of the trainees—and Aizen's slightly intrigued glance—Ren stepped forward and placed his hand on the peculiar stone platform.

The device, rumoured to have been developed by the current Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kirio Hikifune, was designed to precisely measure an individual's spirit class, and more loosely; their spiritual power level.

To assess the potential of new students, the device featured ten subgrades beneath the standard Grade 20. Reaching the third mark on this scale would be enough to meet the entrance criteria.

As Ren focused on the screen atop the stone platform, he couldn't help but wonder what grade of spiritual power he truly possessed.