Chapter 319: Six Months Later

In the morning, the air was chilly, and the warm winter sunlight streamed through the wooden windows of the dormitory, highlighting the tiny floating dust particles. A row of student dormitories began to buzz with noise, breaking the early morning silence.

H'el, like any ordinary student, emerged from a six-person dormitory. Feeling the cold air on his skin and the dropping temperature, he adjusted his body temperature slightly. Carrying a wooden basin and a towel, he went with his roommates to fetch hot water for washing up.

After washing, he casually put on the training uniform with a white top and red bottoms and headed to the cafeteria with Gin, who had also finished washing up.

Today, however, Gin, though still smiling as usual, seemed a bit hesitant. As he walked with H'el out of the dormitory toward the cafeteria and saw H'el in his training uniform, he couldn't help but be surprised: "Are you planning to attend the hand-to-hand combat class today?"

Gin's surprise was understandable.

In fact, it had been half a year since the three of them had enrolled. Since they were brought in by Kyoraku Shunsui, not only the students but even the teachers treated them with utmost respect and special care. They received various uncommon privileges.

However, when it came to their education, the teachers spared no effort and were willing to give them extra lessons.

Since they were transfer students placed in an elite class, to avoid them falling behind, H'el and the others often had to stay after class. Even on holidays, they would be called back for extra lessons, which became somewhat bothersome.

Regarding the basics of being a Shinigami, H'el and Gin mastered them within a day or two. Only Rangiku, who had a weaker foundation, struggled a bit more but still managed to keep up with the elite class.

Especially in the core Shinigami skills of swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and kido, Rangiku made rapid progress under H'el's guidance and the additional coaching sessions he provided. In a short time, she could rival upperclassmen in their fourth or fifth year.

Even though Aizen had extracted something from her soul, she still had the potential to achieve her Shikai and become a vice-captain. Now, without Aizen's interference and with her complete potential intact, she was considered one of the top three geniuses at the Shin'o Academy.

Gin was even more impressive. In just half a year, he had discovered his potential, surpassing the spiritual pressure of an official Shinigami and possessing the abilities of a seated officer. He was referred to by some at the Academy as the second genius, behind only H'el.

As for the first, it was undoubtedly H'el.

H'el, wanting to avoid being overly managed by the responsible teachers, had challenged them to a match in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and Kido a month after enrolling. He defeated all the teachers using the techniques they taught, proving he had nothing left to learn from them. This made him a legend at the Shin'o Academy, hailed as the strongest student in its history. Titles like "a once-in-a-million-year genius," "the future of the Soul Society," "the rising star of Seireitei," and "the future strongest in the Three Realms" were bestowed upon him.

Having earned his freedom at the academy, he mastered all the Shinigami techniques he could and spent his days in the library, reading from morning until night.

Gin didn't understand why H'el liked reading such a mix of materials. The library contained many speculative and impractical ideas from upperclassmen and seated officers about Kido and spiritual particles. These ideas were often more fantasy than feasible, unlikely ever to be realized.

Seeing H'el in his training uniform today, Gin thought he might be attending a class. He recalled that today's hand-to-hand combat class involved students using Asauchi to experience its feel, with instructors explaining and guiding them in infusing their spirit and will into the Asauchi, a prelude to unlocking their Shikai.

But H'el had long since achieved Shikai, making the class unnecessary for him.

"No, the other clothes are being washed," H'el replied. Detailed techniques for various Shikai and spirit infusions could be found in the library, often more thoroughly than what teachers explained.

The academy's learning schedule was even more rigorous than that of high school seniors, with teachers pushing their knowledge into students relentlessly, training them intensely in preparation for potential battles against Hollows, where mistakes could mean death.

Unless students were like H'el and Gin, who could best teachers or, in Gin's case, had the strength of a seated officer, they had little time for extracurricular reading due to the demanding training.

Even Rangiku, before surpassing the teachers in skill, was subjected to stricter and more intense training.

As they headed to the cafeteria in the morning, the bustling crowd of students whispered and glanced at Gin and H'el, discussing them in hushed tones.

"Are you planning to go to the library again today? Do you intend to spend all your time there?" Gin asked H'el as they walked side by side, wanting to say more but ultimately settling on this seemingly insignificant question.

H'el, not concerned with what Gin truly wanted to ask, simply responded, "Yes. I've almost finished reading the books in the library. I might start reading elsewhere soon."

H'el pondered; the library books had their limitations. He hadn't found exactly what he was looking for in this period. Most of the materials were just theoretical musings on spiritual particles and Kido. While they provided some inspiration and insights into manipulating spiritual energy, it was not what he truly needed.

"Is it necessary? You're already far better at handling swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and spiritual energy than they are," Gin asked, slightly puzzled.

The more Gin interacted with H'el, the more he realized H'el was like a vast treasure trove, capable of answering any question related to spiritual particles and combat techniques. H'el's understanding reached depths Gin struggled to comprehend.

What was even more remarkable was H'el's ability to explain these complex concepts in a simple and understandable way, making it easier for Gin and Rangiku to grasp. Of course, while understanding was one thing, Gin could execute some of these techniques while Rangiku couldn't. Some things even Gin couldn't do yet, keeping them in mind for future mastery.

"I'm seeking their alternative perspectives and thought processes. Even a spark of inspiration could lead to new breakthroughs," H'el shook his head.

To be honest, the techniques for manipulating spiritual energy and combat skills were trivial to H'el. What he valued were their innovative thoughts and ideas. Spiritual particles exhibited different properties than ordinary physical particles. Using his understanding, shaped by physical particles, to explore spiritual energy revealed significant differences.

By studying these books and adopting the perspective of a native Shinigami, H'el discovered unique characteristics of spiritual energy.

Gin nodded in understanding.

"H'el, Gin!"

In the crowd heading to the cafeteria, Rangiku spotted them and eagerly waved, calling out to them. She jogged over, holding hands with her friends, greeting them cheerfully in the morning.

°°°

Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!

Link: Påtreon.com/BaphometFiction

I post 10 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.