Chapter 020: A Young Girl with a Heavy Heart

"Next month's Ranking Battle, I will challenge you."

When Aizen's calm yet resolute words reached Kirin Toudou's ears, she froze in place.

"I came to find you, not just to chat, but to let you know this," Aizen continued, his expression unchanging.

"If I manage to defeat you, your expression won't be as heavy as it was earlier, will it?"

Kirin's body trembled slightly as she snapped out of her daze. She quickly turned around to face him.

"Senpai, you…"

But before she could finish her sentence, Aizen was already walking away, his back to her.

"Make sure you prepare well," he said without looking back. "I don't want to hear excuses about me bullying someone younger."

Leaving those words behind, Aizen strode forward, his figure disappearing into the corridor.

Kirin stood there, watching his retreating figure with a conflicted expression. She opened her mouth as if to call out to him but couldn't find the right words.

It wasn't until a moment later that she, too, departed, her steps heavy with thought.

Outside the Grand Arena, Rear Entrance

Kirin exited the arena through the rear doors.

She quickly made her way along a quiet pathway lined with trees, a designated walking route. There, she found someone waiting for her.

The man stood a short distance from the entrance, near the rear gates of the arena. Judging by his stance, he had been waiting for quite some time, his posture stiff with impatience.

"Uncle…"

Kirin's soft voice trembled as she greeted him, her unease palpable.

The man before her was a physically imposing figure. His broad shoulders and muscular build were intimidating, even in the suit he wore. His face, however, was far from polished—its harsh, stern lines resembled those of a man better suited to the criminal underworld than to the world of professionals.

Though his physique was powerful, the man lacked the trace of Prana, the signature of a Genestella. If it came to a fight, Kirin - despite her small stature - would probably be able to incapacitate him with ease.

Yet, as she approached him, Kirin's every movement radiated timidity, as though she were a fragile bird about to be cornered by a predator.

The man glared down at her, his demeanor cold and domineering.

"Why did you take so long?" His voice was sharp, his tone accusatory. "Didn't I tell you to come straight to me after your match?"

It wasn't just an air of authority—it was outright bullying.

"I-I'm sorry," Kirin stammered, her head lowered so far that her gaze barely reached his shoes. Her voice was timid and uneven. "I-I only stopped to speak with a senpai…"

"Senpai?" The man's brows furrowed. His voice turned harsh. "Which senpai? One from the high school division?"

"Yes," Kirin admitted quietly, nodding. "The one who defeated the 13th rank just now…"

"The one using Ser-Veresta?" The man narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly sharp with interest.

Kirin hesitated, glancing up nervously before giving a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"What did he say to you?"

The man's interrogation grew more forceful.

"H-he…" Kirin faltered, visibly struggling to answer.

"Speak up!" the man barked, his tone brimming with impatience. "Or do you want to defy me again? Think of your father!"

At the mention of her father, Kirin's body visibly flinched. She seemed to shrink in on herself, as though struck by an invisible blow.

"…He said he'll challenge me in next month's Ranking Battle," she finally whispered.

"What?"

The man's expression shifted, his surprise barely masked.

This news was far from ideal.

Having attended the Ranking Battle himself, seated in the VIP section, he had witnessed Aizen's duel firsthand.

The memory of Aizen's explosive final attack resurfaced, and the man clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Just moved up to rank 13, and he's already eyeing rank one?" The man sneered. "That's the problem with these Genestella brats. Always so arrogant."

His complaint was laced with hypocrisy, given that the girl standing before him was also a Genestella. But Kirin, perhaps accustomed to such remarks, said nothing, only lowering her head further.

The man either failed to notice her reaction or simply didn't care. Regaining his composure, he continued.

"Still, at least we know who your opponent will be next month."

"That kid has some skill, and Ser-Veresta isn't to be underestimated. But with a month to prepare, we can come up with a plan."

He spoke with the kind of casual arrogance that belied his true disdain.

"No matter what, he's just a rank 13. Even with that weapon, he won't stand a chance against you."

The man's confidence in Kirin's abilities was clear, but his tone remained condescending.

"Take him out quickly and efficiently," he ordered. "Don't waste any time."

Hearing this, Kirin hesitated. She couldn't stop herself from speaking up.

"Senpai isn't just 'some kid,'" she said softly, her voice tinged with unease. "His swordsmanship is… unusual. There's no fixed form to it, yet it perfectly adapts to the flow of battle. It's flawless, almost impossible to—"

"To deal with," were the words she couldn't bring herself to say.

"Enough!" The man interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "I don't care how impressive he is. You must win."

He glared down at her, his expression uncompromising.

"If you lose to a rank 13, your reputation will plummet," he continued coldly. "That's unacceptable."

"I'll gather all the information I can about him. For the next month, focus entirely on preparing for him. When the time comes, finish him off quickly. Understand?"

Kirin lowered her gaze further, her shoulders slumping.

"…Yes," she whispered.

The man's stern expression softened ever so slightly, though his tone remained sharp.

"Listen carefully, Kirin. You have to stay on top. Not just as the current rank one of Seidoukan Academy, but as someone who'll go down in history as an unparalleled, untouchable first place."

"Only then can I achieve my ambitions. And only then can you achieve yours."

He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain and mockery.

"If you want to save your father, you have no choice but to obey me. Got it?"

Kirin's small frame quivered once more under the weight of his words.

"…Yes, Uncle," she finally replied, her voice barely audible.

"Let's go."

The man turned on his heel and began walking away, leaving Kirin to follow behind him.

Her steps were slow, even heavier than before. She didn't once lift her head.

As they passed a fountain, Kirin caught a glimpse of her reflection in the water.

Her face, so delicate and doll-like, was filled with sadness and on the verge of tears.

Unbidden, Aizen's parting words echoed in her mind.

"If I manage to defeat you, your expression won't be as heavy as it was earlier, will it?"

The words lingered, refusing to fade.

....

Nightfall

Night descended upon Seidoukan Academy, cloaking its grounds in stillness.

The academy's students, perhaps preoccupied with classes the following day, rarely ventured out after dark. Strict curfews ensured that most areas were locked down at night.

But curfews didn't matter much to the Genestella.

"Here we are…"

Under the cover of darkness, Aizen arrived at a stately, classical building.

It was the girls' dormitory.

Standing outside, he surveyed the building, his expression contemplative.

"I hope this works out."

Murmuring to himself, he took a deep breath and slipped silently into the shadows.