Chapter 51

The classroom atmosphere was calm and orderly. As lunchtime approached, Errol was ready to depart when Ichigo made his way over to him.

"May we have a word?" He inquired.

Errol glanced at him and responded with a nod. Minutes later, they found themselves on the school's rooftop.

As Errol unwrapped his lunch, he turned his attention to Ichigo, who had remained silent. "What's on your mind?"

Ichigo, clenching and then releasing his fist, asked, "Why did you let them take Rukia away?"

"I saw it all. Even though I was nearly incapacitated, I saw you overpower that man, Byakuya. So why did you allow them to take her?" Ichigo's question was more of a plea for understanding.

Errol considered his response carefully. "There are several reasons. First, I did not wish to provoke the Soul Society any further. Despite my negative impressions of them, they are the destination for most souls after death. And everyone I know will eventually end up there."

Ichigo pondered this, realizing that Errol's words rang true. At some point, those close to him would pass on and enter the afterlife.

Errol continued, oblivious to Ichigo's introspection. "Secondly, Byakuya and Rukia are family. I prefer not to get overly involved in other people's familial disputes. Third, I'm not particularly close with Rukia. As for the rest... let's just say it's personal."

"Personal reasons?" Ichigo seemed confused and wanted to probe further, but he restrained himself, choosing to ask something more pressing instead.

"Urahara mentioned that you possess a special power that could help me regain my own. Could you assist me, please?" Ichigo bowed as he made his request.

Errol remained silent for a moment before responding, "No."

"Wha- Eh?" Ichigo, who had expected a positive response, was taken aback. "Why?"

"Because I am petty," Errol replied, deadpan.

"Petty?" Ichigo was bewildered. His confusion quickly turned to frustration as he grabbed Errol's shirt. "What do you mean by petty? What have I done to you?"

Errol remained unfazed. "You made me feel inadequate."

"Huh?" Ichigo was perplexed, not understanding what he had done. To Errol, Ichigo's rapid growth over the past month had been a source of irritation. Despite his own rigorous training, Errol knew that Ichigo's strength would continue to surpass his own in the coming months.

"You wouldn't understand," Errol said, shaking his head and effortlessly removing Ichigo's hand from his clothes. "I suggest you seek Urahara's help regarding your Shinigami powers. He could probably help you become stronger than I ever could."

Ichigo calmed down and began to eat his lunch, albeit with a sense of frustration. As much as he wanted to confront Errol for making him feel toyed with, he knew that Errol could easily dismiss him from his life.

Ichigo had already tempered his expectations, knowing that while Urahara could potentially help him regain his power, Errol might simply refuse to assist. 'It seems Urahara is my only option...'

Errol glanced at the frustrated Ichigo. "By the way, how familiar are you with the spiritual realm?"

"Hmm?" Ichigo looked at him, swallowing his food before responding. "I don't know much, other than Shinigami hunt hollows because they pose a threat, a little about Quincy, and some information about the Soul Society that I got from Rukia."

"I see... I suggest you also learn about that from Urahara, rather than blindly entering enemy territory without sufficient knowledge," Errol advised him.

Upon hearing his advice, Ichigo began to realize that he knew very little about the Soul Society. "Then why don't you just tell me now?"

"Urahara is far more knowledgeable about the place, and I only know a handful of things," Errol replied, closing his lunch box and standing up. "I'll see you later. I have other plans."

Errol left Ichigo on the rooftop and descended the stairs. As he walked, he encountered Uryu leaning against a wall, trying to look cool as if he had been waiting for him.

Errol couldn't help but sigh. "Let me guess, you want to know why I'm strong and how you can become stronger?"

Uryu, who had been trying to maintain a cool demeanor, lost his composure. He quickly adjusted his glasses as if nothing had happened. "Yes."

"We've never fought before, but I know you're strong. I don't know to what extent, but the fact that you've saved my life twice is proof enough that you're currently out of my league," Uryu admitted without a hint of shame. "That's why... I want you to teach me how to become stronger."

Errol looked at him before asking, "Why aren't you asking your father to train you?"

"Is that guy even a Quincy?" Uryu asked, his voice filled with disdain.

Errol couldn't help but look at Uryu as if he were an idiot. "Uryu, I know you're smart, but sometimes you can be incredibly dense."

"What!?" Uryu looked at him, annoyed. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you're forgetting that your father was raised by a Quincy. Your power comes from his blood, so how could he not be a Quincy? Being a Quincy and not using your Quincy powers are not the same," Errol shook his head at Uryu's ignorance.

Uryu opened his mouth to retort, but he couldn't find any flaw in Errol's argument.

"...I bet he's a very weak Quincy."

"I can't confirm that, but he certainly knows more about being a Quincy and likely has most of the equipment from your ancestors," Errol said, grinning.

"… that bastard," Uryu gritted his teeth, vowing to claim everything related to the Quincy that Ryuken possessed, feeling it was being wasted on him.

They returned to class, with Uryu in a foul mood, realizing that his father was better equipped than he was, despite considering himself the last Quincy.