"I will have you all kill each other with me."
The moment I said that, some turned pale, some exchanged looks with new students nearby, some looked down and muttered something, and conversely, some looked overflowing with motivation.
The reactions varied from person to person.
"Fufu, just kidding! It's a joke!"
I timed it for when things quieted down appropriately and showed a diligently gentle smile.
"I saw that many of you were nervous. To put it in modern terms, it's what you call a witty joke. Has your tension eased a little?"
It seems they believed my earlier words were a joke, and a generally relaxed atmosphere flowed through the room.
Several people have expressions of relief visible on their faces.
Well, if you're told "kill each other with an active squad member" right after joining, anyone would show such a reaction.
However, amidst that atmosphere, there was just a handful of people radiating a sharp aura like a drawn blade.
People who still took my earlier words seriously.
That's good; flushing out those kinds of kids was one of my aims.
"Normally, I would start the lecture now, but since it's the first day, this is special. I would like to set aside some time for exercise, so everyone please go outside."
Oops, they've started buzzing again.
It seems my earlier "kill each other" remark is still lingering.
"It's okay, it's just a light physical ability test."
While becoming skeptical, everyone moved outside.
Now then, this is where the real show starts. The beginning of a fun, fun class.
-----
"Before the lecture, I have one question. Is there anyone among you who aspires to join Squad 11?"
When I asked the students lined up in the training grounds outside, hands went up here and there.
About ten percent of the whole, maybe?
Most of them are like thugs or semi-gangsters, people who are confident in their brawn! I don't see anyone who looks like a serious martial artist.
"Then, I'm sorry to trouble those who just raised their hands, but please come forward. Let's play a simple game with Sensei."
"A game, you say?"
Oops, one of those who raised their hands asked in a way that, while irritated, paid a minimum amount of respect.
However, throughout his attitude, I can feel a consciousness of "What is Squad 4 talking about?"
"Yes, a game. Especially for you all aspiring for Squad 11, it's like a game that's too simple."
I hand the wooden swords I had prepared beforehand to them.
"Starting now, all of you come at me together. If you can land a single blow—no, even just grazing me is fine—I will make it so that person can skip grades and graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy."
Oops, they've started buzzing again.
If I say something crazy that's outside standard norms in various ways, that's the reaction I get.
"That story, it ain't a lie, right?"
"Of course, it's not a lie. If you can graze an active squad member at this stage, I can assert that you possess sufficient strength necessary for a Shinigami. Depending on individual aptitude, I guarantee at least a two-year special promotion, and if you are more excellent, I'll even let you graduate this year."
Oops, hearing "graduate this year," their eye color changed instantly.
"What else... how about I recommend you to Squad 11?"
"Wha... I-Is that true!?"
"Idiot, she's Squad 4, you know!? How can she recommend someone to Squad 11!?"
"It's true. I belong to Squad 4, but I have various connections with Squad 11. If I guarantee 'no problem with ability' and recommend you, they will say 'please join' from their side. If things go well, joining with seated officer treatment is even possible."
It seems I've piqued their interest even more than before. The students started speaking up one after another.
Joining as a seated officer is truly like the elite of the elite. In a sense, they're more eager for that than skipping grades.
"Ah, or perhaps... more simply, you can do whatever you want to me—fufu, even such a reward is fine, you know?"
I open the chest of my Shihakusho just a tiny bit and strike a pose leaning slightly forward.
Diligently putting on a bewitching expression, I pushed my chest together lightly while consciously trying to stimulate their lust.
If I make a gesture that I would find attractive, it directly translates into a provocation.
A truly simple job, relying on the sad instincts of men I know all too well.
And sure enough, the effect is outstanding.
The guys showed a reaction that was, in a sense, even more intense than when I offered a recommendation to Squad 11.
The vulgar gazes piercing my body without reservation are painful...
'Guhehehehe, Sis has nice tits! Indeed!!'
You too!?
"Ah, but I'm sorry. Being told to fight a Vice Captain, even from Squad 4, you're too scared to fight, aren't you. Let's pretend we never heard that story after all. It's okay, I won't tell anyone that gutless cowards who are too scared to fight aspire for Squad 11. Because it won't even make for a laughing stock."
"What did you say!!"
"Don't screw around!!"
"Who's scared!!"
"I'll make you regret what you just said!!"
Yes, the idiots are completely hooked.
'I've been caught by such erotic bait-kumaaa!!!'
Why are you getting caught too!!
"Uoooooooh!!"
"Diiiiiie!!"
Clutching the wooden swords in their hands, they attacked with bloodshot eyes.
—One minute later.
"Oh my, finished already? And you had the nerve to say you aspire for Squad 11. Look, what's wrong? Stand up! You're still conscious, aren't you!?"
While stepping on the face of a student fallen nearby, I shout that.
"So? How long do the rest of you intend to stay like that? If you have time to suffer in pain, stand up! It's a waste of time! If I were an enemy, you would already be killed, you know?"
The one I'm stepping on isn't the only one down.
All the kids aspiring for Squad 11 who raised their hands earlier are intimately acquainting themselves with the ground.
Needless to say, I beat them up.
I held back properly, so it hurts incredibly but they haven't fainted. Even while fighting the pain, everyone should be listening to me.
Because I felt them flinch from here and there.
Well, I think everyone has vaguely realized it by now.
The flow up to now is all pre-arranged harmony.
The goal is to break the pride of the new students getting carried away under the pretext of sword practice, and hammer the hierarchy firmly into them from there.
I had the kids aspiring for Squad 11 serve as the sacrifices.
...Because that lot is the most troublesome. It's easier if I discipline them early.
It feels kind of like the army, breaking spirits to make them obey.
But I have obtained approval from the Academy side saying "I will do this kind of thing."
If I did this at a normal school, it would be frowned upon greatly and develop into a problem immediately, but since we are Shinigami, it's okay. They are throwing themselves into a battle of kill or be killed.
So there is no problem at all, probably.
-----
"Good grief, it seems really no one is going to stand up anymore..."
Shouldering the wooden sword, Yukawa looks over the students prostrate on the ground. All of them are grimacing in pain, and it seems no one has the will to stand up left.
Just moments ago, there was one brave person who stood up, but Yukawa dismissed him with a single kick, and seeing that spectacle, it seems everyone's hearts were broken.
"..."
And, it wasn't just those aspiring for Squad 11 who saw that spectacle.
Those aspiring for other squads—in other words, the many students who didn't raise their hands at the earlier question—also witnessed it.
They were trembling.
Although they didn't raise their hands, it was a fact that many of them looked down on the name "Squad 4."
But that perception was rewritten in less than a hundred seconds. Accompanied by tremendous stimulation.
"Now then, next is..."
When Yukawa looked at the remaining students, all of them showed expressions colored by despair.
Next is surely our turn.
Those who seemed so confident in their strength were knocked down in an instant.
Then, with our skill, we might be killed.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I will never take you lightly again.
Praying in their hearts, they repeat words of apology earnestly like a Buddhist chant.
But their imaginations were betrayed, in a good way.
"Hey there! Your footing is wobbling!"
"Y-Yes!"
"The sword tip is wavering! Like that, the opponent will turn the tables on you!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Hm? ...Whoops! Close one, close one, that was a good strike just now. You pass, good work."
"Thank you very much!!"
What was announced to them, who looked like they were about to be crushed by anxiety, was one-on-one sword practice with Yukawa—and Yukawa would absolutely not attack, and it would end the moment they could deliver a satisfying strike.
That was the content.
The first person challenged it prepared for death, but true to her words, she really didn't attack.
Yukawa devoted herself solely to evasion, and the student could concentrate only on attacking. And if they could unleash a strike worthy of recognition, Yukawa would catch it and it would end.
It was that format of practice.
In addition, while evading, she would carefully assess each strike, give advice, and correct them appropriately.
When the first person finished without incident, and it continued to the second and third, before they knew it, the anxiety swirling inside them had dissipated.
"Don't forget that feeling just now. Even during self-study, try practicing with the goal of being able to unleash that strike at will first. Alright then, next child?"
"It's me! Please take care of me!!"
The next person also readies their sword in high spirits. Fear can no longer be felt in the slightest from that figure.
(It went well.)
She monologues involuntarily.
Give a strong impact first, then grab the students' hearts by instructing them carefully afterward, making them gather respect.
It was aimed at the effect of the so-called carrot and stick.
And that aim seemed to have demonstrated its effect exactly as planned.
Eventually, when everyone's practice ended, Yukawa headed toward those prostrate on the ground again.
"Now, you understand with this, right? Even in Squad 4, I'm stronger than you. It's not an existence you can look down on or take lightly. Incidentally, I still have a long way to go; there are people much stronger in Squad 4."
When she told them that while administering treatment, they were all astonished.
...That strong opponent is the first Squad 11 Captain wearing the skin of the Squad 4 Captain, but... it's not a lie. Compared to her, Yukawa is still immature, so it's not a mistake.
But the newcomers who don't know such behind-the-scenes circumstances revise their perception of those who have become Shinigami.
"That said, you can't nod honestly, right? Then, let's do this. While I am at the Academy, I will generally accept challenges. If you can land even one blow, I will formally apologize and grant all the conditions from earlier. How about it? Want to try?"
To that proposal thrown in a soft tone, there was no reply.
It seems they were made to understand their place.
But this is fine as it is.
The honest students received a carrot.
By letting them experience an ideal strike and giving them an easy-to-understand guideline to aim for that first, the students' motivation will rise, and using this as a trigger, they will become more likely to listen to what is said.
Conversely, regarding the students she beat up first, if their hearts break and they become obediently compliant with this, it's a gain. Even if they rebel, that shows promise in its own way.
Because just spirit and guts can be subjects of evaluation.
Thus, the first day of class came to an end.
Although treated as part-time, Yukawa shows up at the Academy twice a week.
But the lectures conducted there were very easy for the students to understand.
Being at the bottom for a long time wasn't for show.
She has experienced a mountain of real examples similar to the lecture content and solutions to them.
Towards kids with bad grades—perhaps seeing herself in them—she interacts very kindly, and her popularity was rising enough to blow away the fear of the first day.
For the Academy side too, it was a big harvest that all students became strongly conscious of the hierarchy and became obedient to what the lecturer said.
That consciousness continued to be demonstrated even after joining the Gotei 13, and it is said that each squad became strict with discipline to a greater or lesser extent.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]