"Alright, now it's your turn. If you don't pass, don't be discouraged. You're still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities later."
Before the test even began, Kimura had already started comforting Toshiro.
In Kimura's view, Toshiro was probably just accompanying Momo for the test and incidentally checking his own Reiatsu.
Toshiro didn't bother explaining. He chose to let the facts speak for themselves. He directly placed his hand on the tester and released his Reiatsu at full power.
Instantly, a powerful Reiatsu erupted. The display's data soared rapidly, then... with a 'bang', it emitted a puff of black smoke. Clearly, Toshiro's Reiatsu exceeded the device's range.
"Wha-?! Lieutenant-level?! How is that possible?!" Kimura stared, dumbfounded and utterly incredulous.
This Reiatsu tester could withstand Reiatsu up to Lieutenant-level.
Exceeding the tester's range meant the Reiatsu had reached Lieutenant-level.
Even Rangiku was astonished because just a few days ago, Toshiro's Reiatsu clearly hadn't reached Lieutenant-level.
Toshiro had been training his Reiatsu diligently every day. With his Reiatsu already near Lieutenant-level, he finally achieved true Lieutenant-level Reiatsu last night.
Although his Reiatsu reached Lieutenant-level, that didn't guarantee he could completely defeat a Lieutenant-level opponent, as Toshiro still hadn't mastered Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, or Kido.
"Cough, how old are you? You're not actually much older, just look like a child, are you?" Kimura still wore an expression of disbelief.
Toshiro frowned. "I'm eighty years old."
Toshiro wasn't too fond of discussing his age.
After all, he was an adult in his previous life, but here he was always treated like a child… though by Soul Society standards, he technically was one.
"Is that... a Zanpakuto on your back?" Initially, Kimura thought Toshiro was just carrying an ordinary sword, though the guard looked unusual.
"Correct. I've already awakened my Zanpakuto and mastered Shikai." Toshiro nodded calmly.
"Ah, please wait here for a moment. I need to report to the Principal." Kimura instinctively used honorifics.
For Toshiro to achieve Lieutenant-level Reiatsu at such a young age meant becoming a Captain in the future was almost a certainty. In contrast, Kimura would remain just an ordinary teacher for life.
…
Principal's Office.
The white-haired Principal was leisurely drinking tea.
Suddenly, the door was shoved open with a loud bang.
The Principal, who had been sipping tea peacefully, spat it out in surprise.
"Kimura, aren't you supposed to be overseeing the enrollment? Why aren't you working? If you don't give me a proper reason, expect a pay cut." The Principal said angrily.
"Apologies, Principal. I just encountered a genius and got a bit excited." Kimura hurriedly explained.
"A genius? Did a candidate with 8th-level Reiryoku appear?" The Principal asked calmly.
Having served as Principal for so many years, he had encountered 8th-level Reiryoku candidates several times. It wasn't enough to move him deeply.
"Not 8th-level, it's..."
"Not 8th-level? Could it be 9th-level then?" Hearing it wasn't 8th-level, the Principal cut Kimura off before he could finish.
9th-level Reiatsu candidates had only appeared a handful of times since Shin'o Academy's founding. Each time, the academy paid exceptional attention.
"Not 9th-level either. It's Lieutenant-level Reiatsu." Afraid the Principal would interrupt again, Kimura blurted it out in one breath.
Clatter!
The teacup in the Principal's hand fell to the floor and shattered.
But he didn't care at all. He grabbed Kimura's shoulders. "What? You said Lieutenant-level Reiatsu?"
"Yes. And the age is incredibly young." Seeing the Principal so flustered, Kimura felt somewhat relieved. No need to be the only one shocked.
"Hurry, take me to see." The Principal urged anxiously.
…
Later, after the Principal personally verified everything, in his excitement, he directly promised Toshiro various preferential treatments.
These included a single luxury dormitory room, access to the teachers' exclusive dining area, the right to consult any subject teacher at any time, and a substantial cash reward.
Toshiro felt this was even crazier than top universities vying for the top scorer in the China's national college entrance exam from his previous life.
'Being a top student sure is good. You're welcomed everywhere.' Toshiro sighed inwardly.
Then, Toshiro and the others collected their uniforms and left. School would officially start in a week.
…
1st Division.
In the duty office, Captain-Commander Yamamoto was reading a letter sent by the Principal of Shin'o Academy.
"Truly an unprecedented genius. If allowed to grow, perhaps..." Captain Yamamoto murmured to himself.
…
At the residence of 13th Division's Captain, Ukitake Jushiro, 8th Division's Captain, Kyoraku Shunsui, who had come to visit his sick bosom buddy, was chatting animatedly with Ukitake.
"Have you heard, Ukitake? Shin'o Academy produced an incredible genius. Only eighty years old, yet already achieved Lieutenant-level Reiatsu." Kyoraku said lazily.
"Oh? That's much more impressive than we were back then." Ukitake exclaimed in amazement.
Kyoraku and Ukitake were among the very few in Shin'o Academy's history who achieved 9th-level Reiatsu during their entrance exams. As a result, they were taken as disciples by Yamamoto. They never imagined someone could have even more monstrous talent than theirs, and at a much younger age than when they took the exam.
Since many teachers and other candidates witnessed Toshiro's test, the news spread rapidly, shocking the entire Soul Society.