30 - Thirteenth Division
As soon as her graduation was made official, Rumi saw that new choice options for graduation rewards had popped up from the System interface.
[Congratulations for graduating from Shin'o Academy within 100 days and making history. Please choose one of the three options for reward.
Option 1 : Reiryoku level up card (consumable, only applicable until your natural cap)
Option 2 : Talent Enhancement in one of the Zankensoki techniques.
Option 3 : Reiatsu Enhancement.]
Looking at the options, Rumi felt that it was simply evil to make her choose only one option out of the three.
First option was enticing without a doubt. Ever since waking up in Soul Society, Rumi was dissatisfied with her average reiryoku level and had always aimed to level up her reiryoku as soon as possible. In order to level up her reiryoku level, she had spent majority of her time to sleep and store reiryoku as much as she could, all for the sake of getting her reiryoku level higher. So, a level up card for reiryoku was too enticing for her.
But, at the same time, Rumi knew that higher reiryoku wasn't always a deciding factor, instead, reiatsu was. Having higher reiatsu had more chance of becoming powerful in battle than simply having a lot of raw reiryoku. So, in a way, it could be said that reiatsu enhancement was more of a way to become stronger in battle.
Rumi's current reiatsu level was High level and her spirit class was 5. Although she had tried working on it to improve it, it didn't quite go as she expected even with all the boosts she had. So, she figured that her lower overall reiryoku level had been restricting how powerful her reiatsu could get. By that logic, it seemed that levelling up her reiryoku could solve the reiatsu issue again.
Rumi wasn't quite sure what to choose. Until option 2 caught her attention.
Talent enhancement in one of the Zankensoki techniques. It was the same as the reward she got when she entered the academy, except back then, she could choose which of the technique she wanted her talent enhanced in and she ended up choosing Kido. This time, though, it seemed that it would enhance one random talent.
Still, it was very enticing because it would help her break through what her natural talent alone could achieve. While reiryoku level up and reiatsu enhancement were great, she could still achieve them on her own if given enough time. Unless she directly gets something that could help her reiryoku level break through her natural maximum, the talent enhancement was a better option for future growth.
'It seems like I'd be choosing the talent enhancement again. I wonder what talent I'd get...' Rumi thought.
Now that she had reached to a conclusion about how the talent enhancement could be better for future growth, Rumi quickly made her decision.
'System, I'll choose option 2.'
[Understood. Your talent in Hakuda has been enhanced. Your potential in Hakuda has been enhanced upgraded from Hakuda Expert to Hakuda Master.]
'Wait...Hakuda?'
Rumi was a bit surprised to see that the talent enhanced turned out to be Hakuda. It was her least favorite technique and as a result, it was her worst technique out of Zankensoki.
But, what surprised her more was the fact that she naturally had talent to become an expert in Hakuda. Even though she kinda hated the technique, her talent itself hadn't been too bad.
On second thought, Rumi found that it made sense. With how much she slacked off and not pay attention to Hakuda lessons, it wouldn't be too strange to be bad at it. But, Rumi was never that bad at it, despite her lack of real efforts. She had thought Sloth had picked up one or two things about Hakuda through observation but now, it seemed that her natural talent also helped.
Although Rumi wasn't too thrilled about her talent enhancement going to Hakuda, she knew it actually wasn't a loss for her.
Of course, that didn't mean Rumi wasn't disappointed. She would've been more happy to get her Zanjutsu and Hoho talent enhanced, seeing how powerful her Shikai was and how great the potential of Hoho was. But, again, Rumi knew it was random and she couldn't change it now.
'Dang..I still wanna know what my talents for Zanjutsu and Hoho are..I'll be fine if I naturally have potential to get to Master level but if it isn't, that'll be too damn sad..' She thought.
Rumi wanted to know what her talent was in the other two techniques now that she knew what her natural talent was in Kido and Hakuda. She hoped she would at least have one Master level potential, though, because otherwise, it would mean her naturally potential wasn't that good, or monster level talent like other protagonists in Webnovels or anime.
Obviously, who wouldn't want stronger powers and higher potential? Rumi wasn't an exception to this.
Still, Rumi knew her current potential wasn't too bad. She now had two Master level talents in out of four techniques and judging by how fast she was progressing, Rumi could tell that she at least should have Expert level talent in Zanjutsu and Hoho. While it wouldn't be as flashy as having Master level talents in all four techniques, it wasn't too bad either.
For now, Rumi was fine with that.
----------------
"So now that you've graduated, which division of Gotei 13 would you join?" Ounabara asked, as the exam was officially over and Rumi had officially graduated. Rumi broke off of her momentary trance as she was making the choices and thought of Ounabara's question.
The other instructors present were also listening in on the conversation since they were all curious of what Rumi, the lazy genius of the academy, was planning.
Rumi replied with a grin, "I'm joining Thirteenth Division as a Sixth Seat. Actually, I was supposed to go and report to the division after graduation."
"Sixth seat?!" Ounabara was surprised to hear that. Did she have to be that outrageous to get a seated position prior to her actual graduation?
Other instructors were thinking the same thing although no one really spoke it out loud.
"Anyways, thank you Ounabara sensei." Rumi said with a smile, "I know I've been a real pain and that you're very happy to get rid of me."
"..N-no need." Ounabara said with difficulty as he was a bit touched by Rumi's words.
However, just as he was about to say a few emotional words and encouragement for her, Rumi decided to ruin the atmosphere by her next words.
"I'll be sure to visit often so please don't forget me, sensei. Oh, and a kid I taught a few things might join the academy in a few years so when he does, I'll leave him under your care, sensei!"
"W-wait, Fujiwara..what.."
"His name is Hitsugaya Toshiro, he hates when people call him Shiro chan so please don't call him by that name or call him a kid even though he looks like he's six." Rumi continued.
"Fujiwara."
"Hai, sensei?"
"Leave." Ounabara said with a sigh, "Go and report to your division already."
"Sensei, why're you being mean? I was saying goodbye properly before leaving the academy.." Rumi complained as her heartfelt goodbye was interrupted.
"Didn't you say you'd visit later on? Haven't you already given me enough trouble?" Ounabara said, "Please do me a favor and go to your division as quickly as possible."
Rumi sighed, "Ounabara sensei's so heartless...I better teach Shiro chan well."
Ounabara felt his eyebrows twitch, why did she have to make him suffer one last time even after graduation?
Only when Rumi's figure finally disappeared from his sight, Ounanara sighed in relief. He was finally free from Fujiwara Rumi.
It was Thirteenth Division's turn to deal with her now.
--------------
Rumi didn't go to the Thirtrenth Division that day. Since the sun had already set, Rumi figured she would help her friends sneak out of the academy and spend the night drinking with them.
"Damn it, Rumi. I still can't believe you beat me to graduation." Renji said in exasperation after coming out of the academy.
"Really, Fujiwara san, how did you even do that?" Momo also said in envious voice.
"Yeah, I heard people saying you already got into Gotei 13 and even a seated position." Kira said.
"Haha, yep, I would be joining Thirteenth Division of Gotei 13 as Sixth Seat." Rumi confirmed proudly.
"Fujiwara san, that's amazing." Momo said. "You even got a seated position right after graduation.."
"Thanks, Hinamori. As expected, you're the best." Rumi gave Momo a thumbs up as she kept giving her compliments. It fed her ego somewhat and Rumi loved every second of it.
"Now, less talking, more drinking!" Renji said as he held out the sake bottle.
"Someone's jealous." Rumi said with a playful smirk.
Rukia laughed at Renji's red face and Rumi teased the two of them more. It was peaceful and fun, being with her friends, Rumi smiled a little as she enjoyed the moment.
After all, she would be leaving for Thirteenth Division tomorrow and become an official Shinigami. While she would still be able to visit the academy again and hang out with her friends, there was a chance that they might grow apart considering the different circumstances they would be in.
Rumi tried not to think too hard though, she didn't want to sour her mood with future complications much yet. She spent the night drinking with her friends until almost morning.
--------
The next day, Rumi woke up in the afternoon after their late night drinking and because of the need to sleep ten hours, she couldn't get up earlier in the morning. As a result, when Rumi finally got to the Thriteenth Division, it was already almost 3pm.
"Hello, I'm Fujiwara Rumi, reporting to the division now that I've graduated." Rumi followed the procedure Kaien gave her the other day.
"You're supposed to be our new Sixth Seat, I see." The kind woman Shinigami said with a smile, "I'm Shiba Miyako, Third Seat of this Thirteenth Division."
"Pleasure to meet you,.."
"Just call me Lady Miyako like others." Miyako said with a smile. "Now, please follow me to get all the entrance procedures done."
Rumi nodded and followed Miyako. She was glad that she met this kind lady and wasn't really scolded for being late to report to the division.
The procedures weren't that complicated so it was all done in an hour or so. Then, Rumi was asked to wait in a room for her duties be briefed by Lieutenant Kaien and introduce her to the other members of the division.
Meanwhile, there was a small uproar in the barracks of the division.
"Have you heard? There's a new Shinigami joining us today." A member of the Thirteenth Division said to his fellow member.
"Wait, really? It isn't the time of graduation from the academy or the time of exams. Is it a noble who joined?"
"No, I heard that she comes from Rukongai."
"Then how come she joined our Division at this time? It's not even exams time."
"That's the thing, I heard that she was invited to the division after early graduation.."
"Early graduation?"
"Man, you really don't know the news, don't you? Apparently, she graduated from the academy in less than six months and her joining the division was decided before her actual graduation." The Shinigami explained to the other one.
"That doesn't sound fair, we have to try so hard just to graduate and get into Gotei 13, yet..."
"I know, right? Let's go see that new Shinigami with our eyes and see if she's that talented."
"Good idea, let's go."
When they were finally at the room Rumi was in, they saw others peeking and muttering among themselves as well. As they were about to discuss about what they thought, Rumi opened the door suddenly.
"Hi, everyone." She waved her hands and said, "I see that you all are very interested in me."
"..you..Are you the new recruit here?" One guy in particular toughened up and asked. He didn't get why that new girl was talking to them in that tone. She was just a new recruit no matter how talented she was to just come in to the division while the rest of them had to work very hard to be here. The point was she was a newbie and they were all her seniors in this division even if they were all non-seated officers.
"Yep, it's me. Fujiwara Rumi, the new Sixth Seat here." Rumi said with a playful smile. "Nice to meet y'all."
"Six..Sixth seat?" The unfortunate guy to toughen up and act as a strict senior stuttered. He didn't, no, none of them there expected the new recruit to get a seated position upon joining the division. And the seated position had to be sixth seat, not even eleventh to twenty seat that multiple people could hold the rank of. In any way, a sixth seat wasn't someone they, non-seated officers, could offend or teach a few lessons as tough seniors.
Rumi knew what they were thinking, based on their expressions but she didn't care much about these background characters. It was probably normal for them feel envy and a little dislike for her when she achieved something they tried so hars for so effortlessly. After all, it was human nature and Rumi had no problems of what they thought if they didn't make trouble for her.
That said, she did scare them a little just because it was amusing to see them scared out of their wits when she told them her rank.
'Damn, this is so much fun. I wonder how fun it would be to get higher ranks and get to boss more people around.' Rumi thought. The idea was intriguing, to be honest.
"Yo, Fujiwara, you're here." Kaien arrived soon after and then turned to the non-seated officers, "This isn't a show. Leave after introducing yourselves to our new Sixth Seat."
"Yes, yes, sir Kaien." With a bow, they all left quickly.
"Sir Kaien," Rumi addressed Kaien with a smile, "Pleasure to meet you again."
Kaien laughed, "Likewise, Fujiwara. Now that you've officially joined our division, I'll show you around and tell you about your job here."
Then, Rumi followed Kaien as he showed her around the division and explain about different teams and duties. Rumi also learned that Lady Miyako was Kaien's wife and Third Seat of the division.
As Rumi was still new here, Kaien gave her the duty to patrol around her designated area and get used to being an official Shinigami first.
The workload wasn't too huge yet, probably because she was still new to the division but that was exactly what Rumi wanted in her new life as Shinigami.
After all of that, it was already late in the evening so Kaien had Miyako take Rumi to her new living quarters.
The room wasn't too big but it was spacious enough for one person and a small study area. Besides, it was a private one, unlike the academy's dorm room which she had to share with Momo. She would have a decent room to herself and that was already much better than the academy and Rukongai.
"No wonder people in Rukongai dream of being a Shinigami...The difference in living standards is a bit too much." Rumi muttered, feeling glad that she made it to where she was right now. At the same time, she wondered how far she could go in the future.
And that concluded Rumi's first day at the Thirteenth Division. All in all, Rumi was quite pleased with her decision so far.