Chapter 80
"You're kidding... what kind of strength is this?"
Yadōmaru Lisa struggled to her feet, looking at Kaelith Yurei as though he were a monster.
She had heard stories of Kaelith's accomplishments, but she always assumed those stories were embellished.
How could a student with only six months of training at Shin'ō Academy hold his own against two captains purely through strength?
But now, having faced him directly, she realized those stories might actually be true!
The thought that this boy, younger than herself, already possessed captain-level strength made her gasp.
A monster like him—how terrifying would he become if he fully matured?
To witness the growth of such a genius firsthand was, in a way, a privilege.
"Kaelith Yurei, you're strong!"
"But if you think this is enough to win, you're celebrating too early."
"Now, I'll release my Zanpakutō. Be careful!"
With that, she raised her blade, flashing a confident smile.
Kaelith gave her a look of subtle disbelief.
"This sister... you're smiling like it's the coolest thing ever, but... is your Zanpakutō really worth getting excited over?"
Lisa couldn't hear Kaelith's inner thoughts. If she could, she probably wouldn't be smiling so brightly.
**Boom!**
Lisa's spiritual pressure surged, radiating brilliantly.
As she unleashed her power, she shouted:
"Destroy it, Iron Dragonfly!"
With her release command, the white light enveloping her Zanpakutō extended in length.
In an instant, what was once a meter-long blade transformed into a nearly three-meter-long spear.
**Swish! Swish! Whoosh!**
Lisa twirled the spear over her head a few times before lowering it, aiming its tip directly at Kaelith.
"This is my Shikai: Iron Dragonfly!"
She wore an expression of pride as she announced her Zanpakutō's name.
"What's there to be proud of?!"
Kaelith struggled to suppress the urge to comment.
"It has no special ability—it's just turned into a big spear. How is this different from Hōzukimaru?"
"Wait, no—it's worse than Hōzukimaru. At least that can turn into a three-section staff… not that it's particularly useful either."
Although he didn't think much of Lisa's Zanpakutō, since she had released her Shikai, it would feel impolite not to respond in kind.
Kaelith raised his blade, pondering what dramatic release phrase he should improvise this time.
But before he could act, Yamamoto's voice rang out from the platform:
"No need to release your Zanpakutō. Win as you are."
Kaelith frowned slightly, looking up at Yamamoto.
If he didn't know Yamamoto's true strength, he might have suspected this was an imposter.
First, the old man raised the difficulty of his graduation exam. Now he was insisting on such an absurd condition...
Would Yamamoto demand that he slap Lisa in front of everyone after winning?
Meeting Kaelith's dissatisfied gaze, Yamamoto remained impassive.
Behind him, however, Kyōraku Shunsui subtly made a calming gesture toward Kaelith.
Kaelith nearly laughed.
"Kyōraku, Lisa is your vice-captain. Shouldn't you be demanding an explanation from the old man instead of asking me to stay calm?"
Refocusing on the match, Kaelith turned to Lisa.
"Vice-Captain Yadōmaru, your captain just signaled me to hit you as hard as I can."
Lisa, confused, glanced toward the platform.
There, Kyōraku Shunsui quickly hid his hand in his sleeve. Lisa narrowed her eyes.
Kyōraku almost broke into a sweat.
Only after Lisa looked away did he wipe his brow, muttering inwardly.
"This junior of mine is a real troublemaker when it comes to messing with people."
On the field, Lisa readjusted her stance.
"I don't know what nonsense my idiot captain is up to, but he's right about one thing."
"If we're going to fight, then go all out. A good battle should be exhilarating!"
"Second-guessing everything and holding back during a fight—isn't that just acting like a little sissy?"
Well, that's one way to revoke his "man card."
Kaelith Yurei couldn't help but chuckle at the jab.
With a small wave of his blade, he replied, "I get it now. Let's do this!"
"Come on, Vice-Captain Yadōmaru!"
Yadōmaru Lisa assumed a combat stance and smirked. "Just call me Lisa."
"And I'm coming for you, Kaelith!"
As soon as her words fell, she shot forward like an arrow leaving its bowstring.
Despite wielding a massive spear nearly twice her height, her speed wasn't hindered in the slightest.
Her weapon wasn't just about raw power; it also had the ability to disrupt spiritual pressure.
If Kaelith tried to defend with Kido or relied on a burst of spiritual pressure to force her back, that would be her chance to turn the tables!
With a shout, Lisa thrust the spear forcefully at Kaelith's chest.
But instead of meeting her charge, Kaelith's figure flickered, reappearing at the spear's flank in an instant.
Lisa's eyes widened.
Impossible… that speed!
Using Shunpo to evade her spear, Kaelith closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
For a polearm user like Lisa, closing the gap was a death sentence. She was fully aware of her weapon's limitations.
As Kaelith charged in, Lisa swiftly released her grip on the spear, preparing a Kido spell she had been holding in reserve.
"Hado #33: Sōkatsui—"
"Too slow."
Kaelith's blade sliced through the forming blue fireball, shattering it before it could fully manifest.
In the same instant, his left hand clenched into a fist, and with a forward thrust of his arm, he struck Lisa squarely in the chest and abdomen.
"Gah—!!"
Lisa's eyes widened in shock as her feet lifted off the ground. Her body curled reflexively from the impact, and an invisible shockwave rippled through her back before dispersing into the air.
Kaelith slowly withdrew his fist, exhaling deeply.
Lisa's unconscious body crumpled to the ground with a dull thud.
Kaelith reached down to steady her before glancing up at Sasakibe on the platform.
Sasakibe appeared momentarily stunned before clearing his throat and raising his hand.
"Victor: Kaelith Yurei!"
"Shin'ō Academy first-year, Kaelith Yurei, has successfully passed the early graduation examination!"
As the Fourth Division members carried Lisa away, Kaelith turned and left the field without a second thought.
He still couldn't make sense of what Yamamoto was up to.
For all his flaws, the Captain-Commander was usually someone Kaelith respected. Though he had his quirks, Yamamoto was, on the whole, a decent person.
So why had he orchestrated this whole spectacle today?
As Kaelith approached, a sour expression on his face, Aizen raised an amused eyebrow.
"What's wrong? Something got you in a bad mood?"
Kaelith sighed heavily. "Cursed family luck!"
Aizen chuckled. "This is probably just the beginning."
"If my guess is correct, there's an even bigger surprise waiting for you soon."
Kaelith's face stiffened, his mood immediately turning to dread.
----------------------------
T/n We finished top 1!!! Extra chapter coming soon!