Chapter 4: First Steps in the Academy

Asta could hardly contain his excitement as he stepped through the towering gates of the Shin'ō Academy. The massive campus sprawled before him, its pristine white buildings glistening under the sunlight. Rows of Soul Reapers-in-training walked the stone pathways, each wearing a red-and-white uniform distinct from the black Shihakushō of full-fledged Soul Reapers.

"This place is huge!" Asta exclaimed, spinning around to take everything in. "It's even bigger than the Clover Kingdom's capital!"

Kaien chuckled as he followed behind. "Yeah, it's impressive, but don't get too distracted. The instructors here don't go easy on anyone."

Asta pumped his fist. "That's perfect! Tough training means I'll get stronger faster!"

As they entered the registration hall, a strict-looking woman in a Soul Reaper uniform handed them each a form. "Fill this out, then proceed to the orientation area."

Asta looked at the paper and blinked. "…Uh, I don't know half of these words."

Kaien groaned. "You can read, right?"

Asta laughed awkwardly. "Uh… kinda? But what's this thing about 'reiatsu levels' and 'Zanpakutō attunement'?"

Kaien sighed. "Just answer what you can. They'll sort us out during the entrance evaluation."

After some messy scribbling, Asta handed in his form and followed the rest of the recruits into a vast training field. A tall man with a muscular build and a scar across his nose stood at the front, arms crossed as he surveyed the crowd.

"Listen up!" the man barked. "I'm Instructor Fujikawa, and I'll be overseeing your evaluations. The Shin'ō Academy is not a place for weaklings. You'll be tested in combat, spiritual energy control, and swordsmanship. Fail to meet the standards, and you're out."

Asta nodded eagerly. "Sounds fair!"

Fujikawa's eyes landed on him. "You're the one Renji recommended, huh?" He narrowed his eyes. "I'll be keeping an eye on you."

Asta grinned. "Great! That means I get to prove myself even faster!"

Kaien whispered, "Try not to stand out too much…"

The evaluations began with a simple test—each recruit had to release their reiatsu (spiritual pressure) into a wooden talisman, just like at the entrance gate.

Kaien stepped up first. When he placed his hand on the talisman, it glowed faintly blue.

Fujikawa nodded. "Acceptable."

Then came Asta's turn. He placed his hand on the talisman.

Nothing happened.

The crowd murmured.

Fujikawa frowned. "Are you even trying?"

Asta grinned sheepishly. "Uh… I am trying!" He squeezed the talisman harder, as if that would make a difference.

Still nothing.

A few recruits snickered. "Is this guy a joke?" one whispered.

Fujikawa sighed. "Move along."

Asta scratched his head. "Aw, man… But I know I've got strength! I just gotta prove it another way!"

The next evaluation was swordsmanship. The recruits were given simple wooden practice swords and paired off to spar.

Asta's opponent was a lanky guy with sharp eyes and an arrogant smirk. "You might as well give up now," he said, twirling his practice sword. "No reiatsu means no chance."

Asta grinned. "Guess we'll find out!"

The moment the match started, Asta dashed forward with incredible speed. His opponent barely had time to react before Asta swung his sword with raw strength.

CRACK!

The wooden sword shattered in half.

His opponent's eyes bulged. "W-What the hell?!"

Asta laughed. "Oops! Guess I don't know my own strength!"

Fujikawa's eyebrow twitched. "What… was that?"

Asta rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… I think I need a stronger sword?"

The crowd was silent. Even the recruits who had laughed earlier were now whispering in confusion.

Kaien facepalmed. "Why am I not surprised…"

Fujikawa sighed. "Alright, problem child, let's see how you do in unarmed combat."

Asta brightened. "Oh! Now that's my specialty!"

They led him to a training ring where another instructor waited. This one was a bulky, stone-faced man who cracked his knuckles.

"Alright, kid," the instructor said. "Try to land a hit on me."

Asta nodded. "Got it!"

The moment the match began, Asta vanished—moving so fast he seemed to blur.

The instructor barely had time to react before Asta was already at his side, fist drawn back.

BAM!

The instructor staggered, eyes wide. He had blocked the punch—but just barely.

The crowd gasped.

"Wait, how did he—?!"

"Isn't he supposed to be weak?"

Fujikawa's eyes narrowed. This kid… He has no reiatsu, but his physical abilities are insane.

The instructor straightened, rolling his shoulder. "Not bad, kid. But don't get cocky."

Asta grinned. "I never get cocky! Just excited!"

The instructor smirked. "Alright. Then let's go a few more rounds."

The match continued, but no matter how many times Asta attacked, the instructor could barely hold him back. Asta's raw speed, strength, and instincts were unlike anything the recruits had ever seen.

Fujikawa crossed his arms. "Unorthodox… but effective."

Kaien grinned. "That's Asta for you."

After the evaluations, the recruits were sorted into classes. To no one's surprise, Kaien was placed in a mid-level class. Asta, on the other hand, was put in a special category—his reiatsu was nonexistent, but his combat abilities were off the charts.

As they left the training grounds, Kaien shook his head. "I don't get it, Asta. You can't even use spiritual pressure, but you move like a captain in battle."

Asta shrugged. "Maybe I just trained really, really hard?"

Kaien sighed. "You're something else…"

Before they could continue their conversation, a familiar voice called out.

"Well, well. If it isn't the weird newcomer."

Asta turned to see Renji Abarai leaning against a tree, arms crossed.

Asta grinned. "Renji! You came to see how awesome I did?"

Renji smirked. "I heard you broke a training sword in one swing."

Asta laughed. "Yeah, I might've overdone it."

Renji shook his head. "I'll admit, I didn't think you'd get this far. But don't get ahead of yourself, shorty. The real training starts now."

Asta grinned wider. "Bring it on! I'm gonna be the best Soul Reaper ever!"

Renji chuckled. "We'll see about that."

As the sun set over the academy, Asta clenched his fists, feeling a familiar fire in his heart.

A new world, a new challenge… and a new dream to chase. I'm gonna prove to everyone that I belong here!

To be continued…