"Hao, did you understand the basic theory?"
"With your spiritual pressure level, as long as you're not completely talentless at controlling spiritual power, you should be able to cast Kido successfully."
Aizen led Hao to an open area. Unlike other combat classes, Kido practice could get loud and chaotic. Many Kido spells also required aiming, so the class was held outdoors, with several targets set up nearby for practice.
"It doesn't sound difficult," Hao murmured. "Guess we'll see how it goes in practice."
Under Aizen's watchful eye, Hao stepped up to a target, raised his right hand, and quietly recited the incantation written in the textbook:
"Hadō #4 – Byakurai!" (White Lightning)
A streak of white light burst from his hand and struck the distant target, leaving black scorch marks on its surface.
It was a clean success on the first try.
But Hao didn't look particularly pleased. To him, this basic spell wasn't all that challenging. Once he grasped the method of channeling soul energy—more precisely, reiryoku—he felt confident he could handle most low- to mid-tier Kido spells.
He glanced at his personal menu, where a new skill had already appeared: Hadō #4: Byakurai — now officially listed as one of his acquired abilities.
Still… Hao couldn't help but feel that Hadō seemed a bit weak.
He checked his Soul Source stat. That single casting of Byakurai had consumed 1% of it.
According to the system's explanation, if Soul Source dropped below 10%, the explorer would experience extreme mental fatigue. If it hit 0%, they would black out and remain weakened for a while even after waking.
From a combat efficiency standpoint, Hao found this method of spending "mana" somewhat wasteful.
Honestly, just swinging a sword might deliver more straightforward results.
"Impressive as always, Hao," Aizen said with a smile. "Succeeded on your first try. Looks like the textbook material's a little too easy for you. Want to try something a bit more advanced?"
"Oh? Like what?" Hao raised a brow.
They were still just first-years, after all.
Unlike Hakuda or Zanjutsu, Kido was taught via standardized textbooks, progressing step by step.
The most advanced Kido listed in a first-year's book was Hadō #12 – Fushibi (Ambush Flame).
Standing beside Hao, Aizen raised his hand toward one of the targets.
His deep, magnetic voice began to chant:
"O sovereign who reigns! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, fluttering wings—named by man!
Scorched heat and conflict, over the seas, surge southward—step forward! Hadō #31 – Shakkahō!" (Red Flame Cannon)
Scarlet light gathered in Aizen's palm.
Hao, standing nearby, could feel the searing heat.
When the crimson glow reached its peak, a burning red fireball shot through the air, leaving a blazing trail behind it—
Boom!
The target exploded completely, reduced to ashes. Flames licked at the base where the post once stood.
Watching the scene, Hao's interest stirred a little.
Even while holding back in class, Aizen still used spiritual pressure levels lower than Hao's. Yet that Shakkahō… if it hit him directly, he'd be seriously injured if not outright killed.
"Hao, do you think you can cast that spell?"
Aizen turned to look at him.
He had deliberately chanted slowly so Hao could feel the fluctuations in his reishi—it was meant as a demonstration.
But just as Aizen finished speaking, a large hand clamped down on his shoulder.
The sky seemed to darken.
"Aizen-kun, before casting such dangerous Kido, you should probably warn the class first."
Aizen turned slightly, unfazed.
"Apologies, Tessai-sensei. I only wanted Hao to witness the beauty of Kido firsthand."
Tessai Tsukabishi didn't press the issue further.
He just gave Aizen a thoughtful look—one tinged with admiration.
Even among graduates, few could cast Shakkahō successfully, and even fewer could do it so perfectly.
Tessai was already considering whether he should recruit Aizen into the Kido Corps in the future.
Hao noticed the subtle shift in Tessai Tsukabishi's expression and could more or less guess what the man was thinking.
It felt a bit odd, though.
You probably don't realize yet... that you'll end up exiled to the Human World in the future—all because of this so-called model student standing in front of you.
"Student, I don't recommend you try it," Tessai said seriously. "Kido must be learned gradually. If you rush ahead, it's easy to lose control and get hurt. You should start by mastering single-digit Hadō first."
He turned to Hao again, knowing better than anyone the dangers of Kido. Injuries and even deaths weren't uncommon during Shino Academy's advanced Kido training.
And compared to courses like Hakuda or Zanjutsu, the Kido class had the highest casualty rate—because every year, there were always reckless students trying to cast advanced Kido way beyond their capabilities.
If one's control faltered while forming a Kido spell, and their spiritual energy lost control, the first to suffer would be the caster themselves.
Take Aizen's Shakkahō for example—if it had failed to form properly, it would've exploded in his palm and torn his hand to shreds.
"Sensei, I understand the risks," Hao said with a smile.
"But I'd like to give it a light attempt. If I feel resistance while forming it, I'll stop right away."
"Besides, you're right here watching me, aren't you?"
Tessai frowned slightly.
Of course, with his skill level, he could intervene the moment Hao started to lose control.
But he didn't want to encourage such dangerous behavior.
What if he wasn't around next time, and Hao tried this on his own? That could very well end in death.
Still, Tessai had seen Hao successfully cast Byakurai on his very first try.
For a beginner, that was nothing short of a miracle—proof that Hao had exceptional natural talent.
And clearly, Hao was now deeply interested in Kido.
Tessai didn't want to crush that momentum completely.
"Just this once," he said gravely.
"If you fail, you'll follow the proper progression from now on. Otherwise, I'll have you expelled from Shino Academy."
His tone was serious.
Hao knew Tessai meant it—and that he had the authority to carry it out.
As Head of the Kido Corps, it would be effortless for him to remove a freshman from the Academy.
Taking a deep breath, Hao steadied himself and stepped a few paces to the left, facing another untouched target.
"O sovereign who reigns… Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, fluttering wings—named by man…"
Unlike Aizen's rich, sonorous recitation—which was practically a dramatic performance—Hao's chanting sounded flat and emotionless, like someone reading a script.
There was no flair or passion at all.
Yet even so, as his chant continued, a crimson glow actually began to form in his palm.
The red light illuminated Hao's face—and reflected in Aizen and Tessai's eyes.
"Scorched heat and conflict, over the seas, surge southward—step forward!
Hadō #31 – Shakkahō."
As the incantation ended, a blaze of red shot through the air—slightly less intense than Aizen's earlier version—but it still struck the target with force.
BOOM.
The target was engulfed in flames.
Only the crackling of fire broke the stunned silence.
After a few long seconds, the murmurs started.
"Did… did Hao really just cast Shakkahō?"
"That's Hadō #31! Even graduates can't always pull it off!"
"It looked fully formed to me—honestly, not much weaker than Aizen's version."
"Is this guy even human? Wasn't he supposed to be just a street kid from Rukongai?
Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and now Kido? He's busted at everything!"
"That talent's terrifying. Is he some kind of all-round genius?"
"…"
The class was buzzing with disbelief.
In the crowd, Yoruichi furrowed her brows as she stared in Hao's direction.
She'd seen plenty of geniuses before—but surely no one could be this good at everything?
She had assumed Hao was just a meathead—strong in brute force but sure to flop in Kido class.
She'd even been looking forward to seeing him make a fool of himself.
But not only had he nailed his first spell on the first try, he'd immediately followed up by casting Shakkahō.
Okay, maybe I lost today… but tomorrow's Shunpo class?
I'm taking that win back.
°°°
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