Bleach: Gazing Mirage

Chapter 13

Yuichi woke up, stretching his arms and taking a deep breath. The sun was shining through the window, signaling the start of a new day. He got out of bed and got dressed, ready for another day of training and classes at the academy. As he entered the academy, he was greeted by the familiar faces of his classmates and instructors.

He headed to his first class of the day, a Kidō lesson taught by Gengorō Ōnabara, the instructor of class #1. Kensei Muguruma, their usual instructor, was away on a mission and would return in a few hours. Due to this, they had a joint class with class #1, and Yuichi spotted Mei, Kira, and a few other familiar faces from the Bleach manga. Yuichi paid close attention to the lesson, taking notes, and practicing the spells as instructed. He had always been interested in Kidō, and this was a rare opportunity to be taught by Gengorō Ōnabara.

After the class, he headed to the lunchroom to grab a quick bite to eat before his next class. There, he ran into Hanatarō and Niko, two of his friends from class #2. They chatted and caught up while they ate, discussing their classes and plans for the day. Yuichi also informed them that he had decided to join the science class, just like Niko.

After lunch, he had a Zanjutsu class taught by Kensei Muguruma. Determined to become a master swordsman, Yuichi did his best. The class was intense and demanding, but Yuichi was determined to improve.

After class, he had some free time before his next class. He headed to the academy's training grounds to practice his sword fighting and Hohō techniques, determined to become stronger.

As he was training, he noticed a familiar figure watching him from the shadows. It was Mei, his mentor and instructor. She had always been a bit of a mystery to him, and he was never quite sure what she was thinking. She was always a bit distant, but she also helped him become stronger, so he didn't mind that her main job was most likely to report his movements to Yoruichi.

He finished his training and headed back to the academy to sign up for an optional class. He had been thinking about it for a while and had decided to sign up for the science class. Niko informed him that the class was taught by Rin Tsubokura, a low-ranking member of the Soul Reaper Research and Development Institute.

As he was signing up for the class, he saw Kira, the young lady who had caught his attention on his first day at the academy. She was also signing up for the class, and they made small talk. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease around her. Kira didn't seem to notice him, and since there was no one around her, she didn't have her usual gentle smile but rather a cold and serious look.

Yuichi didn't approach her and waited until she left before heading to the lab where the extra science class would be held. The instructor, Rin Tsubokura, was a Soul Reaper researcher who oversaw the class and was responsible for spotting potential students. He was a man of average height, with shoulder-length brown hair, part of which was arranged into a small topknot at the front of his head, secured by a red tie. He had small brown eyelashes and wore the standard Shinigami uniform underneath his lab coat.

"Welcome to the science class. I am Rin Tsubokura," he said with a smile as he greeted Yuichi. Yuichi nodded and replied, "Yes, sir, I am looking forward to learning new things and expanding my knowledge."

Rin nodded and responded, "Excellent. We have a lot of exciting experiments and projects planned for this class. I am sure you will find it quite interesting. However, please keep in mind that this class is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication."

Yuichi nodded and agreed, "I understand, sir. I am ready to work hard and give it my all."

Rin smiled, satisfied with Yuichi's response, and said, "Good. Let's get started. Take a seat, and I will give you an overview of what we will be covering in this class."

As the class progressed, Rin Tsubokura provided an overview of the topics they would be covering in the upcoming weeks. He explained that the focus would be on the research and development of new Kidō spells and mod souls, which piqued Yuichi's interest. The prospect of creating and experimenting with new Kidō spells meant gaining new and unpredictable powers, a valuable skill for any Shinigami.

After assigning each student a project, Yuichi found himself paired with Niko. Their task was to alter the Kidō spell Hadō #1. Shō (衝, Thrust) with the goal of improving its power. They were granted access to the lab and all the necessary materials required for their experiments. Since this was an extra class, it was held once a week, giving them ample time to conduct their research and experiments.

Once their assignment was given, Yuichi and Niko decided to work on Hadō #1. Shō, a spell they were already familiar with from their recent class. Niko, having prior experience with the spell, believed it had untapped potential for increased power.

Following their class, Yuichi and Niko made their way to the library to conduct research on improving the spell. They spent hours reading books and scrolls, searching for any relevant information that could aid their project. After gathering some knowledge, they headed back to the lab to put their ideas into practice.

In the lab, Yuichi and Niko sat together, brainstorming ways to enhance the spell's power. Niko suggested focusing on increasing the spell's power instead of its range, which Yuichi agreed with.

"But how can we increase the power?" Yuichi asked, "The incantation is already quite short and straightforward."

Niko shared her insights, "I've been researching ways to control and focus our spiritual energy. It's about channeling more energy into the spell. I've been experimenting with breathing techniques and visualization methods to achieve this."

Intrigued, Yuichi inquired, "Tell me more about those techniques."

Niko explained, "It involves mastering the control and focus of our spiritual energy. It's like tapping into a hidden reserve of power within ourselves. We can try different breathing patterns and visualization methods to concentrate energy into the spell."

With this information in mind, they began experimenting with various methods to channel spiritual energy into the spell more effectively. They tested different incantations, hand gestures, and energy sources, searching for the optimal combination to increase the spell's power.

After several attempts, they found the right incantation: "Let the power of the thrust be amplified, Hadō #1 Shō!" It was more potent than the original spell but not enough to present their findings to Rin Tsubokura. They continued to experiment with different sources and techniques to enhance the spell's energy efficiency, including adjusting incantations, power levels, and casting methods. They even explored different materials to create a more stable energy source.

Weeks of experimentation and rigorous testing eventually paid off. Yuichi and Niko succeeded in significantly increasing the spell's power, creating an improved version they dubbed "Shō 2.0." This new spell was a considerable upgrade from the original Hadō #1. Shō.

The incantation for their improved version was "Erupt, a surge of power. Shō no Kōgeki!" (Funka, chikara no wakidashu. Shō no kōgeki!). It amplified the spell's power by an impressive 50%, a significant achievement.

Proud of their accomplishment, Yuichi and Niko presented their findings to the class, receiving well-deserved praise from Rin Tsubokura.

"Impressive work, both of you," Rin commended as he examined their results. "You've demonstrated dedication and effort in this project. Your new version of the spell is a notable improvement over the original. I'm confident it will be a valuable asset to the Soul Society."

Yuichi and Niko were elated with their success and the prospect of their spell being used in the field. They had gained valuable knowledge and experience in the science class, and their hard work had certainly paid off.