Chapter 14: The Captain’s Inspection

In their first year, Momori Hinasaki and Itsuru Kira were assigned to the organization department under Shuhei Hisagi.

No one had a clear understanding of the specific functions of each student council division, so there were no objections; everyone just hoped to do their jobs well in the future.

Rukia’s name was called last.

“Rukia, you will serve as the assistant to the student council president.”

Assistant to the student council president?

Many were surprised upon hearing this—was there such a position?

But soon, some showed envy.

To these first-year students, the student council president was a significant figure, likely on the same level as the instructors at the Spiritual Arts Academy. Being close to him was naturally considered a privilege.

Rukia herself was somewhat bewildered; she didn’t understand what made her special among all the freshmen to be given such a role.

She didn’t particularly like being singled out; the various glances from those around her made her feel a great deal of pressure, even anxiety.

Since Renji had been eliminated in the first round of student council selections, Rukia had lost much of her interest in the student council. It wasn’t something she had to join at all costs; if not for Renji’s encouragement, she might have already given up.

However, Momori Hinasaki gently tugged her sleeve from beside her, looking excited.

Rukia steadied her flustered emotions and responded with a firm, “Yes.”

After assigning each freshman to their department, the new students were taken away by their respective department heads or senior students for individual discussions.

Rukia stayed alone in the office.

Shin looked at the young girl before him and calmly asked, “You don’t seem very pleased with this arrangement, do you?”

Rukia quickly replied, “No! It’s just... I don’t think I’m capable of handling such an important position.”

Shin smiled faintly. “It’s only an assistant to the student council president, not a very important role. If you don’t want it, I can find someone else to swap with you. I don’t like forcing people to do things they dislike.”

Rukia’s thoughts raced. She felt it would be very rude to decline outright, so she said, “You’ve misunderstood... I, I’ll do my best!”

Shin encouraged her with a smile. “I told you, it’s not that important a position. You should have more confidence. Even if it were a very important role, how would you know you’re not up to it? Spend a couple of days getting used to it, and it’ll be fine.”

At least the president seemed very kind…

Rukia thought to herself.

“Y-Yes, President!” she replied.

“Well then, you should head back. Don’t you have classes this morning?”

---

After binding the Death God’s Wedge to Rukia, Shin felt some regret. He hadn’t known the “Second Death God’s Wedge” could be activated. He had expected that, as the heroine of the original Death God story, Rukia would receive a higher reward than others.

But Rukia was not an easy person to conquer.

By comparison, Momori Hinasaki was much simpler.

But now that they had come this far, regretting it was pointless; they would just have to take it step by step.

With both Rukia and Momori before him, Shin’s strength was bound to soar rapidly once more.

After leaving the student council president’s office, Rukia exhaled in relief and noticed Momori standing at the end of the corridor, seemingly waiting for her.

“Rukia!” Momori called out cheerfully, waving.

“How did it go?” she asked eagerly as Rukia approached.

“What do you mean, how did it go?”

“You’re the president’s assistant now. You’ll be able to stay by his side often,” Momori said excitedly.

Rukia was worried about this responsibility and said, “I don’t even know if I can do this job well...”

Momori cheered her on, “You definitely can!”

“I’ll do my best.” Rukia replied, then asked, “What about you? Your department head is Senior Hisagi, right?”

Momori looked somewhat discouraged. “Senior Hisagi is quite stern. The two classmates with me are the same. That Itsuru Kira always has a gloomy expression. It feels pretty dull. Honestly, I envy you, Rukia. The president is a very easygoing person.”

Rukia thought that was true, and then she felt that someone like Momori—with her cheerful personality—was probably more suited to this kind of work.

With that thought, Rukia’s already shaky confidence wavered further.

“Never mind. Once we get familiar with everyone, it’ll be fine. We have to work hard together, Rukia,” Momori comforted herself and encouraged Rukia as well.

During the break, Renji Abarai from Class A came to find Rukia.

She told him about the student council and that she had become the president’s assistant.

“President’s assistant...” Renji scratched his head, feeling that it must be a high position, like a captain’s aide.

Of course, he didn’t know the student council even had a vice president. He wasn’t very familiar with it.

Still, Renji was happy for Rukia. “That’s great, Rukia. Seems like the president knows talent when he sees it!”

“Idiot! I’m not some kind of talent!” Rukia snapped irritably.

Renji quickly corrected himself, “I mean your president has good taste, hahaha!”

“...”

Seeing her friend genuinely happy for her, Rukia’s expression softened considerably.

“Renji, since we both came to the Spiritual Arts Academy with the goal of becoming Death Gods, we should work hard. You especially need to do your best in Class A!”

“Yeah, I know!” Renji raised his fist confidently. “Don’t worry, Rukia. We’ll definitely become incredible Death Gods!”

---

With the student council in place, Shin could now openly skip classes.

Hidetaka Nanda was helpless about this behavior but knew there was nothing more to teach him.

He just advised Shin not to neglect his training. Although Shin’s overall strength was top-tier within the Spiritual Arts Academy, outside it, there were many stronger opponents.

Shin was well aware of this. Even with the system aiding his growth, he made sure to dedicate time daily to training.

However, because of the system’s character information interface, he felt his training progress was slow, nowhere near the rapid improvement he experienced interacting with Rukia and Momori.

“Is the captain coming to inspect the Spiritual Arts Academy?”

Shin suddenly received this news from one of the academy’s instructors.

“Yes, it happens every year. You probably know about it. This year, your student council will be responsible for the reception, mainly leading the captains to visit each first-year class.”

Shin knew this tradition well: shortly after the new semester began, captains from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would come to inspect the academy.

One key reason for this was to let the freshmen witness the captains firsthand, inspiring them to aspire to join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

“So, which captain is coming this year?”

“Oh, it’s Captain Sosuke Aizen of the Fifth Division.”