NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: CHAPTER 12:The Sealed State Place
Two days later, the Spiritual Arts Academy's entrance ceremony commenced right on schedule.
Shiraha emerged from the dormitory, his cane-sheathed Zanpakutō loosely in hand, cutting a solitary figure among the bustling students making their way toward the assembly grounds.
"That's Kuchiki Shiraha, right? I heard he's blind."
"Shhh—watch your mouth! He's a Kuchiki. If you want to die, don't drag me with you."
"Even just standing near him, I feel this crushing sense of pressure… No doubt he's the one who shattered the spiritual power orb."
"..."
Everywhere Shiraha passed, whispers followed. Muted voices buzzed behind his back—some in awe, others in envy, and more still in sheer fear. In just two days, word of his record-breaking entrance had spread through the Academy like wildfire. Among all the freshmen, Shiraha had already earned the distinction of genius, a prodigy who had performed the impossible.
For the first time since the Academy's founding over two millennia ago, a new student had obliterated the spiritual power orb during the Reiatsu test.
Yet despite the gossip, Shiraha remained composed, his steps measured and expression unreadable as he moved across the Academy's courtyard, his blind eyes gazing straight ahead, unaffected by the clamor surrounding him.
Eventually, the entrance ceremony began beneath the soaring banners of the Soul Society's proud institution.
"First, allow me to welcome all incoming students to the Spiritual Arts Academy."
The Dean's voice rang across the plaza, calm and dignified.
"Our Academy was founded over two thousand years ago by Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. Since then, it has produced generations of warriors who have gone on to serve in the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, and the Onmitsukidō."
"Always remember the duty you now inherit—to protect the balance of the Three Worlds and uphold the stability of the Soul Society."
After several traditional speeches from the Academy's senior instructors, it was finally time for class placements to be announced.
As expected, Shiraha was assigned to the "Special Class."
More prestigious than the elite First Class, the Special Class was reserved only for those whose Reiatsu measured at seventh grade and above—students who demonstrated potential beyond conventional Shinigami limits. Yet even within that exalted group, none could match what Shiraha had done. Shattering the spirit orb placed him in a league of his own.
The classroom was silent as he entered. Though desks were unassigned, no one dared take a seat near him. His mere presence sent waves of spiritual pressure through the room, subtle but suffocating.
"Did they really assign him to our class?"
"His Reiatsu... It's unbearable up close..."
"I want to challenge him—but just being near him makes my knees buckle..."
Most couldn't resist sneaking glances in his direction, though few had the courage to meet his gaze—even knowing he couldn't see.
The door opened again, and a tall instructor entered, robes neatly pressed and aura composed.
"Quiet down. After this orientation, we'll proceed to the Sealed State Chamber. Today, you'll each receive your sealed Zanpakutō."
The room immediately erupted into low murmurs. Excitement buzzed in the air.
To be granted a sealed state—the dormant form of a Zanpakutō before Shikai—is a rite of passage all Shinigami undergo. The nameless blade symbolizes both potential and promise. During their time at the Academy, students train with this blank-soul weapon, which becomes the foundation of their Zanpakutō spirit once true resonance is achieved.
All sealed states originate from a single source—crafted by Ōetsu Nimaiya, the creator of Zanpakutō and a member of the Royal Guard. Each blade is a prototype, a blank template awaiting imprint. The wielding soul gradually infuses it with their will, forming the personalized Zanpakutō over time.
Over 6,000 Shinigami currently serve in the Gotei 13, and all began with this same ritual. The Spiritual Arts Academy houses the sealed states in a sacred vault located deep within the campus: the Sealed State Place.
Each year after orientation, all freshmen enter that sanctum and choose their blade.
Those who graduate and join the Gotei retain the blade permanently. Those who fail must return it.
For nobles, however—especially members of the Four Great Houses like the Kuchiki—such blades are ceremonial. They are easily replaced. But Shiraha, despite his noble status, understood this was more than symbolic. It was part of the path.
> Sign-in Task: Register presence at the entrance of the Sealed State Place.
Task Reward: Template Progress +10%
The familiar voice of the system echoed in Shiraha's mind.
"Another sign-in task? This Academy's loaded with opportunities," he muttered under his breath.
In just two days, Shiraha had completed two system objectives, pushing his template progress up by 20%. To put that in perspective, swinging a blade ten thousand times a day for five years would barely yield 1%. Gaining 20% through passive missions would normally require a century's effort.
Led by their instructor, the Special Class proceeded through the Academy's central corridor toward the sacred chamber. Before entry, each student was subjected to rigorous inspections, meant to ensure no concealed weaponry or volatile Reiatsu was brought inside.
The Sealed State Place was considered sacred. Even a slight disturbance could disrupt its stability, as the entire room housed hundreds of slumbering Zanpakutō prototypes.
Finally, the group reached a heavy wooden door lined with reinforced Bakudō seals.
Two Shinigami from the Stealth Force stood at attention, their gazes sharp and unyielding. Nearby, a seated Kidō Corps officer rested with his eyes closed, maintaining the protective barrier's structure.
Without delay, the instructor stepped forward and gave the signal.
"Open the Sealed State."
The Kidō Corps officer stood up and began his chant.
"O wheel of steel, swift as the wind—shine like tempered iron and vanish like the silence of dusk. Uncoil, shield, pierce—open!"
A brilliant white light shot from his hands and surged into the chamber. The air shimmered and warped as hidden seals unraveled.
The illusion dissipated, revealing rows upon rows of blades embedded in stone platforms. Each Zanpakutō gleamed with quiet lethality, cold steel glinting beneath the ambient glow of Kidō light.
"This is the true Sealed State Chamber," the instructor declared. "You have limited time to make your selection. Choose wisely."
"Yes, sir!"
The class responded in unison, their voices filled with anticipation. Without hesitation, the students surged forward, stepping between rows of identical blades to find the one that called to them.
Shiraha moved last. As he approached the entrance, the system triggered once more.
> Sign-in Successful. Task Complete.
Reward: Fujitora's Template +10%
Template Progress: 50%
> Current Abilities:
– Observation Haki (Advanced)
– Armament Haki (Advanced)
– Swordsman-Level Swordsmanship (Complete)
– Exclusive Ability: Gravity Control (Intermediate)
• Exert up to 25x gravitational force across a 30,000-meter radius
• Channel gravity through weapons
• New: Weightlessness Control – negate gravity in specific targets or regions, suspending them midair
The rush of new data hit Shiraha like a storm. Instantly, refined swordsmanship techniques—stances, rhythm shifts, precision strikes—flooded his mind, expanding his mastery.
He stood at the precipice of becoming a great swordsman. Compared to the current captains, his swordsmanship already rivaled the lower-ranked ones. Yet he remained beneath the monstrous standard set by the likes of Unohana Retsu, the First Kenpachi. Only upon achieving swordsmanship perfection could he hope to challenge her domain.
His power was evolving rapidly. Armament Haki now enveloped his entire body, fortifying him far beyond standard Shinigami durability. Observation Haki, while already at an advanced level, felt on the cusp of ascension—its sensitivity to spiritual fluctuations far greater than before. And though his Gravity Fruit ability hadn't changed in nature, the sheer scale of its influence had expanded significantly.
The added weightlessness control, in particular, offered devastating strategic flexibility. To suspend enemies mid-attack, to nullify weight-based momentum, to collapse formations with a thought—this ability redefined battlefield control.
Shiraha took a breath.
Just a little more.
Another system task, another 10%, and his Observation Haki would likely reach the pinnacle. When it did, his awareness of the battlefield would become absolute.
And then—just then—he would begin carving a path not even the Gotei 13 could ignore.