"What was his score?!"
"SSS is already a once-in-a-century level of genius…"
"Is he a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, then?"
Even as most of the crowd lay pinned to the ground by the crushing weight of Lan Yan's spiritual pressure, no one was angry.
They were just… curious.
Curious about the boy who had shattered the spirit orb and flattened nearly everyone around him. Just how high had his rating gone?
"You're Lan Yan, yes?"
"Spiritual Pressure: Captain-level."
"Rating: SSSS."
It was Ukitake Jūshirō who finally came to his senses and announced the result—his voice laced with admiration.
And just like that, he confirmed it: the highest rating in the entire 2,000-year history of Shinō Academy.
"SSSS?!"
"That rating's never been given in the history of the Academy!"
"But I guess it makes sense. That kid—Lan Yan—he hasn't even obtained a Zanpakutō yet, and his spiritual pressure is already beyond a normal captain."
The moment Ukitake declared the score, the plaza exploded with disbelief.
"A genius like this… from Rukongai?!"
"Not even the four noble clans have ever produced someone like that."
"No way…"
Shihouin Yoruichi, Kuchiki Byakuya, and Urahara Kisuke all stared at Lan Yan as though witnessing a star born into existence.
Naturally, his younger brother Aizen remained in the spotlight as well.
But next to Lan Yan's blazing aura, even his brilliance seemed overshadowed.
"Your enrollment is complete," said the examiner. "I'll take you to your dorms."
"After that, the Academy will assign two guides to help you get familiar with the campus."
Having finalized their admission to Class One, the examiner now walked ahead like a subordinate, personally escorting both brothers.
"You did that on purpose," Lan Yan said, strolling calmly.
"I did," Aizen replied without hesitation.
"I thought you'd hide your strength," Lan Yan continued. "Keep your head down. Dazzle everyone at just the right moment."
"I had a plan," Aizen said. "But plans exist to serve me—not the other way around."
"And compared to dazzling the world, seeing you clearly is far more valuable."
"To do that, revealing my hand was worth it."
"You could've just asked," Lan Yan replied, glancing sideways. "Didn't need the theatrics."
"Would I lie if you asked?" Aizen smiled.
"Still, I prefer my way," Lan Yan said.
"Facing you head-on lets me see you for who you are."
"Don't you agree?"
Aizen smiled—but beneath that smile lay unshakable pride.
He was a genius. A universal genius.
Whether it was combat, research, or intellect, he had maxed them all.
If he'd been born like Ichigo Kurosaki—with the azablood of Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy, and Fullbringer flowing through him—he would've surpassed even the Soul King.
Someone like that did not need to feign modesty.
He lived by his code.
And if he wanted to test Lan Yan, he had dozens of ways to do it—ways that wouldn't jeopardize their bond as brothers.
"You've seen me. Now what?" Lan Yan asked.
"Keep pace with you—or surpass you," Aizen answered plainly.
That was how they were.
Each treated the other as both family and rival. Nothing less.
—Facing Aizen's fighting spirit, your swordsmanship feels a slight pressure.
—Through intense refinement, you've broken through your limits and comprehended Sword Pressure.
The system chime echoed softly.
Lan Yan's lips curled.
"You're still the same—prideful and sentimental."
"Well then, if that's how you feel…"
"Don't slack off."
"Because what you saw was just who I was—not who I am."
He let the words linger between them, then moved on.
"Growth, huh?" Aizen mused aloud.
"The current you surpasses your past self…"
"But brother, do you think I'm not the same?"
A smile crossed his face.
Having a brother like this—it was a blessing.
In his original timeline, Aizen had been a genius from the moment he was born.
So gifted that no one could stand beside him.
That loneliness gnawed at him, pushing him to seek someone—anyone—who could walk at the same height.
He never found that person.
At times, he even wished he'd been born ordinary.
And in the end, when Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed Mugetsu and eclipsed him for the first time, he simply… let go.
He didn't evolve any further.
Because deep down, he feared that if he ascended again, he'd lose the one person who had finally reached his level—and return to that endless, suffocating solitude.
But now?
That fear didn't exist.
Because Lan Yan existed.
A brother. A rival. A mirror. Someone who stood beside him—and sometimes, even ahead.
Aizen couldn't have asked for anything more.
Shinō Academy had gained not one but two monstrous geniuses.
One, a once-in-a-century prodigy.
The other was unprecedented in two thousand years.
Word spread fast.
From the noble clans to the Gotei 13, every corner of Seireitei was abuzz.
As Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni heard the news straight from Ukitake's mouth.
"Lan Yan."
"Lan Ran."
"I thought founding Shinō Academy would only yield talents like you and Kyōraku once every few generations."
"Never imagined I'd see two such gifted students at the same time."
"Remarkable. Just like back then… you and Kyōraku."
Listening to the report, Yamamoto's rock-solid heart actually stirred.
A once-in-a-century genius alone was enough to command his attention.
But Lan Yan?
He was something else entirely.
A civilian with no formal training who had shattered the spirit orb with raw spiritual pressure.
That meant his base strength had already passed the six-carriage threshold—surpassing even Love Aikawa's early benchmarks.
"Sensei," Ukitake added with a faint cough, "I'm no match for those two brothers."
"No need to be modest," Yamamoto said. "You and Kyōraku—your abilities are well known to me."
"But those two…"
"They are rare gems."
His tone softened, but it carried a weight few could decipher.
"You're not… thinking of taking them as disciples?" Ukitake asked, surprised.
He knew his teacher too well.
The idea was already in motion.