After a week of training, Chijō Kana's Suburi time had finally improved from half an hour to a full hour.
On the first day, she still couldn't hold out for a full hour. Even with the motivation of delicious food, she only lasted ten more minutes.
But that was within Nanatsuki's expectations. He had deliberately exaggerated the training time and raised the goal a little higher to get Kana to hold out longer.
She had now grasped the basics of how to reasonably allocate her Spiritual Pressure.
[You conducted a lesson with your disciple. Calculating rewards…]
[Reward acquired: 40 Sword Skill EXP]
[Bonus reward acquired: 10,000 Kan]
[Your disciple, Chijō Kana, has grasped the basics of Spiritual Pressure Control. Bonus reward granted.]
[Acquired 1,000 Sword Skill EXP]
Now that Kana had grasped the basics of controlling her Spiritual Pressure, the experience feedback doubled—one session could now net Nanatsuki 40 points of Sword Skill EXP.
The teaching sessions and Kana's weekly progress, along with the 1,000 bonus EXP, meant Nanatsuki was close to leveling up his Sword Skill again.
And thanks to the rich girl's sudden burst of generosity, Nanatsuki discovered that in addition to EXP, guiding Kana sometimes came with other bonus rewards.
Kan was the currency used in Soul Society. He had already received a few monetary rewards from Kana, which eased his financial situation considerably.
"That's all for today. From now on, you'll practice Suburi for one hour every day. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you sword techniques," said Nanatsuki.
"Yes, Teacher! I'll go serve the food!" Kana nodded vigorously, set down her flagfish wooden sword, and ran toward the kitchen.
"This girl from the Chijō family is quite interesting. Just a bit of culinary motivation and she's full of energy," said Batsu'unsai, who, with nothing better to do, often sat on the edge of the veranda to watch them train.
"Yeah, sometimes I wonder if the Chijō family even feeds her at all," Nanatsuki chuckled. "But in a way, it's good. With food as motivation, Kana puts in the effort, and her training is actually progressing quite fast."
"She's a good seedling too. It's just a shame she's from the Chijō family. No matter how hard she trains, they won't value her. Not until she truly grows strong," Batsu'unsai said quietly.
"Why's that? Is there something special about the Chijō family?" Nanatsuki raised an eyebrow.
He didn't know much about the Chijō family. From what he recalled in the story, they never even showed up.
"The Chijō clan used to be a noble family known for their skill in Zanjutsu and Kidō, but the later generations became too indulgent. Their combat capabilities declined significantly. For generations now, they haven't produced any combat power at even Seated Officer level. Many clan members can't even achieve Shikai with their Zanpakutō."
Batsu'unsai continued, "However, they found success in another direction—by investing in various industries and amassing great wealth. They replaced 'military strength' with 'financial strength,' using that financial power to expand their business empire and accumulate even more wealth."
"But in Soul Society, if you don't have the strength to match your fortune, you probably won't be able to protect it for long..." Nanatsuki rubbed his chin, unconvinced by the Chijō family's path.
He believed that without corresponding power, they would eventually attract the attention of powerful enemies. And when that time came, their vast fortune might become the very curse that dooms them.
"We still have the Gotei 13, after all..." Batsu'unsai figured that as long as they were under the Gotei 13's protection, Seireitei would remain relatively stable.
"Chicken soup's ready~"
Chijō Kana came over with a tray, and the two stopped their discussion.
Earlier that day, Nanatsuki had gone to the market and found someone selling an old hen—he bought it and made chicken soup.
Many places in Soul Society weren't much different from the living world—there were fields, mountains, forests, and animals.
The only difference was that everything here was made of Reishi, while in the living world, it was composed of Reiatsu Particles.
"How's the taste? I haven't tried it yet," Nanatsuki glanced at the oil stain on Kana's lips and immediately knew she'd sneaked a sip.
"It's delicious!"
…
Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy, Main Lecture Hall.
All the first-years were attending a general education class in the large hall.
"This question is simple. I'd like to invite a student to help answer it." The teacher pointed toward Chijō Kana's seat. "You there, the one nodding—please share your thoughts."
Chijō Kana was nodding like a pecking chick, head bobbing non-stop.
"Hey…"
"Hey!"
In a daze, Kana thought she heard voices calling her from behind.
She didn't respond. Half-asleep, she imagined Katori-sensei cooking chicken soup.
The teacher was a bit nearsighted and didn't notice she was dozing off. He assumed she hadn't realized he was calling her. Glancing at the seating chart taped to the podium, he said, "Chijō Kana, tell us what you think."
Kana was still half-asleep. Only when the girl beside her nudged her with an elbow did she jolt awake.
"The teacher's talking to you!" the girl kindly reminded her.
Wide awake now, Kana didn't hesitate and blurted out, "It's delicious!"
The whole classroom fell into silence.
Then came an explosion of laughter.
The general studies teacher's face darkened. With all his years of experience, he could tell the student had just been dreaming.
"Chijō Kana! Copy this problem one hundred times and turn it in before the next class!"
Kana's face went pale. She looked like she had given up on life.
After class, Muguruma Kensei stopped the dejected Kana in the hallway.
"What do you want? Don't block me—I have to go copy something a hundred times," Kana frowned.
"Hahaha! That's what you get for ignoring me! I called you twice!" Muguruma Kensei laughed heartily.
"Oh, it was you..." Kana finally recognized the silver-haired boy—it was the classmate she'd fought on the first day.
"I'm Muguruma Kensei," he introduced himself.
"Chijō Kana." Kana replied politely.
"I know," Kensei said, trying not to laugh.
"I figured." Kana rolled her eyes. How could he not? After that stunt in class, she was sure the whole year knew who she was now.
"Chijō-san, we didn't get a proper result last time. I heard yesterday that the wooden sword in the dojo was poor quality, which is why yours broke. I don't accept that kind of win. We should have a proper rematch," said Kensei. He had brought two better-quality wooden swords, determined to settle things properly.
Though it wasn't a match he had originally intended to fight, since it happened, he felt it should have a proper conclusion.
Kana's loss due to the poor quality of the sword felt like an unearned victory to him.
"Hah? No way. I'm in a hurry." Kana thought this guy was nuts. That whole thing was over—why was he still chasing a rematch?
She didn't have time to play with him. Besides the punishment writing, she also had to head to Katori-sensei's for training (and food).
Kensei grinned and said confidently:
"Don't worry. I won't waste too much of your time."