The next day.
"These… make it harder to control Reishi… even my Reiatsu feels off…"
Meninas rotated her wrists, a troubled look on her face.
Ever since she'd put on the bracers, it felt like her Reishi gathering ability had been severely restricted — like she'd turned into an ordinary person with no spiritual powers at all.
The bracer-type Reishi tools were crafted overnight by Nanatsuki.
He had even secretly sent an Artificial Body back to the Soul Society to deliver these custom-made devices.
"They block your perception of external Reishi, essentially turning your training into weighted combat." Nanatsuki explained calmly. "To counter the isolation, you'll need to inject Reiatsu at a specific frequency. That trains your control over internal Reiatsu. And if you force your way through the isolation effect, you're also strengthening your Reishi gathering abilities."
For a Quincy, restricting their Reishi gathering was the equivalent of weighted training.
Based on Nanatsuki's tests, Meninas was still a rookie — undertrained and unrefined. She needed to build her foundation properly through this kind of training.
"Weighted training, huh… I heard the elite troops in Silbern do this too!" Meninas beamed with relief. She'd found a great teacher — otherwise, she wouldn't have had access to any of this for a long time.
"The Sternritter recruitment ceremony is in a week. I have to train hard. Even if I can't make it as a Knight, I might still qualify for a post in Silbern!" she said, cheering herself on.
"What's so special about a soldier's post in Silbern?"
Nanatsuki was still new to the Wandenreich, and the inner workings were mostly foreign to him.
All he really knew was that Silbern wasn't exclusively home to Sternritter members.
There were other soldiers there, some of whom held fairly high ranks.
"The Sternritter haven't recruited in ages. But that doesn't include Silbern's officers — they're considered the reserve force of the Sternritter."
Since her teacher was a Quincy from the World of the Living, Meninas took the time to explain more.
"When the Sternritter do recruit, they usually select the strongest soldiers from within Silbern's officer corps. They rarely hold large-scale recruitments like this one. So the best way to join the Sternritter is to rise in rank and become an officer stationed in Silbern."
"This time's ceremony is huge. Lord Haschwalth said that although there aren't many openings, those who perform well in the recruitment event will be granted officer rank directly — and will be stationed in Silbern!"
Her eyes sparkled just thinking about the benefits those officers received.
She knew she wasn't strong enough yet to become a Sternritter Knight. But earning a spot in Silbern felt within reach.
"What kind of test will the ceremony involve?"
Nanatsuki had heard the term "recruitment ceremony" several times now, but no one had given him details.
"In the past, it was always a tournament. Whoever won in the end got honored in a special ceremony," Meninas said. "But this time it's going to be different. They've already announced that it won't be a standard arena match — though what's replacing it hasn't been revealed yet."
"Teacher, you're amazing… Maybe you'll just go straight into the Sternritter ranks!" Meninas said, eyes practically glowing. She'd never met a stronger soldier.
"Well… if it's just fighting other soldiers, I doubt I'll have much trouble."
Nanatsuki couldn't help but find it amusing. At this rate, he'd end up infiltrating the Sternritter directly.
The recruitment ceremony was mandatory for all soldiers — even those who'd just come from the World of the Living. Nanatsuki, wanting to maintain his "Kurosaki Haren" identity, planned to participate as well.
Given his actual strength, this would be like clubbing fish in a barrel.
Even without going all out, he was confident he could beat the rest of the candidates.
"If I can make it into the Sternritter, I'll finally learn Yhwach's current state…"
And if he managed that, his purpose in coming to the Wandenreich would be accomplished — no need to risk exposing himself by interrogating Sōken Ishida.
Just then, two new notifications appeared on his Status Interface:
[Current Training Mission Added: Instruct Meninas McAllon in Enhanced Training (In Progress)]
[Sternritter Recruitment Ceremony Imminent. Upon completion, disciple's performance will determine reward settlement.]
"If you want to make it to Silbern," Nanatsuki said, "then follow the training plan I made for you. Don't neglect combat drills either — I'll take one or two hours every day to personally spar with you."
He reached out and took her hand.
"Feel this Reiatsu frequency. This is the Phase One baseline. Not too difficult."
The bracer tools Nanatsuki had designed were set up in five progressive stages, each tuned to a unique Reiatsu frequency. The idea was to let Meninas gradually acclimate to the difficulty.
His knowledge of Reishi science had come a long way — he now had a far more systematic and scientific method for training disciples.
"Yes, sir!"
Meninas immediately steadied her focus and began sensing the Reiatsu flowing from her teacher's hand.
Under his guidance, her own Reiatsu started circulating in rhythm.
Before long, her energy resonated at the required frequency.
She felt a shift — like something inside her had unlocked.
The external Reishi, previously sealed off, came back under her command.
"This is Phase One. It only suppresses about 20% of your abilities," Nanatsuki explained. "There are five stages total. Each new one adds another 20% in suppression."
"And the further you go, the more complex the frequency. Both controlling your Reiatsu and sensing external Reishi will get harder and harder."
"But once you clear all five phases, your control over Reishi and Reiatsu will improve dramatically."
"Sounds easy enough," Meninas said with a confident nod. "Only 20% suppression. I can still move my Reiatsu just fine."
"Oh? Can you?"
Nanatsuki smiled faintly and let go of her hand.
The effect was immediate — Meninas' abilities were once again sealed by the bracers.
She tried to recall the sensation of his Reiatsu inside her, mimicking its movement.
But her own Reiatsu refused to obey. It crawled through her body like a line of ants.
"You've got to be kidding… 20% is this hard?!"
Her face dropped. It had looked easy — but only because Nanatsuki had been supporting her.
Now, trying on her own, her Reiatsu was sluggish and stubborn.
"Good luck," Nanatsuki said with a chuckle. "You keep practicing — I'm going out to explore."
He could already tell from her internal state that Meninas wouldn't tame her Reiatsu anytime soon, so he decided to use the time to wander the city.
After all, ever since taking Meninas as a disciple and unlocking new missions, Nanatsuki had developed some new expectations for this place.
He wanted to see if there were other Sternritter candidates still waiting to blossom.
In a rundown little supply shop, a blonde girl slouched over the counter, her expression sullen.
Outside the window, kids her age ran past laughing and playing — which only made her scowl deepen.
"So boring…"
She mumbled in frustration.
Day after day, the same routine. She was sick of it.
Technically, all land here belonged to the Empire. If she didn't keep the shop running — the one her parents left her — it would be repossessed.
And she wasn't old enough to enlist as a soldier. She had nowhere else to go.
"How much for the silver capsules?"
Nanatsuki tapped the counter, drawing the girl's attention.
"Two hundred eighty merit each."
She didn't even look up.
"That your idea of customer service?" he laughed. "Not exactly a winning sales pitch."
Then he glanced at her Status Interface:
[Liltotto Lamperd]
[Talent: S-Rank]
[Reishi Gathering: Lv.8]
[Reputation: Stranger]
A golden draw — an S-rank talent!
Nanatsuki had only just left Meninas after setting up her training.
He'd intended to explore casually, see if there were any other Quincy he could take under his wing.
And barely a few steps later — he'd found her, right in this little shop.
Just like Meninas, Liltotto was destined to become a future Sternritter.
But for now, she was just a kid. Her Reishi control was still undeveloped.
"The more I sell, the more merit they take," Liltotto said, resting her chin on the table with a tired sigh.
"They collect taxes here too, huh…"
Nanatsuki raised an eyebrow.
"You from the World of the Living?" she asked, glancing at him now.
"Yeah. Just got here. Still learning the ropes," he replied.
"What's the World of the Living like?"
That piqued her interest — her dull eyes lit up for the first time.
"How should I put it…" Nanatsuki scratched his face. "The Reishi concentration's worse, even in spirit-rich areas. But honestly, it's way more fun."
The Wandenreich might've been built by Quincy, but it was still just a fabricated space. The environment was primitive compared to the World of the Living.
Aside from white buildings and Quincy soldiers, the place only had a handful of plant and animal species capable of absorbing Reishi to survive.
These were also the main source of food.
"What do you mean, 'more fun'?"
Liltotto leaned in, curious.
Nanatsuki raised a finger. Reishi swirled at his fingertip, then solidified.
A tiny model — a miniature world — formed in the air.
"This is the World of the Living," he said, pushing it across the counter.
"It's yours. The Reishi concentration here is high enough — it should last for a while."
The model held rivers, deserts, glaciers, mountains, canyons — all packed into a palm-sized sphere.
"This is the World of the Living?" Her eyes sparkled. She stared at the white parts. "Is that… a glacier?"
"Yep." Nanatsuki chuckled. "That world is huge — and the environment's way more diverse."
"And not just that — the flora and fauna are fascinating."
He snapped his fingers. Tiny animals — deer, lions, elephants, rabbits — took shape in Reishi at his fingertips.
Then, with a flick, he tossed them into the model, where they came alive and started moving.
"I've seen these in books!"
"Thanks!"
Her boring life suddenly felt exciting again. She pulled out a box of silver capsules.
"Here — these are for you!"
"That many?"
Nanatsuki almost laughed. He really was a business genius — a few Reishi tricks, and he'd earned himself a box of high-value capsules.
"Go ahead. Every new soldier gets some in their standard rations. This box has been sitting here gathering dust anyway."
She pushed it toward him — but her eyes never left the model world.
"Then I'll take it."
He pocketed the box. Three capsules inside — not bad at all.
Someone like Meninas wouldn't save that many merits in a month.
"Let's call it even…" Nanatsuki said, pretending to think. "You're not old enough to enlist yet, right? Let me teach you a trick — so you don't get steamrolled when you do."
"You'll teach me something? Really?"
Liltotto finally sat up straight.
She might've been young, but her senses were sharp.
Just from those two little tricks, she knew this stranger was strong — very strong.
"One move. That's the deal."
Nanatsuki raised a single finger with a sly smile.
She hadn't asked to be his disciple — not yet.
So he used this as an excuse to start building a connection. When the time came, taking her in would be natural.
"Alright then… but the patrols come through this area, and the shop has to be watched. Can you teach me here?"
She locked the miniature world in a drawer.
Being trained by a powerful Quincy wasn't something she'd pass up.
"No problem," he nodded. "What can you do so far?"
"Pretty much nothing."
"Do you know Hiryūkyaku?"
"Nope," she said, shaking her head.
"Then I'll teach you that," Nanatsuki said, glancing behind the counter. "Looks like that opens to a courtyard."
"You can practice in the back. I'll watch the store."
"Deal!" she grinned. Whatever he taught, she'd learn.
Nanatsuki stepped behind the counter. Sure enough — there was a small courtyard connecting the house and the shop.
"Pull up a chair."
Liltotto dragged a stool over to the courtyard gate. From there, she could see both the shop and the yard.
"Hiryūkyaku is simple… but not easy to master. First, you need to control airborne Reishi. Gather it beneath your feet…"
He sat down and began teaching her how to move through the air.