Chapter 1: Nice to Meet You, I'm Aizen
"Lord Kisaragi, we can only escort you this far."
In front of the gates of Shin'ō Academy, a young woman dressed in a white kimono and scarlet hakama bid farewell to a reluctant-looking boy.
"From here on, you'll have to walk your own path."
The girl's smile was as bright as a flower, clearly looking forward to what lay ahead.
"Yare yare, Ise Shizune, that's pretty cold," the boy grumbled, pursing his lips. "No matter how you look at it, I'm still your head priest!"
"Yes, yes, Head Priest-sama," Ise Shizune replied indulgently. "But please, during your time at the Academy, absolutely do not cause any more trouble."
"After all, there are students here from upper noble families—even members of the Five Great Noble Clans."
"If you offend them, with our status... we'll probably end up executed at the punishment grounds in no time."
For once, the boy didn't argue back. He simply nodded lightly and smiled.
"I understand, Shizune."
The unusual obedience made Ise Shizune pause for a moment before she smiled warmly, waved goodbye, and left the area around the Academy.
Today was the enrollment day at Shin'ō Academy, and there were many boys and girls like him arriving—some dressed in lavish noble attire.
This was the Soul Society, the world of Shinigami.
His name was Akira Kisaragi, the kannushi (head priest) of the Sakahone Shrine in the rebellious district of Rukongai.
He had lost track of exactly how long it had been since he transmigrated to this world.
The early days of starvation and hardship ended when he joined the shrine. Thanks to his familiarity with the "godly con artist" profession from his previous life, he gradually rose through the ranks until he became the head priest.
Though the Sakahone Shrine consisted of only him and Ise Shizune.
But that didn't diminish his standing in Rukongai.
As the only head priest serving several nearby districts, Akira held considerable influence.
He personally handled ceremonies, exorcisms, prayers, and the like, while Ise Shizune assisted him.
Of course, in truly dangerous situations—bandits, rebels, unrest, or even Hollows sneaking into Rukongai—it fell to Shizune to step in.
After all, Akira had never received any formal training and had no idea how to fight. Even with some natural talent, he couldn't turn it into real combat power.
To prevent these incidents from repeating endlessly, Ise Shizune had thought it over carefully and decided to send him to Shin'ō Academy for proper education.
It might cost the shrine some reputation, but for the future of both the shrine and its priest, she made the call.
Akira, however, had no grand ambitions and no desire to dive into the swirling vortex of trouble that was the Seireitei.
He just wanted to protect his little corner of the world.
In this dangerous place, that dream was downright luxurious.
Still, he believed he had a chance.
Because a year ago, his golden finger had finally arrived.
[Sign-In System]
As the name suggested, he could grow stronger just by signing in every day—far lazier than those "self-discipline" systems that demanded actual effort.
But once he truly understood the system, he realized it was an absolute scam.
Daily sign-ins, monthly sign-ins, yearly sign-ins.
All three were pits in their own way.
Day one: A high-quality broom. Sweeping felt amazingly smooth and efficient.
Day two: Two stone lanterns—perfect for placing at the shrine entrance. Main feature: "Upright illumination."
Day three: A set of premium miko robes. He gave them to Ise Shizune, which boosted her affection quite a bit.
That one was marginally useful.
Subsequent rewards were mostly miscellaneous junk.
Occasionally something improved daily life.
Truly useful items were rare.
Examples included: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's secret-recipe roasted sweet potato, premium konpeitō candy, sweet persimmon mochi, a complete bound volume of the Seireitei Communication...
This went on until his first monthly sign-in.
[First Monthly Sign-In: Success]
[Obtained exclusive title: Reishi Affinity]
[Reishi Affinity: Reishi sees you as a friend and is extremely affectionate toward you. Spiritual power cultivation speed doubled!]
Thanks to this title, Akira began actual training. He still lagged far behind true geniuses, but among ordinary commoners, he was outstanding.
Through hard practice and accumulating sign-in rewards...
On the eve of entering the Academy, his status panel looked relatively impressive.
[Name: Akira Kisaragi]
[Identity: Head Priest of Sakahone Shrine, Rukongai Commoner, First-Year Student at Shin'ō Academy]
[Reiryoku: Lv.10]
[Zanjutsu: Lv.10]
[Hakuda: Lv.10]
[Shunpo: Lv.10]
[Kidō: Lv.10]
[Exclusive Title: Reishi Affinity]
A perfectly balanced all-rounder panel that clearly showed his current strength.
By his calculations, he was roughly equivalent to a standard seated Shinigami officer.
Even though he had forgotten many details of the Bleach world's plot after so long...
He knew full well that seated-officer level was barely above cannon fodder.
And honestly, his strength might still fall short of Ise Shizune's.
Fortunately, this level was more than enough to enter Shin'ō Academy—even landing him in the elite class.
Credit where due: Reishi Affinity carried hard.
As Ise Shizune's figure disappeared completely, Akira gathered his scattered thoughts and turned his gaze to the grand, imposing gates of the Academy.
[Location Sign-In: Shin'ō Academy]
[Obtained exclusive title: Danger Instinct]
[Danger Instinct: You possess an extraordinary innate sensitivity to danger, especially when facing life-threatening crises.]
The sudden acquisition made his senses sharpen dramatically. The world became vividly clear in his perception.
Hidden threats prickled his skin, putting his entire body on high alert.
With his meager strength, the whole world felt hostile.
Until—
A gentle voice came from behind: "Excuse me, are you a new student at the Academy as well?"
Akira turned. Before him stood a boy in the same blue-and-white academy uniform.
A warm, sunshine-like gentle smile, short brown hair with a slight upward curl, brown eyes, and a somewhat frail, slender build that gave an impression of delicacy.
"Yeah, I'm Akira Kisaragi."
Hearing the introduction, the refined and courteous boy curved his lips slightly and spoke softly:
"Nice to meet you. I am Sōsuke... Sōsuke Aizen."