With a major concern off his chest, Shimo poured himself even more fully into his studies.
At the Shin'ō Academy, students were required to master the four foundational Shinigami arts: Zanjutsu (swordsmanship), Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat), Hohō (movement techniques), and Kidō (demon arts).
Excluding Hakuda, Shimo had already far surpassed even the instructors in the remaining three disciplines.
This naturally earned him a slew of special privileges.
His daily routine became sharply regimented: zanpakuto meditation, spiritual energy training, Hakuda practice, cultural coursework, and of course, the never-ending mind games with a certain tsundere girl.
In such an ideal life, time passed quickly.
Had it not been for a certain white-robed noble breaking the Academy's rules and barging into his dorm during training, Shimo might never have realized how fast time was flying by.
"Byakuya, what's got you so worked up that you'd rush to the Academy ?"
Shimo looked at the usually stoic Byakuya, and a suspicion crept into his mind.
The man known for his ice-cold demeanor now wore his anxiety like a carved mask—it was etched into every line of his face.
"Hisana's life... can no longer be sustained," Byakuya said bluntly. "I need your help—urgently."
Shimo's brow furrowed. "Even the Royal Guard couldn't do anything?"
Byakuya shot him a strange look and replied in a low voice, "Why do you talk about the Royal Guard like they're as easy to summon as vegetables from the market?"
Shimo laughed it off, clearly avoiding the subject. "It's fine. They were only one option among many."
"Besides, we still have Captain Soi Fon of Second Division… or Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the current Head of the Research and Development Bureau."
Byakuya's expression darkened, his tone even more severe.
"Don't joke about that."
"I would never let someone like Mayuri anywhere near Hisana."
Shimo smacked his lips, nodding helplessly. "Fair. He's a lunatic."
"You really can't predict what he might do."
"Seems like I'll have to go with my last option."
Byakuya clenched his fists, desperation flashing in his eyes.
"You mean... that so-called genius in the Human World?"
"Yeah. If nothing else works, then we'll have no choice but to go to the World of the Living."
Shimo stood up and began tidying his dorm.
Byakuya lowered his head, clearly weighing the pros and cons. After a long moment, he suddenly looked up.
"I'll submit a request to the Captain-Commander for permission to travel to the Human World."
"…What do you think you're doing?" Shimo asked, noticing Byakuya's seriousness.
He tightened his sash and affixed the Kyōraku family's crest to his right arm.
"Obviously, I'm getting ready to head out."
"Don't forget—I'm a top student of the Shin'ō Academy!"
With that statement, something clicked in Byakuya's mind—regulations and procedures flashing through his thoughts.
"You're applying for early graduation?!"
Shimo nodded solemnly.
"There's nothing more the Academy can teach me."
"Graduating ahead of schedule isn't a bad option."
"It's the only way I can officially be dispatched to the Human World."
To graduate from the Academy, one had to pass the Soul Burial Assessment—a test designed to ensure every Shinigami had mastered the fundamental responsibility of performing konsō (soul burial) for wandering spirits.
Only those who passed this test could be recognized as full-fledged graduates.
Byakuya fell silent, lowering his eyes. After a long while, he sighed.
"…Very well. Then I'm counting on you."
In truth, even if Hisana weren't involved, Shimo had already been planning to graduate early.
Two years might not seem long, but for a Shinigami, it was barely more than a brief assignment.
And during that peaceful span, Shimo had quietly completed nearly two full years of Academy life.
He glanced at the system's task panel—the sole remaining objective was the Daily Activity Completion Task, still sitting quietly in place.
"It's time to finish this."
Shimo whispered to himself, resolve firm in his heart.
As for applying for the Soul Burial Assessment early? In the face of a decaying, outdated hierarchy, such things barely counted as problems.
Byakuya left carrying heavy thoughts.
Though he trusted Shimo deeply, that didn't mean he could extend that trust to some unknown figure from the Human World.
Whether or not salvation for Hisana truly existed outside Soul Society… remained a mystery.
Still, for now, it was their only hope.
Without informing Rukia, Shimo left Dorm One on his own.
By then, Byakuya had already submitted the request for Shimo's early graduation to the Academy's leadership.
Why hadn't Kyōraku Shunsui handled it himself?
Shimo had asked, but the response had been classic Shunsui: "It's just a minor matter—take care of it yourself."
Thanks to skipping all the red tape and with the weight of Byakuya's influence behind it, the request sailed through approval.
After all, no matter how noble the Kyōraku family was, the difference between upper nobility and the Four Great Noble Houses was significant.
Shimo arrived at the Senkaimon Gate right on time—only to find a surprising figure waiting for him.
The woman before him wore a standard Shihakushō, her long black hair tied back with a side-swept bang, a pair of refined glasses perched on her high-bridged nose. Her elegant face bore a hint of cheerful amusement.
"Shimo-kun, surprised that I'm the one supervising your Soul Burial Assessment?"
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