"Luke, you understood all the basic theory, right? With your Spiritual Might level, as long as you’re not completely talentless at controlling spiritual power, you should be able to cast Kidō successfully."
Aizen led Luke to an open area. Unlike the other combat courses, Kidō classes were held outdoors. The spells could cause quite a commotion, and many required proper aim. Several targets had been set up nearby for students to practice on.
"It doesn’t sound too difficult. I guess we’ll see how it goes when I try it."
Luke pondered for a moment, then stepped before a target under Aizen’s watchful gaze. He raised his right hand, quietly recited the incantation written in the textbook, and called out, "Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
A streak of white light shot from his hand and struck the target, leaving a scorched mark across its surface.
Luke had successfully cast Kidō on his first attempt, but he was not particularly thrilled. In his eyes, a basic spell like this was nothing special. Now that he had a grasp on how to use soul power—or rather, Reishi—he felt that he could probably cast most low- to mid-level Kidō.
Sure enough, a new entry had appeared in the skills tab of his personal menu: Hadō #4: Byakurai.
Still, Luke felt that Hadō seemed... a little weak.
He glanced at his Soul Source. That single Byakurai had consumed one percent. According to Endspace’s explanation, once an Explorer’s Soul Source fell below ten percent, they would suffer extreme mental fatigue. At zero, they would pass out and remain weakened for some time even after waking.
From a combat cost-effectiveness standpoint, Luke did not think spending his mana bar this way was worth it. Drawing his blade and cutting someone down would probably be more direct.
"As expected of you, Luke. You succeeded on your first try." Aizen smiled. "You seem to think the textbook material is a little too easy. Why not try something slightly more difficult?"
He wanted to see the limits of Luke’s talent.
"Such as?"
They were first-years. Unlike Hakuda and swordsmanship, Kidō had formal textbooks and was taught step by step. The highest-numbered spell in a first-year textbook was only Hadō #12: Fushibi.
Standing beside Luke, Aizen raised a hand toward a target. In a deep, magnetic voice, he began to chant, "O ruler! Mask of flesh and bone, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bear the name of Man! Scorching heat and strife, across the seas, rolling southward—march on! Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
Crimson light flashed in Aizen’s palm. Standing beside him, Luke felt an unbearable wave of heat. As that red glow reached its peak, a blazing projectile tore through the air, leaving a long trail in its wake.
Boom!
The target shattered completely, while flames continued to burn across the post.
That finally caught Luke’s interest. Aizen was still suppressing himself in class, and the Spiritual Pressure he had used just now was certainly no greater than Luke’s own. Yet if that Shakkahō had struck Luke directly, he would be severely wounded even if it did not kill him.
"Luke, do you think you can cast that Kidō?"
Aizen turned toward him. He had deliberately chanted slowly, allowing Luke to sense the flow of his Reishi. It was a demonstration.
Before Luke could answer, a huge hand landed on Aizen’s shoulder. The sky itself seemed to darken.
"Aizen, you should warn everyone before casting such a dangerous Kidō."
Aizen remained composed and shifted slightly to the side. "My apologies, Instructor Tsukabishi. I only wanted Luke to experience the appeal of Kidō."
Tessai Tsukabishi did not press the matter. Instead, he looked at Aizen with a trace of admiration. Many graduates could not cast Shakkahō at all, much less perform it so flawlessly. He was already considering whether to recruit Aizen into the Kidō Corps someday.
Watching Tessai’s subtle expression, Luke could roughly guess what the man was thinking. It felt rather strange. You have no idea that this model student is going to get you exiled to the World of the Living one day.
"Student, I do not recommend that you attempt it," Tessai said, turning to Luke. "Kidō must be studied step by step. Otherwise, accidents are very likely. You should begin with single-digit spells and work your way upward."
Tessai understood the dangers of Kidō better than anyone. Students at Shin'o Academy could be injured—or even killed—during their training.
Compared to Hakuda and swordsmanship classes, Kidō had the highest casualty rate. Every year, there were reckless students who tried high-level spells beyond their capabilities.
If their control failed while constructing a Kidō spell and their spiritual power ran wild, the caster would be the first one hurt.
Take Aizen’s Shakkahō, for example. If it failed, it would explode right in his palm and blast his hand to pieces.
"Instructor, I understand the risks. But I’d like to give it a small try. If it becomes difficult during the initial construction, I’ll stop."
Luke smiled. "Besides, you’re right here."
Tessai frowned. At his level, he certainly could stop Luke before the spell lost control. But he did not want to encourage such dangerous behavior. If Luke tried the same thing while Tessai was not around, he could easily get himself killed.
Still, he had just watched Luke cast Byakurai successfully on his very first attempt. For someone who had only just encountered Kidō, that was nothing short of miraculous. It proved Luke possessed extraordinary talent, and Tessai did not want to crush his enthusiasm while he was so eager to learn.
"Only this once. If you fail, you will study Kidō properly and in order from now on. Otherwise, I will have you expelled from Shin'o Academy."
Tessai’s expression was stern.
Luke knew he meant it—and that he had the authority to make it happen. As the Grand Kidō Chief, getting a first-year expelled from Shin'o Academy would be effortless for him.
Luke calmed his breathing, moved a few steps to the left, and fixed his gaze on another intact target.
"O ruler! Mask of flesh and bone, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bear the name of Man..."
Compared to Aizen, whose chant was spirited and impassioned like a professional recitation, Luke delivered his in a flat, lifeless monotone. There was not a shred of emotion in it.
Yet as he chanted, crimson radiance truly began to gather in his palm. The glow illuminated Luke’s face—and the eyes of both Aizen and Tessai.
"Scorching heat and strife, across the seas, rolling southward—march on. Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
As the chant ended, a blazing shot slightly weaker than Aizen’s streaked through the air and crashed into the target. Amid a thunderous roar, the target was swallowed by flames.
The air fell deathly still. Only the crackling of burning fire remained. After a long moment, the students began drawing sharp breaths.
"Luke... he actually cast Shakkahō?!"
"That’s Hadō #31! Even graduates can’t all cast that, can they?"
"The spell formation is incredibly stable. It’s not that much weaker than Aizen’s just now."
"Is this guy even human? Didn’t they say he was some drifter from Rukongai? Fine, he’s amazing at swordsmanship and Hakuda—but he’s a monster at Kidō too?"
"That talent is ridiculous. Is he good at everything?"
"..."
The students’ chatter did not stop. In the crowd, Yoruichi frowned as she stared toward Luke. She had seen geniuses before, but surely no one could excel at absolutely everything.
She had initially thought Luke was the type of brute who only knew how to fight, and she had been ready to enjoy watching him struggle in Kidō class. Instead, he had cast a spell on his first attempt, then followed it up by casting Shakkahō on his second.
So Kidō was out. But in tomorrow’s Shunpo class, she would definitely win one back.
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