Author's Note: This is my attempt at an action scene. I have reviewed this chapter multiple times and researched so much, I hope this is consistent with real life. I hope you like it! Thank you for reading!


The whole way to the Shin'o academy was predominantly silent with only nods and grunts being exchanged. While they traveled, Hikari passed through many unfamiliar districts: towns decorated brightly, safe homes, streets with lights and guards, and children playing around in the streets! Hikari wished his home was as warm as this but knew he couldn't do anything as of right now. He planned to be back later, much later.

He continued on his journey in silence and kept an eye out for any potential danger, which thankfully, there were none. His anxiety grew as they approached the center of the city. The whole trip took nine whole days, but finally they had reached their destination: Shin'o Academy.


Hikari looked up towards the humongous building with large eyes. He was shaking with excitement, a smile adorning his face. With a giant smile, he started his journey to become a full-fledge Shinigami.

Once he entered the academy, he was shown to his new dorm: fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and bathroom. He was also given a new shihakusho, the shinigami's official uniform but the academy version. It was a white kosode with blue-gray stripes down the side of both arms and a hakama of the same blue hue with a circular symbol on the chest, the academy emblem. Hikari unpacked and changed into his new uniform. He stood in front of the mirror, analyzing his new look. He realized that his hair had grown quite a lot, starting to cover his eyes. He grabbed the scissors and started cutting, having done the same many times in the past. After he was done, there was a vast difference. He styled his hair to be short around all sides except the top, allowing him to run his hand through his semi-short hair. His new look consisted of short brown hair with black piercing eyes, a hand resting on his hanging sword. His blue uniform fit well on him, complimenting his slim body. He quickly cleaned up and headed out, wanting to explore the academy.

He roamed the halls, admiring the clean walls and the many smiles. Hikari silently observed the students that passed him, mentally taking note of each and every one of them.

As he was minding his own business, a tall red-haired man approached Hikari. He was tall, nearly a foot taller than himself. He wore a plain white bandanna which unsuccessfully covered his giant tribal tattoos on his forehead. He carried his sword on his hip, the handle wrapped with a red criss-cross design. He also wore the academy uniform.

"Hello new student! My name is Abarai Renji! I'm a fifth year student here at Shin'o and I am a tour guide for the first few days. What's your name?"

His voice had no excitement which he tried covering with loudness, turning some heads to their direction. He extended his hand out, expecting a handshake in return. Hikari examined Abarai carefully, making sure not to miss any underlying true reasoning.

Hikari hesitantly replied, speaking for the first time in ages. "H-Hikari," and accepted the handshake, continuing to eye Abarai warily. Hikari's voice was rough for his age, effected from the prolonged time of staying silent and only grunting in combat. It made him sound a lot older than he actually was.

"We have many facilities which are opened to everyone. We have the cafeteria, multiple classrooms, and of course open areas where you can train or relax with friends. Is there anything else I can interest you in?" Abarai informed loudly, reciting straight through it as if it was read off a note card.

Hikari politely refused, losing interest in the red haired man. He must have been volunteered for this role but maybe he's better at fighting. He can help me improve... For now, I should get some training in before the opening ceremony. He thanked Abarai for his brief guidance and left the dorms, looking for a training area.


Maybe I should've asked that Abarai guy where I could find an empty area to train. After searching every nook and cranny for a place where no casualties could occur, Hikari finally found an empty lot to practice. Hikari went through the motion of his practice routine: his body flowing as if his limbs were attached to puppet strings, his arms following through with his sword, his legs smoothly gliding above the floor. Today, he didn't focus on his swings or strikes but rather the sword itself.

He focused but he didn't feel any change in his body nor sword.

Hikari was so deep in thought, it took him a few minutes before noticing that someone was watching him. He sheathed his sword and spoke to his watcher with courtesy.

"Hello Abarai-senpai. I presume you have something to tell me?"

Abarai looked with awe at Hikari, his jaw hanging slightly ajar. It took a second before Abarai came to his senses and replied "I do. The Introduction Ceremony is about to begin. You should hurry over before they start," Abarai lightheartedly chuckles, recovering from his initial shock.

"Thank you. I'll be heading there now. Until next time, Abarai-senpai," Hikari thanked, beginning to turn away from his training spot. Before he could get any further, he heard a rough voice which stopped him in place. Prove yourself to me. The hair on his arm stood as a chilling wave go over hi. He turned around, looking back questionably towards Abarai.

"Did you say something?"

"Um, no. I did not."

"Must have been my imagination..."


After a tiring three hour introduction ceremony, it ended with the dismissal of the students. Academy teachers sorted the students by class. His current class was the first year's combat class in the courtyard. Many of his classmates were mingling in separate groups, talking loudly and laughing joyfully. Hikari stood off to the side in the shadows, watching other students converse. Hikari continued to keep a zipped mouth, not trusting a single one of his classmates.

Eventually, the combat teacher entered the courtyard, quieting everyone down. He explained the general gist of the many techniques the students would learn through the year, offering to have an all-out spar with a volunteer to showcase those moves. Hikari raised his hand, volunteering to test his his own strength. Hikari walked to the front of the class, obtaining a bamboo sword, known as a shinai, from the weapon rack. Hikari immediately got into a fighting stance: legs shoulder width apart, right leg ahead of the left, both hands gripping the hilt, shoulders squared with his chest. Hikari's ambitious eyes reached his teacher's calm demeanor.

The teacher shuffled towards Hikari, mirroring his own stance. The teacher feigned an attack to the body but quickly raised his sword for an attack to the head. Hikari countered with an upward block, halting the teacher's attack and effectively surprising the teacher. Hikari took advantage of the teacher's moment of amazement as he strikes to the stomach, chest and head, moving so fluidly like the calm waves in the vast ocean. By the time he had finished his combination, the teacher was stuck in shock. The teacher's eyes widen as his legs shook and collapsed, staring at the tip of Hikari's shinai. Hikari withdrew his weapon and offered a hand to the teacher.

"Thank you for the opportunity teacher." Hikari's eyes shined humbly, revealing a respectful smile on his lips. The teacher gracefully took his hand in defeat, knowing very well that Hikari is more than capable of doing more damage. Hikari turned to his classmates and saw their shocked faces. Mutters could be heard from corner to corner, spreading rumors rapidly. Hikari returned his shinai to the weapon rack and walked back to his desk. I'm not totally ignorant. I know my strength and I wish to become stronger. These children need to grow up. When he reached his seat, he put his head down and closed his eyes. He could hear the teacher recovering and starting his first lesson, along with all the whispers. It didn't bother him. Not really.


During break, Hikari roamed the halls in search of how he could switch out of his current combat class and into a more advance one. He walked through the pale, homogeneous halls, turning left and right until he finally found a door labeled "Headmaster". He moved towards the handle, but heard several voices already inside. He recognized the voice belonging to his teacher's and the Headmaster's. He believed it was impolite to interrupt a conversation and eavesdrop so he left, returning a few minutes later. He entered the Headmaster's office, greeting the older man with respect.

"Headmaster-san, I would like to request a more advanced combat class. I have many years of experi-"

"Oh, you just saved me the trouble Hikari-san. Yes, I have already had a discussion with your teacher and I have decided to move you up to the third year's combat class until further notice. Go ahead and go meet your new combat class teacher. You are dismissed," Headmaster interrupted, filling Hikari with relief.

"Thank you Headmaster-san. I will prove to you my worth." Hikari bowed, slightly surprised at the two year jump.


Hikari walked into his third year's combat class, all the students being bigger and more experienced from his last class for obvious reasons. He was introduced to the class, greeted with distaste from the older students. After the introduction, the class paired up with shinais and began sparring.

Hikari was the last to pick up a shinai and came to realize that it was broken from the middle of the blade. He tried swinging the weapon carefully but unfortunately, it didn't hold together and ended up breaking from a single swing. Hikari was too focused on finding a solution that he didn't notice the sun suddenly being blocked.

SMACK

Hikari was suddenly on the floor, clutching his cheek from the stinging sensation. He ferociously looked at his attackers from the corner of his eye, seeing them to be a group of five older boys from his new class.

"What's wrong baby? You can't take the punches? You don't deserve to be here!" One of the boys exclaimed.

I guess they haven't heard what I had done against a teacher. Might as well test my limits here. Hikari stood up from his crouched position, holding his hands in front of him in a fighting stance. He stood straight up, brought his hands up to block both sides of his head, squared his shoulders into his chest, swept his left leg forward, and pulled his head downwards, a glint glancing off his cold black eyes.

"Oh look at this! He wants to fight back. You can't fight against all of us who have the height, weight, and weapon advantage!" The group laughed loudly, starting to attract a large group of people.

"..let's see about that," Hikari whispered, jetting out forward with immense speed. He was able to launch his palm into a bully's chin, effectively stunning him. The other bullies were awestruck at his speed, but quickly regained focus and swung their swords at him, attacking all at once.

Hikari jumped with such strength, almost hovering in the air for a second, before coming back down and snapping two shinais with his heel. He started moving in, delivering rough punches to the chest and finished with a straight punch to the temple, knocking out a bully. One down. He heard a yell from behind him and reflexively brought his back leg up, landing a sinking kick right into the gut of the attacker, causing his eyes to bulge out uncharacteristically. Two down. He received a whack from behind, cursing silently for dropping his guard again. He charged with jaw-dropping speed, punching him in the face with all his might. The punch incited a reassuring crack, dropping the bully like a sack of potatoes. Three down. He faced his fourth opponent holding a shinai, extending out from a more traditional kendo stance. Finally they started to smarten up. I was wondering when I would get a challenge. They stared in standoff, analyzing each other thoroughly, before Hikari burst forward with speed. Hikari on the offense, tried to break the defense of his opponent but only received harsh whacks in retaliation. After several minutes of constant aggression, Hikari stopped his offense, breathing harshly, being left with multiple purple bruises. Where is the teacher? Aren't they going to stop this? …or.. is this a way for me to be evaluated? The Headmaster is cruel. But I should give it my all. I'll give him a show.

Hikari closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, relaying air to his lungs. When he opened his eyes, he realized his opponent took advantage and leaped in, going on the offense. Hikari blocked a head strike with his forearm, slightly crumpling under the strength behind it. He rotated his wrist and grabbed the shinai, pulling it, along with its wielder, towards himself. He shoved his foot in front of incoming body's ankles and swept his leg forwards while his hands continuously pulled the opposite direction, unbalancing the bully and caused him to fall. Hikari followed up with a final elbow to the temple, knocking him unconscious. Four down. Suddenly, he was whacked again on the legs, effectively crushing his legs, sweeping him to the floor. Hikari looked up at his last opponent, staring cockily at the downed child.

"You may have taken out my lackeys, but you won't get me again freak."

Hikari was tired from fighting without his weapon but knew he had to deal with one last bully. He looked up from the ground, seeing the sun outlining his last attacker. His head pulsed from all the harsh whacks, his body crying out from exhaustion, his arms feeling like they're about to fall off. Not yet. If I was back in my old district, I would've died. I can't- NO, I WON'T let this happen!

Hikari sprinted with the last bit of energy, jumping and grabbing hold of the bully's shirt and surprising him by his final burst of energy.

"You wouldn't stand a chance!" Hikari growled with terrifying eyes and headbutted the last one, breaking skin. His teeth rattled against his skull, his eyes threatening to close. His forehead stung of the contact, dripping down blood from the broken skin.

They both fell to the ground, one unconscious, the other barely conscious. Hikari rolled off of the bully, feeling as if gravity increased ten-fold on his tired and aching limbs. I better get a higher combat class if I could defeat these clowns with only my hands.

He heard a few words in the air, strangely seeming similar to his name. He blinked, noticing the darkness crawling into his vision. He turned his head to the side, seeing familiar crimson hair before letting darkness take over him.