As the dust cleared the two were in a dead-lock, nether giving any ground

As the dust cleared the two were in a dead-lock, nether giving any ground. Finally Jack jumped back and attacked again with kidō. "Hadō 69, Flame Forged Spear." instead of the hundreds of small spears this kidō would normally summon, Jack contorted the spiritual energy into one larger spear that he fixated on his sword hilt on top of his blade.

Kyle sneered at the attempt and uses his swords natural abilities to convert the electricity around his sword into a blade as long as Jack's spear. He's probably not expecting this so lets see if this works, Jack thought to himself.

Just as Jack was about to launch the flaming spear at his opponent, he heard Ooinaru Houou's voice echoing inside his head, "Instead of just randomly concentrating your energy try this. Focus your energy into your blade, and release it simultaneously with swinging your sword."

Complying with his new found zanpakutō spirit, he did as it asked. The result was instead of a random release of energy that came with his original plan, the blast was focused into a curved blast of slicing energy that drove the spear at his opponent with 3 times the force of anything he could have mustered before. "This attack is called the Phoenix Cutter. A concentrated swipe of fire spirit." Ooinaru Houou said to the boy.

Despite this effort, Kyle still managed to dodge the blast's deadly hit, but still got his arm mutilated by the grazing edge of the spear. Unfortunately, his sword arm was still fine. But the attack still had its desired effect. Jack could see the fear in Kyle's eyes, even for the instant they were there for an instant.

"YOUR DEAD TWERP." Kyle roared, charging with his sword at full speed. Jack barely managed to parry his cut, but was blind to the punch that followed it in quick succession. Strangely, after recovering from the dizziness, he was completely unharmed besides a jarred head. Kyle on the other hand seemed to be nursing his hand. Covered in burn marks, Jack remarked.

"With me released, your body itself heats up to 400 degrees. His whole hand would have been burnt off if it wasn't for the spiritual energy he surrounded it with." Ooinaru Houou explained from the recesses of Jack's mind. "I'd suggest you finnish this quickly, before that guy goes wild on you."

"Its been fun Kyle, but I have a future awaiting me as a shinigami, and I've waisted to much time on you." Jack smiled as he approached his opponent with his sword held high. He actually was going to win this!

"I'm not done yet twerp!" Kyle screamed as he held his sword straight up. "THUNDER CURRENT!" A field of electricity appeared from his swords many points as he leveled the sword's points (now extended with electricity) with Jacks heart.

Jack's smile disappeared with a more serious look as he dodged the first shot. He could feel himself getting slower as it was taking longer for his brain to transmit signals to the rest of his body.

"He's right. I've got to finish this now." Jack thought as he brought up his sword to take the hit, forcing energy up it at the same time to protect himself from the electrical charge that soon followed. "Wait curved sword . . ." And thats when it hit him how this battle was going to end. By using the curve of his sword, he locked Kyle's sword in between the blade and curve of his, while still keeping him in a deadlock.

"Phoenix," Jack started gathering energy in his sword tip like his spirt had shown him, and with the upward motion of his sword he separated shinigami and zanpakutō. With the downward motion ended the battle.

Resealing and re-seething his sword, he walked back to the battle-prep room while medics brought Kyle back to life (because of the special material used to make the room after you kill someone, the medics can bring them back to life as long as they've been dead for less then 45 seconds).

Jack didn't need the admiration that might come from the crowd for his victory, he just needed the compliments of his two best friends, who were already in the prep room waiting for him. He didn't need much from this, happiness his friends showed at his safety and victory were enough. But it didn't hurt to rub it in their faces.

"I can't believe you thought I'd lose," Jack teased his male best friend, Kira Honulit.

"Well, its not my fault that you were a weakling until about 30 minutes ago." Kira protested. "You couldn't do that again I bet."

"Wanna try me?"

"Well I don't see a threat"

"Yeah, well,"

"Shut up you two!"

"Yes ma'am"

The new voice belonged to Ria Itamana, Jack's other friend. Normally the calm, soft spoken foil to the two boys hot-headed actions, if she thought that they were taking an argument to far she came out of her shell and scared the hell out of her friends.

"Will Battle 1 come to the front?" Kurosaki's amplified voice rung out, cutting their argument short. After all the battles were over, all the battles were over, the competitors would come out and receive their division seat number, and 3 or four captains spoke about their performance. Kira was battle 4, Ria was 8, and Jack was 15.

As they listened to what all the captains have to say about the battle, Kira was getting really nervous and almost wet his pants when they called battle 4. Since they weren't aloud out, only a few things were heard. Some of these were comments like "creative fighting style," and "Interesting use of that kidō," and most notably, "Why didn't you cut him up better during your strike" (one guess who).

Finally there were cheers and Kira walked back. "6th devision, 8th seat."

"Awesome man!" Jack said from his seat.

"Way to go" Ria said getting up and hugging him.

Then more waiting until Ria's turn. More comments. Then Ria came back. "4th devision, 12th seat, vice leader of the 4th relief squad." Ria said smiling.

Kira gave her a hug, well Jack congratulated her, only for more waiting to ensue for his turn. Finally after what, to Jack, was the longest silence of his life Kurosaki's voice called out, "Battle 15." Jack and the newly regenerated Kyle walked out on to the stage.

Kyle's comments were mostly along the lines of good show of strength. Eventually he got 11th division, 7th seat.

Finally Jack came up. 3 captains spoke on his behalf. Captain Abarai of the 5th division said " You showed a great deal of strength and courage in a stressful situation. You didn't give up until you won. I personally nominate you for a senior position.

Next was Captain Kuchiki of the 6th. "You used brains and brawn evenly to a high extent. Your use of kidō, and variation of number 69 was intriguing."

Captain Kurosaki went last. "I'm not going to say much, but I will congradualate the new 5th seat of the 6th division. The only graduate too make a senior position."

He was met with his friends imediate eval upon his return. Ria didn't hug him (not that he expected her to hug someone she wasn't dating) but smiled lovingly.

Jack left the academy grounds that had been a home for him over the years to enter his new dorm in the 6th division barraks that he shared with Kira. At night when he put his sword on his nightside table he could help but say to his spirt "Ooinaru Houou, you gave me the 2nd greatest day of my life."

"I know." He said and I could almost see his smile. "Sleep well young bird."