I have learned a lot since writing my Bleach story, I do not want to write an oc that is special. Not blessed with power and uniqueness, someone that earns it all entirely... through effort and skill and training. We have so few of those in anime... I want someone that has to try, has to struggle...
This is what I came up with.
This chapter is pure prologue.
"Are you sure it won't hurt?" Samuel asked, turning to face the odd man in the black robes more fully. With his powerful body, dark skin and sword he looked like a literal god.
The man nodded, kneeling. "Do not worry, there is no suffering or sadness in the Soul Society." He turned his head, to where the Gates of Hell had just been opened, dragging Samuel's abusive father away to the endless depths of misery. "Your father cannot harm you, no one can any longer. Peace awaits you."
Gulping, the boy stepped closer. "What are you?"
"I am a Shinigami, a soul reaper. I help people like you, pluses, pass on to the afterlife...we also slay those like your father, Hallows cursed to misery and evil. if their souls were pure before they were infected, they move onto the Soul Society but those like your father, evil and vile are cursed to hell."
"Can I become a Soul Reaper... I know I'm young, but I like the idea of helping." That he would gain power and become great really only added to Samuel's desire. Who didn't like power?
The man smiled. "Yes, you can actually. Go to the Shinigami Academy and petition to enter. If you have enough Spiritual power and can pass some tests, you can join and in a few years become a Soul Reaper... but do not let it get to you if you fail, not everyone has enough spiritual power to become a Soul Reaper."
The boy beamed. "If you promise you are not lying, I think I'm ready to go."
"I promise... not step closer." Samuel did so and the man plopped the butt of his sword against Samuel's forehead. Light flashed through him, through the world and within moments the boy was no longer in the land of his birth but another one entirely.
:::
"Stupid fucking Soul Reaper, lying to me."
Samuel gritted his teeth, walking barefoot down the painful path to the Shinigami academy. He had been in the damn place for a month, living on his own and barely making it. He was tired all the time, working hard to get food and not beaten by the roaming bandits that filled the Soul Society. He hated it there. There wasn't room in the local orphanage so he couldn't even go there. He had no shoes and he was one of the only people that felt hungry, a sign of spiritual powers or so he was told. It was fucking annoying.
Living in a distant district, it took him about two days to reach the Captial of the Soul Society. The Sereitei they called it. It was his greatest hope to become a Shinigami if only to get enough food to not be starving all the time. Though in truth he also had other goals, beyond the thirst for power, he wanted to... needed to make a difference. The Soul Society was a nightmare. Someone needed to fix it, to make it less of a purgatory and more of an actual paradise. He was determined to do this, at any cost.
After two days of walking, and many close encounters with roaming bandits, the Capital was visible. "I made it!" He called out, seeing a line of hopefuls approaching the Gate. They were mostly children, though a few adults were present. This was why he was there this day, the Soul Society was accepting applicants. he had planned for this, for weeks.
Hurrying, he got in line and waited. About an hour passed before he was able to enter past the Capital's gates and follow an elderly woman towards the Shinigami Academy. Excitement filled him as he did this, though he barely held out hope, not wanting to be crushed if he failed.
Shaking, he entered a large white room with wooden floors. There were several tables with strange blue orbs atop them, each one manned by a Shinigami. Slowly, each child was moved to each table, and Samuel was no exception.
"This is your first and most important test." The lady who led them in said. "We must see if you possess Reitsu, the source of a Shinigami's powers. You will grab the orb in front of you and focus your energies, the orb will do the rest. A barrier will form around you, if you posses any spiritual powers. If you do not, nothing will happen. Your level of control will determine the shape of the orb. You do not need to do much, you are too new, too inexperienced. The Orbs will do the work.
Your next test will be a written exam, to asses your personality, to see if you hold the right mind set to be trusted with our power and training. That is it, that is all you must do. Now... grab the orb and focus your energies, show us your worth."
With shaking hands, Samuel grabbed the orb, feeling a warm hum of power under his fingers. Focusing on the feeling, he let out a long breath, hoping beyond hope that would get into the Academy and cease the endless hunger he felt in his body, mind and soul.
"Haha..." Samuel opened his eyes at the sound, seeing a blonde-haired man looking at him. "You pass kid, barely, your spiritual powers are faint but just enough to get in."
To his amazement, there was a thin orb of energy around Samuel, it was a faint blue and it was incredible to see. " I... di... I DID IT!" He beamed, putting the orb down before stumbling.
The man stopped him from falling. "Using your powers like that for the first time can be hard. How long have you been here?"
"A month... " He said.
"Impressive... very impressive. Now, follow Tsume, the lady that brought you here, with the others and take your personality test. Congratulations kid. I really hope you succeed."
The test, as it turned out, was actually quite extensive... over three hundred questions long, not unlike a civil service exam. To Samuel's pleasure as he would find out about three hours later... ,after waiting in a long hall with a collection of other people...
He passed, with a score of ninety-three.
"I did it... so long hunger... and hello dreams of the future."
Tsume, the woman from earlier, collected him and only a fifth of the previous number. "Congratulations on passing. From this point on you are now Shinigami in training. You will live here, in the dorms. Mastering powerful spells, and devastating skills and become all you can be to protect and serve the Soul Society, the Soul King and the World at Large both living and dead. Be proud of that fact, for so few ever manage all that you have. You are an elite select few." She raised her hands. "Girls, you will go to the Left dorm, boys to the right. All of your needs shall be met, from food to clothing and everything in between."
Even as he was led to his dorm, where he would sleep after his first filling meal in a month, Samuel's smile would never leave his face.
If only he knew how rare that smile would be in decades to come... he might have treasured it longer.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a lot of fun to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
