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"Come on my little protégé. You will be late at this rate. Today is the day you take your entrance exam for the Academy."
Hezza jogged to keep up with the shorter Captain. Which was proving to be slightly difficult. The silk kimono was restricting her movements. She was sure that they had tied things extra tight just because they could. Isane and Unohana have given her frighteningly matching smiles as they forced her to sit down on a stool early this morning.
"Yes Captain!"
Retsu had worked her to the bone the past few weeks. She drilled each and every bone and muscle and system that made the body tick. Hezza had meditated for hours and grown the icy cold feeling in the pit of her stomach. She recited those weird sentences every day. All day. Starting over if she messed up. History of the Seireitei and the abilities of the current Captains and Lieutenants were memorized, and questions were asked constantly.
There were a few things they didn't touch on. Wielding a sword for one. Retsu told her that portion of being a Shinigami might have to take a back seat. And she would learn the basics of Zanjutsu in the Academy of course. So why waste time on it right now? The same went for fighting. The medic wasn't too concerned about that either. Although she was given a crash course in Shunpo. Running laps around the Seireitei on 'important' errands for Retsu that she was just /much/ too busy to do herself.
During her flash step training, Hezza realized that she had unconsciously performed it while trying to get away from the group of Hollows. Those demonic beasts that almost killed her as soon as she got to the Soul Society. But it wasn't just that she would be eaten. No. She would never be able to reincarnate if she was eaten. It put a healthy fear of them in her heart after that lesson. As if death hadn't scared her enough in the Human World.
They walked side-by-side into the Academy grounds now the Retsu had slowed down her fast walk. Hezza stayed close to the Captain, not wanting to get lost. Hovering just behind her elbow. While there were thousands flooding past the gates, most gave the two a wide berth. It seemed the presence of the 4th Captain that repelled them. No one seemed to want to piss her off by bumping into her.
Retsu calmly strolled to the registration booth. Held head high with an easy smile. Ignoring everyone around her.
"Ah! Captain Retsu!" The old woman behind the table smiled and waved her over. "It's so good to see you outside of the ward."
"Nanaka, hello. How are your joints doing today?"
The frail looking lady chuckled. Waving off her concern.
"As good as ever. Now. You have someone you want to get registered?"
The captain stepped to the side, allowing Hezza to step forward.
"Ma'am!" The brunette bowed at the waist before greeting her with a bright smile.
"My! What a cute child you picked up!" She pinched the girl's cheek, giving it a tug. "What's your name, sweetie?"
"Hezza, ma'am."
The Academy employee nodded her head, starting to write down some things on the paper in front of her. The wrinkled hand paused.
"What's your last name dear?"
Retsu sensed her discomfort, stepping forward.
"Put my name, Unohana."
She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Squeezing it once.
"I see. Very well then." She filled in a few more boxes on the application. "And one last thing. I need to see a show of your Reiatsu."
The brunette glanced down to the Captain. Asking for permission. The black-haired woman nodded, removing her hand. Backing away a few steps to allow her space.
Hezza took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She centered herself, reaching into the bottom of her gut. She tugged. Opening the jar where she kept everything. Every single ounce of the Reiryoku thing Retsu kept telling her about. Stuffed to the brim.
At once, it all flowed out in a rush. Pushing everyone away in a three-foot radius. She reeled the energy back, creating humming coat of dark blue arura around her. Hezza gathered the power and forced it back into the container. Effectively cutting it off within a few seconds of releasing it.
"Impressive." Nanaka whistled, stamping her paper with a seal of approval. "Take this paper to the admissions booth over there and they'll get you set up with your test. Welcome to the Shin'ō Academy."
Hezza shivered from the lack of power. She craved to have that feeling unleashed at all times. But she had seen the looks of unease others expressed when it was leaked. Retsu had explained that while it was a nice feeling, others could be very sensitive to it. And if she could not handle that she would be forced to put on suppressers.
"Thank you very much, ma'am. I will work hard."
Nanaka waved them off before calling on the next Academy hopeful.
Hezza glanced over to Retsu who was leading them towards the red booth farther in the Academy grounds. There were less people here. Still enough to form a huge crowd, but not as suffocating as the one before.
"Congratulations on passing the first step Hezza." The young black-haired male gave her a brilliant smile while offering up a stuffed manila folder. "You'll have 60 minutes to complete the entrance exam. After that pass it to the instructor in the room with you. They will let you know your score."
He motioned to a sliding door behind him. Hezza took a nervous glance behind her, looking for Retsu's approval. She simply rose an eyebrow, waving the girl off.
The brunette sighed before stepping through the doors. An older man sat crossed legged behind a low table. There was a twin desk in front of his. A set of pens, pencils, and brushes laid out. His face turned up to her, eyes closed. The pipe in his mouth bobbled up and down as he spoke.
"State your name."
"Unohana Hezza… sir." Her hands clutched the edges of the folder, hovering at the edge of the room.
"Very well. Sit." His right hand made a few circles in the air.
She took the few steps to the pillow on the floor. Her knees dropped to the ground, while her hands placed the folder on the table. The instructor picked it up, cracking the seal.
He hummed to himself. Pipe letting off a sweet smell. Almost like peaches. His mouth opened in the corner; a billowing cloud of smoke escaped. The gnarled fingers traced a few things on the first paper, seeming to read over the instructions.
Hezza kept her mouth in a thin line. No need to talk out of line and annoy him. She waited, watching as he signed a few lines. Her hands gripped onto each other on her lap, thumb working nervous circles around the palm of her other hand.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity, he put a packet face down on her desk. He crossed his arms, right hand coming up to grasp his pipe.
"Alright, young lady. You have 60 minutes to answer all of these questions. No outside help is allowed. Ready?" Hezza nodded, hands hovering over the paper and pencil. "Time starts… now."
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