"How... how is that possible?"
"That's an SSS-level rating!"
"It's said that since the founding of the Spiritual Arts Academy, no student has ever been recorded with captain-level Reiatsu—let alone an SSS score!"
Just moments ago, the crowd was still marveling at the strength of Shihouin Yoruichi and Byakuya Kuchiki.
Now, all eyes turned to the brown-haired youth with calm, intelligent eyes behind brown-rimmed glasses—his lips curled in a gentle, spring-like smile.
"Who is that guy with the glasses?"
"His score surpassed both Yoruichi and even young Lord Byakuya!"
"Urahara… this guy's rating beats yours!"
The gazes of Shihouin Yoruichi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Urahara Kisuke locked onto Aizen simultaneously.
Yet, their reactions differed.
Urahara Kisuke studied Aizen for a long moment, then casually shifted his gaze to another youth standing beside him—a black-haired young man who bore a striking resemblance to Aizen, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a refined, approachable smile.
Two similar faces.
One felt like a warm spring breeze.
The other, calmly elegant.
And notably, neither seemed to defer to the other. Their relationship wasn't one of master and servant, but equals.
"An SSS-level student…?"
"To think someone this rare would appear in our generation."
Jūshirō Ukitake, captain of the 13th Division and overseer of this year's admissions, was visibly impressed.
"Aizen Sōsuke, is it?"
"Process his enrollment immediately. Assign him to Class One."
As a captain—and a former student of Yamamoto Genryūsai—Ukitake knew full well how the nobility operated. The appearance of such a rare talent would tempt even the four noble families. If possible, the Gotei 13 needed to bring him in first.
Class One, after all, was a special class reserved for the best of the best—usually the young heirs of noble families or those with exceptional potential.
Like Byakuya Kuchiki.
Like Shihouin Yoruichi.
Though rare, even commoners from Rukongai could be admitted—if they demonstrated the power of a future captain.
"Student Aizen, please come with me."
The examiner who'd evaluated him stood up immediately, abandoning the line of candidates still waiting.
"Sir Examiner, I'd be glad to accompany you," Aizen replied politely. "However, my brother is still waiting in line."
"Could I trouble you to test him first?"
His words were kind—but deep within Aizen's eyes, a glint of coldness flashed.
He was not pleased that the examiner had neglected Aiyan.
"Your… brother?"
The examiner, still stunned by Aizen's overwhelming result, turned back and saw the youth standing quietly behind Aizen.
Refined. Handsome. Calm.
A striking resemblance—both in looks and demeanor.
How could I have overlooked him? the examiner scolded himself.
If even his brother is a once-in-a-century genius, how can I afford to offend either of them?
Forcing a smile, he hurriedly sat back down.
"My apologies, everyone—I failed in my duties."
"Now then, young man, please place your hand on the Reiatsu Crystal so I may begin your test."
He even offered Aiyan a respectful, apologetic smile.
"No worries," Aiyan replied with a mild smile, placing his palm on the crystal orb.
The neglect of ants didn't concern him. Especially when the man had already been marked by Aizen.
In this world, it was far more likely that this examiner would one day be killed by a Menos Grande... or used as raw material for the Hōgyoku.
That was the nature of their relationship.
Rivals.
But also brothers.
"Brother?"
"No wonder they look alike."
"I wonder… how will his score compare to Aizen's?"
Shihouin Yoruichi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and others remained at the scene—curious.
Normally, they wouldn't waste time on a Rukongai commoner.
But Aiyan was different.
Even if his score was poor, being the brother of an SSS-ranked student made him worth watching.
"Don't be nervous. Just focus on injecting your Reiatsu."
"It's okay if you can't fully control it," said Ukitake gently as he stepped forward. "The crystal will read it automatically."
"Thank you."
Aiyan nodded and slowly released his Reiatsu into the orb.
Purple. Blue. Green. Yellow. Orange...
The colors danced as the crystal pulsed with growing intensity.
The crowd's expressions changed with each hue.
Then—
"Red! It's red!"
"No way!"
"Both brothers are monsters! Captain-level… again?!"
The examiner shouted in excitement:
"Aiyan Sōsuke—"
"Reiatsu: Captain-Class…"
CRACK.
The crystal orb shattered.
Thin cracks had appeared all across its surface during the final transition.
Like a fragile spiderweb… it finally exploded—shattering into a mist of glowing shards.
"…!"
Everyone went silent.
And then—
A suffocating pressure swept across the crowd like a tidal wave.
Reiatsu.
Terrifying and unrestrained.
Candidates collapsed instantly.
Some fell to their knees.
Others slumped backward.
Some lay flat on the ground, paralyzed.
Even several examiners were overwhelmed and brought to their knees.
Only a handful still stood.
Among them were Shihouin Yoruichi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Urahara Kisuke—those with noble lineage and immense spiritual power.
A few commoner prodigies barely held on, bracing themselves with shaking arms.
"…The Soul Society birthed a monster," Shihouin Yoruichi murmured, a flicker of thrill in her eyes.
"He's not just strong… he's something else entirely," thought Urahara Kisuke.
The younger brother was terrifying.
But the older one?
He was a calamity.
"…A commoner from Rukongai… stronger than me?" Byakuya Kuchiki's fists tightened as silent resentment flickered in his eyes.
I must not shame the Kuchiki clan.
"…As I expected," Aizen murmured inwardly, looking at Aiyan's back.
You've already surpassed me, Brother…
He had initially intended to hide his full power.
But in the end, he changed his mind—just to see the difference between them.
That clarity was worth a little exposure.
Better to reveal… than to remain unseen.
"What kind of Reiatsu is this…?"
"It feels like a mountain is pressing down on my entire body…"
"Is he really from Rukongai? Not a hidden heir of one of the noble clans?!"
As the dust settled, every eye in the plaza was filled with awe.
All of it focused on one man:
Aiyan.