For the past half year or so, although Luca had been studying at his own pace...
The classmates in his class rarely had much interaction with the renowned genius.
But since humans are social creatures, Luca didn't put on an arrogant air.
He maintained a polite, superficial relationship with most people.
However, his attitude towards Renji Abarai's trio was slightly different.
After all, being a Soul Reaper was a high-risk job with a significant mortality rate.
Compared to ordinary classmates who could die at any time in battle, Luca naturally preferred to maintain good relations with plot-relevant characters like Renji and his friends, who had a high probability of surviving until the finale.
It saved him from hearing bad news about some "friend" dying inexplicably.
Plus, since all three showed decent talent, other students seemed to tacitly accept that only geniuses like them were qualified to associate with Luca.
Thus, Renji and the others became some of the few friends Luca could actually talk to within the Shin'ō Academy.
But today, when facing the three of them, Luca wasn't as relaxed and casual as before.
After turning around, his expression immediately became serious.
This time, I really can't go without my gadgets...
After all... this World of the Living exercise is where that guy, Aizen, interferes!
Yes, Luca clearly remembered that Renji and his friends' first exercise in the World of the Living was the exact moment Aizen created chaos, then swooped in with Gin Ichimaru to save the day and win hearts.
Although Aizen likely wouldn't let these potential pawns die early, some preparation was necessary.
And...
With me as an added variable this time, the chaos Aizen creates definitely won't be as simple as in the original story!
Luca distinctly recalled Aizen's visit to the Shin'ō Academy with Gin some time ago.
Among a large group of students, Aizen's gaze had locked onto him precisely, and he had nodded with a gentle expression.
At the time, it caused a misunderstanding with Momo Hinamori, who was standing right next to him, practically writing "fangirl" all over her face.
Clearly, due to his widespread reputation as a genius, Aizen had his eyes on him too.
That guy might already be considering the "Treat to dinner, Decapitate, Recruit as a dog" process for me...
Of course, despite his wariness, Luca chose not to run away.
Whether he obediently surrendered or found a chance to sneak off to find Kisuke Urahara in the World of the Living...
Since he already had his Zanpakutō, Luca wasn't overly panicked.
After breakfast, the students of Class 1 gathered at the assembly point, ready to depart for the World of the Living.
"For this test of traveling to the World of the Living and fighting Mock Hollows, the sixth-year students have already set up a barrier in advance. However, even so..."
In front, Shūhei Hisagi, still a sixth-year student, was explaining the rules. But below, Luca was curiously examining the ground beneath his feet.
Wait, why is the assembly point for going to the World of the Living on a roof?
What is this? The duel at the Forbidden City?
While Luca's mind wandered, Shūhei Hisagi suddenly looked his way.
"Next, everyone come up and draw lots. You will be randomly assigned into groups of three!"
"Luca! By the Headmaster's orders, you will be in a solo group this time!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other students immediately looked at Luca.
Many began to whisper among themselves.
However, Luca, the person in question, just paused for a moment before nodding indifferently.
Indeed, for other first-year students who had only been enrolled for half a year, dealing with small Mock Hollows in groups of three was already pushing it. One slip-up could be fatal.
But with his strength, even just the portion he revealed...
No matter which group he joined, the other two members probably wouldn't get any real experience from this simulation.
After all, even Shūhei Hisagi, a top sixth-year student, hadn't mastered Shikai yet. The gap in strength was incomparable.
And in fact, it played out exactly as everyone expected.
Throughout the exercise, not a single Mock Hollow posed any threat to Luca.
Forget Shikai or gadgets; Luca effortlessly dispatched every attacking Mock Hollow with just his sealed Zanpakutō.
Eventually, to avoid killing too many and depriving other students of practice...
Luca simply put away his sword, used Bakudō and Hakuda to capture a Mock Hollow, found a spot, and started studying its anatomy.
The reason he didn't pull out Shinken to give the little cutie a "Read" was because he knew someone was likely watching from the shadows. So, he relied solely on his technical skills for the examination.
"Such a crude mechanical structure? No wonder the output is weak~"
"Oh~ they even left a Reishi emission port? Were they planning to simulate a Cero? But isn't that a move for Menos Grande and above? Giving a trash mob like this Cero capability... wouldn't that hurt the students a bit too much?"
"But this part... is this actual Hollow Reiatsu? They call it a Mock Hollow, but they actually used real Hollow tissue? The Department of Research and Development really plays wild~"
However, just as Luca was enthusiastically fiddling with the dismantled Mock Hollow...
A shrill scream suddenly echoed across the entire training ground from the distance.
Luca's heart tightened, and he looked towards the source of the scream.
Is it here?!
The next instant, Luca waved his hand, destroying all the parts in front of him.
Then he rapidly used Shunpo to rush towards the scream.
When Luca arrived at the scene, he saw a giant Hollow, about ten meters tall, opening its mouth to fire an electric ball at Shūhei Hisagi.
At the Hollow's feet, several sixth-year students lay dead in pools of blood.
Further away, a large number of first-year students were fleeing in panic.
Kyōka Suigetsu? No... Aizen never showed his Shikai to the first years, did he?
Then how did this Hollow hide its presence and sneak in?
Luca pondered this, but seeing the electric ball in the giant Hollow's mouth fully charged and firing, he stopped hesitating. He pulled a capsule from his uniform and threw it with all his might at Shūhei Hisagi in the distance.
The next moment.
The capsule, shot like a bullet, exploded with a bang at Hisagi's feet.
Amidst flashing red light, a rapidly spinning circular shield instantly appeared in front of him.
BOOM—
A massive explosion rang out.
However, the impact was completely blocked by the Enkosen (Circular Shield) Luca had stored in the capsule.
As for Luca himself, he had already flashed above the giant Hollow's head.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"