A thunderous crack exploded from Luca's fingertip.
In the next instant, a brilliant beam of lightning as thick as an arm pierced directly through the massive head of the Hollow in front of him.
Blood evaporated from the intense heat of the lightning the moment it tried to spray out.
In just one encounter, the giant Hollow that had just cut down several sixth-year students was slain by Luca.
Its body didn't even have time to fall before it dissolved into countless Reishi particles and vanished completely.
By the time the smoke from the explosion cleared in front of Shūhei Hisagi's eyes, all he saw was Luca standing in mid-air, slowly retracting his right hand.
At this moment, Hisagi stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time.
Even before this practical exercise, he had overestimated the strength of this new student time and again.
But seeing the giant Hollow that had nearly killed him just moments ago being taken down so effortlessly by a single strike, Hisagi couldn't help but feel a sense of unreality.
However, even more dumbfounded than Hisagi were Renji and the other two, who had returned to help with the resolve to die while other freshmen were fleeing in panic.
Right now, the three of them stopped in their tracks, holding their Asauchi high, unsure whether to sheath them or keep holding them.
Their expressions of determination turned awkward.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Luca spoke calmly from mid-air.
His voice started from a distance, but in the next moment, he had already used Shunpo to appear in front of the four of them.
Hearing this, Shūhei Hisagi's feelings became even more complicated.
He was supposed to be the supervisor and protector, yet here he was...
Shaking his head gently to clear the complex emotions, he turned to look at the bodies of his comrades on the ground. Hisagi forcibly suppressed the rising grief and spoke with a heavy tone.
"Thanks..."
"Since the crisis is resolved, I must recall the other freshmen immediately and return to the Academy to report this as soon as possible."
This practical exercise in the World of the Living had gone horribly wrong. Although there weren't many casualties among the first-year students, the sixth-year leaders had suffered heavy losses.
Right now, Hisagi didn't even know how many of his classmates guarding the perimeter barrier were still alive.
As the leader of this operation, he had to bring the lower-year students and all intelligence related to the incident back to the Academy as intact as possible.
However, just as he spoke, Luca raised his hand to stop him from signaling the recall of the fleeing freshmen.
"Hold on. Going back... might not be that simple..."
As he spoke, Luca drew his Zanpakutō again, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
As the other four, still confused, followed Luca's gaze...
They saw the air in the distance suddenly begin to distort.
Immediately after, from the shadows, over a dozen giant Hollows of various shapes—each no smaller than the one before—emerged silently.
They were clearly positioning themselves to surround the group.
"No... impossible!"
"Th-there are more..."
Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira both stammered in horror.
Momo Hinamori was faring even worse; cold sweat poured down her forehead, and she could barely hold her Asauchi.
In this moment, she even started to regret her decision to return and help.
Luca alone was enough to save Senior Hisagi. Why did I run back here just to die?
Of the four, only Shūhei Hisagi managed to maintain some semblance of calm, but his serious expression also revealed a hint of despair.
In fact, if Luca wasn't standing in front of them right now, they would probably have collapsed to the ground in fear, losing all will to resist.
But unlike the four who had fallen into fear and despair...
Luca, whom they were relying on, looked slightly puzzled.
Wait a minute? Aizen should be trying to make us feel despair so he can swoop in like a god to save the day.
Even if these four are scared witless, Aizen can't seriously think a few small fry like this would trouble me, right?
Or did Aizen just not plan on recruiting me as a fanboy this time?
Despite his doubts, the dozen or so giant Hollows that had just appeared were already charging toward them.
And Aizen and Gin Ichimaru hadn't shown up to wrap things up as Luca expected.
Facing this situation, Luca naturally wouldn't sit still and wait for death.
Since you won't come out, don't blame me for clearing out these trash mobs!
"Plug-in, Shinken!"
With the command, the Zanpakutō in his hand completed its Shikai.
However, Luca didn't attack the distant Hollows directly. Instead, he stabbed Shinken into the ground.
"You guys stay here and don't move!"
As he spoke, he used his sword to quickly draw a complete circle around Renji and the others, whispering an incantation.
"Bakudō #51: Rikutu Kōryō!"
"Luca! Don't be rash!"
Seeing Luca's actions, Renji Abarai immediately tried to step out of the newly formed protective circle to rush to Luca.
But before he could move, Izuru Kira grabbed his arm tightly.
"Don't! We can't get in Luca's way!"
The two behind him were still arguing, but Luca didn't look back at their expressions. taking a step forward, he used Shunpo to appear directly in the middle of the dozen giant Hollows.
BOOM~
BOOM~
Two consecutive explosions rang out.
Without seeing Luca make any move, two Hollows behind him were instantly blasted to pieces by energy erupting from within their bodies.
"Heh~ simple Reiryoku injection and detonation~ effortless and efficient~"
"Hmm~ whatever, why am I explaining this to you monsters~"
Sensing the whistling wind behind him, Luca thrust his sword backward with a reverse grip, perfectly hitting the giant Hollow trying to punch him from behind.
Although Shinken's stab itself caused no physical damage, that didn't mean Luca couldn't add some hurt to it.
If someone slowed down the footage right now, they would see...
Just as the tip of Shinken pierced the massive fist like a dragonfly touching water...
A majestic surge of Reiryoku instantly poured into the giant Hollow's arm along the blade.
Immediately, the Reiryoku began to expand rapidly from the inside.
Distorted bulges appeared all over the giant Hollow's already thick and long arm. Under the stretched, thinning skin, surging blue firelight could be faintly seen.
The next instant.
BOOM—
The familiar explosion of Reiryoku rang out again.
Azure flames of spiritual energy completely broke through the containment.
The giant Hollow that intended to ambush Luca, along with its entire arm and half its body, were turned to ash in the explosion.