Mugen and Rei left the cafeteria after eating some food. He felt nervous and impatient for the tests to end. She felt confident and excited for the tests to begin. Two lovers with almost opposite personalities. The walked side by side down the hallway towards the classes where their tests would be held. Both of them walked quiet until Rei broke the silence.
"Hey Mugen, what tests do you have first?" She said.
Mugen stops to reach into his kimono. He pulled out an object from the inside of his kimono. It was a small piece of paper. It had which test Mugen had, the times, and rooms where they would be held. It was given to him the day before by an upperclassman.
"Let's see, according to this I have 'Swordsmanship' first, then Shunpo and then Kidou. After Kidou I have a break to eat then I have Hakuda, 'History of Soul Society' and then finally 'Nature of the Zanpakuto'."
"Mine's totally different, that sucks." She replied. "Oh well, maybe it's for our own good, eh?"
Mugen nods his head and then continues down the hallway. A multitude of thoughts run through his mind. He wonders what will happen if he passes, if he fails, if he makes a mistake and kills someone or, God forbid, dies himself. It feels like a second goes by when they reach the room where he will take his first test.
"Well, this is it, Mugen. Good luck!" Rei says as she turns to go to her own test. Mugen grabs her by her arm and pulls her back to him. Hold her in his arms, and says: "Rei, will you marry me?" Completely caught off-guard, Rei has no response. "I...um...I...Can...Can we talk about this later?" She stammers as she talks. Mugen nods his head and kisses her. She turns and runs off blushing. Refreshed with confidence, Mugen enters the test room.
He joins the line-up of other students. He was in the third line-up. Apparently, when it is your turn, you would step out in front of the class, and spar with the instructor. You are only required to perform basic techniques.
Match after match, Mugen watches as the test ensues. Some of the fights were short, some were long. After each match, the teacher would give the combatants their own grade. It finally came to Mugen's own match. The teacher calls out him. Mugen steps up, nervous on the inside but stoic on the outside.
They each took their stances. His instructor was using the generic stance that each of them taught, a well balanced stance. Mugen's was rigid and better for fiercer attacking but poor in defense. At the word of the instructor, Mugen and the teacher clashed swords. Mugen forced his opponent into a defensive position and attacked relentlessly with vertical slashes. He pushed him back with every swing. But the teacher comes up with a counter and puts Mugen in his own defensive position. The teacher backed him into a corner and he nearly panicked. Mugen swung his sword upwards from his lower side and forced the teacher’s practice sword above his head. Swiftly, Mugen moved his sword to his chest and held it. Panting, Mugen lowers his sword at the sign of the instructor.
"The winner is: Mugen Tsukiakari!" Cried out the instructor. The surrounding classmen clapped. The instructor shook his hand as he did with everyone. "Mr. Tsukiakari, great job. You'd make an excelent Division 11 member. I'll give you an 'A'. You may leave for your next test. Good luck."
As he was excused, Mugen and the teacher bowed in respect and left. Mugen's next test was Shunpo, his weak point. The classroom wasn't very far and he arrived shortly. The room was the same one he and the other students used every day. Like the Swordsmanship test, the instructor lined up the students. Unlike the Swordsmanship test, due to the nature of the test, it took much shorter . It took longer for the teacher to reach Mugen, but she eventually did.
"Now, Mr... Tsukiakari, it's your turn". She leads him to a line where she have him stands totally still. From the line, other lines mark every foot to the other side of the room. "The test requires you to do a standing Flash Step from the point were you are now. You will be graded on the total of two Flash Steps. You may begin when ready."
Mugen inhales. He focuses his spiritual energy to his feet. When he felt ready, Mugen performed the Flash Step. The teacher jots something down on her evaluation papers. Mugen then performs the Flash Step again. The teacher again jots something down on her evaluation papers.
"Well, Mr Tsukiakari, your efforts were *ahem* adequate at best. You had an average total of 13 feet. Poor, but, you still pass my test, congratulations. Good luck on your final exams. You are dismissed."
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