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" More or less every year they give the everyone is special and this year this looks like a more promiseing batch of students than last years. Then they'll point out students who have made it above and beyond and have them give a speech to us too. " at that point Atticus had put his feet on the seat infront since no one was in it anyway. " As far to what captain gives the speech Im not entirely sure how they decide who does it. More than likely they take turns if not that Im sure theyll surprise us."

Rumors it could very well be that, but still it would be wise not to mention it to too many people untill he met the person it might be. At that moment he felt the same spiritual pressure everyone else must have been feeling. It wouldnt be far too long before the captain of the day would show up.

" Ya know if we play our cards right, we might very well be captains of our class. "

Makoto nodded. "Really, any squad that accepts me is just fine. Squad 11 is probably my best bet, though, since physical attacks are my strongest suit."

When they reached the gathering of students, Makoto greeted them with his usuall warm, airy personality. It seemed to have quite a desirable effect, especially on the Freshmen, since they were so frantic. At the sound of the bell, Makoto continued alongside Tsubame in leading the pack into the main hall. He noted the spiritual pressure of a captain, and took his usual spot standing just inside the doors.

He quickly desended the flight of stairs, heading for the door. Outside it was as usual: perfect weather. In a short time, he came upon the main hall for the commencement ceremonies. This'll probably be the last time I hear this speech. The speech began, dragging on as boring as ever, Yuki matching the words spoken in his mind. They never change this old oratorio will they? Outwardly, he stood at attention, seeming like most of the others listening. Granted, he had to stand on tip-toes to even see above the heads of the other older students, but he could see the captain. The Freshman who took their place in front were most nervous, some seeming as if they would faint. Whether it would be from fright or the captain's spiritual pressure is anybody's guess. The first day is usually light and short, only concerning the liberal arts. They've been known to change this pattern before, so we may have a mix of both or just martial training. Some around him shot odd glances his way, thinking it odd that one who looked so young was in the back (a sign of his 6th-rounder status).

Despite his near miss with the appointed hour, it appears that Charles is on time. A heavy sigh of relief escapes his lips as he wanders closer to the main hall. More than most of them appear to be younger than he is, and that thought weighs heavily upon the new recruit's shoulders. Here in the 'afterlife' age is relative, most appearing as they did when they died. Yet somehow young kids aged and older ones did not. Pondering that oddity, his feet come to a stop and he just marvels at his situation. An old geezer amongst the young pups. Surrounded by those younger, and likely smarter than him, with most comparable fighters and people in the upper classes. An eyesore . . .

Then his attention was brought back to the present by female barking orders. Unlike one of the fellow first-years, he doesn't yelp and run. Instead, he quickens his step and goes into his assigned seating. Surrounded by 'pups', he realized a few things . . . perhaps with a bit of help from his companion blade. Yes, they are younger, faster, and perhaps better.

But he is bigger. Stronger. Wiser. And most importantly, few of them are likely to know their zanpaktou as well as he. None of them have likely achieved shikai. It is a slim advantage, but enough of one to stand out. Kido is his weakness, but if the squads each have a specialty, then there is bound to be a way to catch up to other students his age and stop being this stand-out. Until then, He will stand out as a juggernaut to his classmates.

Nirami's attention drew to the stage as the lights dimmed over the hall, and brightened around the figure of a captain. A smile drew his lips, and then faded as the same speech given the year before was stated this year. Oh well- it was to be expected. He relaxed partially in his seat, still lapping up the words, but in a less awe-captivating way he'd nearly done as a Freshman. The main interesting factor this year was the captain himself, and Homura's reaction to seeing him.

Sure, Nir and Homura weren't exactly the best of buddies- but they were always connected. The flaming armoured lizard was always in the back of the Sophmore's mind, making faces or comments to his every-day things. And right now, the reptillian seemed to be staring at the captain on stage with an intense interest. It struck the coal-eyed male as a little odd, but then again, hearing about this particular captain... The strongest of the water/ice groupings of Zanpakutou, and, if his information was correct, the manifestation was said to be some form of a dragon.

Maybe that's what interested Homura so much? Nir was taking mental notes down about what he observed in the captain, as well as things about his Zanpakutou's manifestation. Maybe his interests would tell him more about him, since the great mass of scales and flames seemed to only want to tell him himself when he was strong enough. That made Nir irritable, at times, and so he strove to figure it all out himself.

" Told you so " was all Atticus could say to Nirami. It was to be expected since he was a 4th rounder. He had become lost in thought after that. Atticus was totally off in another world you could say. The little guy Hitsugaya gave this years speech which ironically he had bumped into him and some girl who was a lieutenant. It happend during a break from the academy while in the 1st Rukongai district. She kept calling him Shiro-chan which was apparntly annoying him. What the two were doing there was beyond him but the only thing that happend was that they mistook him for Cpt. Ukitake from behind.

That really got on his nerves when he was compared to someone and having white hair didn't help much. Atticus could not keep count with how many times other students asked him if he was realated to any of the white haired captains. He knew those 3 by heart not by choice.

Atticus looked quite focused for doing nothing but leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on the seat in front of him, just staring into space. " What ya thinking ? " Izayoi asked. She was on her knees, and leaned over a bit tracing the symbol for obidence.

" Not right now Izayoi. " Atticus thought to himslef trying to ignore her as usual. If only for a day he could not see any spiritual beings. " Wanna bail this speech and skip right onto class? " he replied pointing his direction to Nirami.

Hearing a greeting directed toward him amidst the speech, Yuki stood flat-footed and turned to see who had called his name. he vaguely remembered the other student's face and voice, but he struggled for a moment to grab a name. Okay, so he was in my zan-trainign class last year and was customarily 3 students left and one student behind him in formation. Gah, I should be able to recall his name... Wait, red hair, that's it!

He turned to the green-irised teen and gave a slight wave back while quietly replying, "Hey, Makoto." The speech was drawing towards a close, but it would still last for a bit longer, and Yuki was glad that the Captain didn't seem to notice their short interaction (as they were supposed to be silent during the initial ceremony).