In the Acadmy at last! Manabu in class! [R, NDE]

[Zou ۞]

Ding dong, ding dong! Ding dong, dong, ding! Softer and then louder, with higher going to lower, and back up again. That was the bell at Shino Academy. It was the bell which signified the start of classes, and it would, later in the day, be the bell that signified the end of one class, and that there were five minutes to quickly scurry off to the other. Each person, similar to a high school or college, had his/her own schedule with his/her own set of periods. It was probably closer to a college, because people had selected classes based on what kind of shinigami they planned to become, and which squad they were planning to join. Of course, some were disappointed since some squads currently weren't accepting new members, but most of the "cool" squads were accepting new ones. At any rate, there were four required core classes. One could not graduate shinigami academy without receiving the "Special Credit" from these classes.

To graduate, one had to, over a course of five years, accumulate two hundred normal credits, and one hundred "Special Credits." The core classes gave out special credits. A regular class, when passed, would yield 10 credits. Each class ended a term at the end of a season rather than a semester, and classes ran all four seasons, year long. There were little to no breaks spanning more than two days. The longest break was a two week break around the holiday season, which in the human world would be considered Christmas. The core classes gave out 5 Special Credits per season. Most people ended up taking all four core classes and five extra classes per year within the course of their time here. It was a pretty great place. Up to seven periods were allowed per day, attending each class.

As the bell rang, students bustled all about, here and there, heading off to their new classes. Already having been given an intro, Manabu Brock and the rest of the new students were getting ready to be entered into their classes. They'd been given maps, so it was only a given that they would be able to find their classrooms. Now was the time for Manabu to go to HIS classes, by following his map, and his trusty schedule!

OOC: In a spoiler below, I'll provide which classes are open. All classes are open at any time slot during any day of the week. I'll also tell you which you can actually join as a First Year. You can have up to seven periods a day, and you have to attend classes on at least four days of the seven day week. I'll provide analysis on which classes are the best for which squads. When you post, please post an OOC providing what your schedule will be for ALL FOUR SEASONS of the first year. You can have a different schedule each season, but you must have the same classes for all four seasons of the first year. If you plan to try for advanced classes, please state "Trying for Advanced" in parentheses next to the class name when you list your schedule.

SPOILER: Click to show

Before we get started, "SP" next to a class is similar to "CP" in high school classes. Instead of "College Prep" we've got "Shinigami Prep." There's also "AP" Advanced Placement, "SPR", Seated Pre-Requisite, "VCP", Vice-Captain Pre-Requisite, "CPR", Captain Pre-Requisite. (These are required classes if you ever plan to become a seated officer, vice captain, or captain at ANY TIME during your character's lifespan) Shino Academy is a course running for 5 years.

First Year Classes (First years can join these):

Core Classes:

Kendo 1-2 SP ~ This is a basic Kendo class, which begins by teaching the basics of all of Kendo. All shinigami must know how to use the blade. This can be replaced by Kendo SPR if you excel beyond all expectations during the first two seasons.

Kido 1-2 SP ~ This is a basic Kido class, which begins by teaching the basics of mastering reiatsu, and firing Kido. Kido are of course, a required skill for dispatching hollows as Shinigami. Can be replaced by Kido SPR if you excel beyond all expectations during the first two seasons.

Travel Class 1-2 SP ~ Trust me. While this may seem like a pointless class, this is the way you learn to communicate with Hell Butterflies, and travel in Senkai Gates. If you can't get from world to world, you're useless. There's no advanced placement for this class.

Spirit Communications Class 1-2 SP ~ This is where you try to communicate with your reiatsu and zanpakuto spirit. To begin with, you'll need to unlock your zanpakuto somehow, otherwise you're useless. That's what this class is for. There's no advanced placement for this class.

Casual Classes:

Wrestling ~ This is a class to learn how to wrestle. Squads 10 and 11 require you to take this class to get in.

History 1-2 ~ This is a course that can be taken for multiple years at higher and higher levels. Squads 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, and 13 all require this class.

Speed ~ This class helps you practice with speed movement, distance, etc. It also helps with Shunpo and other stepping abilities. Squads 2 and 7 require this class.

Boxing ~ This class teaches you how to box. Squads 1, 7, 10, and 11 require it.

Kick Boxing ~ This class teaches you how to Kick Box. Squads 7, 10, and 11 all require it.

Reiatsu Focus ~ This class teaches you how to better focus your reiatsu. Squads 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 13 all require this class.

Technology/Science Class ~ A special class that teaches about the various technologies and sciences of Soul Society. Squads 12 and 13 require this class.

Experimentation Class ~ Want to get some guinea pigs? Well, this class has you experiment with different things. Squads 12 and 13 require this class.

[Zou ۞]

Click Here to see Classes

[Manabu Brock]

Manabu will apply for any advanced class or program available.

Autumn:
Sunday - Speed, Kido, Travel, Boxing, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Wrestling

Monday - Kick Boxing, History, Reiatsu Focus, Kendo, Spirit Communications, Travel, Kido

Tuesday - Boxing, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, History, Wrestling, Speed

Wednesday - Kendo, Spirit Communications, Kick Boxing, History, Speed, Travel, Kido

Thursday - Wrestling, Kendo, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Boxing, Spirit Communications, Reiatsu Focus

Friday - Kick Boxing, Speed, Kido, Spirit Communications, Kendo, Travel, History

Saturday - Boxing, Wrestling, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Kendo, Kido

Winter:
Sunday - Speed, Kido, Travel, Boxing, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Wrestling

Monday - Kick Boxing, History, Reiatsu Focus, Kendo, Spirit Communications, Travel, Kido

Tuesday - Boxing, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, History, Wrestling, Speed

Wednesday - Kendo, Spirit Communications, Kick Boxing, History, Speed, Travel, Kido

Thursday - Wrestling, Kendo, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Boxing, Spirit Communications, Reiatsu Focus

Friday - Kick Boxing, Speed, Kido, Spirit Communications, Kendo, Travel, History

Saturday - Boxing, Wrestling, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Kendo, Kendo

Spring:
Sunday - Speed, Kido, Travel, Boxing, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Wrestling

Monday - Kick Boxing, History, Reiatsu Focus, Kendo, Spirit Communications, Travel, Kido

Tuesday - Boxing, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, History, Wrestling, Speed

Wednesday - Kendo, Spirit Communications, Kick Boxing, History, Speed, Travel, Kido

Thursday - Wrestling, Kendo, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Boxing, Spirit Communications, Reiatsu Focus

Friday - Kick Boxing, Speed, Kido, Spirit Communications, Kendo, Travel, History

Saturday - Boxing, Wrestling, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Kendo, Travel

Summer:
Sunday - Speed, Kido, Travel, Boxing, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Wrestling

Monday - Kick Boxing, History, Reiatsu Focus, Kendo, Spirit Communications, Travel, Kido

Tuesday - Boxing, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, History, Wrestling, Speed

Wednesday - Kendo, Spirit Communications, Kick Boxing, History, Speed, Travel, Kido

Thursday - Wrestling, Kendo, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Boxing, Spirit Communications, Reiatsu Focus

Friday - Kick Boxing, Speed, Kido, Spirit Communications, Kendo, Travel, History

Saturday - Boxing, Wrestling, Reiatsu Focus, Technology/Science, Experimentation, Kendo, Spirit Communications

[Manabu Brock]

"OK... let's see... Sunday... first period... I have speed class in the Hoho courtyard. Excellent. I guess I'd better not be late, right? Speed class?" Manabu laughed a little to himself and looked around to see the reactions of people who weren't there. He wasn't under the impression that anyone was around. He did it because he thought it might look funny to anyone who might be watching, and in the event that he sees a detailed flashback of his life before dying, he wanted it to be a comedy. Anyway, he really didn't want to be late, so Manabu took off in a light jog to the courtyard. He found the large, wooden doors leading outside and made his way through into the sunlight.

[Zou ۞]

Monday: Period 1

While Manabu got around to his little self joke, he'd wasted one minute of the time that he could have spent heading to speed class. So, as he only ended up with four minutes, he was forced to rush through the massive compound that was the Shino Academy, looking for his class. It really was an enormous building. Hosting various classes and class periods and different teachers for each class, all five years of this even, was already very difficult. But the fact that they also included Sixth and Seventh Year classes as bonuses were also quite something, and this meant that the academy, being gigantic, was difficult to navigate around. Text books awaited in the rooms, and so in the event that they were needed, students didn't have to lug them around. Unfortunately, they still had to run at top speed to their classes, or they wouldn't make it. Well, this applied only to first years, really.

After the first year, students had either gotten used to it and learned how to walk quickly, or they'd basically memorized the compound, and so by memory they could find their classes, as opposed to first years who had to constantly look for the first few weeks, due to the trouble that would be getting lost. So, as Manabu continued, and passed people, though the crowds grew smaller and smaller, he at last arrived at the classroom. Upon entering his class, it became evident that there were no seats. Of course, there would be constant movement after all. The class itself was an enormous room, easily large enough to hold hundreds of people, though only around thirty or so were present at that moment. It was filled with blue mats. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all covered in those same blue mats. Most likely, it was to prevent people from hurting themselves.

"Let's face it", the teacher said as the bell rang, signifying that the class had begun. "If you're here, you guys are completely overambitious, most of you are the scholarly types. Most of you will be exhausted for the rest of your day if you're taking this class right now. I recommend that next year, since I figure you've already planned your schedule for all four seasons of this year, take this class last instead of first. Otherwise you guys are going to have some trouble." The teacher was a tall, but skinny man wearing black shinigami's robes. A zanpakuto was sheathed on his back, and he had long, flowing white hair, which was silky, perfectly straight. His eyes were green, and his physical appearance was middle aged. He clapped once. "Enough with introductions! My name is Fukukina Madrugal! You will call me Madrugal-Sensei from now on! For our first exercise, we will jog around the classroom. We've got an hour here, so I want you to jog three miles, which should take half the class period. You must build endurance! No one stops! If you stop, then when this exercise is over, for every time you stop, I will strike you on the bottom with a kendo blade!" No doubt, no one would be able to run the 3 miles without stopping at least once or twice. Everyone was going to get punished today. The pain today would help pave the way for future runs that didn't require stopping or punishment, though.

[Manabu Brock]

3 miles in 30 minutes comes to 6 miles per hour. That will, indeed, be hard to maintain. Well... let's go for it.[/i]

Madrugal began to shout again and pointed to a long blue line on the floor that ran perpendicular to the wall. "Let's go! Stand on this line! Move it! When I give the signal, you will begin! The perimeter of this room is 1 mile. Figure out the rest. Now for some inspiration. Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"

Manabu listened to this seemingly uncharacteristic poem. It was beautiful and deep. It seemed to talk about the idea of the physical world being transitory and mastery of the body coming through the spirit. It did sound vaguely, oddly familiar, but he couldn't quite...

KRAKOOSH!

Everyone fled from the red explosion behind them in a state of almost panic. A moment later came the cry, "You're welcome!"

About half an hour later the entire class lay on the floor panting and coughing. Madrugal was walking from student to student with his kendo blade out. He would order each one to get on all fours, announce the number he or she had earned, and proceed to administer hits. Manabu saw Madrugal walking towards him, so he rolled over and assumed the position. Madrugal stopped next to him. "Seven!"

" Ow! Oof! Ee! Ah! Jow! Gah! Daaa-ahooo!" Manabu collapsed and began to rub his buttocks. Class was only half over. Ooooowwwww. This is going to be a good class...[/i]

[Zou ۞]

With the class only halfway through, yet another exercise had to be performed. Now that he'd successfully forced everyone to run, Madrugal was able to give everyone ten minute's rest, leaving twenty left in the period. He had a whole season to get things done. In three months, he'd whip them into the proper shape for the next season, which would be even tougher. Therefore, nothing was too worrying. It didn't take a tremendous amount of time for the basics. The reason that a year was needed for this class was because Shunpo and Senka and other techniques may demand learning.

With the ten minute break, everyone was given an opportunity to rub his or her butt, and continue to rest. The rest was obviously a way for people to get energy back, because something big was obviously going to go down. What was noticeable was that anyone with more experience, the three or four that had the stamina to have remained in this class during first period after learning the hard way during first year (for there were second or older years in here, though very few), were doing something peculiar. They weren't resting. They were warming up by stretching, and doing other exercises.

It might be wise to follow suit. However, while such was going on, the room quickly began to change at the snap of Madrugal's fingers, dividing up into around thirty three lanes, each lane having room for one person. What, why? Then, it became clear. In light, timers materialized up above each lane. It was a sprint to test everyone's speed. Madrual looked up at everyone. The room was elongating as well, until a huge stretch was visible. "You're running to the wall on the other side, and back to the start line." he said. "That will be one mile. Run that mile at top speed. Anyone with a time worse than 4:40 will be punished with twenty five blade strikes to the bottom." 4:40?! Only very skilled runners could do that! Of the first years, most likely not a single one was capable of getting it. Those like Manabu, with decreased physical fortitude due to intelligence being their power, would probably get weak times like 10:22. However, they would probably learn more as the season went on. This was a preliminary test. "BEGIN!" Madrugal shouted when everyone was at their lineup.

[Manabu Brock]

Manabu took off as fast as he could. It looked like he was keeping up withe everyone pretty well. In fact he was ahead of most of the class! Ah yes. Proper technique prevails again, even in the face of inferior fitness. Don't fool yourself, Manabu. You can't maintain this for a whole mile. Sure, I can. Why not!? It's not practical. Your body will fail you. You won't even got through an eighth. Even so, Madrugal-sensei said to run at top speed! I must run as hard as I can. On that note, shouldn't you pay attention to your running? Perhaps. What's this sensory input?"[/i]

"AH!" Manabu gave a shout as he collapsed. He had just stopped running suddenly. His legs just gave up. As he stirred to get back up, breathing heavily, he watched the lead he gained get shorter and shorter until everyone passed him. Had he let himself slow down a bit as the run took its toll, he might still be making good time. Well, it would be good time for him anyway. Now, however, all he could manage was a wobbling jog/run with spurts of walking. There were five minutes left of class. After Manabu and the few people who were even more out of shape finished, Madrugal addressed the class.

"Since we're pretty much out of time, I'll administer punishments the next time I see you. I want to tell you all you did a good job today and that I'm proud of you. Unfortunately, I can't! You were worthless! You're the most pathetic bunch of slugs I've ever seen! Only one of you gave me everything he had," he said, turning his face to Manabu, "but he didn't even have anything to give me in the first place! Get out of my sight, all of you!"

Suddenly, he was gone. Madrugal-sensei was the speed teacher for a reason after all. Manabu was still feeling a bit wobbly, but he made it through!

"Let's see what's next... kido! Yes!" It's hard to say whether he was more excited about learning kido or not running more, but either way, Manabu went off with a second wind. Maybe it was just a "first-and-a-halfth" wind, but it was something.

[Hara Lucious]

OOC: Should he be talking for the teacher? Im just wondering.

[Zou ۞]

OOC: No, he should not be talking for the teacher. I didn't say anything previously because I didn't feel it's a big deal. But, Manabu, please note that NPC's are controlled by the Dungeon Master of the thread (in this case me), unless otherwise stated.

[Zou ۞]

The several chime bell rang again. However, it was a little more tolling than the previous bell. That was because Manabu's body was tired from the running. Running at full speed was very stupid to someone that wasn't used to running like that in the first place, and also he obviously didn't know how to pace himself and his energy. There was a technique to running even, which allowed for maximum speed while conversing energy. Of course, he'd learn it as the year in the speed class moved on, so that was fine.

Now, as far as rumors went, Kido class was meant to be much more difficult than speed class. That was because most first years had no idea how to generate even a spark of reiatsu. The same was probably true of Manabu. Those who knew how to create reiatsu would obviously be either geniuses, those with massive reiatsu and reiatsu strength, or simply those that had good luck, and the good luck meaning the luck that had allowed them to discover how to mold it in the first place. Rumors had said that it took months to even spark anything, and months more beyond that to finally start using Kido.

As everyone arrived, the teacher was already standing there. Oddly enough, he appeared to be a midget. With a brown bowl cut and a monocle on one eye, the midget in the yellow sweater and brown shorts (which were large enough to be like pants to the midget), and the brown leather shoes was their teacher. "Hello class!" he exclaimed in a cheery, very enthusiastic voice. "My name is Reti-Sensei!" He didn't even bother giving a first name. He just somehow expected them all to call him Reti-Sensei. "And I want all of you to try to shape reiatsu into a ball one after the other, telling me your name as you do!" What? Already? No one would be able to do this. It was actually impossible for almost everyone here.

[Manabu Brock]

It was Manabu's turn now. He stepped forward and took a Wing Chun stance. He was most comfortable with this of the many he had trained. While Manabu had no experience with his own reiatsu, he had read about it and felt it vaguely when it was present in great quantity. I know it's some sort of power in me, and this is the best way I know to focus power forward. What else can I do?[/i] He concentrated hard on his memories of vague feelings and impressions, trying to recreate the feeling for himself in the hopes that it would produce something. He slowly moved his hands forward from his chest and brought them closer together while trying to focus his xi, whatever he might have inside himself, into a small ball between them. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Reti-sensei! My name is Manabu Brock, and I am honored to be your student!"

[Zou ۞]

Random students began introducing themselves, trying to form reiatsu. Manabu was unsuccessful. Of course, that was how it begun. And of course, everyone else was generally unsuccessful also. No, not everyone. One person got a spark. "MIYORI HATAJI! PLEASED TO BE YOUR STUDENT!" the girl exclaimed. She got the spark on her left hand, just that. It was a blue spark of reiatsu. She had black hair that was in pig tails, reaching down to her shoulders. She wore ovular glasses, and the common academy outfit, consisting of a white robe and red pants.

Someone else however, also got some reiatsu to reveal itself. This one was a man, a very buff man. He had jet black hair, and he looked to be seven feet tall at least. His muscles were huge, and appeared to be solid as iron. He was tanned, and he wore sunglasses. He too wore the common outfit of Shino Academy, and he was a first year, this being indicated by the design kanji on the back of his shirt. However, he looked like he was a fifth year, just from the aura he gave off. He had a huge aura of power, and strength, and confidence. First years generally had an aura of uncertainty, or weakness, or simply nothing. This guy was probably very confident. "Oto Kasu!" he exclaimed. "Pleased to be your student!"

"Good, good!" Reti-Sensei exclaimed. "Those were merely the basics. You must feel into yourself, submit to your spiritual flow, feel it in your blood." He began delivering instructions for how to feel out reiatsu in oneself, and said that he expected everyone to create at least a puny little dotted spark by the end of class. Of course, it would be wise of Manabu to interact with Oto and Miyori, asking for tips.

[Manabu Brock]

Manabu knew that he wouldn't make any progress by just trying. He had spent enough time trying alone already. This would be his first opportunity to get some advice from a peer. Mayori Hataji seemed like the logical choice. Manabu estimated that Oto was able to produce a spark through raw power. Mayori probably did it through technique. That's a no-brainer for someone with a brain like Manabu's.

He walked over a bit closer to Mayori and waited for a moment that she looked available. He bowed slightly, "Pardon me, Hataji-san. My name is Manabu Brock. I was wondering whether I could ask you for advice."

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Her name is Miyori, not Mayori. Also, -san is an honorific that's similar to calling someone Mr. The honorific for her should be -chan.

IC:

Miyori turned around, smiling at Manabu. "Of course!" she exclaimed, though she faceplanted an instant after. She was a clumsy one. The quickly struggled to her feet, rubbing her face, which had struck into the floor first. "Thebest thing to do is to try and find your center of balance, similar to a martial art. When you find your center of balance, try to imagine as if it's elsewhere, in another place. If you do that, you might actually find the energy that you're looking for, and be able to grab at it or something. That's what I'm going with."