Perhaps it was a tiring thing, all the references the Soul Society had already made to the Academy of Seireitei. History had proven the Gotei 13, who almost all had their roots from the Academy, endlessly fascinating as a subject. Either because of the obsession of all individuals in Soul Society believe what the Academy teaches to become a Shinigami was bound only by imagination, making Captains appear as Gods with abilities they possess. The knowledge to become a Shinigami was exclusive, forbidden and only permitted when receiving a formal acceptance to join. Tired or not, there is always something for someone to long for when it comes to Seireitei and the Academy just as much. It is a distant unknown to ordinary Souls.
The Academy is rumoured to contain monumental amounts of knowledge, thousands of papyrus scrolls from a bygone error, and even computers with an archive on History, Science, Engineering, Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kido, Hoho and also Reiryoku. Many people incorrectly assume the Academy's job is just to produce Shinigami, but in reality, it's a school for those accepted to have the opportunity of life far, far from ordinary. Opening up pathways to occupations and jobs within Seireitei and learning secrets kept from the general public.
The Shinigami—graduates from the Academy—are permitted to use the knowledge they gained so long as they accept an obligation to guard the souls going through the circle of transmigration. Every time the Academy recruits a new class of potential Shinigami, they must spend six years in training, learning how to control their Reiryoku and what would eventually become their lifelong craft. For six years, each individual is selected for the Academy to live, eat, sleep and breathe the learning and what the institution offers. Students rigorously pursue an independent course of discipline that they feel an affinity for; this ends up eventually being provided with an opportunity to join a special squad that suits their style or, out of their own volition, join one they think aligns with them the best or have the most interest in. Are you interested in espionage, stealth and subterfuge? Then Squad 2 might be your interest. Do you prefer to support, heal, tend and nurse others back to good health again? Then Squad 4 might be better suited for you. What awaits a Student after their graduation is power, prestige, glory, fame, and knowledge beyond their wildest dreams--and thus, to be chosen as a Student is the first in a lifetime of endless opportunity.
This is how Kiyobu feels in his final year, competing for a position as a Shinigami. Like his classmates, he discarded the person he might have been and the life he might have lived—which would have been more ordinary in comparison. He would have had a profession of some sort, a lucrative one, folding into the economy of Soul Society in some helpful way, but witnessing nothing like what he'd seen by virtue of his acceptance of the Academy's offer. Alone, he might've explored his immense Reiryoku and done exceptional things but kill himself in the process from lack of control & knowledge, and thus falling shy of extraordinary. Eventually, because of his family's wealth and social status, he would've left his father without an heir and tarnished the Kouken name--but now, because of this, he wouldn't. The pittances of a smaller existence to the one he has now would count among the many things he would never again risk since he took his seat in this room 5 years prior.
Kiyobu remained seated in the Library of the Academy, ruminating again on the life he might have lived, the lives all the students might have lived, had they never been offered such... opportunity. Eternal glory. Unparalleled wisdom. Here they would unlock their souls' secrets and the world around them that had been kept hidden. Things that no ordinary eyes would ever see and that no lesser souls could possibly understand.
Here, at the Academy their lives had changed. Here their former selves would be repurposed, only to be moulded into Shinigami.
Kiyobu fully understands that greatness isn't easy, but he understands being in this place means the offer of greatness was bestowed upon him because Seireitei feels he can stand to bear it. Turning his gaze back onto a papyrus scroll, Kiyobu resumed reading it; he preferred reading in print rather than on screen as most students do nowadays. He digested texts and information on Hollows, and whatever he was permitted to read, still finding it fascinating how they exist and how his future role is to maintain the balance of souls.
However, what would otherwise be serene in the quiet area of the Library, subtle vibrations in the earth beneath his feet and echoing sounds leaked through ground and air. The quiet room was interrupted by the vestiges of a roaring and booming crowd from the centre of Seireitei. While Kiyobu focused well enough, he could sense and hear the spectators' extreme emotional experience, pure joy, and the quaking ground vibrating to match the electrifying atmosphere which resonated throughout the centre of Soul Society. For one, it was liberating... because at this moment, it felt like the pinnacle, eclipsing every other cheer and passionate outburst since the games had begun... which only meant to Kiyobu... the games had finally ended. And with that, classes & training can finally resume, and he could continue as usual. A smile painted the prior blank canvas of his face, wondering who is now the new Kenpachi. His Denreishinki was placed beside the scrolls and books he had on his desk facing up, waiting for any news or alerts that might pop up regarding the schedule of his Academy and where he's required to go next. At this moment, he felt a compelling desire to do even better and perhaps, eventually, reach that same glory he just felt the victor of the Kenpachi Games received.
