First Classes

Shigeru walked up the wood and rice paper door, sliding it open and stepping inside. He had been trying to make friends and become acquainted with other students and people inside the Seireitei and the Academy, but hadn't had much luck, most everyone was talking about a war he had only a basic understanding about. Nonetheless, today was his first class in Zanjutsu and even though he was already a skilled swordsman, he was skilled in a style that fit his European heritage and related weapons, not the ways suited to a Zanpakutō. Most of his spare time outside schooling in Britain was in fencing, so maybe he could transfer even a little bit of his knowledge to his new training.
"And you are?" The instructor asked, looking at the newcomer standing in the door.
"Huh?" Shigeru said, glancing around and then replying "I'm Shigeru Mirano, Formely Ian Caldwell, sir!"
"Oh, right, the new arrival. Well, stop standing there, you're letting all sorts of things in," the instructor stated. "I'd like to test your skills in a little sparring match Shigeru, get ready," he added.
Shigeru nodded and drew his Zanpakutō.
"Hit me with all you have, but aim for my sword and only hit once, I want to see your base power." The instructor said.
Shigeru nodded and swung the sword at the blade, flicking his wrist to the right so the blade would deliver all of it's power to his instructor's blade.
The instructor easily took the blow and nodded. "Good, good. Not the worst I've seen come through here, now let's test your speed," he said, then added, "Strike at me as fast as you can and never twice in the same place."
Shigeru took a step back and attempted to strike fast, but the blade felt awkward to swing fast and his first swing was a swipe to the left, which he would have normally swiped immediately to the right with a regular broad sword, but the back of the Zanpakutō hit his instructor's blade hard.
The instructor tilted his head and asked, "What was that, Shigeru?"
Shigeru sheathed his Zanpakutō and sighed. "Sorry, in my past life, I was used to fencing and using a dual edged sword, such as a broad sword to fight, not this.
"Ah, that does explain things, so it'll be a bit harder to train you and break the habits, but maybe we can take advantage of them." The instructor said, talking to himself somewhat.
"How so?" Shigeru asked.
"Well, you already have prior basic training with a sword, and while you're not the fastest opponent I've seen, your blows have power, even the hit with the back of the blade. Maybe you can use that as a surprise to your enemies, just know that you'll be fighting much tougher things now that you're a Shinigami."
Shigeru nodded. "I understand, and I'm ready to fight." He said, chuckling gently, glad to get along with someone for once."
"Then get ready to fight!" His instructor exclaimed, bringing himself into an offensive stance.