"We're heading back to Tokyo Technical College in seven days. Are you ready?"
Inside the Kyoto Technical College library, Akira Zenin sat on the floor, flipping through a book as he spoke to Megumi Fushiguro.
As the only library at Kyoto Technical College, the place alone made it clear how much importance the higher-ups of the Jujutsu world placed on it…
It covered 17,000 square meters, a tastefully decorated two-story structure housing 500,000 volumes. The collection spanned Cursed Techniques, talismans, sociology, folklore, and even materials science and mathematics.
Unfortunately, both teachers and students spent most of their time on missions. And given their personalities, even when they did have free time, they wouldn't come here…
Most days, Akira Zenin was the only one who dropped by, casually flipping through books and enjoying the quiet.
"To be honest, it's pretty good."
Megumi Fushiguro crossed his hands behind his head and leaned back lightly against a bookshelf.
During this time, Akira Zenin had been putting him through special training. At the same time, he'd become the first first-year from Tokyo Technical College to have direct contact with Kyoto Technical College. The people here weren't as rigid or conservative as he'd imagined. They were lively and not unpleasant to be around…
Except for a certain overly energetic walking XP detector…
"So that's why you chose to come here as a Sensei in the first place?"
Megumi Fushiguro glanced at Akira Zenin, then stepped forward and turned the upside-down copy of Leviathan in his hands the right way up.
Akira Zenin set the book aside. He'd only been holding it because it felt fitting while talking.
"First, of course, I came here to polish these 'rough stones' and protect the next generation as much as possible while they grow."
"You just want to train others to handle missions so you can take it easy, don't you…"
"If you want the darker version: for the sake of a certain person's ideals, the new generation of Jujutsu Sorcerers at Jujutsu High needs to break free from the control of the old fossils and come over to our side."
"Uh…"
"And Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers shouldn't stay clustered together."
"Why?"
"That would suffocate the entire Jujutsu world."
"Isn't that a good thing? Once the higher-ups recognize the absolute gap in power, we can use that momentum to expand our influence. After that, we just wait for those useless old men to die off, and internal reform will be complete."
"That kind of change, without bloodshed, won't be complete or meaningful. And even if we kill all those visible figures, even the ones we can track down, the true higher-ups wouldn't feel a thing. Besides, if we wipe everyone out… who's going to deal with the Cursed Spirits?"
Akira Zenin sat up and looked at Megumi Fushiguro.
"Megumi, remember this: when you're doing something, you have to make your real enemies lower their guard.
Once Special Grade Sorcerers start showing opposition, even if it's just on the surface, it reduces the vigilance of those at the top. They'll naturally start forming factions.
And once our side has absorbed everyone, then whatever path we take becomes a matter of internal choice, doesn't it~~"
Megumi Fushiguro pressed a hand to his forehead, looking like he had a headache.
"Why are you suddenly telling me all this…"
Akira Zenin leaned back against the bookshelf again, shifting slightly until he found a comfortable position.
"The future head of the Zenin Clan can't be some clueless rookie who only knows how to use Cursed Techniques~~"
In truth, there was one reason Akira Zenin hadn't mentioned for coming to Kyoto: through Aoi Todo, he could gain access to Yuki Tsukumo, the most specialized researcher in the Jujutsu world, and use her help to carry out a purely theoretical plan—
The Twin Complementation Plan.
"All right, all right. I'll give you your next training assignment first. As for technique, you've basically got enough of it down. What you need to work on now is your Cursed Energy and how efficiently you use it… You know about Black Flash, right?"
"Of course. There's a slight discrepancy between the flow of Cursed Energy and physical movement. But when that gap drops below 0.000001 seconds, the two synchronize at a high level. It creates something like a distortion in space, and the attack's power rises to the 2.5th power of its usual strength."
"Mm, just as expected. You've really been studying."
Megumi Fushiguro's eyes widened. If Akira Zenin were actually going to teach him how to use Black Flash, his strength would increase dramatically. There was a fundamental difference in how Jujutsu Sorcerers who had experienced Black Flash and those who hadn't controlled their Cursed Energy…
"Nice explanation, but what we're doing today has nothing to do with Black Flash."
"Heh…"
"That thing goes beyond the limits of conscious human control. It depends on your state and a bit of luck. No one can just use it whenever they want…"
"Then why bring it up?"
"I've been stressing the importance of 'breaking things down' and 'summarizing patterns.' I mentioned Black Flash not because of its offensive power, but because we need to understand why it improves Cursed Energy control.
That's what today's training is about."
"…I don't really get it. Please explain."
"After a Black Flash, a Jujutsu Sorcerer enters a state where 'Cursed Energy and the self become one.' Instead of needing conscious control like usual, Cursed Energy starts behaving like part of your body, something you can use naturally."
"Then how do we train for that?"
A strange smile suddenly spread across Akira Zenin's face.
"First, count how many times you breathe in one minute…"
Acting on instinct, Megumi Fushiguro followed his instructions and immediately found himself switching to manual breathing. After silently lamenting Akira Zenin's odd sense of "fun," the corner of his mouth twitched as he tried to shift his focus.
"Got it now?"
"Huh?"
"I told you, you're smart. Try using that brain of yours more often."
"Breathing… subconscious… conscious control…"
After thinking for a moment, Megumi Fushiguro suddenly looked up.
"You mean using Cursed Energy is like breathing? The human body actually has two built-in modes of control, and Black Flash is just the switch. Once it happens, Cursed Energy starts following the body's subconscious, just like normal breathing?"
"Bingo~~ Once you understand the principle, you can start structuring your training.
Unlike breathing, Cursed Energy control is something we consciously manage, so first you need to get used to controlling it, and then learn to let that awareness fade…
Next, observe your own Cursed Energy. Whether it flows or spreads like gas, pay attention to it. Count how many times it can move from your left hand to your right within five minutes.
Then practice advancing and delaying your Cursed Energy. That way, you'll gradually sharpen your awareness of how it behaves.
Once you've completely mastered your own Cursed Energy control, move on to the final step:
Push yourself in real combat until you're completely exhausted. In that hazy state, search for the feeling where your body takes over control of your Cursed Energy."