~ Don't Foget Powerstones!
~ The next chapter is coming in just an hour!
<><><><><>
Saturday morning.
The black Mercedes was cruising along the mountain road. The sunlight above spilled through gaps in the trees, scattering across the pavement in dappled golden spots, rippling gently over the car roof like waves of light.
Busujima Saeko had arrived at 7 a.m. sharp to pick him up, pulling her car directly under his apartment building. It was first-class chauffeur service.
Now, the two of them sat quietly in the backseat. The violet-haired kendo beauty held her ever-present katana close, calmly explaining the history of Tokyo Jujutsu High to Bokue along the way.
Clearly, this was another task assigned to her by the Jujutsu Association.
Driving the car was a familiar face—the overworked supervisor, Ijichi, who had handled the logistics after the juvenile detention center incident last time. Apparently, his official title was Assistant Supervisor, which was really just a fancy term for "errand boy," since he had virtually no fighting capability whatsoever.
"After the next turn, we'll arrive," Ijichi informed them politely.
Just as the car's navigation screen counted down the final stretch, the black sedan smoothly rolled to a halt. Busujima Saeko's explanation ceased simultaneously.
Having arrived at their destination, her task was now complete.
"Let's go," she said gently, giving a small appreciative nod through the rear-view mirror to Ijichi, then opened the car door gracefully and stepped out first.
Bokue followed behind her.
After they exited and shut the doors, the car started up once again, smoothly driving away—presumably off to handle other errands.
Busujima Saeko exhaled softly, visibly relaxing. But before she could speak, Bokue's amused voice interrupted her thoughts:
"The Jujutsu Association really packed your schedule tight, huh?"
"Well... I suppose you could say that," Saeko admitted with a helpless smile and a shake of her head.
Bokue shrugged, understanding her dilemma perfectly.
All things considered, the Jujutsu Association's approach had been rather obvious: First, they'd made sure Saeko contacted him a day in advance to schedule the time.
Next, they'd arranged luxury transportation and specifically tasked her with narrating Jujutsu High's illustrious history during their trip. Essentially, it was just like corporate onboarding—high-pressure indoctrination thinly disguised as orientation.
The method was simple: intensive daytime drilling for discipline and evening sessions where leaders drone on endlessly—no, "enthusiastically introduce"—the company's glorious past and robust strength, conveniently omitting details about pay and benefits.
All for the purpose of reinforcing a singular message in the recruit's subconscious:
This organization you're about to enter is incredible. Joining us is a great honor. Therefore, you should obediently follow all our arrangements without question…
Ultimately, it was just brainwashing to make new hires work harder, obey more thoroughly, expect less money, and behave like docile workhorses.
Ironically, as the acting head of the Keikain family, Bokue was originally supposed to perform this exact role himself—brainwashing talented new exorcists from branch families into obedient followers of the main household.
Except that he couldn't be bothered and didn't enjoy doing so.
But that didn't mean he wasn't aware of the trick.
Now seeing that same technique being attempted on him, it was almost humorous.
Truly, they were picking up chicken feathers and pretending they were imperial tokens; grabbing sticks and calling them disciplinary rods.
Who were they trying to scare, children?
"Interesting indeed…" Bokue sighed inwardly, shaking his head at the Jujutsu Association's transparent tactics. Now, more than ever, he was curious to see what nonsense the Three Great Families would throw his way next.
Glancing upward, he observed the old gate standing before him. It wasn't particularly majestic—behind it stretched a long paved stone road flanked on both sides by ancient stone lanterns. Above the gate was a moss-covered wooden plaque bearing barely readable calligraphy:
—Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College.
Hmm, what could he say about this?
He knew Jujutsu Sorcerers were busy exterminating curses, their jobs dangerous and mortality rate high, but shouldn't they at least tidy up their own school's front gate a bit? It was practically moldy.
Bokue silently quipped to himself.
Just at this moment, a loud voice boomed from the direction of the school gate ahead:
"Oi! You two are students from Tokyo Jujutsu High, aren't you?"
Sensing clear hostility in that voice, Bokue turned his head curiously.
He spotted an extremely muscular young man standing about 1.9 meters tall. His bronze-toned skin and square face were marked by a prominent scar over the left temple. His body was exceptionally robust, practically resembling a massive refrigerator. His cloth shoes and neatly tied-back hair gave off a distinct "martial artist" aura.
Most strikingly, despite his intimidating build and mature appearance—which suggested he was closer to thirty—the man wore a Kyoto Jujutsu High uniform... a student?
Did Jujutsu High have some kind of repeat-year mechanism, or had this guy just matured ridiculously fast?
Bokue raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
Next to him, Busujima Saeko softly sighed, her voice filled with mild exasperation:
"Tōdō Aoi. First-grade sorcerer, third-year student from Kyoto Jujutsu High. He's known for single-handedly taking down special-grade curses, and also known for challenging strong opponents... Looks like we've encountered someone troublesome."
"Ijichi-san already left. You don't have to keep up the professional demeanor now," Bokue reminded lightly.
But Saeko shook her head seriously.
"No, I'm not exaggerating at all."
True to Saeko's words, as soon as the two finished speaking, the burly figure—who'd been shouting loudly at the gate—suddenly started walking directly toward them, followed closely by a short-haired girl in a Kyoto Jujutsu High uniform.
"Oi! Why didn't you answer my question earlier? See, you're clearly wearing Tokyo's uniform. Oh—I know you. You're Busujima Saeko, third-year at Tokyo, aren't you? I've heard of you. They say you've also single-handedly defeated Special-Grade Curses."
"So?" The sword-wielding beauty instantly touched her blade, shifting into a clearly defensive stance.
Unlike her calm, gentle tone when speaking with Bokue, Saeko's voice now carried a razor-sharp chill, her presence akin to a plum blossom blooming fiercely in a winter night, or a keen sword slicing through falling snow.
"Nothing much," Tōdō grinned boldly, flexing his fingers provocatively. "Normally I don't like using physical advantages to bully girls, but since we're both first-grade sorcerers who've soloed special-grade curses, our strengths should be evenly matched. Besides, I know you're not participating in today's Goodwill Event. So, since we've run into each other, there's no better time than now to—"
"Not interested. Move aside."
Four simple words abruptly cut off the big man's rambling speech.
Bokue lightly snapped his fingers.
"Kurohitsugi." (Black Coffin)
A giant black coffin suddenly erupted from beneath Tōdō's feet, immediately enveloping him completely. In the blink of an eye, the towering dark box was formed, sealing him instantly inside.
The previously noisy gate suddenly fell dead silent.
"T-Tōdō!?"
The short-haired girl behind him panicked at the sudden development, rushing forward to pound desperately on the solid black coffin, trying to determine the condition of her companion inside.
Meanwhile, Bokue leisurely stretched his arms above his head, yawning comfortably:
"Much better now."
"You... What did you just do!?" The short-haired girl snapped angrily, abruptly turning toward Bokue. From somewhere, she whipped out a revolver, its dark muzzle pointing straight at him—
—Then, abruptly, a second black coffin shot up beside the first, completely engulfing the girl before she could even finish her sentence.
Busujima Saeko: "..."
<><><><><>
~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
<><><><><>
Keep the chapters coming—Support with Power Stones!