The Third Pokémon Born from Darkness

You may not understand what a power of 2.5 meant. We usually described this move with just two words—Black Flash!

There was also something Akesato had never understood: why use such an odd description as the power of 2.5? Calculating 2.5 powers was far more troublesome than simple squares or cubes.

Once he truly landed a Black Flash, he understood.

That power was not merely a mathematical exponent. It was also the most fitting description of Black Flash's principle—the diffusion effect produced when a physical strike and cursed energy were perfectly synchronized, existing on the same spatial plane.

Its power was not a simple numerical increase either. Both were fully concentrated upon the original point of impact, a leap in essence. That was why it was so difficult to contend with.

Whether it was a mediocre trash sorcerer or a Curse User like Kekun, who believed himself comparable to a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, neither could withstand such a blow.

Whatever they used to block it vanished. It was twisted out of existence by the Black Flash, leaving not even a trace behind.

A flash of black, gone in an instant.

Before Black Flash, all were equal.

"Congratulations, Classmate Akesato." Kento Nanami was the first to offer his most sincere congratulations.

Bayer, who had been fiercely battling him, and Kekun, who had served as the stepping stone for Black Flash, were both utterly dumbfounded.

The way they looked at the boy no longer held any confidence or condescension. There was only disbelief—and deep fear.

"Impossible, impossible, impossible..."

Akesato knew nothing of any of this. He was still immersed in the lingering afterglow of Black Flash.

He felt it—the state Kento Nanami had called the "Zone," that omnipotent sensation where cursed energy, his breathing, and everything in the world seemed to revolve around him.

Everything around him looked so right. He knew what kind of support the ground could provide, how walls and cursed tools ought to be used, and he could even "hear" the "voices" of muscles and bones, perfectly predicting the enemy's next move.

Of course, the most crucial part was his understanding of "cursed energy."

The barrier that had always troubled him, the disharmony between mind and body, had all vanished completely.

He could now even describe cursed energy in concrete terms of color, texture, and flavor.

In the words of a certain "real teacher":

Although jujutsu sorcerers had always used cursed energy, they had never truly understood its taste. It was like tossing completely unfamiliar ingredients into a pot and stewing them at random. Even a special-grade chef could not make a good dish that way, much less guarantee its flavor.

But after landing a Black Flash, a jujutsu sorcerer understood the "taste" of cursed energy as an ingredient and could prepare and cook it however they wished.

The Akesato of now and the Akesato of three seconds ago existed on different planes, just like the difference between Black Flash and an ordinary strike.

That was precisely why Black Flash was regarded as an important dividing line for jujutsu sorcerers. Sorcerers who had experienced Black Flash and those who had not were worlds apart at the core of their cursed energy.

Though it was not absolute, most Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers had experienced Black Flash, using it as an opportunity to push their jujutsu to greater heights.

Of course, what mattered most was that this was Akesato's own strength. He had not relied on any outside aid, only on accumulation piled up day after day, until quantitative change had finally become qualitative change.

He had reached this point through his own efforts, not through effort spelled "System, add some points for me."

Perhaps many people would consider that pretentious, as if he were making trouble for himself, but the feeling of taking one step at a time, earning rewards through effort, and breaking free from the cocoon into a butterfly was truly exhilarating.

It was like putting on a crisp pair of new underwear to welcome the first morning of the New Year.

Ah, this light. Ah, this water.

Uh, it really was a little dazzling.

He wanted to find something to cover his eyes. It seemed that mastering Black Flash was also a process of getting used to darkness; his eyes seemed a little "overexposed."

No wonder the jujutsu sorcerers who could really fight never liked showing their eyes.

Ahem, just kidding.

He was in a genuinely good mood, especially after seeing a certain system notification, which made his mood even better.

Stretching lazily as though no one else were around, Akesato first nodded to Kento Nanami.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Nanami. Thank you very much."

Then, smiling at Kekun before him, whose arm had been erased by Black Flash, he said:

"I should thank you too. Without the pressure you gave me, I might not have mastered Black Flash so quickly. In return, I'll give you one more chance to surrender. You know it too, don't you? You have no chance of winning."

"You damn brat!"

Kekun covered his wound with his remaining hand and let out the roar of a defeated dog, looking completely deranged.

At the same time, the guns and cannons controlled by Bayer behind him roared as well.

Every remaining gun and cannon opened fire at once.

Scatterfire, rapid fire, wild fire!

There was no consideration for overheated barrels, ammunition reserves, formations, or even aiming. They simply fired, fired, and fired!

It was an utterly reckless approach, but that very recklessness made it difficult for Akesato and Kento Nanami, in their Zone state, to predict. Protecting themselves was not difficult, but they could not cross the storm of bullets to attack the enemy.

The Zone did not mean a body of steel, and the Super Newbie physique was not absolutely invulnerable either.

Taking advantage of this brief opening, Bayer concentrated all his cursed energy in his legs and sprinted all the way to the badly injured Kekun, hoisting him over his shoulder.

"Retreat. He's right—we have no chance of winning right now. We'll go back and regroup."

"Mr. Bayer... I understand. I wasn't calm enough." The madness clouding Kekun's eyes cleared slightly. "But, Mr. Bayer, wouldn't it be easier for you to escape alone?"

"What are you talking about? We're companions. We've had this cursed bond for over a decade." Exhausted from the intense drain on his stamina and cursed energy, Bayer's voice was weak, but there was no resentment or dissatisfaction in it.

"Yeah, companions..."

Kekun muttered to himself, a glimmer of resolve appearing in his eyes.

When it truly came to this, then he would—

Where their gazes met, with Bayer gone, the rampaging firearms were gradually losing control and falling to the ground.

The dependable adult man and the monster-like Boy joined forces once more.

"Classmate Akesato, pursue them."

Akesato calmly waved a hand. "There's no need. They can't get away. Let me apologize first. I could have dealt with them quickly, but I dragged things out until now because of my own selfish motives. You can lecture me however you want afterward. But for now, let me see what this new partner can do—go, Darkrai!"

Then, Kento Nanami heard something like the sound of shattering glass.

At the intersection of light and darkness beneath Bayer and Kekun's feet, a shadowy black phantom silently rose, its blue eyes slowly opening.

Like the eyes of a nightmare capable of awakening the darkness within one's heart, a single glance stirred the fear in Bayer's heart, and his desperate flight unknowingly came to a halt.

Darkrai stood upon the earth.

PS: Thanks to This One's Cookie, Sesame-Filled Bun, Autumn Wind Night Shadow, Moon Accompanies Water's Life, A FAMOUS ROYAL GUARD, and the other readers for their rewards. Thank you all for your support, and I hope you'll continue supporting me.

PS2: The third Pokémon is here! Let's get hyped for three in a row!