The sudden appearance of a new feature shattered Shinsuke Zenin on the spot.
So killing Cursed Spirits could speed up his cultivation progress too?
Then what had all those years of hard training been for?
To prove he could endure hardship?
Killing one Quasi-Special Grade Cursed Spirit was worth several weeks of painstaking cultivation.
If he'd known this sooner, why bother training at all? He could've just gone around killing Cursed Spirits. It wasn't as if the Jujutsu World was short on them.
"Looks like I'll have to change my plans."
This feature in the scripture was genuinely unexpected, but it wasn't too late to find out now.
He'd planned to wait until Megumi entered Jujutsu High before considering teaching there from time to time. Now, it seemed he'd have to keep in closer contact with the school.
He needed to stay informed about powerful Cursed Spirits and speed up his cultivation.
"I don't think an apology is going to be enough."
Geto Suguru suddenly spoke, interrupting Shinsuke Zenin's thoughts.
Shinsuke glanced up at Geto, his eyes lighting up. Wait—didn't this guy have a ton of Cursed Spirits?
Should I...
Shinsuke's gaze shifted as he looked at Geto, a trace of greed in his eyes.
For some reason, meeting Shinsuke's gaze made Geto suddenly feel a chill run down his back.
What's with that look? It's like he's looking at prey. It must be my imagination.
"By the way, you're a non-sorcerer too, aren't you?"
Geto put aside his thoughts and looked at Shinsuke, his gaze turning serious.
For the sake of his greater cause, he intended to kill every non-sorcerer in the world. Even his own parents wouldn't be spared.
And the man standing before him was also a non-sorcerer...
"Of course. Not only am I a non-sorcerer, I'm one with no Cursed Energy at all. Geto, you know I'm one of the people you want to eliminate, right?
"So, how about it? Why not... kill me here?"
Shinsuke felt strangely excited as he looked at Geto, as if he were a delicious cake.
The man probably had plenty of high-grade Cursed Spirits, right?
If he killed Geto, would those Cursed Spirits go out of control? Then he could test out what this new feature of his cheat actually did.
"Geto! You're not seriously going to attack us, are you?"
Seeing Geto's gaze grow increasingly dangerous, Riko stepped forward and shouted.
She truly didn't want her friend to lose his way.
At her words, the dangerous glint in Geto's eyes vanished, and his expression returned to its usual carefree demeanor.
"I was joking. Why would I attack you? I just hate non-sorcerer monkeys."
Geto waved a hand and turned to leave, choosing not to fight Shinsuke.
Shinsuke might have been a non-sorcerer, but he was clearly different from an ordinary one.
Besides, Shinsuke wasn't in the way of his plans, and Geto wasn't confident he could beat him.
"Geto!"
Watching Geto gradually disappear into the darkness, Riko tried to call him back, but he had already resolved to walk a lonely road.
"Ah, what a shame."
Shinsuke felt a little bored. He looked at the dozens of weak Cursed Spirits around them, all too bewildered to know what to do and too scared to flee. Gripping Play Cloud, he swung it hard.
The staff howled through the air, unleashing a thunderous sonic boom. The powerful impact smashed the entire stretch of ground in front of him.
The attack from Play Cloud reduced the dozens of Grade 2 to Grade 4 Cursed Spirits to dust.
They hadn't suffered at all.
But this time, the scripture inside him remained completely silent. It didn't stir in the slightest.
It was as if it couldn't be bothered with such weaklings.
"So there's a level requirement too?"
Shinsuke muttered to himself. He'd thought it could absorb any Cursed Spirit, but it seemed they had to be at least Quasi-Special Grade.
In that case, there weren't many targets he could kill. He'd have to keep training...
"Gulp."
"Uncle, was that really necessary?"
Seeing so many Cursed Spirits killed with a single blow, Riko couldn't help feeling sorry for them.
Beside her, Nanami was stunned by Shinsuke's strength.
No wonder he could lead their team as a teacher. There had to be a good reason for it.
Shinsuke glanced at Riko. "What, should I have killed them and taken them home for you to raise?"
"..." Riko Amanai.
That wasn't what she meant. She'd just thought it would be nice to leave some for them to practice on.
He'd also said he wouldn't help them. This uncle really didn't mean what he said.
After resolving the incident, Shinsuke went straight home, leaving Riko and Nanami to handle the mission report.
Before long, a generous payment appeared in his account.
The trip had been worth it.
He'd discovered a new feature of his cheat and earned money too. Suddenly, Jujutsu High didn't seem so useless after all.
Before long, the sweltering summer quietly came to an end.
People on the streets bundled up in thick winter coats.
In the courtyard, Shinsuke kept up his training as always, turning into a one-man steam factory.
With heavy snow falling all around, he stood bare-chested, his powerful muscles flexing as he moved. He was like a charcoal brazier, heat radiating from his entire body as steam swirled around him. He looked as if he were about to ascend to heaven.
"It's so warm standing next to Big Cousin."
Mai Zenin wore a thick winter coat, with a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her little face was red from the cold, and bundled up in so many layers, she looked like a chubby little dumpling.
She stood beside Shinsuke, basking in the heat rising from his body. It was even better than air conditioning.
By comparison, Maki, farther away in thin, loose clothes and swinging a staff in the snow, looked especially hardworking.
"..."
Seeing Mai's blissful expression, Shinsuke reached over and pinched her rosy cheek hard.
He couldn't help thinking how completely opposite the sisters were.
One was timid, the other bold.
One was incredibly lazy, while the other dared to challenge her fate.
Of course, the timid one was starting to grow bolder now too.
"Ow... Big Cousin, you're pinching too hard."
Mai glared at Shinsuke, cheeks puffed out. Tears welled in her bright eyes, as if she were about to shed little pearls at any moment.
Shinsuke ignored her, went inside, and came back with two red envelopes. He crouched down and handed one to Mai.
"Here. One for each of you. Don't come here tomorrow; I have to go out."
As he spoke, a white puff of breath escaped his lips. The New Year had come around again.
Instinctively, he'd prepared red envelopes for the sisters.
There wasn't much inside, but it was the thought that counted.
"Wow! Red envelopes! Big Cousin, you're the best!"
Mai's eyes had been brimming with tears just moments ago, but she changed her tune at once. Taking the envelope, she laid on the flattery.
"Mwah~"
She planted a kiss on Shinsuke's cheek, then hurried over to where Maki was training.
"Big Sis, look! Big Cousin gave us red envelopes!"
"That girl..." Shinsuke smiled helplessly. She was getting more and more unruly.
Maki stopped swinging her staff and looked at the delighted Mai. She took the red envelope from her, then turned to Shinsuke. "Thank you, Master!"
"I've told you, you're not qualified to be my disciple yet."
Shinsuke was just as exasperated with Maki.
Mai at least knew how to act cute, like a normal girl. But Maki was a stubborn little bull. Once she'd made up her mind, she dug in her heels and wouldn't budge.
"Hmph. It's only a matter of time!"
Maki muttered under her breath, put away the red envelope, and went back to training.
Shinsuke could only shake his head.
He was just unusually tolerant of cute little kids. If some other brat pestered him all day, he'd turn them into a spinning top—or lose trying.
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