Lin Ran Receives Praise

In the candlelit room, a powerful surge of cursed energy suddenly erupted. It flared up quickly and subsided just as fast. Then, before everyone's eyes, a layer of deep-blue armor formed over Lin Ran's body, forged from cursed energy.

"What is that?" Yuji Itadori looked at Lin Ran in surprise. "That armor looks so cool!"

"Armor formed from cursed energy? That isn't something ordinary people can do. Or rather, most people will never be able to do it. It's a... unique bloodline talent." Satoru Gojo nodded as he stroked his chin. This was indeed something Lin Ran could take pride in.

Principal Masamichi Yaga now understood why Lin Ran had spoken so arrogantly. He did have the grounds to be arrogant. Jujutsu Sorcerers also depended on talent and bloodline, and Lin Ran was clearly one of the gifted ones.

"Young and full of spirit, but you mustn't reveal your edge too readily. It's fine to show us this and prove your strength here, but do you understand how dangerous that would be outside?" Principal Masamichi Yaga no longer tried to send Lin Ran away. Jujutsu Sorcerers were in desperately short supply right now, and Lin Ran's talent and strength were plain to see. Jujutsu High needed him, though character was equally important.

If Lin Ran had merely been a braggart with no real ability, Yaga would not have given him a second glance. But now, he could wait and see just how far Lin Ran would go in the future—whether he truly could surpass Satoru Gojo, as he claimed.

Though the possibility of surpassing Satoru Gojo was incredibly slim, it was not impossible. Only time would tell.

"I understand..." Lin Ran nodded, his expression growing somewhat more serious. "What I said earlier may indeed have been exaggerated, but I'm still young. As long as I don't die young, there's still a chance."

Lin Ran understood the saying, The Tall Tree Catches the Wind. He had already experienced it once, and he would not make the same mistake again.

"You've got some nerve, at least." Principal Masamichi Yaga then looked at Satoru Gojo. "Gojo, take them to the dorms. Give them an introduction to the security measures while you're at it."

Yuji Itadori froze for a moment. Did that mean...?

"You've passed. Welcome to Jujutsu High." Principal Masamichi Yaga finally showed a hint of a smile.

Yuji looked at Lin Ran. They had both been accepted!

Lin Ran was happy as well, but then he pointed beneath Yuji with a finger. Yuji lowered his head just in time to see a fist the size of a sandbag flying at him, knocking him flat on the ground.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to undo the technique." Masamichi Yaga spread his hands, while the Cursed Corpse beside him danced around with laughter.

Next, Satoru Gojo led Lin Ran and Yuji Itadori toward the dorms. Along the way, Gojo smiled and said, "Congratulations. You've officially joined Jujutsu High. Make sure you get along well from now on."

"Thank you, Teacher Gojo!" Lin Ran thanked him. That gratitude was not only for bringing him to Jujutsu High, but also for saving him before. If Satoru Gojo had not arrived back then, there would be no Lin Ran today.

"You kid, we haven't known each other long, but you sure dare to say some bold things." Gojo smiled. "A man has to keep his word."

"Of course!" Lin Ran raised a thumbs-up.

"Lin Ran, I didn't expect us to be so alike in some ways. Please take care of me from now on." Yuji Itadori laughed heartily, walked over to Lin Ran, and bumped his shoulder against his.

Lin Ran knew what Yuji meant. He smiled and said, "Don't worry. You'll meet someone you're even more compatible with later."

"Huh? Who?" Yuji asked curiously. Fushiguro Megumi clearly was not that person, so who could it be?

"Don't look at me." Satoru Gojo spoke blandly after noticing Yuji's gaze. "We're here. Discuss it among yourselves and pick your rooms. They're all pretty much the same."

Whether it was the main building or the dormitories, the place had a retro architectural style. Many places in Japan were like that, but Kyoto was especially known for it.

Lin Ran picked a room near the corner. It was quieter there, and he could see the forest directly through the window, as though he were living in seclusion deep in the mountains.

The room was simply furnished, but it had everything it needed. Still, it was clearly not suitable for cooking for himself.

Satoru Gojo naturally noticed that. He came to Lin Ran's room and said, "Oh, right. So your cooking skills don't go to waste, we'll give you a separate kitchen. It's not far behind this building. You can cook there from now on."

"That couldn't be better." Lin Ran said happily. He still preferred cooking for himself; it gave him a sense of accomplishment.

"Ahem..." Gojo raised a hand to his mouth and coughed softly before saying, "Um... if it's convenient, you could make a little extra for your classmates and upperclassmen too. Of course, you don't need to worry about the cost of ingredients."

"No problem. As long as I have somewhere to cook, it makes no difference whether I make more or less." Lin Ran knew that Gojo had already taken a liking to his cooking. After all, if you wanted to win someone over, you had to win over their stomach first.

"Then it's settled." Gojo clapped his hands together. With a chef like Lin Ran around, he could often eat delicacies unavailable here.

It seemed his decision this time had indeed been correct. He had found an excellent chef and another promising talent like Fushiguro Megumi.

"What's settled, Teacher Gojo? What are you talking about?" Hearing the cheerful voices here, Yuji Itadori walked over and saw smiles on both Gojo's and Lin Ran's faces.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that Lin Ran can regularly improve our meals from now on." Gojo nodded with a smile.

"Is the school food bad?" Only after saying that did Yuji understand. Lin Ran could cook, and apparently he was quite good at it. "Huh, Lin Ran, you can cook? Teacher Gojo has tried it?"

"It tastes quite good, Yuji. If you want to eat delicious food in the future, you'll have to butter up Lin Ran." Gojo teased.

"It's nothing special, really. Just average, average." Lin Ran felt a little embarrassed by the praise, though he did accept it. After all, he had the hands of a god of cooking.

"That's amazing. We're about the same age, yet you're so outstanding. I really want to try your cooking." Yuji Itadori praised Lin Ran again.

"Alright, stop flattering him." Gojo smiled. "The second- and third-years are all out right now, but you should meet them soon enough. There aren't many of them."

At that, Gojo looked at Yuji Itadori. "You don't have to insist on fighting either. I'll have Lin Ran and Fushiguro Megumi find Sukuna's Fingers. You can just wait here."

It might have been a little troublesome before, but now that Lin Ran had joined, having one more person would make things much easier.

"No. I keep my word. If I just sit around doing nothing while Fushiguro and Lin Ran come back covered in injuries with the fingers, that'd be ridiculous." Yuji looked at Lin Ran again. "Besides, Lin Ran has to improve our meals too. We can't let him work himself too hard, right?"