By evening, Jujutsu High had shed the clamor of the day. The sun sank behind the western hills, bathing the campus's tree-lined paths and classroom buildings in a gentle orange-red glow.
The evening breeze brushed softly past as the four of them finished their busy day and returned to the Jujutsu High dorms together.
Days of missions, dealings with the higher-ups, and the tension of hovering between life and death had drained everyone's energy. At last, they had a rare stretch of free time to rest.
Back in the dorms, some of the strain eased, and everyone finally had a rare chance to relax.
After this high-risk mission, Suguru Geto understood his shortcomings more clearly than ever. Compared with Qingxiao and Gojo, he knew his current strength was still far from enough. His sorcery was powerful but difficult to improve at present, while his hand-to-hand combat still had plenty of room for growth.
He had intended to use the free evening to invite Qingxiao to the Training Ground to work on hand-to-hand combat. Just as he was about to ask, Satoru Gojo perked up first. Casually tossing aside his jacket, he flopped onto a beanbag, pulled out his handheld console, and called excitedly, "Come on, come on! Geto, Qingxiao, we finally have a night off! Let's team up as three and clear the game! Unwind a little!"
Qingxiao rubbed his fingertips over his newly acquired black hole ring. He had already decided to train hard tonight, so he immediately shook his head gently and declined. "You two go ahead. I'm sitting this one out tonight. I want to head to the Training Ground and get used to my new Cursed Tool."
After Qingxiao's firm refusal, Satoru Gojo immediately turned all his attention to Suguru Geto.
Seeing this, Suguru Geto was just about to turn him down tactfully and stick to his original training plan. "Tonight..."
Before he could finish, Satoru Gojo cut him off. He leaned close to Suguru Geto and swayed back and forth, giving him no chance to refuse. "Geto! Just one round! It'll be quick! Training every single day is so boring. What's wrong with relaxing once in a while? Besides, you were hurt so badly yesterday. You should get some proper rest today."
Faced with Satoru Gojo's practiced wheedling, the mild-mannered Suguru Geto was at a loss. He laughed helplessly and could only give in.
He turned toward Qingxiao beside him, a hint of apology in his eyes, and quietly suggested, "Then I'll keep Gojo company for a little gaming tonight. How about we head to the Training Ground together first thing tomorrow morning to practice hand-to-hand combat?"
"No problem." Qingxiao nodded in agreement, his tone easygoing. "I'm free tomorrow. We can train together whenever."
With tomorrow's training plans settled, Suguru Geto stopped declining. He sat beside Satoru Gojo, took a controller, and logged into the game with him.
Soon, the crisp tapping of game controls filled the softly lit dorm room, accompanied by the pair's occasional chatter and teasing. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.
Watching the two of them unwind, Qingxiao relaxed inwardly as well, but he had no inclination to play.
The Training Ground was deserted that evening, open and quiet-an ideal place to train.
For the next several hours, Qingxiao immersed himself completely in training.
He kept channeling Cursed Energy, using the black hole ring to add imaginary mass to the dumbbells in his hands and the clothes he wore. From basic weighted exercises to refining how he exerted force, he pushed his stamina to its limits again and again.
With this Cursed Tool's assistance, the ordinary exercises that had once produced little effect now demanded his full strength with every movement, straining his muscles, tendons, and bones and making up for a shortcoming in his training.
The night deepened, the bright moon hung high, and starlight spilled across the entire Training Ground.
Only late into the night did Qingxiao slowly stop.
By then, he was drenched in sweat, his soaked clothes clinging tightly to his back. His limbs ached and felt weak, every inch of muscle crying out with exhaustion. Even simple movements like raising a hand or lifting a foot left him aching and weak. It had been a long time since he had exhausted himself this thoroughly.
Yet this exhaustion did not feel unpleasant. Instead, it filled Qingxiao with a deep sense of reassurance and delight.
At last, I have a way to train my body effectively.
He let out a long, stale breath, allowing the evening breeze to brush over his sweat-soaked back and carry away the heat. After the utter exhaustion came the clarity of breaking through a constraint. The oppressive feeling of being stuck at a bottleneck for so long vanished, and the path of his training finally opened up, clear and broad.
He slowly dragged his aching body toward the dorms, his mind still turning over his plans for further training.
Tomorrow, I can try adding more mass and refine the rhythm of my exertion, then work on switching loads during combat while I'm at it... After that, I'll need to explore the Cursed Tool's limits gradually. I can't rush for results.
He walked slowly, thinking all the way. By the time he reached his floor in the dorm building, the corridor was already dark and silent.
Qingxiao took out his key and gently opened the door to his single room. Inside, it was quiet and empty, without a sound.
The lights in Gojo and Geto's rooms next door were already off. Presumably, the two had finished gaming and fallen fast asleep.
He stepped quietly inside and gently pulled the door shut behind him.
The exhaustion throughout his body swept over him in full. Leaning against the door, he did not even have the strength to raise a hand and rub his aching shoulders. He planned to wash up quickly, change into clean clothes, and then get some proper rest.
Moving quietly, he entered the dorm bathroom and turned on the shower by the faint moonlight spilling through the window.
Warm water washed over his taut muscles, rinsing away the fatigue left by training.
After a quick shower, he dried himself and changed into a clean, fresh short-sleeved shirt and long pants. All his physical discomfort vanished.
Once he had finished and stepped out of the bathroom, he was about to lie down to rest when a tiny, flickering orange glimmer in the direction of the terrace outside his window suddenly caught his eye.
In the ink-black night, all of Jujutsu High was excessively quiet. Buildings and the shadows of trees dissolved into the darkness, and not a sound could be heard. Only that red glimmer in the corner of the rooftop brightened and dimmed, its regular yet eerie flickering especially conspicuous.
What was that?
P.S. Guys, do you prefer thrilling fights or everyday life?
Before you continue