Monsters...

The first lesson ended, leaving them free until the afternoon.

After leaving the classroom, Li Shunchen walked alone down the corridor toward the faculty office. The system notification sounded in his mind at just the right moment, confirming his suspicions.

[Causal pivot observed: So-called classmates]

Node objective: Within the vortex of fate known as "Jujutsu High," have these three observers at the pinnacle of their era (Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, Shoko Ieiri) formally include you in their field of view.

Causal feedback: Whenever the host establishes a deep causal bond (recognition) with one of them, that person's soul-bound obsession will move the hands of fate for you, granting an additional "causal observation" (+1).

Current synchronization rate: 33%

Established causality: Shoko Ieiri.

Looking at that glaring 1/3, Li Shunchen could not help muttering self-deprecatingly.

"Just as I thought, simply showing an interesting Cursed Technique and potential isn't enough to make those two problem children with their noses in the air see me as a real companion..."

In the eyes of those two Special Grades, being interesting was not the same as earning recognition. Recognition was a word reserved for the strong.

To truly stand beside them, rather than serve as support personnel who needed protection, Li Shunchen had to possess enough raw strength to fight alongside them.

A few minutes later, in Masamichi Yaga's office, the room was piled high with all sorts of oddly shaped felt dolls. The tall, burly homeroom teacher was sewing eyes onto an ugly-cute Cursed Corpse with delicate movements utterly at odds with his appearance.

"Mr. Yaga, sorry to interrupt."

Li Shunchen politely knocked and entered, getting straight to the reason for his visit.

"Sir, I'd like you to teach me how to make and control those... combat dolls you use."

"Hmm?"

Masamichi Yaga stopped his needlework and pushed up his sunglasses, his brow instantly furrowing.

He set down the doll in his hands, his tone turning serious, even carrying a hint of frustration at wasted potential.

"Shunchen, it's good that you're eager to improve. But I have to correct your thinking."

Masamichi Yaga stood up, his towering figure exuding an imposing pressure.

"Your Cursed Technique, Phantom Parade, possesses an extremely rare ability to replicate Cursed Techniques. The Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue you just demonstrated was rough, but its power was enough to prove your potential. Since you can replicate Gojo's Limitless and Geto's Cursed Spirit Manipulation, why waste your energy on my Cursed Technique?"

"Whether it's the Gojo Clan's destructive power or Geto's summoning technique that makes him a one-man army, their ceilings are far higher than controlling these rigid Cursed Corpses."

"What you should be doing is refining those top-tier Cursed Techniques, not learning needlework from me. Do you understand?"

To Yaga, this was as absurd as someone with nuclear launch codes suddenly running over to ask how to throw a hand grenade.

Faced with Yaga's questioning, Li Shunchen did not panic. Instead, he calmly took the talisman he had found on Sato that night out of his pocket and placed it on the desk.

"You're right, sir. In terms of sheer strength, Limitless and Cursed Spirit Manipulation really are at the pinnacle." Li Shunchen raised a finger and analyzed calmly, "But after today's test, I discovered a fatal flaw in my Phantom Parade. It seems to be single-threaded."

"Single-threaded?" Yaga froze.

"Yes. I can't maintain two replicated Cursed Techniques at the same time."

Li Shunchen picked up the talisman and explained in an even tone.

"This talisman was left behind by that Curse User. I previously tried replicating his Puppet Manipulation and kept a faint Cursed Energy connection active. But back in the classroom, the instant I switched my Cursed Energy circuit to construct Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue for a demonstration to Gojo..."

Holding the talisman between two fingers, Li Shunchen gave it a gentle shake. "The connection to this broke outright."

At those words, Masamichi Yaga's expression grew grave.

"That means if I replicate Geto's ability to summon Cursed Spirits, then the moment an emergency in battle forces me to switch to Reverse Cursed Technique to save someone, or to Limitless to defend myself, the previous Cursed Technique will be forcibly interrupted. The summoned Cursed Spirits might even go out of control, and my defenses will collapse..."

At this point, Li Shunchen turned his gaze toward the half-finished dolls on Yaga's desk.

"So I can't take Geto's approach of using summons that require constant maintenance. I need something... that can keep fighting independently even after I sever the Cursed Technique connection and switch to being a healer to save someone, or at least won't affect my ability to keep fighting afterward. Like these combat puppets you use, sir. They have physical bodies, right? Once activated, they can move without a constant Cursed Technique connection, can't they?"

After hearing Li Shunchen's analysis, Masamichi Yaga's tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed, replaced by surprise.

He had not expected Li Shunchen to analyze his own Cursed Technique's strengths and weaknesses so thoroughly, much less already have planned the tactical supplement that suited him best.

"I see... single-threaded Cursed Technique replication?" Masamichi Yaga pondered for a moment, then sighed. "Your assessment is very accurate. If that's the case, a medium with an independent core really is your only solution."

Then Masamichi Yaga corrected him with utmost precision. "Also, they're not called combat puppets. Their technical name is 'Cursed Corpses.'"

"Yes, Cursed Corpses." Li Shunchen immediately corrected himself, playing the newcomer hearing the term for the first time.

"Although your reasoning is sound, let me make this clear up front." Masamichi Yaga walked to a corner of the room, took three practice models with only basic metal skeletons and no cotton stuffing yet off a shelf, and tossed them onto the floor.

"Controlling Cursed Corpses isn't as simple as you imagine. They don't just move because you pour Cursed Energy into them. It requires extremely precise Cursed Energy control, as well as the ability to divide your attention among multiple tasks."

He folded his arms and looked at Li Shunchen through his sunglasses. "Try pouring Cursed Energy into them. You don't need to make them do anything complicated. As long as you can make them stand up at the same time, I'll acknowledge that you have a talent for learning this."

Before Masamichi Yaga had even finished speaking, the three metal skeletons lying limp on the floor suddenly gave off crisp sounds of grinding joints in perfect unison.

Then, under Masamichi Yaga's shocked gaze, they did not wobble to their feet. Instead, with exceedingly crisp movements as though they had undergone military training, they sprang upright in an instant!

That was not all. With a slight twitch of the Cursed Energy threads at Li Shunchen's fingertips, the three Cursed Corpse skeletons assumed a standard combat formation.

The skeleton on the left lowered its center of gravity and took a grappling stance; the one on the right raised its arms high in a chopping motion; the middle skeleton crossed its arms to guard its core.

Three Cursed Corpses, three completely different movements. The distribution of Cursed Energy was as precise as a scalpel, without the slightest waste or delay.

"This...?!"

Masamichi Yaga's mouth fell open, his stern-teacher demeanor instantly becoming difficult to maintain.

He abruptly took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes, confirming that he had not seen wrong.

This level of proficiency?

This touch, as though he'd already controlled them hundreds or thousands of times?

And Li Shunchen called this only just discovering a flaw and wanting to learn?

"Li..." Masamichi Yaga's voice was a little dry. Pointing at the three excessively agile skeletons, he asked in disbelief, "Tell me honestly... is this really your first time working with Cursed Corpses? This level of fine control would take years of practice at the very least!"

Standing where he was, Li Shunchen pushed up his glasses and gave a modest, innocent smile, continuing to maintain his newcomer persona.

"Well... I really liked playing with marionettes when I was little. Maybe the principle is similar?"

Looking at Li Shunchen, Masamichi Yaga felt as though a wad of cotton had been stuffed into his throat. How could marionettes and using Cursed Spirit Manipulation to control Cursed Corpses possibly be the same thing?!

Only after a long while did Masamichi Yaga put his sunglasses back on, concealing the look in his eyes that questioned everything he knew. Yet the corners of his mouth could not help lifting slightly.

"Monsters... every student in this year's class is a monster."