NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 11
Chapter 11.9 Unexpectedly Occurring
“Hey, Hikigaya.”
Yukinoshita Yukino, who had seven extra eyes and a mouth added to her face, seemed too shy to face people, so she lay with her head buried between her two arms on the table like an ostrich, but Lin Qi’s voice still came from her.
“Yes!” The called Hachiman Hikigaya immediately stood up straight, almost subconsciously shouting “Yes, sir!”
“You can see them, right? Cursed Spirits.”
So those monsters were called Cursed Spirits?
The dead fish-eyed boy quickly responded after his initial shock, “Yes, I suddenly could see them this morning when I went to school; that’s why I was so shocked and wrote that essay, which Teacher Hozumi caught me writing….”
Indeed so.
Everyone has curse energy in their bodies, and people with the natural talent for becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer will have curse energy grow as they age until adulthood, after which it won’t increase any further. A Jujutsu Sorcerer’s maximum capacity for curse energy is basically set from then on. To continue getting stronger, one must develop their awakened techniques.
Essentially, the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers revolves around talent.
But in Hachiman Hikigaya’s case, this rule seemed to be broken. Although the growth was very weak and could easily be overlooked, his curse energy indeed continued to grow slowly.
Standing within the domain, Lin Qi supported his chin with his hand, frowning as he thought deeply. He already had a vague guess, but needed more examples to verify it.
After asking his question, Lin Qi fell silent, and Yukinoshita kept her head down, not speaking. Hachiman felt a mix of emotions, like being on a roller coaster ride.
Lin Qi stayed silent because he was thinking about the problem, while Yukinoshita remained quiet because, apart from not knowing what to say, she also felt it was similar to how Hachiman was forcefully made to join the club by Teacher Hozumi.
Since Lin Qi woke up inside her, it seemed that things were always going badly for her, which made her feel defeated.
Perhaps she needed to change herself first.
First, she needed to acknowledge the presence of the Parasitic Bug inside her body.
At this thought, Yukinoshita struggled against her own sense of shame, straightening her posture, making Hachiman clearly see the additional eyes.
Though having four eyes on a person’s face was terrifying, Hachiman found nothing frightening about Yukinoshita’s appearance now. Instead, it added a charming devilish quality.
If Yukinoshita earlier resembled a lotus flower rising unsoiled from the mud, she now appeared like a black rose glowing mysteriously and beautifully.
“Despite your weakness, you undoubtedly have the potential to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer,” Lin Qi remarked, avoiding disrupting the beauty of her face. His mouth appeared on her smooth hand.
“Eh? Me?” Hachiman pointed at himself.
“Yes, usually, the potential to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer is known by early childhood, and the awakening of techniques happens around ages 8 or 9.”
“But I’m already seventeen years old…”
“That’s what intrigued me. Even though I’m unsure of the exact reasons, I suspect some changes have occurred in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery, allowing previously ordinary people to awaken. And you’re one of them.”
“While ordinary people in this era may not know about curses, this situation might change in the near future,” Lin Qi said, then continued, “Coincidentally, I am bored and enjoy teaching others, so I decided to teach you essential survival skills.”
“I don’t wish to run out every time you encounter danger, act as a shield, and then get sent back like a tool,” Lin Qi criticized, and Yukinoshita knew he was speaking directly to her.
“I hope you aren’t teaching us how to do evil?”
“Master! Please let me bow before you!”
While Yukinoshita complained, Hachiman had already bowed, which caused her to look at him with disdain, “You flipped sides so quickly? Grasshopper?”
Hachiman, who was bowing to Yukinoshita, looked up with dissatisfaction, “What are you talking about? This is a dream come true for any Japanese high school boy. Even I couldn’t turn it down!”
“You ungrateful woman! Do you think a high school boy’s brain is filled only with romantic nonsense? Who would refuse the opportunity to gain extraordinary power and become a hero?”
“You have promise, this is the kind of attitude a student should show in learning. You should take a page from Hikigaya,” said Lin Qi, quite satisfied with Hachiman’s respect.
The black-haired girl glanced coldly at her hand but held back her sarcastic remarks, realizing she couldn’t match Lin Qi’s words. In a stiff tone, she said, “So, what do you plan to teach us?”
“Give me permission.”
Seeing Yukinoshita hesitating, Lin Qi impatiently stated, “Anyway, you can always take control of your body back anytime, so why are you hesitant? Wavering cannot lead to great accomplishments!”
Her mother might have treated her similarly, a realization that brought her a moment of confusion.
After a brief pause, the girl silently handed over control of her body.
In Hachiman’s view, black patterns slowly spread across Yukinoshita’s face, and her fierce energy surged like a hungry beast.
Thankfully, Lin Qi soon contained the energy overflow. The trembling fish-eyed boy exhaled heavily, relieved but still jittery.
That was a close call… Oh, wait, I just did a dogeza once, so no worries.
This was a pivotal moment in turning fantasy into reality. Whether it’s bowing or licking shoes, I won’t hesitate!
Hachiman reaffirmed his resolve.
“Oh oh, nice eyes.”
Lin Qi smirked, crossing his arms, making the usually cold Yukinoshita look playful under Lin Qi’s control, though she felt differently inside.
Stop moving another person’s body in weird ways, please!
Lin Qi shrugged, walking to the front of the desk. Grabbing two pieces of chalk from the box, he placed them on the table.
“First, curse energy – the strength born from negative emotions. The ability to manipulate curse energy distinguishes sorcerers from ordinary folk. You need to understand the difference between techniques and simply using curse energy to attack.”
With a snap of his fingers, one piece of chalk was struck and flown away by unseen force, while the other snapped neatly in half, sliding to rest on the desk, its break clean and undamaged.
“The former is curse energy attack, the latter is a technique, understand?”
Hachiman stared at the snapped chalk pensively, “So, the first is a normal attack, and the second refers to skills, correct?”
“You got it,” Lin Qi nodded. “Each person’s techniques are different. Mine is cutting. Though Yukinoshita currently lacks techniques, my abilities will gradually be engraved into her body with time. As for you, maybe you’ll awaken your own techniques one day.”
Hachiman nodded in response.
“To master the manipulation of curse energy, one must first feel the curse energy within themselves…” Lin Qi sized him up, with a playful smile, “Hachiman, do you want to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer?”
His sudden question left him stunned for a moment. Then: “Well, since we’ve begun learning, it means I do want to.”
“Transforming into a Jujutsu Sorcerer to cleanse cursed spirits, secretly maintaining the peace in human society, or using these abilities for evil, gaining personal benefits—such sorcerers are called curses sorcerers. Which do you choose?”
“Of course the first option, I don’t want to become such a dangerous criminal.” This time, he answered promptly.
“Huhu ~ How far are you willing to go for this?”
Is he testing me? Now is when I should declare my intentions? Don’t underestimate the determination of a sophomore student to become a hero and protect peace!
Gradually understanding the situation, Hachiman responded resolutely, “I am willing to face any danger, without hesitation!”
Lin Qi nodded, satisfied with his answer, “Good.”
He casually made a hand seal. A black curtain resembling viscous liquid began descending from the ceiling, soon enveloping the whole activity classroom, even dimming the light as if nightfall had truly arrived.
“What’s this?” Hachiman asked curiously, almost hoping it was some kind of sealing technique.
“A curtain to hide events here from outside. Even sounds don’t escape,” Lin Qi explained.
Hachiman understood, now looking forward to more lessons from Lin Qi.
Then, he saw Lin Qi wave his hand.
Next, the sound of the fabric tearing echoed. Hachiman’s school uniform was cut open at the shoulder, followed by his entire right arm breaking off, blood spurting everywhere.
“Eh?”
…
After school, and becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer: