Curse Return: Swordsmith Start

"How is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing before. How did you know...?"

The Yue man snorted softly, speaking with a hint of mockery.

"Do you think your family would be happy or upset that such a lowly monkey, whom they consider the lowest of the low, almost killed the strongest sorcerer in the world?"

"..."

Of course it would be painful. No, it's not just painful. If that's the case, for those guys who only value spellcasting skills, it would be a fundamental denial of everything they're proud of, tearing away the bullshit honor they cherish most. What's the difference between that and feeding them directly? They must hate it to the core.

Thinking of this, Maki felt a strange sense of pleasure.

"As for how I knew, have you forgotten my spell?"

Yue Ren calmly extended her hand, which was filled with familiar magical power.

"Knowing the 'truth of the past' is something that comes easily to me, isn't it?"

"..."

That's it!

Maki then remembered that his technique allowed him to obtain the "history" of objects by touching them. Suddenly, she realized that using this technique as a detective would be a piece of cake! What else was there that he couldn't know...?

"You're not confident enough yet, and you still have unrealistic fantasies about those clans and magical powers. Abandon those things, and transform all your hatred and will into motivation to improve your skills. Don't limit your vision to just one clan. When have you ever seen Gojo-sensei put his own clan in his eyes?"

At this point, the Yue man continued speaking with an arrogant and unruly expression.

"Don't get the relationships backwards. The current three major families were also founded by powerful figures a thousand years ago. As long as you can stand at the top of the world one day, everyone who looks down on you will bow down to you, because at that time you will have the ability to 'flip the table' that they fear. Just like Gojo-sensei, the higher-ups in the jutsu are so dissatisfied with him, but they only dare to do some small things in the dark. Isn't that because they fear his 'power'?"

"One day, you will become the second 'Heaven and Tyrant,' silencing those who look down on you for your lack of magical power with your sword. Isn't that your future, Zenin Maki?"

"And in this process, we, as your partners, will help you."

Speechless.

Faced with the boy's vivid description of the possibilities, the girl's face showed uncontrollable shock. At this moment, with Yue Ren's guidance, her worldview was severely shaken, and through the crack, she saw the real "future".

I see. I don't need to prove or explain anything; that's something I only do with my partners. When dealing with trash, what I need to do is be stronger than anyone else and physically shut them up.

Looking at the boy again, a warm current flowed through her body, making her feel unsteady... Am I sick?

This young man carved a sliver of light into her bewildered heart, a glimmer of hope that gave her the motivation to continue "digging."

"...Yes, it only makes sense if I do it myself...I'll go back to my room now."

For some reason, she didn't want him to see her lose her composure. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, she stiffly prepared to turn and leave.

Knowing that she needed time to calm down and think things through, Yue Ren smiled slightly and gestured for her to proceed.

He spoke again when the other person reached the door.

"Looking forward to a brand new you tomorrow, Maki!"

The girl paused for a moment, then without turning around, pushed the door open and left.

The girl closed the door, her cheeks flushed an alluring red as she looked up slightly.

"I'm such an idiot, knowing full well that guy is smart..."

"You idiot, Maki, don't think that means you're being recognized..."

She quickened her pace and left as if fleeing, but she didn't even realize that her steps were much lighter than before, and her back was unconsciously straighter.

At this moment, she has only one identity: a teenage girl with a bright future.

Seeing through the "Eye of Karma" that her body's fluctuations had returned to normal when she left, Yue Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, the young lady was calmed down. As a rebel who grew up in an extremely repressive and discriminatory environment, she was used to protecting her inner softness and beliefs with a tough exterior.

Trying to enlighten someone like this is inherently challenging. The fact that Yue Ren was able to succeed is largely thanks to the time they've spent training and learning together, which has made her see him as a true partner. Otherwise, if he had said what he just said, she probably would have just left with a "What's it to you?" and turned away, just like how you can't pass a test if your favorability rating isn't high enough.

Being a sorcerer is a profession that's incredibly stressful. In this country, sorcerers are basically divided into two types: those who are obviously insane and those who are about to become insane. Add to that Japan's extremely oppressive society, and it's just unbelievable.

He couldn't see or care about the others, but this girl could still be saved. They had spent so much time together, so he decided to help her if he could.

In her, Yue Ren saw a strength unique to Zenin Maki, and he hoped that she could truly become strong, rather than a regretful person swept along by fate like in the original story.

Her current "vision" is still too narrow, trapped by her family and kinship. She can't even reach the level of "indifference" that Fuhe Shen'er possesses. Even if she obtains the complete form of the Heaven and Curse-Binding Physique, she probably won't be able to fully utilize it.

She needs to temper her "heart" and "skills" first. As for her physique, Yue Ren will help her when the time is right. Although he can't do it now, it's not like there's no chance. He just needs to become stronger.

After this, at least she will have some mental support, so that she won't be alienated or suddenly crushed by the ever-changing reality. She will also have more confidence to train herself. If she keeps an eye on things from time to time, creating an even stronger "Heaven and Tyrant" shouldn't be a problem.

It has been proven that if a person's mindset changes, then she will undergo a dramatic transformation.

School time.

The morning sun was still bright, but summer was almost over and the temperature was finally starting to cool down. People no longer had to look gloomy as soon as they went out. The cool environment also brought them a sense of joy.

However, today seems to be somewhat different.

Staring at that familiar figure ahead, Panda felt something was off. Maki... seemed to be in a good mood today.

That's right, the same clothes, the same situation, yet you could sense that the person had changed in subtle ways.

Did something happy happen...? Could it be yesterday...?

Suddenly, the image of Maki being called over by Echigo after school flashed through Panda's mind like a thunderbolt.

Their relationship has made great progress...?

The panda, instantly beaming with a maternal smile, immediately stole glances at the two of them with its little eyes.

But the next moment, Yue Ren and Yi Gu, who were walking at the back, stopped in their tracks.

"What's wrong, you two?"

The three people who noticed something was wrong turned around.

"Uh... I have a bad feeling about this."

Yi Gu felt a little uncertain; he sensed something unsettling approaching.

"You're overthinking it x2".

Honey-glazed bonito flakes.

"Yuta wasn't wrong, someone's here, and they don't seem to have good intentions!"

It might be a coincidence for one person, but it's obviously a different story when two people discover the situation together. Yue Ren's words forced everyone to take the matter seriously.

Yue Ren narrowed his eyes. At this time, with this kind of entourage... it must be that guy.

Xia Youjie was originally one of the four top-level sorcerers, mastering the technique "Spirit Manipulation Technique". He came from a non-sorcerer family.

He was once considered the strongest along with Gojo Satoru, and the two were classmates. Together with Ieiri Shoko, one of Echigo's teachers, they formed a trio. During their time at the vocational high school, they adhered to the ideal of protecting ordinary people. At the age of 17, after experiencing many events, including the sacrifice of Haibara Yu and the serious injury of Nanami Kento, the murder of Tenten Riko by Fushiguro Shige, an employee of the Pansei Cult, and Gojo Satoru carrying out a mission alone, he saw two little girls with magical talents who were maliciously imprisoned by villagers during a mission. He then chose to slaughter 112 villagers, betray the vocational high school, and become a curse master.

In short, he is a sorcerer driven mad by a world full of despair.

If the plot is correct, he probably came to declare war on the high school. His real purpose was to obtain Yuta's Rika, since his technique is "Spirit Manipulation Technique". He believes that after obtaining Rika, he can create a new world in his heart that belongs exclusively to the sorcerer.

I never expected it to be now... Oh well, I might as well take this opportunity to meet this 'key figure'.

Before the panda could ask any further questions, a heavy and sticky curse force swept across the campus's barrier like a tide.

It wasn't an invasion, it was a visit, but it sent chills down your spine even more than an invasion.

"Ah, it's true..."

Everyone turned their heads and saw a bird-like creature flying rapidly toward them from the distant sky. It was enormous, but they could clearly sense its cursed power; it was a cursed spirit.

The large bird landed not far from them, and a man with long hair and wearing "five robes" jumped down first.

His gentle smile, along with his attire and large ears resembling those of a Buddha, gave him a kind and approachable appearance.

He didn't immediately pay attention to Yue Ren and the others, but instead looked at the school behind them.

"Ah, the High School of Spellcasting really hasn't changed at all."

"Eh... Lord Natsuyu, is this really the High School of Spellcasting?"

"What a beautiful countryside! It's so rustic!"

As he sighed, the large bird behind him opened its beak, and several figures emerged from it. The two girls looked disappointed when they saw the cramped building in front of them.

As the school where their idol, Xia You, once studied, they still had high expectations, but they never expected it to look so shabby, which was utterly disappointing.

"Who are you? If you're intruders, Yuta won't let you get away with this."

"Kombu!"

"Eh!"

Seeing that the panda was actually using himself as a shield to intimidate others, Yuta hesitated to speak. This development was not right. Although he was a special-grade, he thought that his title was very exaggerated. It was not his place to threaten people with his name. Shouldn't they bring up Gojo-sensei at this time?

What happened next was even more unexpected. Maki also said to them with a serious expression, "I advise you to leave before you get beaten up by Yuuta."

Seeing everyone tricking him like this, Yi Gu was about to say something helplessly when he felt a gust of wind coming towards him.

next moment--

Before anyone could react.

"boom--"

Yuta's view was blocked by a figure. When Yigu realized what was happening, he realized that it was Yue Ren.

Yes, Kawasaki Koshito had appeared in front of Yuta without anyone noticing, and he was still in a sword-wielding stance. Directly in front of him, the man had just landed, and a cursed spirit was blocking his way. The spirit had already been cut in half.

Xia Youjie looked directly at the Yue people blocking their way, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You've got a knack for it."

"So fast!"

"When...!"

Apart from the bewildered Yuta, everyone else finally realized what had happened in that instant. The man had suddenly appeared in front of Yuta, but before he could take any further action, he was forced back by Yue Ren's sword.

Everything happened in an instant; no one saw the specific details clearly.

Xia Youjie stopped ten meters away from the group, his gaze sweeping from the panda over the dog scroll and settling on the Yue people.

His reaction speed... is at the level of a first-level sorcerer, no, or even higher. And that thing in his hand... a blade blank? Or a cursed tool? Does it deal some special damage to cursed spirits...?

Judging from the clothes, he and Yigu Youtai are classmates in the same year. A first-year level one sorcerer, how wonderful, another sorcerer genius.

In just one exchange, Xia Youjie gleaned a great deal of information from his opponent's performance, demonstrating his exceptional qualities as one of the former four Special Grade fighters.

His gaze finally settled on Yuta Etsukoshi's face, his eyebrows curving upwards, his smile as gentle as a graduate returning to his alma mater to visit his juniors.

"Hello, Yigu, my name is Xia Youjie. And this outstanding young man, may I ask your name?"

"Kawasaki Koshito, hello. You were once one of the four Special Grade, and now the most evil curse master, Natsuyu Jie."

"Top Grade!"

"The Cursed One!"

"..."

The Yue people's words immediately put Panda and the others on high alert, causing them to instinctively assume an attack stance.

"Oh dear, I didn't expect that there would be new people who know about me. It's quite embarrassing. Well then, I'll just be frank."

"Yue Ren, Yi Gu, you two possess remarkable strength and talent. I believe that great strength should be used for great goals."

"Have you ever questioned this world? In order to protect the order of ordinary society, sorcerers are active in this world, creating the ridiculous contradiction that the strong must protect the weak..."

Looking at this man talking to himself, everyone was a little confused for a moment. Yue Ren, on the other hand, stared at the guy without saying a word, listening attentively to his "wild ideas".

"Therefore, I hope you two can come and help me!"

"Help with what?"

After listening to him rummage for a while, Yi Gu subconsciously asked a question, only to see an extremely terrifying smile on the man's face.

"Of course, we should kill all non-magicians and create a world where only mages exist!"

These words sent a chill down Yi Gu's spine, and everyone except the Yue people broke out in a cold sweat.

"You self-righteous delusional fool, still thinking how wonderful your theories are, and this is all you've got? Trying to achieve such a ridiculous goal through shallow, opportunistic killing? Looks like I overestimated you."

These words shocked everyone on both sides.