"So... enrolling to learn Jujutsu?"
Itadori Yuji was thrown by the question. What else would he be here for besides studying?
Yaga Masamichi's voice was cold. "I'm asking about what comes after. After you learn about curses, after you master the ability to exorcise them. What will you do then?"
"Huh?"
Yuji glanced at Satoru Gojo, but the teacher who'd brought him here showed no intention of explaining, merely smiling in silence.
Yuji could only point to his own finger. "I need to collect Sukuna's fingers? It'd be dangerous to just leave them lying around."
Yaga didn't press further, instead turning to Amber. "And what about you?"
"Seele wants to protect everyone..."
Amber wasn't lying. While her favorite characters from the anime were only Nobara Kugisaki and Satoru Gojo, that didn't mean she disliked the others.
In fact, before that whole 'Fushiguro's Domain Expansion' mess, she'd quite liked everyone in the main cast.
Even regarding Fushiguro's... incident, Amber was just frustrated with his wasted potential, not disgusted.
So, if possible, of course Amber wanted to achieve an ending where everyone survived and was happy.
Ah, now that I think of it, I said yesterday I'd go all-in to get the Herrscher of Death core, but I just ended up falling asleep...
"Dangerous to leave them? Protect?"
Yaga Masamichi stood up and slowly walked over to the two of them. His tall frame blocked much of the light, making his presence even more imposing.
"Accidents, incidents, illnesses... countless people die every single day. Why must your 'protection' be conditional on becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer?"
"Because... it's something only I can do, right?"
Yuji's brow furrowed as well. "No one else can serve as a vessel for the fingers. So I have to do it. Otherwise, later on, when I'm just lazing around, the mere thought of all those people dying because of the fingers... I wouldn't be able to just live my life like nothing happened."
"Anyway, no matter what, I don't want to make a choice I'll regret."
Hearing his words, the deep furrow in Yaga's brow eased slightly. He then shifted his gaze fully to Amber.
Even through the sunglasses, everyone could tell Yaga was weighing Amber's existence with heavy consideration. Yuji, realizing he'd passed his own test, also looked at Amber, sweating bullets for his junior.
If Amber was just going to be confined to Jujutsu High like this... no matter what, he'd have to get her out.
Yes, having passed himself, Yuji now somewhat understood the purpose of Yaga's questions. But in his view, Amber's answer probably wasn't going to align with what Yaga wanted.
Not because he knew her well, but because of his gut feeling.
"Because... Seele has something she wants to accomplish, something that requires becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer to complete."
Amber couldn't very well say she was here to follow the main cast, but her words weren't a lie either; she did need to become a Sorcerer to stick with them.
"Regarding the orphanage? That's something you could entrust to other Jujutsu Sorcerers without becoming one yourself."
Yaga had already reviewed Seele's file. He knew she'd entered the Jujutsu world initially to uncover the truth behind the deaths at her orphanage.
He continued, "Being fixated on life and death makes for a poor Jujutsu Sorcerer. Rage and hatred are fuel for cursed energy, but they can also become factors that make a Sorcerer reckless and get themselves killed."
"Seele will be fine... The other me will protect Seele too."
"It's not just about you. A Jujutsu Sorcerer constantly deals with death. Not just their own, but they witness people killed by curses, even comrades. And they also have to kill curses with their own hands."
Yaga wasn't surprised by Amber's statement, but he still didn't believe she had the makings of a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Not in terms of power, but in mentality.
"Your power is strong. You've already been approved for a Special Grade Sorcerer rating upon enrollment. But that doesn't mean you truly have the capacity to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Fighting cursed spirits long-term, witnessing life and death repeatedly—that requires not just strength, but a certain level of madness and a high degree of proactiveness."
Yaga Masamichi pointed out the lack of resolve in Seele's words.
"Having lived for years in a gentle, warm environment, your reason for entering the Jujutsu world is to avenge your orphanage?"
"Can your heart support you to keep fighting, continuously, without becoming twisted? Once your revenge is complete, will that goal be enough to maintain your drive to exterminate curses?"
If the Yaga of the past hadn't placed much importance on this, then the blow he received from watching that once incredibly gentle and brilliant young man walk down a different path was enough to make him prioritize the strength of a Sorcerer's heart to an extremely high degree.
Amber: ...No rebuttal.
Yaga Masamichi's words left her completely unable to argue back.
Her reason for joining was hardly legitimate to begin with, nor was she backed into a corner. She was simply participating because she wanted to.
Itadori Yuji also sensed the shift in the atmosphere. Fearful that Seele would be confined under watch at Jujutsu High from now on, he prepared to speak up and put in a good word for her.
But Yaga was faster. He turned his back directly to them. "Jujutsu High isn't suitable for a young girl like you. Gojo, send her somewhere else."
"Somewhere else?"
Yuji looked puzzledly at Satoru Gojo.
But Gojo was looking at Amber.
Learning that she couldn't enroll was a surprise to Amber, but thinking about Yaga's character, it also made sense.
"Actually, last night, I had a little chat with Principal Yaga about our dear Seele here."
Gojo explained with a smile. "The Gojo Clan is one of the Three Great Sorcerer Families of Japan. And since Japan's national happiness rate is, well, famously what it is, the Jujutsu Sorcerers and curses here are much stronger than in most countries."
"Hey, Gojo!"
Hearing Gojo reveal this, Yaga turned back, his face showing clear displeasure.
"And naturally, the Gojo Clan has some assets and arrangements overseas. So the Principal and I decided that if little Seele here didn't pass the test, rather than having her freedom restricted by the Jujutsu Society, it would be better to send her somewhere the Jujutsu Society can't reach, letting her live out a peaceful, ordinary life."
Gojo paid no mind to Yaga's tsundere attitude and stated directly, "While your power isn't something those old farts can handle, them constantly causing trouble for you would be a never-ending annoyance. So, this 'somewhere else' would have to be abroad."
Amber looked at Gojo, then at Yaga Masamichi.
Just reading the original story made it clear this principal was a good man, but she hadn't expected him to directly oppose the Higher-Ups for someone like her, whom he'd never even met before.
'Heh, don't think so highly of him. He's just afraid that if they push you too far, you'll let me out to wreak havoc.'
Dark Amber smirked, pointing out the cold truth.
Whether it was her own initial thought or the other her's cynical take, Amber felt it was a combination of both that led to Yaga's current decision.
"However, Principal, you're being far too autocratic. Isn't it better to let the children choose their own path?"
Gojo's tone shifted, his eyes focusing intently on Amber. "So, little Seele, the choice of whether to join or not... is still up to you."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.