Night fell over Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical College.
The training grounds were almost empty.
Only a few dim streetlights remained on, casting long shadows across the field.
Most of the students had already returned to their dorms.
After all, the Goodwill Exchange Event would begin tomorrow.
But in the quiet darkness—
The sound of air being cut apart echoed repeatedly.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Each swing was followed by heavy breathing.
Passing by the training field with a half-finished can of coffee in his hand, Yagami Sora stopped.
Someone was still training.
Under the pale lights stood Maki Zenin.
She wore simple training clothes.
A long naginata spun in her hands as she struck a wooden practice post again and again.
Each attack was fierce.
Direct.
Without hesitation.
Sweat soaked her clothes.
Droplets slid down from her hair.
Her movements were sharp and efficient—
Yet something restless lingered in her eyes.
The wooden post in front of her had already been shattered beyond recognition.
It looked almost as chaotic as her thoughts.
"Too slow."
Sora leaned against the entrance of the field.
He took a sip of coffee.
His voice was calm.
Maki froze for a moment.
Then she turned around sharply.
Her eyes were as sharp as blades.
But when she realized who it was, her expression softened slightly.
"…It's you."
"You're still awake?"
Sora shrugged.
"Just watched that gorilla from Kyoto get knocked out."
"Hard to sleep after entertainment like that."
He walked onto the field.
"Or what?"
"Are you worried about losing tomorrow?"
Maki didn't respond immediately.
She lowered her gaze to the naginata in her hands.
Then asked quietly.
"How did you do that technique?"
"Which one?"
"The one that sent Aoi Todo flying."
Her eyes locked onto him.
"I didn't sense any cursed energy flow."
"Was it pure physical force?"
"…or something else?"
"Vector manipulation."
Sora answered casually.
"It's simple."
"I control the direction and magnitude of force."
"Whether it's kinetic impact or cursed energy…"
"As long as it touches my body…"
"…I can rewrite its vector."
Maki clenched her fists.
Her knuckles turned white.
A trace of bitterness flashed in her eyes.
"…So it's still a cursed technique."
"People like me…"
"…can never reach that level."
Her voice was low.
Maki had been born with Heavenly Restriction.
In exchange for losing all cursed energy—
She gained a body with extraordinary physical potential.
But in the Zenin Clan, that meant only one thing:
Discrimination.
Contempt.
And the label of failure.
"Useless?"
Sora raised an eyebrow.
"What nonsense."
"If that's useless…"
"Then ninety-nine percent of all sorcerers should just quit."
Maki looked up, surprised.
"What?"
"Do you think I'm strong because of my technique?"
Sora tapped his own head.
"Techniques are tools."
"The person using them is what matters."
He stepped closer.
"And who told you someone without cursed energy can't become stronger?"
"In fact…"
"…that's your greatest advantage."
Before Maki could react—
Sora suddenly threw a punch.
No vector manipulation.
No technique.
Just a fast, direct strike.
Maki reacted instantly.
Her body moved purely on instinct.
BANG.
Their arms collided.
The impact echoed through the field.
Maki staggered back two steps.
Sora slid one step backward as well.
He shook his arm slightly.
"…See?"
"Without cursed techniques…"
"Your physical strength is already comparable to mine."
"Your reaction speed is even faster than many Grade 1 sorcerers."
Maki froze.
"Heavenly Restriction isn't a curse."
Sora's voice became serious.
"It's a trade."
"Your cursed energy was taken away…"
"…but in return you gained a body free from the limits of cursed energy."
"You're not weaker."
"You're just different."
He looked directly at her.
"But you've been trying to fight like a normal sorcerer."
"You imitate people who strengthen themselves with cursed energy."
"And in doing so…"
"…you've shackled your own talent."
Maki murmured quietly.
"…I shackled myself?"
"Exactly."
Sora nodded.
"Your body itself is the ultimate cursed tool."
"Your senses are sharper than most sorcerers."
"You can read the air."
"Feel muscle movement."
"Sense killing intent."
He gestured toward the ground.
"Feel the wind."
"Feel the vibrations in the earth."
"When you can control every muscle perfectly…"
"When you can gather your strength into a single point…"
"…even a Special Grade opponent becomes something you can challenge."
"Fate itself can be cut apart."
His words struck Maki like lightning.
For years—
She had tried to prove she could match sorcerers who used cursed energy.
She had been competing in their field.
Using her weakness to challenge their strength.
And in doing so—
She had ignored the weapon she held from the beginning.
Her body.
The result of Heavenly Restriction.
"…So that's it."
Maki looked at her hands.
A new light appeared in her eyes.
Not confusion.
But ambition.
The ambition to destroy every obstacle in front of her.
"…Thank you."
She took a deep breath.
Then bowed deeply to Sora.
This time—
It was genuine respect.
"Yagami."
"Please guide me."
"I want to become stronger."
"I want to crush the trash in the Zenin Clan under my feet."
"I want them to see…"
"…that even the 'failure' they despise can stand above them."
Sora chuckled lightly.
"Guidance?"
He turned and walked away.
"Don't expect that."
He waved his hand lazily.
"But if you want a sparring partner…"
"…come find me."
"As long as you're not afraid of pain."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Watching a future physical tyrant awaken…"
"…sounds interesting."
"Who knows."
"One day I might even have to watch out for your blade."
Maki remained standing in the field.
Her grip tightened around the naginata.
This time—
Her eyes were no longer lost.
Only determination remained.
The gaze of someone who intended to become strong.
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