Chapter 30: Negotiations (2)

[Third Person's Point of View]

The wooden door glided open, and a silver-haired man with a blindfold over his eyes entered the room, immediately drawing the attention of the two people inside.

"Gojo-san" Ijichi stood up, sending a small relieved nod towards Satoru, eager to get out of the room.

"Good work Ijichi" The door closed behind him, leaving Satoru alone with the only other person in the room - August.

Satoru casually strolled up to the raven-haired man, taking Ijichi's former seat as he casually introduced himself. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending his hand towards the man with piercing violet eyes observing him with great interest. "I am Gojo Satoru."

"I already know that. Ijichi-san told me about you - 'Mr. He-is-the-strongest-human-alive'," August said with amusement.

Satoru grinned unabashedly at the mention of the title, displaying his arrogant belief in the title.

"August Blackwood, a student at Todai and part-time English teacher" August responded to Satoru's greeting with a firm handshake.

"I assume you already know the basics,"

"Yes, they explained the world-isn't-as-simple-as-you-think shtick when they first brought us here."

Satoru chuckled at August's sarcasm, finding it refreshing after dealing with stubborn old bags of bones way past their expiry date and a depressed self-harming teenager. "We appreciate you stepping in to prevent the situation from escalating even further."

August hummed in acknowledgement of Satoru's words, reflecting on the events of yesterday. After the chaos in his classroom, he was escorted to Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College by the sorcerers who had arrived shortly after Gojo.

Following the usual procedure of questioning and explaining from both sides, August was made aware of the secret supernatural society that existed throughout the world and was now expected to be a part of it since he had awakened his magical powers.

"What will happen to Yuta?" August asked, concern for his student evident in his voice.

"The ever-concerned teacher," Satoru teased, pointing to himself. "Don't worry, I took care of the situation. He'll be attending Jujutsu High next session."

"Enough about that. Tell me about yourself," Satoru prompted.

August tilted his head, unsure of what exactly Satoru wanted to know. "What do you want to know?"

Satoru leaned closer, intrigued by August's presence. "You were just shown that the world is much, much bigger than you think. What are you going to do now?"

The blunt question caught August off guard, causing him to pause; his face showing the intensity of his internal struggle as he weighed his options and tried to reach a decision.

"I" He opened his mouth hesitatingly but carried on "Well...ever since I discovered my powers, I knew this world wasn't what it seemed. I mean, there's no way I'm the only one with special abilities. That just doesn't make sense."

"Now that I know about the other side of the world, I can't just go back to pretending nothing has changed." August finished with his expression steeled, showing his determination.

"So, what will you do?" Satoru again repeated the same question, his attention fully on August.

"This world is dangerous," August began, "aside from cursed spirits, I have been told there are all sorts of magical creatures capable of reducing entire cities to dust. My parents and friends shouldn't have to live in a world like this without knowing the dangers and having someone to rely on."

This explanation would have been flawless in persuading anyone, except for Gojo Satoru.

"Seriously? That's all you have to say? I know there's more to it than that," Satoru said with a sly grin, causing the midnight-haired to sigh in defeat.

A brief moment of silence followed before August's expression completely transformed. A wide smile spread across his face and his previously calm demeanor gave way to unbridled excitement. With eyes widened and arms outstretched, he spoke fervently, "I love this feeling. It's the most alive I've felt in ages."

"Study hard, get good grades, take over your father's business, marry a suitable wife, have children, and then die. That's the life I was supposed to lead. But it always felt like something was missing. That life was too mundane and boring, so occasionally I could not help but yearn for something more."

He was putting on an Oscar-worthy show. After all, he had rehearsed this meeting countless times in his mind over the past months. But that didn't mean every word he spoke was a lie. The most effective way to deceive someone is to intertwine truth with falsehoods.

August Blackwood, the disillusioned prodigy. That was his carefully crafted persona, and Satoru was determined to test the authenticity of it all.

"Now that I've found my 'more', there's no way I'm letting go," August concluded passionately, meeting Satoru's gaze head-on as hundreds of thoughts raced through their minds.

"I knew it," Satoru chuckled lightly after a moment of silence. He knew people like August very well. He understood people like August very well; after all, he used to be just like him before meeting that man and nearly losing his life.

Not all geniuses were immune to boredom and disillusionment; some simply faded into obscurity while others found something worthwhile to dedicate their talents towards – those were the real monsters.

Satoru was hailed by the Jujutsu Society as their salvation, fated to be the strongest. However, after surviving a brush with death, he felt like he was reborn into a completely different person.

A superior version, born from the ashes of failure. The one that embraced and was eager for the endless obstacles waiting ahead.

Finally, Satoru could see his next step clearly.

His laughter died down and he proceeded to make an offer that he had been contemplating for a while now, "Join Jujutsu High."

August's face visibly contorted at the proposition. "I've already graduated high school and have no desire to return there ever again," he stated firmly.

"But you need proper training to become a worthwhile magician,"

Sorcerers and Magicians drew energy from different sources, leading to variations in their learning processes.

The Magicians were split into two distinct groups: mages and wizards. Mages relied on mathematical calculations to perform their magic, while wizards preferred spell incantations and wands.

Sorcerers on the other hand used sutras, tags and talismans to cast spells.

However, the use of Innate Technique and energy control was the same for all. Even Japan with its predominantly Sorcerer population, had mages and wizards bolstering its ranks.

That was why Jujustu High offered a Magical course as well.

"What is your Innate Technique anyway?" Satoru remembered that although it was written in the reports that August had awakened his Innate Technique, it was nowhere mentioned what it was.

"..."

"Why are you looking at me like that!?" Satoru was confused at the deadpan expression directed towards him by those piercing violet eyes.

"Could it be....that you don't trust me?" His face fell as he clutched his chest and pointed to his blindfolded eyes. "How can you not trust this face?"

"..."

"Seriously though, we need to know about your technique so we can teach you properly."

"Is it common practice to reveal one's innate technique to others?" August asked sceptically

"It's not uncommon either. Once you use your technique publicly, people will know about it anyway. So don't worry about it. Trust me."

"..."

"Fine! But I want to know yours first." He sighed loudly but refused to disclose any information until he learned about Satoru's technique first.

'Tho I already know it anyways' he once again looked at the floating box of information above Satoru's head while the blindfolded man explained his technique.

[Satoru Gojo - Human(Cursed) - 'The Strongest Human Alive' - 'The Honoured One' - Tier 5]

[CE Reserve-S+, Innate Cursed Technique- Limitless, Special Ability- Six Eyes]

Satoru gestured for August to extend his hand towards him, similar to how people do a high five.

'Don't tell me...?' August looked at Satoru weirdly as he waved his hand in the air.

"Hora Hora"

'Yep, he just said it'

He followed Satoru's instructions, and just as their palms were about to touch, a weird sensation overwhelmed him.

He didn't feel any barrier stopping his palm. No, his hand was moving forward, just at a pace infinitely closer to zero.

"This is an application of my innate cursed technique: Limitless. This..."

"This is one aspect of my cursed technique: Limitless," explained Satoru. But August couldn't focus on what he was saying. For the first time, he was truly amazed by something he already knew about. He had seen the principles of Gojo's technique explained in the anime, but experiencing it firsthand gave him a whole new perspective on its power.

"Now tell me yours," prompted Satoru after finishing his explanation, looking at his to-be student with an expectant gaze.

"Sure, mine is Elemental Affinity"

"..."

"I'm serious."

"..." Satoru's blatant 'I don't believe you, Liar!' expression irritated August to no end.

"You mean to say," said Satoru slowly, sounding both sceptical and amused, "that you killed a Grade One cursed spirit and faced off against a Special Grade cursed apparition with a technique that is basically just for party tricks?"

'Ah!' A lightbulb comically appeared on his head as August finally understood the problem. Elemental Affinity was also the name of a common Innate Technique in this world. This ability allowed users to learn and cast 4-element magic with greater proficiency than other mages, but it couldn't match up to specialized innate techniques. It was often referred to as the Jack of all trades but master of none.

"Uhh...it would be better if I just show you," said August.

The air around August's finger seemed to vibrate and shimmer as a ball of heat appeared on top of it in an instant, its white glow intensifying as it compressed into a small orb of dense plasma. Then casually, it transformed into a large blue water ball, shimmering with a deep aquatic hue, and finally settling into a bright yellow ball crackling with electricity.

Otherworldly aquamarine eyes revealed themselves to the world and stared in disbelief at the myriad display of powers from the boy in front of him as Satoru was forced to pull his bandage down

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Author-san here!!!

New week. Let's aim for the Power rankings!!

So, the goal for this chapter will be 85 powerstones. 

Reaching that, I'll post the next chapter tomorrow.

But, if you can't wait to read the next chapter, and two weeks' worth ahead, go visit my Patreon account.

[Link: Patreon.com/Midwintersnow] ['P' lowercase ofc]

See you Tomorrow :)