8 Chapter 8

(A/N: The locked technique slots are for until the MC's Innate Technique reaches those levels)

I looked at the clan head, knowing that my answer to his question about my cursed technique would decide my future within the clan, "Let me whisper it to you," I said, seeing a hurt expression on my mother's face as I did so.

He leaned in, a slightly curious expression on his face, "I can replicate other cursed techniques. I think I can do up to four at a time in the future, but I feel that one is my limit for now," I said, speaking barely above a whisper, causing the clan head to almost put his ear close enough to touch my lips.

(A/N: I don't know if you gain general information on your technique when you awaken it, but I don't see how most people would even figure out their technique if they didn't. Take the Seance Technique, for example, no way you figure that out without gaining at least basically knowledge on it when you unlock cursed energy)

I heard my mother's gasp as my uncle's head shot bolt upright, nearly bashing his head against mine as he did so. I stood back and watched as the clan head stroked his white beard over and over again. The clan head clearly could see all the possibilities of a cursed technique like mine. I could see that my mother was nervous and unsettled by the clan head's reaction to my cursed technique. I walked over and took her hand as the clan head finally settled down.

He turned back to me with a serious expression, "As Clan Head, I order you to keep this a secret," he said with an authoritative tone, "Also, you and I are going to have a private talk about the extent and functionality of your technique,"

I simply nodded, already expecting his reaction to be like this, but I could see my mother's confusion plainly painted on her face, "What, why order him to keep his technique secret?"

"This isn't a discussion nor time for you to question my decision," He said simply, making a chopping motion with his hand to signal the end of the discussion.

"At least let me hear it. I can keep a secret too. Plus, if you don't tell me, then I am leaving the clan and taking him with me," I almost wanted to applaud my mother's courage, but her love for me would be her undoing.

The clan head whipped around, and a fist blurred toward my mother's head. I watched, the world seeming to go in slow motion as a heavily reinforced fist blasted toward my mother's head. I could only stare, knowing that if the punch landed, my mother would die due to her weak body not being able to handle the blow. I felt a spark of anger at the clan head due to all my time spent with my mother and due to the fact that I had finally come to care for her in my own odd way.

Luckily, the clan head's fist stopped a few centimeters away from her head, so I didn't have to see my mother's brain literally get blown out of her head. I looked up and saw my uncle's face contorted in rage, but it was gone an instant later, replaced by a mask of indifference. I could still sense the rage due to the slight fluctuations in his cursed energy, which he wasn't quite able to get under control. He stared directly into my mother's face when he spoke, his words eerily devoid of emotions.

"Emi, you've pushed me for the final time. I have let your past comments and actions slide due to your unique position within the clan. Let me tell you plainly, there will be no next time," He said as he turned and motioned for me to follow him toward the main house.

I looked back to find my mother, clearly shaken by her brush with death. I gave her a half-hearted smile and one last hand squeeze as I followed the clan head away. As I was about to enter the house, I turned and saw my mother still standing in the same position we had left her. The anger inside me burned just a bit brighter at that moment, but I quickly dampened it. 'My uncle will be dead soon enough, no need to make a fuss over things,' I told myself as I walked over to sit at a table beside my uncle.

Before he spoke, the clan head made a gesture that caused every single guard and servant to leave the room, "What else can you tell me about your technique," he asked seriously.

"As I said, I feel like four is my limit, but I only have access to one "slot" at the moment. The problem is, while I only need to know the technique to replicate it, I have to start from pretty much zero with every technique I replicate. In exchange, I am pretty sure that I can surpass even the original user's upper limits if I train the technique enough," I said, taking a few sips of the tea that was offered to me when I sat.

The clan head pondered my words for a moment, "You seem to be much more in touch with yourself and your technique than most, that's good. Usually, people only have a vague outline of their technique." He said, going back to stroking his beard, all unpleasantness with my mother forgotten, "First of all, don't replicate the Limitless, it is a waste of time,"

I had known that to non-Six Eyes users, the technique wasn't too great, but it was another thing to hear the head of the Gojo clan say it, "I don't plan to," I said truthfully.

"Good," he said frankly, "I have trained my entire life to master the technique, but my 15-year-old son is far better at it than I can ever hope to reach in this lifetime. Without the Six Eyes, sorcerers just don't have fine enough control to truly master the technique. I can find some good techniques for you to copy, just ..."

I cut the man off before he could speak further, "Thanks for the offer, sir, but when I awoke my cursed energy, I instinctually copied my mother's technique and saw a vision of a technique I think will be suitable for me to replicate," I said with a small bow to show I was truly grateful for him proposing to go out of his way to gather techniques for me.

He looked at me with curiosity and a hint of warning when he spoke next, "What technique,"

"It's called Cleave and Dismantle," I said before beginning to explain, "They are sort of like two very similar abilities condensed into one technique. Dismantle is more of a general slashing technique that is best used to rip rough inanimate objects, but it can work on cursed spirits and people too. Cleave, on the other hand, adjusts its slashing power based on the opponent's cursed energy to rip them apart." I said, taking a big sip of tea after my explanation.

The clan head looked slightly troubled after I was done speaking, "Is there actually someone out there with this technique? I don't think I have ever heard of a technique this specialized for killing and destruction."

"I don't think this person is alive now, or at least they don't have access to their technique yet," I said, lying through my teeth. I would have said I had seen a vision of the past, but my mother's technique can only see forward into the future.

He nodded in acceptance once I was done speaking, "From now on, this Dismantle and Cleave are your Innate Technique, alright? Keep the fact that your technique is something different hidden from everyone, including the higher-ups." he said, accepting my nod of acknowledgment.

Just as I was about to get up to go, he asked me one last question, "How long will it take you to replicate the technique?"

I paused for a moment, unsure of the answer, "Truthfully, I don't know, but I don't think it will take me too long," I said with a shrug as I got up and left the room.

As soon as I was out of sight, I activated my ability, immediately stopping dead in my tracks as I did so. Instead of having to do the motions of the ability as I had initially thought, I saw a screen appear in front of me with four card slots displayed on the screen. Three out of the four slots were locked, miniature stylized chains covering the clot to keep me from adding anything to the slot before they were unlocked. The screen wasn't the thing that caught my attention first, though.

All around me, dozens of playing cards like you would find as a part of Magic the Gathering, Hearthstone, or Yugioh floated in the air. I had always loved card games like Magic and Yugioh in my previous life, so when I reached out toward the nearest card, it was with pure excitement. I plucked it out of the air and turned it to face me, reading its contents.

[Technique - Disaster Flames: A volcanic technique that allows the user to produce highly concentrated cursed flames. Generate flames, shoot heat rays, or manifest small volcanic openings in the environment that erupt with powerful beams as well]

On the card was a small picture of the technique in action as well as a small image of Jogo, the owner of the technique. I laughed as I tossed the card back into the air, I had never expected my technique to be this interesting to interface with. Instead of hand-searching the cards until I found the technique I wanted, I just said "Dismantle/Cleave" while holding my hand out. A card immediately flew into my hands, and after I confirmed it to be the right card, I placed it in the empty slot. A notification popped up in front of me as soon as I placed the card in the slot.

[New Technique - Cleave/Dismantle (Lv. 1): +2% Damage, +1% Power, -0.9% Cost]

- - - (Chapter End) - - -

I have ideas for three of the techniques the MC will have. I don't want to go all in on overpowered techniques, so two of them are more niche, while two will be more mainstream. I am leaving it up to you guys to vote on the last technique.

- Options -

1. Star Rage

2. Ten Shadows

3. Creation

4. Idle Transfiguration

5. Technique Nullification

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