"Domain, you mean 'Domain Expansion'?"
Although Darkrai's "Dream Eater" was already unexpected enough, Akira was still shocked by Gojo Satoru's words.
"That's right, didn't you notice?"
Gojo Satoru was somewhat surprised. He thought that Akira, who was already standing at the threshold of Special Grade, would have recognized it.
"Since I've only heard of Domain by name but never seen it firsthand. Thinking about it carefully, with the level of the Cursed Spirit Rika, not having a Domain would actually be strange. This kind of form for expansion makes sense."
The only known sorcerer who fully mastered Domain was Gojo Satoru. There were a few Cursed Spirits that had it too, but they haven't appeared yet.
"Exactly. You guys probably haven't seen one."
Hearing Akira's statement, Gojo Satoru clapped his hands in realization.
"Just right! This is a rare opportunity, so let Teacher Gojo give you all a lesson that you won't forget—on the pinnacle of Jujutsu battles, 'Domain Expansion'."
This could be considered basic operations for Jujutsu High: using high-level enemies as teaching tools, on-the-spot instruction, truly embodying the principle of uniting knowledge and action.
Since the teacher was so conscious and was teaching a lesson that was priceless, possibly a treasure of knowledge unique to Jujutsu sorcerers, the students gave up on sarcastic remarks and listened carefully.
"Domain Expansion, simply put, is using Cursed Energy to construct a 'Realized Domain' around you infused with a technique."
"Sensei," Yuta Okkotsu raised his hand, just like in class.
"Hi~ Yuta," Gojo Satoru remained in full teacher mode.
"What is a 'Realized Domain'?"
"Guess I have to start from here, huh."
Gojo Satoru then remembered that Yuta Okkotsu was a latecomer and different from the other students who had a foundation. He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin.
"'Realized Domain' is the full name of 'Domain.' You can think of it as a person's 'inner world,' some call it the 'cognitive world,' or the 'place where the soul resides.'"
"In theory, all humans, as well as beings like Rika and Panda that possess intelligence, have a 'Realized Domain'. But only a few people can truly discover and recognize the existence of their 'Realized Domain.'"
"So, how does one recognize it?" Panda raised his paw.
As a Cursed Corpse, his growth was different from that of Jujutsu Sorcerers. Encountering a shared point, he naturally wanted to make the most of it.
"Similar to the 'Black Flash,' just feel it."
"…"
"What? You guys didn't make any sarcastic comments."
"Because the 'Realized Domain' is such a subjective thing. Every person's 'inner' world is unique, and the process of recognition, comprehension, and understanding is also impossible to generalize."
Akira actually wanted to make a snarky comment, not because of the seemingly nonsensical statement but because of Gojo Satoru's masochistic tendencies. He seems uncomfortable if he isn't criticized.
However, it was all just internal thoughts; this wasn't the right occasion.
"Exactly." Gojo Satoru raised one finger, "But there are some tricks. Have a dialogue with your inner self or, for a more straightforward method, use high levels of self-suggestion. Imagine your future self, what you'll look like after breaking through your limits. I know some sorcerers who advanced to Grade 1 using this method."
"Is that even possible? It sounds like 'I want to get stronger,' and then boom, I'm stronger. Like something out of a fantasy." Maki Zenin's doubts showed just how attentively she was listening.
Gojo Satoru pointed upwards: "After seeing this world, do you still think fantasy doesn't exist? Though Jujutsu techniques are inherited mechanisms naturally engraved in our bodies, don't forget where Cursed Energy comes from. Even regular people who can't see Cursed Spirits have Cursed Energy—it's just a matter of how much and whether they can use it."
Maki fell silent. She realized her thinking was still too limited.
She recalled one of Akira's philosophies—battles between sorcerers, in a sense, are battles of imagination.
"Oh right, if you have time, you could try zazen or meditation. Many Jujutsu Sorcerers throughout history have tried it, though I'm not sure how effective it is."
"And how did you manage to do it?" Maki blurted out, regretting it the moment the words left her mouth.
One look at Gojo Satoru's face and you could tell that, apart from Reversed Cursed Techniques, everything he did came effortlessly.
This time, Gojo Satoru didn't go the easy route and continued teaching:
"Recognizing your own 'Realized Domain' is only the first step. Materializing it, expanding it, and adding a technique is the true 'Domain Expansion'. Most Grade 1 sorcerers get stuck at this step."
"Materializing the 'Realized Domain' isn't difficult. As long as you have enough Cursed Energy, enough imagination, and are skilled at barrier techniques, even some Grade 2 sorcerers can do it."
"The problem lies in adding a technique. The 'Realized Domain,' after all, is a mental construct. To interfere with reality, changing it via a technique is essential. A Domain without a technique is just for show—not only is it useless in combat, but it also drains your Cursed Energy severely."
"Adding a technique requires a deep understanding of the essence of the technique itself to apply the most appropriate changes and extensions. For example, my technique 'Infinity' manifests as gravitational force: Technique Forward Rotation · Blue."
With a casual gesture, the playful panda lying on Panda's shoulder was pulled over without resistance.
"If you reverse the technique using Reversed Cursed Energy, it becomes repulsive force—this is my most frequently used technique since Reversed Energy has greater lethal power against Cursed Spirits: Technique Reversal · Red."
There was no need for a demonstration this time since Gojo had been using repulsion throughout his teaching, clearing the area again and again.
"So, here's the question. What do you think my Domain Expansion is like?"
"Control over force? Like a combination of 'Almighty Push' and 'Universal Pull'?" Yuta Okkotsu guessed.
"I thought that at first too, but unfortunately, that's wrong. If it were, I wouldn't need to expand a domain to achieve it. Thanks to the 'Six Eyes,' I don't have to worry about the precision of my technique."
Gojo Satoru's fingers slightly bent, and immediately, Yuta Okkotsu felt a slight pain on his forehead. Looking up, he saw a strand of white hair mixed in with his black hair being plucked out.
"Can't guess, huh? Let me reveal the answer. The key lies in advanced mathematics; it fundamentally has nothing to do with force. If you really want to know, you can step inside and experience it firsthand."
"No thanks. From your expression alone, I can tell it's not a pleasant experience."
Akira was the first to object.
Gojo Satoru's Domain ranked first on the list of experiences Akira wanted to avoid. Unless he had no other choice, he would never touch it.
"Aww, don't be like that, work with me here." Gojo even started acting cute.
Akira almost lost it, barely restraining the urge to punch him while he had no "Sanctuary Spell" up. "Stop with the nonsense and tell us something useful, like the advantages of Domain Expansion and how to counter it."