Chapter 10: Onmyoji, Magic, and Jujutsu!

"I really envy the Jujutsu Society," sighed Kurahashi Miyoshi, her voice laced with subtle bitterness. "First came a monster like Gojo Satoru, and now… someone even more terrifying."

Her office was dimly lit, shadows flickering across the shelves of ancient scrolls and spiritual artifacts. Across from her, the ever-composed Ōtomo Jin adjusted his spectacles and shook his head.

"Akiyama Ren isn't a Jujutsu Sorcerer," he said, voice low and certain. "What he unleashed in Shinjuku and Kyoto—that wasn't Jujutsu. It wasn't Onmyōdō either. It was… something else entirely."

Kurahashi narrowed her eyes. "So, a third system?"

"Or something older," Ōtomo muttered. "Something we've only read about in forbidden manuscripts."

Silence hung between them, heavy with implications.

"Should we try to win him over?" Kurahashi finally asked.

Ōtomo offered a dry smile. "They've already tried. Tokyo Jujutsu High sent someone to reach out—Akiyama turned them down flat. If we attempt the same, the outcome will likely be identical."

Kurahashi leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled beneath her chin. "Then what do you propose?"

"We don't pressure him," Ōtomo said. "We befriend him. Make him feel seen, not used. Ideally… through someone appealing. A beautiful girl works wonders on boys his age."

Kurahashi's lips twitched. "So we send bait?"

"We send a bridge," Ōtomo corrected with a smirk.

She tapped her desk thoughtfully, then said, "In that case… let's have Tsuchimikado Natsume approach him."

Ōtomo's expression turned grave. "That might not be wise."

Kurahashi raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because she's the childhood friend of Yakou's reincarnation. If something blossoms between her and Ren, we might trigger something catastrophic when Yakou fully awakens."

Kurahashi winced, rubbing her temples. "Damn it, I am getting old. I completely forgot."

After a brief pause, she sighed. "Then send my granddaughter—Kurahashi Kyōko. She's talented, clever, and grounded."

Ōtomo gave a light chuckle. "Kyōko, huh? I imagine a guy like Akiyama Ren wouldn't stand a chance."

Kurahashi didn't respond, her gaze drifting to the moonlit window, thoughts already racing ahead.

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Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical High School

In the courtyard under a sakura tree, Maki Zen'in had just returned when she found herself ambushed—Panda, Toge Inumaki, and Yuta Okkotsu all swarming her.

"So?! How did it go?" Panda leaned in, his tone teasing.

Even Gojo Satoru, Shoko Ieiri, and Yaga Masamichi had gathered nearby. It wasn't every day someone met him.

Surrounded and flustered, Maki's cheeks turned faintly red. She bit her lip, regretting she didn't just vanish through a barrier spell.

Gojo immediately grinned. "Oho~ she's blushing. That means something happened, huh?"

"Shut up, you blindfolded freak!" Maki snapped, glaring at him.

"Enough, Satoru," Yaga said, his voice calm but commanding. "Maki, tell us what happened."

Maki exhaled and nodded. "Understood, Principal."

She relayed everything—how she approached Akiyama Ren, how he responded with neither hostility nor interest, how he saw through her presence like an open book, and how, despite everything, he treated her... as an equal.

When she finished, the air was heavy with silence.

Gojo spoke first. "See? Teenage boys might act cool, but they're not immune to a beautiful girl's charm."

"Senpai," Yuta spoke gently, "you don't have to force yourself if you're uncomfortable…"

Maki looked over and smiled faintly. "Thanks, Yuta. I'm not forcing anything. I made the decision myself."

Since Yuta Okkotsu had joined Tokyo Jujutsu High, Maki Zen'in had been his guide in more ways than one—teaching him not just martial arts and swordplay, but also how to carry himself in a world crawling with curses and cruelty.

To Yuta, Maki wasn't just a senior. She was the one who helped him grow when he was lost and afraid.

That's why seeing her getting involved with Akiyama Ren—someone as dangerous as he was mysterious—left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I just don't want you to lose yourself for a mission," Yuta said gently.

Maki smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, Yuta. But I know what I'm doing."

Across the courtyard, Shoko Ieiri leaned against a pillar, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

"You don't dislike him though, do you?" she said casually, voice laced with amusement.

Maki gave a small sigh. "I don't. He's… powerful, smart, and not a jerk. Definitely my type. But I'm not about to date someone I just met, no matter how intriguing they are."

"Well said," Yaga Masamichi nodded, his stern face softening into a rare smile. "You've already fulfilled your mission. There's no need to push him further. Just keep things friendly."

"Friendly's easy," Maki said, her smirk returning. "I can handle that."

"Yare yare," Gojo Satoru drawled from nearby, lounging like a cat in the sun. "Seems like Maki's more dangerous than I thought. But hey—if we're trying the 'beautiful girl' approach, don't be surprised if other factions do the same. Pretty soon, Ren might be surrounded by a whole harem of secret agents."

The words hadn't even settled before Maki's expression darkened like a thundercloud.

Before she could explode, Shoko stepped forward and kicked Gojo in the shin. "Idiot. Maki isn't seducing him, and you know it."

Panda huffed. "Gojo-sensei, you really should not speak sometimes."

"Salmon," Toge Inumaki added with a nod of agreement.

Gojo threw his hands up. "Alright, alright! I spoke out of turn."

Maki rolled her eyes and walked off toward the dorms, her mood slightly soured.

Yaga patted Gojo on the back. "Maybe next time, think before you open your mouth."

Gojo: "...Noted."

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Elsewhere, the morning sun had just begun to rise over Shinjuku. In a cozy apartment tucked into the heart of the city, Akiyama Ren opened his eyes.

His room was quiet—too quiet for someone who had just absorbed enough arcane knowledge to destroy continents.

With a stretch and a yawn, Ren summoned his interface. "System, give me a full stat sheet."

[Ding—Attribute Generation Complete]

A glowing virtual panel appeared in front of him.

--

Name: Akiyama Ren

Race: God

Strength Tier: Planetary-Level Destruction

Authority: Lord of the Sky, Eastern God of War

Magic: Word Spirit, Shapeshifting, Invisibility, Healing, Barriers, Geomancy, Alchemy, Teleportation, Witch's Eye, Arcane Transfer, Covenant Binding

Jujutsu: Cursed Speech, Six Eyes, Black Flash, Spirit Summoning, Reversed Cursed Technique, Ten Shadows, Cursed Spirit Manipulation, Puppet Arts, Blood Manipulation, Black Bird Control, Projection Sorcery,Limitless

Skills: Night Vision, Divinity, Godslayer's Body, Infinite Regeneration, Divine Protection, Multilingual Proficiency, Immortality

Innate Technique: Alpha-Omega Codex

Domain Expansion: Simple Domain, Infinite Void

Storage: Star Gate, Rimuru Template ×2 Total Assets: ¥2.1 Billion (JPY)

--

The interface shimmered with detail, even clearer than before. Ren nodded with satisfaction.

At this point, he was no longer just a threat—he was a force of nature. Jujutsu Sorcerers, Onmyoji, Exorcists... they were insects to him now.

He could finally breathe easy in this world.

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, he slung his schoolbag over one shoulder and stepped outside.

He no longer needed school. With power like his, the mundane world had little to offer. But his adoptive parents had sacrificed so much to raise him. They wanted him to graduate, to live a normal life.

And for that, Ren was willing to play the role of a student a little longer.

Besides, high school wasn't all bad.

There were girls. And Hiratsuka-sensei, who always seemed to offer… relief from the pressures of daily life.

Akiyama Ren smiled faintly.

Let the world keep spinning.

He was finally ready to enjoy it.

**************

Shoko Ieiri, Ladies and gents.