'Well, I was anticipating a fight but I guess they're smart enough to understand what's good for them.' I thought, while eating food with them.
"Then it's final. I will be teaching you how to use your new powers and help you grow stronger." I declared, they seem fine with it.
Few hours later
As I prepared the test, I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Fast learners, indeed," I thought, watching them closely as they processed everything I'd taught them. It wasn't just their speed at grasping the theories—it was their ability to absorb the intricate nuances of jujutsu techniques and curse energy manipulation. Each of them had a different potential, and I was eager to see it unfold.
"Alright," I said, rising from my seat. "This is where we put theory into practice. Don't hold back, but also don't be reckless. It's about control." I stepped aside and gestured to the open space I'd prepared earlier—a large, cleared area perfect for demonstrations.
Marika, naturally the most composed of the group, stood first. "So what exactly is this test? What do you expect from us?"
I smiled. "Nothing complicated. I want to see how well you can channel your energy, use the tools I've explained, and adapt. We'll start small—simple exercises. Then we'll move on to something more challenging." I could tell by their curse fluctuation that they were already brimming with excitement, even if they were trying to mask it.
Melina cracked her knuckles. "Sounds easy enough."
"Don't get too cocky," I warned lightly. "Curse energy can be unpredictable, especially if you push too hard without proper control. Start slow. Focus on the basics first."
They all nodded in understanding, and one by one, they stepped into the testing area.
Marika, as I suspected, had an almost natural affinity for manipulating curse energy. With minimal effort, she summoned a small barrier of energy around herself, the precision and stability of it already impressive for someone so new to the practice. I nodded approvingly. "Good. You have a solid grasp on defense."
'She infuses magic with curse energy!' I noticed, but played along composed.
Next was Rani, who, unsurprisingly, took a more aggressive approach. She focused on raw power, her curse energy flaring as she attempted to launch a concentrated blast toward a target I had set up. The energy crackled and shimmered before hitting the target with a resounding impact, though it lacked the finesse that Marika had displayed. Still, her potential for raw strength was undeniable. "Impressive force," I commented, "but you'll need to work on control if you don't want to burn yourself out."
Melina stepped forward next, her approach more balanced. She was careful, focused, and her execution was clean—more than I expected for someone with only a few hours of experience. She managed to summon and manipulate cursed tools with ease, channeling her energy into them for enhanced effectiveness. "You're a natural at this," I said, impressed. She simply smirked in response.
The Malinea followed suit, demonstrating a unique approach and level of skill. The genius within them was undeniable. Even as beginners, they showed exceptional promise—each with their own distinct style and strengths.
After the tests were complete, I clapped my hands together, gathering their attention. "Well done. You've all passed the first phase with flying colors. But remember—this is just the beginning. There's much more to learn, and the real challenges lie ahead."
I could see the fire in their eyes now—the desire to grow, to master these newfound powers. They might have been cautious at first, but now? Now they were ready to embrace the path I had laid out before them.
"Let's level up a bit, by pushing further," I announced with a sinister smirk, a bad habit of mine.
"Time to use your technique and ability as a Jujutsu soceroore 90% power are there enact techniques. So it's time to check what you got first with Marika."
With their unique abilities now in play, the next phase of training would take on a more personal and challenging edge. Each of them had powers that required finesse and control, and new session would push those limits.
"Alright," I said, stepping into the training area once more. "We're going to focus on your individual powers now. You've all demonstrated a solid grasp of the basics, but now it's time to delve deeper into your specific abilities."
I turned to Malinea first. "Rot manipulation is delicate, more so when combined with curse energy. You'll need to maintain control over both the energy itself and the decaying nature of your technique." I handed her a small, cursed object and instructed her to focus her rot manipulation on it, watching as the surface of the object began to corrode, eaten away by her curse-imbued rot. She was careful, but I could sense the raw potency in her, waiting to be unleashed.
Next was Marika. "Soul manipulation is powerful, but also dangerous if you don't understand its boundaries. Souls are not just energy—they carry memories, emotions, and identity." I could feel her focused aura as she channeled her curse energy, reaching out to the remnants of a spirit I had catched for training. Slowly, she started to manipulate the soul's form, testing her control. It was subtle but showed her ability to bend and reshape it to her will.
Rani stood next, the curse energy swirling around her with a regal grace. "Your power mirrors your nature—cold, calculating, and deeply tied to the stars." She conjured a shard of cursed energy, shaping it into a glinting weapon. Her connection to the stars and frost, now reinterpreted through curse energy, was impressive, showing an intuitive grasp over her ethereal domain.
Finally, I turned to Melina. "The Death ... it's more than just a weapon. It's the embodiment of death itself. You must learn to wield it, not just as a tool, but as an extension of your will." She unsheathed her great blacksword, as it glowing faintly along the blade's edge, and with a smooth motion, she unleashed its cursed energy. The strike she made seemed to ripple with an unnatural finality, its force imbued with the power of death itself.
After observing their progress, I nodded with approval. "You're all making great strides. But remember—each of your powers requires balance. Too much focus on raw strength, and you'll lose speed. Too little, and you'll never reach attack full potential."
Their powers were dangerous, but that's exactly what made them so effective. It was only a matter of time before they fully mastered them—and when they did, the old generation would have no idea what hit it.