Clouds obscured the moon that was supposed to illuminate the night.
The Aokigahara Forest, quiet and eerie, had a haunting atmosphere, reflecting its notorious reputation. Even the scavengers who plundered valuables from corpses during the day were nowhere to be seen now.
However, there was a figure floating in the air. If seen by others, one might think it was a ghost.
"What exactly happened here...?"
The person was none other than Gojo Satoru.
With his Six Eyes, he observed the remnants of the battlefield below.
When he arrived at the Aokigahara Forest, Satoru immediately sensed the anomaly in the area.
He was shocked to see countless Cursed Spirit corpses and the drastically altered natural landscape due to the fierce battle.
"No doubt about it, this is Eiji's doing."
Satoru felt the residue of Cursed Energy in various places.
"Four Special Grade Cursed Spirits... And who else...?"
Under the intense gaze of his Six Eyes, he easily identified the most conspicuous residues of Cursed Energy.
"Yuta was right, Eiji had an accident."
Satoru's expression was very serious, his eyes emitting a cold gleam.
"That is..."
His figure slowly descended, bending down to pick up a shard of iron on the ground.
"Even the Leaf Sword is destroyed... Eiji must have fought fiercely."
The Leaf Sword was a Special Grade Cursed Tool that Eiji had personally chosen to accompany him.
Satoru did not expect to see the Leaf Sword in such a destroyed state.
"The question is, who is behind all this?"
He estimated there were at least over five million Cursed Spirits here.
This was the first time he had seen so many Cursed Spirits in his life.
Even his good friend, Geto Suguru, who had the Cursed Spirit Manipulation Technique, did not possess 1% of the Cursed Spirits present here.
"This is surprising, turns out there is a powerful figure who has never surfaced. At the very least, that person's strength is Special Grade."
Although Satoru appeared calm, he was actually very angry at the mastermind of this incident.
A family member had fallen into a deadly scheme, their life and death uncertain; there was no way he wasn't angry.
"That!!!"
Observing the surroundings for more clues, Satoru's pupils contracted when he found something.
His body flickered, and he appeared three hundred meters away in an instant.
The repulsive force threw nearby cursed spirit corpses, revealing the object that made Satoru feel both sadness and anger.
"Eiji, are you really dead?!"
With a trembling body, Satoru picked up a human right hand covered in dust and dried blood from the ground.
Feeling the remaining Cursed Energy in the right hand, he confirmed it was his cousin's hand.
"Is this all that's left? So cruel, they didn't even leave Eiji's body intact."
After a thorough examination, Satoru found no other parts of Eiji's body.
"No matter who you are, I will avenge Eiji's death." He said coldly.
Then, he rushed back to Tokyo Jujutsu High School. He had to report this incident to Principal Yaga to uncover the true mastermind behind Eiji's death.
No matter who the mastermind behind this incident is, that person is a great threat to the Jujutsu world.
Millions of Cursed Spirit corpses on the ground are the best evidence.
❀❀❀
Tristain Academy of Magic is an institute in the Kingdom of Tristain that teaches students from noble families the arts of magic and the study of the elements: earth, air, fire, water.
Second-year students gathered in the courtyard to practice Summoning Magic.
Summoning Magic is a branch of magic involving the summoning of living beings from other realms of reality. A mage will form a contract with the Familiar summoned through Summoning Magic.
Standing before the students, a professor named Jean Colbert was to oversee today's Summoning Magic practical exam.
"Now is the time for the Summoning Magic ceremony. This is your first exam in the second year, just as important a day for nobles when meeting their Familiar forever."
Among the students, most appeared confident in their abilities. After all, Summoning Magic was not high-level magic.
Anyone could perform Summoning Magic except for one female student who tightly gripped her wand with a nervous heart.
"Alright, let's start according to the attendance list." Said Professor Colbert.
Then, one by one, the students performed Summoning Magic.
A male student summoned a Familiar in the form of a large floating eyeball.
The observing students were amazed by the male student's achievement.
"Bug-bear! Amazing!"
"Oho, impressive."
Stroking his chin, Professor Colbert was also impressed.
"Ehehehe..."
With a silly grin on his face after being praised by many, the male student hugged the eyeball-shaped Familiar called Bug-bear.
Other students discussed among themselves what kind of Familiar they would summon later.
"If I summon a weird Familiar like that, I'd be embarrassed for life."
Not all students were impressed; some female students felt amused and disgusted.
"Next—"
Before Professor Colbert could call the next student's name, a blonde student carrying a rose branch stepped forward gracefully, at least from his own perspective.
"I am... Guiche D. Gramon, Mr. Colbert."
"Let me summon a Familiar that will make history in this academy... So that my name will...!"
Disgusted by the student's foolish behavior, Professor Colbert urged him to begin immediately.
"Enough talk, please proceed."
"Excuse me. Ahem."
Closing his eyes, Guiche began chanting the incantation.
"Life seeking your guidance, oh Burihelum, bring forth a servant worthy of Guiche the Bronze!"
The next moment, the ground shook, surprising everyone.
Unaware of this, Guiche raised the rose in his hand and continued chanting the incantation.
"Answer my holy call."
The ground beneath his feet cracked, and a large mole emerged from the hole.
"Wueeh~"
Guiche was stunned for a moment, seeing a Familiar that did not meet his expectations.
"Next."
Professor Colbert called the next student's name.
Most of the Familiars summoned by the students could only be considered ordinary, but one female student with red hair summoned a Salamander, earning admiration and envy from the other students.
The female student was Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst, one of the top two second-year students at Tristain Academy.
Even Professor Colbert couldn't help but praise her.
"In the end, you summoned the big one. Ms. Zerbst."
"As my second name suggests, Kirche the Ardent, this is normal." Kirche said with a slight smile.
In her opinion, summoning a powerful Familiar like a Salamander was not surprising. After all, she was very confident in her extraordinary talent.
She was a genius!
Fifteen minutes later, all the students had completed the Summoning Magic, leaving only one person.