After setting up a "grave" for the cursed spirit, Akira casually turned around, not even glancing back.
Real men don't look back at exploding steamrollers (X).
Leveling up with Gardevoir once again (√).
If the enemy isn't completely defeated, there wouldn't be such a satisfying outcome.
Feeling relieved, Akira gave Gardevoir a high-five in celebration.
"You really worked hard today, Gar-chan."
She had not only cleared the field but also unleashed an unprecedentedly powerful attack.
Although Gardevoir didn't say anything, Akira could still sense her exhaustion.
By the way, in this world, Pokémon skills are more like the ones seen in the anime rather than the games.
In the games, Pokémon are limited to four moves, but in reality, they can use all the skills they've learned.
The game's PP (Power Points) system doesn't exist in reality either, or at least it works differently. In the real world, the mechanic is more like a stamina bar, with different moves consuming different amounts of energy. You can even overcharge a move to make it last longer, but once that stamina bar is depleted, no skills can be used.
"Gar~" Gardevoir shook her head cutely, indicating that she wasn't tired.
"Yoshi, yoshi."
A routine interaction followed, as usual.
Afterward, Akira and Gardevoir headed toward the two students and their panda companion.
The girl, Maki, was the first to step forward, bowing in gratitude. "Thank you for saving me. I'm Zenin Maki, a first-year at Jujutsu High. I prefer not to be called by my family name, so just call me Maki."
"I'm Panda," the panda spoke next, "and this is Inumaki Toge. Like Maki, he's also a first-year at Jujutsu High. Because of his curse technique, he only speaks in onigiri ingredients, so please understand."
Akira nodded, not needing any further explanation.
He already knew the details.
Maki's situation in the Zenin family was worse than his own past in the Kamo family.
Inumaki's speech quirk.
And Panda's background, along with the fact that he was the emotional and intellectual core of the trio.
"Akira, just a wandering jujutsu sorcerer. It's good to exorcise curses, but at least put up a Curtain first."
While part of their predicament was due to Inumaki's Cursed Speech affecting Akira and Gardevoir, the core issue was that they hadn't followed proper procedure.
"That was an emergency. Our mission is to find a mysterious jujutsu sorcerer operating in this area. We just happened to discover a cursed womb hiding in this school. If we didn't exorcise it quickly, it could've grown even stronger."
Hearing this, Akira remembered that Jujutsu Kaisen 0 had a similar incident where a large and powerful cursed spirit was hiding in a school.
But that cursed spirit was unlucky enough to encounter Yuta Okkotsu, the prequel's protagonist and an even bigger bug in the jujutsu world.
Could it really be that coincidental?
If Akira remembered correctly, Maki was part of that mission too.
Akira and Maki exchanged looks. She adjusted her glasses, curiosity piqued.
Akira didn't plan on hiding anything. After all, integrating with the jujutsu world was part of his plan.
"If you're referring to clearing out urban legends, then yes, that was me."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Do you need a reason to exorcise curses?"
"Don't you?"
A stare-off ensued between the two.
Side note: The Kamo family is known for their signature narrow eyes. Of course, this didn't detract from Akira's handsomeness.
"Maki, Mr. Akira is your savior."
Panda, the emotional core, stepped in to smooth things over, stopping Zenin Maki's bluntness from ruining the conversation.
"Sorry, my companions mean no harm. We're just curious. Most jujutsu sorcerers act with a clear purpose, whether it's for fame, wealth, or something else. Jujutsu High needs to assess those intentions, especially when dealing with unregistered sorcerers."
"I understand."
Though the words were harsh, Akira knew Panda was telling the truth.
Jujutsu sorcerers wield cursed energy, a power born from negative emotions. They fight deadly battles constantly. Without a strong sense of self, they can easily go astray—either cursing themselves or turning into curse users who harm others.
Compared to lofty ideals, having practical goals makes it easier to stay grounded and avoid losing oneself.
This doesn't mean ideals are bad, but they're rare, making those who pursue them all the more precious.
Most people, unfortunately, can't do it. Akira included. His actions were rooted in reality.
"I also have a clear purpose—training my partner and collecting materials."
Akira spread his hands, and Gardevoir obediently placed a crystal in his palm. After setting up the steamroller "grave," she had already retrieved the Z-Crystal.
Yes, a full Z-Crystal.
Not a fragment.
Did this mean the stronger the curse spirit, the higher the drop rate?
From a game mechanics perspective, it wasn't surprising. But stronger enemies also meant higher risks.
Unfortunately, it still wasn't a Psychic or Fairy-type crystal; it was a Dark-type one.
Trash mobile game system confirmed.
Distracted by the Z-Crystal, Akira didn't notice that Maki, Panda, and Inumaki were focused on Gardevoir. She had been the main force behind the exorcism.
Though it took some preparation, her combo of three consecutive moves to instantly eliminate a Grade 1 curse spirit had clearly left a strong impression on these novice students.
Maki opened her mouth a few times but couldn't bring herself to speak.
She was blunt but not stupid. She wasn't about to provoke someone who could annihilate a Grade 1 curse spirit with such ease.
Akira chuckled quietly. "If you want to ask something, go ahead. It's fine."
"Then I'll be direct—what exactly is this young lady? She's not human, nor does she seem like a curse spirit."
"She's not a cursed corpse like me either," Panda added.
"Tuna Mayo," Inumaki confirmed.
"This is my greatest secret, and I can't reveal it just yet."
Akira played coy. To be honest, he didn't really know how to categorize Pokémon in this world.
At least he didn't care about species distinctions, and neither did his mother, Hayami.
"That answer doesn't sound like something a jujutsu sorcerer would say."
Maki was referring to Jujutsu Enlightenment, which is part of the jujutsu pact—by revealing one's curse technique, you can strengthen it in return.
"I'm not exactly a mainstream jujutsu sorcerer," Akira replied smoothly. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. We'll meet again if fate allows."
"Gar~" Gardevoir said in her soft farewell tone, a new part of her vocabulary.
Panda scratched his nose as he watched them walk away. "He seems like a decent guy. What do you two think?"
"Strong and battle-smart," Maki replied, her focus still on the steamroller "grave." "I wasn't convinced at first back at Yoshiwara Shrine, but now I see how big the gap really is."
"Mentaiko," Inumaki advised, meaning they should be cautious.
"I'm sorry, Panda, Toge. It was my idea to pursue him."
"No need to apologize. I agreed to it," Panda waved a paw.
"Salmon Roe," Inumaki confirmed, signaling agreement.
"Let's head back. I'll take Gojo-sensei's teasing."
Maki felt grateful for her two companions.
At first, she had thought they were oddballs, but after getting to know them, they had become invaluable friends. If possible, she hoped they would remain friends for life, though she'd never admit it out loud.
By now, the sky had cleared, and the sun shone brightly.
Akira removed the "wedge," dissolving the Curtain.
Gardevoir glanced back at the trio and let out a soft "Gar~."
Akira knew what she was thinking. "Do you like them?"
"Gar~"
Her response was unsurprisingly affirmative. The reason was simple: they were good people, as bright and positive as sunflowers.
"Don't worry, we'll see them again soon. But before that, there are still things I need to do."
Akira's system interface had remained open the entire time, displaying a new system message, just like the initial starter gift.
The icon showed a uniquely patterned black-and-white egg.