Here's a more detailed chapter, approximately 2000 words, to deepen Kazumi's training, internal struggle, and his dynam
---
Chapter 3: Path of Power
Kazumi stood in the training field's center, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. There was something surreal about standing opposite Satoru Gojo, the most powerful sorcerer in the world, and his teacher. His palms felt clammy, and he could feel his heartbeat in his throat, but he wouldn't dare show that. No, he'd just keep smiling—keep it cool. He'd read the story; he knew Gojo loved people with guts.
"Well," Kazumi said with a cocky grin. "Don't get too upset if I surprise you, sensei."
Gojo chuckled, one hand idly playing with his blindfold. "Oh, I'm counting on it, Kazumi. Don't disappoint me." With that, he disappeared, leaving nothing but a faint trail of his overwhelming cursed energy.
Kazumi barely registered what was happening before he felt the familiar pressure on his shoulder, the weight of Gojo's hand—a mere gesture, but one that sent a surge of cursed energy prickling through his skin. He'd read about Gojo's strength, but feeling it firsthand was different. Gojo wasn't trying to hurt him, yet Kazumi could sense the depths of his power pressing down on him like a boulder.
"You're fast," Kazumi admitted, swallowing hard.
Gojo tilted his head, amused. "Fast? This is me being nice. If I were really fast, you'd already be in the infirmary."
"Gee, thanks for the reassurance." Kazumi took a steadying breath. He summoned cursed energy into his fists, watching as a faint, dark-blue glow emanated from his hands. He'd been working on his techniques in private, staying up late in the dorms, using every ounce of knowledge he'd retained from his old world. It wasn't much, but he'd pieced together the basics of some attacks he remembered from the storyline.
He threw a punch, sending a sphere of cursed energy hurtling toward Gojo. It flew fast, its trail buzzing with potential energy. But Gojo simply tilted his head and let it sail past him as if dodging a paper airplane.
"Interesting. A basic curse blast," Gojo said, nodding approvingly. "Not bad, Kazumi. But if you want to land a hit, you're going to need a bit more creativity."
Kazumi grit his teeth. He'd expected this. Gojo was… well, Gojo. Hitting him with something basic was as effective as trying to put out a fire with gasoline. He needed a new plan. Fast.
Thinking back to his previous life, Kazumi remembered a tactic he'd read about and adapted for his new cursed energy. He wasn't fast enough to hit Gojo directly, but he could create distractions. He formed three smaller cursed energy orbs around his head, their glow buzzing with anticipation, before firing them in different directions around Gojo.
The three orbs created a triangle pattern, surrounding Gojo from different angles. Kazumi hoped the spread would at least force him to move, to give him a slight opening to—
"Very nice," Gojo interrupted, hands casually in his pockets as he watched the orbs approach. With a mere shift of his shoulders, he dodged each one in turn, moving with such precision that he looked almost bored.
"You've got potential," Gojo said, smiling. "But potential won't win you a fight. Do you know why?"
Kazumi braced himself, panting slightly from the energy expenditure. "I dunno. You tell me."
"Power without control is useless," Gojo explained, giving him a rare serious look. "It's like having a river with no banks. You need to guide it, contain it."
Kazumi exhaled, focusing his energy, letting it pool inside him. He imagined a flood restrained by sturdy banks, cursed energy surging but focused. He closed his eyes, letting the cursed energy condense, feeling it shift from a wild, buzzing mass to a calm, centered point in his core. It was a strange feeling, almost like taming a storm.
"Ready for another round, sensei," Kazumi said, opening his eyes.
"Oh? Now that's the spirit." Gojo's grin widened, and he cracked his knuckles. "Alright, try to hit me again. And this time, make it count."
Kazumi dashed forward, moving with renewed purpose. His feet barely touched the ground as he poured his cursed energy into his legs, propelling himself faster. With a swift jab, he aimed for Gojo's midsection, only to find Gojo sidestepping with casual ease. Kazumi pivoted, swinging his left fist around, his energy spiking, but Gojo dodged again, effortlessly.
Then, Kazumi tried something different. He released a small surge of cursed energy in a quick burst just as he pivoted, a trick he'd developed to feint his movements. This caught Gojo by surprise—just enough to let Kazumi's fist graze his sleeve.
Gojo raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Now that's clever."
Kazumi couldn't help but smirk. "Guess I'm learning from the best."
But his victory was short-lived. In an instant, Gojo was behind him, tapping him on the shoulder. Kazumi felt his stomach drop, and before he could react, Gojo had flipped him onto his back, pinning him with one hand.
"You've got spirit, I'll give you that," Gojo said, leaning over him with a laugh. "But you're still leagues away from landing a real hit."
Kazumi groaned, glaring up at the blue sky. "I swear, sensei, if I die here, I'm haunting you."
Gojo chuckled, releasing his grip and helping Kazumi up. "Good luck with that, kid."
Kazumi's legs wobbled as he got to his feet, the exertion starting to weigh on him. But despite his exhaustion, he felt… exhilarated. Every failure, every dodge, every fall—it was pushing him forward, forcing him to adapt. There was something profoundly satisfying about that.
---
Later that night, Kazumi found himself back in the dorm, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His muscles ached, his cursed energy reserves were nearly depleted, but there was a strange warmth spreading through his chest—a sense of accomplishment.
He thought about his life before, how ordinary it had been. He'd never imagined himself in a world where strength wasn't just a matter of physicality but of spirit, of pushing beyond one's limits. This wasn't just a second chance; it was a chance to be something he'd never dared to dream of.
There was a knock on the door, and Kazumi turned to see Yuji poking his head in, his usual bright smile in place. "Hey, Kazumi! How'd training with Gojo-sensei go?"
Kazumi gave a dramatic sigh, sitting up. "Let's just say… I got a very personal view of the ground."
Yuji laughed, flopping down on the bed across from him. "Yeah, Gojo-sensei has a way of humbling you, doesn't he?"
"Tell me about it." Kazumi rubbed his shoulder, still sore from one of Gojo's taps. "But it was worth it. I think I learned a lot. I just… need to put it into practice."
Yuji nodded, giving him a thumbs up. "You're gonna get there, Kazumi. I can feel it. And then, you'll be the one kicking Gojo's butt!"
Kazumi snorted. "Yeah, right. I'd have to be reincarnated again for that to happen."
They both laughed, and for a moment, Kazumi felt like he was back in his old world, laughing with a friend about something ridiculous. But this was different; this was real, and every part of him wanted to protect it.
As the laughter died down, Yuji looked at him with a hint of seriousness. "So, Kazumi… Why did you become a sorcerer?"
Kazumi hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "I… I guess I just want to protect people. There's so much darkness in this world, and if I can make even a small difference, it'll be worth it."
Yuji smiled, nodding. "Yeah. I get that."
They sat in silence for a moment before Kazumi spoke again. "But I'm also not going to be a weak link. I'll train as hard as it takes. No way I'm getting left behind."
Yuji grinned, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "That's the spirit! We'll both get strong, and we'll face whatever comes our way together."
---
The next morning, Kazumi was back on the training field. His body ached, his cursed energy was running low, but he was ready. Gojo stood before him, looking as nonchalant as ever.
"You ready to go again?" Gojo asked, tilting his head with a smile.
Kazumi took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Yeah. And this time, I'm not holding back."
Gojo's grin widened. "Good. Because neither am I."