Evening had begun to swallow the horizon, and the outdoor training field at Jujutsu High was bathed in a faint orange glow, stretching across grass torn apart by battle. The remnants of cursed dust still drifted in the air like a thin gray mist, laced with fading sparks of energy.
In the middle of the field stood Gojo Satoru, arms crossed and a confident smile on his face. He clapped slowly, as if evaluating a performance rather than a fight.
"Well done, Megumi… or whatever your name might be in your head right now."
I froze, staring at him. "What do you mean?"
He chuckled, waving it off casually. "Nothing, just… you feel a little different today."
I tried to hide my unease with a faint smile, but my mind was tangled in one thought:
He noticed? Does he know something?
My shadows still trembled on the ground around me, their edges fading into the grass. When the Shinigami had emerged minutes ago, it was different—larger, heavier, and its presence seemed to press against the very air
Gojo gestured toward a patch of shadow that had just faded away.
"This technique of yours, Megumi… if you truly understand it, it could become something terrifying."
I shifted my stance. "Like what?"
"Like using the shadow as a gateway to other realms, a weapon, or even a binding trap for your enemies. But that's just speculation—you'll have to test it yourself."
We left the field together. The path to the dorms was dim, lined with small stone lanterns casting warm yellow light onto the gravel. Tall trees loomed on both sides, their leaves swaying with a faint rustle as the night breeze passed through.
ur footsteps crunched softly over the stones, the scent of damp earth after battle lingering in the air. In the distance, the lights of Tokyo flickered between the gaps in the trees—a reminder that beyond this secluded school, another world waited.
Suddenly, a blue interface appeared before my eyes:
[Archive of Dominion – Training Notice]
[New cultivation technique acquired: "Harmony of Darkness"]
[Description: "Harmony of Darkness" enhances the body and increases cursed energy flow, while deepening the host's affinity with the element of darkness itself—granting shadow-based techniques steadily growing power over time.]
[Note: The longer this technique is practiced, the deeper the bond with darkness, allowing finer control and greater potency over any skill connected to it.]
"Harmony of Darkness…?" I whispered, the cool night air brushing my face. The name was strange, but it carried weight—like it held a promise of power.
[Suggestion: Cultivate in dark environments to accelerate affinity growth.]
I smirked faintly. So, living alongside the darkness itself… is what will make me stronger
When we reached the dorms, Gojo stopped in front of my room, casually pushing the door open.
"Rest for tonight. We start training tomorrow—it's going to be fun."
replied dryly, "Your definition of fun worries me."
His grin widened. "You'll get used to it." And with that, he left
I sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, moonlight spilling through the window onto the wooden floor. Closing my eyes, I began my first attempt at the Primal Body Mold, but this time with the steps of Harmony of Darkness.
Slow inhale… longer exhale… I let my body flow with the darkness in the room, realizing it wasn't emptiness—it was a living substance wrapping around me, seeping into my core.
Beneath me, my shadow deepened, and suddenly the upper body of the Shinigami rose from it, its eyes glowing with a sharper, more alert light—as if the darkness itself had awakened it.
I smiled. "This is just the beginning…"
Outside the window, the moon poured silver light over the schoolyard, and the shadows stretched and swayed—as though listening to me.