"What hero?"
"The hero who defended Jujutsu High?"
When Gojo mentioned that Jujutsu High was planning to award him a banner of honor, Kenmei was a bit confused.
In his mind, he felt at least 50% responsible for destroying the school's main lecture building.
After all, if Yaga-sensei hadn't started the ritual to exorcise the mark on his arm, no one would have known such a terrifying Cursed Spirit was lurking inside.
The sheer mass of its Domain Expansion alone was enough to crush the main building—a structure reinforced by jujutsu to theoretically withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake.
Kenmei had come to Jujutsu High seeking help, so he felt genuinely guilty. Yaga-sensei had tried his best to help him, and in return, Kenmei "summoned" a Cursed Spirit that nearly leveled the entire school.
He had unintentionally played the role of the ungrateful villain, yet Jujutsu High seemed intent on rewarding him.
And it wasn't just the school; the Sorcerer Association was also issuing a reward.
After all, it was a Special Grade Cursed Spirit!
Even if conventional weapons worked, it would take a carpet bombing run with cluster munitions just to severely injure a Special Grade, not necessarily kill it.
Every appearance of a Special Grade meant incalculable property damage and casualties. Most high-level Sorcerers who died on missions ended up as lunch for these terrifying entities.
The resources the Association and the Three Great Families poured into training these Sorcerers were wasted instantly. Even Jujutsu High students were taught that their first reaction to a Special Grade should be to run, and if they couldn't run, to hide.
So, the Association always rewarded Sorcerers who exorcised Special Grades. They were rarer than common spirits, and eliminating one significantly reduced the risk for other Sorcerers.
The attack on Jujutsu High and the collapse of the main building could have easily become a headline scandal in the Jujutsu world. It could be a huge deal, or it could be swept under the rug.
If blown up: The "Lord of Catastrophe" Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest Cursed Spirit from a millennium ago, attacking the school would be a catastrophe. Everyone involved would likely be dragged in for strict interrogation by the Association because it involved humanity's survival. That would be troublesome.
The Association would probably force Master Tengen to reinforce every barrier against potential Special Grade invasions.
Tengen's own ritual was imminent. Even if successful, she didn't want to be forced into a "996" work schedule (9 am-9 pm, 6 days a week) right after transformation.
So, Tengen, wanting to avoid this outcome, took charge of the scene and immediately erased the Nine-Tailed Fox's residual energy. Not that there was much left—99.99% of the residuals had been absorbed by the blue Daemon. She was just cleaning up the scraps.
Tengen told them to cook up a script to report to the Association so she could go back to sleep.
"A Special Grade Cursed Spirit infiltrated Jujutsu High. At the critical moment, Kenmei Isayama and Masamichi Yaga stepped up and exorcised it, protecting not only the students but the school itself."
Gojo tossed an apple core into the trash can, praising the story with exaggerated flair.
"How's that for a script? The Association's reward is probably already on the way."
"Congrats, Kenmei. The individual bonus from the Association is around 20 million yen. plus a special certificate of honor for your contribution to maintaining social stability."
After finishing his speech, Gojo pulled Geto along to applaud together.
Both Gojo and Geto had the strength to exorcise Special Grades, so they were familiar with the Association's tactics to buy loyalty.
A 20 million yen cash reward was standard—basically a bounty for a Special Grade head. Considering a Special Grade could destroy a city if given a day, it was cheap.
"Yaga-sensei's bonus will be transferred to you privately once the Association pays out. Sensei doesn't want it."
When Yaga heard that the school was attacked by a Special Grade while he was unconscious and that Kenmei had exorcised it alone, he felt he couldn't take the money in good conscience. So he asked his students to mention it to Kenmei.
As for the credit? It didn't matter. Yaga was already unpopular within the Association; becoming the Principal of Jujutsu High was likely the ceiling of his career.
Counting Yaga's portion, Kenmei was about to receive nearly 40 million yen—tax-free.
Not only did his Points balance break a million, but his bank account was also about to hit eight digits, reaching 43.46 million yen.
With 40 million incoming, Kenmei couldn't help but smile. Fleecing the Sorcerer Association really was the best.
"Gojo, can the certificate be sent to a specific address?"
Kenmei didn't want the thing, but his uncle would be thrilled to have it. It would be considered "bringing glory to the ancestors."
A family member exorcising a Special Grade was a huge deal even for the Three Great Families, let alone the declining Isayama clan. It was a shot in the arm for their reputation.
"Sure. Just tell the Association."
"Also, Kenmei, if you take the Sorcerer exam, your achievement in exorcising a Special Grade allows you to skip the test and start directly as a Grade 2 Sorcerer."
For Grade 1 promotion, besides achievements, you needed recommendations.
Geto thought of something and added:
"Starting from Grade 2, you get a fixed base salary from the Association. The annual income is around 8 million yen."
That was why the third-year seniors at Jujutsu High fought tooth and nail for promotions.
"Okay, got it, Geto."
Kenmei got out of bed and looked at Geto and Gojo.
"By the way, help me with the discharge procedures."
"Aren't you going to check your body again? The school car can send you home tomorrow," Geto asked.
"No need. I know my body best."
Kenmei shook his head.
"With that free time, we might as well go get a late-night snack."
"Late-night snack!!"
Hearing this, Gojo's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's an excellent idea! I, the Great Gojo, vote yes with both hands!"
Kenmei smiled at Gojo's reaction.
"Let's eat the Yakiniku (BBQ) Gojo mentioned earlier. I haven't had dinner and I'm starving."
"But doesn't Geto only eat plain soba?"
Gojo suddenly remembered that his best friend ate lighter than a temple monk. could he handle greasy BBQ?
Geto was about to agree, but Kenmei cut him off.
"Who says? Last time Geto went out with me, he ate five plates of meat alone."
Recalling their first meal together, Kenmei retorted.
"Besides, even if it's not his favorite, can't a good brother just keep us company?"
"Then it's settled!"
Gojo threw his arms around the shoulders of a wryly smiling Geto and Kenmei. With a happy grin, he declared:
"Onward to the Yakiniku restaurant!"
---
By the time Kenmei, Geto, and Gojo finished their BBQ and Kenmei returned home, it was past 10 PM. In the night sky, a white dragon hovered briefly in Kenmei's yard before soaring back into the darkness.
"Geto's Rainbow Dragon really makes a great mount."
Jujutsu High was in the remote mountains of Tokyo. Driving to the city took over an hour, but the Rainbow Dragon did it in ten minutes.
Kenmei waved goodbye to the duo flying away and walked into his room.
After showering, looking at Blue Uncle standing like a statue in his room filled Kenmei with an immense sense of security.
"Sorry to trouble you again today. Thank you."
The blue giant simply nodded coolly and responded:
"All is dust."
Kenmei chuckled lightly, rolling over on his bed. He summoned the [Warhammer Simulator].
"Let the roulette spin!"
[Consume 1,000,000 Points to start C-Rank Simulation?]
Kenmei selected [YES] without hesitation.
He had held back from starting a [D-Rank Simulation] for so long just to save enough for the higher-tier [C-Rank Simulation]!
---