The morning sunlight cut through the shattered blinds, falling in jagged lines across Akira's apartment. Dust motes floated in the pale light, dancing above the cracked floorboards. Akira sat at his desk, staring at the remnants of the cursed energy still lingering faintly in the air.
His hands trembled slightly, but not from fear—more from the realization of what he could do. He had destroyed a curse without even knowing how. And it had felt… natural.
The phone on his desk buzzed. A notification from a forum he rarely checked: "Someone in Tokyo reported a strange energy surge near Shibuya last night. Cursed energy detected. Authorities baffled." Akira frowned. Was he the cause?
A sudden knock on the door made him jump. "Who is it?"
"I'm here to talk… about last night," a calm, unfamiliar voice replied.
Before he could respond, the door swung open. Two figures stepped in. The first was tall, wearing a blindfold that hid piercing eyes. The second was shorter, serious, and radiated an air of control.
"Are these… sorcerers?" Akira's mind raced.
The tall one grinned. "Morning, kid. I'm Satoru Gojo, and this is Megumi Fushiguro." His voice was easy, but carried a dangerous weight. "You're the one who used cursed energy last night, aren't you?"
"Relax," Gojo laughed softly, leaning casually against the wall. "You're not in trouble. Yet. But that was no ordinary human reaction. That was pure cursed energy. And trust me, kid, that's rare."
"Why me?" Akira asked, his stomach twisting.
Gojo shrugged. "Sometimes power chooses its vessel. Sometimes the vessel doesn't know what it carries. You're lucky… in a way."
"Lucky?" Megumi stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "He just erased a curse without training. That could've backfired horribly. You're a beacon now, Akira."
The word made Akira shiver. He could feel the truth in it. Something deep inside him had awakened, and it would not rest quietly again.
"Alright, lesson one," Gojo clapped his hands. "Control your cursed energy. Don't panic. It's part of you."
Akira closed his eyes, imagining the dark power within him. It was wild, thrumming like a second heartbeat. He focused, breathing slowly, until a thin black aura flickered around his fingers, coiling like smoke.
"Not bad," Gojo whistled. "More control than most have after months of training."
Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the hallway. Shadows shifted, darker than the sun could touch. A minor curse had been drawn by Akira's energy. It hissed, claws scraping the floor.
"Remember," Megumi said quietly, "don't fear it. Control your energy."
Akira raised his hand. The aura flared. "Disappear."
The energy hit the curse midair, stopping it cold. Shadow twisted as the creature was thrown backward, leaving scorched marks on the wall.
"Excellent," Gojo clapped. "But that was just a minor one. Bigger threats will feel you from far away."
By evening, Akira's muscles ached. But inside, something had changed. He could feel the energy responding more naturally. Then, a sudden tremor ran through the streets. The air became heavy, oppressive.
Gojo's smile widened under his blindfold. "Ah… there it is. That's what I've been waiting for."
"It's old," Megumi's voice was grim. "Very old. And it knows him."
The whisper inside Akira's mind returned, clearer than ever: "You are mine…"
Gojo rested a hand on Akira's shoulder. "Get ready, kid. This is only the beginning."