Chapter 11 School Starts

　　Kei Kojima had a wonderful holiday at home.

　　Being with my family, every day when I open my eyes, it is another beautiful day.

　　You don’t have to be scared every day, hide and dodge when you go out, and avoid certain annoying people. You don’t have to feel irritated and shake your head and sigh every day when you think about going to school.

　　With the comparison, Kei Kojima felt that he was having a very comfortable time at home.

　　After just two months at Jujutsu High School, Kei Kojima has already developed a regular routine. Every day he gets up early, puts on his coat, and goes to a nearby park to exercise.

　　When he comes back from exercise, his mother will prepare a refreshing cold soup to relieve his fatigue, calm his heartbeat, and help dissipate his body temperature.

　　His mother hasn't been very busy at work recently, so she took some time off to stay at home with him. Kei Kojima hasn't felt this way for a long time, the feeling of snuggling with his family and no longer being alone in the world.

　　So happy.

　　Perhaps because he didn't cherish it before, Kei Kojima now feels that such days are particularly precious.

　　In the afternoon or evening, his mother would demonstrate the technique to Kei Kojima over and over again in the basement of their home.

　　After learning the basics of cursed power at the Jujutsu High School, Kei Kojima is finally no longer confused and has figured out some tricks.

　　By the end of the vacation, he finally learned this simple technique.

　　It was with this technique that my mother managed to become a third-level sorcerer.

　　Unfortunately, this is not Kei Kojima's goal. He wants to climb higher.

　　"The next step is to learn the unsimplified form!"

　　Kei Kojima clenched his fist, full of confidence.

　　But his mother didn't learn it back then. If he wants to learn it, it will probably be very difficult and he will have to work harder than he is now.

　　Hearing what Kojima Kei said, Kojima Rina looked at him with a complicated look:

　　"Um... Kei, actually, the techniques you have now should be enough. You're only a first year, so you can learn some basic techniques at school. Natural techniques are powerful, but they also come with risks. That technique... you should avoid it if you can. I've tried it before, and it put too much strain on my body. I don't even know what would happen."

　　"But..." Kojima Kei hesitated, "The seniors are so strong. I think it's better to catch up with them sooner rather than later."

　　Otherwise, you will only fall behind step by step until you lose the chance to even touch their backs.

　　"That's right."

　　Kojima Rina patted his head lovingly:

　　"I'm glad you've grown up and thought about this. But there's more to becoming stronger than just this one way. Maybe you'll find a better answer in school. Promise me that you won't use it unless it's absolutely necessary, okay?"

　　"Mother, I can promise you. But... why?" Kei Kojima was a little confused.

　　"I've been looking through family records before. In my grandfather's diary, it's recorded that he once used a spell recklessly. His body couldn't bear the strain, and he exploded, dying instantly. That was the last member of our family to use a spell before me."

　　Kojima Rina said worriedly:

　　"This technique carries too much risk. Now that its inheritance has been lost, I don't know how to use it to avoid the risks. In short, caution is the safest approach."

　　Kei Kojima was stunned when he heard this.

　　It's so dangerous! It can blow a human body apart!

　　I have never heard of such consequences caused by improper use of the technique!

　　...So scary.

　　Kei Kojima never doubted the truth of his mother's words, but if that was the case, he really couldn't take the risk anymore.

　　This life that I have saved is so precious, there will never be a second chance to be so lucky.

　　It seems that we really need to find another way.

　　"I've already informed your teacher of the family's affairs, so his training will primarily focus on strengthening your physical fitness. While this approach may be effective, I still don't recommend it. I hope you learn the power of self-preservation in the technical secondary school, and that's all."

　　Rina Kojima said.

　　Kei Kojima understood his mother's worries. She naturally wanted him to be safe, but he couldn't do that.

　　He still doesn't know why he was reincarnated, and danger still lurks in the darkness.

　　He watched the date approach day by day, and there was not a single day without anxiety and not a single moment without torment.

　　It's like waiting for the moment when the god of death swings his knife.

　　He always wondered, could he survive this time?

　　Reality has changed. Will he make the same mistake as that day?

　　Kei Kojima couldn't be sure of anything, he just hoped that before that day came, he would at least be able to fight.

　　The vacation is finally over.

　　Kei Kojima said goodbye to his mother reluctantly and got on the bus back to Jujutsu High School with a dejected look on his face.

　　...Wow, I don’t want to go to school!

　　I don’t want to go back and face those two faces!

　　Fortunately, the two annoying seniors were not on the bus this time. In addition to the driver, there were more than a dozen staff members in suits on the bus. They all seemed to know each other and occupied most of the seats on the bus, leaving only the last two or three rows empty.

　　When Kei Kojima got on the bus, they only glanced at him briefly and quickly turned their attention back to their companions, enthusiastically discussing what happened during the vacation and some of the missions they had been on.

　　"Don't mention it, going on a mission with the two second-year masters means you can go home earlier."

　　Someone sighed:

　　"They're really efficient at their work! And the report is so easy to write! That's great! I really wish all sorcerers could be like them..."

　　"Keep your voice down, don't let other sorcerers hear you! Don't try to pull each other down. It's not easy for them. They risk their lives every time fighting the cursed spirits."

　　"We are the same..." the man muttered.

　　"How are they the same? We are outside the tent and they are inside. Do you dare to go in and face the cursed spirit directly?"

　　"I'm just an ordinary person! Of course I wouldn't dare!"

　　Unlike the quiet journey up, the return trip was filled with the chatter of people. Kei Kojima hid in the last row, in a corner where no one paid attention, and slept the entire way. Fortunately, there were no cursed attacks along the way, and he arrived safely at the Jujutsu High School.

　　After wiping his saliva and getting off the car, Kei Kojima returned to the Jujutsu High School where he had not been for many days and saw the familiar campus scenery again.

　　He sighed heavily and walked in slowly.

　　When he arrived at the dormitory, he stored the snacks, canapes and some side dishes his mother had prepared for him in the refrigerator, and took out all the washed clothes and hung them in the closet.

　　Although you can only wear uniforms in school, you can still wear private clothes during private training or holidays.

　　Kei Kojima packed his luggage, tidied his room, and was about to change his clothes and go to the training ground when he suddenly heard some noise in the corridor, as if someone was checking in next door.

　　He pricked up his ears and listened. He saw a strange boy talking to someone in a very loud voice.

　　"Yeah! I'm already at the dorm! The room is super big, perfectly enough for me, and it even has a private bathroom and balcony. The environment is superb! Wait, I'll take some pictures and send them to you!"

　　Could it be the new first grader?

　　Kei Kojima was a little hesitant, not knowing whether he should go out and say hello.

　　“Bang, bang!”

　　There was a sudden knock on the door, and Kei Kojima was startled.

　　"Hello, is this Kojima-san?"

　　The person knocking at the door called out:

　　"I'm a freshman this year, Huiyuan Yu. I just arrived today and am in the same grade as you. Mr. Yaga asked me to come look for you! Are you in your room?"

　　Someone was shouting loudly outside the door, knocking on it so hard that Kei Kojima's ears hurt a little.

　　...What a passionate person.

　　Kei Kojima had no idea how to respond to someone so passionate and energetic at this moment, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't in the room. He went over and opened the door, leaving only a small crack, with most of his body hidden behind it:

　　"……Hello."

　　"Ah! Are you Kojima-san? You're in the room after all! I was just checking to see if anyone was there. Is this your room? How nice!"

　　The boy was a little taller than Kojima Kei, with a crew cut, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes. He was staring at Kojima Kei intently, and Kojima Kei looked away:

　　“…Yeah, yes.”

　　"I heard from Mr. Ye Moth that you came here two months early. You must be very familiar with this place. Can you take me for a tour?"

　　Huiyuan Xiong said excitedly:

　　"This is my first time attending a school that specializes in teaching spells. It's amazing!"

　　Kei Kojima felt a stinging sensation as if the sun was shining directly on his eyes and eardrums.

　　He really wanted to refuse, but then he thought that he would probably have to spend a long time with this person. There weren't many students in the technical high school, with only three or four students in each level. What's more, this person was obviously introduced by Ye Mo Zhengdao, so he had to at least establish a good relationship with him... At least when he met Kei Kojima in the future, he would have to bite the bullet and take him out to introduce him to future training and courses, as well as the buildings in various places.

　　The tourists had many questions, and the tour guide Kei Kojima couldn't answer many of them. He just said:

　　"I'm not sure about that. The student handbook doesn't say much..."

　　“I haven’t been there either…”

　　Although the acting tour guide was somewhat incompetent, the tourists were still very excited and dragged Kei Kojima around.

　　As the two were walking, two people came towards them. They were Yega Masamichi and Geto Suguru. They were walking side by side, and behind them was a tall man.

　　Looking closer, I could see that he was probably a first-year student, but he looked a little older, with a slightly frown on his face and a world-weary expression.

　　Kei Kojima suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of empathy for him.

　　It seems that there are still people like him who don’t like going to school.

　　"Kojima, that's great. You can even guide new people now."

　　Ye Moth Zhengdao smiled and said:

　　"It just so happens that two first-years are here. By the way, let me introduce you to this first-year, Nanami Kento."

　　Nanami Kento nodded coldly:

　　"Hello."

　　"...Hello." Kei Kojima greeted him politely, observing him carefully.

　　He looks a bit cold, and is the exact opposite of Haibara Yu.

　　...I don't know if we can get along well.

　　When Kei Kojima saw Geto Suguru, he wanted to slip away, but Ye Moth was there, so he couldn't leave. He could only stand there awkwardly, listening to Haibara Yuu praising him:

　　"Hello, Mr. Yega! Kojima-san showed me around the school. He's such a nice guy. Thank you for your hard work, Kojima-san!"

　　Kojima Kei tilted his head, a little shy:

　　"……Need not."

　　Ye Mo Zhengdao couldn't help but smile at the sullen young man's unusual expression. Sure enough, the addition of new blood brought about changes. Hopefully, with two of his peers here, he could at least open up a little of his inner blockage.

　　It was only when he came back this time that he heard some of Kei Kojima's past from Rina Kojima.

　　If that's the case, there's no need to force him to get along with the seniors.

　　Yega Zhengdao was about to say something, but he noticed that Geto Suguru was standing next to him, his eyes fixed on Kei Kojima. He had an idea:

　　"Jay, what are you looking at?"

　　Geto Summer Oil suddenly came back to his senses:

　　"Um... nothing." A smile appeared on his face.

　　"I just think that Kei... Kojima-kun should be able to chat with the new first-year student. I think the days ahead won't be boring. He's always been a little afraid of me and Satoru, always alone at the training ground. Now that he has someone by his side, it's nice."

　　Ye Moth Zhengdao said silently:

　　"Yeah. I didn't expect you to notice."

　　"It's not that hard to be discovered~" Geto Suguru said lightly.

　　Upon hearing this, Kei Kojima turned around and happened to meet the eyes of Geto Suguru who was looking over.

　　It was also the first time since he entered school that he looked this man in the eye.

　　Her eyes were still as gentle as always, and when he looked at her, she responded with a gentle smile.

　　Just like long ago,

　　It seemed as if she just wanted him to be happy.

　　It was because of such a gentle Jie that Kei Kojima fell so deeply in love.

　　Kei Kojima's heart trembled slightly.