Capítulo 39: Complication
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.
-Story Start-
"Huh?" Nanahoshi let out a squeak of surprise, at the result of Satoru's attempt of fueling her magic circle.
The large paper holding the magic circle began to wither away into the air in the form of black particles.
Nanahoshi stepped back only to pause from Satoru's words, his tone curious and gaze concentrated.
He commented, "That's not the usual reaction, is it?"
His tone conveyed this was a confirmation, not a question.
Tilting her head, Nanahoshi agreed, "Yes. When a Magic Circle fails, it's usually characterized by a char across the paper or the entirety of it catching on fire."
She gestured at the withered away paper - Or the place it formerly was at, "Not disintegrating into nothing." She conveyed.
Satoru nodded, pointing at her, "It didn't disintegrate into nothing, it failed and released the residual Cursed Energy I fuelled it with."
Sensing the forming question, Satoru continued, "It's something I'm familiar with. It's the result you get when you try and use a half-assed Talisman."
His eyes narrowed as he mumbled thoughtfully, "But... To think that the Cursed Energy reacted to the Magic Circle like a Talisman..." Satoru wondered.
Seeing Satoru's immersed figure, Nanahoshi sighed, "And this... Doesn't happen when you try and charge objects in this world with Cursed Energy?"
Nanahoshi's inquiry hung in the air for a moment, and a moment later got answered.
Satoru turned and gave her a look, "Obviously."
He added, "More importantly, was this Magic Circle supposed to work in the first place if fuelled with Mana?"
'The Cursed Energy spread through the ink until it covered each nook and cranny of the Magic Circle. Then, it was recognized as a Talisman. And then... It all erupted.' Satoru recalled.
Contemplating, he suggested, 'As if... Each instruction written in that Magic Circle was incorrect. Or, in this case, Talisman. I've got to know if this was because the Magic Circle was faulty in of itself, or because Magic Circle instructions, or whatever they are, do not align with Cursed Energy's capabilities.'
Nanahoshi suddenly went silent at his question.
Seeing her slightly embarrassed face, Satoru deadpanned, his tone pitying, "Can you really do nothing right?"
"Ah... No wonder you haven't managed to get back home yet." He said with a shake of his head, his tone carrying a hint of haughty snark.
Nanahoshi's face was red as she silently moved to find a piece of paper amid the piles of their disorganized brethren.
Whether she was red in the face from anger or embarrassment, Satoru didn't care.
He patiently waited for a moment, until she stepped forward, placing a piece of paper under him.
Her voice came out apathetically, with a leakage of exhaustion, "Here. This is a Summoning Circle for a Lamplight Spirit."
Scrutinizing it for a second, and raising his eyebrow, Satoru was about to question, only for Nanahoshi to swiftly add, "This one is guaranteed to work. The Authority on Summoning Magic gave me the formula of it, and he invented it himself."
'That reminds me, I'll have to go visit Perugius soon with all I've discovered...' Her gaze shifted to Satoru.
'Visiting with Gojo-san in tow would be... Disastrous.' She resolved to NOT let him join her.
Satoru had a teasing and amused smirk, unaware of the rude thoughts in Nanahoshi's mind, "I just had to check."
"Hurry up." She retorted with a frown.
He waved her off, "Yeah, yeah."
His focus shifted back to the circle, eyes narrowing in concentration.
He commented, sending Nanahoshi a questioning look, "Much smaller than the usual stuff you got going around here."
She huffed, "Of course it is. What I'm trying to achieve is returning us back to Japan. The more complex the need, the bigger the Magic Circle's instructions and Mana fueling it are needed. On top of that, I have to make sure I don't cause another Teleport Incident."
Taking it in, Satoru replied evenly, "I see..."
'Wait a second.'
He turned to her, his tone was easygoing, yet his Six Eyes conveyed the seriousness of the matter as he repeated her words, "Another Teleport Incident?"
Satoru's words and serious tone caused her to instinctively and protectively raise the Magic Rings on her fingers in his direction.
A tense silence enveloped them.
An offended raise of an eyebrow from Satoru prompted her to lower her hand, sighing, "Sorry. The last time I admitted that, it quickly turned into a fight."
Waving her off, Satoru replied nonchalantly, "No, I'm not bothered about that. I'm offended that you thought that was going to do something."
"Just because you are the "Strongest" back in Japan doesn't mean you should be this arrogant in a foreign magical world. I've traveled a lot, and seen enough to know how dangerous it truly is." Nanahoshi chastised Satoru with a deadpan.
Pointing his thumb at himself, he replied, "I haven't been proven wrong yet~ I am the Strongest. Here and in our World." His words held no doubt, as they were filled with self-assured confidence.
Rolling her eyes, deciding it was a mute argument, Nanahoshi went back to his prior inquiry, "Yes, the Mana Calamity was indirectly my fault. I, as well as a few others, believe it was a result of my summoning to this world. I, after all, appeared the instant it was over with, appearing not far from the heart of the desolate and destroyed Fittoa Region."
'...Travel between other worlds, dimensions, or even parallel worlds considering the similarities between this one and ours... Logically, it should take a ridiculous amount of power to make it possible... I'll follow that line of thought for now.' Satoru mulled.
Taking a moment to contemplate this point, Satoru starts, "Then... The obvious question comes into mind." He met eyes with Nanahoshi.
She nodded, "Why didn't you cause one? Or even Akito, who may or may not be already in this World at this point in time, given the difference between your appearance and mine. Not to mention location."
At her suggestion, Satoru's mind went into overdrive, as he considered and juggled with many options a second.
Then, he mumbled his theory:
"Who said we didn't cause the Teleport Incident?"
Nanahoshi's eyes widened as she lowered her head.
'The three of us disappeared at the same time... Both I and Akito were supposed to be summoned. The Law Of Conservation Of Energy seems to apply in this world and mana. It would be much more efficient to bring us all at once from the same opening if possible...' Nanahoshi considered.
"That... You've got a point..." She mumbled.
Satoru continued, "Did you truly appear at the heart of the incident?"
At Satoru's driven and serious gaze, Nanahoshi blinked as she nodded, "I don't think so, but it's hard to tel-"
"Is there a sketch of the Teleport Incident radius? The most exact and detailed one you can find?" Satoru posed a question.
Shaking her head, Nanahoshi replied, "No, I don't have an up-to-date World Map with me here. But I can get us one later, I think I know what you're trying to see."
She continued, "What you're trying to say is... Even though I was the one responsible for the Teleport Incident, it doesn't mean I am exempt from being caught in its teleportation effect. Regardless that I was teleported really close by?"
Nodding, Satoru replied, "Bingo."
"Then what about the difference in time of our appearance in this world? All those caught up in the Teleport Incident did get randomly teleported, but they more or less reappeared at the same time." She posed a final inquiry, a lingering one from their last talk.
A thin line formed on Satoru's face as he nodded, "Yeah. I have no concrete explanation for that one." He shrugged, a rare hint of frustration flickering in his eyes.
Lifting a finger he added before Nanahoshi shelved his theory, drawling out, "Well... There is one logical explanation that could fit, although I can't really prove or disprove it since the mechanics of the whole thing is a big chunky grey area for us. Take it as my own brilliant conjecture." He waved his hand.
"Well? Spit it out?" She gestured, ignoring his self-praise.
"My Cursed Technique. Called the "Limitless". It allows me to bring the concept of "Infinity" into reality. In essence, it allows me to distort and manipulate space at will."
"And no, I can't teleport us back~! Don't be so sad~!" He elaborated.
"I'm assuming you aren't really into physics, so I'll shorten it for you. Space and Time are linked. According to the theory of general relativity by that Einstein guy," he lectured nonchalantly.
"When I grabbed your hand and that mana teleported us. In that instant, I had activated my Technique, wrapping myself in Infinity."
Seeing her lingering gaze, he elaborated, "It's Achilles and the Tortoise."
At the familiar term, she nodded, "I am familiar with it, but how does that relate to your Technique and Infinity?"
He sighed in disappointment, "Can't you put two and two together? Shizuka-chan~?"
"Though, I'll give you some points for knowing the paradox. Some people just don't study these days~!"
Ignoring her indignant huff, he elaborated, "You see, my technique is basically like a convergent series of infinite numbers. Anything that approaches me grows slower and slower, and ultimately, it fails to ever reach me."
Her eyes widened, "That's a ridiculous ability! So then..."
Satoru cut her off, calling back to their initial transportation, "Yet it managed to bypass it. Both reaching you and me."
"As for how... A disruption to my Technique would have been felt, the vectors changing and or being affected and all. Domain Amplification, Domain Expansion, and any of those other options I've already long eliminated."
"The last option is simply the mana being capable of traveling through the World, Space, Existence itself." He scratched the back of his head.
Nodding, he mirrored Nanahoshi's thoughts, "I know, it sounds a little ridiculous, but I've yet to find a limit to the capabilities of what Mana and Spells can do from what I've managed to gather." His voice softened slightly, hinting at the awe he rarely expressed.
"It's like discovering a new dimension... Well, pfft. It basically is~! But, a new dimension where all the rules I'm used to don't fully apply. At it's heart. Mana. And that, Shizuka-chan~! Is very exciting." A broad, childish smirk formed on his face.
What more could Satoru say?
Magic is cool.
But he's cooler went unsaid.
'Then again, I've been surrounded by meatheads whose Magic barring Ave reached up to Intermediate. And that poor Advanced Water Mage on the way here. Hehe~' He chuckled internally.
"Need I remind you why we're even talking about this? Magic is only useful for getting back home. Besides, the both of us can't use it." She folded her arms.
"Bah, what can I expect from Miss Rigidness herself? Five years of wasted opportunities... Tsk, tsk." He shook his head helplessly.
A mulling silence passed and then Nanahoshi nodded, another inquiry present.
"Oh enough about that already! Back on topic, why did we separate from each other back then?" She asked.
"Hmm? Oh, it's because my Infinity didn't wrap around you as well. So Time and Space affected me differently than it did you."
He waved the magic circle inscribed paper as he lifted both his hands, "Okay! I'll present two scenarios~!"
"Scenario One~!" He cheered.
Prompting a deadpan from Nanahoshi, "Can't you take this more seriously?"
"I will~! If you shut up for a second~!" He chuckled.
He pointed at her and himself, his tone shifted from playful to serious, to reflect the gravity of the situation, "Scenario 1 is taking into account that the Teleport Incident and our Transportation are linked phenomena but not exactly the same. The cause and effect"
"In that scenario, the three of us were transported into this World. You with me here?"
"...Keep going already, I'm not stupid."
"Ahem! The three of us were transported to the same spot. At the heart of the Teleport Incident." He emphasized as Nanahoshi was fully attentive to his words, nodding along.
"As you previously mentioned, your summoning was the cause of the Teleport Incident. Thus, immediately after the three of us were summoned, we didn't have any time to process and were thusly scattered and teleported around the world. The difference in time between me and you is still addressed to my Limitless Cursed Technique. After that, the last phase, which is likely the follow-up of the Transportation Spell cast on us. The Curse that is wrapped around you." He summarized.
Tilting his head, he mumbled, "As for how the recognition for that works... Considering how it felt when it tried to attach itself onto me and receded when figuring out I'm not its intended target... My only explanation is it recognizes the Soul."
"The Soul?" Nanahoshi repeated.
Satoru nodded, "That Creepy Old Man reincarnated, didn't he? Do you need any other evidence for the existence of the Soul?"
He quickly said, "Cause if you do need more evidence, I got nothin."
Nanahoshi mumbled, "Considering what Mana is capable of, and that any elaborate brain implant is even more farfetched with the technology here... You've got a point."
Making an X mark with his hands he said, "Back to your Curse, Visual recognition is a definite no, as it would have paused much earlier when trying to attach itself to me. At the level it was operating at, it was either my Cursed Energy or Soul. Cursed Energy being the least likely of the two."
He shrugged, swinging two fingers in front of Nanahoshi, "Again, this is just conjecture, but with that Old Man having both Mana and Cursed Energy in tandem, I'm guessing the Soul is the connecting point." He added a third finger that held the other two together like a bridge.
"Guessing, since even my Six Eyes hardly help me with recognizing or seeing the Soul." He pointed at the ethereal glow of his ocean-blue eyes.
Letting Nanahoshi mull over the information for a moment, he concluded.
Lowering his hand, "In this scenario, it means Boyfriend-kun was teleported somewhere at the same time as you did. As for what that means... You can already tell."
'...I was lucky to encounter Orsted. If I didn't I would have definitely died.' Nanahoshi shivered at the thought.
'Akito isn't capable of Jujutsu Sorcery like Gojo-san. The chances of him being as fortunate as I was. And of him being alive at that in this scenario are...' She lamented.
Nanahoshi bit her lip, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination, "And the second scenario?"
Despite resolving herself with the possibility of losing Akito, she couldn't let go of hope.
Thanks to Satoru's blunt reminder, she couldn't shake the dread gnawing at her heart once more, the thought of Akito lost and alone in this dangerous world... Or worse, gnawing at her very mind for the umpteenth time in this world.
She hoped the second Scenario Satoru would present held a safer and more fortunate possibility for Akito.
...Although deep down, she had already given up on him, resolving to return home as fast as possible from this accursed world.
"Eager aren't we~?"
...
"Scenario Two... Is for later! Cause we've been gettin sidetracked and I'm getting hungry." Satoru's eyes narrowed at the curious Nanahoshi as he lifted the paper.
Clicking her tongue, prompting a "Rude~!" from Satoru, she raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you just eat lunch?" She hid the concern for Akito from being revealed by her tone well.
"That was a while ago, but you know how it is... Besides, I'm a growing boy." He declared lightly, as he flexed his muscles.
'That little scuffle with the Creepy Old Man barely qualified as a workout.' Satoru mused.
Hiding her face in her palm, Nanahoshi groaned, "Just... Test the Magic Circle and then go grab some snacks from the Dining Hall. Ask the staff."
He nodded absentmindedly as he grabbed the paper and channeled his Cursed Energy into the Summoning Circle of a Lamplight Spirit.
"Okay for now." He mumbled as his Six Eyes shone bright.
At the immediate flaring up being noticed once again by the Six Eyes, he stated, "Never mind~!" As the paper withered away.
Taking a step forward, Nanahoshi's eyes narrowed, "That means that Cursed Energy isn't compatible with the mechanics of Magic Circles then?"
Nodding absentmindedly to affirm her words, Satoru added, "Yeah, though I'm sure I can draw up functioning Talismans using the same ink and paper."
He shrugged, uncaringly, "Unfortunately, this still doesn't answer my questions about the connection between Mana and Cursed Energy. My best clue is the Creepy Old Man's Reincarnation and the fact he holds both Cursed Energy and Mana."
"I don't get the whole picture, but you shouldn't call hi-"
Sensing the need to change the subject before their banter veered into more Rudeus-slandering territory, Nanahoshi stopped herself, "You know what, let's focus on the task at hand for now..."
Satoru ignored her, "He is and will be called a Creepy Old Man," Satoru affirmed with a satisfied nod.
'Oh for the love of...' She grumbled internally.
"Wasn't the beating enough?" She muttered tiredly, tugging at his sleeve in a plea.
Satoru chuckled, his Six Eyes locking onto a specific moving individual, a hint of intrigue crossed his eyes, as he turned to Nanahoshi, responding, "Only if he got smarter~!"
"Now... You want me to get ya something?" He questioned.
She shook her head, "No, I'm not hungry. Thank you."
He nodded, "Catch you later!"
Clasping both his hands together, without a sound, he disappeared from Nanahoshi's sight as he teleported.
One final thought crossed Satoru's mind, the last true missing piece of the puzzle and the most glaring hole in his theory and scenarios with little to no leads:
'That Mana wrapped around the Creepy Old Man too, yet he wasn't involved in the Teleport Incident. Instead, he was reincarnated. Where does that come into play?' Satoru wondered with narrowed eyes and a touch of frustration.
'Well, it doesn't really matter for now. I'll figure it out eventually. Vacation enjoyment is priority~!' The same argument he internalized at his first few hours in this world reappeared in his mind.
Thus a weight was lifted from Nanahoshi's shoulders at Satoru's leave, a moment of respite to be certain.
A thought crossed her mind, as pragmatism took hold, "...I should stock up on Magic Stones, just in case Rudeus-san..."
To Be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
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Ahem!
Sorry if this was a less action or plot development typa chapter.
More of an exposition, information, theory-type chapter.
But it's necessary for our renegade Japanese duo who are trying (Some more than others) to get back home.
I try my best to space out these kinda chapters, cause some questions need to be both asked and answered.
Whilst others simply need to be asked and left to brew for a LONG LONG LONG FUCKING TIME.
Ahem, no foreshadowing meant in my words whatsoever.
Soon, the first day will be over, and the more goofy and interesting stuff will begin.
Particularly Gojo's character interactions with the rest of the academy.
A fight or two (Some obviously hinted).
Some here some there.
And the travels continue.
How will they continue?
You'll have to see what the catalyst will be! (Gojo always finds an excuse)
As for the technical mumbo jumbo I put together here for the sake of the events to make logical sense and for the verses to collide properly...
I hope it satisfies the Jujutsu Scientists and Mushoku Enthusiasts among the readers.
Hope XD.
And the casual reader as well!
Thanks for reading and have a nice day!
Cya next chappie!
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