章 43: An Imminent Grand Spectacle
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-
As the week passed, Satoru fell into a predictable routine, punctuated by various events that kept him both busy and amused, his favorite combination:
Early Morning Training With Nina:
The sun rose harshly over the horizon, and the biting cold penetrated deep into anyone's bones.
A cold that was ignored by the dueling party before us:
"Do you mind if I skip the sword for today's session?" Satoru asked with a playful tone.
Nina, struggling to hide her unease, replied, "I'd prefer you used one."
Satoru wagged a finger at her with a mischievous grin, "Don't be so dull! It's either this or I'll practice alone. I need to keep up with all my techniques!"
---------------------------
Morning Magic Lessons:
Pointless lessons that Satoru stubbornly repeated.
In the spacious Training Hall, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden hue on the polished wooden floors.
Hushed whispers and gossip spread aloud in a rather innocent and awed manner.
A bunch of 1st-year students - Ages ranging from 10 to 14 years old- were spectating the rather odd sight of the older boy that towered over them.
...Failing the most basic of magic.
Satoru's hand extended forward, as he chanted with narrowed eyes, his Six Eyes gleaming ethereally, "Let the great protection of fire be on the place thou seekest. I call the bold heat of a torch here and now. Fireball!"
As expected, nothing happened.
No fire.
No ball.
Not even a puff of smoke.
Nothing.
The room fell into an awkward silence, which was eventually broken by Satoru's casual shrug and dismissive comment.
"With how long I've been breathing the oxygen here, I'd have expected the Mana to accept me by now, but oh well~! I'll try again later!"
The meaning behind that outlandish statement flew over everyone's head.
"Cya brats! Cya teach!" He waved goodbye to the stupefied 1st years and Teacher.
Clapping both his hands together and disappearing from the Training Hall.
Thus, the rumor formed - "Gojo Satoru Is A Talentless Mage."
It was with each passing day, that the mystery of Gojo Satoru grew.
It doesn't take much thought to piece together the irregularity, especially in front of their very eyes.
He had no Mana and couldn't cast even the most basic spells.
This glaring deficiency contrasted sharply with his reputation and seemingly magical capabilities, making his situation all the more perplexing.
Indeed, he lived up to his title as - The Anomaly.
Such were the thoughts of the Academy Students.
Despite this, some select individuals occasionally send avaricious looks at Satoru.
Looks that are promptly ignored by Satoru and or not addressed.
After all...
What could they do to him?
---------------------------
Mana Theory Lessons:
Satoru's expression was of firm concentration, as he attended the elementary-level classes with a clear purpose and intention.
His understanding of Mana growing with each lesson.
Suddenly, Satoru's concentration broke with the appearance of a notebook shoved into his face.
He slowly turned to be met with the pouting visage of Clarice Redbat.
Smirking at her, he asked, "Isn't this class a bit advanced for you..." His tone grew hesitant and his smirk turned awkward.
"Clarice. Clarice Redbat." She reminded.
"Right, right! So, what do you need?" he asked, more directly now.
She sighed, her tone dismayed, "You promised me an autograph and to answer my questions a couple of days ago... I've been looking everywhere for yo-"
He cut her off, "I'm not hard to find. You've probably been spooked by what happened with your precious Bancho or something." Satoru waved her off, mentioning the first-day scandal that forced others to be incredibly wary of him.
Clarice, unperturbed by the blunt accusation, asked, "Did the Doldia sisters mention this to you?"
Satoru grinned, "Nah, I just pay attention. I've got a knack for noticing details," he said, pointing to his eyes with a playful wink beneath his shades.
Stroking her chin, and withdrawing the notebook that invaded Satoru's personal space, Clarice hummed, "I see... So, autograph?" She gave an innocent cutesy smile.
Satoru huffed, extending his hand to grab the notebook, with swift strokes of his quil, he had finished signing her notebook, "Here." He nonchalantly handed back her notebook.
Beaming at him, Clarice nodded appreciatively.
Lowering her head to scrutinize Satoru's autograph, her eyes twitched at the odd, vulgar, and incredibly childish drawing.
It was a penis.
Shifting her attention back to Satoru, whose gaze was fixated on the whiteboard at the front, yet the cheerful smirk on his face was still present to contrast his concentration and serious posture.
Shaking her head and ignoring the twitch in her eyebrows, Clarice pasted a genuinely curious smile on her face as she asked, "How are you preparing for your duel with Demon King Badigadi in a few days?"
She didn't try to hide the fact she was holding her notebook, ready to write every little detail of Satoru's following words:
"Nothing special. If the Creepy Old Man beat him, he's nothing to worry about." Satoru answered immediately and indifferently.
"Creepy Old Man?" Clarice repeated.
He ignores her mutter, taking the opportunity to add a single, indisputable fact, "After all, I'm the Strongest~!" His voice rumbled in self-assurance and arrogance.
---------------------------
Afternoon Nanahoshi Lectures:
"...Will you be sitting here every day, Miss Nina?" Nanahoshi questioned evenly as she stood before a whiteboard she loaned from an unused lecture room, her eyes narrowing beyond her mask at the swordswoman who sat in the corner of the room.
"Will that be an issue?" Nina answered simply, her figure unwavering.
Nanahoshi shot a frustrated glare at Satoru, hoping he would address the issue.
To no avail.
Pointing at her, Satoru stated innocently, doing little to mask his enjoyment of this, "If you want her out, that's up to you. My hands are tied. I'll warn you, she's incredibly stubborn."
...
Letting silence reign in the room, Nanahoshi sighed in agony, a new solution forming in her head.
Switching the language to Japanese, Nanahoshi stated, "Then I will be teaching you in Japanese."
The distraughtness was clear on Nina's face as she hadn't understood a word Nanahoshi was saying.
Satoru blinked, bursting out in laughter, "HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" Pointing a finger at Nina.
Calming himself, he turned back to Nanahoshi with a thumbs-up, "Nice one, didn't think you had it in you, Shizuka-chan~"
A small smile formed on Nanahoshi's face, hidden by her mask as she chastised, "We're not that close nor familiar, Gojo-san."
Turning to the whiteboard, with complete disregard to the frowning Nina, Nanahoshi drew a basic Magic Circle, lecturing, "You will start by drawing one of these - A magic circle that invokes the Elementary Class Fire Spell - Fireball."
Satoru narrowed his eyes at the whiteboard, clicking his tongue, "...The heavens are spiting me."
Tilting her head for a moment at the odd mutter, Nanahoshi shook her head and continued, "Since Rudeus-san is gone, as you may have figured already, we'll be using Magic Stones." She gently took out a small stone out of her pocket.
---------------------------
Nina had already left, getting the hint that she was unwanted, and the language barrier being too much of a headache for her.
Not without leaving with a conflicting gaze that shifted between Satoru and Nanahoshi.
Despite having learned an incredible truth and detail behind Gojo Satoru, she had not felt that she had gotten any closer to him.
The indecipherable mystery had been deciphered, or so she thought.
'Yet, why did things not change?' The thought echoed in Nina's mind.
Regardless of Gojo Satoru, she had other purposes for attending.
She could only hope, that she'll get through to him and understand him eventually...
Nanahoshi's broad smile was barely concealed by her mask, though her awed voice made her emotions clear.
"Y-You're calligraphy is exceptional! You drew that Circle flawlessly!" Nanahoshi genuinely praised as she shakingly gripped the paper on which Satoru drew the Magic Circle.
Satoru responded honestly, "Calligraphy is an important skill for Jujutsu Sorcerors. One of the most basic and universal ones that are taught. Talismans can be made by anyone, so it's a requirement. Even for me."
---------------------------
Evening Fun & Otherwise:
Exhibit A:
Shopping in the Magic City Of Sharia!
"Excuse me, but may I ask why you need 10 pounds of wool and some rope?" The wool merchant questioned with slight nervousness, at the tall shaded figure before him.
Satoru answered politely, "Sure no problem. I'm making a hammock. The view at the top of the Academy buildings is superb! I highly recommend it!" He gave a thumbs-up.
The merchant chuckled lightly, "Haha! I'll be sure to fly my way up there! Hahahaha!"
Tilting his head, Satoru smirked, "I can get you up there if you want~"
The merchant's expression hardened and his tone turned serious, "I refuse."
Exhibit B:
Tomfoolery!
"You know what I find strange?" Satoru stroked his chin as he sat at the dinner table in the Dining Hall.
"Is it that Linia hasn't submitted herself to be your mate yet, Nano?" Munching on a drumstick, Pursena offered lazily.
"That's righ- What?! Nya!?" Linia shouted, slamming the table.
Nina continued to eat her food in a rather dignified and silent manner.
Dignified for a muscleheaded brute from the Holy Land Of Swords, at least.
Clarice had invited herself to the table, her interviewer mode active as she kept a bit more of a polite distance this time, her eager smirk and notebook at the ready.
"Is it that the Student Council nor Principal Georg have yet to contact you regarding the duel?! After all! They're handling the logistics and you have yet to be offered a percentage of the payment!"
...Satoru and everyone for that matter disregarded the suspicious amount of insider information that was uttered in that very sentence.
Satoru shook his head slowly, drawling out, "No..."
He slammed his hand on the table, startling those beside him and the other wary diners.
With a voice full of mock hurt and indignation, he declared, "A Magic Academy... filled with capable Mages who can cast Earth, Fire, and Water Magic..."
Rising up, as faux tears pooled in his eyes, "And yet... NO HOT SPRINGS?!" His appalled tone was exchanged for a furious and self-righteous one, echoing loudly in the dining hall.
Drawing the eyes of all who simply wanted to dine in peace.
Puresna rose up, lifting her drumstick in the air, "A tragedy Nano!"
Linia rose up as well, roaring, "A disgrace! Nya!"
...
Not many.
Scratch that, no one from those dining in the hall seemed eager to clear this... Issue, like Satoru and the Beast Girls.
Breaking through the awkward silence that was ignored by the three idiots, Nina gulped her food, commenting her opinion, "I'm surrounded by idiots."
Lowering his sharp gaze to her, his eyes narrowed beneath the shades, Satoru pointed at Nina, "No. Baldy's a cheapskate, and all of you are ignoring it."
Clarice seemed to relish the chaotic scene, nodding in agreement with the others. "A hot spring would indeed be nice."
She mused, "Especially since this weather isn't very kind to the skin this time of year."
"When is it ever Nya? My ears freeze if I stay outside too long no matter the year here!" Linia deadpanned.
"That's because you are defective, Nano. Our fur is there for a reason." Pursena accused.
Nina sighed, twirling the fork in her hand, "...There's a hot spring in Sharia you know?"
Satoru shook his head, "That's too far away... For me, it isn't. But what of the common, slow, and weaker folk? WHERE IS YOUR CHARITY?!"
Narrowing her eyes, "It's ironic when you say it... You're just doing this because you're bored!"
"Am not!"
Clarice intervened, shifting the attention to her, "Not to burst your bubble. Gojo, but if you really want a hot spring to be constructed here, it'll be pretty expensive, with Mages needing to be stationed and paid. I'd suggest talking with Principal Georg or the Student Council if you want it to be finalized. Want me to send a word in?" She suggested with a smile.
"Student Council... Nah, I'll talk to Badly about it. It'll be my long-term project here!" Satoru announced with a playful smile.
"Wasn't your long-term project to study Teleportation Magic?" Nina gently reminded, already feeling bad for Nanahoshi, despite their grievances.
"I have a set amount of hours dedicated to that! I have a lot of time on my hands! One does not bother the other!" Satoru nodded sagely, folding his arms with pure wisdom.
...
And, it was with that eccentric and rather productive routine, that a week flew by...
---------------------------
The sky above the Magic City of Sharia was a beautiful clear blue canvas, naught a cloud in sight.
Beyond it, the sun glared in defiance of the freezing cold, offering but a feeble effort.
On the outskirts of the city itself, in the Magic Academy-owned grounds, at a distance of around half an hour's travel by carriage - Stood a Grand Arena, more aptly termed Colosseum.
The Colosseum's exterior was built from imposing stone, reflecting its grandeur.
Its single large entrance was flanked by giant columns, and a long line of excited spectators stretched out, eager to witness the event.
The ones responsible for entree and staff was, of course, the Magic Academy, the owners of said Arena.
The Student Council and a couple of volunteer students did their best to instill order, with Ariel's orders calming the ruckus.
On the paved road, which seemed to have been rushed in its construction, a few eye-catching individuals exited a carriage:
A tall young man, and a much shorter and older man.
The duo, were, of course, Gojo Satoru and Principal Georg.
Satoru scrutinized the grand sight before him with an impressed hum, muttering a playful, "Did you decide to lead me here yourself because you wanted to show off?"
Walking forward, Georg headed towards the long line of people, gesturing for Satoru to follow, "Of course. Is it not an awe-inspiring structure? It is a most ingenious idea! This will further strengthen my fine academy."
Snorting, Satoru replied, "Just don't forget to send me my Coins after this."
Georg nodded matter of factly, "To you and Miss Silent."
Raising an eyebrow, Satoru thought about that statement.
Hazarding a guess, Satoru spoke up, "Did she "Invent" this arena?"
Smiling, Georg nodded, "Indeed. Miss Silent has the most profitable of innovations! I wanted to motivate my students to be more adept in combat. School Tournaments are not anything new, however, the idea of marketing it to the greater public was most ingenious! I knew asking Miss Silent on the matter would lead to such a profitable endeavor! I was wary of the finances regarding constructing a Grand Arena, but this, alongside your presence was what assuaged that worry!"
As Satoru muffled out Georg's usual ranting, the line of people had an inquisitive and excited look on their faces at Satoru's approach, clearing the way for him to enter.
Met before the busy figure of Ariel and her little workers, Satoru smirked sadistically, "Having fun, Princess~?"
One might ask, what prompted such a change of attitude in Satoru regarding Ariel in such a relatively short amount of time?
The reasons?
Rather rudimentary:
(1) She's fun to annoy and trouble - She deals with all his shenanigans.
(2) She's NOT trying to recruit him - Thus far.
(3) She's chastised any recruiters that approached Satoru - Respectable.
Translation - She's been upgraded from "Avoid cause Politics eww" to the standard package of "Another Satoru Pranking Target."
Much to Ariel's pleasure?
Ariel gave a troubled smile, yet her tone came out joyous, one might accuse of her being masochistic, "I'm afraid not. The Principal has dropped this on the Student Council's table without our input."
Shaking her head with a lamentable tone, she added, "I fear he is abusing his authority over us, with no observable compensation."
The short and stocky aforementioned Georg huffed in indignation, "How slanderous! This is in the best interests of the Academy's development." He stated matter of factly.
Luke greeted Satoru with a respectful bow, although the twitching of his eyebrow was clearly noticeable.
Satoru hadn't let that gesture go, pointing at Luke with an amused expression, "Your lackey gotta work on the subtlety. Such transparent disdain... Even I have feelings." He faux sniffed.
Ariel's smile widened, and her following words sent a shiver down Luke's spine, "My, my. I'll make sure he's properly punished."
Luke gulped nervously at that.
"Well, we should get moving, I would not like to keep His Majesty waiting," Georg suggested, moving forward, as the line behind them was clogged thanks to them holding it up.
"Right, right." Satoru followed, waving a leisurely goodbye to Ariel and her little helpers.
---------------------------
Entering through the main entrance, and passing by the two staircases that led to the seats, Satoru was met with a gigantic open area:
With the open sky above him, Satoru promptly took off his shades, revealing the Six Eyes to the world.
In nearly an instant, his eyes took in all the information before him:
Over five thousand spectators were already seated in eager anticipation.
The interior seemed to have been constructed with the same Magic Resistant Bricks as the ones the Academy is constructed from.
Multiple barriers are deployed in the spectator's seats.
His friends and fellow Special Students were present.
Even a reluctant Nanahoshi sat beside Nina at the more exclusive seating arrangements.
And... Finally, Satoru's opponent - Demon King Badigadi, donned a confident and excited smile.
Georg stroked his mustache with glee, his eyes practically shining gold, as he saw most of the available seats being taken, "Over... Three thousand and counting spectators have come to witness this imminent Grand Spectacle!"
Patting Satoru's side reassuringly, as he was too short to reach anywhere else, Georg mentioned, "Once everyone is seated, do not be afraid of going all out. These barriers are Advanced Class and Saint respectively."
Lowering his head to glance at Georg, Satoru whistled impressed, "That's quite the expense, considering all the barriers you've set up here. Did you swindle the Milis Religion for a discount or something?"
Georg scoffed haughtily, "I have deep pockets."
He turned away to leave Satoru to it, uttering one final sentence.
"Be sure to put on a good performance, it will prove profitable for both of us."
Satoru snickered, "With me, It's always a good performance~" Pointing a thumb at himself as he approached the still figure of Badigadi.
The crowd grew with each step Satoru took towards Badigadi.
Empty seats, now occupied with curious and excited spectators.
It was an event for the history books.
Albeit less significant than the subtle defeat of the Sword God witnessed by only two other people.
This was a battle of Great Power Vs Demon King.
Witnessed by Five Thousand.
There is no doubt, regardless of the outcome...
That this will be an event that will echo in the annals of history for generations.
To Be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
Hello lovely ladies and gentlemen!
Hope this chappie was to your enjoyment!
Next Chapter's the Actual battle, I promise lol.
The battle is already uploaded on my P A T R E 0 NN
Here's the link:
patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes
Anywho, after the battle, the pacing will be ACCELERATING.
Cause there are around 2-3 important things that need to happen during this Academy Arc before we can move on.
That's about it!
As always, feedback and such is much appreciated and have a lovely day!
週次パワーステータス
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