บท 11: Jujutsu High
This New Year was also spent with Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto.
The first day after the New Year.
The family visited a temple to pray for blessings.
Clap—clap—
Minamoto Sōjun put his hands together and stood still for a moment.
"What did you wish for, Sōjun?" Mr. Minamoto leaned in and asked with interest.
"I hope everyone stays healthy, happy, and joyful every day; I hope Mrs. Minamoto stays young and beautiful forever; I hope Mr. Minamoto stays mature and composed," Minamoto Sōjun glanced at him. "That's all."
Mrs. Minamoto was very happy to hear this, linking arms with Minamoto Sōjun, but then suddenly changed her expression and snapped at Mr. Minamoto: "It won't work if you say it out loud! It's all your fault, asking nonsense like that!"
Mr. Minamoto immediately stepped forward, showing a flattering expression.
Mrs. Minamoto refused to let go and didn't let him off easily.
Helpless, Mr. Minamoto frequently used eye signals toward Minamoto Sōjun, but when he didn't respond, he secretly nudged him with his elbow.
"It's fine, I made the wish twice," Minamoto Sōjun said with a smile, adding, "One wish I didn't say aloud, so it should work, right?"
Mrs. Minamoto smiled again.
Mr. Minamoto gave him a thumbs-up.
None of them really believed in this stuff.
What mattered was the atmosphere of togetherness, being able to do the same thing together, sharing favorite foods, and arguing over small things, only to quickly think about how to make up afterward.
---
"Teacher, Happy New Year!" Minamoto Sōjun looked toward the arriving Yaga Seidou, while offering his New Year's greetings.
As usual, he arrived early, but the first day of the New Year always felt special.
"Here!" Yaga Seidou greeted Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto and handed over a notebook.
Minamoto Sōjun didn't even need to open it to know it was the "New Edition of Jujutsu Learning Standards: Advanced (Lower Part)."
"This is the last one," Yaga Seidou said in a slightly deep voice.
Since Minamoto Sōjun was ten years old, he had been given a total of nine books, replacing them every six months on average.
Now that the New Year had passed, he was fifteen, and Yaga Seidou had been teaching him for nearly five years.
"I don't think there's much more I can teach you," Yaga Seidou said, sounding both relieved and regretful.
When they first met, Minamoto Sōjun was just a little kid, barely reaching Yaga Seidou's waist. He had grown rapidly over the years, and now Yaga Seidou had to look up slightly to meet his gaze.
Yaga Seidou couldn't help but sigh, glancing at Mrs. Minamoto before looking back at Minamoto Sōjun.
The Minamoto family, although few in number, were all outstanding individuals—either with extraordinary qualities or excellent physiques. After all, their family's inherited techniques tended to make their souls and bodies near perfect.
This one in front of him was even more special—he possessed both qualities, and sometimes, there was an overwhelming aura from him, a strange presence that could easily stir others' hearts.
Yaga Seidou shivered slightly. If Minamoto Sōjun were to go to extremes... he would want him at Jujutsu High, at least near him, so he could watch over him.
---
"Have you completed your high school studies already? What are your plans next?" Yaga Seidou cleared his thoughts.
"I'll first develop some techniques at home for a few years, and when I'm old enough, I'll go to university," Minamoto Sōjun thought for a moment and added, "I could also take on more missions to earn some money."
Minamoto Sōjun casually twirled the pen in his fingers.
His goal and interest had always been the same: to grow stronger, and everything else was just related to that.
Going to university was also to study new biological research and develop techniques better. If nothing unexpected happened, he would continue his education.
Two heads are better than one.
Where else is there a better environment than universities or research institutes, which have more of an academic atmosphere and are more suited for experiments and research?
---
"Have you considered… coming to Jujutsu High?" Yaga Seidou asked calmly, explaining further.
"There are two major jujutsu schools: one is the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High, and the other is the Kyoto Prefectural Jujutsu High.
The former is very talent-based, while the latter is relatively conservative.
You could come to the Tokyo Jujutsu High, study there for four years, graduate smoothly, and then transfer directly to a normal school for your third year. Alternatively, you could stay affiliated with the school for a while, and at 18, go through the normal academic procedures."
Yaga Seidou briefly introduced both Jujutsu Highs, mentioning their differences with clear positions.
He suggested his own idea, but seeing that Minamoto Sōjun seemed uninterested, he added:
"Jujutsu High is not just about education; it also executes missions and provides support, holding an important position in the jujutsu world.
Birds of a feather flock together, and you'll eventually need to be involved in this circle.
Many jujutsu sorcerers choose to start their activities after graduating from Jujutsu High. They collect information, issue missions, and distribute bounties—the school has already built a complete system.
You're already a capable jujutsu sorcerer! Rather than working alone, you can come to Jujutsu High, where there are many support staff, and you'll have fewer worries."
---
"Would you like to join?"
Yaga Seidou almost directly implied.
Minamoto Sōjun fell into thought.
He had been asked the same question before.
Should he go to Jujutsu High?
At that time, Minamoto Sōjun had hesitated and politely declined.
He didn't have a good impression of Jujutsu High.
In the outside world, there was danger only when exorcising cursed spirits, and daily life was still relatively safe, especially at this time.
But at Jujutsu High, one not only faced the risks brought by cursed spirits but also had to contend with the conspiracies of the upper-ups, always being wary of their backstabs.
There was no way to guard against a thousand-day thief.
At the time, with Minamoto Sōjun's abilities, it seemed unlikely he'd draw attention, but there was one prerequisite: he and Yaga Seidou were not yet related.
Yaga Seidou was his teacher and also his uncle, so if he joined Jujutsu High, his allegiance would already be decided for him. His strength wasn't enough back then, and he had to avoid trouble, so there was no way he would actively walk into that trap.
Now that Yaga Seidou had raised the issue again, his tone was different from before, and he seemed to say more than usual, likely because this would be his final inquiry.
Minamoto Sōjun didn't want to hesitate anymore, and he knew he had to give a clear answer—whether to go or not.
He weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
Yaga Seidou was a true teacher, devoted and selfless for the sake of education.
Just as his name suggested, he was like a moth drawn to the faint light of truth, always striving forward in the darkness of the jujutsu world, even if it meant sacrificing himself to reach the flame.
His flame was education.
Minamoto Sōjun admired such people deeply.
After serious consideration, Minamoto Sōjun felt confident that, with his current strength, he could protect himself. At the very least, he wouldn't become Yaga Seidou's weak point, nor would he be used by others as a target.
So, he ultimately decided, "I'll go."
---
Yaga Seidou was not in the best situation, but having someone he could fully trust gave him some leeway.
He was still interested in the two prestigious jujutsu high schools.
And he needed money!
Missions paid well, but he spent more.
Without Yaga Seidou's connections, as a freelance jujutsu sorcerer, it was difficult for him to take on tasks independently.
He wasn't planning to join Jujutsu High as a student, but instead as a bounty sorcerer.
---
Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto brought the dishes to the table.
The three of them had a meal together.
During the meal, Yaga Seidou brought up the idea of joining Jujutsu High again, but the Minamotos didn't pay much attention, only leaving the decision to Minamoto Sōjun.
Since he was young, Minamoto Sōjun had always made good decisions, and his parents rarely had to worry.
Their family dynamic was unique.
Yaga Seidou didn't understand this, which is why he asked for their opinion unnecessarily.
Minamoto Sōjun ate his meal, his bowl piled high with food from Mrs. Minamoto.
Who understands?
He had his own moments of being a kid.
______________________________________________
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