Lizevim?
Hearing the name from Rias, Roy's mind reeled for a moment.
Sukuna and Lizevim—were they even in the same league?
What kind of death wish did Sukuna have to challenge a Transcendent?
Rias shook her head. "I don't know the specifics. But the result speaks for itself—Lizevim's curse was so potent that even Ultimate-class devils can't destroy Sukuna's fingers."
Ultimate-class devils, second only to Demon Kings and a few ancient beings, were powerhouses.
If they couldn't do it, sorcerers stood no chance.
After several failed attempts, the sorcerers managing cursed objects devised a compromise.
They contracted with devils, paying a price for them to guard some of Sukuna's fingers.
"Because of past dealings, sorcerers have a decent relationship with the Great King Bael family."
"A century ago, they struck a deal, and Tokyo's sorcerers entrusted one finger to Kuoh Town."
"I have ties to the Bael family. After becoming this town's overseer, I took on the duty of guarding Sukuna's finger."
Rias explained the situation to Roy in detail.
"Speaking of Sukuna's finger, I owe you an apology, Roy."
"Apology?"
"Yes. When the seal on Sukuna's finger loosened, it attracted many cursed spirits."
"As the town's overseer, I should've cleared them out immediately to maintain order."
"But due to my shortcomings, I let a few slip into town recently."
Roy connected the dots. "The cursed spirit that attacked me half a month ago was one of them?"
Rias nodded. "I'm sorry. If I'd acted faster, that tragedy wouldn't have happened."
"What happened to that spirit?" Roy asked.
"Teacher Natsuki took care of it and got you to the hospital."
"I see."
A thoughtful glint flashed in Roy's eyes.
With the culprit dead, he'd have to target the source.
Sukuna's finger, which drew the cursed spirits.
Lizevim, who created the fingers.
One day, he'd settle the score for this life's parents.
"Roy, I'm truly sorry."
Misinterpreting his silence, Rias apologized again.
"No need to apologize. I've got it sorted."
Roy snapped back. "Instead of words, teach me some powerful magic or spar with me. That'd show more sincerity."
"…Understood."
Surprised by Roy's calm response, Rias paused, then agreed.
From magic application to basic spellcasting, Rias personally tutored Roy.
Like a sponge, Roy absorbed the knowledge, embarking on a new phase of growth.
…
A week later, at the edge of Kuoh Town.
A roar echoed as surging flames engulfed a two-meter-tall yellow cursed spirit.
"Rias, how's that?"
Roy turned to her. "Any room for improvement?"
"…You've surpassed me."
Brushing back her red hair, Rias gave a wry smile.
In one week, Roy had mastered everything she could teach, except her unique Power of Destruction.
He'd even optimized some spells.
Not only did he boost casting efficiency, but he enhanced their overall power.
She'd known Roy's talent was extraordinary, but this was unreal.
Swordsmanship, close combat, magic, and mana.
He excelled in all, with no weaknesses.
"You held up for a week, Rias. You know a lot," Roy said, offering comfort.
"I know you're trying to console me, but that stings."
Rias rallied. "The cursed spirits are cleared. Let's head back to school."
"It's about time the sorcerer from Tokyo arrives to reinforce the seal."
"Back we go."
Roy opened his attribute panel.
With Sukuna's finger's seal loosening, cursed spirits had flooded Kuoh Town.
Their strength varied, but most dropped entries.
Discovering this, Roy took on the task of clearing them.
Combined with challenging dojos, he farmed a ton of White and Green low-tier entries.
Using them, he unlocked two new entry slots.
[Roy]
[Race: Devil]
[Strength: Level 2]
[Entries: Demon Sword Creation (Blue), Healing Bracelet (Blue), Pawn (Purple), Senjutsu (Purple), Multiplier (Red), Power of Destruction (Red), Infinite Potential (Seven-Colored)]
[Power of Destruction (Red): Imbues mana with destructive properties, greatly enhancing damage.]
He'd earned Power of Destruction sparring with Rias.
Perhaps out of guilt, Rias hadn't gone all-out at first.
Roy seized the chance.
Stacking Multiplier to the fourth level—sixteen times his base strength—he took her down.
Closing the panel, Roy followed Rias back to the Occult Research Club.
Being closer, Akeno and the others, who'd also been clearing spirits, had already gathered.
A black-haired girl with glasses was in the room, talking with Akeno and the rest.
Seeing her, Rias's eyes showed confusion.
"Sona, what brings you here?"
"Sukuna's finger is gone."
"???"
Blindsided by her friend's bombshell, Rias felt a headache coming.
"Explain."
"You noticed the sheer number of cursed spirits around Kuoh Town recently, right?"
"I did. Are you saying… someone released them deliberately?"
Sona nodded. "The culprit used our absence—while we were all out clearing spirits—to infiltrate the school and steal Sukuna's finger."
"Where's Teacher Natsuki?"
"She took a special mission this morning and is overseas."
"…Interesting."
A thoughtful glint flashed in Rias's eyes.
The enemy confirmed Natsuki's absence, then released just enough spirits to draw everyone out.
This showed they had a rough grasp of the school's forces.
But Rias had only recruited Roy as a familiar a week ago, and few knew.
To her, an internal leak was near impossible.
Based on that…
"The frequent spirit sightings this week weren't just because of Sukuna's finger."
"You've caught on."
Sona nodded. "The culprit used the spirits to gradually map out our strength."
Rias asked, "Any leads on the culprit?"
Sona replied, "Not yet, but I collected their residual cursed energy."
"Can I see it?"
Roy interjected.
"Of course."
Sona produced a green crystal.
Through Rias's introduction, she'd met Roy a few days ago.
Though they hadn't interacted much, she knew of his prodigious talent.
"Roy, you know tracking magic too?"
"A bit."
Roy activated Senjutsu, analyzing the crystal's energy signature.
While waiting, Rias and Sona continued talking, exchanging intel.
Then, a knock.
A boy with spiky black hair pushed open the clubroom door.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm Megumi Fushiguro, sent by Kyoto Jujutsu High to reinforce the seal."
"Talk about bad timing."
Rias sighed. "Sorry, Fushiguro-kun. Sukuna's finger was just stolen."
Megumi: "Huh?"
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