Chapter 41 – The Pure Love Warlord Appears
When Hakari Kinji and Kirara Hoshi woke up again, they found themselves lying in the infirmary at Jujutsu High.
"Awake already? Congratulations—you're officially Grade 2 sorcerers now."
In a white coat, Shoko Ieiri greeted them casually.
"Shoko-sensei, this is Jujutsu High? Where's Zen'in-sensei?"
Hakari pushed himself up, still dazed. He only remembered holding on until his teacher arrived. After that—nothing.
"He? Got dragged off by Gojo."
---
Elsewhere in the school grounds, Zen'in Shinsuke and Gojo Satoru were chatting.
"You ran into Geto? Why didn't you bring him back?"
Gojo's question left Shinsuke speechless.
"You serious? That guy's a special grade. Besides, you couldn't bring yourself to finish off your best friend either, could you?"
Shinsuke gave him a look, as though he were staring at a sly fox.
"Alright, alright, let's drop that topic. Let's talk about those two kids instead." Gojo grinned. "As their teacher, letting them get injured that badly—that's negligence. Gonna have to dock your pay."
Shinsuke rolled his eyes. "First of all, they didn't die. Second, Hakari actually managed to awaken Domain Expansion during that mission."
A student making that much progress—shouldn't that earn bonus pay instead?
"Domain Expansion? You're not kidding?"
For once, Gojo got serious. He knew Hakari's technique—risky, gambler's luck woven with modern science. Exactly the type of ability the conservative higher-ups hated. Personally, though, Gojo loved that kind of crazy uniqueness.
"So the brat really has that much talent, huh?"
Anyone who could touch Domain Expansion had the potential to be a Grade 1 sorcerer—or higher.
"It's only a half-finished version. You should make some time to guide him properly. Stop worrying about your best buddy all day. You'll be seeing him soon enough."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gojo's eyes narrowed.
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Shinsuke smirked, offering no spoilers. "Anyway, I'm heading home for dinner."
Leaving Gojo frowning at his back, teeth grinding. He hated riddlers.
---
Half a year passed.
Hakari and Kirara successfully advanced to second year. With several missions and Gojo's tutelage, Hakari gradually refined his Domain, eventually earning Grade 1 status under the recommendation of Shinsuke and Riko Amanai.
Kirara lagged slightly behind but was on track to hit semi–Grade 1 before graduation.
Meanwhile, in that same half-year, Yuta Okkotsu—the so-called Pure Love Warlord—was dragged into the spotlight. Bullied at school, he had inadvertently awakened the terrifying Cursed Queen Rika.
The higher-ups, fearing her instability, wasted no time: they sentenced Yuta to death.
And the one tasked with carrying out the execution… was Zen'in Shinsuke.
Why him? That came down to reputation.
The higher-ups had two headaches. One was Gojo—too strong, too loud, utterly uncontrollable. The other was Shinsuke—utterly indifferent, doing whatever he wanted, obeying orders only when they happened to line up with his own whims.
But after rumors spread that he was "involved" with Yuki Tsukumo, the council's opinion softened. Compared to her, Shinsuke was… manageable.
So, when it came time to eliminate the cursed queen's host, they decided Shinsuke was the perfect tool. His obsession with exterminating curses made him the safest bet. Even if the target was a special grade, they trusted he'd see it through.
They questioned his personality, his loyalty, even his morality. But not his strength.
Some had even whispered about promoting him to special grade—if only he had the scale of destructive power to wipe out a country. Pure martial skill, no matter how refined, wasn't enough for that rank.
---
At the school gates, Shinsuke leaned against the wall, waiting for his target.
He chuckled to himself. "The higher-ups really sent me to kill Okkotsu Yuta? …Guess that's the butterfly effect for you."
The bell rang, and students poured out of the school gates like a tidal wave.
It had been a few days since Yuta Okkotsu turned the tables on his bullies. Classes went on as usual; aside from a handful of teachers and students, few knew what had really happened.
From his spot, Zen'in Shinsuke caught sight of Yuta. The boy looked gaunt and defeated, moving timidly with his head down. One glance was enough to tell he was someone used to being bullied.
The other students instinctively kept at least three meters away from him, as though he carried some plague. After all, everyone who used to push him around had already met a grisly end. No one dared test their luck again.
"Kid," Shinsuke said, stepping into Yuta's path. He looked down, voice casual but heavy. "Come with me. Someone's paid for your head."
The crowd of students widened their circle even further, not wanting to provoke this rough-looking man who radiated danger.
Yuta froze, then slowly lifted his head. His eyes were hollow, but there was no fear in them. "...Is this because of what happened to them?"
"Of course. Take a life, and you owe a life."
Shinsuke's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Yuta… No one is allowed to hurt Yuta!"
A surge of monstrous cursed energy exploded behind him. Rika clawed her way out of a rift, hands stretching wide, ready to tear Shinsuke apart.
"Rika, stop! Don't!"
Yuta shouted in panic, rushing to calm her. The last thing he wanted was more death on his conscience.
"Tch tch… what a terrifying curse."
Shinsuke felt the pressure radiating from her and couldn't help but whistle softly.
No wonder Gojo had called her troublesome. No wonder Geto had lost everything to her.
The Curse of Love truly was something else.
"Relax. Killing people demands punishment—but killing beasts doesn't. Just come with me."
He didn't push further. If he kept provoking, Rika would snap.
Yuta lowered his head and silently followed. He didn't know what awaited him, but he understood one thing—what had happened to him couldn't remain unanswered.
On the way, Shinsuke studied him with a click of his tongue.
Talent really was a cruel thing.
All because Yuta carried the bloodline of one of the Three Great Vengeful Spirits. All because he happened to be related to Gojo Satoru. Without even trying, he'd been gifted the Cursed Queen. With just a bit of effort, he would inevitably rise to special grade.
Meanwhile, Maki and Mai had to claw their way forward with everything they had, only to barely reach Grade 1 at best. Their peak wasn't even his starting line.
That thought made Shinsuke sigh.
He resolved then—Maki must be pushed further. She had to at least reach the point of exorcising a special grade.
As for Mai… well, she never had much interest in being strong. Best to let her keep coasting in peace.