Chapter 176: Training
Following Fushiguro Megumi's advice, Zen'in Kaon officially began her training.
From that moment on, no matter the time or place, regardless of the situation she found herself in, she was required to keep the cursed corpse with her at all times.
Only when she could maintain a perfectly stable output of cursed energy—under any circumstance—would the training be considered complete.
---
"Little Aunt is amazing. You mastered cursed energy control in just three days."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Kaon didn't go anywhere. She stayed at the Fushiguro house, watching TV, reading novels, and playing games as usual.
From being relentlessly punched by the cursed corpse at the beginning, she had progressed to the point where—no matter what she was doing—she could keep it permanently asleep.
It had only taken her three days.
After all, she already had a solid foundation. Once she grasped the technique, precise cursed energy control wasn't particularly difficult.
"Jirō, how long did it take you to achieve precise cursed energy control?" Kaon asked.
Hearing this, Fushiguro Jirō raised a single finger.
"One year. I trained on and off for a full year before I could control cursed energy accurately," he said honestly.
"But Dad says precise cursed energy control is just the prerequisite to becoming a good jujutsu sorcerer."
"Well said."
Megumi's voice came from nearby as he walked into the room, a trace of approval on his face.
"For a sorcerer, cursed energy control is only the foundation," he continued.
"I thought you'd need more time. Seems I underestimated your talent."
Kaon's rate of improvement exceeded even his expectations.
But thinking of her parents, it wasn't entirely surprising.
Like father, like son. Like phoenix, like heir.
Children born of dragons and phoenixes being geniuses was only natural.
"How does it feel?" Megumi asked.
"Hm… definitely much better than before," Kaon replied thoughtfully.
"I feel like I can fight for much longer now."
She focused inward, sensing the flow of cursed energy within her body. It moved more smoothly than ever before.
"This is only the first step to becoming stronger," Megumi said calmly.
"Next, your cousin will teach you the techniques you need for close-quarters combat against other sorcerers."
While Megumi could teach hand-to-hand combat, Tsumiki's close-range combat skills surpassed his, making her a far better instructor for this lesson.
As for his father, Fushiguro Toji—his close-combat ability far exceeded even hers.
Unfortunately, without cursed energy, Kaon wouldn't be able to clearly perceive what she needed to learn from him.
"Are you ready?" Tsumiki stepped into the courtyard, smiling gently.
"Today, I'll teach you how to read an opponent's attacks."
The others retreated to watch from a distance.
"Ohoho! I get to fight Sister Tsumiki?" Kaon looked excited.
"I'm ready!"
Tsumiki was only a semi–special grade sorcerer.
Surely Kaon wouldn't be completely helpless… right?
"Then I'm starting."
Tsumiki's smile remained as cursed energy surged around her body, forming a thin armor-like layer. Her figure blurred—
and in an instant, she appeared right in front of Kaon.
Cursed energy flowed rapidly through her body as she clenched her fist and struck.
Kaon's pupils shrank. So fast!
Instinctively tracking the flow of Tsumiki's cursed energy, Kaon raised her right arm to block.
Bang!
Pain exploded across her left cheek.
Her body was sent flying backward.
She flipped in midair, landed with one hand on the ground, and quickly pulled away, confusion flashing in her eyes.
"What…?"
Judging by the flow of cursed energy, the attack should've come from the right.
Before she could think further, Tsumiki attacked again, her figure blurring as she explained patiently:
"This is today's lesson.
In sorcerer combat, you fight with your eyes, not your assumptions."
"Now—what do you think I'll attack with?"
Kaon focused intensely as Tsumiki closed in.
"Left hand—no! Right hand!"
Her senses conflicted. In panic, she raised both arms to defend.
"Wrong. This time, it's my leg."
Tsumiki's whip-like kick slammed into Kaon's waist, sending her flying again.
"Don't rely on sensing cursed energy flow," Tsumiki said, stopping her attack.
"That's often used to deceive opponents."
"In close combat, your eyes must stay on the enemy's movements—not on guessing attacks through cursed energy fluctuations."
"A true expert can freely control the flow of cursed energy to mislead their opponent."
Among real masters, no one would allow their true energy circulation to be exposed.
"I see…" Kaon murmured.
She finally understood—her previous approach had been that of a beginner.
Fortunately, now that she had mastered precise cursed energy control, Tsumiki's hands-on guidance helped everything click quickly.
"I understand now, Sister Tsumiki. Let's keep going!"
Practice was always better than theory.
After an entire day of sparring, Kaon improved at a staggering pace—quickly adapting to Tsumiki's rhythm and even trading blows evenly.
From afar, Toji watched quietly.
Sorcerers really did grow at a pace people like him—those without cursed energy—could never match.
After a brief moment of reflection, he turned away, no longer paying attention.
As dusk settled, Kaon felt utterly exhausted.
Yet she was happy.
The gains from today were enormous. She felt confident that her strength was now on par with a semi–special grade sorcerer—
at the very least, she had caught up to Gojo Shinha and Okkotsu Kaguya.
With more than twenty days remaining, she would keep pushing herself.
Her goal was clear: special grade.
She knew the others were thinking the same.
Even though Teacher Itadori had said the upcoming exchange event was only for friendly competition, losing to aliens still felt… embarrassing.
"I wonder what Ria is doing right now," Kaon murmured.
It had only been a few days, but she already missed the little alien girl.
---
At the same time—
On a vast open plain, two identical figures stood side by side.
"Sister, I'll be participating in the exchange event in a month," Ria said softly.
"As a Earth sorcerer."
"Is that so?" Alice replied calmly, her gaze lingering on the supplies being transported nearby.
"That's good."
"Aren't you surprised?" Ria asked, staring at her.
Alice's lips curved slightly. "You seem to like Earth a lot."
"Of course!" Ria said brightly.
"Earth is amazing! I've made so many friends, and the food is delicious too.
Sister, want to have breakfast together tomorrow?"
"I don't have time for that," Alice replied coolly.
"If you truly want Simurian and Earth to coexist, then continue getting along with humans."
"I will," Ria said firmly.
"I'll make Simurian like humans."
"It's late. Go back," Alice said.
"Tomorrow, I'll continue training you. Even if you're representing Earth, you must give it everything you have."
"Of course!" Ria smiled brightly.
"I think Earth will definitely win!"