The council chamber was already occupied when I arrived.
Five elders sat around the low table, scrolls neatly arranged before them. Routine matters. Budgeting, patrol assignments, internal disputes. No one looked up when I entered.
"I have a report," I said.
One of them sighed. "If it's another late manifestation, file it properly."
"It wasn't filed," I replied. "That's why I'm here."
That earned me their attention.
"Two children," I continued. "Twins from the main household. Five years old. Neither had been registered for training."
"Names?" the head elder asked.
"Futago Kamo. Tomogui Kamo."
Blank expressions.
"They awakened today," I said. "Simultaneously."
A pause followed.
"That's rare," someone muttered.
"It is," I agreed. "Which is why I conducted a personal evaluation."
I set my notes down, but kept them closed.
"Both children manifested the same cursed technique," I said. "Chiral Reversal. It assigns a left or right handedness to cursed energy phenomena. When opposing-handed effects of identical structure collide, they disrupt and neutralize one another."
"According to his cursed technique, all phenomena have a handedness that is imperceivable to sorcerers, with the sole exception of the twins of course"
Frowns appeared.
"That's not a Kamo technique."
"Indeed," I said.
I continued before anyone could interrupt.
"They can mirror phenomena created by cursed techniques they've observed within a limited timeframe. The mirrored effect carries the same properties as the original, at roughly eighty percent of the original cursed energy cost. Neither can apply the technique to raw physical strikes."
"And the difference between them?" the head elder asked.
"Efficiency," I replied. "Futago's execution is cleaner. Tomogui's output and efficiency are lower, approximately sixty percent. Their cursed energy reserves, however, are effectively identical."
That drew sharper looks.
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
I chose my next words carefully.
"Cursed energy volume stabilizes early. What they have now is what they will always have."
Silence followed.
"To give context," I said, "I once stood in the presence of the Gojo heir."
That name alone shifted the air.
"The sensation was similar." (Glaze Incoming)
One elder stiffened. "You're comparing them to Gojo Satoru?, the first wielder of the six eyes and limitless in centuries? A sorcerer who is destined to stand at the top of this generation of sorcerers? The boy whose cursed energy efficiency borders on perfection? You are comparing those twins to that menace."
"No," I cut in calmly.
Silence fell.
"I am not speaking of refinement, nor control. And certainly not of talent," I said. "Only cursed energy reserves."
The elder's expression hardened.
"Gojo Satoru is infamous not for how much cursed energy he has," I continued, "but for how little he needs. These children are the opposite."
I exhaled slowly. "Their reserves are manyfold greater than his were at that age. Large enough to be felt without intent. Vast enough to be… uncomfortable."
No one spoke.
"They are not stronger," I added. "Not yet. But their capacity is unnatural."
Another elder finally said, voice low, "And no one noticed."
"Rarely anyone in the lower wing can sense or use cursed energy" I replied. "And the people who can, had no contact with the twins, they are rather quiet and don't connect much with the other children in their wing. Outside of their maid I don't3ee think they have any meaningful relationships"
The head elder folded his hands.
"What do you recommend?"
"They should be allowed to enter the training grounds," I said. "As for their current residency, they don't have to mingle with the lower status children anymore. They can live in one of the spare homes in the estate closer to the training grounds, they seem to be more comfortable with their current maid, so she can go with them"
"Very well. Their names will be entered into the records, and they will now be allowed to enter the training hall"
As I turned to leave, one of the elders shouted out "Make sure to inform the twins about their evaluation results, it will be a few days before their new home is prepared"
*You left out the tool aspect* Tomogui thought.
*We both did* I replied.
There was no need to clarify what 'it' was.
The knowledge had come the same way the technique had—fully formed, engraved, shared.
*They don't need to know about the whole technique, by keeping this a secret, we can sell mirrored cursed tools in the future without being suspected. It's pretty much an infinite money glitch as long as we don't get caught* I added.
*Agreed, still cursed tools take a lot more cursed energy to mirror, even our large cursed energy reserves—which the clan mistakenly believes are two separate reserves—would have to be emptied about five times…* Tomogui answered instantly.
*Speaking of which, it kinda sucks sharing a cursed energy pool with you, it means we run through cursed energy twice as fast, if we are both fighting* I remarked mentally
*In terms of cursed energy reserves, we have an immense amount, though we don't have anyone from the cannon series to compare to yet, but so far, we haven't met anyone with even half of our reserves.* Tomogui responded quickly. Our thoughts were quickly interrupted as a loud and rhythmic knock sounded on our door.
"Come in," I said out loud. Tomogui watched the door, wondering who would knock on our door. Aiko–san usually just enters.
The elder who evaluated us came in and immediately got down to business. "Hello, I'm the elder who evaluated you two. My name is Kumoge Kamo, and I came to tell you about your evaluation results. The clan believes you two have a lot of potential, and so we decided to allow you to use the clan training grounds and be given training" Before Tomogui could even finish processing these words, he dropped even more good news
"You will be moved from your current quarters to a private house near the training grounds. Aiko will accompany you to continue her service. For now though, I will be taking you to the training grounds for an introduction."