The forest clearing remained quiet for a moment.
Sora stepped back a few more paces, leaning lightly against a tree trunk as he tried to steady his breathing. The gash along his side still hurt, though the bleeding had slowed slightly.
Across the clearing, the gecko curse clung to the bark of a tall tree.
Its body was low and tense.
Its glowing eyes shifted between Sora and the newly arrived sorcerer.
Mei Mei stood calmly in the center of the clearing.
She looked almost relaxed.
One of the crows perched on a branch above her tilted its head, letting out a quiet caw.
Mei Mei glanced up briefly.
"…Yes, I see it."
Sora blinked.
She's talking to the crow?
Of course, he had heard rumors before. Mei Mei's technique involved controlling crows as scouts.
Seeing it in person was still strange.
The curse hissed again.
Its claws dug deeper into the bark as if preparing to move.
Mei Mei's gaze returned to it.
"A camouflage type curse," she murmured with narrowed eyes."Fast too."
Another crow landed on a branch above the creature.
Sora watched as the curse's tail flicked irritably.
It clearly didn't like being surrounded.
Mei Mei folded her arms loosely.
"Interesting."
Her tone carried a hint of curiosity rather than concern.
Sora slowly slid down the tree behind him until he was sitting on the ground.
His legs were starting to feel weak.
From this distance, he could finally observe properly.
The difference between them was obvious.
The curse was cautious.
But Mei Mei looked completely at ease.
As if the situation had already been decided.
One of the crows flapped its wings and moved closer to the curse.
The gecko snapped its head toward it instantly.
Mei Mei smiled faintly.
"Testing your reaction."
The curse suddenly leapt from the tree.
It darted across the clearing with terrifying speed, aiming directly toward her.
Sora's eyes widened slightly.
But Mei Mei didn't move.
Not immediately.
Just before the creature reached her—
A crow swooped down.
The curse instinctively swiped at it.
That brief moment of distraction was all Mei Mei needed.
She stepped aside smoothly, her movement simple and efficient.
The creature passed her position completely.
Mei Mei watched it land several meters away.
"…Yes," she said quietly.
"Definitely semi–grade one."
The curse turned again, hissing more aggressively now.
Above them, more crows gathered.
Their black shapes filled the branches surrounding the clearing.
Sora stared upward.
"…How many does she control?"
Mei Mei adjusted her sleeve calmly.
Then she glanced over her shoulder at Sora.
"You should probably leave the forest."
Her tone was casual.
"This area might get a little messy."
Sora gave a tired laugh.
"…I'd love to but can't."
But when he tried to stand, his legs refused.
He slumped back against the tree.
"…I will finish In a minute then."
Mei Mei watched him for a moment.
Then she sighed softly.
"Well."
Her attention returned to the curse.
Above her, the crows stirred as if responding to a silent command.
The gecko curse crouched low again.
Its muscles tensed.
And the clearing filled once more with quiet tension.
---
The clearing slowly grew quiet again.
Leaves drifted down lazily from the disturbed branches, settling across the forest floor.
Sora sat against the base of the tree, his breathing finally beginning to steady. The sharp pain from the gash along his side had dulled to a persistent throb.
Across the clearing, the body of the gecko curse lay motionless, its form already beginning to crumble into dark ash-like fragments as the cursed energy dissipated.
Above, the crows that had filled the trees earlier began to scatter one by one, flying back into the sky.
Mei Mei stood calmly where the fight had ended, adjusting the sleeve of her coat as if she had just finished a routine task.
A single crow remained perched on a branch above her shoulder.
Mei Mei glanced briefly at the dissolving remains of the curse.
"…Semi–grade one confirmed."
Her tone was calm and businesslike.
Sora watched quietly from where he sat.
Even from this distance, the difference between them was obvious.
The fight had ended quickly.
Too quickly.
He hadn't even managed to follow most of the movements.
Mei Mei turned slightly and walked back toward him.
The forest seemed strangely peaceful now that the curse's presence was gone.
When she reached him, her eyes briefly examined the wound on his side again.
"You're a lucky kid. Facing higher grade curse and living to tell the tale."
Sora nodded and stared at her.
Mei Mei looked amused, looking at the teenager.
Instead she crouched slightly, looking at the wound more carefully.
"You encountered a semi–grade one while already exhausted."
Her voice remained calm.
"Most sorcerers your age wouldn't have survived the first exchange."
Sora scratched the back of his head weakly.
"…It didn't feel that impressive."
Mei Mei stood again.
"Humility is useful when needed."
She paused briefly before adding,
"Though in your case it might simply be poor judgment."
Sora scowled slightly and grumbled.
"…Fair."
The crow above them let out a quiet caw.
Mei Mei glanced up.
"Yes, I know."
Then she looked back at Sora.
"The principal of Kyoto Jujutsu High detected abnormal cursed activity around this area earlier today."
She continued casually,
"Yoshinobu Gakuganji asked for the disturbance to be investigated."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment.
"You live near the temple, correct?"
Sora nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
"That explains why you encountered it first."
Sora leaned his head back against the tree.
His body finally felt heavy now that the danger had passed.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The forest breeze moved gently through the trees.
Then Mei Mei asked calmly,
"Are you a sorcerer?"
Sora blinked.
"…Sort of."
She studied him for a few seconds.
The liquid metal residue still faintly clung to the ground nearby from his earlier technique.
Her eyes moved briefly over it.
"Interesting technique. Where did you learn sorcery?"
"At home."
Sora answered.
After a moment she straightened again.
"You should have that wound treated properly."
She turned slightly, already preparing to leave. But she turned for a moment.
"Although your progress is good for a fourteen year old, learning by yourself will only take you so far."
"Learning in one of the Jujutsu highschools will benefit you"
She suggested without turning back and left.
" Jujutsu high.."
Sora muttered to himself.
"But i am not even a teenager yet. How can I enter it as a minor?"