Even though I called it combat training, in truth I was only teaching them the most basic fundamentals.
Simple stances, how to stand with proper balance, how to shield the body's vital points, and how to move without wasting unnecessary energy. I emphasized control and bodily awareness over brute strength. Power could come later; what mattered now was understanding how their weight shifted from one foot to the other, how their shoulders aligned with their hips, and how even a slight misstep could leave them exposed. I corrected the angle of their knees, adjusted the position of their elbows, and made them repeat the same motion over and over until it felt natural rather than forced.
There was no harsh contact, no real strikes exchanged. I made sure the distance between them was always carefully maintained.
Still, little by little, they began to understand how to use their bodies more efficiently—how to read the subtle signs in an opponent's movement, how to anticipate rather than react blindly, and how to respond without letting panic take control. I could see it in their eyes: the hesitation that once froze them started to fade, replaced by a cautious but growing confidence.
During the day, the training continued with our main focus shifting to Cursed Energy. We sat quietly beneath the shade of the trees, letting the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds form a steady, calming backdrop.
I guided them to feel the flow of that energy more clearly, to distinguish what came from within themselves and what was merely the surrounding noise of the world. At first, everything blended together for them—emotions, stray thoughts, faint disturbances in the air. Slowly, with careful breathing and steady concentration, I led them to separate those sensations, to grasp the thread of energy that truly belonged to them. Then, cautiously, I instructed them to try controlling it, even if only in the smallest amounts.
On the first day, there was barely any meaningful progress. Their focus scattered easily, like leaves caught in a sudden gust of wind. The flow of Cursed Energy would gather for a moment, only to collapse before it could stabilize.
But by the third day, change began to show. Their expressions grew more serious during practice, their breathing more rhythmic and controlled. They could hold onto their Cursed Energy with greater stability, maintaining it without losing concentration so quickly. The tremble in their shoulders lessened, and the air around them felt subtly denser whenever they succeeded.
And on the fifth day, they were finally able to sustain control over their Cursed Energy for several full minutes. The duration was short, fragile even—but for children their age, that achievement was more than enough to be called extraordinary.
None of it was possible without the help of a Binding Vow.
Yes, in the end, I decided to allow them to use a Binding Vow.
From the beginning, I had deliberately prevented them from relying on it. Even if Rika and Shizuka could be considered unusually mature for nine-year-olds, they were still only nine.
A Binding Vow was not something to take lightly. It was a risk—something that could yield tremendous results, but also carry consequences that were far from trivial, especially if used without proper understanding. A poorly formed vow could restrict them in ways they did not yet comprehend, or demand a price they were not ready to pay.
That was the main reason I held back during those first few days.
Yet eventually, I chose to let them use it. Not only because this method was significantly faster in building a foundation, but also because there was another, more urgent reason—one that no longer allowed me the luxury of delay.
The world would not wait for them to grow older, and I could not expect danger to be patient.
Moreover, tomorrow would be the last day of March. That meant something important to me. Mei Mei would come tomorrow to meet me and, without unnecessary preamble, begin training me directly. And not just me.
Shizuka and Rika would accompany me to meet Mei Mei as well. They would not merely stand by and observe; they would receive genuine hand-to-hand combat training from her firsthand.
Not the safe, forgiving basic drills I had been giving them, but real training—held to the standards of an adult sorcerer.
That was precisely why I wanted them to have a sufficient foundation in controlling Cursed Energy before that day arrived, at least so they would not be completely overwhelmed.
The reason they had been able to train so intensively lately was actually quite simple: school was currently on break.
More specifically, it was spring break—the transitional period between academic years, usually lasting from around March twenty-fifth until early April, roughly until the seventh.
Approximately two weeks.
And during those two weeks, I intended to prepare them as thoroughly as possible. Every day, every available hour, I used to build their foundation, even though I was fully aware that it was still far from perfect.
Our time was limited, and the world outside would not grant them leniency simply because they were still too young.
Meanwhile, if we're talking about me, I'm only four years old. An age that, from the perspective of any rational adult, is far too early to be thinking about combat, extreme physical training, let alone the world of Jujutsu—a world filled with risk, bloodshed, and death.
On top of that, I simply don't want to attend kindergarten.
It's not because I can't socialize, nor because I dislike children my age. The reason is far simpler than that.
To me, kindergarten would be nothing more than unnecessary repetition. Children's songs, simple games, and basic lessons I've long since understood would only waste my time. I would have to sit in a small chair, pretend to struggle with counting or reading, and act impressed by things that, to me, feel trivial.
With this decision, I still have time until I turn six before I eventually enter elementary school as a first-year student.
In Japan, kindergarten itself is not compulsory education. It usually begins for children between the ages of three and five, and even starting at five is perfectly acceptable without any issue.
In other words, there is absolutely no obligation to attend kindergarten.
Legally and within the structure of the education system, my decision is entirely valid. I am breaking no rules. There is no authority that can force me.
And yet, when I think about it more deeply, the situation feels strange. I, with memories, understanding, and a way of thinking far beyond my physical age, will one day have to sit in an elementary school classroom again. Sitting neatly at a desk, listening to basic lessons, pretending to be a normal child.
Honestly, it feels like a terrible joke.
I really have to go back to elementary school.
The only small hope I can cling to is that I might end up attending the same school as one of the anime characters I know. At the very least, that would make my life a little more interesting—or at least not completely unbearable.
Alright, enough of that for now.
What matters far more is tomorrow.
The day I will fight Mei Mei in hand-to-hand combat. Not an ordinary training session filled with guidance and corrections, but a direct sparring match—still within the context of training, of course, yet far more real. I know exactly how Mei Mei fights. Efficient. Decisive. Completely without hesitation.
And not gentle in the slightest.
I hope I'm capable enough.
Or at the very least, I hope I won't get beaten too badly by Mei Mei in front of Shizuka and Rika. If that happens, the embarrassment I'd have to endure might hurt far more than any bruises on my body.
...
...
...
The next morning, I walked together with Shizuka and Rika toward the forest. The early air was still crisp, a thin chill brushing against our skin and turning our breaths faintly visible in the light. Sunbeams filtered gently through the gaps between the trees, forming long streaks of gold across the forest floor.
The sound of our footsteps blended with the distant chirping of birds, creating a peaceful atmosphere—too peaceful, as if nature itself had no idea that today would mark the beginning of training far harsher than anything before.
Because today is the day I've been waiting for.
The day that has echoed in my mind since yesterday, lingering so persistently that my sleep felt shorter than usual. I remember staring at the ceiling in the dark, replaying possible movements, imagining Mei Mei's attacks, calculating angles and counters over and over until dawn crept in unnoticed.
The morning air feels fresher than usual, yet beneath that calmness, there's a subtle vibration in my chest—a mixture of anticipation and a slight nervousness I can't fully suppress.
The day I will spar with Mei Mei in hand-to-hand combat.
My steps follow the narrow path with a steady rhythm. Each crunch of gravel beneath my shoes feels louder to my ears than it should. Beside me, Shizuka walks with light steps, almost bouncing slightly, as if every movement is filled with energy she can barely contain. Her hands swing casually, her posture relaxed, yet the sparkle in her eyes betrays her excitement.
On my other side, Rika walks quietly as always. Her pace is measured, her gaze fixed forward, though it's obvious she's aware of everything around us—the rustling leaves, the subtle shifts of wind, even the small snapping sounds of twigs beneath our feet. Calm on the surface, observant beneath.
"So we're going to meet the person who introduced you to the Jujutsu World?" Shizuka asks, turning her head toward me. A faint smile curves on her lips, and her eyes shine with unrestrained curiosity.
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