I finally arrived.
Hours had passed while I listened to the raucous, irritating shouting of boys. My nerves were already frayed. One compartment was in an uproar because someone had lost their pet toad; boys sprinted through the corridors, and idiots amused themselves by casting clumsy spells. Their shrill laughter echoed through the narrow aisles of the train, turning the space into something resembling a torture chamber.
I looked out the window. The sun had set, and darkness had taken hold. The train's external lamps pierced the fog, while the cold air outside seemed to sway. The train began to slow, the sharp screech of wheels piercing my ears.
Hogsmeade Station.
The stop closest to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As soon as the whistle blew and the train came to a complete halt, the students scrambled to their feet, shoving one another. One tripped over the hem of his robes and fell; another stumbled while clutching a pet; yet another swung his wand and clipped his friend. It was a chaotic scene, a glimpse of hell itself.
I stood up and left the compartment immediately. As for the boys? They were none of my concern.
The corridor was packed, a suffocating crush of bodies. Some students were already pressed against the doors before the train had even stopped. I gave one boy's shoulder a light shove with a single hand; he lost his balance and went flying.
"W-what are you doing?!"
"You're in my way."
I tossed the words back curtly and pushed the door open. The cold night air bit at my face, and the din of the crowd vanished for a moment.
When my feet hit the platform, the night air filled my lungs. The mountain air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the foul air of the city. In the darkness, the hooting of owls echoed, and lanterns cast a faint, pale glow over the stone platforms.
I pulled the letter from my pocket—the one sent from Hogwarts. The thick parchment was saturated with the traces of a unique magical energy.
"Teachers are to use a different path than the students. I see."
It seemed the students would be led by a half-giant to cross the lake by boat. I had no need for that; the letter contained detailed instructions for the faculty-specific route.
"── Dammit, what a tedious process."
I rolled my shoulders and began walking toward an ancient stone bridge near the station building. While I saw the students lining up and heading toward the lake out of the corner of my eye, I pressed forward, avoiding the crowd.
The night in the mountains was colder than I had anticipated. My breath turned into white mist that dissolved into the fog. The stones beneath my feet were cold and slippery with moss and moisture. The wind made the forest branches groan, and the rustle of swaying leaves echoed with a strange clarity in my ears.
"As usual... the wizarding world at night is incredibly bleak."
In the middle of the darkness, the lake's surface shimmered with a faint glint. The moon peeked through the clouds, casting a still, silvery light. An ordinary person might describe this night scene as "magical," but to me, it was just a damp mountain night.
I bypassed the lakeshore and entered a small path marked for faculty. The path turned into steep stone steps. As I began to climb, I heard the flapping of wings behind me. I turned to see an owl swoop past my shoulder and disappear into the distance.
"Tch, startled me."
The higher I climbed, the colder the air became. Perhaps the nocturnal magical creatures had begun to move deep within the forest; a low growl echoed now and then. An average teacher might have been gripped by fear, but for me, this was nothing more than a simple stroll.
Halfway up, I felt a strange presence beside the path.
It was a wave of viscous magical energy—a foul scent crawling across the ground.
"── That's the smell of a curse, isn't it?"
I stopped walking. Two magical creatures resembling dogs emerged from the shadows of the forest, staring at me fiercely. They bared their fangs, their trembling bodies looking like black smoke. Were they guard beasts or wild monsters?
"Don't bark. It's annoying."
I lowered my stance slightly, shifting into a subtle state of readiness. I had trained so that my hands would move reflexively the moment their legs advanced even a single step.
The two hound-like beasts growled low. The light reflected menacingly off the fangs in their mouths. But as soon as their eyes met my gaze, their pupils shook with a flicker of terror.
"Good. You seem to understand."
I took one step, then another. The two beasts fled into the depths of the forest.
"Don't pick the wrong opponent."
I muttered to myself and continued up the stone steps.
Finally, as I cleared the forest, the view opened up. A massive silhouette stood against the darkness.
Hogwarts Castle.
The colossal fortress floated in the dead of night, illuminated by scattered lanterns and torches, looking like a living, breathing entity. The peaks of the towers pierced the fog, and the weight of history permeated the stone walls.
"── So, this is Hogwarts."
It wasn't the first time I had seen it. I had heard the name repeatedly in the records of the Zenin family. Unlike Jujutsu, magic is a global phenomenon, and Hogwarts sits at its very heart.
But seeing it in person, it felt "heavier" than I had imagined.
── This wasn't the atmosphere of a battlefield.
It was the "scent of a curse" ingrained in the air itself. Long years had accumulated, coating this castle like murky sediment.
I shoved my hands into my pockets and crossed the stone bridge, meeting the night wind head-on. This castle was not a place that allowed just anyone to enter. This certainty grew stronger with every step.
"Well... looks like the real work is starting."
I adjusted my hoodie and slowly walked through the iron gates.
Hogwarts at night was silent and—"cursed" in a way that sent chills down the spine.
As I reached the castle, I found a human silhouette standing before the iron gate reserved for directors and faculty. Through the night mist and the lantern light, a figure emerged that looked like the textbook definition of a "wizard." A pointed hat, and a long silver beard and hair that reached his waist. An old wizard stood there, his eyes shining with a strange spark as he looked directly at me.
"Mr. Fushiguro, welcome."
"── You're Albus Dumbledore, aren't you?"
Albus Dumbledore.
A name no one in the wizarding world is ignorant of. Even in the world of Jujutsu, his name circulates as an "eccentric sorcerer." I had seen his name once in ancient sorcery manuscripts. Voldemort's primary rival and the current Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Precisely. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I am also the one who hired you."
"I see."
I approached him slowly, shifting my duffel bag on my shoulder.
Behind Dumbledore stood a massive iron gate. Its surface was decorated with intricate engravings, and I could clearly feel the dense magical barriers surrounding it through my skin.
This wasn't just an ordinary door.
This gate was enchanted with "defensive magic" that read blood and magical energy upon contact, repelling anyone who didn't meet the criteria. It was similar to the barrier techniques of the Zenin family, but the magic here felt "stickier."
"Did you come through the night path alone?"
"I had no desire to come with those brats."
"Hmm... that's just like you."
What did he mean by "just like you"? This old man was analyzing my character despite this being our first meeting.
"In truth, I intended to send a guide. But when the owl brought your reply, I thought to myself, 'Ah, this man will come alone.'"
"── Were you practicing divination?"
"When one lives as long as I have, one realizes certain things."
Dumbledore reached out slowly toward the iron gate. A faint blue light enveloped the entire gate, and the heavy lock clicked open. The light flared for a moment, as if tearing through the night mist, then vanished silently.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
His voice was soft. But deep within the atmosphere, another scent mingled with the air.
── It was the scent of a curse.
In this school, there was a "murkiness" that had settled over long years. A pitch-black curse spread with a density equal to the magical energy itself. A familiar sensation made the back of my nose prickle.
"── A rather bleak castle."
"Is that how you see it? Many describe this castle as 'warm.'"
"My sense of smell is just sharp."
I shrugged and stepped past the open door.
The stone corridor was cold and damp, the wall-mounted torches flickering with orange light. Ancient magical circles were engraved on the floor, and traces of magical energy were saturated in multiple layers. With every step, the creak of my shoes echoed clearly through the silence of the night.
"I need you to fulfill a 'special role.'"
Dumbledore's voice echoed slowly in the corridor.
"I can't teach magic, or even Jujutsu."
"I am aware. I knew from the start you weren't a wizard."
Dumbledore continued walking, speaking without turning back.
"But that is precisely why we need you. Your 'status' is different from anyone else in this school."
"Vague phrasing. Speak clearly."
"In times of battle, you are an entity from the 'outside.' You belong to neither magic nor curses. This difference will serve as a bulwark for this castle."
"── A bulwark, huh?"
I scoffed. In short, I was a "fixer" for when things went south. The title of "teacher" was nothing more than decoration and cover.
"Also... I believe the atmosphere of this castle will suit you."
"── Don't talk like you know everything."
"When one lives as long as I have..."
That sentence again. This old man was a fox despite his age.
As we exited the corridor, wide stone stairs leading to the Hall appeared. Countless candelabras floated near the high ceiling, their flames swaying in the air. I felt my skin react as the density of the magical energy increased further.
"── This castle... there's something in it."
At my words, Dumbledore stopped walking.
"Oh, you can truly feel it?"
"The air is coarse. I feel like the curse is ingrained in the place."
"Truly impressive. Only someone like you would realize that."
"── It doesn't seem like the atmosphere is welcoming me."
"The castle does not reject you, but... there is 'something' moving."
His manner of speaking was incredibly calm, but the content was anything but.
I pressed the sole of my shoe firmly against the ground, making a light thud. The low sound of stone echoed in the quiet corridor.
"── That's fine. Regardless, I only feel comfortable in these kinds of environments."
"That is fortunate."
"So? Where's my room?"
"The third floor of the East Wing. I have prepared a private room for you; there's no need to stay in the communal dorms."
"That makes things easier."
"── Also, I will introduce you to the rest of the faculty tomorrow morning. You will need to attend the staff meeting. You must begin your duties as a 'teacher' immediately."
"── Tch. A teacher, huh?"
As I watched Dumbledore's back as he waved his robes, I let out a short sigh. I wasn't the type for teaching, but it didn't matter. As long as I got paid, there was no problem.
"── Ah, right, Mr. Fushiguro."
"What?"
"In this castle, if your sense of smell is too sharp, the nights where sleep eludes you will only increase."
"Is that a threat?"
"It is advice."
Dumbledore stopped and suddenly smiled. Deep in his eyes—the eyes of an old man—was a glint possessed only by those who had fought grueling wars.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
The words felt heavy.
── Definitely, there was "something" in this castle.
The scent of the curse was saturated in the very air.
It was as if the entire castle was a living being watching me.
"── Not bad."
I lifted the corner of my mouth slightly and climbed the stairs with steady steps that pierced through the heavy atmosphere.
"Ah, I remembered. The opening ceremony, the Sorting, and the feast in the Great Hall will begin in a few minutes. You must come; I will introduce you to the students."
As we climbed the stairs, Dumbledore turned, tapping his wand lightly on the floor. The floating candelabras lit the side of his face, his silver beard swaying.
"── Dammit, fine."
A natural grunt of complaint escaped me.
The idea of being introduced to students didn't suit my mood. I don't like being the center of attention, and the thought of pretending to be a teacher didn't fit me at all.
"Don't worry, you don't have to say anything. It's enough for you to just stand there."
"── That kind of thing is the most annoying."
"Fufu, I expected you to make that face."
This old man continued to act cool, as if he knew my reactions in advance.
"── What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. Just seeing you climb the stairs of this castle brought back memories of my youth."
"── Who are you talking about?"
"An old friend. He resembles you a bit."
"Don't say disgusting things."
I leaned my elbow on the banister and continued to the upper floor. The stairs were longer than I thought, the stone walls cold as if they had absorbed the outside air. The higher we climbed, the denser the magical energy became, as if the castle itself was breathing.
"I have prepared a seat for you as well, at the very end of the High Table."
"── In the corner, huh?"
"Isn't that the perfect spot for you?"
"Shut up."
I felt the urge to sigh from the bottom of my heart at the old man's teasing.
But—with every step I took, the "scent" of the curse clinging to my skin grew stronger.
This wasn't just an ordinary school.
"── Don't you feel a suspicious noise throughout the entire castle?"
"You noticed that, then? Impressive."
"I told you my sense of smell is sharp. That 'thing' you mentioned earlier, hasn't it already started moving?"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes and continued walking slowly.
"Who knows. Regardless—the fact that you are here has great significance in itself."
"You talk however you please."
"To our world, you are a 'foreign body.' And a foreign body may sometimes break the balance, and at other times, protect it. Tonight, it is enough just to show yourself."
"── Tch, how tedious."
When we reached the end of the stairs, we came out into a wide corridor. It was lined with armored knight statues, and I felt as though every one of them was watching me, which was repulsive. No—in fact, their eyes were moving slightly.
"Wait, that one just moved."
"Those suits of armor are enchanted. They will fight if an enemy breaches the castle. Rest assured, they won't touch an ally."
"── And where does this enemy come from?"
"Identifying that is part of your job."
Dumbledore laughed softly and continued down the corridor. As I watched his back, I confirmed for a moment that I had stepped into a very dangerous place.
── The title of teacher was definitely just a cover.
The real work was going to be much more complicated.
"── So, where is the Great Hall?"
"At the end of this path. Enter shortly after it starts; I will coordinate the timing on my end."
"Why this theatrical style?"
"Appearances matter. A person like you is judged based on the first 'impression'... and because your presence is so sharp, it's better to enter quietly."
"── Who do you think I am?"
"You aren't loyal, but you do look like a 'threat,' don't you?"
"Don't mess with me."
While I grumbled, I leaned my back against the corridor wall. Dumbledore maintained a perfectly calm face, as if he had been manipulating people this way for centuries.
"── Mr. Fushiguro."
"What?"
"This castle may not necessarily be 'welcoming' you, but it is certainly 'watching' you."
His voice was suspiciously quiet.
"── The way you talk gives me the creeps."
"Fufu... perhaps."
I turned my gaze toward the doors of the Great Hall. The heavy wooden doors looked like the mouth of a giant beast. From there, the noise of children leaked out faintly.
Once that feast began, I would step into that place. I would stand before those boys and teachers—and before this entire castle.
"── Man, this is incredibly annoying."
I rolled my shoulders and began walking slowly toward the Great Hall. The sound of my shoes hitting the floor was very clear in the night silence.
── Anyway, I'm a foreign body in this castle too.
If that's the case, so be it.
"── Work is work."
I muttered that silently and stood before the heavy door.
Minutes after Toji Fushiguro entered Hogwarts under Albus Dumbledore's guidance.
In the Great Hall, the new and returning students, along with the faculty, had already gathered. The ceiling reflected the night sky, where stars twinkled. Thousands of candles floated in the air, sending a soft orange glow that lit the stone walls and floor. The hall was buzzing with voices and excitement, filled with anticipation for the ceremony about to begin.
The staff table was placed at the far end of the Great Hall, and Dumbledore sat in the center with full dignity. On either side, teachers responsible for various subjects lined up, directing their gazes toward the rows of new students.
In the middle of that noise, and without anyone noticing, a man entered the staff table silently.
It was Toji Fushiguro.
No one felt his entry, which was like a silent slip, except for Albus Dumbledore sitting at the center of the table. Dumbledore relaxed his eyes slightly and nodded, without saying a word.
Toji sat in the seat at the far end without hesitation.
Next to him sat a thin man with a turban wrapped around his head—Quirinus Quirrell. He was the new teacher taking over "Defense Against the Dark Arts" starting this term. Quirrell looked unstable, stealing glances toward the side of Toji's face now and then.
The vast difference in physical build. That sharp gaze, like that of a predator. All of it represented a pressure Quirrell couldn't handle. Sweat began to bead under his turban, and the Adam's apple in his throat moved up and down.
"── What are you staring at?"
A low, sharp voice echoed, as if sinking over the table.
Quirrell's shoulders jerked in terror, and he pushed his chair back several centimeters unconsciously. Toji narrowed his eyes slightly and watched the man intently. In the depths of that gaze lay a cold "sense."
── This man wasn't an ordinary human.
Toji felt a "strange presence" clinging to the inside of Quirrell's body like a thin film. This was completely different from the magical energy normal wizards wore. It was something deeper and murkier... like a curse, something unidentified.
"── You're a repulsive man. Don't get in the way of my work."
"Hiii!"
When Toji said that in a tone dripping with disdain, Quirrell made an incomprehensible sound from the back of his throat and averted his gaze in panic.
At that moment, Dumbledore stood at the podium. In the Great Hall, which fell silent, Minerva McGonagall's clear voice echoed.
"The Sorting Ceremony will now begin!"
The new students, who lined up with faces masked in tension, stepped forward. An old chair and a deeply wrinkled hat were placed on the podium—the Sorting Hat. The magical energy saturated over long years seeped from the hat slowly, and its presence clearly exceeded being just a tool.
The students stepped forward as their names were called, wearing the hat to be sorted into their houses one by one.
"Gryffindor!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Hufflepuff!"
Hearty applause and cheers echoed from the respective house tables.
Toji Fushiguro watched the scene with complete stoicism. While everyone felt excitement toward this ceremony, he did not abandon his cold gaze.
At that moment, a black-haired boy with glasses appeared at the back of the line.
Harry Potter.
And right next to him, a red-haired boy—Ron Weasley. They were the two boys who had been in the same compartment as Toji on the train.
"Potter, Harry!"
As soon as McGonagall's voice echoed in the hall, the older students buzzed. The atmosphere shifted as if everyone was witnessing a living legend appear. Harry stepped toward the podium with stiff features.
As soon as the hat was placed on his head, the stitches moved slightly, and a faint whisper mingled with the air. Other teachers or students couldn't hear it, but for Toji Fushiguro, the sound arrived as a clear "murky tone."
── That hat wasn't just a magical tool.
It possessed a "core" similar to Cursed Tools. Human will and magical energy had blended over long years until it seeped with a presence as if it were a living being.
"Gryffindor!"
The hat screamed, and the hall shook with loud cheers. Next was Ron Weasley. The boy climbed to the podium, stumbling slightly, and wore the hat.
"Gryffindor!"
The cheers echoed again, and the Gryffindor table erupted with excitement.
Toji Fushiguro leaned back in his chair, watching the scene silently. Deep in his eyes, traces of caution and observation emerged. No one in this place noticed, but he alone felt the "murky presence" floating in the depths of the hall—and throughout the entire castle.
── There is something in this castle.
Something that is neither a student nor a teacher. Something sunken in the abyssal depths.
As the Sorting Ceremony continued, Dumbledore watched Toji silently from his central seat. With eyes as if they were piercing through everything happening in this place.
When the Sorting Ceremony concluded, Albus Dumbledore slowly climbed the podium. Against the backdrop of the night sky on the ceiling, he stood with his swaying silver beard, looking as though he dominated the entire space. The light of the floating candles reflected off his robes, and an atmosphere of both dignity and warmth spread.
"First, a few start-of-term notices."
His voice was calm, yet it reached the ears of every student filling the hall.
"To the first-years, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits. Entering it is absolutely forbidden. Our caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch, also reminds me to warn you... 'do not go near the third-floor corridor.' Those who do... face a very painful death."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the Great Hall grew tense. Although Dumbledore was smiling, his words carried a weight that couldn't be dismissed as a mere joke.
"── And there is one more thing."
Dumbledore's voice echoed once more. A wave of curiosity-laden tension spread among the students, rippling like fine waves under the enchanted ceiling. Dumbledore rose slowly from his seat. His long silver hair and beard swayed, and when he tapped his wand lightly on the table, the noise of the room gradually subsided.
"Starting this term, a new teacher will be joining Hogwarts."
At those words, the students' gazes turned toward the podium in unison. An increase in faculty wasn't rare, but the atmosphere that filled the room was a different mix of curiosity and wariness than usual.
"Physical Education Instructor──Mr. Toji Fushiguro."
With those words, the Great Hall erupted in whispers. The vibe was entirely different from the introduction of any other teacher. It was a noise born from confronting an "incomprehensible foreign body."
Toji, who had been sitting at the edge of the long staff table, stood up, carelessly pushing his chair back. A black shirt and wide white trousers; an appearance that bore no relation to what wizards wore. Unstyled black hair, a sharp gaze, and a taut, muscular physique. He looked strange and aberrant among the teachers in their magical robes.
But—that very aberration was what stole the gaze of every student.
"I'm Fushiguro."
That was his only utterance. But that low, heavy voice rang dully in the stone hall, making the students' spines shiver.
The first to react were the male students. This was particularly evident among the Gryffindors and Slytherins.
"W-what is this atmosphere around him..."
"Terrifying..."
"No, this guy... he looks seriously dangerous..."
Many boys began pulling their chairs back, instinctively moving away. Some gripped their wands; others stood agape, motionless. What they felt wasn't ordinary "strength," but a primal fear. To the students, a "teacher" is an authority figure, but also a safe entity. This man standing before them suggested neither. Just by standing there, the air seemed to groan, and his gaze was sharp enough to practically tear skin. Like a wild beast released without a cage.
On the other hand──the female students' reaction was entirely different.
"── Handsome..."
"He's... dangerously attractive."
"I feel like our eyes met; I'm going to die."
Gasps and reddening cheeks began to flare up everywhere. While tension gripped the air, a state of excitement spread among the girls. Toji, by nature, was a man who lived his life as a "leech" (hemo). Drawing the eyes of others, making women fall for him, and getting money—these things were as natural to him as breathing. Even without meaning to, his "scent" permeated the room just by his presence. An aura like a predator, and a raw, effortless charisma.
The girls were instinctively drawn to that scent. The upper-year Slytherin girls were very clear in their reactions. They toyed with the collars of their robes with their fingers as they narrowed their eyes and whispered to each other.
"── Wait, that guy... he's a teacher, right?"
"Did you see his arms?"
"I... really like that type of man."
Instead of confusion over the term "Physical Education," which they weren't familiar with, their focus was entirely on the "man" before them.
Toji did not respond to those bold gazes.
"That's all. Now──let the feast begin."
The moment Dumbledore clapped his hands, a light sound echoed, and food appeared on all the tables at once. Cries of shock and cheers filled the Great Hall. Plates that had been empty were now piled with food, one after another, as if the air itself was changing shape and replacing reality. Steam rose, and the savory smells hit noses suddenly.
Toji Fushiguro narrowed his eyes slightly at the sight.
"── Heh."
It was a low sound, but it carried genuine surprise within it. In Jujutsu, things often appear through Construction Techniques or auxiliary techniques. But what had just happened was "magic" that seemed as though "the space itself" had been twisted without effort and replaced with reality.
"Looks appetizing... but looks bad for the health."
Spread across the table were heavy dishes of meat and fried foods, roast potatoes covered in thick gravy, sausages bursting with juice, and colorful pies... They were all dishes dominated by the color brown. Their visual impact was strong, but it seemed the term "nutritional balance" had long since departed.
Students laughed loudly as they shared plates, heaped food, and talked with their neighbors, mouths full. Even at the staff table, quiet laughter began to echo.
Toji didn't pick up a fork; instead, he watched the food before him intently for a while.
── Certainly, magic differs from sorcery from the very roots. The "texture" of this magic is characterized by a strange smoothness and naturalness. As if magic had dissolved as part of the "rules of the world" in a way that evoked an illusion.
"── All that quantity, where does the magical energy supporting it come from? Is there someone here with the 'Six Eyes'?"
Those words he muttered didn't reach the ears of Quirinus Quirrell sitting next to him. Quirrell was clutching his spoon nervously, doing nothing but stealing glances at Toji.
Soon, the noise spread among the students. At the center table, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were talking cheerfully as they piled food onto their plates. Toji exhaled a short breath and directed his gaze toward them calmly. That "murkiness" he felt at the Sorting Hat was still floating slightly even now.
── There is definitely something in this school.
In contrast to the feast's noise, that sense of unease was taking a tangible shape inside Toji. At the staff table, each teacher exchanged light words while watching the students. The Muggle Studies teacher laughed brightly, while Severus Snape swirled his wine glass silently, sending sharp glares in every direction.
Conversely, Toji touched neither the glass nor the food; he just watched the room in silence. Amidst the whirlpool of laughter and delicious smells, he seemed to stand alone, a step away from everyone.
"Mr. Fushiguro, won't you eat?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"── No, I'm just observing the situation for a bit."
"Hmm, such vigilance is a good thing."
"── That doesn't sound like a compliment."
Dumbledore traced a smile at the corners of his eyes and lifted his glass slightly.
All the students were enjoying the food and meeting friends. The teachers watched the atmosphere with warmth.
── However.
At the end of Toji Fushiguro's gaze, the "scent of the curse" enveloping the castle showed no signs of disappearing. On the contrary, it was growing denser, as if hiding amidst the excitement of the feast.
"── I can't see it, but there's something moving for sure."
No one noticed Toji muttering to himself. Outside, a cold night wind blew, and the surface of the distant lake reflected the moonlight. And deep within the castle—there was the sound of something moving slowly, certainly.
The feast continued boisterously. But Toji Fushiguro's eyes were looking somewhere else entirely. His sense of smell, which distinguished between the "apparent" and the "hidden" of this castle, had already begun to work.
On the other hand, Quirinus Quirrell remained unnerved throughout the feast. The luxurious dishes lined up before him didn't even enter his field of vision. His gaze was fixed on the right side—on Toji's movements. Whenever Toji's shoulder moved slightly, Quirrell's throat trembled. The sound of him swallowing his spit echoed clearly to his own ears.
── Calm down... don't let him notice...
He repeated this in his heart. He tightened his nerves in an attempt not to reveal his "Master's" presence lurking beneath the turban. He didn't even dare wipe the cold sweat from his forehead for fear of being noticed.
Toji reached out slowly for a fork. As soon as he did, Quirrell's body jerked violently. He nearly dropped his spoon and grabbed it back frantically. While the teachers around him socialized, he was the only man radiating an unnatural tension.
── Why... why does so much pressure emanate from this man...
It didn't make sense. He felt no magical energy, no bloodlust. But this man wore an "oddity" that made the air around him seem to warp just by him sitting there.
And this caution was not misplaced.
Toji Fushiguro was born with a special physical constitution known as the "Heavenly Restriction: Physical Gift." In exchange for having zero cursed energy, he obtained physical abilities and senses that far exceeded anything ordinary humans could understand. Though he couldn't perceive cursed energy through traditional means, he could smell its scent, feel its presence, and react to it. He could pinpoint the outlines of invisible cursed spirits through soul vibrations alone.
To Jujutsu sorcerers, he is a symbol of injustice and illogic. Domain Expansion—even the guaranteed-hit effect of that technique, the pinnacle of Jujutsu, does not apply to this man. The reason—he has no cursed energy, which is the foundation that makes the "technique succeed" against an opponent.
Inside him stretches a "void" like a black hole. No matter what is expanded, no matter what is plotted, it will not reach him. And with an indifferent expression, he cuts down the sorcerer and leaves them dead.
── The killer's instinct, and a body that resists curses.
Quirrell's "Master" felt this through his skin as well. Inside the turban—the presence lurking at the back of the head fell coldly silent. The man standing before them now was not just a teacher in the wizarding world.
"......"
Quirrell swallowed. The sound of his throat echoed so loudly it surprised him. Toji hadn't cast a single look his way. As if everything around him didn't matter, he remained holding the fork, watching the food before him in silence.
── Stop... don't look here...
Just one glance. That one glance was enough to uncover "something" residing within him. Cold sweat ran down Quirrell's back.
As for Toji Fushiguro, he continued to be indifferent to his existence, watching the night feast in silence. He wore a dominant "stillness," as if he stood alone in the middle of a battlefield──.