Curse back: As a swordsman, what's wrong with a happy ending?

Chapter 134 Minimum Cost and Dead End

2007 October.

School admission season.

"I'm Tennen Riko! Please take good care of me in the future!" She put her hair slightly behind her head and changed into the high school uniform.

——Yes, very impressive!

"Especially you three--" Her eyes passed over Nanami Naoko and others and fell on Su Ze and others.

"Uh!" Gojo Satoru was sitting in a casual position with his legs apart. But when he saw Xiao Lizi, his face turned ugly.

"Are you and her really that compatible, Wu~" Xia Yujie came closer and joked.

"By the way, isn't she just fifteen years old..."

Master Su fell into deep thought.

Glass staggered, her short hair swinging back and forth.

"I am Yidi Zhijiegao. I have heard of the names of several seniors a long time ago..."

The thin boy bowed deeply at the podium.

Rather than a sorcerer, he gives people the feeling of being more like... a corporate slave?

"I will work hard to catch up with my predecessors and become a qualified sorcerer..."

"Hmm..." Gojo Satoru raised his eyebrows in thought, staring at Ijichi through his sunglasses.

Nanami looked at him twice more.

"Hey...you!" Gojo Satoru suddenly yelled.

"Yes!" Yidizhi raised his head and chest.

"You are not suitable to be a sorcerer..." Gojo Satoru waved his hand casually and put his feet on the table in front of him.

"what?"

Ijichi was stunned.

Xia Youjie frowned and said, "Hey! Wu, what are you doing——"

"I'm serious." Gojo Satoru looked quite serious and interrupted Geto Suguru casually.

"With a casual, 'give it a try' attitude, hoping to 'happen' to get a rating..."

His tone was sharp.

"People like this can easily die during a mission."

He leaned back in his chair and stared straight at Ijichi who lowered his head.

Ijichi clenched his fists tightly and grabbed the corner of his clothes.

"Wu, that's enough!" Xia Yujie slammed the table and interrupted with a laugh.

"Jie, I'm just telling the truth—" Gojo Satoru closed his eyes and shrugged.

"Facts will not change because of the desires of idealists."

Xia Youjie's teeth were chattering, as if he wanted to say something to refute him.

Huihara Yu quickly tried to smooth things over. He didn't think there was any need to argue about this matter.

Su Ze sat in the row behind the two of them, expressionless and silent.

During the stalemate, Ye Mo Zhengdao, who had gone to get the information, came back. He immediately took over the second half of the reception. The slightly unpleasant episode seemed to be easily brushed aside.

The school season also passed with such small disturbances.

Then there was endless training and study. It is worth mentioning that Nanami seemed to pay special attention to Ijichi. Whether it was the operation of the technique or the physical training, he always gave special guidance.

——Of course, this could also be Su Ze’s illusion.

Because Nanami takes everything and everyone seriously—

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—

Jingle bell~

The game-over sound effect sounded.

A big "K·O" appeared on the screen.

Qi Hai looked unhappy and let go of the joystick. Su Ze standing behind him looked a little regretful.

"Haha! I win again--" Gojo Satoru cheered in front of the game machine opposite.

"You're quite powerful, aren't you!!" Tennen Riko slapped him heavily on the shoulder, but the Unlimited Spell blocked her hand firmly.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts - Miss Riko jumped around in pain, holding her hands.

Haibara Yu comforts Nanami who lost.

In the distance, Nozomi and Geto Suguru were approaching carrying a large plastic bag of ice cream and cold drinks.

"Let me see... Hmm, did Gojo win again?" Glass said with some regret as she moved closer to the game console.

"Hey! Glass, what's with that expression on your face—" Gojo Satoru accused in dissatisfaction while biting an ice cream.

This old arcade has very few customers, and even the machines look like they're from the 1990s.

After finishing her drink, Tenriko clamored for another round.

The crackling sound of the controls began again.

Su Zeanran drank his drink and sat under the eaves in a daze.

"Summer came really early this year—"

As soon as May began, the temperature became unbearably hot.

"By the way, Jie. You seem a little tired lately?" Su Ze continued to talk, while turning his head to glance at Xia Youjie.

"...Who knows? Maybe it's still a bitter summer." He replied softly.

——He seems to be feeling unwell every summer.

Su Ze turned his gaze back and said while drinking green tea: "Curses happen frequently in summer - and this year there are especially many..."

After the third grade, the frequency of their missions increased almost exponentially, and they basically went out alone.

This should not be just due to the increase in age - the surge in the number of curses is also a very important factor.

In addition, there is the "gauze" that has always been shrouded in the height. I am not sure if it is a psychological effect. In short, it is gray and has an indescribable sense of depression.

"How's your... "Talisman" going?" Xia Yujie said in a soft tone, with dark circles under his eyes.

——As early as last summer, Su Ze started making these small pieces of paper.

When Geto Suguru saw that such a thin piece of turmeric paper could actually cause damage comparable to a full-strength attack from a first-level magician, he was finally moved.

For a special skill, the power alone might not be impressive. But those thin talisman papers do not have any magical power, and even a fourth-level sorcerer can easily activate the tremendous energy contained in them.

It is hard to imagine what changes would be brought to the world of sorcery if these "talismans" could be mass-produced.

"Still exploring. Still trying to see if I can refine it on a large scale..." Su Ze shrugged, "The current method is laborious and time-consuming. If you want to refine a good "琻御" talisman, you even need a drop of my blood... As for the "九小" you saw before, it's even more troublesome-"

"琻御" is a talisman paper with defensive effect. It is engraved with golden bell patterns, which symbolizes the momentum of immovability.

"Jiuxiao", a strong attack type talisman. It is in the shape of nine thunders, and also draws some power from the flying sword of the "Zhen" hexagram that contains thunder.

"Really?" Xia Youjie bent over with his arms on his knees, his tone a little gloomy.

Su Ze noticed his abnormality and asked, "What about the other thing, the smell of the cursed spirit ball...?"

“…Neither good nor bad.”

"Is it difficult to improve it?" Su Ze said with a little regret. He continued: "I remember you were still in Jiuzhou yesterday? You rushed back so hurriedly that you probably didn't get enough rest -"

"It doesn't matter. They are just low-level cursed spirits of level two or three. If we don't go, other magicians will go - it won't be easy for them to deal with it..."

"Jie, I heard that there were casualties among ordinary people in your mission?"

"...Yes. I still can't hide it from you. This is the seventh time--"

"What did the Directorate say?"

"The curse was resolved at the lowest cost without causing any lingering effects, and is rated 'excellent'." He said softly.

"...You think it's inappropriate." Su Ze sighed, "'Minimum price'..."

Geto Xia Yu stared at his toes.

"Don't go into a dead end." Su Ze stared at the people playing in the distance.

"Ze, come quickly! They all lost--" Gojo Satoru shouted over there.

Su Ze stood up and walked over.

There was a lot of noise in the distance. Xia Youjie let out a long sigh and gradually became dazed.

"It's a dead end..."

He murmured quietly.

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(Note: All first-person perspectives in the next few chapters are from Jay's perspective~)