At this moment, floating atop that sea of black mud was a massive dragon with distinctly feminine features, cradling a black Holy Grail in her arms. Her eyes remained closed, and even her simple breathing resembled a storm sweeping through the atmosphere.
During last night's battle with Mahito, Tiamat had awakened for a brief moment, expelling Mahito from his soul. She must have sensed that Mahito posed a threat to Roy, so she deliberately woke up, shattered Mahito's domain, and blasted him out.
But immediately afterward, Tiamat fell back into slumber, showing no signs of waking again.
What a shame.
If Tiamom were awake, the two of them working together would absolutely dominate this world.
Tiamom would handle the slaughter.
After leaving a basin of blood for the Sword of the Black Furnace to slowly absorb, Roy's face briefly paled before quickly regaining its color. He then sat back down on the edge of the bed.
"Next is this—I've been looking forward to this the most. Don't disappoint me!"
He opened his imaginary pocket and took out a lump of flesh.
The lump of flesh that reappeared was exactly the same as when he had stored it the night before, as if time itself had frozen.
The imaginary space had no concept of time, so there was no passage of time within it. Anything placed inside would remain in the exact state it was in when stored.
For example, if an enemy were about to strike his heart, he could store his heart in the imaginary space at the critical moment. Later, when he retrieved it, the heart would still be in the same condition as when it was stored. As long as he placed it back in his chest, it would function as before. This was one method imaginary number magi used to feign death.
However, this method was also dangerous—he had to ensure his soul didn't dissipate while his heart was missing.
Since the imaginary space had no concept of time, storing subdued enemies inside was also highly effective. No matter how much time passed outside, from the enemy's perspective, they would be taken out the very next second after being stored.
But the imaginary space absolutely could not be used as a refuge.
For example, when encountering an enemy so powerful it defies imagination, attempting to hide in imaginary number space and emerge only after the enemy has left is no different from seeking death.
The moment you enter imaginary number space, your consciousness will stagnate as it loses all perception of time's flow. Even the thought of escaping that space will vanish, leaving you to exist forever like a statue within it—just as Roy had experienced when he ventured beyond the world's outer boundary. Such an outcome is far more terrifying than death.
Even if you shield yourself with a barrier, creating a faint sense of time and space within imaginary number space to maintain your consciousness, the instability between imaginary and real space means that when you finally emerge, only an instant may have passed—or tens of thousands of years, with everything long since changed beyond recognition.
Thus, unless absolutely necessary, one must never rely on imaginary number space to evade enemies.
"In this world, both humans and cursed spirits have the potential to awaken innate techniques."
Roy held the lump of flesh in his palm, restraining its form with his body-modification ability while channeling magical energy into it, studying the peculiar nature of cursed spirits.
An innate technique refers to an ability naturally possessed by jujutsu sorcerers.
This technique is imprinted onto their bodies like a part of themselves, beginning even in the womb. After birth, it typically awakens between the ages of four and six.
Of course, this applies only to those born with an innate technique.
Not everyone possesses one—those who do are an extreme minority, with the odds being vanishingly low.
Whether or not one has a technique is purely a matter of fate, dependent on the whims of heaven.
If no technique awakens between ages four and six, it almost certainly means one is not among the chosen—those who awaken a technique after six are exceedingly rare.
Additionally, innate techniques can be inherited. If an ancestor possessed a certain technique, their direct descendants may also inherit it.
And it's not just humans—even cursed spirits can possess innate techniques.
Cursed spirits with innate techniques are invariably classified as Grade 1.
"Now, here's the question—are these techniques truly a part of the body?"
Roy continued to sweep the cursed spirit's flesh with his magical energy.
He was filled with anticipation—even excitement.
His Mystic Eyes could only accelerate his learning of techniques, not grant him new ones. Against an innate technique, these gradually conceptualizing eyes might still exert control—but that was all. They couldn't transfer the technique to himself, because innate techniques were imprinted onto the body, not a magical foundation that could be seized. If it were a magical foundation, he could have simply taken it outright.
But combined with his body-modification ability, things might be different.
The sole condition for using an innate technique was reproducing it within oneself—and these techniques were, in essence, part of the body.
So, could Roy use his body-modification ability to artificially create such a technique and imprint it onto himself?
This was what Roy found deeply intriguing.
And he attempted it without hesitation.
Theoretically, if his body modification ability remained solely Tiamat's power, this would have been absolutely impossible.
But now, according to the Root's explanation, the body modification ability had gradually become his own power. During this process, the ability had undergone a chemical reaction with his unique adaptability, evolving into a conceptual "power of the Primordial Mother Goddess."
To give a simple example of its specific effects...
Roy, in the Type-Moon world, could possess all the abilities of the Primordial Mother Goddess of that universe.
When he arrived in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, his powers adapted to its rules, allowing him to wield all the abilities of the Primordial Mother Goddess of this world—if such a being existed in Jujutsu Kaisen, then Roy would become her.
This was the conceptual-level "Power of the Primordial Mother Goddess."
Of course, the rank was still limited to Grade A.
As the Primordial Mother Goddess of the Jujutsu Kaisen world, wasn't it perfectly reasonable to create innate techniques equivalent to parts of his body out of thin air?
And if that were possible, to what extent could Grade A physical modifications go? What level of innate techniques could be created?
Could Sukuna's Cleave and Dismantle be conjured from nothing?
What about Gojo Satoru's Limitless?
Beyond that, there were the Ten Shadows Technique, Cursed Spirit Manipulation... and so much more.
"Absolutely thrilling!"
Roy licked his lips, his emotions surging uncontrollably.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, he immersed himself entirely in researching innate techniques.
...
The deadline for his conditions arrived much sooner than Roy had anticipated.
Merely a day after settling into Jujutsu High, Masamichi Yaga sought him out.
"The Jujutsu Higher-ups want to meet you," Yaga said, his poker face unchanged from the day before.
"Oh? They're seeing me today?" Roy, who had just finished breakfast, smirked with amusement. "That's much faster than I expected. I thought I'd have to wait another two or three days!"
"..."
Yaga stiffened slightly at his words, his expression flickering for a moment.
"Two or three days? That almost matches the timeframe you mentioned for your conditions."
"Oh? You figured it out?"
"Are your conditions... related to the Jujutsu Higher-ups?"
"Sharp as ever!" Roy grinned approvingly.
"Let's go. We'll head to the Higher-ups now. I'll tell you my conditions on the way—then it'll be up to you to decide."
With that, Roy flashed his usual disarming smile and strode ahead toward the school gates.
Yaga's heart sank.
He wished he hadn't guessed correctly.
The Jujutsu Higher-ups.
They were, in fact, the supreme authority of Japan's jujutsu society, governing and regulating all jujutsu sorcerers in the country. Every sorcerer had to sign an employment agreement with the Higher-ups before entering the field. Whether it was mission assignments or compensation, everything was managed by them.
Moreover, the Higher-ups reported directly to the Prime Minister and held supreme executive authority at any incident site.
The position of the Higher-ups' chief was also appointed by the Prime Minister personally.
Were the Higher-ups powerful?
No.
They weren't strong.
They were a political institution—government officials.
Though the elders of the Jujutsu Higher-ups were all jujutsu sorcerers, unlike those who fought on the frontlines to protect civilians and peace, they had chosen politics over battlefields, thriving in the bureaucratic world.
They weren't the strongest—they merely held power, controlling the political and economic authority over Japan's jujutsu sorcerers.
Even the three great sorcery families of the jujutsu world—Gojo, Kamo, and Zenin—each with over a thousand years of heritage in Japan's jujutsu society, have produced countless powerful figures throughout history and possess numerous inherited techniques. Any one of these families far surpasses the Jujutsu High Council in strength.
Yet they still must follow the Council's directives.
Beneath the Jujutsu High Council are Japan's two major jujutsu schools: Tokyo and Kyoto.
These institutions serve not only as educational facilities but also as supervisory bodies.
As one of the principals, Masamichi Yaga holds command and oversight authority over all jujutsu sorcerers in the country, ranking just below the Council's chief and equal to the other elders.
If the chief is equivalent to a prime minister, then the elders are akin to cabinet ministers.
This is the structure of the Jujutsu High Council.
***
"So he's arrived, the foreign sorcerer."
Deep within the Jujutsu High Council.
The space was as vast and empty as a plain under nightfall, surrounded by darkness with only faint candlelight illuminating the area.
Six pairs of wooden double doors stood around the perimeter, the candlelight emanating from behind them.
Roy stood at the center, his gaze sweeping across each of the six doors.
Six figures sat behind them respectively.
Their presence was indistinct—neither strong nor weak—likely concealed by some means.
Trying to create an impression of mystery and power?
Quite the show they're putting on.
But then again, that's how politicians are.
Just a bunch of trash that Satoru Gojo could wipe out single-handedly.
If Gojo could do it, Roy saw no reason he couldn't.
"I heard you wanted to see me, so here I am."
Roy wore a gentle smile, appearing amiable as he addressed the old fogeys.
If Touko, who knew him well, were here, she'd immediately see through his act and likely think to herself about what mischief he was plotting now.
"We appreciate you coming."
The figure to his left spoke, surprisingly polite.
"The battle in the Okubo area two days ago has been concluded. It seems our country's curses caused you considerable trouble."
"Not really. They were mediocre at best, no big deal."
"..."
The speaker was momentarily speechless.
Another elder interjected, "From the residual cursed energy at the scene, it appears two curses escaped. As for the third—where is it now? Has it been exorcised?"
"In my possession."
"Please return it."
The elder's voice boomed with authority.
"That is a Japanese curse! It should be exorcised by Japanese sorcerers! Every moment it remains alive risks more casualties!"
"..."
"..."
Silence fell over the chamber.
The others remained quiet, their thoughts unclear.
"You think you can order me around?"
Roy's smile didn't waver.
"Seems you haven't grasped the situation. Spouting nonsense in broad daylight—shall I give you a lesson you'll never forget right here?"
"...Wait, hold on."
"That wasn't our intention."
"This was his personal request. We don't agree."
The voices from behind the doors grew slightly urgent.
"My apologies. I overstepped."
The demanding elder quickly lowered his stance.
Roy glanced in that direction.
Was this guy truly clueless about the situation, or was he using this to test him?
"I heard you intend to join the Japanese jujutsu world?"
At that moment, someone on the right quickly spoke up to divert the topic.
"Who told you that? That's pure slander!"
Upon hearing this, Roy immediately put on an indignant expression.
"Huh?"
"Isn't it true?"
"But Yaga clearly said..."
The others voiced their confusion one after another.
Yaga Masamichi was known for his straightforwardness—would he really spread rumors?
"I only planned to enroll at Jujutsu High, that's all."
Roy spread his hands, adopting a matter-of-fact expression.
"Joining Jujutsu High and joining the Japanese jujutsu world are two different things, aren't they?"
"Jujutsu High is part of the Japanese jujutsu world."
"Exactly, they're the same thing."
"Joining Jujutsu High means joining the Japanese jujutsu world!"
As soon as Roy finished speaking, the voices of the elders around him rose one after another.
Their tone was unyielding, as if brooking no argument.
Unlike the earlier demand for cursed spirits, this now touched on the institutional issues of the Japanese jujutsu world.
Jujutsu High was a subordinate organization of the higher-ups, and the stubborn old guard despised any rhetoric that threatened to divide their authority.
"Is that so? Then it's troublesome—I actually never intended to join the Japanese jujutsu world at all..."
Roy nodded with an expression of sudden realization, as if he had only just learned of this fact.
But then, he abruptly shifted his tone.
"However, if any one of you is willing to step down and make way for the worthy, then I'd be happy to join as a ruler!"