I ain't sleep much.
Even with the soft-ass futon and the weird-ass peace and quiet of this big school that smells like incense and old secrets, I kept twistin'. Mind racin'. That monster. That power. Gojo. What he said about my cursed technique.
Resurgence.
"Brings back the things you defeat — makes 'em yours."
That's some Solo Leveling shit, straight up. Except I'm in the wrong anime, no phone, and Gojo ain't no Sung Jin-Woo fanboy. He acted like he read about this power somewhere — like it's real, like it got history. That mean someone had it before me?
I ain't get no answers last night. Gojo just dropped me at this clean-ass dorm, tossed me a towel, and said:
"Shower's down the hall. Don't die before breakfast."
Aight, bet.
Now it's morning. I'm standin' outside some big-ass door, and Gojo's right next to me, smilin' like he just dropped acid.
"You ready to meet your classmates?" he asks, way too cheerful.
I glance at him. "Do I look ready?"
He laughs. "You look like you still halfway thinkin' this a dream."
"Shit, maybe I am."
He doesn't knock. Just slides the door open like it's his damn house.
Inside?
Three heads turn.
One: short-haired girl leanin' against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp like she tryna cut you with just a look. She got this "I-don't-give-a-fuck-but-I-dare-you" energy.
Two: big-ass panda sittin' on a desk like it's normal. Like this world makes sense.
Three: quiet dude in the corner, hoodie up, hand coverin' his mouth. He gives me a nod. That's it.
Gojo strolls in. "Mornin', class! Got a new addition to the squad."
"Man, ain't even eight yet," the girl mutters. "You already bringin' in strays?"
"Damn, Maki, say hi at least," Gojo chuckles. "This here's our new student. Found him in an alley last night — real mess, but potential off the charts."
The panda speaks.
Speaks.
"Yo, he look like he got tossed outta a rap video and into a horror movie."
I blink. "...The panda just talk?"
"Damn right I talk. Name's Panda. Don't get it twisted."
"Yeah, aight." I rub my temples. "What the hell is my life right now."
You black? asks panda .
My best friend black.
But you black?
My daddy black?
But are you black?
I don't answer questions about my ethnicity.
Say who's the favourite basketball player of all time.
"Obviously, Larry Bird"
"Alright, you trolling bruh"
"Tell me your top 3 favourtie rappers", asks maki.
"Here,s the only list list that should exist." I reply"
"Eminem"
"G-easy"
"Jaden Smith but when he was li jit"
Gojo taps me on the shoulder. "Alright you trolling too much.Go on. Introduce yourself."
I sigh, step up. "Uh... name's—nah, lemme be real."
I look at them.
"I don't know what I'm doin' here. Last night, I was chillin' on my bed. Now I'm out here swingin' on demons and talkin' to a goddamn panda. But I got cursed energy now. I ain't trained, I ain't prepped... but somethin' inside me clicked. I ain't gonna be dead weight."
The room's quiet.
Then Maki scoffs. "Tch. Another cocky one."
"He ain't cocky," Panda grins. "He scared. He just good at actin' like he ain't."
The hoodie dude speaks, finally.
"…Salmon."
Gojo claps. "That's Toge. He only speaks in rice ball ingredients, don't worry, you'll get used to it."
I squint. "...That mean 'wassup' or 'you smell like ass'?"
Panda: "With Toge? Could be both."
Maki steps forward. "Look. I don't care what kinda power you got. This school ain't daycare. You wanna be here, you pull your weight. You train, you fight, and you don't get in my way."
I meet her eyes. "Bet."
She raises a brow — maybe a little surprised I ain't flinch.
Gojo slips between us before sparks fly. "Alright, that's enough icebreakers. Y'all can beat each other up later. For now, we're headin' outside. Got a little training session. Let's see what our new guy can do when he's not gettin' body-slammed by a curse."
My heart starts poundin' again.
Ain't no turnin' back now.
I ain't asked for this life.
But I'm in it.
And if this cursed energy's really mine…Then it's time to learn how to use it.