A typical tsundere speech. But Genji didn't call her out on it.
"Alright," he said. "But first, let me be clear: acquired techniques are ten times more difficult to control than basic cursed energy. If you make a mistake in the hand seal, you'll get backlash. If you control the cursed energy poorly, it will backfire and explode. You'll need to train for at least two hours every day—can you stick to that?"
"Yes!" Eriri nodded vigorously, then added quietly, "...Probably."
"What about you, Katou-san?" Genji looked at Megumi Kato. "Your constitution is special. Do you want to try?"
Megumi Kato thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"I'll try," she said. "I might not be able to learn, but… I want to know what Lord Zen'in Genji created."
"Alright," Genji floated back to the center of the study and clapped his hands together. "Then let's start now. We'll begin with the most basic five-element seals. Starting with 'fire.'"
He extended his right hand, spread his five fingers, and slowly and clearly formed a hand seal.
"Watch closely. This is the seal. The thumb connects the middle and ring fingers, while the index and little fingers are straight. At the moment of sealing, imagine that the cursed energy in your body is 'dry' and 'restless,' then direct it to your palm—"
A small cluster of orange-red flames ignited in his palm—warm, but not burning.
"This is the 'Flame Candle,' the most basic fire-attribute technique. Its power is very small. It can only light a cigarette or roast a sweet potato, but it is the foundation of all fire-attribute jujutsu."
Eriri and Megumi Kato widened their eyes, trying to memorize the hand seal gesture. Utaha quickly drew a diagram of the seal in her notebook, marking the angle of each finger and the flow of cursed energy.
"Now, you try," Genji said. "Don't worry, take your time. If something's wrong, I'll correct it."
Eriri took a deep breath and extended her right hand, imitating Genji's gesture. Her fingers were a little stiff, and her hand seal movement was a bit messy, but at least it looked similar.
Megumi Kato's movements were gentler and more precise. Her fingers were slender, and when she formed the seal, there was a remarkable rhythm to it. Though slow, every angle was perfect.
"Focus," Genji guided. "Feel the cursed energy… yes, that's it… now, direct it…"
A minute later, a small spark rose from Eriri's palm…
It was just a spark. Smaller than a lighter's flame. It flickered twice, then went out.
"Failure… fail…" She slumped.
"Not a failure," Genji said. "It's good to have a reaction on the first try. Try again."
Eriri gritted her teeth and formed the seal again.
This time, the flame was stronger. It lasted three seconds, then went out with a soft pop.
On the other side, a small cluster of… blue, icy flames hung quietly in Megumi Kato's palm.
No, not flames. It was a cluster of light, taking the form of fire, with highly concentrated cursed energy. It didn't emit heat, but rather a slightly cool atmosphere, with tiny ice crystals shimmering on its surface.
"That's…" Genji's eyes lit up. "A mutation of the water attribute? No, it's 'ice.' Kato-san, the nature of your cursed energy is very special."
Megumi Kato looked at the icy flame in her palm. Her expression didn't change, but her eyes widened slightly.
"I… I was just thinking about 'calm' and 'tranquility,'" she said softly.
"Very good," Genji nodded approvingly. "The power of an acquired technique depends not only on the total amount of cursed energy but also on the sorcerer's 'mental image.' Thinking of 'calm' naturally gives the cursed energy the characteristics of 'ice.' That's a very valuable talent."
Eriri looked at the pitiful little flame in her own palm, then at the beautiful icy flame in Megumi Kato's hand. The corners of her mouth twitched.
"That's not fair…" She muttered quietly.
"Everyone has their own strengths," Genji comforted. "Eriri, your cursed energy is 'warm' and 'active,' suitable for fire and lightning. Kato-san's cursed energy is 'calm' and 'restrained,' suitable for water and ice. There's no good or bad, only suitability."
He paused and added, "And the essence of acquired techniques is 'combination' and 'transformation.' Mastering one attribute to the extreme isn't as good as combining multiple attributes. For example—"
He formed seals with both hands simultaneously: one seal with his left hand, another with his right.
Flames rose from his left palm, and a stream of water surged from his right palm.
Then he brought his hands together.
The flames and water intertwined and swirled, transforming into a vortex of crimson and blue, with a low hum from within.
"Fire and water seem to oppose each other, but in fact, they generate each other," Genji said. "The explosion of high-temperature steam is far more powerful than simple flames or water streams. This is a 'compound technique.'"
He released his hands, and the vortex dissipated.
"But that's advanced content. First, build a solid foundation by practicing one attribute."
At that moment, Utaha suddenly spoke:
"Lord Zen'in Genji, do acquired techniques… put a burden on the body?"
Genji turned to her. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm thinking," Utaha adjusted her glasses, her tone calm, as if delivering an academic report, "the hand seal itself is a kind of 'binding.' Through self-limitation, you exchange for a temporary change in the nature of cursed energy. Does this 'change' burden the body? For example, if used for a long time, will it damage the cursed energy pathways or accelerate the consumption of cursed energy?"
The question was very professional. A glint of approval flashed in Genji's eyes.
"Yes," he admitted frankly. "Acquired techniques have high requirements for cursed energy control. Poor control can indeed damage the body. And because it forcibly changes the nature of cursed energy through 'binding,' the consumption is much greater than that of innate techniques, and stamina is weaker."
He paused and added, "When I designed this system, I added many safety restrictions. For example, each technique has a minimum cursed energy requirement—if you don't meet it, you can't activate it. The hand seal must be complete and accurate—incorrect gestures will be invalid. There's also the principle of 'no more than three times a day'—the same technique can only be used up to three times a day; exceeding that will cause backlash."
"These restrictions are both to protect the user and to screen them," Genji said. "Only those who can follow the rules and practice patiently are qualified to master power. Those who are impulsive and seek quick success will either give up early or destroy themselves."
Utaha quickly took notes, her crimson eyes remarkably bright. For her, these ideas for an energy system were more valuable than the techniques themselves.
"Then…" Eriri asked hesitantly, "if I practice every day, how long will it take to use… well, a technique like your 'Cursed Energy Vortex' from earlier?"
Genji thought for a while.
"With your talent, if you practice seriously for two hours every day, it will probably take…" He held up three fingers. "Three months to create a ping-pong ball-sized sphere. Six months to reach the size of a tennis ball. One year, and it will be almost usable in combat."
"A year?!" Eriri's eyes widened. "That long?!"
"That's already fast," Genji said. "Acquired techniques are essentially 'skills.' They require a lot of practice and perception. When I taught the first batch of students, some practiced for three years and still couldn't create a stable flame."
He looked at Megumi Kato. "Kato-san might be faster. Your control is very precise, and your mind is stable, suitable for this kind of patience-requiring practice. But your total cursed energy is too low, which is a disadvantage."
Megumi Kato nodded slightly. "I understand. I'll try."
The night outside the window had deepened. The clock on the wall showed nine o'clock. The light in the study was warm and bright, and the air was filled with the scent of snacks, old books, and a faint trace of the girls' perfume.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Genji clapped his hands together. "Acquired technique practice can't be rushed. It must be done step by step. First, consolidate your basic cursed energy control. When you can maintain your cursed energy for more than five minutes, we'll officially begin seal practice."
He paused and looked at Utaha. "Miss Kasumigaoka, your records are very detailed, but don't forget your own work. The third volume of 'Love Metronome'—the deadline is approaching, isn't it?"
Utaha was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly. "You even know that?"
"I heard Eriri mention it," Genji smiled. "Creation is also very important. Don't neglect your own work just to record ours."
"I understand," Utaha closed her notebook. "I'll balance it well."
The three of them began to pack their things. Eriri put her tablet and pens into her bag. Megumi Kato quietly organized her textbooks. Utaha carefully placed her glasses into their case.
As they left the study, Eriri was the last. She looked back at the indigo figure sitting by the low table, starting to eat potato chips again, and said quietly:
"Hey, Zen'in Genji."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Thank you for…" Eriri paused. "Being willing to teach us. And… thank you for what you did a thousand years ago."
Having said that, she blushed, quickly turned, and went downstairs, her golden twin tails drawing bright trajectories in the light.
Genji was stunned for two seconds, then smiled.
He floated to the window and watched as the three girls left the house, said their goodbyes under the streetlights, and then each went their own way home.
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