Please, ask no more. If you do, I shall truly have to explain Cursed Energy. In this era of Quirks, I have no idea how people would view a power that isn't one. Would they see it as just another Quirk? Or would they fear it and cast me out?
Wait. More importantly… Midoriya, you…
"We're here. End of conversation."
Aizawa-sensei's intervention silenced the class. I wish he had spoken up a moment sooner, but at least I won't be interrogated about Black Flash for now. Though, I have several questions I'd like to put to Midoriya myself… but I'll save those for later.
So.
We arrived at a place called the "U.S.J." Waiting for us was a teacher named "Space Hero Thirteen." Listening to them talk about the dangers of Quirks and how to use them for good, they seemed like the very model of a teacher. If there had been more adults like this in my previous era, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Then again, someone like this teacher would have been killed in the blink of an eye back then. The Heian sorcery world was, unfortunately, a cesspit.
Everyone is listening intently. I suspect I am the only one here showing a complete lack of interest.
I cannot believe, even now, that this technique—this cursed energy—is meant for "helping" people. This is a power designed to exorcise curses and kill men.
And I am to use such a thing to save people as a "Hero"?
Don't make me laugh.
A "Hero." A "Great Man."
Can someone like me truly become that? It feels as though I have killed far too many people for such a title. To think that in order to function as a sorcerer, I must study how to be a savior. Life is truly unpredictable.
Regardless, the interior of this U.S.J. is vast. There is a long staircase before us, and the landscape beyond is fascinating. One area is a deluge of water; another is a sea of flames. As I leaned against the railing and surveyed the facility, I naturally spotted Curses. Most were weaklings, not even Grade 4. Their only strength was their sheer number.
U.A. is a place where many people gather, so it stands to reason that Curses would manifest. I understand the logic. However, the Curses being born are far too weak.
In terms of raw energy, I've seen plenty that qualify as Grade 1. Yet, among all the Curses I've exorcised to this day, not a single one has used a Cursed Technique. Not one!
Is such a thing even possible? Why are the Curses of this era so pathetic?
This requires thought.
For example—and this is purely a hypothesis—Quirks exist in this age. Almost everyone possesses them. People still have negative emotions, but perhaps they no longer fear the "unseen." If that is the case, it would be the Natural Curses that weaken first.
The dread of the mountains, the forests, the sea… if the negative energy directed at those things has weakened because of Quirks, then those Curses would diminish. They might not even be born at all. And even if they were… they wouldn't be strong.
But what about Curses born from pure human malice? Why are the ones swarming this place so weak?
…Quirks. Yes, Quirks. If everyone had such power, the era I lived in would have been vastly different. But it is also true that Quirks made it easier for villains to commit crimes. That is why Heroes were needed, leading to the creation of this society…
Wait. In this era, the people fear the "Villains." And the Villains fear the "Heroes."
Hold on. Could it be? If this line of reasoning is correct…
Then "Villain Curses" and "Hero Curses" might be what is being born now. Or perhaps even "Quirk Curses."
Villains, Heroes, and Quirks. These three are inseparable. They are all linked. If negative emotions are concentrated solely on these three things, and Curses are born from them…
…No. It's nonsense. Idle speculation.
In the end, I have no answer as to why the Curses are so weak yet so numerous. Is there no one researching this in detail? No, of course not. In fifteen years, I have never met another sorcerer.
Where did all the sorcerers go? And if they still exist, why are they not exorcising these Curses?
Thinking about it won't give me the answer. I should drop it for now. Thinking has never been my strongest suit anyway.
I sighed, shifting my focus back to the present. I am in class. I should stop brooding and pay attention.
I turned back to listen to the teacher and Thirteen, and that was when it happened.
"!?!"
My blood ran cold. I felt a surge of Cursed Energy from behind—something so blatantly wrong it made my skin crawl. This presence… it was enough to make my hair stand on end.
"…Wait. What on earth is this…?!"
At the bottom of the stairs, in the central plaza by the fountain, three silhouettes appeared. They stepped through a veil of black mist. Two were human. But the third… the third was not.
It was a Curse. A nauseating, black, insect-like Curse. I could tell its strength just by looking at it.
That… that is…!
It's a Special Grade Curse!!
(Note: This is getting long, so I'll stop here. Next time: A full-on deathmatch with the black, insectoid Special Grade!)
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