Come to think of it, this has happened before. Back in the equipment room at Oruid Tera Middle School, there was a residue I couldn't quite identify. Is this more of the same?
Well. Let's focus and follow the trail.
...
...
...
Yes. This way. I can feel the flow of Cursed Energy leading me toward the source. I want to get out of the forest as quickly as possible, but this is too curious to ignore. Since I'm already lost, I might as well investigate.
After wandering the woods for another ten minutes following the trail of residue, I finally laid eyes on the source. The Cursed Energy led me to a small clearing in the forest. Standing right in the center was... a tiny shrine. It was ancient and weathered, looking as though it might collapse at any moment. For some reason, Cursed Energy was seeping from it. I felt no presence of a living Curse. Why would Cursed Energy be leaking from a place like this?
Well, one way to find out.
"...? What is this cloth bag?"
Approaching the shrine, I noticed it immediately. An old, long cloth bag was enshrined there. It was so deteriorated it felt like it would crumble at a touch, but a distinct Cursed Energy emanated from within.
...What is the content? A rod? A chain-linked... staff...
"Well, well. I certainly recognize this."
Oh, I remember it. I've seen it once before, and I know its name. I have no idea why something like this would be on U.A. grounds. Perhaps there was something similar back at the middle school, too.
If so, who took it? A Cursed Spirit? No, a mere Curse would have no reason to carry this off. In that case... I see. The League of Villains must be using Curses to gather these.
If that's the case, it's the worst-case scenario. They intend to systematically eliminate anything that could pose a threat to them—or perhaps they intend to use these tools themselves. Either way, they are disturbingly well-prepared. In terms of groundwork, they definitely have the upper hand, seeing as they can move through the world using Curses that ordinary people cannot see.
"One section is missing, but it will still be useful. With this, my life might become a little easier."
Bathed in the moonlight was a red, two-section staff. I believe it used to be a three-section staff... but no matter. A vast amount of time has passed since then. It's only natural for it to have been broken or lost. If anything, I should consider it a stroke of luck that it's retained this much of its original form.
"...Special Grade Cursed Tool: Playful Cloud (Yuun), is it?"
With this, even a non-sorcerer could exorcise an average Curse. A non-sorcerer relying on this tool could likely take down a Grade 1. Curses in this era are terribly weak, after all.
For now, I'll take this back and test its utility. If I saw a decent Curse nearby I'd try it out, but... none here at the moment.
Now then. Having stumbled upon a Special Grade Cursed Tool by sheer coincidence, it's high time I returned to the school. Being lost isn't so bad after all. However, if I take any longer, Himiko will start to worry—
"—Grrrrrrr."
Hm? A beast?
"FOUND YOU! WOOF! FOUND! BARK BARK!!"
Oh, it's the dog teacher (Hound Dog). Just in time. Take me back to the school building, would you? I happened to be lost! I thought I'd never make it back!
By the way, could you stop barking and spraying saliva everywhere? It got on my face.
Easy now, calm down. Don't bark like that. Hahaha, look at you. What a cute little thing you are.
Thanks to the frantic barking of the dog teacher, I managed to make it back to the school building. Upon my return, I was thoroughly scolded by Himiko, Aizawa, and Thirteen for getting lost.
Yes, yes, it was my fault. I'm reflecting on my actions, alright? I'll stop wandering off alone, so please, stop being so angry.
I mean it, Himiko. Please... stop looking at me with such an angry face...
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