Chapter 13

He went by the name of Theo back at the domain. But just recently graduated as a sorcerer. The years in the domain felt strange and yet, oddly welcoming. He learned much about his technique, yet, living as a sorcerer in the outside world has become something rather… odd to him.

Theo, despite having many other classmates, was living alone in Kyoto for the time being. All graduates are permitted into the domain, they are welcomed back any time they desire to be, yet not many are taking up that offer. "Not since HE came back… the place feels a little off to me now." Theo said to himself as he considered going back.

But he has to try and move forward, it's the only way.

Currently, he checks the stores, streets, schools and hospitals. He has a small patrol route he gives himself and is kept informed if there are any threats near by from Muta sensei. But there has been activity on the streets too. He has seen other sorcerers out and about, but… they are doing the same thing he is.

None of them were at the domain and yet, this sense of duty in them to patrol the streets… it's familiar.

He was on one just today, it's been quite until something caught his attention. One moment, a woman was walking by the street across from him, the next she is gone in an alleyway. Theo worked quickly as he was able to run through traffic without notice and get to the alleyway.

He heard a blood curdling shriek, but it wasn't human.

The woman laid unconscious on the ground, yet, standing over her, was a sorcerer. He turned and took notice of him… but what sorcerer has their hair rolled at the front like that?

What is he from the 80's?

"Don't hurt her!" Theo warned and stood at the ready.

This… caught his attention.

The sorcerer peered at the woman. "She's only passed out, no harm happened to her… but who are you, kid?"

Theo was taken aback. He's twenty!

"Theo… that's all you get…" he said in a warning tone. "You didn't answer me."

The man gave a coy smile. "Relian." He said. "What's your level?"

Theo peered away awkwardly. "Second grade"

"You came to confront a special grade sorcerer solo?"

He froze to this. He was always warned of a weakness he has, that's rushing in head first without thinking. "I… I mean no offence…"

Relian laughed aloud. "Take it easy, I mean no harm either. I was also testing you, you're no kid, and you're a young man huh? It's a pleasure to meet a fellow of the dark arts!" he laughed. "Mind helping me? We'll get this lady seen to and be on our way."

Theo let his guard down, he agreed to help as Relian and himself brought the woman out from the alleyway. They set her down on a bench hear by and Relian used reverse jujutsu. By the time they walked away, she came too. But was utterly confused as to how she got to where she was.

"Wanna get a bite? My treat?" Relian asked.

Theo was taken aback but agreed.

He was taken to a little ramen store, they got a bowl each and just talked. "You got guts kid, I like it" Relian said. "Have you considered… going pro?" he whispered the last part.

Theo knows part of the agreement with the domain is that they don't speak of it, at the same time, he was worried, if he does commit to anything with another group, would he be betraying those who taught him?

"I…"

"It's sudden, sorry. I didn't mean to force your hand or anything, we just met!" he laughed. "But, if you want…" he took out a card and passed it to him. "We're looking to start up the school in Kyoto, under new management. We could use some talented people like you as a teacher…"

He froze.

"Me… teach!?" he asked bewildered. "I'm merely…"

"I didn't see what you could do yet…" Relian said interrupting his protest. "Also, being second grade sorcerer is remarkable. But I think you got wiggle room for improvement huh? I think we can help you reach first grade if you are willing."

Theo was trying to be cautious about this, and yet the way he is spoken to… why does it remind him of Tooru sensei?

"May I look at the facilities first?"

"Of course, in fact, I insist upon it! Keep the card, when you are ready, come see us. We will welcome you any time, no need to call. Just show up" he said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I got to head back out… Theo was it? Nice to meet ya"

It was the strangest encounter he has had with a sorcerer not from the domain.

"I wonder if I should write them…" Theo had half a mind to write back to his teachers, but, curiosity was getting the better of him…

#

He waited three days before going to see this school with his own eyes. Theo kept in contact with other students, shockingly enough. Many had similar encounters! They agreed strength in numbers was needed to be safe than sorry. So, as the day arrived, Theo wasn't alone.

Ten others had come along with him and they approached the school. Oddly enough, there was no resistance… no barriers… nothing to stop someone from wondering in unannounced.

"HELLO! WELCOME!"

They froze at the sight of a man with two strange small points in his hair. Yet, just his aura alone, they could sense his strength. "Pleased to meet you, you can call me Kashimo for now!"

"Pleased to meet you sir. I'm Theo. These are some of my former classmates…" he was about to do introductions when Kashimo insisted they get started on the tour first.

The facilities were top notch!

Everything state of the art, but there was also the traditional aspect shown as well. Kashimo explained that everything was made only in a few weeks. "We are going to be accepting students as soon as three months from now. However we are having some staffing issues. We are teaching young sorcerers here, but, we are still teaching them the foundations of basic education."

"Is this a merit base acceptance?" Theo asked.

Kashimo glared at him. "That's a bunch of bullshit." He said bluntly. "If sorcerers are so rare in the world, why be picky as to who you train? Who learns what? And who becomes a sorcerer?" he asked. "The former council and elders were a bunch of old hags who couldn't get their heads out of their asses"

Theo began to admire this man.

His classmates were impressed to. "Sir, do you have a way of making them stronger? What if a student is stuck at a very basic level?" Leah asked. She was always good at asking the right questions.

Kashimo laughed. "That's the thing, the old system had it that it depended on the rarity of the technique. But mainly it was to keep the three great families under their thumbs and anyone power at their beck and call. That's besides the point here," he said and waved off his comment. "What I am here to say is this, when a technique is established, it depends on the sorcerer to nurture it. If one isn't given the help, guidance or even a different perspectives as to what they can do with said technique, then they are trapped where they are."

He spoke so passionately about teaching students to learn about their power and how to cultivate it themselves.

Theo kept thinking of Tooru sensei would speak about this too, everyone has a method of expanding their curse energy, but he wasn't aware there were others who thought like her too.

"You think you can improve ours?" Theo asked. "We have a good foothold thanks to our teachers."

"Can I ask who they are?" Kashimo asked.

Everyone exchanged looks.

"Oh… I understand, that's no problem then" he said and dropped the question. Theo and the others were taken aback.

"It's okay that you don't know?" he asked.

Kashimo smiled to them, forcing a painful laugh as it were. "If I can only guess who taught you, were those the council disproved of and wanted dead. Stop me if I am wrong. At the same time, these sorcerers wanted to change things and yet the council didn't like that since they were refusing believe jujutsu society cannot run without their 'guidance' and 'leadership' which again, bullshit" he decreed.

Theo was REALLY starting to like this guy.

He may not have had to deal with the council as his sensei has before him, but this man appears to be aware since he speaks of the same flaws his teachers did.

"Anyways, I understand, no pressure" he said and began to led them.

Theo doesn't know why but the question just erupted out of him. "Do you know Tooru sensei?"

He froze instantly.

Kashimo slowly turned and stared at Theo as if he had seen a ghost. "Tooru… what… what do you know about Yua?"

This made him pause, as did the other students. "I didn't say her first name… how did you know it was Yua?"

He stood there stunned for a moment longer until he came to his sense. "Well… among us… she's as well known as Satoru Gojo or Ryomen Sukuna… she's held in high regards." He said honestly. Yet, his eyes… they appeared to be leaking.

"AHEM, sorry…" he cleared his eyes and regained his focus. "Let's continue, I'll introduce you to the others here…"