Chapter 16

School was rather… pointless.

Ryoto found that the lessons were indeed very, very dated. When he explained them when he got home, he heard laughter come from the older people there, particular the curse corpse named Panda.

"They are STILL teaching that?! It has no merit!"

Apparently, Panda was a student at the old school in Tokyo, he didn't mind telling Ryoto about the place and his creator use to be the principal. "Even he hated the lesson plan, but one has to do what the council says…" he sounded rather down after hearing that.

Just by his tone alone, Ryoto assumed the worst. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Panda smiled. "Thanks for that, my master went down making certain the students got out safely, I doubt there would be any other way he would want his life to be taken…"

"Still to have it be taken for the sake of a council's ambition… It's rather stupid that the council felt so threatened by new ideas and change…"

Panda merely nodded to this. "So, this school…"

"Don't get me started, if anything it would feel nostalgic to those who went during the old curriculum. I got to admit, they HATE my mom's side of the family with passion. It's as if they are to be blamed for everything wrong that has happened!"

Panda snickered. "Well… let's say they are only half right on that."

"Sir?"

"Think about this, despite everything the council is capable of doing, what they HAVE done, they didn't accomplish a whole lot. They merely stayed in power and merely threw sorcerers into battle to quell the threat. No matter the loss, or merely send in Gojo sensei. However, you have seen how your mother and your aunt have been teaching. In fact, I've been watching your mother train Miwa for some time. She is getting the hang of a whip!"

"Mom did mention something about that… Miwa is under a binding vow to never wield a katana again, right?"

"Indeed, so your father knew that, so he asked her why hasn't she tried using another weapon? She didn't consider that, but to be honest, I am glad your mother is training her and not your father. He can take things too far."

Ryoto nodded, after all, he has seen Rook return from a hunt. One time Rook collapsed before he even got through the door! Actually, that was just last week or so. But the fact remains. Rook seeks more. He has never turned down his father and is determined to learn from him, that alone takes grit.

Despite the school not being anything challenging. Ryoto remained to make notes as to what they were doing. But it was odd, that man… Kashimo came by at least once a week to try and speak with the school and wanting to address the students. They kept stopping him at the door.

Ryoto was curious enough to try and speak with him, but did so discreetly. He would pretend to be doing homework along the fence where Kashimo would walk by, today he happened to have shown up and just before he left, Ryoto asked. "What exactly ARE you offering?"

He didn't think the sorcerer would bother with him, but, he peered behind him and saw Kashimo lingering. He smiled warmly to him and said. "I would rather explain with your parents, but we offer a better learning system than what they have. Why separate students by ability, when you have to work together to survive if battling a special grade curse? It doesn't matter how strong you are, if you need help, you have to build trust with those around you, whether they are on your level or not."

"So are you saying power doesn't matter?"

He snickered. "To sorcerers, power is everything, but not everyone is shown how strong that ability really is. Let alone what it can be. Right now, I can tell you don't have a technique, your power is growing and I know you were listening last week… just in one week alone. You grew stronger than before. If anything, your technique is going to develop hard and fast… they won't know what to do with you besides use you on the front lines."

Curious, very curious. "Perhaps, I'll speak with my parents…"

"You know where my school is, you are welcomed any time."

After that day, Ryoto didn't see him again. Yet, the way he spoke to him, it was never a dumbed down conversation, he addressed his questions rather well and spoke with great passion. Not many sorcerers have such a thing.

He never told Lucy or the others about it, but he did explain this to his mother and father after school.

Before long, the month was coming to an end. Ryoto had to tell Lucy and the others that he won't be staying in the school. "One month, that's all I got. My parents are trying to find a school that's a good fit for me, this place isn't the least bit challenging."

They were heartbroken, Lucy in particular. "That sucks…" she said. "You were so great to talk to, and you put up with our banter like a trooper!" she laughed. "Would you mind reminding us when it's your last week?" she asked gently.

He didn't understand but nodded. He would keep them in formed, but for now, he will have to work over his parents in hopefully sending him to the Kyoto school.