"Rias, I'm back."
Inside the Occult Research Club, Roy stepped out of a magic circle, holding a scroll painting.
"This is the mission reward. Cash it out for me, as usual."
"Good work."
Rias took the scroll. "You seem in a good mood. Did something nice happen?"
Roy nodded. "I ran into a psychic who could rival a high-ranking devil, maybe even a Devil King."
"Huh?" Rias blinked. "Are you joking?"
"Not at all."
Rias hesitated, wondering if Roy had misjudged. She wanted to point out that high-ranking devils and Devil Kings were no small fry, but stopped herself. Roy wasn't the type to make rookie mistakes.
After asking for the name, Rias furrowed her brow in thought.
"Shigeo Kageyama… I don't recall that name among the notable psychics. A recent powerhouse, maybe?"
Roy nodded again. "He's a middle schooler."
Rias's eyes widened. "A middle schooler? Did he start training in the womb or something?!"
Roy considered it. "That's not impossible. He's a natural-born psychic—came out that strong from day one."
Rias: "…"
Now I feel even weirder about this.
As the princess of the Gremory clan, Rias's circumstances outshone 99% of beings. Yet, somehow, she always stumbled into that remaining 1%.
Looking at the relaxed man before her, she asked, "So, what's your plan?"
"Nothing. I'm not into bullying middle schoolers."
After taking down Teruki Hanazawa, Roy had scored a blue telekinesis entry.
By his estimate, a sneak attack on Shigeo Kageyama could net him at least a purple entry—maybe even a red one with decent odds. But Roy had some morals. Unless things got dire, he wouldn't pick on a kid who wouldn't fight back.
"I gave him a couple of flyers before I left. No clue when he'll use them."
Rias smiled. "Turning him into a client? Smart move."
Devils had quotas too. If Roy could build a rapport and partnership with Shigeo, it'd be a big feather in his cap.
"Merit's whatever. I just want more strong opponents to spar with."
Glancing around the empty Occult Research Club, Roy asked, "Any other missions?"
"Nope, just that one tonight."
"Then I'm heading home."
Roy waved goodbye to Rias.
Strength came with perks. Unlike Koneko and the others stuck working late, his load was light. Clear the combat missions, and he could clock out anytime.
"Hm? Someone's already applied?"
Back home, Roy checked his phone and saw a response to the job posting he'd sent out that morning.
Setting the interview for the next evening, he pocketed the device and started training.
The next day, the alarm blared at 4:00 sharp.
Roy opened his eyes, using an immortal art to subtly probe his body's changes. With the same training volume, his physical stats and demonic power cap had edged up slightly.
But… the boost was tiny.
"Like an extra ten minutes of training," he mused, rubbing his chin.
It was acceptable. He'd only sent out five entries yesterday—his worker count was still low.
At this pace, if he kept recruiting promising, growth-oriented workers, becoming a top-tier devil wouldn't be far off.
After morning practice came classes.
Time flew to noon.
Just as Roy was about to find Sona, Yuji intercepted him.
"Roy, I might have to transfer schools."
"To Jujutsu Tech?"
"Wait, how'd you know?"
Roy shrugged. "It'd be weirder if I didn't."
He continued, "You mentioned yesterday you were going to ask Gojo Satoru about learning techniques. Less than a day later, you're talking transfers. It's obvious."
There was more he didn't say. Sukuna's finger was a top-tier cursed object, a hot topic among sorcerers. Yuji eating it and surviving—whatever the reason—guaranteed attention. Now, awakening a technique matching Sukuna's? It'd be odd if the jujutsu world didn't react.
"Roy, should I take Gojo's offer and transfer to Jujutsu Tech?"
Yuji wavered. "I could practice techniques without transferring, right?"
"I'd agree with that."
Roy nodded slightly. "Our school's diploma carries more weight than Jujutsu Tech's."
"Uh, that got real practical real fast."
"You're just a normal guy. You'll need a job after graduation."
Roy handed Yuji two flyers, deadpanning, "The famous sorcerer Nanami said it best: 'Jujutsu sorcerers are crap.' For your future quality of life, keep some backup plans."
"Report! I don't get it!"
"I mean, apply to the student council to be an exchange student. Learn what you need, then come back to graduate."
Yuji: "O.o?"
That's an option?
"No problem, it's an easy fix."
Sona stamped a document and handed it to Yuji.
She had a good impression of Yuji Itadori. Strong, helpful—a quality student worth assisting.
"I'll handle the Jujutsu Tech side. If it doesn't work out, you can come back anytime."
"Thanks, President!"
Yuji grinned, pocketing the exchange student approval and waving goodbye to both.
As he left, Sona turned to Roy.
"His technique awakening—it was you, wasn't it?"
"Hm? How'd you figure?"
"Your club made a huge ruckus yesterday. Of course I checked with Rias afterward."
Having grown up with Rias, Sona knew her inside out—no secrets between them. After some back-and-forth, she'd learned about Roy's new ability.
"It's a strong power, but it'll draw trouble too."
"Until you're strong enough, use it sparingly—or you'll catch unwanted eyes."
"Thanks for the heads-up."
Roy opened his inventory, picking a white entry.
"Want me to unlock your potential?"
"…Cough, yes, please."
Sona adjusted her glasses, nodding quietly.
Too good to pass up.
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