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Naoya blinked in surprise.
'What do you mean I unlocked my cursed technique?' thought Naoya, not feeling any changes within his body.
The moment he thought that, information came rushing into his head — knowledge about his technique imprinting itself into his mind.
Naoya stood still for a while, feeling a slight migraine from the sudden rush of information before sitting down once again to process what he had just learned.
'System,' thought Naoya.
Ding~
____________________
Name: Naoya Zenin
Title: Body Stealer, Possible Zenin Heir
Cursed Technique: Projection Sorcery (Active)
Cursed Energy: 557/630
STR: 20
DEX: 13
VIT: 35
INT: 30 (+10)
LUK: 15
Extra Points: 0
Achievements: More(+)
_____________________
Naoya looked at his status screen with a pondering expression. He had awakened his cursed technique — the same one as his father's — and because of the new knowledge that came with it, his INT stat had increased by 50%.
He stood up and tried using his cursed technique just as the information in his head instructed him to.
The moment Naoya activated it, his surroundings seemed to slow down. He began seeing possible movements and paths, choosing which ones to follow before moving.
Naoya felt his speed increase dramatically, every movement smooth and efficient.
Once he stopped, he smiled in satisfaction. According to his newfound understanding, he could split a single second into multiple "frames," performing predetermined movements seamlessly. The movements couldn't be too exaggerated, but he could still make himself do things that were normally impossible — like jumping over four meters and landing back within that same second.
Currently, he could move at 12 frames per second, though he knew this would improve with more familiarity and better physical conditioning. From what he remembered, his father could move at 24 frames per second and he is called the fastest sorcercer of the current era.
"Alright. It's a good technique. If nothing else, it'll help me run away from dangerous situations. Let's collect the achievement point and take a bath," said Naoya, clicking on the Achievements window to collect the point for unlocking his cursed technique.
However, he didn't receive a point for it.
>Cursed Technique Unlocked (Ten Shadows Technique) — [Collect]
"..."
Naoya looked at the screen with a dumbfounded expression. He rubbed his eyes and looked again — still the same reward.
"Isn't this the ancient clan technique all the Zenins are obsessed with?"
Naoya gulped, temptation whispering in his mind to press Collect.
But he hesitated. Jujutsu sorcerers only ever had one cursed technique. He had never heard of any exceptions.
What would happen if he clicked it? Would his current technique be replaced? Or, best case, would he somehow gain both? Worst case — would his body collapse under the strain, leaving him crippled?
He didn't know.
After pondering for fifteen minutes, Naoya sighed and stared intently at the screen.
"This system has helped me so far and hasn't done or tried to do me any harm…" he muttered. The allure of the ancient clan technique was simply too tempting for a four-year-old to resist.
With some hesitation, he clicked on [Collect].
A soft chime rang in his head before a splitting migraine struck.
"Agh!!!"
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Warning: Brain overload. INT too low. Switching cursed techniques.
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A red message window flashed before him, and the pain gradually subsided as new information about the Ten Shadows Technique forced its way into his mind.
____________________
Name: Naoya Zenin
Title: Body Stealer, Possible Zenin Heir
Cursed Technique: Ten Shadows Technique (Active) / Projection Sorcery (Inactive)
Cursed Energy: 553/630
STR: 20
DEX: 13
VIT: 35
INT: 40 (+10)
LUK: 15
Extra Points: 0
Achievements: More(+)
_____________________
Naoya studied the new status screen. His INT had increased again, but what truly caught his eye was the "Cursed Technique" section. It seemed he possessed both techniques within his body — though he could only use one at a time. Switching between Active and Inactive allowed him to access either technique freely.
Then his eyes fell on the achievements tab.
>Gain two cursed techniques (1 point) — [Collect]
Now that was a familiar kind of reward. He clicked [Collect] without hesitation.
Without wasting another second, Naoya stood up and formed a hand seal, channeling cursed energy.
[Divine Dogs]
His shadow darkened and stretched outward. Two wolves — one black, one white — emerged from the shadow.
"Woof!" "Woof!"
The two wolves barked in unison, greeting their summoner.
Naoya's expression melted into a bright smile as he crouched down and extended his hands. The wolves immediately came closer, sensing his intent.
"So cute!!!" he exclaimed, patting their heads eagerly.
"Awooo~" both wolves cried in bliss, their tails wagging happily.
Naoya stopped reluctantly, much to their disappointment.
"I'd love to keep playing, but I need to rest. Training with Toji-nii-san starts at midnight," Naoya said, his tone full of regret.
"Alright, let me introduce myself to you guys. I'm Naoya. Please protect me and stay by my side from now on."
"Woof!" "Woof!"
"Good boys. Hm… calling you both 'Divine Dogs' doesn't sit right with me." Naoya began pondering.
"Jet Black Demon and Pure White Angel!" he declared dramatically.
Both wolves lowered their ears, giving him puppy eyes.
"How can you guys do puppy eyes? Ugh, fine — I'll think of something else."
After several "cool" (and definitely chūnibyō) names that were all rejected, Naoya was out of ideas.
"Cupcake and Frosting!" he finally said.
This time, both wolves wagged their tails.
'So they like cute names,' thought Naoya, relieved.
"Alright, from now on — you're Cupcake (black wolf) and you're Frosting (white wolf)!"
The two barked happily before jumping back into his shadow.
Naoya then tested switching between his cursed techniques and was thrilled to find he could use both seamlessly. The wolves remained unaffected, still responding to their names even after he switched.
Satisfied, Naoya headed home, took a bath, and went straight to bed — only waking up when a servant came to call him for dinner.
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During dinner, Naoya suddenly remembered something.
"Father," he called.
Naobito, still chewing elegantly, glanced at his son.
"Hm?"
"I unlocked my cursed technique."
Cough! Cough!
Naobito choked violently on his food. Servants rushed to his side with a glass of water.
After calming down, the acting clan head looked at Naoya seriously. The nearby servants shared the same look — depending on what technique Naoya had, the clan's power balance could shift dramatically.
"What technique do you have?" asked Naobito, hoping it was something significant. If his son's technique was strong, his position as the future clan head would be far more secure.
"Projection Sorcery—" began Naoya.
Naobito frowned slightly. It was a strong technique — his own — but not influential enough to sway the elders.
"—and the Ten Shadows Technique," Naoya finished.
"…What? Say that again," Naobito said, his voice low and disbelieving.
"Projection Sorcery and the Ten Shadows Technique," Naoya repeated calmly.
"You unlocked two techniques?"
"Yes."
"And you can use them both?"
"Yes."
Naobito stared at his son, wondering if this was some kind of joke.
"Are you sick?"
"No."
"Did you dream about unlocking two techniques?"
Naoya sighed. It was better to show than argue.
[Divine Dogs]
Two wolves leapt from his shadow and landed behind him.
Naobito and the servants froze, eyes wide.
Then Naoya recalled the dogs and switched techniques, using Projection Sorcery to appear behind his father in an instant. Naobito barely managed to track the movement.
"…The Zenin clan truly is blessed," Naobito murmured, a satisfied smile forming.
"Do you believe me now?" Naoya asked.
Naobito nodded, his smile widening the more he replayed what he had just seen. His future as the clan head was now guaranteed.
"Bring me some sake! This calls for celebration! Inform the servants — there will be a banquet tomorrow!" ordered Naobito.
"As you wish," a servant replied, hurrying to prepare.
'Good news should be shared quickly,' thought Naobito, already planning how to use this revelation to solidify his standing.
'I'll have guards placed around him at all times. This boy will be targeted by those snakes soon enough.'
Unaware of his father's scheming, Naoya simply ate in peace — determined to make up for skipping lunch by eating double.