"A Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer? Who! Me."
Kenmyo looked at the license in his hand, examining it carefully. The handsome guy in the photo was none other than him.
It is said that Jujutsu Sorcerer under the jurisdiction of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association all possess such a license to prove their identity. Each number is unique, and in necessary moments, it can mobilize local police forces and even implement regional lockdowns.
"Mei, this was sent by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association last time," Isayama Naraku said to Kenmyo.
"It's your Sorcerer identification."
Having this item was equivalent to having a government job; it meant being on the payroll, enjoying the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's generous special allowances, criminal immunity, and highly confidential personal information.
Kenmyo was once an unregistered member of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, doing the same work for less pay. If he had been a Sorcerer then, he would have received the same salary and benefits as Mr. Watanabe.
At that time, Kenmyo, who wasn't a Sorcerer and didn't even have Jujutsu talent, was quite envious.
From being detected as having nothing as a child to now having the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association send someone to personally deliver this license, this process took Kenmyo over a decade, and only he knew the hardships he endured.
Holding the Sorcerer license in his hand, Kenmyo suddenly remembered that he was no longer that rookie who couldn't use Jujutsu.
Now, he didn't even need to attach Uncle Lan's Red Letter Warrior; just relying on his own idol Cursed Spirit, who had mastered the authority of Rin winter, he could easily kill Grade 1 Cursed Spirit.
If Kenmyo hadn't intervened, the Isayama Family's heirloom sword, the Lion King, would have ceased to exist after tonight.
The blade would have completely fractured under the terrifying low temperature of over negative two hundred degrees as it continuously dropped (not yet reaching -273.15 degrees).
This time, Kenmyo really made a foolish mistake. It was his first time riding a dragon, and he had no experience, subconsciously treating Ryu as a Flesh Hound.
Those hounds didn't need Kenmyo to remind them to naturally suppress their aura to approach prey silently. Ryu was also a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit for the first time, and her use of power wasn't proficient, which led to this mix-up.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the power of ice is more controllable than other elements like fire, lightning, or water. Otherwise, Kenmyo and his family wouldn't have been able to eat dinner tonight and would have had to go out.
Isayama Naraku looked at Kenmyo, wanting to drink a sip of warm red wine, but seeing the ice crystals floating in the glass, he could only give up.
Speaking of which, it was Isayama Naraku's first time in a room with a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. His nephew, Kenmyo, truly brought him one surprise after another, each bigger than the last.
Isayama Naraku glanced at the silent Cursed Spirit sitting on the sofa not far away. Dressed in a black nun's habit, she had shoulder-length white hair. Even with her power restrained, one could still feel the astonishing chill emanating from her, as well as a terrifying sense of oppression. Last time, it was three Grade 1 dog-type Cursed Spirits; this time, he brought home a humanoid Special Grade Cursed Spirit, and a rare natural type at that.
"A Yuki-onna, perhaps?" Isayama Naraku thought with emotion.
With such a nephew, why would the Isayama Family not prosper?
He put down his wine glass and slowly said, "After all, with your Achievements of killing a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, jumping directly from Grade 4 to Grade 2 is no problem."
"By the way, Mei, you should know that every Sorcerer's number is unique, right?"
"This is also a large part of why I called you here today."
Hearing his uncle's words, Kenmyo looked at the Sorcerer number on his hand and read it aloud, "Redeem000."
Upon hearing this familiar number, which he hadn't heard in nearly twenty years, a trace of reminiscence and melancholy appeared in Isayama Naraku's eyes.
He sighed in his heart, 'You are all gone, and only I am left.'
"When a Sorcerer dies in the line of duty, their Sorcerer number is reclaimed by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, permanently sealed in the Spirit Hall, commemorating their contributions to humanity."
"However, these Sorcerer numbers are not always sealed; there are times when they can be reactivated."
"This is the only situation: when the children of Jujutsu Sorcerer who died in the line of duty become Jujutsu Sorcerer again."
"In such cases, the Sorcerer number will be reactivated and inherited by their children."
Isayama Naraku looked at the license in Kenmyo's hand with a complex expression, as if seeing another person through his nephew.
Listening to the implications in his uncle's words, Kenmyo looked at the number, his tone somewhat hesitant, "Then this is…"
Kenmyo still remembered that the parents of this body had both died shortly after Kenmyo was born, so much so that even his older sister, Isayama Sakura, had little memory of them.
"Yes, Mei, that's your mother's number."
The death of his younger sister, Hatsuko, was a regret in Isayama Naraku's heart. He had thought he would never see her Sorcerer number reactivated, especially since neither Kenmyo nor Isayama Sakura had Jujutsu talent.
Unexpectedly, nearly twenty years later, when Isayama Naraku had given up all hope and was disheartened, Kenmyo achieved the glorious feat of exorcising a Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
His strength was recognized by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, and at the same time, his mother Kamo Hatsuko's Sorcerer number was reactivated and assigned as Mei's Sorcerer number.
This made Isayama Naraku, whose pressure had already doubled after the disappearance of the Isayama Family's branch family, feel truly emotional and mixed emotions upon seeing this scene.
"Alright, Dad," Isayama Yomi patted Isayama Naraku.
"It's a very happy thing that Mei can be a Sorcerer. Don't make the atmosphere so strange."
"Hurry and eat; the dishes are getting cold."
The Isayama Family suddenly had a reliable successor, which indeed should be a cause for celebration.
However, Isayama Naraku also knew that he still had to ask for his opinion, as not everyone wants to be a Sorcerer.
"Mei, do you want to be a Sorcerer?"
The turnover rate for young people in the Sorcerer profession remains high, after all, who wouldn't want to escape the constant fighting and enjoy a peaceful life?
First premise: Cursed Spirits are inexhaustible.
There are many private organizations that spontaneously exorcise Cursed Spirits for various reasons, and even with official organizations of Jujutsu Sorcerer fighting for thousands of years, the number of Cursed Spirits has not decreased. On the contrary, due to changes in social trends in recent years, the situation has worsened, and the number of Cursed Spirits has exploded.
Second premise: Cursed Spirits pose a threat to humans, but it's not a dire life-or-death situation. The human population base is so large that the probability of encountering a Cursed Spirit attack is 0.006%, which is less than the number of people who die in traffic accidents. The likelihood of accidentally encountering a Cursed Spirit attack is truly not high.
Anyway, this license hasn't taken effect yet. It was originally just a signal of goodwill from the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association to the Isayama Family and an expression of their desire to recruit the rising star, Kenmyo.
Even if Kenmyo doesn't become a Sorcerer, the contributions made by a descendant of the Isayama Family who can exorcise Special Grade Cursed Spirits will never be erased; they will be recorded in the local city, county, or district gazette.
"As for being a Sorcerer, I can do it."
Kenmyo's mindset had also calmed down. With the warhammer simulator at his disposal, his potential could not be limited to this.
Kenmyo intended to heavily'shear the wool' (do business) with the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association. If he joined the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, he could first understand the situation of the higher-ups and determine which one would yield the most profit for business negotiations.
"But Second-Grade seems a bit low, doesn't it?"
Kenmyo felt that his strength should qualify him for a higher rank. His friends, Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru, although still Jujutsu High students, were already close to reaching the highest rank for Jujutsu Sorcerer—Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer—from Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Kenmyo knew that the short, brown-haired senior Gojo always mocked, besides Gojo's cluelessness in thinking she was just playing when she argued with him, there was another reason: she was a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer.
A Second-Grade nobody!
"Kenmyo, congratulations on becoming a Sorcerer too."
Kenmyo could already imagine Gojo Satoru's ugly face the next time they met. He would definitely laughingly pat his friend Kenmyo's back, then, with exaggerated laughter, bend over and say,
"Hahahaha, a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer."
"But you're the same rank as Utahime, hahahaha, I'm dying of laughter."
"Gojo, stop laughing."
Then Suguru Geto would shake his head helplessly nearby, saying words that, while meant to comfort Kenmyo, were incredibly irritating.
"Kenmyo's breakthrough was from zero to nothing. Being rated as a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer all at once is like a babbling infant skipping walking and directly standing up and running."
"Quite impressive, Kenmyo."
Just thinking of their faces, Kenmyo felt his temper rising, and even the words "Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer" on his license started to sting his eyes.
"Hahaha, Mei."
Rarely hearing his precocious nephew show such youthful emotions, Isayama Naraku smiled.
"A Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer doesn't quite match your strength. This is simple, but it requires certain conditions."
Among the ranks of Jujutsu Sorcerer, Special Grade is an anomaly.
Since the establishment of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, only one young woman, Yuki Tsukumo, has reached this level.
In this context, the status of a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer becomes exceptionally important. Most of those holding key positions in the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association are currently Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers.
The concept propagated by the Jujutsu World higher-ups is that Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers are the ones who guide other Jujutsu Sorcerer, and even the entire Sorcerer community. Their danger level, secrecy, and salary far exceed those of quasi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers and below; they are the leaders of all Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Therefore, the qualifications for selecting a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer are very strict. Not only must strength and experience be met, but also a rigorous examination is required to determine if one has the level to serve as a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Isayama Naraku looked at his adopted daughter.
"Yomi, tomorrow, go with me to the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association headquarters."
For a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer to upgrade to a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, there is an intermediate rank of quasi-First Grade. However, for Kenmyo, who possesses the strength to exorcise a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, this quasi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer rank can be skipped.
It requires the recommendation of two or more Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers to apply to the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
Isayama Naraku and Isayama Yomi, this adopted father and daughter pair, are both Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers, and can serve as Kenmyo's recommenders to become a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
The prerequisites are met.
The second condition is the assessment.
The assessed person, Kenmyo, needs to complete a task suitable for a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, such as annihilating a group of curse users, exorcising high-level Cursed Spirits, or exorcising Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, together with a currently active Sorcerer or someone of equivalent strength.
In fact, the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association is quite considerate, arranging for an active Sorcerer to go on missions with the person undergoing the assessment. This person serves as both examiner and collaborator and can also share some of the pressure.
For those undergoing the Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer assessment but who don't yet have the strength of a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, this rule is quite friendly. After all, every active Sorcerer is the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's most valuable asset.
Also, to avoid suspicion and ensure fairness in the Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer exam, the recommender and the collaborator for the assessment task cannot be the same person.
This means that Kenmyo's partner cannot be Isayama Yomi!
It's likely that the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association will randomly assign an active Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer to be Kenmyo's partner.
Who will this person be?
Kenmyo didn't know; he would only find out when he actually met them.
The next morning, Monday, 8 AM.
"Ha…"
Wearing his Aoyama Academy uniform, Kenmyo yawned lazily. Last night, because he was very willing to be a Sorcerer, Isayama Naraku was so happy that he drank with his nephew Kenmyo until very late.
But this didn't change the fact that yesterday was the weekend and today was Monday. Luckily, Kenmyo always kept a school uniform in his system backpack, otherwise, how would he go to school without one?
Kenmyo was now on the train. The Isayama ancestral home was conveniently on the way to Kenmyo's school.
However, Kenmyo was quite looking forward to going to school this time, because he was going to ask for leave.
The Jujutsu Sorcerer Association had considerable power. Last night, Kenmyo passed the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's certification and officially became a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Once the application for the Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer assessment is approved, it will be immediately issued to the applicant, without considering whether it's a workday or a weekend.
This means that once the mission is issued, Kenmyo must depart.
Kenmyo had set a record of not attending school for over a month, and the school administration was very displeased with him, making it hellishly difficult to ask for leave.
So why was Kenmyo so looking forward to it? It was because the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association had obtained approval from the Ministry of Education for him, giving him a legitimate reason to take leave.
He was truly eager to see the exasperated faces of those school administrators. Kenmyo loved how they wanted to expel him but couldn't.
Kenmyo was quite looking forward to throwing the Ministry of Education's approval at the principal's face.
"Ugh, daytime is such a hassle."
Kenmyo couldn't even ride the dragon, as Ryu was too conspicuous.
Now, Ryu was shrunken into the blue tattoo on his arm, integrated with Kenmyo. This state also had another benefit: he could use the authority of Rin winter.
Yes, the power of ice.