Chapter 174: The Exchange Event
"That's true. After what happened, I've realized how lacking my strength still is as well."
Kaguya spoke with a hint of reflection in his voice.
"Me too! Me too! I want to work hard together with you all!"
Ria, still lying on the hospital bed, quickly raised her hand.
"I want to get stronger too! I don't want to be just an observer anymore—I want to be your partner!"
She clenched her fists, her voice filled with resolve.
"As a teammate, I want to be able to help during missions next time!"
If they were going to carry out missions together, she didn't want to stand by and do nothing—unable to help, or worse, becoming a burden.
That was never why she came here.
She had made up her mind.
If she truly wanted to become friends with humans, then from now on, she would treat herself as one of them—as a sorcerer of Earth.
She wanted to truly integrate into this world.
"Are you sure about this, Ria?" Kaon asked gently.
"You don't have to force yourself."
Ria shook her head, her gaze firm.
"I've already decided. I'll talk to my sister properly about it."
The three of them looked at one another, smiles slowly forming.
"In that case—let's work hard together."
---
Three days later.
"I already understand what happened during the last mission. It's not your fault."
Inside the classroom, Yuji Itadori looked at the four first-year students.
"Don't dwell on that failure. What comes next is far more important."
"Something important?"
The group looked puzzled.
Yuji didn't bother keeping them in suspense.
"After discussions between the higher-ups of the jujutsu world and the Simurian Star people, it's been decided that a friendly exchange event will be held in one month."
"You can think of it like the Kyoto Sister School Goodwill Event."
"But this time, it's an exchange between the entire jujutsu world… and the Simurian Star people."
Hearing this, Kaguya and Gojo Kamui both looked surprised.
"So soon? We're already going to be interacting with more aliens?"
"What exactly is this event?" Kaon asked, confused.
"Is it some kind of banquet where everyone just gathers together?"
Ria, standing beside her, looked just as curious.
"It's called an exchange event," Kaguya explained,
"but it's really about comparing strength—things like team battles or one-on-one matches. Basically, friendly sparring."
They had all seen similar events before, like the exchange between Tokyo Jujutsu High and Kyoto Jujutsu High.
But this time—
The stage was far larger.
And the opponents… were no longer human.
Even though every exchange always ended up being fiercely fought—hardly what you'd call "friendly."
"This exchange with the Simurian Star people is a bit different from the usual inter-school exchange events,"
Yuji Itadori explained.
"Besides the younger generation, teachers like us may also participate.
"It'll roughly be divided into two divisions: a youth division and an adult division.
"The youth division will be team-based battles—the exact format will be announced later.
"As for the adult division, it's simpler: one-on-one matches to decide the winner.
"In the end, the total score from both divisions will determine which side wins.
"But regardless of the outcome, this exchange is meant to bring humans and the Simurian Star people closer together, so don't feel pressured."
"Wait—did I hear that right?"
Kaon's eyes widened.
"Teacher Itadori, even you instructors will be participating? Does that mean we'll get to see battles between special-grade sorcerers?"
She could already imagine the scene.
Was she really about to witness something on the scale of the Shinjuku War from eighteen years ago?
She had barely entered the jujutsu world, yet she was already being swept into such a massive event.
Honestly… it was kind of exciting.
"Then what about me, Teacher Itadori?"
Ria asked eagerly.
"Can I take part in the exchange as well? And if so, which side would I be representing?"
The exchange sounded fascinating—if it helped Simurian Star people understand humans better, it might even reduce the chances of war.
"Of course you can participate," Yuji replied with a smile.
"As for which side you represent—that's entirely up to you."
After all, Ria was currently a first-year at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
There was nothing wrong with her competing as a sorcerer of Earth.
"I want to fight alongside the Earth sorcerers."
After a brief pause, Ria made her decision.
"Are you sure about that?" Kaon asked.
"Won't your people have objections?"
Ria waved her hand dismissively.
"I've said this before—I'm weak. Even if I went back to the Simurian Star side, they probably wouldn't let me compete anyway."
She understood her people well.
When it came to competitions like this, they would aim for absolute victory.
The Simurian Star people were fiercely competitive by nature.
With her current strength, there was no way she'd be chosen to represent their younger generation.
"But if I compete with you… won't I just hold you back?"
She really wanted to participate, but she was afraid her weakness might cause the Earth sorcerers to lose.
"Oh come on," Kaon said cheerfully, patting Ria on the shoulder.
"In a month, I'll definitely be way stronger than I am now. I'll protect you."
She then turned to Kamui and Kaguya.
"You two don't have any objections, right?"
Kamui replied coolly,
"Perfect. Adds a bit more difficulty. Winning too easily would be boring."
Kaguya laughed and waved his hand.
"No objections at all!"
"Alright then," Yuji said with a grin.
"Since it's settled, spend the next month getting stronger. I won't need to personally train you, right?"
As a special-grade sorcerer, Yuji wasn't nearly as free as people imagined—though he did enjoy taking missions, since they allowed him to help more people.
"Don't worry, Teacher Itadori," Kaguya replied with a smile.
"I'll just go home and train with my dad."
After all, being the child of a special-grade sorcerer had its perks.
A little private coaching, and his strength would skyrocket.
"I'll go find my cousin," Kaon added.
"He'll definitely know how I should get stronger."
She had already planned to seek his advice.
"What about you, Ria?" Kaon asked.
"Want to come with me? We can get stronger together."
Teaching one person or two—it made no difference.
For a special-grade sorcerer, even an alien sorcerer should be teachable, right?
Ria shook her head gently.
"I'm going to find my sister. She knows how I should grow stronger."
"Alright," Yuji concluded.
"Since you all have plans, I'll see you in a month. I'll send all the exchange-related updates to your phones."
With that, he dismissed the group.
Now, the jujutsu world wasn't just dealing with cursed spirits anymore.
They had to watch for curse users, stay alert for alien involvement, and maintain balance at all times.
Many sorcerers who had retired—or even left the jujutsu world entirely—were being called back.
Slowly but surely, the entire jujutsu world began to stir into motion once more.