Mai tilted her head slightly and closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle pat on her head from her cousin — a kind of warmth she could never feel from her father.
Just then, a middle-aged man walked boldly into the courtyard without so much as an announcement.
He glanced briefly at Maki and Mai, a flicker of mockery passing through his eyes. So the trash attract each other… how pathetic, he thought.
"What are you doing here?" Jinsuke looked at the man with a blank expression, his voice cold.
"Is that how you talk to your elders?" Jinichi glared at him, trying to use the weight of seniority to suppress him morally.
"Elder? You think you're worthy of that title?" Jinsuke sneered. Though the two were half-brothers, they had never once acted like family.The only interaction they'd ever had was Jinichi joining others in mocking him and Toji when they were children.
Not only had he refused to help his own blood, he'd even stepped on them for social approval. That kind of 'brother' wasn't worth the dirt under his shoes.
"Hmph. I didn't come here to argue. I came to inform you — starting today, you'll be part of the Kukuru Unit. If you perform well, I might even recommend you for a vice-captain position."
Jinichi spoke as though issuing an order, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
"Even though you have no cursed energy, your physical skills are acceptable. I personally petitioned the clan head to give you this opportunity—so be grateful to the Zenin Clan."
To him, being assigned to the Kukuru Unit was an honor beyond question.
"The Kukuryu Unit, huh? Not even the Hei unit... Still the same arrogant fools as ever."
The Kukuru Unit was a group of non-sorcerers trained as bodyguards. The Hei unit, on the other hand, consisted of sorcerers of semi-grade 1 and above
If they had offered him a position in Hei, Jinsuke might've thought the clan regretted its past actions. But offering him a vice-captaincy among non-sorcerers? He couldn't help but laugh.
"Get lost. You're annoying to look at."
"You—! Don't forget, the house you're living in is still Zenin property!"
Jinichi was furious. He'd already lowered himself to make peace, yet this bastard still wouldn't show gratitude. For the Zenin Clan to make concessions to a man without cursed energy—it was probably the first time in history.
"So what? Take it back if you can." Jinsuke smirked. He'd earned this place by his own power. Why should he return it?
He hadn't flattened the entire Zenin estate yet—that was him being merciful.
"Unbelievable!" Jinichi stormed off, sleeves flaring in anger.He had come with what he thought was sincerity, but Jinsuke's attitude had humiliated him. Just a powerless freak… clearly his brain's broken too.
"Is he okay?" Mai scratched her head as she watched the red-faced man leave.
"Why did his face get so red all of a sudden? Was he embarrassed?"
"He's got brain problems. Don't worry about him. Just remember—when you meet people like that, stay far away. Stupidity's contagious."
"Got it! I don't want to turn into an idiot!"
Satisfied, Jinsuke nodded.
Just for being this obedient and innocent, he'd always make sure to protect her.
Then, glancing over at Maki — who hadn't paid them any attention and was still training hard under the tree — Jinsuke suddenly remembered something.
"Maki. Come here."
"Huff…" Wiping the sweat from her brow, Maki jogged over, standing straight. "Master, what is it?"
"There you go again — calling 'Master'." Mai puffed her cheeks, teasing. "Did you forget you're not officially his disciple yet?"
"Doesn't matter. Sooner or later I'll be," Maki replied without hesitation.
"Alright, enough with the pointless chatter," Jinsuke interrupted.
"Maki, after observing you for a while, I've decided—you have potential. From today on, you'll start learning how to handle weapons under me."
He couldn't teach her to cultivate yet, but until her body was ready, mastering weapon skills was crucial.
"Really?!" Maki's eyes widened in disbelief. Finally, something real!
"Of course. If you want to become my disciple, mastering various weapons is the first step."
"Awesome! So can I skip school tomorrow and start right away?"
Maki's excitement overflowed—she'd even forgotten about school.
"No. You still have to go. You want to be an illiterate fighter?"
"At least learn to read first."
"...Fine," Maki muttered, crossing her arms in annoyance. School was full of noisy kids—training was way more fun.
Mai, on the other hand, secretly sighed in relief. If Maki skipped school, she'd have to as well.
...
Meanwhile, within the Zenin Clan's main estate…
The humiliated Jinichi stormed back and immediately reported Jinsuke's behavior to the others.
"How dare that cursedless freak act so arrogant!"
"Heh, probably killed a few cursed spirits with some borrowed tools and thinks he's a real sorcerer," Ogi sneered.
So what if he was strong physically? A true sorcerer could crush him easily. He despised the useless—especially his own daughters, whom he considered the worst of the worst. If not for those two failures, the clan head position would've been his instead of Naobito's.
He knew his worthless daughters were close to Jinsuke, but he couldn't care less. In fact, he hoped Jinsuke would take them away — out of sight, out of mind.
At least that would rid him of two stains on his record.
"Calling Jinsukea freak… You two have some nerve." From the corner, Naoya's cold voice cut in.
"What did you say?" Jinichi and Ogi both turned to glare at him.
"I said—if you've got the guts, say that to his face. Do you dare?"
Naoya sneered. You couldn't even last a second against him, yet you call him trash? He couldn't understand their shamelessness.
Sure, Maki and Mai were weak — that was fine, everyone agreed on that. But Jinsuke? The clan had paid a heavy price because of him. And they still hadn't learned their lesson.
Maybe they were the real trash.
"You—!"
"Enough." Naobito took a sip of sake, cutting through the tension.
"Save your barking. If you have that much energy, use it to improve yourselves."
"Hmph." Though Jinichi and Ogi looked dissatisfied, they didn't dare argue.
At least they were loyal dogs—Naobito had to give them that much.