April 2005, Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Early that morning, Yaga Masamichi stood at the entrance of the school.
Today was the day they welcomed new students.
"Five students, huh? That's quite a lot for a single class."
The Jujutsu world had long suffered from a manpower shortage, and each class at Tokyo Jujutsu High typically had a single-digit number of students.
There had even been years with only one student in an entire grade.
It was quite literally, "Without you, we can't even hold class."
"Only one non-sorcerer. Cursed Spirit Manipulation. A technique with considerable potential."
Eichi had submitted his application through the Zen'in Family, and they had subtly embellished the documents for both him and Artoria.
Yaga put the documents away and quietly waited for the new students to arrive.
Yaga Masamichi was a man of contrasts.
Despite his stern exterior, he had a meticulous and thoughtful heart.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have raised such an adorable panda.
Just as he was filled with anticipation, a white-haired young man appeared out of nowhere.
Yaga tried to maintain his dignity as a teacher, but inwardly, he was already grumbling that this kid had no respect for martial ethics. Scaring an old comrade like that first thing in the morning.
"You must be Gojo Satoru. I'm Yaga Masamichi, your first-year teacher."
Yaga introduced himself.
Satoru, who had been looking around casually, turned to face him.
"Hello, I'm Gojo Satoru, desu~."
With one hand in his pocket, Satoru raised the other to his forehead, fingers in a V-shape, waving playfully.
Just as the rumors said, Yaga thought. A very lively kid.
Then, two more students arrived.
A short-haired young man and a blonde-haired young woman.
Azuma Eichi, user of the Zen'in Family's Ten Shadows Technique, had already tamed Mahoraga.
Artoria, an imagined Heroic Spirit. The specifics were unclear, but it was confirmed she possessed the abilities of Artoria from the anime.
Initially, the Jujutsu Headquarters didn't recognize Eichi's new concept of an imagined Heroic Spirit.
They had instead insisted on classifying Artoria as a Special Grade imagined Cursed Spirit.
Unless Eichi agreed to publicly disclose the principles behind summoning imagined Heroic Spirits as shikigami, and what he referred to as his external technique.
Upon hearing that, Eichi immediately took Artoria to the base of the mountain where the higher-ups of the Kyoto Jujutsu Headquarters were gathered.
Right there, Artoria used Excalibur for the old geezers.
Seeing the brilliance that lit up the night sky, the elders had no choice but to accept that she was indeed a Heroic Spirit.
As for the missing mountain peak nearby?
Well, Japan has a lot of earthquakes. It's perfectly reasonable for a mountain peak to collapse, right?
"So slow, Eichi, Artoria."
Satoru turned around, spread his legs, and cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone.
"All right, all right, we know you were the first one here."
Eichi turned his gaze toward Yaga.
Hmm, kind of handsome.
The current Yaga was not yet the rugged version from more than ten years later.
His buzz cut was tidy, his beard well-trimmed, and his stern face naturally imposing.
A far cry from the spiky, cactus-like hairstyle he'd sport in the future. Right now, he looked much more refined and composed.
Although, at first glance, he still kind of resembled a big brother just released from prison.
"Hello, Yaga-sensei. I'm Azuma Eichi, and this is Artoria."
"Hello."
Artoria nodded silently at Yaga.
"Welcome to the school. I'm your teacher, Yaga Masamichi."
Yaga nodded. These two seemed relatively normal.
Flap, flap.
The sound of flapping wings caught their attention.
They all looked up.
A large, snow-white bird was slowly descending from the sky.
Its most distinctive feature was its oversized yellow beak.
So familiar.
"You're the slowest."
Satoru leaned in front of Suguru, smirking.
Suguru responded calmly, clearly used to this kind of thing.
"There's still ten minutes before the meeting time. I'm not late, Satoru."
"What is this, a new ride?"
"It's a Cursed Spirit. A pelican."
"Eh? But it's so pretty. Why would anyone have negative emotions toward this thing?"
"I don't know. Anyway, move aside. It's rude to leave Sensei waiting."
It's also rude to say that in front of the teacher, Yaga thought silently.
Hearing the word "pelican," Eichi finally remembered where he had seen this Cursed Spirit before.
Wasn't it that big bird that kept trying to eat capybaras?
In his past life, Eichi had really liked capybaras for a while.
He remembered this big white bird that always tried to eat them, even though it couldn't bite or swallow them.
After Suguru's brief self-introduction, the group began waiting for the last student.
Yaga glanced over at Satoru and Suguru, who were still chatting about the bird, then at the two quietly standing nearby.
He sighed, wishing all his students were as well-behaved.
Little did he know, Eichi was thinking about whether he should fly to school next time like Suguru.
How fast was Qiongqi again? Walking by himself was just too slow.
Speaking of which, Artoria had Riding Skill. She could expertly handle all sorts of mounts and vehicles.
Maybe he should get her a motorcycle?
Imagining Artoria in a black suit, riding a motorcycle into battle, looking gallant and heroic, Eichi decided it had to be arranged.
Soon, the last student arrived, right on time.
A black sedan stopped at the foot of the mountain.
Ieiri Shoko, with short brown hair and a tall figure, walked up with a suitcase in tow.
"By the way, you two didn't bring any luggage?"
They were required to wear school uniforms at Jujutsu High, but surely they needed at least some change of clothes and daily necessities.
"Ah, no need. If we need anything, we'll just buy it."
Satoru said his Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue allowed him to move at high speed, so shopping was no problem.
"Same here. Once I confirm the situation, I'll head to a nearby supermarket."
Riding a flying Cursed Spirit made getting around very convenient.
Hmm, transportation needed to be arranged. Damn, he still couldn't get a driver's license yet.
If he used Qiongqi, he'd have to avoid being seen by normal people and not cause a disturbance.
Wait. How did Suguru fly around without drawing attention? He'd have to ask him about that later.
"Hello, I'm Ieiri Shoko."
A good kid, Yaga nodded.
"My favorite thing is alcohol. I don't like things that are too sweet."
Her next sentence nearly made Yaga lose his composure.
Another problem student.
"I am your teacher, Yaga Masamichi. I'll now give you a tour of Tokyo Jujutsu High."
He led the group through the campus, showing them around and helping them choose their dorms.
"Hey, do you really not like sweets?"
Satoru suddenly appeared at Shoko's window.
"Anything too sweet is a no-go."
"How tasteless."
"I especially don't want to hear that from you. Also, this is the girls' dorm. Get out!"
Bang.
Shoko slammed the window shut.
(To be continued.)