"Curse tools for us?"
On the training grounds, hearing Amber bring this up suddenly, Nobara felt curiosity rise in her heart: "What kind of curse tools? Swords? Or hammers?"
The others also turned expressions of eager listening towards Amber.
After the recent exchange event, everyone had finally gained some understanding of Amber's strength—a monstrous genius completely on par with, if not surpassing, Yuta Okkotsu.
Though there were still some shortcomings in hand-to-hand combat, her elusive technique made it hardly a weakness.
"To be precise, they're a type of totem."
Amber pulled out the pre-prepared curse tools that looked rather like marker pens.
"By drawing specific patterns on your body with these, you can activate a special technique. My 'other self' helped prepare them."
"Thanks, then! Seele-chan, and the other Seele-chan."
Itadori accepted the goodwill on the spot, grinning as he rubbed the back of his head.
"How do we use these? Do we need to take our clothes off?"
"Just bare your back," Amber said.
"A special technique and curse tool activated just by drawing patterns… I've never heard of anything like that," remarked Maki.
Though she wasn't well-regarded in the Zen'in family, her knowledge was still considerable. She'd seen plenty of the Zen'in clan's curse tools and frequently kept an eye on those on the black market.
After all, as a Heavenly Restricted who sacrificed cursed energy, it was only natural for her to pay close attention to useful curse tools since she couldn't use cursed energy herself.
"It's… my other self's unique skill!" Amber felt a bit guilty but managed to maintain her composure.
"Well, thanks, Seele." Maki had no intention of refusing her junior's kindness.
When someone quietly prepared such a big surprise for you, refusing would just be ungrateful.
Since they needed to draw the technique patterns on their bodies, doing it out in the open wasn't appropriate—never mind the boys, there were still two girls, Maki and Nobara, present.
So, everyone headed to the cafeteria, entering one by one.
Maki went in first. As their senior and an individual with Heavenly Restriction and thus less affected by techniques, she felt it was fine for her to take the lead.
It wasn't that she doubted her junior had ulterior motives, but she was wary of the curse residing within her junior possibly doing something unexpected.
No matter how much you trusted her, that thing was still a curse.
"Sorry for the trouble, Seele." Maki wasn't particularly shy; she straightforwardly took off her jacket and shirt, then hitched her sports bra up a bit. "Is this okay? If not, I can take this off too."
"That's enough." Amber nodded, then pressed the marker against Maki's back.
Although this was a smokescreen, the 'Dark Amber' had put real effort into it.
Not only had she quickly studied curse tool creation, but she'd also designed this marker within a single day.
It didn't actually release ink. While it was indeed a curse tool, its only function was to ensure that whoever held it, no matter what they intended to draw, would only produce the shape of the Phoenix's Stigmata.
After all, for perceptive jujutsu sorcerers, if the pattern drawn on their body differed from the actual one, it would surely raise suspicions.
"Now that I think of it, I haven't asked what this totem does," Maki said curiously during this idle moment.
"Well… simply put, it enhances the body's defense and continuously repairs physical injuries."
"Oh… Huh? What!?" Maki turned her head in disbelief. "The technique activated by this totem… it couldn't be Reverse Cursed Technique, could it!?"
"Ah… no, not that. It just continuously repairs physical damage. It's similar to my Creation ability, but not as efficient." Amber's hand didn't waver in the slightest with the other's movement, steadily carrying out its task.
"That's still unbelievable…! By the way, how long does the totem's effect last?"
"Probably as long as both you and I are alive, Senior Maki." Since Amber planned to live in this world for a very long time—certainly longer than any of her peers—she answered accordingly.
"The whole time… Can I use it even without cursed energy?" If it periodically disappeared, that would mean the pattern was just a medium, and the real key was the pen.
But based on what her junior said, the key seemed to be the pattern drawn by the pen.
Maki knew curse tools well and was aware that most could be used without cursed energy, though some did require it to activate.
"For you, Senior Maki, periodic cursed energy replenishment will be needed." Although the Stigmata was quite effective, it still required energy.
Something that needed no energy and worked indefinitely didn't exist.
"I see… That's still really good…"
To think that even a Heavenly Restricted like her could wield this.
As Maki pondered the extent of this enhancement, she waited impatiently.
Fortunately, the pen was quite efficient. Once it had completed a full cycle, Amber willed it, directly equipping Maki with the Stigmata.
Maki, with her extremely sharp bodily awareness, instantly sensed the change. A powerful life energy coursed through her body, and the accumulated fatigue and injuries from training were being repaired at a perceptible rate.
It wasn't as fast as the Reverse Cursed Technique or Creation, but the effect was still noticeable.
Moreover… her body's sturdiness had clearly increased significantly.
"To be this effective…" Maki almost couldn't resist pulling out the dagger at her waist to test it on herself, but thinking of her junior beside her, she suppressed the impulse.
Seele hadn't given this to her so she could get hurt, but hoping she'd remain safe and sound.
Though she desperately wanted to test this recovery and defense immediately, she'd wait until she was away from her junior's watchful eyes.
"Thanks a lot, Seele!" Maki's smile was sincere and earnest. She had already placed this junior in the position of an important kouhai, but now she valued her even more.
This debt of gratitude wouldn't be forgotten, no matter what.
"It's fine. If it helps everyone, Seele is happy too." Amber returned a sweet smile, which actually made Maki feel a little embarrassed.
Using her Heavenly Restricted body control to its fullest, Maki forcibly suppressed the urge to let out an 'Eep!', finally understanding the behavior of that 'other' junior.
"Alright, I'll call the others in." Finally unable to resist, after putting her clothes back on, Maki gave her adorable junior's fluffy head a firm ruffle before smiling and walking out of the room.
No wonder that Nobara was so keen on sticking close to Seele. Was the food usually this good around her?
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.