Togawa Sakiko’s cursed technique was not designed for direct combat.
Its essence was to construct an imaginary piano and perform melodies through notes formed from cursed energy.
Within the range of the music, different songs produced different effects.
In that sense, it somewhat resembled the technique of Utahime from Jujutsu High.
However, Konoe Mayoru was more interested in the delicate nature of Sakiko’s cursed energy than the technique itself.
Everyone knew that cursed energy originated from negative emotions, but no two people’s cursed energy were completely identical.
Hakari Kinji’s cursed energy was naturally rough, making his blows unusually painful, while Kashimo Hajime’s possessed an innate electrical property.
Sakiko’s cursed energy was especially compatible with music.
Only such delicate cursed energy could continuously alter a technique’s effects through different notes.
Her performance could inspire passion, intoxicate the mind, inflict suffering, or inspire terror.
Mayoru could also sense that Sakiko-sensei had initially felt shy about holding his hand.
Once she entered the proper state, however, Sakiko lost herself in the performance and focused every bit of attention on her technique.
That was even better.
Mayoru immediately began deciphering the core of Sakiko’s cursed energy while attempting to simulate it with his own.
He constructed imaginary vector axes within his mind, relying on his processing power to disassemble every part of the phenomenon.
Mayoru could almost never perform this kind of analysis in battle.
No enemy would allow him to remain in physical contact long enough to examine their cursed energy.
Perhaps only someone close to him would let him shamelessly copy everything without resistance.
Therefore, Mayoru treated this opportunity with exceptional seriousness.
With Sakiko actively cooperating, he discovered that deciphering her cursed-energy operation was far more efficient.
The final note disappeared into empty space, bringing Sakiko’s performance to an end.
Complicated emotions filled her bright golden eyes.
Her talent for cursed energy had never been poor.
She had simply lacked the motivation to study it deeply.
Even after neglecting her training for so long, activating her technique remained effortless.
“The song I perform is essentially a reflection of my emotions, which directly connects it to my cursed energy.” “But…
it’s still rather complicated.” The operating principles of cursed energy often could not be explained through words.
Most sorcerers could only explore them gradually through instinct and experience.
After learning the nature of Mayoru’s technique, Sakiko understood why they needed to hold hands.
He was probably using close contact to perceive her cursed-energy flow and improve his own control.
Even so, she doubted he could fully understand her cursed energy in such a short time.
Mayoru finally opened his eyes and released her hand, his expression unusually grave.
Sakiko’s heart skipped a beat.
‘Did he fail?’ “That was incredible.” Contrary to her expectations, Mayoru raised his head as tears streamed down his face.
“Togawa, we’re best friends!” Sakiko froze.
‘You were calling me your teacher a moment ago, and now I’ve become your best friend?!’ ‘Why does that somehow feel like a demotion?’ Before Sakiko could complain, she noticed the change in Mayoru.
After leaving the Domain, his cursed-energy control had improved from a toddler stumbling through its first steps to a child capable of running without falling.
This time, however, his control had reached the level of a talented middle-school student who had just joined an athletic club.
The changes in his activation, circulation, and efficiency were visible to the naked eye.
More importantly…
‘Why does his method of summoning cursed energy resemble mine so closely?’ There were minor differences, likely adjustments made to suit their different bodies.
However, the basic template of his cursed-energy circulation was an exact copy of Sakiko’s.
‘He copied me?!’ Another thought suddenly entered Sakiko’s mind.
‘Is he going to pay me royalties?’ Even after society collapsed, Customer-Service Sakiko, who worked countless jobs to repay her father’s 16.8-billion-yen debt, could not immediately abandon her usual thought process.
Mayoru knew nothing of what she was thinking.
He remained immersed in his newly acquired method of circulating cursed energy, deeply moved by the discovery.
He was not merely impressed by Great Sakiko-sensei’s refined control.
He had finally discovered how to turn Vector Manipulation into a shortcut for rapidly acquiring overpowered abilities.
As everyone knew, Vector Manipulation required a medium.
For Mayoru, the best possible medium was naturally cursed energy.
Accelerator could theoretically reproduce any form of supernatural ability, but he required the proper medium.
For Mayoru, cursed energy was the perfect medium.
By understanding a technique’s operation and the nature of its cursed energy, he could manipulate his own cursed energy through Vector Manipulation and reproduce similar principles.
Mayoru gently circulated his cursed energy.
He made it vibrate, simulating different tones that stimulated the brain.
This improved cursed-energy activation, accelerated its recovery, and increased excitement.
That was the principle behind the piece Sakiko had just performed.
As for constructing an imaginary piano keyboard inside her mind, that was merely Sakiko’s personal form of self-suggestion.
Mayoru did not require it.
He only needed to circulate cursed energy according to Sakiko’s method.
Then— “The music…
The piece I just performed…” Sakiko’s mind went blank.
‘How did he play it?’ ‘He didn’t merely reproduce the song.
It even carries the same effect as my technique!’ It was not truly identical.
Since this was Mayoru’s first attempt at imitation, the effect naturally could not compare to Sakiko’s original technique.
Regardless, he had successfully copied it.
That was precisely why Mayoru was so moved.
He faced Sakiko, who stared at him in disbelief with an expression demanding immediate royalty payments.
Ignoring her silent protest, Mayoru spoke with complete seriousness.
“Form a band with me for life.” Sakiko fell silent.
‘You don’t understand music at all!
What kind of band would we even form?!’ No.
This bastard wanted to freeload!
He planned to join her band, gain access to its sheet music, and copy even more song-based techniques!
As someone who sincerely pursued music, Sakiko immediately rejected him with righteous conviction.
“I refuse!” After being rejected, Mayoru’s expression suddenly became desolate.
His eyes even began to glisten with tears.
‘He can fake tears just to make me feel guilty?’ Sakiko covered her face with one hand.
“Forming a band is out of the question.” “But if you want to do what we just did again…
I suppose I could allow it.” The instant he received permission, Mayoru’s sorrow vanished and his face brightened.
“As expected, Great Sakiko-sensei is my best friend for life!” Proving his theory so quickly was an unexpected delight.
However, that was not the only experiment Mayoru wanted to conduct.
He turned his gaze toward Kei and began considering another possibility.