JJK: Wheel of Time

"Black Flash," an attack unleashed by a sorcerer in a special state. It is well-known that a sorcerer's curse energy flows from the area around the abdomen to various parts of the body such as the chest, arms, and fists. This process can lead to a delay.

Under normal circumstances, one might not notice this delay; in fact, some might not even realize it exists. However, top-tier sorcerers operate differently. Their flow of curse energy is difficult to predict, and the physical impact and curse energy strike occur simultaneously, representing a further application of curse energy.

Yet, if we magnify this "synchronization," it becomes clear that it is not absolute. The Black Flash is a special phenomenon that occurs when a sorcerer's curse energy and physical strike are in extremely close proximity to this "synchronization." The error margin for this synchronization is... 0.000001 seconds.

Regardless of skill or happenstance, after executing a Black Flash, a sorcerer enters a state akin to a zone, a state of no self. During this time, the curse energy, which they usually manipulate, flows as naturally and smoothly as breathing, as if everything around them revolves around their own self.

In this state, sorcerers who have successfully unleashed a Black Flash and gained a deeper understanding of curse energy will find it easier to execute consecutive Black Flashes. Of course, saying it is simple is only relative.

The external manifestation of the Black Flash is the spatial distortion caused in this state, with the curse energy glowing black. Most importantly... the power of this strike will be 2.5 times greater than usual!

Theoretically, no sorcerer can actively trigger a Black Flash; it's more like a state that one encounters by chance. However, those who have experienced the Black Flash have a vastly different understanding of their core curse energy compared to those who have not.

But... Shin is an exception because the triggering conditions are much easier for him. When the technique named "Wheel of Time" is applied to him and his curse energy, that 0.000001-second error margin seems much more accessible.

What he needs to control is merely the moment before he strikes the curse spirit, observing the nearly stagnant surroundings with his mind, accelerating the curse energy to that critical point, and then triggering the Black Flash!

It sounds quite simple, but it requires extremely precise manipulation, thanks to Shin's unique technique and perhaps his acute sensitivity to time. For instance, he can elevate his sense of "time" to levels far beyond ordinary people.

However, the fact that he could unleash a Black Flash with his first punch pleased Shin greatly. He had once unconsciously unleashed it and had since practiced it upon understanding it.

While achieving a 100% success rate is still impossible, he is confident that a Black Flash will surely occur within ten punches! This probability will continue to rise with Shin's mastery of the technique and his efforts.

---

After extinguishing the curse spirit with two punches, Shin felt a powerful surge of energy yet was unable to unleash it. He felt fantastic, and intuitively sensed that he could unleash a Black Flash with his next punch! But the curse spirit could not hold on any longer! He regretted not holding back earlier...

Standing beside him, Maki couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Shin, who seemed unsatisfied. So this is what they call a "Black Flash," huh?

This curse spirit had a high tolerance for regular attacks but was quite fragile against this kind of high-intensity strike that could impact its entire body, resulting in its demise from Shin's two punches.

Yet even if it was a Grade 1 curse spirit, it must have suffered from those two punches. If Shin could unleash a Black Flash with his third punch, he might even be able to exorcise a Grade 1 curse spirit...

Maki picked up her naginata and glanced around the corridor, which had almost "expanded" a circle. "Let's go clean up the remaining low-level curse spirits."

The two then split up to exorcise the wandering low-level curse spirits, mainly because they were skilled at hiding, and since they were too weak, they were hard to detect. As a result, clearing these low-level curse spirits took longer than defeating the second-grade curse spirit...

Finally, after finishing, Shin and Maki exited the hospital, where a car was parked by the roadside, alongside which stood a middle-aged office worker in a suit.

Upon closer inspection, he didn't actually look middle-aged; it was his work attire, along with an outdated middle-part hairstyle and a pair of unoriginal black-framed glasses, that made him appear older than he was.

"Mr. Ijichi!"

Shin greeted from a distance. Ijichi Kiyotaka, a junior to Satoru Gojo, didn't possess enough talent and will, thus becoming an auxiliary supervisor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical School. A simple evaluation of him would be "reliable!"

Shin wasn't too familiar with him, but they knew each other. Seeing the two exit the tent, Ijichi knew that the curse spirits had been exorcised. He bowed slightly, saying, "You two worked hard."

Shin scratched his head with a cheerful smile, "No need to be so polite, Uncle Ijichi. Are we heading back now? Is there anything else?"

Ijichi adjusted his black-framed glasses, "No, this was the only curse mission. Mr. Gojo has no further arrangements."

Shin stroked his chin and smiled, "In that case, let's eat before we head back! I want sukiyaki!"

Maki had no objections; after all, it was this guy who insisted on treating them. They placed their weapons in the car, and Ijichi led them to a well-reviewed nearby restaurant.

After a hearty meal, they returned to find Panda and Inumaki Toge already at the school. Upon seeing the two return, Panda flexed his arms, trying to show off his muscles. "Shin! You're so slow, so slow~ Panda and Toge have already exorcised the curse spirits!"

"Salmon."

Maki replied coolly from the side, "That's not true; this guy took them down in two blows. We just went to eat sukiyaki..."

Panda's mouth dropped wide open. "Shin is that strong?" Then he realized what Maki had said at the end.

"What? Shin, you went to eat sukiyaki without inviting Panda? Or Toge?" Panda nearly lunged at Shin, who begged for mercy, "I just didn't know if you guys were finished! Besides, Panda, how could you go out to eat with us? It would attract attention!"

However, under Panda's strong insistence, Shin quickly changed his tone, "Next time! Next time, I'll definitely treat you all!"

Seeing the lively scene, Maki adjusted her glasses and smiled as she left.

---

The following days were very calm: practicing physical techniques, studying curse knowledge, and occasionally going out on missions.

By the way, the ratings of the group were preliminarily confirmed: currently, Shin and Inumaki Toge were Grade 2, Panda was a provisional Grade 2, but Maki was only Grade 4.

Upon learning this, everyone was understandably displeased, while Maki herself seemed to have little reaction, as if she had expected it? Nonetheless, the discontent was there.

Later, they learned from Satoru Gojo that it was the Zenin family who had interfered, causing everyone's impression of the family that Maki had always been reluctant to mention to plummet.

After collectively cursing those despicable people, it was Maki who ended up feeling a bit embarrassed. She stopped the somewhat passionate Panda and the sarcastic Shin, and simply said, "It's okay; what I've lost, I will take back with my own hands in the future."

"Maki, the best!"

"Mayonnaise with tuna!"

Panda had a serious expression, giving thumbs up beside Shin, who echoed in agreement.

"These guys..."

Maki almost covered her face in exasperation. Then she seemed to think of something and revealed a "kind" smile. "This afternoon, we'll focus on practicing cursed tools and physical training."

The three froze in place. Since it was these two practices, they naturally couldn't use techniques or curse energy. This meant that in those two aspects, Maki would mercilessly dominate them, especially with the cursed tools, turning it into a one-sided "slaughter."

"Big Turnip!"

Inumaki patted Panda for comfort, indicating that he wouldn't be the only one facing the onslaught. Panda embraced him, touched, "Toge is so nice~" Seeing this, Shin mischievously splashed cold water on the situation, "Panda, what are you thinking? Maki usually takes it easy on Toge; in the end, it's still us two who get hit."

Inumaki's "Onigiri language" always had simple meanings. Although he would join Shin and Panda in their antics, he was usually not the initiator. So, during training, he received "special treatment" from Maki less frequently, meaning... in the end, it would be him and Panda who bore the brunt.

"What are you laughing at? Shin, aren't you the same?"

The four then pushed and shoved each other, laughing as they headed to the training ground.

"The path to becoming stronger starts now, step by step, let's go!"

Just after Panda made his bold declaration, a wooden staff suddenly struck him in the face, knocking him flat on the ground. Shin silently cursed in his heart, thinking, 'This woman is so sneaky.'

He tightened his grip on the wooden sword in his hand, fixing his gaze on Maki across from him. The battle was on the verge of erupting. Maki fully utilized the advantage of her long weapon, effortlessly blocking and countering Shin's attacks, making it easy to neutralize his offense. On the other hand, Shin struggled to defend against her relentless assaults.

"Weapons are extensions of your arms and legs!" Maki said as she twirled her staff, forcing Shin into a defensive position. She continued instructing him while fighting, 'This kid... His cursed energy and technique are strong, but his martial skills are sloppy. If he faces an evenly matched opponent, he's going to be in trouble.'

"Whether it's a spear, sword, or any other weapon, their use is just another form of fists, palms, and footwork. The weapon in your hand isn't just a tool; it's a manifestation of your fighting spirit!"

As Shin was listening, Maki seized an opening in his defense, knocking his wooden sword high into the air. The tip of her staff jabbed into his shoulder, sending a sharp pain through half of his body.

Maki spun her staff gracefully and planted it firmly on the ground, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You're dead. A little to the side, and that strike would've hit your heart."

"Can't you go a bit easier on me, Maki?" Shin said as he moved his shoulder, reflecting on the insights he gained from their fight.

"I refuse! Losing with consequences will speed up your progress." Maki's rejection was as blunt as ever. Still, she admitted to herself that Shin was picking things up quickly. It wouldn't be long before he completed his basic training; the rest would come from the real-life battles of life and death.

"Keep improving! You can't afford to fall behind."

Watching as Shin braced himself and charged forward again, Maki twirled her staff, creating afterimages as she prepared for the next round of combat.

°°°

A/N: I'll post another chap later