Knowing that Kenzo possessed some ability that Boosted his strength, Kiba Yuto didn't hesitate. He launched the first strike.
The sharp whistle of his wooden sword cut through the air, a black blur descending with calculated speed. But in perfect synchronicity, Kenzo raised his own weapon, meeting the strike head-on.
The room echoed with the loud clash of wood against wood.
"You blocked it?"
Kiba's brows lifted slightly.
This wasn't what Koneko had described.
Kenzo hadn't even activated his doubling ability, and yet his speed and strength were nearly equal to his own.
No. Not nearly.
As the clash continued, the pressure in Kiba's arms mounted. Kenzo was overpowering him. Without needing a boost.
Kiba shifted his weight and disengaged, sliding back to gain distance. His expression hardened.
"You're better than I expected."
Kenzo grinned. "Don't hold back. Show me what a knight's swordsmanship really looks like."
"As you wish."
Kiba vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind Kenzo. Then again to his left. Then to his right. His full-speed flurry began, blade coming from every angle.
But every swing was blocked.
Kenzo's wooden sword moved with surgical precision, neutralizing every strike before it could land.
"He's too strong."
Koneko, watching from the side, couldn't hide her surprise. Her voice slipped out in a soft whisper. "He's gotten way stronger than he was last night."
"He's already fully digested the power from the evil pieces," Rias said, her eyes narrowing with focus.
The evil pieces were meant to transform individuals into devils and grant them power. Normally, newly reincarnated devils needed time to adjust to the surge of power in their bodies.
But Kenzo was different.
It had barely been minutes since he merged with the pieces.
And yet, not only had he adapted, he was already applying that power in real combat.
"His swordsmanship is evolving too," Akeno observed. "At the start, he was relying on a bit more on brute strength. Now, his form is cleaner. Sharper."
What had begun as an even fight was now clearly one-sided.
Kenzo's technique grew faster with each exchange. His form adapted to Kiba's style mid-battle. Within minutes, Kiba was on the defensive, forced to retreat step after step, parrying desperately.
"It's time to end this."
Kenzo surged forward. With a sharp twist, he knocked the wooden sword from Kiba's hand.
Before the knight could react, Kenzo's sword was already at his throat.
"…I lost."
Kiba's face was tight with frustration.
In just ten minutes, he had watched Kenzo's swordplay evolve in real time. All his years of experience shattered by one fight.
No wonder Koneko had looked so broken after their match.
"I accept the result."
Kenzo lowered the blade and took a step back, visibly pleased.
A familiar chime sounded in his mind.
[New Entry Acquired: Magic Sword Creation – Rare Tier]
[Magic Sword Creation (Rare): Consume stamina or magic to summon elemental or enchanted swords.]
A weapon skill. Solid utility. Until his physique caught up with his ambitions, a conjured blade could give him an edge.
But since his entry slots were full. He sent it to the system's inventory... For now.
"That was an impressive match."
Rias walked over, arms crossed, eyes thoughtful. "Kenzo, you're stronger than I anticipated."
"How strong are we talking?"
"Upper-tier among mid-class devils."
Kenzo frowned.
That wasn't enough.
In this chaotic world, mid-class strength was barely scratching the surface. There were beings out there who could destroy mid-class devils with a glance.
He needed more.
"You've only trained for a little over a week. Your growth is already faster than anyone I've seen," Rias added, trying to ease the tension in his expression.
"By the way," Akeno said with curiosity, "what's that artifact you use?"
Kenzo lifted his wrist, showing the simple bracelet.
"This is it. It accelerates healing when activated."
Akeno blinked. "Wait, so the boosting ability… isn't part of the artifact?"
"Nope. That's my innate ability."
He lied without hesitation. But with eight evil pieces used to reincarnate him, it wasn't a stretch.
Some people were just born different.
Rias nodded. "That makes sense. Talents vary wildly in this world."
"For example, the Jujutsu sorcerers—many of them are born with innate techniques," Akeno added. "Gojo Satoru, the strongest living sorcerer, inherited Six Eyes. His power rivals even high-class devils."
"President," Kiba said, standing upright again, "I almost forgot. We received a message from Tokyo Jujutsu High. They're sending someone next week to reinforce the seal on one of Sukuna's fingers."
Kenzo paused.
"Sukuna's finger?"
Kiba nodded. "Sukuna was a cursed king a thousand years ago. Obsessed with battle, he ended up provoking someone he shouldn't have."
"Let me guess. Got obliterated?"
"Worse," Kiba said. "He was cursed. Permanently. After his death, his soul was shattered into twenty fragments, sealed into his fingers. Each finger became a cursed object. His spirit is tormented endlessly."
"That's brutal."
Rias stepped in. "You should be cautious. I understand your drive for power, but the world is dangerous."
"If you challenge the wrong person, you'll end up like Sukuna."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Kenzo folded his arms, thoughtful.
Something was different. That didn't match the Sukuna he knew from the original story. This world's fusion of realities had altered events.
He couldn't rely on prior knowledge.
"By the way, who was it that defeated Sukuna?" he asked.
Rias hesitated for a beat.
"The son of the original Lucifer. Rizevim Livan Lucifer."
Kenzo blinked.
"…What?"
...
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