4 Mentor

Reflections, space distorted and folded, a gap between something, a line walked that was not meant to be even crossed. A place in existence that folded upon itself. A figure, a vast figure moving in and out of sight. Shrinking to the size of a penny and expanding to a towering behemoth.

The folded space reflected everything, the shards that the air was made from reflecting not only light but sound, and emotion. Feelings. Everything bounced and rang like hundreds of chimes in a rising symphony that was drowned by his lack of perception, his mortal mind unable to truly understand the reality he was seeing.

Reaching the crescendo of the slow reflections, light moving at a perceptible pace. The slow build reached its peak a voice from the figure spoke out, sounding like wind and rain.

"I shall lay a path."

---

The rain hammered down hard, the water falling in sheets, waves from the sky. Trudging through the street Atlas felt the heavy weight of the coat pulling against his shoulders that slumped forward, hood pulled down as far as it would go to shield his face.

The dream he had the night before lingered on the edge of his mind, a persistent headache slamming into his mind every time he tried to recall even the smallest details. It was shocking. The pain that it brought to his mind every time he tried to think back to it.

Gritting his teeth he pulled himself into the doorway of a closed shop, huddling against the wall. His feet were drenched by the torrents of water that flowed over the footpath. The water that covered the dim street reflected the few lights that flickered between the cascading rain.

It was so cold, a chill that drove into his bones. The howling winds only made it worse. It was… unpleasant to say the least.

Leaning back against the wall, he let out a sigh, his body shivering in response. Each gust pushed rain into the small cover that he had found shelter in. Making him flinch and draw back further.

The sewers hadn't had many curses but this entire abandoned area was infested with them. Especially at night. It was almost shocking just now many were running around this place. Whatever had happened to this entire district must have been something that spawned quite a bit of fear. He had been hunting down these curses for the past few days now, and he had found something strange. Residuals of curses energy from someone else hunting curses.

He had been following these residues for just over two days now as he practised controlling his own. Someone, probably a curse user or a curse was using their cursed technique around these parts. Parts that were as lawless as places got.

Most of the buildings here were rundown and filled with homeless people. Petty crime was something that he saw every hour.

The malnourished people that he had seen all looked at him wondering if he was worth getting something out of if he even had anything at all.

A fitting place for a sorcerer, curse user or not. But he needed some guidance. The main problem he was having was not being able to find his cursed technique. Every sorcerer had an innate technique that granted them specialized abilities such as turning their cursed energy into fire or applying some effect to the world around them. The scope of techniques was almost endless and could be considered a person's 'superpower' in a way.

While cursed energy was like electricity and normally did nothing apart from powering the body, making it stronger and more durable and allowing the seeing of curses and traces of it like he was doing now tracking someone. Techniques were the electrical appliances that used cursed energy to perform something that would have an effect on the world.

His cursed energy was unique in a way that it had an effect without a technique, for whatever reason that was but he had heard that others also had this. One of the third years when the manga started had cursed energy that was abrasive and felt like sandpaper if you were hit by it. His cursed energy, from what he guessed, could break things.

But that wasn't his technique which was innate and meant to come naturally. But he couldn't feel it or use it. That was what was confusing him.

So he wanted guidance. And the first trace he had found was likely a curse user, bad idea to find them? Maybe, but not unreasonable. As long as he was nice he was pretty sure that there wouldn't be problems. He would investigate and run away if need be.

Curse users were just sorcerers that didn't work for the Higher-Ups and therefore were branded as criminals. Some of them at least, or they were just plain criminals. They were like sorcerers in every other regard though when it came to cursed energy, just with a more spooky name.

But he was eager to make progress. So he pushed forward.

Sighing as the rain hammered down he caught sight of something flickering further down the street. In one of the manholes, he saw that one of the holes in it was flickering with an orange light, faint. But it was there. Fire.

Tilting his head in curiosity he walked over to it. Lifting the cover with no issue before starting to climb down the ladder. Putting the cover back on above his head to stop the water that hammered at his head as he started to make his way down the ladder.

The fire flickering bright against the walls of the sewer that he made his way into, the gentle cracking of the wood and the sizzling of something catching his ears as he got to the floor and looked around. Seeing a smaller pipe off to the side that went who knows where. But the light was coming from around the corner. Tensing up he saw that the residue-cursed energy was stronger… and he could see some in the air.

Either a curse or the curse user. Maybe just a normal sorcerer but he didn't like his chances.

Walking to the corner he slowly went around it, ready to jump back at the slightest sign of danger but no attack came. Looking at the small campsite that had been set up he saw that there was a single tent with an old mattress inside, a fire out the front with multiple… rats impaled on sticks roasting over the flames.

The main thing he saw though was a man sitting by the fire, an old lawn chair barely holding his weight despite the man's light frame, his lithe figure clad in a few loose t-shirts stacked on top of each other and a thick flannel over the top. Tracksuit pants covered in various stains led down to sneakers that were missing laces.

An old brown bucket hat covered his head. No hair to be seen, brown eyes thin and weary looking back at Atlas as he simply sat there picking something out from under his nails with gnarled hands covered in callouses.

The most striking detail about him was the aura of cursed energy coming off the man as he actively used his technique that seemed to generate heat. Starving of the biting chill.

"I assume you're not a boy scout coming to sell cookies?" The man said, smacking his lips as he tossed the bone of a cooked rat into the raging sewer water that flowed past them. A smile on his face showed his yellowed teeth. The small walkway they stood on occasionally got splashed but any water that splashed up to close to the man evaporated into a foul-smelling steam.

"Nah, have you heard of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? I'm looking for him so I can kick his ass and get him to turn some water into wine for me. I have a business deal if he's open." Atlas responded as he looked at the man, his eyes narrowing. Despite the humour, he really wasn't feeling too happy. He was fucking freezing and soaked.

And in the sewers with a homeless Curse User. At least he found one…

"Your far too young lad to be standing in the cold like that, come on closer, I won't bite. Me promise." The man said motioning Atlas over with a wave of his hand, straightening in his seat a bit as he did so, a chuckle escaping his lips.

Walking over to the edge he stopped just before he crossed into the dry area, standing on the ring of wet concrete. "I won't get burnt by whatever that is around you then?" His voice low…

Eyes widening a bit the man said, "Oh. Well, ain't that a bit interesting then. No, I vow that I will not bring harm to you unless you try to bring harm to me until the sun rises. Deal? If you agree I won't be able to hurt you without consequences. It's to do with the energy around me lad." His voice was more curious now than ever as his gaze danced over Atlas as if searching for something.

"Yeah, sure…" Atlas responded. His voice was still cautious but feeling his energy flare in response to the vow he stepped forward and the water evaporated from the clothes he was wearing in an instant. Warmth washed over his skin. The feeling of a hot breeze coming from the man.

"Curious young lad. Your energy is odd. How much do you know about Jujutsu? First off, do you even know what that is?" The man said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees as held Atlas' eyes, his gaze unwavering.

"Yeah, I know about cursed energy and curses but not much more than that. A bit about binding vows too… have another seat perchance?" Atlas asked as he walked slowly, circling in front of the man. Keeping his eyes never leaving him.

"Nah… never really talk to others, I normally just invite them over and take their shit. You seem like you understand that lad, those clothes certainly don't fit." His voice held a faint edge of glee as he watched to see how Atlas would respond.

"Times are rough living in a place like this," Atlas responded, cursed energy creeping over his body in defence automatically, he wasn't really feeling that comfortable anymore.

"Yeah, but you don't live ere do yah. You don't have that defeated look in your eyes, you came looking. You wanted to find someone. What is your goal lad? Hand me in for the bounty… maybe put up to the task by someone else." He said, standing up, the chair creaking as he did so.

Atlas knew that they couldn't hurt each other, for now at least. The sun was still far from rising so he had no reason to fear. Despite feeling uncomfortable he embraced the feeling. Keeping himself alert for anything that the man might try to pull.

"Maybe I don't maybe I do. I don't know what is happening, I started being able to use this energy, and I want to learn how to use it. And since you have it too, would you teach me or shall I start running while I still can." His voice held an edge of steel.

"Your curious lad. Let me give you something for free eh? That ought to help you settle." The man said as he sat back down with a huff, taking out a pack of cigarettes from his pockets. The crumpled sticks held some odd stains. The box was wrinkled and worn. Like it had been soaked a dried over and over. Looking over the cigarettes like they were a fine selection of wines he wriggled his fingers a bit before pulling one out from the centre. A smile crossed his lips as he put the filter between them and looked up at Atlas.

Holding the box out he said, "Smoke?"

Reaching forward Atlas took one before leaning back against the wall.

"You know they're bad for you right." The man said with a raised eyebrow as the end of both of their cigarettes suddenly burst into flames with a light application of heat before they started to softly burn.

"Yeah, old habits die hard I guess," Atlas responded as he took in a deep drought. Tasted like shit… hell this was a bad habit to start again but even in this body, the smoke provided some comfort. Hell maybe like his last life, he wouldn't have to worry about dying from smoking. "Nothing a quick application of reverse technique can't fix I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, it makes it all better… you know more than you let on, how old are you, lad." The man said as he tapped his cigarette, letting the ash slowly drift to the ground. The howling of wind above them was the only response to his question for a while.

"16, at least I think. I woke up in an Asylum nearby that isn't actually an asylum. Shit exploded or something. Ran away, don't remember anything from before apart from my name and some things about Jujutsu just comes and goes." Atlas responded as he put his back against the wall and slid down. The grinding of the concrete against his clothes was a grating sound.

Looking up at the man he saw his eyes were glazed with a shred of sympathy. "My name's Frank… I'm from America… not many Sorcerers there so I came here for maybe a better chance. Parents from here originally. But you know, things didn't go as planned."

"Atlas… Atlas is mine. At least that is what I think it is. Nurses must not have labelled me properly, didn't even get a number code or a name badge." Atlas said as he chuckled, "fucking scam. When I woke up in the Asylum thought I might be some sick super soldier. Turns out I am just a normal kid, shame." His voice was laced with amusement as his own joke.

Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. Time would tell.

"So, cursed energy, yours has a special property I assume, it looks different, something that isn't normally seeable but for yours it's almost as if... it's, fading in and out of this plane? Something different about it that makes it different to the normal cursed energy, gives it extra effects. For example, there is a man who teaches at Tokyo Jujutsu High whose cursed energy has a special property that makes it 'itchy,' get hit by that fuckers punches and you feel really itchy. Pain in the ass." Frank said with a sigh.

"Yeah, guess so… I dunno what it really does though." Holding his hand out he showed the spacial cracks to Frank. Maybe he shouldn't reveal so much, but he wanted to learn. And Frank seemed to be decent at least for now. If not a little unhinged.

"Looks complicated, normally they're pretty simple. Cracks the air would be my guess… that or space. Cursed technique?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "As you can see mine is to basically make heat."

"Don't know. Don't feel any instinct or intuition on what it could be. And no matter what I do I can't activate it… how am I meant to do it?" Atlas asked, his head leaning back against the wall as he took another drought. Damn, he hated to admit how much that settled him.

"You sure your 16 lad? You look like you've seen some shit… well whatever, not my place to ask. I dunno honestly. It just feels like… I do? They normally manifest at the age of six or seven, maybe five. And when it awakens you can just… activate it. Simple as that. Apply energy and it is used to form heat for me. Just like raising my right arm. Do I know how to raise my right arm? Apply the muscles yeah, but exactly what to do? No, the brain does that for me. Instinct. Maybe, I'm not an expert at this." His voice was light as he spoke, explaining how he understood it.

"Maybe it'll come to you yeah? If not just find yourself in a situation where you have to use it. Or rely on your special property until it does show up. Seems to be strong enough to do some good damage maybe. Practice reversed cursed energy and see if that helps you understand. I dunno reversed cursed energy is pretty complicated though. But it looks like you need it, purple arms." He finished as he sunk into the seat. Watching the fire.

"Yeah, I guess… It'll probably come back to me. For now, I will actually practice reversed technique because healing from anything? Sign me up." Atlas said as he crossed his legs and focused on his cursed energy. The negative energy needed to be multiplied together, not just clashed. Clashing didn't do anything… he needed to multiply it… Showed why it was so complicated, simple theory, no explanation for how.

---

Frank sat there watching Atlas meditate, chewing on the filter of his cigarette as the long burnt-out amenity was already lifeless ash hanging from his mouth. The boy was in deep concentration.

Honestly, he didn't know what to feel about the boy who had just stumbled into him. He was talented that much was clear, or he was remembering, either or. But that isn't what mattered. He was locked away in an 'asylum' and didn't remember anything from before that, sounded like he was part of some experiment maybe. While he wasn't a 'good guy' he didn't try to be bad. He had done bad things, yes, but they had been for a reason not for the act.

Never had he killed someone for no reason.

The Higher-Ups, however, could be cruel doing bad things for reasons little more than security over their positions. If this boy had indeed suffered it was because his energy was special, he wanted to at least try and help in that case. It just felt like the right thing to do.

If he saw someone kicking a puppy he would stop them. If he saw a kid with nowhere to go and no memory he would take them in. Hell, they could be helpful to him even. It wasn't without purpose just for the sake of a good act. He wasn't that type of person either.

Turning back to the fire he threw his filter into it as he watched the flames dance. Memories coming back to the surface. Maybe this was what he was meant to do, the purpose he had felt he needed to fulfil when he left being a 'sorcerer.'

Hell the boy finding him hadn't been that surprising. He didn't like being wet so keeping himself dry had left a very noticeable trail. Some things just lined up… maybe it was meant to be. He didn't like to believe in fate though, if it was real it was cruel.

He would train the boy, mostly out of curiosity honestly. His energy was odd, he had heard of special properties making cursed energy have different feelings and elements but breaking space? That was different. Never had he heard of anything like that, and not knowing a technique? Well maybe because he lost his memory but the boy still knew how to lift his arm, so instinct was still there.

Also, the boy had something to his gaze, like he knew more than he let on, defensive and cautious yet willing to take risks to learn and grow. Eager, almost too eager in some ways. While he held himself with a maturity that came with hardship and age well beyond his years he also had a youthful sense of 'moving forward.'

He would see where this brought him. For now, he would watch over the young lad. Maybe find some redemption for himself or some use for the kid. It didn't matter what the reason was really.

He just wanted to do it.

---

Opening his eyes Atlas sighed, he hadn't managed to figure it out. Shame, but expected. Taking the slobbery filter from his mouth he looked at it in disgust before Frank motioned to the fire. Throwing the bud in he sighed. Something was off… it wasn't raining anymore and Frank's technique was no longer in use.

Eyes widening he noticed sunlight creeping down the walls from the gutter runoffs and went to stand up quickly but stopped when Frank spoke up. "Relax lad, nothing to worry about. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already. I don't mean you no harm. In fact, I think we can help each other, work with me and help me keep my belly full and stay hidden and I'll train you. Since that seems to be what you want. Deal?" A calloused hand was offered along with a yellowed-toothed smile.

Looking at Frank, Atlas narrowed his eyes. Watching the man carefully before sighing and shaking the somewhat slimy hand. The technique had really kept things dry… wow. "So what, do you live here?"

Laughing Frank shook his head as he said, "No not at all lad. Just hiding from the rain and getting rid of curses, you know how it is. I stay in an abandoned apartment complex nearby. Gotta pick you up a chair though before we go there yeah?" A beaming smile crossed his face as he said that.

"Yeah, sure…" Atlas said as he stood up, dusting his pants off. Damn, his legs ached.

Looking at Frank's back as the man started to limp away Atlas tilted his head, he didn't… not trust Frank. He just felt some unease. But he wanted to learn so he needed guidance for now and someone to show him the ropes. He could make his way to Jujutsu High later when he could defend himself in case they branded him a curse user or something like that. From what he knew the Higher-Ups could be... impulsive.

He didn't have any other direction to go otherwise apart from Frank for now, so why not. Life wasn't fun without a few risks and honestly. This man felt more like his crowd than an academy, he didn't want to go back to school, at least not yet.

Shaking his head he wondered if this was the right choice as he started to follow the man. Things moved so fast when you were thrown into another world. He felt like he was a cat chasing strings right now. Soon he would find his path though... soon.