A curse in human flesh

Chapter 3

The mundane drone of the classroom bore down on Sukuna, now masquerading as a 13-year-old student.

His reawakened life as a human had brought with it the burden of enduring tedious lessons once more. Despite the facade of being a mere student, the ancient king of curses found little stimulation in the mundane academia.

As the teacher droned on with the lesson, Sukuna's mind drifted away from the confines of the classroom. His attention wavered from the monotonous discourse, and an irresistible urge to break free from the confines of routine overwhelmed him.

With an air of practiced nonchalance, Sukuna raised his hand, seeking a momentary escape from the stifling atmosphere. "Teacher, may I use the bathroom?" he requested, his voice calm and composed, betraying none of the restless energy that simmered within.

The teacher, oblivious to the boy's true intentions, nodded with a kindly smile. "Of course, Xiao-Long, you may," came the encouraging response, freeing Sukuna momentarily from the confines of the classroom.

As he left the room under the guise of a bathroom break, Sukuna's footsteps echoed along the empty halls. The ostensible purpose of his departure was overshadowed by a desire to escape the monotony and explore the possibilities that lay beyond the classroom's confines.

The boy wandered through the corridor, the sound of his footsteps the only audible echo in the otherwise deserted halls. His thoughts, drifting through the labyrinth of his mind, meandered through the complexities of his existence.

The transition from an ancient, indomitable force to the frailty of human life had not satiated the voracious intellect and insatiable curiosity that defined him. The routine of academia, a stark contrast to his past dominion over curses and power, felt stifling and inconsequential.

As Sukuna traversed the halls, his gaze fixed ahead but his mind wandering far beyond, he pondered the purpose of this reawakened life. The echoes of his past conquests clashed with the mundane reality of being human, leaving him adrift in a sea of contemplation.

The boy's footsteps seemed to echo his thoughts—a deliberate stride that betrayed an underlying restlessness, a yearning for something beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms.

The corridors, devoid of life but filled with the whispers of untold potential, beckoned Sukuna to explore the unknown. He felt a sense of confinement in the regimented world of human adolescence, an existence that felt paradoxical compared to the grandeur of his past dominion.

Sukuna was momentarily disrupted by a sudden yell echoing from behind him. Intrigued, he turned to trace the source of the disturbance and found himself face-to-face with a Faunus—a young girl whose features bore traces of canine traits, marking her as a member of the enigmatic species he had encountered in his rebirth: the Faunus.

Sukuna had delved into the intricacies of the Faunus race, immersing himself in the knowledge of their existence, their struggles, and the complexities that came with bearing animalistic traits within their DNA. The fascination he held for their species stemmed not just from his thirst for understanding different forms of life but also from a newfound perspective gained in his second chance at human existence.

The girl, a Faunus with distinct dog-like features adorning her visage, stood before Sukuna, her voice carrying a plea that reverberated through the hallway. The emotions etched on her face revealed a mix of frustration, sadness, and an underlying plea for understanding.

To Sukuna, the concept of racism directed toward the Faunus was not just incomprehensible but also profoundly foolish. He had experienced firsthand the senseless strife born from humanity's irrational fear of those deemed different—a concept that held no weight in his world of curses and ancient powers. The stupidity of discrimination based on something as innate and inconsequential as mere appearance resonated deeply with the boy who had transcended the limitations of mere mortal existence.