A curse in human flesh

Chapter 9

The Atlas Academy, with its grand architecture and futuristic designs, might have impressed most newcomers, but for Sukuna, it was nothing extraordinary. The sleek, metallic surfaces, gleaming with the city's advanced technology, were all too predictable. To him, it was just another facade, a showpiece meant to exemplify Atlas's supposed perfection—a thin veneer that concealed the darker, grittier truths of the nation. Sukuna knew well that beneath the floating island of Atlas, where everything appeared pristine and prosperous, lay Mantle, a city of poverty and decay. It was a stark contrast that no amount of advanced technology could truly hide.

As he walked through the academy's entrance, his eyes scanned the environment with detached indifference. Before he could proceed any further, an android stepped into his path, its mechanical eyes whirring as it conducted a facial scan. The security procedure was routine, yet it grated on Sukuna's nerves. He stood still, arms crossed, as the machine completed its task. The android's monotone voice confirmed his identity, and the barrier before him lifted.

Without a word, Sukuna bypassed the droid and moved deeper into the academy. As he entered a large hall, he found himself surrounded by a sea of students. They milled about, chatting excitedly or nervously, their energy buzzing in the air. To Sukuna, they were nothing more than vermin—insignificant insects buzzing around him. He could feel their curious glances, some filled with envy, others with fear. The tattooed boy with a cold, unreadable expression was not someone they wanted to cross, yet they couldn't help but be drawn to his presence.

Sukuna sighed internally. He had little patience for crowds, especially ones that reeked of naivety and blind ambition. These students were here with dreams of becoming great huntsmen and huntresses, of protecting the world and upholding justice. Sukuna, however, was driven by far different goals. He had no interest in their ideals or their missions. He was here for his own reasons, and nothing more.

He moved to the side of the room, finding a spot where he could observe without being bothered. Leaning against a cold metal wall, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, blocking out the noise around him. The cacophony of voices was nothing but background static, meaningless and irritating. His thoughts drifted back to his siblings, Yang and Ruby. He wondered briefly how they were faring back in Vale, but quickly pushed the thought aside. They were not his concern right now.

His focus returned to his current situation. The academy was a means to an end, nothing more. The resources, the training, and the knowledge available here were all tools he could use to further his own power. And with Atlas's advanced technology at his disposal, he knew he could accelerate his plans considerably. But he would need to play the game, to navigate the academy's rules and expectations without revealing his true intentions.

The sound of footsteps approaching pulled him from his thoughts. He opened his eyes just in time to see Bianca Arc bounding toward him, her usual chipper expression in place.

"There you are, mister meanie! I was wondering where you disappeared to!" she exclaimed, a bright smile on her face.

Sukuna resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "What do you want?" he asked flatly.

Bianca didn't seem deterred by his tone. "Just thought I'd check in! First day and all, you know? It's pretty overwhelming, huh?"

"For you, maybe," Sukuna replied, his voice dripping with disinterest.

Bianca pouted slightly. "You know, you could try being a little more social. We're all in this together, after all."

Sukuna uncrossed his arms, standing up straight. "I'm not here to make friends. And I'm certainly not here to indulge in meaningless chatter."

Bianca's expression softened, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "I get it, you're a lone wolf type. But, you know, even wolves have packs. Just... something to think about."