A curse in human flesh

Chapter 10

As the other students dispersed after the speech, many headed off to explore the academy, meet their new roommates, or just relax after a long journey. Some seemed eager to make new friends, while others wandered the halls, taking in the grandeur of Atlas Academy. However, Sukuna Rose had little interest in any of that. While the others engaged in what he considered typical teenage nonsense, Sukuna found his way to the academy's library, seeking solitude and information.

He flipped through a holographic display, reading up on the latest advancements in Atlas technology. The sleek devices and complex weapon modifications intrigued him—he could already envision how he might integrate them into his own abilities, combining the best of Remnant's tech with his own curse techniques. His mind raced with the possibilities, the potential to outclass anyone who dared challenge him.

But even as he immersed himself in these thoughts, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. It wasn't the typical glances of curiosity or fear that he'd become accustomed to—this was different. This presence felt deliberate, almost cautious. It wasn't Bianca, the energetic blonde he'd already encountered. No, this presence was subtler, as if the person behind it was trying to observe him without drawing attention.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. 'Amateur,' he thought. Sukuna was too skilled to miss the signs of someone tailing him, even when they tried to remain inconspicuous. He allowed his eyes to scan the library without turning his head, and then, after a few moments, he caught sight of her.

It was Winter Schnee. She was positioned near the edge of the stacks, her posture rigid, trying too hard to blend in with the other students quietly reading. But there was a sharpness to her gaze, an intensity that gave her away. She wasn't reading at all—she was watching him.

Sukuna's smirk grew wider. 'So, that's how it is, huh?' he thought, amused. 'The Ice Princess thinks she can spy on me without getting noticed?' He chuckled to himself. If Winter thought she could keep an eye on him without consequence, she was about to learn otherwise.

He leaned back in his chair, making a show of stretching, as if he were completely unaware of her presence. Then, in one smooth motion, he shut down the holographic display and stood up, his movements deliberate, slow. He could feel Winter's eyes on him, her attention sharpening as he moved. She was undoubtedly observing his every step, probably trying to assess his behavior, his capabilities, anything that might be of interest to her superiors.

As he moved through the aisles of books, he casually headed in her direction, his hands slipping into his pockets. Winter remained still, her gaze trained on him, but her body language betrayed a hint of tension. Sukuna was enjoying this far more than he cared to admit. It wasn't often that someone had the audacity to try and outmaneuver him.

Finally, he stopped a few feet away from her, acting as if he hadn't noticed her. He picked up a random book from a nearby shelf, flipping through the pages nonchalantly. After a few moments, he glanced up, locking eyes with her, catching her completely off guard.

Winter stiffened but didn't back down, her icy blue eyes meeting his with a calm, controlled gaze.

"You've got a real bad habit of staring, don't you?" Sukuna said, his voice low and amused. The smirk on his face widened. "Didn't anyone teach you that it's rude to spy on people?"

Winter blinked, her composed mask not slipping for a second, though Sukuna could see the gears turning behind her eyes. She was calculating, trying to figure out how to respond. "I wasn't spying," she replied coolly, her voice steady. "I'm simply observing. There's a difference."

"Sure, there is," Sukuna drawled, tossing the book back onto the shelf without looking. "Observing. Spying. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Schnee." He stepped closer, just enough to make her uncomfortable. "You might want to be more careful next time. I don't like being watched."