Chapter 65

On the other side of the studio, there were still newcomers waiting for interviews, but compared to the initial crowd, many had been eliminated and left the studio.

Kazuma Hatori glanced around and saw that Anri and Suzuka, who had chatted with Satoru Gojo for quite a while, were there—the former had successfully passed the audition as a newcomer, while the latter was a former resident entertainer who had been invited to join.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the stage, many staff members were carrying props back and forth, setting up the venue for the upcoming recording of the program.

Sitting in the audience, Gojo Satoru rested his chin on his hand, watching them busily with great interest, showing no signs of boredom.

He was looking at the stage, and Kazuma Hatake was looking at him.

Gojo Satoru was quite perceptive of the gazes others had fallen upon him, let alone the undisguised stares of Hatori Kazuma; but he maintained his gaze toward the stage for a moment before turning to Hatori Kazuma and asking him a question, every syllable of which held a hint of amusement.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought you'd get impatient waiting," Hachi said honestly.

After all, even during class, Gojo Satoru easily gets bored. Sometimes he props his head up and dozes off, and sometimes he doodles on scrap paper to amuse himself.

Sometimes, Kazuma Hatake would see him engrossed in calculating complex formulas on paper, filling several pages in a single class period.

"Ah, that's because the knowledge the teacher taught was too simple. I learned it all back when I was staying at Gojo's house."

Gojo Satoru instantly understood his unspoken meaning, casually flicked his hand, revealing an expression that was a little disgusted, mixed with a bit of resistance.

"Ordinary family-based sorcerers learn about sorcery from their elders from a young age, including basic identification and exorcism of cursed spirits, before entering advanced sorcery programs after reaching a certain age."

"But the three starter families are something else, especially the children who have awakened their ancestral techniques. They are kept at home from a young age and receive all kinds of elite education. Even when they go out to do some missions, they are surrounded by a group of adults... In short, they are not free at all. In short, they are super annoying."

"That's why you came to Tokyo College."

Kazuma Hato recalled that when Yoga-sensei came to pick him up, he mentioned that he had been dealing with a somewhat troublesome new student identity—which was almost certainly referring to Satoru Gojo.

At this moment, they are chatting in a corner of the audience, away from the crowd and lights, creating a quiet space that belongs only to the two of them amidst the noise.

"Yes, my decision to come to Tokyo Vocational College was not arranged by my family, but rather something I insisted on myself."

Gojo Satoru leaned back in his chair, adopting a more relaxed posture with his arms crossed over his chest.

He was quite disgusted by the old men in his family's nagging, especially since they had initially forbidden him from attending the Spellcasting Academy.

But not only did he come, he came to this high school in Tokyo, instead of going to Kyoto, which is closer to the Gojo family.

As for why he was able to succeed despite his stubbornness...

"Those old guys can't beat me."

Gojo Satoru let out a smug hum, his eyes and brows becoming exceptionally smug and unrestrained.

"I'm very strong—well, stronger than most people, right!"

With [Six Eyes] and [No Limits], even though the only offensive spell he can use right now is Spell Reversal [Azure], it is enough to make him invincible in almost every battle.

Kazuma Hagoromo replied earnestly, "No, you are the strongest."

After all, he still remembered Daigo's own words—that he could destroy the world without hesitation.

Although it's unclear whether the handsome Xiao Wu can actually do it now, he clearly looked pleased, indicating that he really liked hearing the compliment.

It's also possible that he took this statement as his future goal.

"Anyway, now, I feel comfortable not only staying in the dormitory alone, but also when doing missions."

—Gojo Satoru raised his chin and pointed to the staff who were still busy shouting something.

"I've only ever watched TV programs before, this is the first time I've seen them filmed like this, it's really interesting! You really have to go out to experience the fun of many things firsthand."

"Weren't we allowed to go out before?"

Kazuma Hato frowned slightly, clearly not expecting that Satoru Gojo had been so strictly controlled before coming to the vocational high school.

"Ah, those old guys said they forbid me from going out, worried that I might be targeted for assassination or something."

Gojo Satoru pursed his lips, then quickly laughed again, "But how could I possibly listen to them obediently? Of course, I've run away on my own many times."

Perhaps it was because those dark eyes always looked at him so intently, and never showed any impatience or disapproval when listening, that made him unconsciously talk more.

"That's great."

—Gojo Satoru knew he would say that, so he replied with a particularly smug and happy tone, “Right?”, his gaze returning to the stage until the other person spoke again.

"Enlightenment".

"Um?"

"Do you think... if the people from the Gojo family suddenly saw you appear on TV, they'd be so scared they'd smash their dishes?"

"…………"

Those pale eyes instantly swelled up a size and became sparkling, as if a little devil was secretly sharpening its claws.

…………

In order to meet the filming schedule, the entire interview process was very quick. Kazuma Hatori and Satoru Gojo were called down to prepare for filming after sitting for only a short time.

Several cameras were pointed at the stage. The host, who had finally arrived, was testing the microphone. The guests responsible for providing on-site feedback sat around the edge in a small circle. The so-called artists were like monkeys being watched in a zoo, and were required to take off their shoes and socks before stepping onto a large, strange white metal plate.

The metal plate laid in the center of the stage is smooth to the touch and has a cool feel, making it hard to imagine what it is used for.

Does standing on it count as a prank?

Many celebrities share this question, but in reality, they have no say in the entire process of the show and can only follow the arrangements made by the production team.

Satoru Gojo and Kazuma Hato were seated in front row seats facing the audience, which was the best treatment among the newcomers.

But as a prank show, it's hard to say whether this kind of treatment should be considered "good".

Anri Saki was positioned right behind them, and she seemed particularly nervous, silently clutching her clothes.

Once the director officially asked to begin filming, the host smiled and began the show's usual opening remarks.

When introducing the invited has-been celebrities, he would occasionally make sarcastic remarks, which would make the guests burst into laughter.

As expected, this is a prank variety show that doesn't intend to seriously respect celebrities.

Gojo Satoru and Hato Kazuma received special attention from the director; they were only introduced by name and given a few compliments on their appearance before the interview ended.

However, according to the host's request—or perhaps it was a script deliberately added by the director—when Gojo Satoru first came on stage, he hadn't said that wearing sunglasses was not allowed, but when his name was called, he was asked by the host to take off his sunglasses and fully reveal his handsome and delicate appearance.

"Oh my... this is incredible! Please admire this truly magnificent face—"

The host paused briefly before deliberately drawing out his words to build up the atmosphere, then abruptly changed the subject in the second half of his sentence.

"I wonder what kind of bizarre facial expressions will appear in the hilarious endurance contest that's about to begin!"

Gojo Satoru: "...?"

What do you mean? You actually want to see him make a fool of himself?

"Alright, this round of the Hilarious Endurance Contest officially begins! Please be sure to hold on until the end, a mystery grand prize awaits you!"

As soon as the host waved his hand, Gojo Satoru immediately sensed something was wrong—the metal plate was continuously emitting a weak electric current!

This electric current does not harm the human body, but the dense, ant-like stimulation coming from the soles of the feet can cause many people who cannot withstand this intense sensation to perform a conditioned reflex similar to tap dancing, which looks particularly comical.

These varying levels of tolerance and reaction are the best tools for entertaining guests and audiences.

In other words, the show's ultimate goal was to force these celebrities to make a completely different, distorted reaction from their usual glamorous image.

No wonder no celebrities with any fame want to appear on this trashy show that treats people like clowns for amusement.

Gojo Satoru rolled his eyes inwardly. The [No Limits] technique he unleashed in an instant created a thin film of air between him and the metal plate that was almost invisible to the naked eye. The weak electric current stimulation that the fake was gradually increasing instantly disappeared.

He was about to turn around and ask Kazuma if he needed help when he saw that the other man still had a cool, expressionless face and hadn't moved an inch.

Gojo Satoru vaguely sensed a hint of confusion deep within those seemingly indifferent black eyes, as if asking—what's wrong all of a sudden?

"Don't you feel anything?"

With cameras around, it wasn't appropriate to speak loudly, so he turned to the side towards Kazuma Hatake and whispered almost into his ear, while subtly pointing his fingertips downwards with his other hand.

"This is a weak current."

"………No."

Yuqu Kazumi thought that with the pain feedback mechanism of this game, cutting his forearm would be no different from being bitten by a mosquito, so he would feel no weak electric current.

"…………"

Upon hearing this answer, Gojo Satoru took a quiet breath and spoke softly to him again.

"Turns out you're a remarkably resilient sorcery idiot..."

This joke made him laugh at himself; he was still secretly smiling when he turned his head back, and even with the camera around, he couldn't hide the upturned corners of his mouth.

Even the host probably didn't expect them to stand there so calmly, without any reaction whatsoever, making them stand out from the crowd who were grimacing.

That white-haired guy was still laughing to himself!

He had just finished teasing a group of celebrities who had made various comical reactions to the weak electric current, and some even fled from the metal plate because they couldn't stand it. Now, he took the opportunity to walk around the metal plate and head this way.

"Let's see how these two newcomers react—wow, that's amazing! Such an immovable, proud stance! Are they just enduring it, or do they have an extraordinary ability to withstand electric current?"

"That can't be right, no ordinary person could develop this kind of ability!"

Some people in the guest seats were clapping and laughing, responding to the host's exaggerated commentary.

The host, of course, didn't mind making the atmosphere even more heated, and handed the microphone to Gojo Satoru.

"Haha, then let's interview Brother Wu Tiao! What's your secret to remaining so immovable?"

He had assumed that Gojo Satoru would cooperate and answer truthfully, but to his surprise, under the watchful eyes of the guests and backstage staff, and surrounded by multiple cameras, this handsome white-haired boy took several steps back, all the way to the center of the huge metal plate, before calmly putting his hands behind his back and speaking.

"Come here, come here and I'll tell you."

The host glanced down at his not-so-insulated leather shoes and fell silent.

"…………"