'What was that? A small mirror symbol appeared above his head the moment I tried to attack him. A mirror... a mirror, is it?'
Tsukumo turned her gaze back to Touya and asked, "Is that a shikigami's ability? Among the documented shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique, I've never heard of one possessing a reflection ability."
"Yes. Well... I haven't fully mastered it yet, but it's a new shikigami born from the inheritance and synthesis of others," Touya replied.
"Aha. No wonder I didn't recognize it then. You're quite versatile, aren't you, Junior?"
As Yuki Tsukumo spoke, she began using Reverse Cursed Technique to restore her mangled arm. Watching the flesh knit back together, the three first-years each reacted differently.
"Oh! Was that Reverse Cursed Technique just now? How do you do that? I want to learn it too," Satoru said, her eyes shimmering with curiosity.
"So that's Reverse Cursed Technique... Even Shoko doesn't seem to have that kind of recovery speed," Suguru remarked, his voice laced with admiration.
"Reverse Cursed Technique... As expected of a Special Grade. I don't necessarily need to learn it myself, but that healing speed is incredible," Touya noted.
Yuki beamed at their reactions, looking quite pleased. "I'm afraid it's difficult to teach. It's something I grasped through pure instinct. Now, Miss Gojo... and Ieiri, was it? The girl you said could use Reverse Cursed Technique as an 'output'?"
Touya nodded. "That's right. She's our classmate. I didn't think you'd know about her since she isn't here right now."
Yuki gave a slight nod before continuing. "There's a reason her output seems lower than expected. The efficiency of Reverse Cursed Technique differs significantly when used on oneself versus others. When applying it to someone else, you can usually only output about half the efficiency compared to self-healing."
Suguru and Satoru nodded in understanding. "Ah, so that's why."
"I almost looked down on Shoko without knowing that. Close call," Satoru muttered.
However, Touya tilted his head in confusion, a detail Yuki didn't miss. "What is it, Zenin? Is something still unclear?"
"Yes. About the output being halved when used on others... Does that apply to my shikigami, Round Deer, as well? Because its healing speed seemed remarkably fast."
Yuki fell into a brief silence, pondering his words.
'Round Deer, the one responsible for Reverse Cursed Technique among the Ten Shadows. It's well-known enough that those in the loop are aware. If its output is different...'
"It's likely one of two things. Since Round Deer's innate role is strictly Reverse Cursed Technique, it might simply be immune to that specific penalty."
Touya nodded. "That makes sense. What's the second possibility?"
"That the 'fast' output you saw is actually only half of its true potential."
"Oh. So it could be even more powerful? Either way, it's a fascinating prospect."
"It certainly is. I'm almost jealous. Being able to use it without having to personally master the technique... By the way, Zenin, shouldn't you try to land a hit on me as well? What do you say?"
Touya looked intrigued but hesitated. "Is that really okay? You just used your Reverse Cursed Technique..."
Yuki let out a short, amused huff. "Why? Are you afraid you'll kill me? Just go for it. If the worst happens, you can just heal me with your Deer, right?"
Seeing Yuki's overwhelming confidence sparked a competitive fire within Touya. He gave a sharp nod. "Fine. Then, here I come."
As Touya began to put some distance between them, Satoru and Suguru started backing away as well. "Let's get some space. Getting caught in the crossfire would be a nightmare."
"Agreed. It looks like he's planning to use that one," Suguru added.
Watching the two of them retreat, Yuki thought to herself, 'A shikigami capable of high instantaneous damage... It has to be that one, right? The Piercing Ox.'
"I'm starting! Watch yourself!" Touya shouted from across the field. He wove his fingers into a shadow sign and summoned the shikigami from the darkness.
"Bring it. Let's see just what level you're at," Yuki replied, bracing herself.
The Piercing Ox, standing some distance away, stomped its hooves several times before beginning a straight, thunderous charge. Yuki loosened her shoulders and took a combat stance.
"I'd hate to lose face for a third time today..."
As she watched the Piercing Ox close the gap, a seed of doubt suddenly sprouted in her mind. 'Wait. Is that thing... isn't it a bit too big?'
As the Ox bore down on her, Yuki felt a sudden surge of adrenaline—that raw, primal thumping of the heart she hadn't felt since her first encounter with a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Instinctively, she raised her fist and flared her technique.
Yuki's innate technique: Star Rage. It allowed her to grant herself virtual mass without limit. When she had struck Touya earlier, she had only applied a fraction—roughly the mass of a bus. But this was different.
'This trembling... it's been a long time. I haven't even clashed with it yet, but I can feel it. This power is definitely not at the level of Grade 1.'
Finding a shred of composure just before impact, Yuki dialed back the 'infinite' mass she was about to manifest to roughly half of her maximum output.
'I'll neutralize the Ox's momentum with a strike infused with my technique. My technique doesn't offer much in the way of defense, but... well, if things go south, they'll fix me. There are two Reverse Cursed Technique users at this school, after all.'
It was a somewhat reckless thought, but she preferred it over pulverizing her cute junior's shikigami. She met the Piercing Ox head-on. The impact was titanic; the sand covering the training ground erupted into a massive storm, obscuring everything from sight.
"Suguru. I think something went wrong. We're screwed, aren't we? I think he just killed a Special Grade," Satoru stammered.
"Shut it, Satoru. Actually, no... this is really bad."
"What? What are you—"
"Let's go check on her!"
Suguru sprinted toward the epicenter of the collision. Satoru followed close behind, but when she saw Suguru go dead silent, she looked at the scene and gasped in horror.
"Hey... is this... is she gonna be okay? Her arm..."
Yuki had been blown backward, sprawled on the ground. Her right arm was completely gone, severed cleanly at the shoulder.
**
I watched the collision between the Piercing Ox and Tsukumo with a sinking feeling in my gut. I bolted toward the site. Seeing Suguru and Satoru standing there like statues only amplified my dread.
"Touya... can you... can you fix this?" Suguru asked, his voice trembling as he turned his head slowly, looking like he'd seen a ghost.
When I finally got a clear look at Tsukumo, cold sweat began to pour down my back. Her arm had been ripped away, shoulder and all. Blood was gushing from the raw, ragged stump.
"Damn it. It has to work. It will work!"
Without wasting a second on thought, I summoned Round Deer. To maximize the output of the Reverse Cursed Technique, I poured nearly every drop of my remaining cursed energy into the shikigami. The positive energy radiating from the Deer immediately began to flood into Tsukumo.
"What's with the long faces? We've all been hurt this much before, haven't we?" Yuki muttered.
"Just stay quiet, please! I've just caused a massive accident; my heart is about to stop," I snapped, frustrated by her nonchalance.
It was absurd—she was the one in critical condition, yet she was the most relaxed person on the field. Fortunately, Round Deer's Reverse Cursed Technique was potent enough to regenerate the lost limb in seconds. Tsukumo was restored to her original state.
"Phew~ I'm saved. I almost had to retire as a sorcerer. By the way, is your shikigami okay?"
"How can you be so calm? I genuinely thought I'd killed you... Oh! Right, the Ox!"
I looked around and found the Piercing Ox. Its legs and one shoulder had been pulverized into nothingness, and half its head was gone, but it hadn't been fully dispelled yet. Before it could dissipate completely, I quickly retracted it into the shadows and let out a long breath of relief.
"Sigh... thank god. Did you hold back on purpose?"
Tsukumo nodded. "Yeah. I mean, if I had gone at full power, there wouldn't be a trace of your shikigami left."
"You shouldn't have done that... Even if it was destroyed, the power would just be inherited by another one. You could have gotten yourself killed! Even Shoko can't heal lost limbs like Round Deer can."
At my scolding, Tsukumo started sweating, avoiding eye contact as she began to whistle tunelessly.
"Well, uh... no one died, right? That's what matters. Haha..."
'This woman... she's only just realizing how dangerous that was.'
Satoru and Suguru, who had been watching from a safe distance as if it had nothing to do with them, walked over with awkward laughs.
"I knew you could do it, Touya! Round Deer is amazing!"
"Exactly! I totally trusted you, Touya. I knew you'd be able to heal something like that easily!"
Their blatant shamelessness made my blood boil. I didn't even look at them as I spoke. "Would the two of you please just leave? I've used all my cursed energy, and I'm exhausted."
""Got it!""
They replied in unison and practically sprinted back toward the dorms. I could hear their conversation fading in the distance.
"I mean, we can't use Reverse Cursed Technique. It's not like we could just stand there and cheer him on while blood was spraying everywhere."
"Hmm, true. Touya was just a bit sensitive because of the situation. Let's go inside and eat something sweet, Satoru."
"Speaking of which, the strawberry cake Touya bought me was so good... Oops. Nothing!"
"What? You ate it all by yourself? You're literally the worst."
Hearing their bickering made it hard to stay angry. I let out a small chuckle. Beside me, the fully recovered Tsukumo spoke up.
"I should probably head out too. I've accomplished everything I came here for today. It'll be a pain if I run into any of the teachers."
"Right. Have a safe trip back then. I'll see you out."
Tsukumo waved her hand dismissively. "Don't bother. You said you were out of energy. We'll see each other again. Next time, make sure you're honest about your type of woman. I'm off."
She turned to leave, but then stopped and leaned in close to my ear.
"Whoa... What are you doing, Tsukumo-san?"
"Haha... I'm not teasing you this time."
With an uncharacteristically serious expression, she whispered into my ear, "There isn't much time left. Tengen's merger is approaching. In the end, it will come down to your choice—and the choice of that child. I hope it goes well for you. For real this time, goodbye."
She pulled away, gave a casual wave, and rode off on the motorcycle parked at the main gate. I watched her go, a sense of unease settling in my chest.
'My choice and that child's choice... What am I even supposed to choose?'
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