[Explosive Advantage] Engaging in a Mental Battle with the Strongest Evil Spirit Since Birth, I Exceeded the Measurable Magic Limit – The Humble Conquest of the Cursed Child - Chapter 14

It happened just a few days after that birthday celebration.

Mother suddenly fell ill.

“I think it’s probably anemia. I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” she said.

However, Father, erring on the side of caution, decided to take her to the hospital.

Due to that, Kai and Meguri were suddenly placed in Kagami’s care.

“Look here, Meguri—here’s a toy for you!”

“Daa!”

In the dojo, Kai entertained Meguri.

Since Meguri had already learned how to crawl, he eagerly chased after Kai with all his might.

“You’re very good with babies, Lord Kai,” Kagami said, watching the scene.

“R-Really…?”

“Yes… very much so…”

(…Something feels a little off about her today…)

That day, Kagami seemed to have an air of melancholy about her.

The reason for it soon became clear.

Clatter. The sound of the sliding door opening echoed through the dojo.

(…Huh…?)

The person who entered wasn’t Father or Mother.

It was a man.

He appeared to be in his thirties, just like Father, and wore traditional Japanese attire, similar to Father’s.

From that alone, it was apparent that he, too, was an exorcist.

But his expression was entirely different—his brows knit tightly together, his face twisted into a terrifying scowl.

The man spoke.

“You’ve done well up to now, Kagami.”

“…Yes, Lord Akaike.”

(…Kagami-sensei…? What is this…?)

“This is the child possessed by the evil spirit, isn’t it?”

The man, referred to as Akaike, glared at Kai with fierce intensity.

(Akaike…? Where have I heard that name before… Wait—!)

Suddenly, Kai remembered the day he was born.

On that day, during the Spirit Descent Ritual, the demon god Douma had been summoned into his body.

Normally, during a descent of an evil spirit, the moment the child is born, everyone nearby is cursed to death.

However, when Kai was born, not a single person—not even his mother—had become a casualty.

Even though he had inherited the most powerful evil spirit, the demon god Douma, no harm had come to anyone.

This anomaly was unprecedented—so much so that it was deemed ominous, and calls for Kai’s “elimination” were made. Leading those calls was none other than this man—Akaike, head of one of the Seven Noble Houses, the Akaike family.

(So Akaike’s come here himself… Looks like Kagami-sensei’s been involved from the start…)

Kagami was a professional.

Her true role had been to pose as a private tutor while secretly investigating the “anomalous vessel child” and reporting his status to her employer, Akaike.

She had reported one crucial conclusion about Kai to him:

“Kai’s mind has not been overtaken by the demon god Douma.”

There were two main reasons for her conclusion.

First: Kai was unable to use sorcery.

When training, Kai had rarely been able to use sorcery from the very beginning. This was a unique trait, as children possessed by evil spirits could typically use sorcery immediately, due to being controlled by the spirit.

Yet Kai, despite harboring the strongest of all evil spirits—Douma—could not use it.

Second: Kai communicated with Douma.

He often muttered to himself. What stood out was the content.

Sometimes, he called out to Douma. Other times, he seemed to argue with him or respond sarcastically.

Based on these two factors, Kagami had concluded that Kai’s mind remained his own, unaffected by Douma, and reported this to Akaike.

Still, Akaike continued to glare at Kai and spoke.

“I’ve heard everything from Kagami. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it seems you’re not under Lord Douma’s… no, under Douma’s control.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Kai feigned ignorance—for now.

Then…

“You must be eliminated.”

“Huh…?”

『Get back! Boy!』

(…!)

Had Douma not shouted, Kai might not have survived.

The spot where he had just stood was now engulfed in flames.

“…Tch. Missed.”

Akaike clicked his tongue in irritation.

“Kagami… do it.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Kagami responded quietly and stepped in front of Kai.

Then…

“Flame Sorcery—Fire Pillar!”

She unleashed a torrent of flame directly at him.

(…No way… Kagami-sensei, this whole year… was it all just an act for this moment?)

Kai barely managed to dodge the flames.

(…I’ve got to make sure Meguri doesn’t get caught up in this.)

Determined, Kai tried to move away from Meguri.

At that very moment—

“Flame Sorcery—Flame Vortex!”

(What—!?)

Akaike unleashed another sorcery attack—this time, aimed at Meguri.

Kai rushed back in a panic.

“Gah!”

(It hurts…)

Shielding Meguri with his body, Kai took the full brunt of the flames on his back and fell to his knees.

“Stop struggling pointlessly and give up already…”

Akaike looked down at Kai, his voice cold and merciless.

(He… He really means to kill a child…)

The moment Kai sensed Akaike’s clear murderous intent, his body trembled.

(…I’m scared…)

Flashes of his unjust death in a previous life surged through him, carved deep into his body and mind. As he felt the searing agony of a near-certain future, his breathing grew ragged.

Akaike’s voice rang out, devoid of pity.

“It’s over… Flame Sorcery—Flame Vortex.”

In that instant, Kai felt as though his heart had been crushed in someone’s grip.

(……)

“…Huh? W-What…?”

But the pain and fiery torment he’d imagined never came.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

“…Ah.”

When Kai raised his head, he saw the back of a shrine maiden standing between him and Akaike.

“Kagami… Are you rebelling against me, your employer?”

“Lord Akaike, I have fulfilled the task you assigned—to investigate Lord Kai’s situation and report to prevent the worst-case scenario. However, your actions now far exceed the scope of that request. From this point on, I act in a personal capacity, not as part of any professional obligation.”

(…Kagami-sensei…)

“I see. Then I’ll give you a new task—kill him.”

Akaike’s command was ice-cold.

However—

“…I’m afraid I must decline.”

Kagami refused.

“Hah? Wasn’t it your policy to accept any job, no matter what?”

“My policy is to accept any unreasonable job. I do not refuse tasks based on difficulty, but that does not mean I accept anything regardless of purpose.”

“…Is that so.”

“Furthermore… Lord Akaike, you must be aware of this.”

“…What?”

“In the past five years, not once has any disaster occurred.”

“….”

“Lord Kai is not a dangerous anomaly. On the contrary, he is an unprecedented savior.”

“…Hah.”

Akaike listened with weary disdain.

“And one more thing, Lord Akaike—a free courtesy report.”

“…Go on.”

“Before being a vessel, Lord Kai may be a little arrogant and fond of acting older than his age… but he is a kind, humble, and perfectly ordinary boy.”

(…!)

“Ahh, how utterly useless. I didn’t ask for such nonsense. In that case, I’ll simply dispose of you both.”

With that, Akaike raised his hand.

“Take this—Flame Sorcery—Grand Flame Vortex!”

A massive wave of flame surged toward them.

“…Tch, Water Sorcery—Water Wall!”

Kagami summoned a barrier of water to intercept it.

But—

“What is that feeble wall…?”

“…!”

Akaike had swiftly closed the distance, dodging through the flames’ edge.

And then—

“Kyaaaaah!”

A brutal punch exploded against Kagami’s face, sending her flying several meters back.

“Kagami… I don’t mind rebellion, but did you really consider who you’re opposing before making that choice?”

“Ghh…”

Kagami bit her lip in frustration.

“You’re not so foolish as to not understand what it means to defy me—Akaike, head of the Akaike family, and a Class 4 ‘Nō-rank’ Exorcist.”

As Akaike said, exorcists were ranked by class.

[Exorcist Classifications]

There are nine classes.

Most exorcists are Class 1.
Skilled exorcists are Class 2.
Exceptionally skilled exorcists are Class 3.

Class 4 and above are recognized as extraordinarily powerful and are given unique ranks.

• • Class 1

 

• • Class 2

 

• • Class 3

 

• • Class 4 – Nō-rank

 

• • Class 5 – Chikara-rank

 

• • Class 6 – Master-rank

 

• • Class 7 – Seat-rank

 

• • Class 8 – Wisdom-rank

 

• • Class 9 – Blazing-rank

“Kagami, you’re barely Class 2, aren’t you? And you thought you could stand against me? You’ll regret that deeply… Flame Sorcery—Infernal Flame!”

A towering pillar of fire surged toward Kagami.

“…Tch, Water Sorcery—Water Burst Barrage!”

Kagami retaliated with water-based sorcery.

However—

“Kyaaaah!”

Akaike’s inferno tore through Kagami’s sorcery, overwhelming her and scorching her body. She dropped to her knees.

“Ahh… pitiful, really… Water is strong against fire, sure—but only when their power is equal…”

With mocking leisure, Akaike approached her slowly.

“When the difference in strength is too great, affinity means nothing.”

Then—

“Flame Sorcery—Flame Shackles!”

“Kya!”

Thick, wax-like flames wrapped around Kagami’s wrists, hoisting her upright as if she were strung up.

“Take this!”

“Kyaaaaaa!”

Akaike mercilessly pummeled the immobilized Kagami.

“Take that! And that! Kagami… You’re just like a sandbag now. Didn’t you like being treated like one by the vessel boy? Hm? Feels good, doesn’t it? Huh?”

“Stop it…”

“…What?”

Akaike halted mid-punch, turning toward the voice that had spoken.

It was Kai—the vessel child.

“Oh, don’t worry, you’ll get the same treatment soon enough. Be a good boy and wait your turn… Unless, of course, you want to go first?”

Akaike smiled sweetly as he asked.

“…Tch.”

Kai clenched his teeth at Akaike’s wicked grin.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve heard your test results.”

“…What?”

“Your magic power measurements… Apparently, immeasurable. In other words—you’ve got no talent at all.”

“Kh…”

“You see, children possessed by evil spirits are nothing more than empty shells once the spirit leaves them at age seven. The possession itself becomes a hindrance, and it’s said they never amount to much.”

Akaike spoke smoothly, almost too fluently.

“Now then, just like with Kagami, I’m going to restrain you and turn you into a punching bag.”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“You said you’re going to dispose of me because I’m an anomaly among spirit vessels, right? Then killing me should be enough. What you’re doing is clearly deranged.”

“Oh my, such big words from a five-year-old… Aren’t you clever… How admirable…”

“Tch…”

“Well, honestly, whether you’re possessed by an evil spirit or not doesn’t matter to me. That’s just the official reason.”

“What…?”

“It’s Mayumi…”

“What…?”

Mayumi was Kai’s mother’s name.

“Why? Why is Mayumi still alive even though she gave birth to a spirit vessel? Isn’t that unfair?”

(…What is he talking about?)

“It’s all because of that man, Akihiko…”

(Akihiko… That’s Father’s name.)

“When I heard that Mayumi was pregnant and the spirit mark appeared, I felt cleansed. It was divine retribution. She deserved it for being taken from me. I was going to make her my lawful wife… When I thought that tainted Mayumi would die, I finally felt vindicated. But instead…”

Akaike shed a tear.

“She was taken from me! And yet, even after giving birth to a spirit vessel, Mayumi remains alive. Akihiko is the unfair one! He lost nothing—neither Mayumi, nor the child, nor his talent—and gained everything. I despise him! It’s unfair… unfair, unfair, unfair, unfair, unfair, unfair!”

(This guy… So he had feelings for Mom, but since she married Dad, he twisted it into this insane grudge!?)

“So don’t you think it’s only fair… if I take just one thing precious from him?”

Kai was stunned into silence by Akaike’s childishly pure malice.

“Well, enough talking. Flame Art — Enrourou.”

Akaike cast the same binding spell on Kai that he had used on Kagami.

In that moment, Kai’s body froze—paralyzed by fear.

(Damn it… It’s okay to be scared… Move, damn it…! If not now, then when!?)

Kai forced his trembling body into action.

“…Water Art — Flowing Stream!”

Using the force of water gushing from the ground, he narrowly avoided the attack.

“Kh…! Hmph… Spirit arts powered by Douma, huh? Insolent brat… But what can a kid who was trembling in fear moments ago possibly do?”

(Damn… No matter how much I train, there’s no way a five-year-old can beat an adult in physical ability…)

Kai bit his lip in frustration.

It was then—

[Boy…]

Douma’s voice echoed in his mind.

[Hey, boy… If you don’t want to die, entrust everything to me.]

(What…?)

[Don’t you understand? I’m saying surrender your body to me. If you do, I’ll reduce that scum to ashes in an instant.]

Douma’s offer. It was the very possession Kai had resisted all his life.

(……)

Douma—the most powerful and feared evil spirit.

To surrender to Douma meant risking catastrophe on a global scale.

Yet if Kai could truly borrow that power…

“…Thanks, Douma.”

[It’s not like I’m doing this for you, boy…]

“…But I’ll pass.”

[Huh…? Pass… what?]

“I said I don’t need it.”

[W-What did you say!?]

Douma, expecting to be accepted, was taken aback.

[Boy, you might die if this keeps up! Are you afraid I’ll take over your body?]

“…That’s part of it.”

[What!?]

(Yeah… That’s part of it. But that’s not the only reason.)

Kai thought to himself.

Douma—the most powerful evil spirit.

It would be a lie to say Kai wasn’t tempted by that immense power.

But Douma would disappear on Kai’s seventh birthday.

If he relied on Douma now, he’d never stand on his own.

Facing his fear without Douma’s help—

If he couldn’t do that, he knew deep down that he’d never be able to protect his father, his mother… anyone.

He didn’t know why, but he believed it with all his heart.

“That’s why I’m not borrowing your power, Douma.”

“…Why are you muttering to yourself like that? Disgusting.”

Akaike shot Kai a look of utter contempt.

Caught up in the moment, Kai had spoken his entire conversation with Douma aloud.

“I was going to take my time tormenting you… but enough. Burn to ashes — Flame Art Great Inferno!”

(Kh…!)

Akaike unleashed a massive blaze, engulfing Kai and the others in searing flames.

“Hahaha… Serves you right… Akihiko… Now we’re finally even.”

Akaike smiled, covering his face as if to savor his triumph.

But—

“That kind of equality is worthless.”

“…!?”

A voice rang out from within the flames.

“What…!? How!?”

As the flames died down, all three of them emerged unharmed.

Not a single burn on any of them.

“A… wall?!”

A wall of light had blocked the flames’ advance.

“What… What is this wall of light? I’ve never seen a technique like this…”

“Uh… I guess I’ll call it Barrier… (temporary name).”

“W-W-What…? A barrier…? No… It can’t be… Spirit Art — Hakujutsu!?”

Akaike’s face froze in horror.