[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 15

(I blurted out “Barrier… (temporary name)” just to go with the flow, but what exactly is this…?)

Kai had, in a moment of desperation, created a wall that blocked the flames.

However, the truth was, he didn’t fully understand what it was.

Then, Kagami, who was still bound, spoke to him.

“Kai-sama… that is most likely… your Hakujutsu, your spirit art.”

“Ah… I thought so…”

He hadn’t used any traditional youjutsu.
And it didn’t fall under any of the five great elements: wind, fire, earth, lightning, or water.

That left only one possibility—Hakujutsu, spirit art.

(Still… that was practically a shot in the dark, but I’m glad it worked…)

Kai felt a momentary sense of relief that all three of them were still alive.

However—

[Ahahahaha… A barrier, you said? Are you serious? That’s the most plain, boring ability ever… That’s the kind of power a side character gets! Ahahahaha…!]

A voice laughed uproariously in his head.

(……)

“Quit laughing… It’s fine if it’s boring.”

Kai pouted slightly.

(But I heard that once a Hakujutsu manifests, it’s fixed in that form… A wall, huh… Okay, maybe it is a bit plain…)

As a flicker of doubt crept into his mind—

“Kai-sama…”

(…?)

Kagami called to him again.

“I think your Hakujutsu is wonderful.”

(…!)

“I believe it’s a manifestation of your strong desire to protect others.”

“…Thank you, Kagami-sensei.”

“…I’m no longer worthy of being called a teacher…”

“No, you’re still my teacher.”

“Ah…!”

“Kagami-sensei, please watch. I’ll show you the results of everything you taught me.”

“W-What results!? Don’t get cocky just because you can use Hakujutsu! A brat like you has no real combat experience! Flame Art — Flame Spear!”

Akaike launched a piercing, straight flame at Kai.

But Kai’s wall of light completely blocked the flames.

“Kh…! But your ability only defends, right? All I have to do is exploit an opening and land a direct hit.”

Saying that, Akaike charged at Kai.

[Hah… That idiot. He thinks the wall only defends? If he used his brain for a second, he’d realize that’s not the case.]

Douma laughed mockingly.

Meanwhile, Akaike closed the distance between them.

“Take this, you little brat…!”

He raised his right arm to strike.

In that instant—

“Gahh!”

Akaike slammed face-first into empty air.

“…Kh…!”

Shaken, Akaike instinctively tried to back away from Kai.

But—

“Guh!”

This time, he crashed into something behind him.

“…D-Damn it…”

With panic etched on his face, Akaike flailed in all directions like an insect trapped in a cage.

But each time, he collided with invisible walls.

At last, Akaike realized it.

He was completely surrounded by Kai’s walls of light.

Kai stepped forward and raised his fist.

“P-Please…!”

Akaike covered his face with his arms, letting out a pitiful squeal.

But then—

“W-What are you going to do to me? No one’s going to believe a word a child says!”

(…)

Seeing Kai pause for a moment, Akaike smirked faintly.

“What do you think will happen if you harm me, the head of one of the Seven Great Houses, the Akaike family?”

(……)

“You’re already an anomalous, cursed child. They’ll definitely deem you a threat and dispose of you.”

Akaike pressed on, desperate, his words spilling out like venom.

“The Akaike family has noble backers not only in Japan but across the world. So, tell me, which of us is really cornered here?”

(……)

Seeing Kai clench his fist tightly, as if swallowing down his frustration, Akaike grinned smugly.

“You understand now, don’t you? If a cursed child lays a hand on me, then, using common sense—”

“GUEHHHHH—!!”

Akaike, in the middle of his smug speech, was punched square in the face and sent flying.

“Guhp…”

He let out a strange groan as he slammed into the “barrier” and crumpled to the ground.

And the one who landed the punch spat out coldly:

“What kind of five-year-old knows anything about common sense?”

“K-Kai-sama… y-you really did it…”

Kagami fumbled nervously, flustered and panicking.

[Ahahahaha! The kid really did it! That was brilliant! He’s been through all sorts of physical training with that private tutor of his, especially using lightning-based youjutsu for body enhancement!]

Unlike Kagami, the voice in Kai’s head—Douma—was overjoyed.

[Still, I can’t believe you refused my power even in that situation… Quite the curious boy… N-Not that I’m admiring you or anything! It just… piqued my intellectual curiosity, that’s all…!]

As for Kai himself—

“…Crap… I really did it…”

He looked a bit panicked.

(But… even if I did… I don’t regret it.)