[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 17

Several days had passed since the Akaike incident.

Kai had been taken into custody.

Well, that might be overstating it a bit—he had been placed under protective supervision.

Following the incident, Kai’s father handed Akaike over to the Reishin’in, the Spiritual Tribunal.

The Reishin’in was the judiciary arm of the Hamashi—the Exorcists.

In Japan, the Hamashi operated somewhat independently from the regular government organizations.

“Lord Kurokawa! Wh-what is the meaning of this!? Why has Kai been placed under protective supervision?!”

Kai’s father was confronting Kurokawa, one of the Reishin’in judges.

Kurokawa, a man around the same age as Kai’s father, gave off an intelligent impression with his spectacles and calm demeanor.

“It means exactly what it sounds like,” he replied flatly.

In contrast to the flustered father, Kurokawa remained composed.

“Wh-why? Kai was the victim here!”

“I understand what you’re trying to say, Lord Shirakami.”

“Th-then why…!”

“Unfortunately, there’s no solid evidence. The testimonies of Lord Shirakami and Lord Akaike are completely contradictory.”

“…!”

Kai’s father clenched his teeth in frustration.

Of course, Akaike, upon regaining consciousness, would never admit to his crimes. Instead, he spun a web of lies, claiming he had been the victim.

“You weren’t an eyewitness to the incident yourself, were you, Lord Shirakami?”

“…No, I wasn’t.”

“According to testimony from Miss Kagami, a third party, your side is slightly more credible. However, one person’s statement isn’t enough—it could still be biased, and thus insufficient as evidence. Besides, the claim that five-year-old Kai defeated Lord Akaike without using Lord Douma’s power is too far-fetched to be credible. Especially the part about not using Lord Douma’s power.”

“Ugh… I understand…”

Lord Shirakami bit his lip. As much as it pained him, everything Kurokawa said was perfectly reasonable.

“Lord Akaike claims Kai did use Lord Douma’s power. The accounts are completely at odds.”

“That’s just because he doesn’t want to admit defeat to a mere five-year-old. If he claims he lost to Lord Douma, at least he can save face.”

“That’s… one way to look at it, certainly.”

“And what about the fact that Akaike trespassed on private property?!”

“Akaike claims he was led there by Kagami and walked right into a trap. His statement is questionable, yes—but again, there’s not enough solid evidence to make a definitive ruling.”

“Damn it…”

“Besides, Kagami’s account of Lord Akaike’s motive… well, it’s so crude—so utterly foolish—that it borders on unbelievable.”

At that, Lord Shirakami wore a complicated expression.

“True… Even if I were in your position, Lord Kurokawa, I might have dismissed it too. It’s just so… base and absurd.”

“…”

The two men fell silent for a moment.

“Lord Shirakami, you may not be satisfied with this outcome, but let me remind you—Kai has only been placed under protective supervision. He doesn’t have a criminal record. Once the period ends, everything will go back to normal.”

“…Understood.”

In truth, Akaike held a strong voice even among the Seven Noble Families.

That Kurokawa didn’t simply take Akaike’s word at face value was, in a sense, a small mercy.

And so, the verdict was delivered: Akaike was sent to a holding facility, while Kai was placed under protective supervision.

Due to Akaike’s accusations, suspicion also fell on Kagami—but her sentencing was deferred.

“One more thing, Lord Shirakami…”

“…Yes?”

“This isn’t directly related to the case, but… it’s been five years since Kai was born. Which also means five years have passed since Lord Douma descended into this world. According to historical records, even when sealed within a vessel, Lord Douma’s power alone should be enough to cause calamities. And yet, in these past five years… nothing of note has occurred in Japan.”

“…That’s true. But what’s your point? Don’t tell me… are you also planning to do something to Kai?”

Lord Shirakami’s gaze sharpened instinctively.

“No, no… That’s not what I meant.”

“Then?”

“…As a judge, I can’t say this officially, but… based on Miss Kagami’s testimony… well… I couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement…”

“…!”

Hearing that, Lord Shirakami was momentarily taken aback—but then, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Then how about you change the verdict?”

“Absolutely not.”

And now—present day.

（………………）

Kai was meditating.

{Oi, brat… I’m bored.}

（…）

{Oiii, you little runt. Just so you know, this kind of meditation is completely pointless, you hear me?}

（…）

“Hey, hey, kiddo—so, did you look up my historical records yet? Huh? Did you?”

“Ugh, shut up already…! No, I didn’t look them up…!”

“““!?”””

The instructors nearby all turned to stare at Kai.

“…Ah, s-sorry.”

Kai apologized awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.

At present, Kai was being held at Jakugoin, a rehabilitation center for Hamashi—Exorcists.

And right now, he was being made to meditate.

“Ah, i-it’s alright, Kai Shirakami-kun. No need to rush—just go at your own pace…”

“…Yes, I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Not at all.”

The instructor bowed humbly to Kai, who, despite being just five years old, commanded a strange respect.

(…Right.)

He was starting to get used to it, but even here at Jakugoin, people were clearly walking on eggshells around him.

(Though really, it’s not me they’re afraid of—it’s Douma.)

Jakugoin imposed various training exercises under the pretense of “education,” not just meditation.

(Haaah… I don’t regret what I did to Akaike, but… to be honest, I preferred training with Miss Kagami…)

Kai found himself missing Kagami—the one who taught him with patience, clarity, and challenged him with difficult tasks when needed.

(And besides, I only have until I’m six—until Father and Mother die. There’s not much time left. I’ve got to train myself somehow…)

Just as those thoughts ran through his mind—

“Hey! No moving during meditation!”

“Kyah!”

(…!)

An instructor struck the shoulder of another child meditating nearby with a keisaku stick.

Kai was one of six children meditating in the same room.

“I-I wasn’t… I wasn’t moving…”

The girl who had been hit tried to protest.

“What’s that…? Ginzan Ame, was it…? Getting defiant now, are we… Akunuts—”

“Hey, come on, that’s enough.”

Another instructor quickly stepped in to cut him off.

“Ah, yeah… sorry, sorry.”

The first instructor laughed it off, brushing aside his own inappropriate remark.

The girl—Ginzan Ame—turned expressionless and quietly returned to her meditation.

(…Disgusting. I want to say something. I really do. But—)

Kai recalled what his father had told him before he entered the facility:

“Kai, if you want to get out of Jakugoin quickly, you must avoid drawing attention to yourself. Especially avoid using any magic. You understand this already, I’m sure, but as far as they know, you’re only supposed to be able to use Lord Douma’s power. Your mana levels are officially listed as ‘unable to measure’—if they find out otherwise, they may start treating you like some dangerous anomaly. That could make things even worse.”

(…Ugh. How frustrating…)

As those thoughts ran through his head—

{Hey, kiddo…}

(…Huh?)

Douma’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

{I’ve decided… I’m going to curse them to death.}

(What—!?)

As he said that, Douma began to release his dark energy—something he hadn’t done in a long time.

(Wait—!)

Kai panicked. But then—

(Hmm…? Now that I think about it… Father only said I can’t use my own magic, right? Technically, being possessed by an evil spirit would actually be more normal behavior for a vessel… wouldn’t it?)

“…”

His eyes drifted to the delicate figure of Ginzan Ame, the girl who had been struck for no reason.

(…It’s not like I’m in danger and need to rely on Douma right now… I’m not okay with killing anyone, obviously, but…)

(“…Just a little wouldn’t hurt, right?”)

{Eh…? R-really!? You mean it!?}

Douma responded with a squeal of giddy surprise.