[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 19

In the end, Kai and Ame played mari-kickball without further incident.

Ame’s first kick had been far too powerful, but after that, she adjusted and sent more controlled passes.

“Ah, sorry, Kai-kun, that one went off a bit.”

“No worries, Ame-san. Here comes mine.”

“…Alright.”

Just like that, their mari-kickball practice continued with a mature tone of mutual respect—surprisingly adult-like for two children.

And so, the training ended on a relatively peaceful note, and the group broke for lunch.

{Hey, kiddo… how about… y’know, skipping that part? Please?}

(Nope.)

{C-come on…!}

Munch, munch, munch.

(…Delicious.)

Kai was chewing on a piece of shiitake mushroom that had been served in the meat and potato stew for lunch.

{Gwaah—bleh!}

Inside his head, Douma made a strange gagging sound.

Yes—the great Lord Douma’s one true weakness: shiitake mushrooms.

Since Kai and Douma shared all five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—moments like this were inevitable.

{…Shiitake in nikujaga is entirely unnecessary. If possible, please also refrain from adding them to gyoza or spring rolls…}

And with that parting remark, Douma fell silent again.

Just then—

“Mind if I sit here?”

(Oh…?)

A girl approached Kai with a tray in hand. It was Ame.

“…Go ahead.”

“Thanks…”

She sat beside Kai and began to eat.

“…………”

(Uhh…)

Even though she had come over to sit next to him, Ame didn’t say a word, quietly eating her food. Every now and then, she glanced side to side, as if checking her surroundings.

Kai started to feel a little awkward in the silence.

(…Should I say something? I mean, I do have the mental age of an adult, so…)

Just as he was thinking that—

“Kai-kun… can I ask you something?”

(…!)

Ame finally spoke up.

“You really are the vessel of the demon god, Lord Douma… aren’t you?”

“Uh—y-yeah… I am.”

Ame stared directly at the top of Kai’s head.

“…So Lord Douma really is inside there?”

“Uh-huh.”

{I am.}

Douma answered curtly—not that Ame could hear him.

“…Or wait. Could it be that you are Lord Douma himself?”

(…!)

(So that’s what she’s getting at… basically, she’s wondering if I’ve already been possessed and replaced, and if Douma’s actually a decent guy after all. Now, how should I answer this…?)

“…Hmm. I dunno, really.”

“I-I see… Sorry for the weird question.”

Ame dipped her head slightly in apology.

Watching her, Kai had a sudden realization.

(Ame-san… she knows I’m Lord Douma’s vessel, yet she’s not acting scared at all.)

Most people who found out about Kai’s connection to Douma treated him with excessive caution or deference.

But not Ame. She was different.

(Well, she does seem mature for her age, but she’s still a kid… I wonder how old she is…)

Kai decided to ask.

“Ame-san, um… are you in elementary school?”

“Yes, I am… I’m in second grade. I’m seven.”

“So that’s how it is. I’m five years old.”

(…Seven, huh.)

Her age was younger than he’d expected—and yet, the number seven stuck in his mind.

“Kai-kun… actually, I used to be a vessel too.”

“…!”

(…I had a feeling, and yep—there it is.)

“I was… the former vessel of the Yuki-Onna Asane.”

{Oh-ho… Asane, huh…}

(You know her, Douma?)

{Hm? Of course I do… She’s one of the “Eight Spirits of Mourning” of Japan.}

(The Eight Spirits of Mourning…? Never heard of that. Wait—could Douma be one of them too? And “spirits of mourning”…? So that’s what he calls himself? I guess he wouldn’t go around calling himself an evil spirit, huh…)

“…The thing is, when you’re a former vessel… ah—no, never mind. Forget it.”

Ame started to say something but quickly stopped herself.

And then—

{When the spirit leaves a vessel, some fools start calling the former vessels “spirit-dumped”…}

For some reason, Douma started speaking up again.

{Because of the reckless behavior they may have displayed under possession, they’re often met with discrimination and contempt.}

That was exactly what Ame had likely been about to say—but held back.

She must have thought it wasn’t something a young boy, still destined to become a former vessel himself, needed to hear just yet.

{And yet, those very vessels are the reason the spirits’ wrath is kept in check. How foolish people can be…}

Douma muttered in a rare, solemn tone.

(…Says the guy who’d probably go on a rampage if left unchecked.)

Kai had the thought but decided not to voice it aloud. Something in Douma’s tone suggested there was more to this than he let on.

(Wait a minute. Does this mean once the spirit leaves a vessel… they end up in protective supervision? Hold on—if I manage to get out of Jakugoin… am I just going to be sent right back here later…?)

The realization hit him hard. And for a moment, Kai felt a heavy wave of gloom settle in.

(…Well, no point in worrying about that yet. Better to focus on what’s right in front of me.)

Then—

(Hm?)

Once again, he noticed Ame glancing nervously around her, as if searching for something.

“…What’s wrong, Ame-san?”

“…! I… I just had this strange feeling like someone was watching me. Ah—never mind, sorry. Don’t worry about it.”

(…What was that? A stalker or something?)

That day, nothing more happened.

But from that point on, Kai and Ame naturally started spending more time together.

A few days later—

“Alright everyone—today, we’ll be working on mana control training.”

Instructor Kurita, ever gentle in demeanor, gave the order to the children.

(…Wait, what? Mana control?)

“Those who haven’t awakened their mana yet will work on manifestation. Those who have, will begin practicing basic spirit arts.”