[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 20

“Those who have yet to manifest their mana, practice mana manifestation. Those who can already do so, begin your basic youjutsu training.”

That day, Kai and his group were scheduled for mana control training.

Except for Kai and Ame, the other four children were assigned to practice mana manifestation.

The average age for mana manifestation is around ten years old.
However, it’s common to start practicing much earlier, little by little.
In fact, in some families, children begin as early as age three.

“Alright then, let’s take turns one by one.”

At the gentle command of their soft-spoken instructor, Kurita, the four children began demonstrating their attempts at manifesting mana in turn.

“Hnn—eii!”
“Yaaah!”
“Nununuuu!”
“…Nyun!”

But of course, it’s not something that comes so easily.

“Mm-hmm, everyone, try to relax your shoulders a bit more. But you’re doing great—really. Don’t worry. Mana manifestation often happens all of a sudden, like a light switching on one day.”

Kurita offered kind encouragement to the children who were starting to look a little disheartened.

“Next is Ginzan Ame-san. This is your first time training mana control here too, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright, then let’s have you try some basic youjutsu.”

Since Ame was formerly a yorishiro—an ex-spiritual vessel—she had already acquired youjutsu.
Most children who were once yorishiro tend to develop the ability to use youjutsu at a young age.

However…

“Don’t worry. We have two Class-3 Exorcists here. Even if something goes wrong, we’ll handle it. Just stay calm and give it your best.”

Kurita reassured her with a warm smile.

(“…‘Goes wrong’?”)

{…You see, kids who used to be yorishiro are in a state where the limiter on their mana is forcibly removed from birth.}

(“Ah… I get it now. That’s what Douma was trying to do.”)

{Hmph…! Gettin’ cheeky, are we? If you keep that up, I won’t explain anything else! Though… yeah, you’re right.}

(“Sorry, my bad.”)

{Anyway, that’s why many of them struggle with mana control after the spirits leave. Their senses get all out of sync. A lot of the time, their original mana attribute gets overwritten by the spirit’s influence.}

(“…I see.”)

Kai remembered something Akaike had said.

“The thing about spirit-possessed kids is, once the evil spirit leaves around age seven, they’re just hollow shells. The spirit’s control up to that point actually gets in the way of their growth, and they never amount to much.”

(…‘Never amount to much,’ huh.)

The words cast a faint shadow over his thoughts.
He wanted to believe he was different—but statistics and historical patterns have a way of proving true more often than not.

(I’m not aiming to be someone great who’s admired by everyone or anything like that. But… I do want to become strong enough to protect the people I care about.)

While Kai was lost in those thoughts—

“Then, here I go.”

Ame composed herself, then raised her hand forward.

Just then—

“Oho, I wonder what kind of explosion we’ll get to witness today…”

The usually quiet and bullying instructor, Hyoudou, chimed in with a sarcastic remark.

(“That bastard…”)
{That bastard…}

(…! Uh—)
{…! Uh, ah—oh…}

Kai and Douma unintentionally synced up for a moment, which made things a bit awkward.

Still, Ame continued, calm and collected.

“Water Technique: Water Ring”

“Water Technique: Water Ring”—a basic water-based spell that conjures a ring of water.
It can be used for suppression or distraction by launching the ring at an opponent.

In Ame’s outstretched palm, a ring of water about 50 centimeters in diameter began to form.

It was a perfectly shaped, beautiful circle.

“…Huh?”
“Eh…?”

The instructors couldn’t help but let out gasps of surprise.

Then, before their eyes, the ring of water began to crystallize—transforming into a frozen circle of ice.

(“…Ice? It’s… beautiful…”)

{…Hmm. That girl—despite being a former yorishiro—her mana isn’t unstable at all…}

Douma’s comment summed up exactly what was happening.

That’s why the instructors looked so shocked.

Typically, when former yorishiro children attempt youjutsu, their mana is warped and unbalanced, resulting in misshapen or erratic forms. Controlling it properly is rare.

(“You said earlier that a lot of kids like her struggle with mana control because their senses are off… but that doesn’t seem to be the case for Ame-san?”)

{Indeed. It could be that the irei spirit that once possessed her—Yuki-Onna Asane—had a mana affinity similar to her own. That would explain why they resonated well.}

(“I see…”)

(…Ame-san is… incredible.)

“You’re really good, Ame-san…!”

“…!”

Kurita praised her with genuine admiration, while Hyoudou looked uncomfortable, clearly caught off guard.

“Alright, well then… next is…”

With Ame’s turn over, all eyes turned to Kai.

“Kai-kun, what about you? It’s completely up to you—whether you want to try or not.”

Even Kurita, usually encouraging, seemed cautious—perhaps because he was wary of Douma.

(…Hmm. Just like Father told me—I can’t risk using my light mana here… I should probably skip this one… Wait—)

Kai was just about to pass, but then he noticed something.

The other children—aside from Ame—were looking at him with visible resentment.

“…Ugh.”

(…I don’t know what circumstances led the others to be under protective observation, but I’m the youngest here, and yet I’m being treated kind of special… Their stares are… a little harsh. But still, I can’t reveal my light mana…)

“…………”

(“Hey, Douma… I need a favor. Just this once… can I borrow your mana? I won’t be able to pay you back, though.”)

{Sure, go ahead.}

(“…Wait, really? You’re okay with that!?”)