[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 8

“No… placing too many expectations on a child is… But still… the likelihood is much higher than that… If I dismiss the possibility outright, wouldn’t that mean I’m stifling my own child’s potential…?”

Kai’s father was muttering to himself.

【Hoh… Seems like the brat’s father isn’t completely blind after all.】

Even Douma seemed somewhat impressed.

(“Huh? What do you mean…?”)

At that moment—

Kai’s father turned to him with a resolute expression.

“Kai… do you want to become an exorcist?”

“Huh…?”

“Kai… you barely show any interest in picture books, yet you always read exorcist stories. Whenever there’s something about exorcists on TV, you watch it intensely.”

(W-Well, that’s because it’s one of the biggest differences between this world and my past life…)

“That’s why I’m asking—do you want to become an exorcist?”

“B-But… my magic power was unmeasurable…”

【Brat, just answer with a yes or no instead of rambling.】

(“…!”)

“Y-Yes… I do. I want to become one so I can protect Dad and Mom.”

Kai met his father’s gaze head-on and answered firmly.

There was no hesitation—no falsehood—in his words.

“…Listen, Kai. Your father and mother aren’t so weak that they need you to protect them. But… you already have the most important quality of an exorcist.”

His father smiled warmly.

“Alright! Since we’ve decided—there’s no time to waste!”

And with that—

His father rushed back inside the house.

◇

A Few Days Later

“Alright, Kai! Starting today, we begin your exorcist training!”

“Yes…!”

“Good! Let’s head to the dojo!”

“Yes…!”

For the first time, Kai was about to enter the dojo within their home.

A Grand Household

Their house was massive.

Compared to his previous life, it was on a completely different level.

A large, traditional Japanese mansion, its wooden architecture and ancient atmosphere gave it an old-world charm.

As one of the Seven Great Exorcist Clans of Japan, their home was a reflection of their lineage’s prestige.

Kai finally stepped over the dojo’s threshold for the first time.

And there—

“Ah… Lord Shirakami… that must be Kai-sama, correct? It is an honor to meet you today.”

(Huh…?)

Inside the dojo, a woman dressed in a shrine maiden’s outfit stood waiting.

She appeared to be in her twenties, with chestnut-brown bobbed hair and soft, droopy eyes, giving her a gentle, adorable look.

Even through the modest fit of her traditional attire, her figure was impossible to ignore.

She also carried a large attache case.

“Kai, this is your exorcist instructor… uh…”

“Kagami. My name is Kagami.”

“Ah, yes… Miss Kagami.”

(Exorcist instructor…?)

Kai was caught off guard.

“U-Um… I thought Dad was going to teach me. Aren’t you a powerful exorcist, Dad?”

“Oh, I am. Your father is an amazing exorcist.”

“Then why…?”

“But listen, Kai… a great warrior does not necessarily make a great teacher.”

“…!”

Kai was stunned—but his father was right.

“Besides… strong emotions can cloud objectivity. That’s why, when it comes to training, it’s best to leave it to professionals.”

“I… see.”

“So I thought long and hard about how to find the best instructor… And after much deliberation, I finally arrived at an ingenious solution!”

“Wow! That’s amazing, Dad! So, what’s the solution?”

“The Internet.”

(…!)

“It might be a bit complicated for you, Kai, but the Internet is this amazing technology where you can search for anything you want!”

(I-I know what the Internet is…)

“And so, I found Miss Kagami through a highly-rated tutoring agency that specializes in exorcist training! And, and…!”

His father excitedly rambled on.

(Wait… hold on.)

(Wasn’t this era still at the height of stealth marketing and fake reviews…?)

(I might have romanticized him in my past life since I didn’t live long enough to notice, but… is Dad kind of gullible…?)

Kai was speechless.

But then—

“So, anyway…”

His father’s enthusiastic tone suddenly lowered.

“…Kai, you’re smart, so I’m sure you already understand—

You are a vessel child.”

“…Yeah.”

“Miss Kagami has experience teaching vessel children in the past. Very few instructors have that kind of expertise. I thought she might be the best person to help you unlock your potential.”

“…I understand.”

Hearing this, Kai realized just how much thought his father had put into choosing his teacher.

And for a moment—he felt a little guilty for doubting him.

“Alright then! Do your best, Kai!”

“Wait, what!? Dad, you’re leaving!?”

“Yup! You’re on your own—work hard!”

“O-Oh… okay…”

“Oh, but take this.”

His father handed him a small paper talisman.

“Dad, what is this?”

“It’s like a charm. Keep it with you at all times.”

“…Alright.”

“Good!”

His father grinned before leaving the dojo.

A New Experience

This was the first time in this life that neither his father nor mother was with him.

Kai stood there, momentarily lost in thought.

He realized that since he had never attended preschool or daycare, he had never once been left alone with someone outside his family.

By the time most kids turned four, they had already started to develop independence.

(Well… yeah, it makes sense. At some point, I need to start getting used to being on my own…)

【Oh nooo~! Poor little brat! Are you feeling lonely without Daddy around? But don’t worry—I am still here for you!】

And then there was this guy.

(“Shut up.”)

The First Lesson Begins

With his father gone, Kai was now alone with the exorcist instructor—Miss Kagami.

“Alright then, Kai-sama… It is a great honor to be your instructor today. Please accept my deepest respect.”

A polite voice spoke from behind him.

Feeling a bit nervous, Kai turned around—

And then—

(…Huh!?”)

Kagami was—

Kneeling.

Forehead pressed to the floor.

In other words—almost full prostration.

“Umm… Miss Kagami? What are you doing? Could you… please lift your head?”

Kai quickly spoke up.

“…!? S-Sensei…?”

Kagami seemed stunned—not by the request, but by something else.

Still frozen in that position, she cautiously asked—

“A-Are you sure…? I may lift my head?”

“Yes. Absolutely yes. There is no ‘no’ here.”

“…Understood.”

Slowly, Kagami lifted her head, a look of utter disbelief still on her face.