[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 9

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

“Yes. Absolutely yes. There is no scenario where the answer is ‘no.’”

“…Understood.”

Slowly, Miss Kagami lifted her head, her face filled with shock and disbelief.

(…Wait.)

(Why does she look so stunned just because I told her to stop bowing?)

(Why was she even prostrating to a four-year-old in the first place…?)

(This is kind of scary…)

Kai felt a slight chill run down his spine.

And then—

“W-Well then, Kai-sama… Please, enjoy yourself as you wish.”

Kagami suddenly wrapped her arms around herself and stood perfectly still.

(…Huh!?)

“Uh… Miss Kagami? What do you mean by ‘please, enjoy yourself’…?”

“Ah, yes… I am a punching bag.”

“…A punching bag?”

“Yes. A punching bag is an object that is struck or kicked, mainly for the purpose of practicing attacks.”

“Uh, yeah, I know what a punching bag is…”

“M-My deepest apologies! Then, please—strike or kick as you see fit!”

(What the hell is this woman even talking about…!?)

Kai stared at her, baffled.

Noticing his expression, Kagami looked flustered.

“M-My apologies! Did the standing type of punching bag not please you? In that case, I shall prepare a hanging type instead—”

She opened her attache case, pulling out… something suspicious.

“N-No, that’s not the issue! I’d prefer if you just taught me the fundamentals of becoming an exorcist!”

“H-Huh…? W-What do you mean…? A-Ah! I apologize for my rudeness! For a lowly being like me to ask a question… how disgraceful…!”

(Something is definitely off here…)

“No, no, Miss Kagami—if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”

“Eh…? O-Oh… I see… T-Then, if I may be so bold… When you say ‘fundamentals of becoming an exorcist’, do you mean things like how to awaken magic or the exorcist’s Three Pillars of Strength: Mind, Skill, and Body?”

(The Three Pillars of Strength…?)

(Sounds like something super basic. I bet—)

“That one!”

“I-I see… So, you truly wish to learn the absolute basics of being an exorcist?”

“Yes, please!”

Kai bowed his head politely.

“…T-This child… Is he really a vessel of malevolent energy?”

Kagami muttered under her breath.

“…Huh?”

“Ah! N-No, never mind! I-It was nothing! E-Erm… In that case, let’s start with the basics of magic awakening—”

“Ah, actually, I already know how to do that. So if possible, I’d like to begin with the Three Pillars of Strength instead.”

“A-Ah, yes, that makes sense… After all, you could use magic from birth… My apologies.”

(…Wait.)

(How does Miss Kagami know that I’ve been using magic since birth to resist Douma…?)

“Alright then! Let’s begin our lesson on the Three Pillars of Strength for exorcists!”

(Finally! I can finally start learning about exorcists properly…!)

“The Three Pillars of Strength consist of Mind, Skill, and Body—but the order of learning is actually reversed. It goes Body → Skill → Mind.”

“Huh…? Why is that?”

“Well, Skill and Mind can only be developed properly once a person has fully awakened their magic. That’s why most children your age cannot even begin learning them.”

“That makes sense.”

“And in Kai-sama’s case, the magic you currently use is most likely dependent on Douma-sama’s power.”

(…Wait.)

Kai paused.

(What does she mean by that…?)

But instead of questioning her immediately, he decided to keep listening for now.

“Now then, let’s begin with ‘Body.’ This refers to martial arts training.”

“Got it!”

“Even though exorcists primarily engage in combat using magic, having a solid foundation in martial arts is never a disadvantage.”

(…That makes sense.)

Kai suddenly recalled his past life’s death.

He had prepared himself mentally and strategically, but in the end, his lack of physical endurance had sealed his fate.

“That is why we always begin with martial arts before moving on to other areas of training.”

“I see. Thank you for explaining.”

“…!?”

Kagami froze.

“…? Is something wrong?”

“N-No… It’s nothing…”

“…Miss Kagami, if it’s not too much trouble, could you also explain the Skill and Mind aspects, even if just the theory?”

“N-Not at all! I would be honored!”

(…Why is she so dramatic about everything?)

Kai couldn’t help but smile wryly.