The Old Man Who Saved Another World 15 Years Ago is Now Getting Caught Up In A Modern Fantasy - Episode 13

A few days since my first job as an exorcist.

Using my day off from my part-time job, I had come to the Shiraha family mansion.

Since I’ve decided to become an exorcist, I don’t intend to continue my part-time job, but it’s not something I can quit immediately either.

This month is the same as always.

Since I have already communicated my intention to resign, I should be able to free up more time starting next month. It will be from then that I can fully dedicate myself to studying and practicing as an exorcist.

So until then, I will be going to the Shiraha family on my days off from my part-time job.

“Yukimura, I’m going to start learning exorcism techniques right away.”

“Oh!”

Hearing Kukuri’s words, I couldn’t help but let out a joyful cry, despite my age.

Even though he’s 38, a man is still a man.

Special powers are something one can still yearn for at this age.

I do have the “Karma Eye,” but it’s not something that can be used in battle, so it’s different.

I was thinking of making a contract with Sayohime today, but plans have changed. It seems she is taking good care of my food, clothing, and shelter, so it can wait.

An event where we can learn exorcism techniques? I can’t wait!

“How do you master it?”

“I’m going to inscribe the technique onto your body.”

“……Is that really okay?”

I brace myself a little.

A technique formula, as the name suggests, is like a calculation formula used to activate a specific technique.

Even in the magic of another world, this technique is used, and when a wizard casts a spell, they first construct this technique. Chanting and other actions are done to construct this technique.

By channeling magical power through the constructed spell formula, magic is activated.

The same goes for talismans and magic sealing stones.

They are a technique for casting magic that has been accelerated by shortening the incantation through the preparation of the spell from the beginning.

So, in exorcism, you carve this technique into your body.

“In other words, it’s like a spell that uses the human body.”

“That’s right. The human body is not a fragile medium like a talisman, so we can inscribe more powerful spells. The degree of freedom is on a completely different level. With practice, the range of spells can also be expanded.”

“Besides, exorcism techniques are faster than talisman techniques… Well, if the technique is engraved directly into the body, then that makes sense. But it’s dangerous, isn’t it? It’s like carrying a bomb inside your body.”

“If the technique doesn’t match or if the procedure to engrave the technique fails, the body won’t be able to handle it. You might lose your senses, or your brain might malfunction because it can’t process the information of the technique. In the worst case, you could die.”

“Hey!? Are you going to die!?”

“It’s okay. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll just die. As long as you properly inscribe a technique that suits your aptitude, you’ll be fine. Besides, the Shiraha family has a master engraver.”

Engraver?

It might be something like a specialist who inscribes spells for exorcists.

“I’m nothing but anxious…”

“You’re such a worrywart. As long as you don’t ignore your aptitude, there’s really no problem, you know? Look at me, I’m perfectly fine. I inscribed the technique when I was ten, but I’m living life with no issues.”

Kukuri spreads her arms wide and spins around on the spot.

It seems that I haven’t lost any bodily sensations or had any brain dysfunction, though.

“Everyone else is safe too. Probably, the failure rate is less than one percent. In fact, not having exorcism techniques and still acting as an exorcist increases the chances of being killed by a demon.”

“Is that so…?”

I ended up agreeing with Kukuri’s explanation.

If you ignore the improvement of combat abilities out of fear that the ritual engraving might fail, then the repercussions will come in actual combat.

That is directly linked to life itself.

Indeed, this is an unavoidable risk.

Besides, when I hear that the failure rate is 1%, it makes me feel like it should be okay.

Roughly speaking, it’s about the same probability as getting the highest rarity in a single pull in a mobile game gacha.

Yeah, when I think about it, I feel like it definitely won’t hit.

Gacha is a bad civilization. No problem.

I clear my throat and compose myself.

“You mentioned it casually, but is there a suitability for the technique?”

“Yes. The techniques that suit each person differ. We select candidates from several techniques and choose the one that is most suitable for that person.”

Regarding this, it’s the same as with magical aptitude.

If there are people skilled in fire magic, there are also people skilled in water magic, and such individual differences existed among magicians.

In the case of exorcism techniques, since the spells are directly inscribed on the body, this aptitude is likely even more important.

“Since aptitude is somewhat hereditary, each exorcist family inherits, researches, and develops several techniques that suit their bloodline over generations, passing them down to their descendants. The strength of these techniques is one of the conditions for a prestigious family. Separate from individual strength, of course.”

“……Exorcism techniques are the very history of exorcists, huh?”

From Kukuri’s story, I realize that handing over the Shiraha family’s techniques to me is truly an extraordinary privilege.

I was told that if I betray them, they’ll kill me, but I can’t complain about this.

“What if someone like me, who doesn’t come from a family of exorcists, becomes an exorcist? There are no techniques to inherit, right?”

“In that case, you can inscribe the techniques published by the Onmyoji Institute. They are generally not as strong as the secret techniques of each exorcist family, but they’re not bad. They’re definitely much stronger than talismans and such.”

“Wow”

“The Shiraha family’s techniques have four types, but none of them might suit Yukimura since he isn’t of the bloodline. In that case, we will have to find a suitable technique from the Onmyoji Institute.”

“If that’s the case, I want to use Kukuri’s ‘Wind’ too. It’s strong and cool.”

“Hehehe, it would be good if you have the aptitude, wouldn’t it?”

Kukuri, who had been smiling cheerfully, reached for the attaché case that had been ominously placed nearby.

She slowly opened it and showed me what was inside so I could see.

“……A jewel?”

What was inside the attaché case were four jewel-like objects.

Green things, blue things, star-shaped things, amber-like things.

“This is what we call a seal stone inscribed with a technique. By transferring the technique inscribed on this stone directly onto a person’s body, the exorcist can use the technique.”

“I see, so by preserving it in this form, they’re inheriting the technique to prevent it from being lost… Wait, hey! Why are you taking something so important out like this!?”

If I may say, the Imprint Stone is the original text of the technique.

If we were to lose this and the user of the technique were to disappear as well, we would end up losing an important technique at that point.

This kind of thing should be kept in a more heavily guarded treasure vault.

Perhaps the engraved stone has a backup prepared, but if it were to leak out, there is a possibility that the techniques passed down through generations could be taken elsewhere.

That’s a problem in itself.

“Sure, it would be a big deal if something happened, but there’s no place safer than by my side in this house. More importantly—”

“Things like that, huh…”

I’m worried about their extreme carelessness, but without regard for my feelings, Kukuri tries to move the conversation forward.

“Yukimura, first, try holding this.”

“Ah, ah… I got it?”

“Do you feel anything?”

“No, not particularly… It’s heavier than it looks, huh?”

“Well then, that’s different.”

Saying that, Kukuri deftly retrieved the green engraved stone from my hand.

“How about this side?”

“I don’t feel anything, though.”

“What is this?”

“Nothing”

The engraved stones are placed one after another in order on the palm of the hand.

However, there is absolutely nothing like the “something you feel” that Kukuri was talking about.

“Hey, Kukuri. What are you doing?”

“What do you mean, I’m assessing your suitability?”

“Huh!?”

Why are you casually starting the aptitude test?

Actually, the first and second ones didn’t respond, and now the third imprint stone didn’t respond either.

Oh no. There’s only one left. Come on!

“This is the last one, okay?”

“…nothing”

When I told her that I didn’t feel anything even with the fourth amber seal stone, Kukuri shook her head in disappointment.

“Not good. You don’t have the aptitude. If you had the aptitude, it would turn out like this.”

Kukuri holds a green engraved stone in her hand.

Then, out of nowhere, the wind blew and gently swayed her long hair.

“This is the ‘Wind’ seal stone. The seal stone is made from a special material, and if you have the right aptitude, it will react like this.”

“Seriously…?”

So, does that mean I have no aptitude for the Shiraha family’s techniques?

In this sudden and nonchalant aptitude test, to be told the disappointing results so easily, what happened to the excitement I felt just a moment ago?

I slumped my shoulders in disappointment.

Without caring about me, who felt like I had been lifted up only to be brought down and was utterly crushed, Kukuri put the four engraved stones into the ash case.

“Well, the Onmyoji techniques aren’t bad either. Since they’re publicly available, there are many users and a lot of research results have been published. The output is inferior to what the exorcist families inherit, but it seems to be easier to use because it’s simpler.”

Kukuri takes out a large box.

What was inside was a large number of jewels haphazardly packed together—engraved stones.

“Oh, the handling is so rough…!!”

“This isn’t something that would be a problem if it were to disappear. You can get as much as you want by applying to the Onmyoji Institute. It’s a shame that Yukimura wasn’t suited for the Hakuhana family’s techniques, but I think you can become strong enough with these techniques.”

“……I guess it can’t be helped. Ignoring suitability is scary.”

“I absolutely do not want to recommend that. Worst case scenario, you’ll die.”

Even without Kukuri reminding me, I have no intention of ignoring my suitability.

Apparently, the worst-case scenario is that I might die.

“Besides, even a technique that’s called the weakest is still many times stronger than talisman techniques as long as it’s an exorcism technique. Any technique is fine. What’s truly important is the person’s qualities and efforts.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Compared to talismans, exorcism techniques are all hits. Isn’t it great to be a modern onmyoji who doesn’t need to use those weak, weak talismans?”

“To begin with, for someone like me who can only punch and kick, any kind of power would just be an enhancement.”

“Exactly!”

Encouraged by the words of encouragement, I regained my composure and reached for the engraved stone in the box.

――But, however.

“Oh dear, this one doesn’t work either. It’s already the tenth one… I think it’s about time a suitable technique showed up.”

“……”

“Twentieth one. That’s strange.”

“…………”

“Fifty… the fiftieth one… not a single one is suitable? No way.”

“………………”

“F-For a defective product, I wonder. Let me try it out… Ah, it lit up.”

“……………………”

“Y, Yukimura? Are you alive…?”

The engraved stones of the Yin-Yang Institute, a total of 124.

Among those, the number of reactions that indicated I had any aptitude—zero.

I collapsed onto the tatami mat floor and wept bitterly.

“……Kukuri, are there any other engraved stones?”

“Um, this is really hard to say, but there’s none.”

“Not even one?”

“Yeah, not a single one. This is all the techniques from the Shiraha family and the Onmyoji. There are still many more in other families, but I can’t do anything about them, so I can’t say they ‘exist’.”

“I see. … I see.”

What on earth.

I was summoned to another world with great difficulty, but not only couldn’t I use magic, it seems I can’t even use exorcism techniques now.

That’s terrible. This kind of thing is unacceptable.

What are you saying I did? Where am I supposed to put my pure-hearted admiration for fantasy abilities?

Tell me, Jesus.

“Yukimura, um… how about… talismans or something…?”

Recommending the talisman technique that has been thoroughly criticized until now, as a desperate form of encouragement.

To my wounded heart, it resonated very emptily.