During lunch break.
On the rooftop of the third-year school building, Hikaru lazily sunbathed under the sunlight, stretching his body. At the same time, looking down from this high place, he could see the most beautiful view of the entire Toyogasaki Private Academy.
It had to be admitted, this was a great spot for viewing the scenery.
"It seems Kazusa has already made her choice."
Hikaru, who was admiring the beauty of Toyogasaki Private Academy, suddenly spotted two familiar figures, one in front and one behind, one white and one black, entering his view.
The one in the back, dressed in black, was naturally Kazusa. While the one in front was an elegant woman like nobility, with a beautiful appearance. She wore a wide-brimmed white hat, a white European-style dress, and always carried a fan in her hand. Hikaru also knew her; she was Mitejima Subaru, the Heavenly Empress (Tenko), one of the Twelve Guardians in the Exorcists Group. She was the strongest woman among the Twelve Guardians.
"Not bad. Choosing the Exorcists Group is stronger than Onmyō Academy in several aspects."
Because of Hikaru's advice, the possibility of Kazusa choosing the Onmyō Agency was very small. Her choice would only be decided between the Exorcists Group and Onmyō Academy. He was quite satisfied with the current choice of the Exorcists Group.
If one wanted to systematically step into Onmyōdō, Onmyō Academy was the best choice. After all, Onmyō Academy was the enlightenment seed of Onmyōdō and a fully systematic onmyōji educational organization.
Although Onmyō Academy was independent, its involvement with the Onmyō Agency was still too complicated. If one made a wrong step, students could be dragged into unspeakable conspiracies.
Since Kazusa wanted to step into Onmyōdō and focus on training, it was natural for her to stay away from sources of trouble like that.
Meanwhile, the internal dynamics of the Exorcists Group were far more harmonious. All enemies and threats almost always came from impurities. Additionally, with Kazusa's physical strength obtained after Intermediate Physical Modification, the Exorcists Group's Spell Installation path was also very suitable for her.
"Kotonoha, Eriri... these people shouldn't make hasty choices. After all, behind them are Japan's high society families."
Hikaru muttered to himself, "Those who can enter that class, the foolish and shortsighted ones have all been eliminated. They know that these newcomers on the list are the keys to their family's future prosperity. They will definitely find ways to discover the most beneficial training paths for them."
"This doesn't need me to worry too much."
As Hikaru was about to lie down on the lounge chair beside him, rest for a bit, and then continue with afternoon classes.
Suddenly, a few more people appeared in Hikaru's view from above, more precisely, a trio that was completely beyond his expectations. As he was thinking whether to pretend not to see anything and avoid them, unfortunately, he was spotted first.
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Below the school building.
"Kasumigaoka-san, our Supernatural Disaster Countermeasure Room is usually abbreviated as the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, mainly responsible for eliminating evil spirits. Of course, we are also responsible for some spiritual disasters, but cases like that are very rare..."
Tsuchimiya Kagura explained various situations to Utaha, who had just joined the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, while walking.
Although it had been explained before, the details hadn't been covered.
Actually, she herself hadn't been in the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room for long. Yomi, who was more experienced, should be the one to explain this, but Yomi, walking ahead, had no intention of paying attention to them.
"Ah, thinking about it, it's true; those two are love rivals."
Kagura sighed inwardly, thinking to herself.
Utaha also looked displeased. The two of them might find it hard to get along.
Suddenly, Yomi, walking ahead, stopped. Kagura behind her couldn't brake in time and directly bumped into her.
"Ouch ouch..."
Instantly, Kagura couldn't help but rub her small nose that hurt from the impact, and asked in confusion, "Yomi-senpai, what's wrong?"
"Found you, still trying to hide!"
Yomi pushed her foot against the ground, and her entire body danced in the air, using the outdoor AC unit on the school building as leverage, leaping towards the rooftop.
"Who?!"
Kagura became even more confused.
"Hmph, it's Hikaru!"
Utaha said displeasedly.
"Hikaru Nii-san!"
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As Hikaru wanted to retreat, it was already impossible. After several leaps from Yomi, her favorite sword Shishiō (Lion King) was already unsheathed and placed at his neck.
"Placing a Demon-Exorcising Sword at an ordinary person's neck damages the image of an exorcist."
Hikaru extended a finger and tapped the Shishiō at his neck.
"You're an ordinary person?!"
Yomi said sarcastically to Hikaru, "If you're an ordinary person, even evil spirits would repent."
At that moment, Kagura also climbed to the rooftop with Utaha.
"Hikaru!"
When Utaha saw the Shishiō sword placed at Hikaru's neck, she unconsciously wanted to save him. However, then, she remembered that the woman in front of her was this man's umpteenth ex-girlfriend. As soon as she remembered that, she became angry and thought, let him be beheaded.
"Long time no see, Kagura. You've become even more beautiful; no wonder you made it onto the Eternal Beauty List."
Hikaru smiled and greeted Kagura. However, with the Shishiō sword at his neck, the scene looked strange.
Kagura's rank on the Eternal Beauty List was fifty-four, four ranks below Yomi, who was at rank fifty. However, with the development of Kagura's appearance and physique, this rank would clearly rise.
"Hikaru Nii-san!"
Kagura greeted Hikaru with a bit of shyness mixed with joy.
"Hey, don't you dare harass Kagura!"
Yomi threatened with the Shishiō sword.
Hikaru shrugged, "Alright, alright. If I want to harass Kagura, I'll give you prior notice, oh flower-protecting hero. Now, can you remove the Shishiō sword from my neck? It feels uncomfortable."
The first sentence made Kagura's face slightly flush, and also made Yomi glare in anger. However, she still sheathed the Shishiō sword back into its scabbard.
Hikaru unconsciously massaged his neck, then said to Utaha, "Utaha, you really chose an organization with no bright future."
Hearing this, Yomi almost drew her Shishiō sword again.
"I should have chosen the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters, an organization with a military background like that."
"That has even less future."
Hikaru shook his head and said, "Forget it. Maybe a 'small workshop' like the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room is more suitable for you."
"You! Who are you calling a small workshop!"
Yomi truly couldn't hold back, grabbed Hikaru, and scolded him.
"Compared to the Onmyō Agency with hundreds to thousands of people, you all with less than ten people, calling you a small workshop doesn't seem wrong."
Hikaru pushed her hand away.
Yomi wanted to retort, but she couldn't say anything else. After all, this was a fact. In this regard, they indeed couldn't compare to the Onmyō Agency, so she could only endure the shame and anger. However, she still muttered.
"What's so great about the onmyōji in the Onmyō Agency? Most of them are trash with almost zero practice."
Hearing this sentence, not only Hikaru, even Kagura shook her head. It was truly said with one hundred percent prejudice and hostility.
If the Onmyō Agency was that bad, how could they become the giant dominating Onmyōdō.
"By the way, since you're here by chance, there's something I need your help with."
"No time!"
To Yomi's invitation, Hikaru immediately refused firmly. Just one look and he knew it must be trouble.
"No time..." Yomi glanced at him and said, "I think in this school, no one is more free than you. This time, you have to go, like it or not."
Next, Yomi ignored Hikaru's refusal, directly requested school leave for him that afternoon, and took him out of the school gate.
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On the streets.
Four people, three stunning beautiful women from the Eternal Beauty List, and Hikaru who was somewhat reluctant.
Normally, a quartet like that would attract extremely high attention.
However, the pedestrians on the streets seemed to ignore them, like ordinary passersby seen everywhere. This made Utaha feel very strange.
"Kasumigaoka-san, this is a presence-reducing talisman. It makes others unconsciously ignore us."
Kagura explained, holding a faintly glowing talisman.
Utaha was shocked. This was the first time and the most direct she had seen supernatural power, besides that Dimensional List earlier.
Ten minutes later.
The four of them arrived in front of a coffee shop on the roadside.
Anteiku Shop.
Seeing the name of the coffee shop, Hikaru immediately knew the reason Yomi came here.