When Summer Night returned to the living room, she saw Seiji sipping on some tea.
"Did you manage to get his name and identity out of him?"
Seiji's expression was calm, but something seemed to be brewing beneath the surface.
"I did … it was within my expectations." Summer Night sat down on a chair.
"Expectations?" Seiji raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"That soul spell that attacked you at the end … I recognized what spell it was, and I thought of someone." Summer Night poured herself some tea as she spoke.
"The only person I've ever met who's capable of using that spell is him — Yoshiaki Okubo."
She poured the tea, picked it up, and took a sip.
"He's a Yin-Yang Master from the same generation as me in the Okubo family, and he's one year older than me.
When he was young, his family gave him excellent evaluations, and he was given the title of 'child prodigy.' But as he grew older, the 'child prodigy' didn't become a 'genius' as expected, and he gradually became mediocre.
I've only met him three times.
The first time was when he was young. At that time, he was given the title of 'child prodigy,' and was greatly favored by his family, so he was quite proud and arrogant. Now that I think about it, he's just a spoiled, arrogant child.
The second time was … when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. At that time, his' child prodigy 'aura was beginning to fade, and although he was still quite outstanding compared to his peers, he seemed rather mediocre … the dark expression on his face at that time left a deep impression on me.
The third time was when I was in the second grade of middle school, which was two years ago … "
Summer Night took another sip of tea as something flashed in her eyes, as if she was considering how to explain the situation.
"At that time, he and I had an argument … I guess we had a huge argument.
In our anger, we asked our elders to be our witnesses, and we had a duel.
In the end, I won.
Before the duel, he was extremely confident that he would win, so … he suffered a huge blow to his confidence.
The expression he had at that time left a deep impression on me, to the point where I can still recall it clearly.
"That's … an expression of extreme anger, unwillingness, and … hatred. He can't accept reality."
There was silence.
"This duel that happened by chance was spread far and wide in the future. It became the decisive proof that the Child Prodigy eventually became mediocre," President Grand Mistress said calmly.
"In other words, I gave him the final blow — a blow that completely made him lose his former pride."
"He hates me … and rightly so."
"He's on the list of possible opponents that I made earlier."
"Now, it's confirmed."
The hall fell into silence again.
After listening quietly, Seiji raised his cup and took another sip of tea.
"A fallen 'prodigy' challenged his enemy to a duel for revenge or to prove himself … What a lousy story."
"Indeed, but the so-called reality is often made up of rotten things."
"I finally know who my opponent is … What about the others? For example, why did this guy treat Shika Kagura like that? "
This was the biggest question in Seiji's mind.
Using the Reaper's Curse as his Spirit-branded Retainer, using her as a shield at a critical moment, and even placing a curse on her … Wasn't he afraid of suffering a great calamity?
Summer Night fell silent for a moment.
"Perhaps Okubo believes that he's strong enough to resist any misfortune that might befall him, or perhaps he's determined to defeat me even if he's met with misfortune … Also, he has a method to control the misfortune brought about by the 'Reaper's Curse' … or perhaps I should say, digest it beforehand."
"What method?" Seiji faintly recalled something.
"That is, before misfortune befalls him, he must first endure the damage … either by harming himself, or allowing others to harm him." Summer Night sighed.
'Harm …' An idea flashed through Seiji's mind.
He had previously asked Chiaki if any misfortune had befallen the drama club, and the answer he received was...
"Due to the school festival approaching, vice president 'Demon' is under a lot of pressure, and his retorting skills have been greatly enhanced. Everyone in the drama club, especially the president, has suffered greatly!"
So it really was because of that … because the vice president constantly hurt (taught) her, that strange president Anya Saionji, who "captured" Shika Kagura, didn't suffer any misfortune!?
'Is this even possible!?'
Just what the hell was "karma"?
If even such a method could eliminate a "misfortune," it suddenly felt like "divine punishment" had become a lot more familiar to him!? '
Seiji kept retorting in his mind.
Summer Night could tell what he was thinking just by looking at his expression, and she couldn't help but smile wryly.
It was no wonder, because she found it hard to believe as well.
The misfortune brought about by the Reaper's Curse could actually be eliminated in such a way … Although it wasn't completely eliminated, it still felt ridiculous!
Shouldn't this be something even more mystical!?
When she heard Shika Kagura mention this method, she was also retorting in her mind.
The so-called misfortune, the unavoidable misfortune, could actually be paid off like a credit card debt … What the hell!!
This difference was as if the gods in the sky were actually the teller of the bank across the street from their house — it was too ridiculous!!
'Cough cough, calm down. '
"I heard about this method … when I heard it from Shika Kagura, I also felt it was inconceivable, but according to her, many of her previous contractors used this method to avoid a serious misfortune."
"Many contractors?" Seiji regained his senses.
"Yes, she worked as a hired Spirit-branded Retainer to survive," Summer Night explained.
"She used to live in an orphanage, and a Yin Yang Master later adopted her.
This Yin Yang Master discovered that she was the Reaper's Curse and felt that she had value, so he took her away and trained her to become a Spirit-branded Retainer.
"After that, this Yin Yang Master became seriously ill, and he believed that it was a misfortune brought upon him by her, so he chased her out.
"Other Yin Yang Masters who found out about her special ability came looking for her and signed a temporary contract with her, using her power … After they finished their tasks and paid her, they would cancel the contract.
"Such things happened one after another … Unknowingly, she became a hired Spirit-branded Retainer.
"Officially hired Spirit-branded Retainers are registered with the guild, or they have a professional manager, but she doesn't know about any of this … Even if she does, it's highly likely that she won't be able to register or find a manager."
That was because she was the Reaper's Curse.
People wanted to use her, but they also hated her.
Shika Kagura lived in solitude and silence just like this.
Seiji remained silent.
"First take damage … Let's call it the 'Negate' method. It's not absolute, but it's quite effective to a certain extent. It's able to control the risk of using the Reaper's Curse to an acceptable level.
"The Reaper's Curse's special ability can be miraculous if used properly. As long as the risks are controllable, it's incredibly valuable. That's why so many Yin-Yang Masters keep hiring her," Natsuya concluded.
Shika Kagura was only able to survive until now because she was hired and paid.
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