Rokuro Enmadou removed the seal from his arm using a talisman.
Back during the Hinatsuki Tragedy two years ago, although Rokuro hadn't been turned into an Impurity, his right arm had become possessed by one, granting him overwhelming power.
Benio Adashino also demonstrated her incredible aptitude by unleashing the high-level technique known as "Linked Enchantments."
Jutsusō, or enchantments, are commonly used techniques by onmyōji, which allow the power of talismans to be imbued into their bodies or equipment, maximizing the effect of their spells.
Using multiple enchantments at once, however, increases the difficulty exponentially. Most onmyōji can only enchant their weapons to enhance attack power.
But Benio had just used six talismans in her enchantment at once. No wonder she was considered the strongest in western Japan and admired by the older generation.
The two were locked in an intense battle, but Charles could only shake his head again and again as he watched.
He had seen many protagonists from different worlds: Asta, Ikki Kurogane, Bell, Natsu—these people varied in talent, but they all shared one thing: an unshakable will.
It was well known that both magic and jutsu are highly idealistic powers. The desire to achieve a dream, to protect one's comrades—such convictions were what allowed protagonists to defeat enemies far stronger than themselves.
This was what people meant when they talked about the "weight" behind one's attacks.
But Rokuro's attacks were completely "weightless." If Arima hadn't provoked his anger, it was doubtful whether he even had the will to fight.
In contrast, Benio's will burned brightly, like a blazing flame. But once the fuel is exhausted, only ashes remain.
Charles sighed quietly. Protagonists lacking in strength, like Asta or Bell, could grow stronger with relative ease.
But for those like Rokuro and Benio, whose hearts harbored deep issues, they were the most difficult to deal with. Only by experiencing emotionally powerful events could they begin to mature.
And that process was far more painful than simply training for power.
As Charles was pondering this, Tsuchimikado Arima suddenly appeared beside him and said, "Come on, they're the Twin Stars we've been waiting for. What's with that expression of yours?"
Charles glanced at Arima and said, "Don't pretend you haven't noticed the problems with those two. If they're going to carry the fate of the entire world, they've got a long way to go."
Arima asked, "Then what do you think they're lacking?"
Charles thought for a moment and said, "Power—no matter how great—can't change the past. All it can affect is the future. In other words, power exists for the future. If you're seeking power because of pain from the past, or if you've given up because of it, you'll never truly gain power."
Arima looked at Charles with admiration and said, "You really are something. Still, these two are young. After what they've been through, it's only natural to be lost."
Rokuro had suffered through the Hinatsuki Tragedy and given up on being an onmyōji. Benio had watched her parents killed by Impurities as a child, and hatred had driven her to become strong.
Just as Charles had said—they both lacked the resolve to grow stronger for the future.
But Arima believed that, as the prophesied Twin Star Exorcists, they would eventually grow.
Charles said with a sigh, "Maybe so. So, the favor you wanted from me—is it related to them?"
Arima grinned. "Correct! These two still need time to grow. And during that time, a lot of people will be very interested in them."
"So I'll have to trouble you, Charles, to act as their guardian."
Charles gave him a look. "Seriously—why the hell does everyone know about the Twin Stars?"
The existence of the Twin Star Exorcists, who would give birth to the Divine Child, was practically public knowledge. Even the Impurities had caught wind of it.
In the original plot, the high-ranked Impurity Basara Kamui had gone straight to the beginner's village to pick a fight. If he hadn't been such a pure battle junkie, the two protagonists might've been wiped out on the spot.
Arima didn't answer. He just smiled cryptically. Charles was pretty sure he was the one who'd leaked the information, though what exactly Arima was scheming was anyone's guess.
And the fact that he'd rather assign Charles than deploy internal Onmyō Union members meant Arima clearly had his reasons.
"Not good! Not good!"
While the two were speaking, things below had started to get serious.
Arima wasn't about to let them injure each other for real. He immediately pulled out a talisman and shouted:
"That's enough!"
At the sound of his commanding voice, Rokuro's arm returned to normal and Benio's enchantments vanished.
This was the absolute suppression a powerful onmyōji could exert over weaker ones—Arima had sealed both their jutsus in an instant.
The two, still lunging at one another, lost their powers at the same time and crashed into each other.
Arima then formally apologized to Rokuro for insulting his dead friends—and promptly announced that the two of them were the Twin Star Exorcists, even going so far as to congratulate them on their wedding.
Regardless of how stunned the two forcibly "engaged" teenagers were, the meeting was over.
The onmyōji present returned to their own regions, and Charles followed Arima to the Starfire Dormitory.
"Hey! You pervy underwear freak—what the hell do you mean, marriage?!"
Rokuro exploded the moment he saw Arima again, lunging to grab his robes.
Fortunately, his companions held him back—otherwise attacking the Onmyō Head might've gotten him executed, which would've been more embarrassing than anything.
Arima lifted his fan to cover the lower half of his face and said, "It's already been decided. No one can change it! So just be grateful, okay? I mean, left to your own devices, you might never find a partner your whole life!"
Charles could practically see a giant arrow shoot straight through Rokuro's chest as the words knocked the fight right out of him.
After all, Rokuro's previous confessions had always been rejected—he had zero romantic experience to date.
Having finished crushing Rokuro's soul, Arima closed his fan and pointed it at Charles.
"Let me introduce you—this is Charles. He's an exceptionally powerful onmyōji. From now on, he'll be responsible for your safety… until the day you two are worthy of the Twin Star title."
Rokuro jumped up. "I don't need anyone's protection! And I'm not marrying her! And I'm not becoming some stupid Twin Star!"
Arima said nothing—instead, he looked at Charles, clearly expecting him to handle it.
Charles raised an eyebrow. He really wanted to deck this guy. He was doing him a favor, and Arima still pushed every annoying task his way.
Still, Charles stepped forward and said, "Listen, brat. Time to learn a lesson. There are some things—and some people—you simply can't refuse."
As he spoke, he released his magic.
Rokuro's eyes widened as Charles's pupils seemed to become vertical slits. An overwhelming pressure bore down on him, as if he were submerged underwater.
He couldn't breathe—his body collapsed under the weight.
Charles only released his magic for two seconds. Rokuro, already overwhelmed, collapsed to the floor gasping like a man who had barely escaped death.
Charles looked at him and said, "Now you understand. When you're this weak, there's nothing you can do."
Arima, hiding a smirk behind his fan, said cheerfully, "Then it's settled!"
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