As one of the leading figures among the younger generation, Yamato Kuka wasn't just incredibly strong—she was undeniably beautiful. At Onmyo Academy, she naturally carried the aura of an idol in the eyes of the students, male and female alike.
Moreover, as one of the youngest instructors at the Academy, her teaching style resonated perfectly with the fiery, passionate energy of her students. Her popularity wasn't just due to her looks; it was a combination of talent, charisma, and approachability. Naturally, the students who followed her, like Yuuto, also drew attention simply by association.
"Those two behind Yamato-sensei… they must be transfer students, right?"
"Hmph. Who else would they be? Yamato-sensei is from the Countermeasures Team, and there aren't any juniors in her family. So of course it has to be those mediocre talents they've sent over," another whispered with a sneer.
"I still don't get it," someone else said, voice tinged with disbelief, "Yamato-sensei is clearly the heir of the Yamato family, with both strength and talent. Why wouldn't she go into the Onmyōdō Bureau? Why waste her skills on that… 'Unnatural Countermeasures Team'?"
Among the students of Onmyojuku, the Unnatural Countermeasures Team was not held in high regard. Compared to the "transfer students" they usually brought in, these new recruits were treated with a mixture of suspicion, envy, and open disdain.
So Yuuto and Hinano trailed behind Yamato Kuka, enduring the sharp, disapproving stares of nearly everyone around them. If looks could kill, they'd have been riddled with holes long ago.
For Kujo Hinano, it wasn't too bad. Some students disliked her, sure, but her youthful charm and striking figure kept most of the boys from being openly hostile. Spider Princess—dressed in her servant-like maid uniform—was beautiful, but her reserved, obedient demeanor made her seem out of place among the students.
Yuuto, however, drew all the attention, and the stares didn't let up until they finally reached the principal's office.
"Are these the selections from the Unnatural Countermeasures Team this year?" a voice asked, cool yet commanding. "I thought you had three slots—why only bring two?"
Yuuto blinked in surprise. The principal of Onmyojuku, Kurahashi Tomoko, was a woman. Her long white hair framed her face, and she wore the distinctive robes of an Onmyoji. Though she was nearing fifty, Yuuto could feel the overwhelming spiritual presence radiating from her, the aura of danger and authority unmistakable.
"This woman's spiritual power… definitely at least A-rank," Yuuto thought. "And with her age, her combat experience must be extensive. She probably knows countless spells."
As Kurahashi Tomoko's gaze settled kindly on the slightly nervous Hinano and the curious Yuuto, Yuuto returned the scrutiny in kind. His identity demanded caution; he couldn't risk revealing the true extent of his power. The moment he met her eyes, he assessed her strength.
He concluded quickly: he probably wouldn't win in a direct fight. Though Yuuto could unleash A-rank—or even A+-rank—combat power with various techniques, the headmistress's spiritual aura alone suggested she had once been stronger, and her accumulated experience only widened the gap. If he had to fight, retreat was the only viable option.
"It seems the little one arranged by the Countermeasures Team this year is… unusual. Quite an interesting fellow," Kurahashi Tomoko said, her eyes twinkling with faint amusement. "To sense my spiritual power and still maintain such composure… impressive. And don't bother hiding your demonic power from me—I've already heard of you. Unlike some of the old fogies, once you're enrolled here, you're a student, and no one will dare make things difficult."
Yuuto's expression flickered briefly, then a wry smile tugged at his lips. He had been curious whether his concealment of demonic power would work on her. Now, the answer was clear:
Kurahashi Tomoko not only surpassed him in raw spiritual power but also possessed extraordinary spiritual vision. Fortunately—or perhaps just slightly—she hadn't completely unveiled his half-demon identity, sensing only the latent demonic energy within him.
The effect of his "Conceal Demonic Power" ability diminishes against stronger opponents. Clearly, while Kurahashi Tomoko was stronger, her strength alone didn't allow her to fully see through him. Her perception of his hidden demonic power stemmed purely from her exceptional spiritual vision.
"Though I was curious before your enrollment," she continued, a hint of surprise in her voice, "are you truly here as a student? With your strength, are you not more suited to being a teacher?"
Yuuto's latent demonic power had made itself evident, and even she couldn't hide her astonishment. With B-level spiritual power, he was already stronger than most students by a wide margin. Seeing someone of his caliber enrolled as a student felt… unusual, to say the least.
In Onmyo Academy, most students came from exorcist families, and even the more talented among them rarely reached higher than D-level spiritual power at his age. That the Countermeasures Team had sent Yuuto—B-level, at minimum—to enroll as a student made the headmistress feel, in a way, as if she were being challenged.
"Ms. Kurahashi," Yamato Kuka stepped forward smoothly, her voice respectful, "he is indeed here as a student. You've likely heard that he is the last surviving member of the Tenjōin family. Though his spiritual power is exceptional, he knows nothing of Onmyojutsu. That is why he chose to study here."
Kurahashi Tomoko's frown deepened slightly, but she said nothing further.
A few minutes later, the three of them emerged from the headmistress's office. Yuuto and Hinano were officially students of Onmyojutsu Academy.
"Hinano, you can head back now, or stay and look around if you like. As for Tenjōin," Yamato Kuka said, glancing at Yuuto, "didn't you want to register your shikigami? Then come with me."
Spider Princess waited patiently at the door, still in her maid uniform, as Yamato Kuka led Yuuto onward.