Many of the onlookers shared the same thoughts as the Shikigami Dormitory teacher. Especially the students who had been watching earlier—they now leaned forward in eager anticipation.
Onmyojuku had only a few classes, and everyone moved in overlapping social circles. All of them knew Jizō Maruji's reputation and strength. As for Ren Kuroda, in their eyes, he was just a mediocre transfer student sent by the Countermeasures Team—essentially a waste of resources. Compared to Maruji, one of the top first-year students, no one believed Kuroda had a chance.
And yet, Maruji was clearly angry this time. Not only had he stepped forward himself, he had brought a shikigami he had recently captured.
"Since you've slain demons and command shikigami," Maruji growled as he charged, "I won't treat you like those fools who think you're powerless. Show me your full strength. If you can satisfy me, I might forgive your previous… indiscretion. But if you're weak and dared to insult me, don't complain when I put you in bed for a few days!"
Ren Kuroda remained silent, watching Maruji and the burrowing ground-eating shikigami approach. Behind him, the Spider Princess, who had been quiet until now, could no longer contain her anger.
"What an insolent brat!" she hissed, her voice vibrating with fury. "Our merciful lord has forgiven your insolence more than once! And now you continue to be so arrogant? You dare to challenge Lord Ren Kuroda to use his full strength? I'll shred you to pieces and drag you straight to hell to repent for your disrespect!"
From the very start, the Spider Princess had restrained her rage. For her, Ren was not only her lord, but her benefactor—and the object of her affection. The repeated disrespect of ignorant humans had pushed her to the brink. Now, with this clownish first-year backed by a pitifully weak shikigami daring to threaten Ren, she was ready to erupt.
Ren had not anticipated this sudden outburst. But he understood the danger: if Spider Princess went all out, Jizō Maruji would be dead in moments. According to Yamato Kuka, Maruji hailed from a powerful Onmyoji family; killing him outright could bring serious consequences.
Ren needed a plan.
He grabbed the stone tied to the end of Spider Princess's hair. "Tubi, go spar with her. Hold back. This is her turf. If you kill her, we'll be in huge trouble."
Compared to the enraged Spider Princess, Ren knew cowardly Tubi would be more measured in his approach. Sometimes cowardice had its uses. If Spider Princess unleashed her B-rank demonic power, combined with her racial advantages, even Kurahashi Tomoko wouldn't be able to stop her from killing. And with so many students present, the collateral damage would be disastrous.
As he finished speaking, the small stone fell to the ground. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, it rapidly expanded until it became a massive, blocky boulder several meters high.
"My name is Tubi," it boomed, "and I am the most loyal subordinate of Lord Ren Kuroda. You clownish fool, unworthy to face our lord—your role is to entertain me!"
Ren could only stare as Tubi, freshly materialized, launched a mocking attack without warning. He had misjudged Tubi—cowardice meant nothing against Spider Princess and Ren. But how would this student, Jizō Maruji, fare?
Though a first-year prodigy, Maruji's D-level spiritual power was dwarfed by Tubi's C-level demonic power. Even the shikigami Maruji had summoned was no match, also D-level.
"Boom!"
Jizō Maruji charged with a golden glow around his fists, chanting incantations as he struck Tubi—who had appeared to block Ren's path. The impact sent a deafening shockwave through the dormitory.
From Maruji's approach to Tubi's sudden appearance, mere seconds had passed. Though surprised by the shikigami's sudden arrival, Maruji didn't flinch. At his age and with his experience, he reasoned that a transfer student's shikigami could hardly be a threat. Coupled with his clan's superhuman strength, he continued his assault without hesitation.
The punch sent shockwaves through the air, stirring dust and debris around Tubi. Yet when Tubi's hoarse, resonant voice rang out, Maruji froze in disbelief.
"This is impossible!" he shouted. "You took my full-force punch without dodging or flinching—and you're unharmed! Even a defensive shikigami couldn't survive this!"
A small dent marked Tubi's surface, but otherwise it remained unscathed. Jizō Maruji, the usually arrogant prodigy, began questioning everything he thought he knew about strength.