How's it going? It's Naoya Zen'in, currently being forced into some shikigami-making duties.
"I'll handle the offensive cursed technique side of things. However, since it's a one-shot method, we first need to create a shikigami that can use barrier techniques, looks cool, and has enough 'space' to have an offensive technique engraved into it."
It's been two days since Suguru Geto said something along those lines. Right now, based on my suggestion, we're all working hard on origami.
Well, I realized this after suggesting we use sliding-door paper, but it seems there aren't any specific regulations on the number of talismans used—other than for fuel purposes—and the basics of sorcery dictate that if you can prepare in advance, putting in more time and effort makes the result stronger.
So, the plan is to fold a 'Yakko-san with Hakama' using two large square sheets of paper engraved with cursed techniques to summon a humanoid shikigami.
Right now, we're each making prototypes of the prototype using regular origami paper.
By the way, with this mechanism as the base, the design motif is inspired by the Bawoo from Gundam ZZ, combined with the image of an armored samurai to appeal to the conservative Principal Yoshinobu Gakuganji.
Essentially, it's an armored robot that can separate and combine into upper and lower halves. I drew the design sketches myself, and I have to say, they're pretty stylish. Since the base is paper, I went with white as the primary color, with crimson and gold accents. Given the Japanese lucky charm aesthetic, I'm aiming for the Jujutsu High Award here.
The Kyoto kids will probably go for the conservative appeal too...
While I was meticulously folding my paper and letting my thoughts wander, Kento Nanami, who was also working away beside me, struck up a conversation. Is he bored? Well, I guess his hands are the only things busy.
"I must say, I'm surprised you decided to participate, Naoya. Since it was optional for first-years, I assumed you would prioritize cursed spirit exorcism or self-training."
"Oh, definitely. I could totally hear you saying, 'Pass for me, I've got curses to slay' or something like that."
Wait, is Yu Haibara's Kansai accent that bad? Also, what do you guys think I am? Some kind of tireless superhero?
"Well, put it this way. If I participate and lose, I can deal with that. But if I don't participate and end up being labeled a loser without even knowing it, that would really piss me off."
"I see. That makes sense."
"In this line of work, the more competitive you are, the better!"
"Is that so? ...Perhaps you're right."
I suppose Yu Haibara is right in a sense. Those who are mentally defeated are usually weak in sorcery battles too... Just now, the image of that burning-ponytail idiot who has nothing but fighting spirit crossed my mind, but let's stick to generalities, shall we?
To be blunt, Ogi Zen'in actually has no problem exorcising Grade 1 cursed spirits. It's just that as a Grade 1 sorcerer, he's barely scraping the bottom of the barrel. His technique is fine, but his arrogance is his downfall.
"Alright, finished. Give it a try and see if it moves."
"I'm finished as well. Haibara, please perform the test run."
"Roger that! I need to practice being a pilot anyway!"
As Yu Haibara spoke and activated the technique, the 'Yakko-san' talisman transformed before our eyes into a 20cm robot made of cursed energy. Yeah, it looks just as cool as the design. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
"Whoa! So cool!"
"Haibara, don't let your guard down...!"
"Whoops!? Right! Subjugation! Take this!"
Yu Haibara unleashed a fairly sharp punch, but the shikigami—even before being tamed—fought back using the barrier techniques built into it.
However, since it lacked any offensive functions, there was no way Yu Haibara was going to lose to a 20cm shikigami. After a quick smack to complete the subjugation, he seemed to be controlling it quite skillfully, like a remote-control toy.
"This is fun, Nanami! Naoya!"
"...It does look enjoyable. ...Perhaps I'll make another one."
Kento Nanami said as he began writing on more talismans and folding. You've still got some childishness left in you after all, don't you?
Well, as for me, I can help build them, but I can't use them because they'd be classified as weapons. Even making the talismans is pushing it, judging by my intuition.
Actually, it feels the same as when I was making the Magical Mai-chan Encyclopedia. That was turned into a cursed tool via 'The Bath,' but it just barely escaped being flagged.
...Man, it's annoying feeling like I'm the only one left out of the fun.
"If you're doing a test run, there's no point unless you practice for actual operation, right?"
"That's true, but there's no way he can handle what's hovering on your fingertip! It's palm-sized, but no matter how you look at it, isn't that a Destructo Disc!?"
"I haven't even imbued it with a technique. This much is just cursed energy manipulation."
"No, Naoya, in your case, that cursed energy control is actually more terrifying than a technique...?"
As we went back and forth, I tossed a flashy-looking mini Destructo Disc at the shikigami Yu Haibara was controlling. It was deflected by an angled defensive barrier that he deployed at full power.
Well, he wasn't chosen as the pilot for nothing. He's solid, no doubt thanks to all that intensive training in barrier techniques.
"Not bad. But real combat isn't so sweet. Things like this can happen."
"The disc is coming back...!? It's a flattened Spirit Ball!?"
"The Spirit Ball... how nostalgic. ...Alright, the hakama is good. Next, the upper body..."
We chatted away, and I occasionally pelted Yu Haibara's shikigami with safe, cursed energy frisbees. It was partly playing around, but since the results of this teasing would be fed back into the final machine, we weren't just fooling around.
In the end, it turned into a Mobile Fighter duel between Kento Nanami and Yu Haibara, but the story of how Satoru Gojo's Tallgeese-knockoff came crashing in—well, that would take too long, so that's a story for another time.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]