Chapter 23 The Body's Twelve Heavens

...

...

"Ah, it still doesn't work."

Although I feel that what I'm about to say might make you want to hit me, I still have to say it.

—I was just kidding you guys, I don't know how to expand on that topic.

If I were around, I would immediately realize this fact, but I say "if," because that assumption doesn't hold true now, so I have to explain it verbally.

It wasn't really a scam; I just wanted to give it a try.

After all, who knows, maybe one day I'll just shout and the domain will actually open, although the possibility is extremely small.

How small is it?

It's probably less likely than the day I'll be able to fully control my self-awareness.

The skill of expanding one's domain is highly dependent on talent.

Of all the sorcerers I know, only Gojo Satoru can create a domain; even Otsukoshi, who is also a Special Grade, cannot.

That gives you a better idea of ​​how difficult it is to open up a domain.

Both sorcerers and spirits are ranked, with the lowest being level four, followed by level three, level two, level one, and special level. There is also a level called quasi-level one, which is between level one and level two.

Judging from its aura, the cursed spirit that appeared in front of me was at level one.

For Yokohama, where the concentration of cursed spirits is not high, this is already quite rare.

Fortunately, my sorcerer level is also level one, so it's not a problem for me.

A sorcerer can exorcise spirits of the same level as themselves; this is a default ranking rule in the sorcery world.

"&%￥&#..."

The cursed spirit in front of me was making indistinct noises. I didn't know what it was saying, or if it wasn't saying anything at all. These were just meaningless noises. All I knew was that it was really not good-looking.

I didn't bring any weapons.

When I was in high school, I had a knife, but I didn't take it with me when I left. I left it with Maki, who is good at using cold weapons. Besides, how could anyone carry a weapon with them when they go out to buy something?

I looked down at myself and confirmed one thing.

The sharpest thing I have right now is probably the fork that comes with the lunchbox in my tote bag.

Tsk.

****

"quack--"

A black crow landed on the high wall surrounding the alley, its wings folded back, its bright black eyes shining.

"Huh? Edakawa?"

The moment the boy turned around, he vaguely saw a familiar face. A gentle breeze blew his fluffy light blue hair, revealing a pair of deep, bright blue eyes with a faint red glow in the center of his pupils.

Mingming exclaimed in surprise, "What? It really is you!"

"Sister Mingming."

"ah."

Mingming saw the boy's eyes darken, returning to the deep blue of the sea, like the waves rippling on a normal day.

She wasn't surprised; her gaze passed over Zhichuan and went to something behind him.

*

"Sister Mingming," I called out, looking at the exposed black eye.

The next second, I felt our gazes break; her eyes shifted slightly to the side, and I knew what was there, so I knew what she was looking at.

Sure enough, she asked, "Did you get rid of that cursed spirit?"

I said, "Mm."

"Huh? That's level one, right? It can already exorcise level one?" Mingming was surprised for a moment, then quickly laughed. I could vaguely sense something from the change in her expression in her one eye.

She quickly said, "Would you like me to recommend someone for an upgrade next time? I might consider giving you a 50% discount?"

"?" I was immediately puzzled.

What nonsense are you spouting now, senior?

"Sister Mingming, I'm only at level one."

Mingming was also immediately puzzled: "?"

She looked me up and down, seemingly incredulous: "Huh? Zhichuan, you're not a level two?"

"???" I said, "Sister Mingming, your information is too outdated. I've been a Level 1 for more than half a year now."

"Huh? Really?"

"real."

"That's a real shame," Mingming said.

"..."

I won't ask what's so regrettable.

"By the way, why are you here alone? Do you have some kind of mission?"

I:"……"

Sister Mingming, your information is really outdated, it's definitely half a century behind the times.

That's what I really thought.

“I—” I was about to explain.

"Wait, I think I remember now."

I:"?"

A certain memory suddenly resurfaced in that instant.

She recalled a long time ago—roughly half a year ago—when she ran into Ieiri Shoko and they discussed Gojo Satoru.

During that period, Gojo Satoru was acting really strangely, and even Meimei, who had no interest in anything other than money, noticed it.

【

"What's going on lately? That Gojo Satoru guy," Mingming asked.

Shoko Ieiri glanced at her sideways, coaxing, "Why don't you think about what's different about the college lately?"

Mingming retorted directly, "What's different?"

Ieiri Glass: "..."

Ieiri Shoko: "One of the first-year students has left."

"Dead?"

"No, I just dropped out of school."

"Then don't make it sound so scary, Shoko." Mingming continued, "Why did you drop out of school? Did you go to make money?"

"..."

Ieiri Shoko: "No, there are some tricky reasons that are difficult to handle. Have you heard of Klein-Levin syndrome? Also known as Sleeping Beauty syndrome."

"I've heard of it. Is it related to this?"

"Pretty much. His physical symptoms are similar to the clinical symptoms of Klein-Levin syndrome, although not exactly the same, but you can understand it that way."

"That's strange. Are you sure it's not because of some weird curse?"

"No. Even if I can't see it, Gojo Satoru is certainly capable of not seeing it."

Mingming thought it made sense: "That makes sense too."

They chatted briefly, mostly about sorcerers.

Finally, Ieiri Shoko turned to look at her and said, "After saying all that, why didn't you ask the most crucial question?"

The most crucial issue.

"What do you mean? Who dropped out?" Mingming received confirmation from Ieyasu Shoko's eyes. Her long, silver-blue hair was tied into a braid that fell close to her forehead, and her bare left eye was slightly narrowed, full of confidence. "Because the answer is too easy to guess, Shoko. —Edagawa Aru, right?"

】

"Sister Mingming?"

“Sorry, I understand. I'll pretend I didn't ask, Edakawa.”

"It's okay," I said.

That's not a scar I can't reopen, nor is it some fragile, sad past that's hard to mention.

"So, what are you doing here, Mingming?"

Although I asked the question, I probably already guessed the answer. As a freelance sorcerer who values ​​money immensely, there's only one reason that would drive Sister Ming to run around like this.

She said, "Of course it's because of work."

What kind of job?

“That one.” She stretched out her arm, her fingertips pointing directly in my direction, but it was clearly referring to behind me. “But I probably don’t need to do anything now. Well, thanks, Edakawa. Of course, you still won’t get a share of the reward.”

I:"……"

Me: "It's nothing, just a coincidence. Besides, the last sentence can be omitted, Sister Mingming, I wasn't expecting anything anyway."

Mingming looked around and asked, "Is my residence around here?"

"Yes."

If there's nothing urgent to deal with, any two people who haven't seen each other in a long time but are still somewhat familiar will probably walk together for a while if they happen to meet on some street.

For example, me and Mingming right now.

Why did you choose to stay in Yokohama?

I caught a glimpse of a black crow perched beside a lampshade and said very simply, "I've made a new friend in Yokohama."

I owe about 80% of my reason for staying in Yokohama to Ranpo and the Armed Detective Agency.

"Did you go back to the vocational college later?" Mingming asked again.

I paused for a moment, then said, "No."

I never went back to the vocational college.

Aside from other trivial and almost unimportant reasons, the main reason I never went back to the vocational college was simply because I didn't have the time.

As someone who can barely be considered a member of the Armed Detective Agency, I have very little time left for the agency, let alone any extra time elsewhere.

“But we’ve always kept in touch and know a bit about each other’s lives.” I turned to look at her and joked, “At least everyone knows I’m a Level 1 Spellcaster, Sister Mingming.”

Mingming: "?"

I smiled, narrowing my eyes: "And I've also met Teacher Gojo."

“Gojo Satoru?” Mingming said, “Isn’t it normal for that guy to come? After all, you’re his favorite student.”

“I probably can’t be considered his favorite, Mingming-nee. Gojo-sensei’s most recognized student is Yuta, and his most familiar student is Megumi. He probably likes them more.”

"...Tsk."