Chapter 108
Satoru Gojo readily agreed to taste the Mont Blanc made by Kazuma Hato.
"Don't worry," he patted Kazuma Hatake on the shoulder, "No matter what you make it into, I'll say it's delicious!"
She even explicitly stated that he would definitely lie through his teeth, thus giving Kazuma Hatake a heads-up.
Kazuma Hatake almost laughed.
Oh, maybe last time Satoru didn't actually think the chocolate Mont Blanc was particularly delicious, but just ate it because it was made by him?
Kazuma Hatori decided to seek guidance from Master Kawamura this time, rather than making random changes and attempts based on the recipe himself.
This time around, he didn't point a gun at the master. They chatted for another afternoon, and his favorability rating even increased significantly, with the negative signs disappearing.
Besides, in this timeline, he wasn't living in the luxury apartment with Satoru, and the college dormitory didn't have the conditions for baking. After thinking it over for a while, he realized that asking Master Kawamura for help was the most convenient option.
Kazuma Hato called Master Kawamura, who readily agreed to lend him the kitchen.
However, Kazuma Hatori usually has to attend classes, and there might be tasks that take up his weekends; Master Kawamura also needs to scout out shops and prepare for opening his own shop, so the two of them are a bit out of sync.
"I didn't expect that you, a student, would be busier than me."
Master Kawamura muttered in considerable confusion, "Isn't this supposed to be a relaxed generation? What are we doing on weekends, taking extra classes?"
The "Yutori Generation" specifically refers to the generation born in 1987—that is, Kazuma Hato and Satoru Gojo at this moment.
As the government began to promote an education philosophy that emphasizes human nature, it prohibited schools from ranking students and assigning excessive homework, and it also stopped the cramming-style obedience education of the older generation. All of this was done to provide children with a relaxed and free environment to grow up in.
However, for the older generation who received a rigorous education, these younger generations who grew up eating, drinking, having fun, and living a carefree life are far too easy. They have no ambition, sense of crisis, or drive to strive, so they are called the "relaxed generation."
In the disdainful language of some elders, the "relaxed generation" is even equated with "failures" or "useless people".
However, Master Kawamura only expressed his doubts and did not express any criticism.
“Call me in advance when you’re free on a weekend,” he finally decided. “I’ll also take some time out of my schedule… well, even though you’re a complete novice with no experience, if you just want to learn how to make Mont Blanc, then take about a day off first.”
“That’s great,” Kazuma Hatake said earnestly. “Thank you.”
“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Master Kawamura said. “I don’t usually like teaching newcomers, but how should I put it, hearing your request gives me a subtle feeling, um… consider it payment for developing the [God’s Dessert], I’ll teach you once for free.”
Kazuma Hatake: "..."
Master Kawamura didn't finish his sentence, but Kazuma Hagoromo roughly guessed what he was going to say.
Perhaps it's a subtle desire to obey... because the psychological trauma of having a gun pointed at my head in the last playthrough and having to race against time to make desserts is too deep?
Back to the point, he thought that only feelings of [liking] or [disliking] would be inherited in the next playthrough, but how come even his unconscious reactions seemed to follow the same pattern as his experiences in the previous playthrough?
Kazuma Hatake couldn't quite figure it out, and for the time being, he attributed the reason to the unique design of this game.
Besides the chocolate Mont Blanc that he had already promised to make for the pretty little Satoru, Kazuma Hatori was also told another piece of news during class.
It's already late September, and we're about to enter October.
"You recommend me as a Level 1 Spellcaster?"
Kazuma Hatake glanced at his skill panel and confirmed that his curse power was still displayed as [Level 3].
Black Flash has indeed reached Level 2, which should have been achieved during the last sister school exchange meeting—after all, it's rare for a cursed spirit to withstand so many of his Black Flash attacks, so the number of uses wouldn't increase.
Meanwhile, his opponents would try their best to dodge [Black Flash], and with the help of [Karma Double] given to him by Satoru, the number of times he used it skyrocketed, causing that gauntlet battle to greatly increase Kazuma Hatake's skill proficiency.
But no matter what, he's still not at the level of a first-level sorcerer.
"Huh, level one!"
Gojo Satoru reacted much more excitedly than Hato Kazuma, even reaching out to pat the latter on the head, looking proud and honored.
"That's a really fast promotion! Great job, awesome!"
"Oh, is that so? It just feels a bit sudden."
The main issue is that he hadn't done anything yet, and the game hadn't given him any tasks, but suddenly he was recommended to become a level one sorcerer?
Kazuma Hatori's head bobbed up and down as he was patted, his face expressionless, which made him look strangely cute. Gojo Satoru couldn't resist patting him several more times.
"Wu, don't bully your classmates."
Masamichi Nobi couldn't stand by and watch, and stopped Satoru Gojo from continuing to film.
“I don’t know the reason either, but since this is an order from above, I will do as instructed.”
"Hey, at least ask about the situation."
Gojo Satoru stuck out the tip of his tongue and made a face at Ms. Yagami.
"Don't just listen to those old guys' orders."
Of course, he couldn't reveal that Kazuma didn't know any spells yet, but to say that Kazuma would be promoted to a first-level sorcerer based solely on his previous performance... Gojo Satoru was a little worried about Kazuma's future tasks.
The treatment of a first-level sorcerer is indeed far superior to that of sorcerers below the first level, but conversely, the tasks assigned to a first-level sorcerer are also quite dangerous.
Top-tier sorcerers are extremely rare in the rating system; one might not appear for several years.
However, the generation of top-tier cursed spirits depends on the negative emotions of a large population towards a certain common characteristic. As long as there is an opportunity for these emotions to settle into a physical form, even if they are exorcised at the moment, they will still appear periodically like wild monsters respawning.
Therefore, for the vast majority of sorcerers, being rated as a first-level sorcerer already means standing in the top tier of the sorcery world.
Currently, Gojo Satoru and Natsuyu Suguru are both rated as first-class sorcerers—but their future development potential and the superiority of their spells in wide-range attacks have placed them under consideration for becoming special-class sorcerers.
According to Yamo Masakado's estimation, Gojo Satoru, who possesses the [Six Eyes] + [No Limit] technique, and Natsuyu Suguru, who can manipulate cursed spirits without restriction, will likely undergo the promotion assessment for Special Grade Spellcasters by the end of this year or after they enter their second year next year.
These two are already considered exceptionally talented, but as for Kazuma Hagoromo, until now, Masamichi Yagami has never even seen his techniques, only his name in reports.
[Ten Directions Maha] sounds like it's related to space?
However, it seemed that the higher-ups were worried that his rank was too low. After sending the message, they specially arranged for two first-level sorcerers to recommend Hagoromo Kazuma, which left Yagami Masamichi completely baffled.
Even if Yi Zhen really scared everyone with a series of [Black Flash] at the exchange meeting, wouldn't it be a bit too fast to jump directly from level four to level one? It might easily cause dissatisfaction among other sorcerers.
But regardless, since the higher-ups have made this decision and the process fully complies with the promotion requirements, he can only follow the rules.
"Two first-level sorcerers have already recommended Ichijin, so let's proceed with the next step,"
Masamichi Nocturne picked up the mission materials placed on the podium and gestured for Kazuma Hatake to come and get them.
"You need to complete several Level 1 or higher missions with sorcerers who have been rated Level 1 or higher and receive a [Good] rating—only then can you advance to the next Level 1."
"After that, you will need to complete a few more Level 1 missions on your own, and the results will determine whether you can be officially promoted to Level 1 Spellcaster."
It sounded a bit troublesome. Kazuma Hatake nodded and took the information: "Which level one sorcerer should I go on a mission with?"
"Of course it's me! Aren't I a qualified Level 1 Spellcaster?"
Gojo Satoru, who immediately volunteered, leaned forward on the table, looking as if he was about to team up with Hato Kazuma and set off.
"No, it's with Xia Youjie."
Masamichi Yagami's words immediately made Satoru Gojo pout in dissatisfaction, "Jay—"
This blatant complaint made Xia Youjie's temple throb slightly, and he responded with a smile.
"After all, I am also a level one sorcerer. I'm really sorry, Satoru."
"Wu, you have other tasks to do this week, they will be assigned to you next time."
Masamichi Yagami immediately nipped the tension in the bud and offered Gojo Satoru a promise on the spot.
Gojo Satoru: "...嘁."
Kazuma Hatake accepted the mission assignment, which was likely to be carried out by the cult leader again.
The end of the school year is not far off. Since I've already raised Xia Youjie's trust level to 76%, I might as well take advantage of this mission to raise it to 80% and unlock the spell.
It's a bit inconvenient that only [Black Flash] is usable during combat.
Moreover, he still needs to figure out how to deal with the [mastermind] of the first cycle.
"The mission this time is very clear: someone is spreading urban rumors online that the [Slit-Mouthed Woman] has appeared in Saitama!"
After Yagami Masamichi and Hatori Kazuma finished reading the thin page of mission information, Yagami Masamichi slammed his hand on the lectern and waved enthusiastically.
"Regardless of whether a curse master is behind this, the impact of this modern monster story, which is quite widespread and has a very consistent image and content, is too great. The [Slit-Mouthed Woman] has very likely been born, and it is estimated to be at level one, with the goal of exorcising her!"
Upon hearing the description of "Level One Cursed Spirit," Yukito Kazuma's gaze instantly met that of Natsumi Yuuki.
One is a [Cursed Power Crystal] that wants to die, and the other is a [Cursed Spirit Orb] that wants to live.
How they're going to divide this cursed spirit... that's a big problem!
………
After class, Kazuma Hatori took the initiative to call Ayako Sakami and briefly described how he had been suddenly promoted to a Level 1 Spellcaster.
"Is this the Patriarch's intention?"
"Of course, as I said, His Holiness is omnipotent."
"Including those lists you gave me, the Pope said they'll behave themselves from now on," Ayako said proudly.
Ayako Sakami only knew that it was done by the patriarch, but she was unaware of the background and consequences of this event.
For the higher-ups, it was initially Kazuma Hatake's performance at the exchange meeting that led them to have Masamichi Yagami arrange for him to be promoted—at least not to the level four sorcerer.
But after [that person] found out, he simply told them to raise their ranks a bit, and if they were to be promoted, they should be promoted to first-level sorcerers in one go.
The more crises we face, the more possibilities we have.
—That's what [that person] said, with a hint of subtle, composed smile.
Ayako Sakura was naturally unaware of these things, but that didn't stop her from having great admiration and longing for that tolerant and responsive patriarch.
After listening to the other party's speech, Kazuma Hatori pondered for a moment and then immediately pulled up the [Affection Level] list.
"Actually, I only told you part of it last time. How about we ask Lord Zu for help again?"
Ayako Sakami: "..."
Ayako Sakami: "Just how many people have you offended??"
Kazuma Hatori coughed lightly and deliberately imitated the usual listless and weak tone of Shoko Akihira as he answered.
"I don't know either, they just suddenly started to dislike me. Probably because they saw that I was getting close to the heir of the Gojo family, and that I was just an outsider in the world of sorcery."
Putting aside Kazuma Hatori's still expressionless face, at least his words conveyed a sense of grievance.
When Ayako heard this, she hesitated to speak, but eventually asked her to name someone.
Last time, when Kazuma Hatori tested whether the patriarch would really make those people obey, he only counted about ten names.
This was also his way of testing the importance of the task he had been assigned.
Now that he had figured out that this patriarch really valued the [Stop Tengen] mission, Hagoromo Kazuma decided not to hold back.
Counting directly from negative 100 to positive numbers—temporarily skipping over Zenin Naoya, who is currently fulfilling [binding].
"…………"
After a long silence, Ayako Sakura earnestly asked the holy son of the Panxing Sect, "How did you do that?"
How did you manage to offend so many people in one go?
Was he actually attacking the world of sorcery? How come he attracted so much criticism?
“Not all of them were directed at me,” Kazuma Hatake said. “It was just to make things easier for me in the future.”
Ayako Sakami: "...Is it just my imagination? It seems more like you're ordering the Pope around to do things for you?"
This is utterly upside down!
"That's not how it works,"
Unfazed by the accusation, Kazuma Hatori calmly and slowly began to fabricate a story.
"Anyway, since I'm using the title of Holy Son, making them all listen to me is the same as making them all listen to the Pope. This is precisely the moment for the Pope to demonstrate his illustrious reputation and supreme influence."
"After all, ensuring I complete the task 100% next year is the most important thing, right?"
That "right?" left Ayako speechless.
"Send the list directly to my email, and I will forward it to His Holiness the Pope."
Taking a deep breath, Ayako Sakura said, "I'm warning you, don't keep crossing the line with the Pope. This is so offensive..."
"How could the Patriarch, who is all-encompassing, possibly be so petty as to think I am being offensive?"
Kazuma Hatori countered with her own logic, "But you, how dare you think the Patriarch is petty..."
beep--
Kazuma Hatori put away the phone that had just been hung up on.
That's so rude; not a single phone call has ended properly so far.
Kazuma Hatori, who always managed to infuriate the other party, thought to himself without any qualms.
…………
Because the enemy encountered a level-one cursed spirit that could cause great damage, Kazuma Hato and Natsumi Yuuki did not wait until the weekend to set off, but instead set off for Saitama Prefecture on the same day to conduct an on-site investigation.
"According to online sources, the urban legend of the [Slit-Mouthed Woman] began to spread widely from the spring to the summer of 1979... well, mainly on campuses."
Xia Youjie and Yu Qu Kazuma walked side by side. On their way to meet up with the assistant director, he first gathered relevant information.
This is also one of Xia Youjie's habits. He doesn't like to rely on the help of others. He is more independent on the basis of caution and trusts things that he is fully in control of.
"However, the origin of the [Slit-Mouthed Woman] legend is difficult to pinpoint, and even the story background varies slightly in different regions across the country."
"And this time?" Kazuma Hatake asked. "Different story differences will generate different [Slit-Mouthed Woman]?"
"Generally speaking, that's the case. The abilities of the hypothetical cursed spirits are strongly related to the rumors. If the rumors specify a location where a monster appears, we can even go directly to that location to search for cursed spirits."
Xia Youjie nodded, "The assistant supervisor has already arranged for someone to investigate who is deliberately spreading rumors this time. Most of the time it's just ordinary people playing pranks, but we can't rule out the possibility that a curse master is taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble behind the scenes."
Kazuma Hatori guessed: "Does he want to control the [Slit-Mouthed Woman]?"
“I think so too. Spell spirits can form a master-servant bond with sorcerers,” Xia Youjie said. “It’s not quite the same as the [Spell Spirit Manipulation] that I can absorb simply by subduing. Building that kind of relationship is very energy-consuming. Moreover, the higher the level of the spell spirit, the more difficult it is to successfully establish a master-servant bond.”
"But the [Slit-Mouthed Woman] is of a very high level. Even if you use a medium to control it as a shikigami, it is still a very strong fighting force."
After all, it was an urban rumor that circulated throughout the country, so the amount of negative energy it could absorb was quite enormous.
Kazuma Hatake nodded and opened his email on his phone.
[Good luck with the mission!]
It was followed by a super cute emoji.
Kazuma Hatori was certain that if emails could be used for drawing, Satoru Gojo would definitely draw a chibi version of Satoru for him, just like the notes that had been passed around countless times in class.
Just recalling that vivid expression of making a peace sign with his chubby cheeks was enough to make Kazuma Hatori smile, and even his mood for setting off that very day became much more cheerful.
Xia Youjie only needed to glance at the email to know who sent it, seeing the usually expressionless Yuqu Kazuma smiling at his phone.
However, to be honest, he was a little curious.
Xia Youjie, who pays great attention to social etiquette, thought for a moment and felt that given his current friendly relationship with Wu and Yizhen, he should be able to ask some more personal questions.
"Um, cough,"
When Kazuma Hatori heard the voice and looked at him, Natsumi pointed to the flip phone that Kazuma Hatori was holding and asked in a low voice.
"Let me congratulate you in advance... When did you and him get together?"
Even though the streets were quiet enough at night and there were no other passersby nearby, Xia Youjie still felt a little embarrassed and subconsciously lowered the volume of the second half of his sentence.
But this one question left Kazuma Hatori somewhat stunned.
Which ones should be together?
Xia Youjie hesitated for a moment, then raised his little finger, which symbolizes a romantic relationship.
Although this was a hint to his girlfriend, given the genders of the two figures, he wasn't quite sure which one to choose...
Fortunately, Kazuma Hatori understood immediately.
He immediately revealed a subtle expression and clarified, "I am not with Wu."
These words stunned Xia Youjie, who blurted out in disbelief, "...You two aren't even together yet?"
Kazuma Hatake: "...How could you think we're already together?"
They've never even kissed, okay?
Furthermore, he did not propose to Gojo Satoru as he did in the first playthrough.
“…”
This question silenced Xia Youjie.
Two smart people together, and the result is a negative positive, turning them into two fools?
"Given your sticky atmosphere and intimate behavior, almost no one would believe you're not together."
Xia Youjie took a deep breath and explained with difficulty that his conjecture was not entirely unfounded.
Kazuma Hagoromo: "...Really?"
Xia Youjie rubbed his forehead, finding the two of them incredibly slow-witted.
"Believe me, ordinary friends wouldn't deliberately sit at the gate of a vocational college and wait from afternoon until evening."
Kazuma Hatori paused for a moment, then asked instinctively.
"Wu didn't go bowling with you guys?"
“He ran away halfway through.” Xia Youjie shrugged. “Although he did hit a perfect 100%... and it was a perfect 100% hit when he was distracted. Even the boss praised him for his talent.”
In the instant that sentence composed of words entered his ears and was understood by his brain, Kazuma Hatori couldn't even accurately describe the emotions that suddenly touched him.
Like a wind chime suddenly ringing in the dead of night, like a dragonfly lightly touching a daisy petal and shaking off a glistening dewdrop.
Just as flames are white, just as the spectrum becomes disordered and inverted, the bright moon hanging in the sky keeps flowing with golden sand.
Just like when he fell for Satoru in his first playthrough, he was now at a loss for what to do about this feeling.
"but……"
Kazuma Hatake murmured to himself.
This is wrong; he shouldn't be tempted by the second timeline.
While they may share the same code in generating game data, in the countless details that make up each playthrough, the place that Enlightenment holds in his heart during his first playthrough should be unique.
Moreover, he has never proposed to me, and the affection interface was only unlocked in the first playthrough... Why does Satoru like him in the second playthrough?
...Is it because of the inheritance of favorability?
"To be honest, I didn't agree with Wu's assessment that you were super dull at first."
Xia Youjie couldn't help but sigh when he saw that Yuqu Yizhen hadn't said "but" for a long time.
He's now starting to agree with the adjective that Satoru used to describe Isshin—what was it again, "dull-witted black mulberry"?
Unable to explain the reason, Hagoromo Kazuma: "..."
In his emotional turmoil, Kazuma Hatori even started to evade the question.
"How much longer until we reach the legendary site of the [Slit-Mouthed Woman]?"
Xia Youjie watched as he nearly tripped over the crack in the ground, staggering two steps before regaining his balance.
“…”
He really wanted to take a picture of this scene and send it to Wu.
However, he inadvertently exposed the ambiguous relationship between the two of them that had lasted for so long but they were not yet together... If Yizhen can realize this later, shouldn't she thank him when she gets back?
Hmm... How about I give him the [Slit-Mouthed Woman] as payment?
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