Chapter 18
Before heading to the Jujutsu High School in Tokyo, Kazuma Hatori still had some things to do.
After gaining control of the Kamo family by more than 80%, he made the list of Kamo family members available to him, allowing him to clearly see the responsibilities each person undertakes in the Kamo family.
Meanwhile, Kazuma Hatori was sitting in the main seat of Higashimatsu-dono, waiting for Kamo Nokichi to gather all the people he had designated.
Although he could directly assign tasks to them through the interface, after thinking about Kamo Chokichi, that NPC old man with particularly strong opinions, Hagoromo Kazuma decided to inform these NPCs first, give them a warning, and let them prepare themselves mentally.
Those who were summoned were slightly apprehensive and uneasy, completely unable to understand why their master wanted to see them.
And then there's what happened with Lord Chokichi... Could it be that they're going to be purged too?!
The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became. Some of the psychological pressure was so intense that my legs went weak, and I stepped into the gate of Dongsong Hall, almost drenched in sweat, and found a place to stand.
"To make a long story short,"
Once everyone had arrived, Kazuma Hatori's opening remarks were concise and to the point, without any formalities.
"I believe that everyone's current workload is far from being fully utilized."
Kamo Nokichi was taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously explained to Hatori Kazuma, "They all have been assigned tasks..."
"Is that even considered work?"
As Kazuma Hatori leaned slightly forward, supporting himself on the armrest, he coldly questioned them.
“I spent several days with the head of the Gojo family and know his daily routine very well—do any of you work more than 16 hours a day like him?”
Everyone in the hall lowered their heads, none daring to utter a sound in response.
If before, Kamo Chokichi dared to chopsticks and glare at Hagoromo Kazuma, now... anyone who dares to point a finger at him will be pointed at with a gun.
Who would dare to utter another word?
And judging from what this tyrant said, it seems he intends to extend their working hours!
"I think that since the head of the Gojo family has set an example,"
Kazuma Hatori's gaze swept around, only seeing the tops of their heads peeking out at him as they lowered their heads.
“You should also follow his example.”
“From now on, you will work the same number of hours as the head of the Gojo family each day.”
Kazuma Hatake's words left no room for argument, and they struck like a thunderbolt amidst the astonished crowd.
Who are we comparing our working hours to? Gojo Satoru? They'd heard about his inhuman schedule... but how could they possibly endure it!
Kamo Nokichi, bearing the pressure, explained to him, "Excuse my bluntness, but many of the tasks assigned to Gojo Satoru are absolutely indispensable to him..."
"It has to be him? I see that many of the tasks he's received are ones that even a level one sorcerer could handle. Doesn't the Kamo family have several level one sorcerers?"
When Kazuma Hatori's dark eyes flickered and his gaze fell on Nokichi Kamo, the latter's throat tightened noticeably, and he dared not utter the rest of his words.
"How come they only need to do some easy jobs and still get a high monthly allowance? And then everyone laughs at the head of the Gojo family for taking on missions everywhere, working himself to the bone and constantly using the Reversal Technique to treat his brain, is that right?"
Everyone quickly shook their heads, indicating that they absolutely did not have that thought!
"Actually, there are many important tasks that even a first-level sorcerer like me... cough, finds quite difficult," Kamo Noriyoshi, carrying the hopes of everyone, finally spoke up again amidst the silence, "These are the kinds of tasks that are only possible because of..."
"It's dangerous for Level 1 sorcerers to go on missions, but it's not dangerous for Special Grade sorcerers?" Yuqu Kazuma's voice turned cold. "Then why haven't you all worked hard all these years to exorcise more cursed spirits and strive to become Special Grade sorcerers? Do you think you can get promoted just by sitting at home drinking tea and eating?"
How could they compare them to that monster Gojo Satoru? That's unreasonable! This person is so unreasonable!
Everyone's brain was screaming wildly.
But the entire Dongsong Hall remained eerily quiet—after Elder Naiji's words were cut off twice, no one wanted to be the first to speak out.
“Very good. Since no one has any objections, we will proceed with the rule of working 16 hours a day. Of course, I will not send you to your deaths. Apart from level one and special level one mages who can take on high-difficulty tasks, you can choose one of farming, research, construction, or trade.”
Kazuma Hato looked around and said, “You either have to find a way to reduce the workload of the head of the Gojo family, or you have to share his joys and sorrows.”
Want to rebel, huh? Always putting all the tasks on Wu's shoulders, huh? Then let these NPCs work for him around the clock, so they don't have to waste any extra energy secretly making trouble behind his back.
Everyone: "…………"
Really? They'll have to work 16 hours a day from now on?!
"Master, you can't...!"
Amidst this devastating news, someone finally stood up, about to protest defiantly—
*Smack*
Hagoromo Kazuma slowly slammed the [Blood-Stained Fighting Spear] in his hand onto the table, then looked up at the person.
"You can't underestimate us. Just because we're reducing Gojo Satoru's workload doesn't mean we can't send in a near-first-level sorcerer. Let's work together! More people means more power, and we'll gain combat experience faster!"
He continued with such certainty, as if he had completely forgotten that just a second ago he was a tough nut to crack, determined to rebel against the tyrant's rule.
Suddenly, I realized that working 16 hours a day isn't so bad.
Everyone: "…………"
Yohei, you traitor! You changed your tune so quickly!
"very good."
Kazuma Hatake nodded, looking at the NPCs who had no further objections.
Indeed, the truth lies only within range.
…………
After resolving the last important matter concerning the Kamo family, Kazuma Hagoromo arranged for Kamo Nokichi to accept the invitation from the Tokyo Jujutsu High School, and then set off.
This Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Higher Specialized School, which disguises itself as a private religious institution, has a very mixed architectural style. It includes a five-story pagoda symbolizing Buddhism, as well as shrines and torii gates representing local religious sects. Along the roads and between the tree trunks on both sides, there are also a continuous stretch of shimenawa (sacred ropes) and stone lanterns, which create a sense of antiquity and mystery.
As for the main hall where Hagoromo Kazuma was received, it was illuminated by candlelight.
As he stepped into the brightly lit hall in the afternoon, his vision suddenly dimmed, with only the central path being guided by the warm light, leading to the man sitting at the innermost side.
"Very punctual."
Upon seeing Kazuma Hatori enter the main hall alone, he praised him and introduced himself.
“I am Moth Master, the principal of this college.”
“I am the head of the Kamo family,” Hatori Kazuma nodded and replied politely.
"..." Night Moth Masamichi was stunned for a moment, "Is this name real?"
“It’s fake.” Kazuma Hatake was very honest. “But I think you should just treat it as my name and not ask any more questions.”
The principal cannot afford the consequences of calling players by their nicknames.
Moth said: "…………"
Even though he was supposed to be meeting the head of the Kamo family, he felt like he was seeing a cold and aloof version of Gojo Satoru... Was it just his imagination?
"I would be very grateful if you would like to come in person to discuss the [root cause of herpes]."
Moth Masamichi decided to ignore this ominous feeling in his heart and try to complete the process as objectively and professionally as possible.
"I am deeply sorry to hear that Elder Kamo Chokichi also tragically died in this incident of the cursed object going out of control."
"However, the report's description is far too brief. We hope you can help us reconstruct the search and combat process as accurately as possible. We need to assess the likelihood that such incidents will occur again."
"Okay." Kazuma Hatake nodded slightly.
For him, who had teamed up with Gojo Satoru to grind through a large number of monsters and level up, accurately recounting the process of exorcising cursed spirits was not difficult; however, explaining to Yagami Masamichi why exorcising cursed spirits would drop cursed power crystals was a troublesome matter.
"The exorcising curse spirit actually dropped a crystal that increases the power of the curse. I have never heard of a similar spell before."
Night Moth Masamichi rested his hands on his chest, deep in thought. "Moreover, the cursed artifacts also disappear along with it..."
"It probably turned into a crystallized form of cursed power along with it."
After thinking for a moment, Kazuma Hatake, using his sleeve as a cover, took out the [Pseudo-Superior Curse Crystal] from his inventory—this was the only one he had left; he had used the rest to absorb and upgrade.
"This is it. Can you see anything strange about it?"
Masamichi Nocturnus took the crystal, carefully examined it for a long time, then shook his head as if giving up and returned it to Kazuma Hagoromo.
"Pure and concentrated negative energy, which is cursed power. Nothing special about it." — He then asked, "Only you can absorb this kind of cursed spirit product?"
“Hmm,” Kazuma Hatake put it back into his inventory. “It’s very helpful, whether it’s restoring spell power or increasing the spell power cap.”
"A very good technique, extremely helpful in a prolonged battle."
Moth Masamichi nodded slightly. "Then this meeting is over. Thank you for your help. It sounds like this was indeed a common case of a cursed object going out of control, and that the cursed object has been transformed into crystal by your spell."
After saying those words, which sounded like a final hammer blow, he suddenly sat up straight. The sunglasses that blocked eye contact made his emotions less obvious, but his entire posture became very upright and serious.
When he spoke again, his voice was much lower.
"I will not disclose the following conversation to any third party."
He said to Kazuma Hatake, "As you can see, the High School is not only an educational institution, but also responsible for task assignment, support for sorcerers, monitoring of curses, and so on. It is a key location for the survival of the entire sorcery world."
"I'm far from being old and blind, so the idea of me having amnesia is utter nonsense."
Masamichi Nobi tapped his temple, his gaze fixed on Kazuma Hagoromo, and gave him a detailed warning, word by word.
"[The root of the herpes], no, it's that the data on the repression materials of that abandoned hospital has been tampered with. Someone is targeting you, head of the Kamo family."
After all, there are few people who can get close to Gojo Satoru, and Yagami Masamichi does not want to watch his supporters die as a result of the higher-ups' conspiracy.
This is why he made an excuse to specifically summon people to the High School of Spellcasting for a face-to-face meeting.
As Night Moth looked at the tall, aloof young man before him, he sighed softly.
"I think you decided to come to Tokyo to confirm this, right?"
After a brief moment of silence.
"No, that's not it,"
—He heard the Kamo family head speak, his voice steady and powerful.
"I've come to recommend myself to you as a teacher at a higher vocational college."
"..." Night Moth Masamichi adjusted his sunglasses.
"Um??"
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