Chapter 168

Some people are very good at managing their facial expressions, while others are not.

For example...

57. The Spirit Channeling, Hasegawa

Takanashi Rikka's lips twitched, clearly showing her envy.

Dekomori Sanae stared at them, as if she were looking down on an ordinary person.

Only Nibuya Morika remained expressionless, her thoughts unreadable.

Previously, people's attitudes would not have been like this; it was only due to the progression of relationships and the improvement of internal and external factors that the situation changed.

'You guys don't actually think that becoming Ability User will allow you to keep up with the Club President, do you? You're still a long way off! Romance shouldn't even exist...'

Natsukawa Masuzu sneered inwardly.

"Hello, Saginomiya-senpai... could you please take out the Teru Teru Bozu (Japanese teru bozu doll)? Let me see if there's anything strange about it."

Hasegawa Izumi responded and immediately changed the subject.

"Ah... um."

Saginomiya's expression changed abruptly, her arms trembling slightly. She took out the Teru Teru Bozu made of teru teru bozu) from the box and placed it in front of everyone, then turned her head to the side.

I was terrified.

"It still doesn't work."

Atenbo Yume was quite bold, staring intently at the Teru Teru Bozu in her hand, but she couldn't see the strange change in expression her friend had described; she only had a vague, ominous feeling.

At this moment, everyone in the Far East Magic Society looked over. On the surface, the Teru Teru Bozu's smiling expression was very friendly, no different from what they had seen in the anime.

However, once they activated their spiritual eyes, they immediately noticed something different: the small doll was shrouded in a very dense black aura, which looked extremely evil.

In that instant, the Teru Teru Bozu's smiling expression underwent a strange transformation. A terrifying curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, and her previously lifeless eyes suddenly became two black holes, involuntarily drawing their gaze in...

"Such deep resentment."

Hasegawa Izumi's voice immediately brought them back to reality.

The girls felt as if they were in an ice cave, and their expressions became solemn and serious.

That feeling wasn't an illusion; they really were infected!

This thing reminded them of the first time they saw the Soul-Bewitching Grass, but back then it aroused lust, while this time it was fear.

However, thanks to the spiritual power, they quickly calmed their minds and the unease subsided rapidly.

"Club President, what was that just now...?"

Natsukawa Masuzu's timely question.

"It's just a reaction after sensing a threat; it's its instinct... but since it's not a living being, it has its limits. Otherwise, even you would be tainted by the curse."

Hasegawa Izumi provided the answer.

"Hasegawa, do you know what this thing is?"

As Atenbo Yume saw that he spoke so confidently, she wanted to laugh inwardly, but at the same time, she also asked a question.

"It's a unique kind of Cursed Tool. It can be used to make straw figures or as voodoo puppets. It's just that it's quite frightening because of its inherent characteristics... It's very difficult to find any trace of it. If it could be subdued and used, in this day and age, it should be able to kill people without them even realizing it."

He said it casually.

For someone with a keen eye, this thing could be quite useful, but for him, such a cunning method was utterly insignificant and he would usually not use it.

"You mean it's an object with supernatural powers that we can control? I thought it was some kind of demon or Demons and Monsters..."

Atenbo Yume looked surprised, then her eyes lit up with excitement.

"No! Hasegawa, how do I know you're right?"

She suddenly realized her blind spot: she had trusted the other person too much.

"Lord Sage doesn't need your approval!"

Dekomori Sanae wouldn't tolerate any questioning and immediately shouted loudly.

"Saginomiya-senpai, do you want to solve this problem?"

Hasegawa Izumi turned her head and asked.

"Hasegawa-kun, do you know a solution?!"

Saginomiya-senpai opened her eyes, looked directly at him, her gaze fervent.

"I can help you solve this, but... the reward is this 'Teru Teru Bozu' itself."

As he spoke, he pointed to it.

"Of course! If you want it, I can even give it to you as a gift!"

The words "tiger and wolf" escaped from Saginomiya-senpai's mouth.

This gave the girls a hint of ferocity in their eyes.

If it was Natsukawa who said it, they wouldn't have reacted yet, since they had heard it many times before, and it was like a joke.

"Then that won't be necessary."

Hasegawa Izumi maintained her usual indifferent expression, reached out and took the Teru Teru Bozu from the other person's hand, then opened it in her own.

Hehehe...

Under his cold, piercing gaze, the teru teru Teru Teru Bozu) changed again, grinning wickedly once more, and even letting out a piercing scream that echoed only within the room.

What is that sound?

Was it it that made the sound?

Atenbo Yume and Saginomiya-senpai felt their eardrums being stimulated, and showed expressions of pain, unable to help but reach out and cover their ears with their hands.

The girls hurriedly used their spiritual power to protect themselves, mitigating the impact, but they still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

In their view, the Teru Teru Bozu had completely released its ominous dark aura, which was now wrapping around Hasegawa's arm in wisps, making the whole scene look terrifying.

"The Sage."

"Club President?"

"Seeker of Truth."

"Lord Sage...!"

Even though they knew that Hasegawa's abilities were unfathomable, they couldn't help but care.

"Since it's an aggregate of resentment, does it retain some human emotions? If so, it would be a waste to just dispel it. Let's seal it for now and use it as a 'Shikigami' for Yotsuya later."

Hasegawa Izumi murmured something softly, and a surge of spiritual power emanated from her hand, instantly overwhelming the surging resentment and forcing it all into the Teru Teru Bozu itself.

A circular array of spiritual energy formed, with a conspicuous character 'seal' appearing in the center. The character then gradually dissolved into nothingness, locking itself within its body.

Under their gaze, the Teru Teru Bozu's originally unrestrained smile gradually disappeared, turning into a mournful, ugly grin.

"It seems the seal has been successfully sealed."

Nibuya Morika slightly raised her head.

"Minister, you're a bit too much like a supermodel, to be honest."

Natsukawa Masuzu seemed startled and patted her chest.

"After all, even the Lord Sage intervened with Death; no matter how powerful the evil spirit, it couldn't withstand it, let alone something as simple as a Cursed Tool."

Dekomori Sanae with a hand on her waist.

"The power of the Sage is truly invincible."

Takanashi Rikka was deeply moved.

Everyone started their usual boasting.

Hasegawa Izumi had gotten used to it.

However, the sight of this Spirit Summoning made the two female students next to them feel a chill run down their spines.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Atenbo Yume stared at him with an incredulous look on her face, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes wide, saying, "Hasegawa, so you're not a chuunibyou, but a real Spirit Channeling!"

58 Eriri, if one day you find that everything I've said is true...

"Spirit Channeling? By the conventional definition, yes, but besides Spirit Channeling, Shinigami, Ability User, and Onmyōji can all Spirit Summoning."

Hasegawa Izumi tilted her head slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

"Hey, is there really such a detailed division? You're not just making this up, are you?"

Atenbo Yume looked suspicious.

She wasn't unfamiliar with supernatural events, so she wouldn't blindly believe such outlandish claims.

In her view, such a distinction is unnecessary and is just like the differentiated settings in anime. In reality, there is no essential difference between people with supernatural powers.

Of course, this could be because her research was not thorough enough, so she did not completely deny it.

"The Club President never speaks carelessly; your 'love' simply isn't enough, senior."

Natsukawa Masuzu rested her chin on her hand, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

Actually, she could understand it very well. Before seeing the Club President display extraordinary power, she had just treated it as a joke and had never taken it seriously.

She adopted the identity of the so-called Greedy Witch simply to fit into the role.

But now, it seems the role-playing method is almost complete.

"Foolish humans, it's good that you know how to question authority, but to want to question Lord Sage is to overestimate yourselves."

Dekomori Sanae chimed in.

'Sacred? It's gotten to this level?'

This boasting stirred even the usually calm and collected Hasegawa Izumi's heart.

"Is it really resolved?"

Saginomiya-senpai looked at the Teru Teru Bozu in his hand with anticipation in her eyes, and when she found that the strange smile had disappeared, she was overjoyed and rushed towards him.

"Hasegawa-kun, you're amazing! Thank you!"

"Don't take advantage of me, senior."

Before he could dodge, Nibuya Morika suddenly appeared in the middle and reached out to block him.

The latter pouted and said, "I just wanted to repay a debt of gratitude! This junior is being far too heartless!"

"Then you should try a different approach."

Nibuya Morika remained expressionless.

The others also gave them cold looks.

Saginomiya-senpai didn't fool around for long. She quickly straightened up and continued, "I never imagined that Hasegawa-kun would also be a Spirit Channeling, and that she could solve a problem that even Princess Izumi couldn't solve. It's truly unbelievable."

"Who is Princess Izumi?"

Hearing her description, Hasegawa Izumi couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Saginomiya-senpai smiled brightly and explained, "Princess Izumi is the only young master of our Saginomiya family. Although she is very young, she is extremely capable and is one of the earliest known Spirit Channeling in the world! Most importantly, Young Lady is also very cute. I wonder if Hasegawa-kun would be interested in getting to know her?"

She felt unworthy of him, but if he were the young master, a marriage alliance was entirely possible.

With the two families united, the Saginomiya family will surely become the true leaders in this new era!

"Why are you suddenly acting as a matchmaker! You idiot!"

Atenbo Yume, then said angrily.

"Besides, it's for that child. She's too young and can't even take care of herself. Wouldn't it be more suitable to have a more mature older sister?"

She pressed her hand to her broad chest and offered herself up.

Whether from the perspective of interests or from the perspective of appearance and charm, she greatly admired Hasegawa and naturally did not want to fall behind.