Becoming a Devilish Cultivator's Miko

Chapter 88: Yuria Is Not Alone

Returning to the classroom, the first thing Yotsuya Miko saw was Yurikawa Hana, who was using a piece of bread to vent her anger by stuffing it into her mouth.

"Did they bother you again?"

Hana merely shot her an annoyed glance and continued to eat the bread in her hand, tearing into it with large bites.

"Don't worry, don't worry, it'll be over in a few days."

Miko patted Hana's shoulder and put her messenger bag into her desk drawer, showing no remorse for being the instigator.

"The apology letter was written, parents were met, the school issued a notice, and the matter is settled, right?"

"...Miko, I hate you."

Hana muttered dejectedly, finally easing the frustration of being teased by her classmates.

"If there's a next time, I'm really going to cut ties with you."

"Okay, okay, I swear there won't be a next time, alright?"

Yotsuya Miko raised her right hand and promised. There wouldn't be a next time anyway. She cherished the friendship she had lost and regained too much to ever consider causing trouble with Hana again.

"How about I treat you to Butt Mochi after school?"

She said this, then put on a pained expression and held up three fingers in front of Hana.

"Three."

"Three? Really?"

Upon hearing about food, the orange-haired girl's mood brightened like the sun breaking through clouds. However, seeing the seemingly pained look on Miko's face, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Didn't you win prize money in the calligraphy competition? You can afford three mochi."

"Then can't you just cooperate and let me treat you to two?"

Miko looked at her, her expression relaxing.

"Two, how about it?"

"No, three is three."

"Wow, that's really tough."

Hana didn't find Miko's teasing amusing. She looked at her good friend before her, and a figure suddenly popped into her mind.

"Should we invite Yuria? She hasn't gone out with us these past few days. I thought she misunderstood too."

"That's not it."

Yotsuya Miko shook her head. She understood Yuria's current situation.

After being introduced as a disciple to Takeda Mie, the young girl went straight to the fortune-telling shop after school to learn how to use Spiritual Power under the Downtown Godmother. Miko didn't know how far along she had gotten.

"She probably won't be visible after school for quite some time."

"?"

Hana tilted her head, not quite understanding her meaning.

"She has her own things to do. If you really miss her, can't you talk properly during lunch?"

Miko said this and then sat down in her seat.

She didn't understand Spiritual Power cultivation, but her Spiritual Sense had not yet detected any aura of Spiritual Power from Yuria. It was likely a difficult practice. In this situation, she didn't intend to interfere with Yuria's cultivation.

"That's true... but lunchtime is too short."

Hana nodded, still looking somewhat resentful.

Soon, this resentment was felt by Yuria.

She took small bites of her bento box, looking at Hana, who, uncharacteristically, wasn't talking to Yotsuya Miko but was instead constantly talking to her, making it difficult to respond.

"After school recently?"

She glanced at Yotsuya Miko beside her, knowing that this girl probably didn't intend to tell Hana about the Ghosts. She stammered out her reason.

"Actually... I've been working part-time recently."

It was more or less the same. Takeda Mie's fortune-telling shop remained open. When there were no customers, she practiced Spiritual Power. When there were customers, Takeda Mie would have her do some tasks, saying it was to broaden her horizons.

"Working? Does that mean Yuria doesn't want us to know where you're working?"

Hana leaned in eagerly towards Yuria, causing her to instinctively shrink back. Seeing this, Yotsuya Miko had to grab Hana by the collar and pull her back a certain distance.

"Don't be so blunt about it."

"I know. Right, Yuria?"

"Uh."

Glancing again at Miko's attitude, and then at the orange-haired girl before her whom she still found difficult to handle, Yuria refused.

"Although I'm sorry, I don't want to tell you where I'm working."

If Yurikawa Hana knew she was cultivating Spiritual Power at the fortune-telling shop, it would be quite troublesome for her, and it might even seriously affect her cultivation.

"That cruel? Yuria-chan, aren't we friends?"

"Even if we're friends, everyone needs their privacy."

Yotsuya Miko said this, looking at Yuria before her, stating her position.

"While I can't help you directly, I can at least help you feel at ease to do your own thing. If you encounter any difficulties, please don't hesitate to tell me, Yuria."

"Mhm, I understand. Thank you, Miko."

This promise carried more weight than any words. Yuria knew what kind of standing she was speaking from. Looking at the two people before her, no matter what, she realized these two genuinely cared about her, aside from her parents.

"And me too! I'll definitely come help you too!"

"Mhm, thank you too, Hana."

Finally, a smile appeared on Yuria's face. She felt genuinely happy for these two friends she had made.

This happiness continued all the way until she went to her master's place.

"Oh? You seem quite happy today, Yuria."

Takeda Mie looked at her expression with a bit of surprise.

"Did Miko say something to you?"

Ever since Yuria became her disciple, she had visited the Futatsugura family. Although Yuria's parents found it difficult to accept her taking time off, after she explained Yuria's eyes, they accepted the situation and told her about Yuria's past.

A pitiable child.

She thought this, but she didn't have any good solutions. After all, she had no experience in educating children like this. It was no wonder Rom had taken a completely different path from her.

"Mhm, Master Takeda, are we continuing our training today?"

"Yes, we'll continue training until you can feel that presence within you."

Takeda Mie shook off the thought and focused her mind on Yuria's training. This was also her promise to Yotsuya Miko – to train this young girl until she could stand on her own, no matter what.

"There probably won't be any customers today, Yuria. You can start your training now."

"I understand, Master Takeda."

Yuria nodded and was about to find a place to begin her practice when Takeda Mie suddenly called out to her.

"Call me Granny Saegusa from now on."

The Godmother looked at her and made her request.

"Rom calls me that too. I prefer 'Granny Saegusa' over 'Master Takeda'."

"...Okay, Granny Saegusa?"

Takeda Mie smiled and gently patted her head.

"That's wonderful. I wish I had a granddaughter like you."

Chapter 89: Disputes in the Shadows

Yuria closed her eyes, meditating carefully and sensing the strange yet difficult-to-control energy within her. This energy was Spiritual Power.

She cautiously manipulated this Spiritual Power, gathering it from all parts of her body to the tip of her right index finger. Then, she gently placed her finger on the Divination Orb before her.

Soon, a faint white light was activated in the crystal-clear, colorless glass, visible even in the dimness. Even after Yuria removed her finger, the glass ball continued to glow for a few seconds before finally dimming.

"I succeeded?"

As she lowered her finger, Yuria had already opened her eyes. Looking at the Divination Orb that had just dimmed, an excited expression finally appeared on her face.

"Granny Saegusa, did I succeed?"

She eagerly asked Takeda Mie, who was standing beside her. The old woman simply nodded with a smile, giving an affirmative reply.

"That's wonderful. You can finally control this power."

Takeda Mie looked at the Divination Orb, stroking its smooth surface. She erased the faint Spiritual Power that had yet to dissipate within it. She then slowly placed the testing tool into its box and stored it properly.

"Well then, you'll need to start learning other things too."

As she said this, Takeda Mie still marveled at Yuria's talent. She seemed naturally suited for this line of work, having cultivated and learned to use Spiritual Power in less than a week. Such talent in the past would have been highly valued by noble families. But now...

Her mind raced, bringing to mind a certain force she didn't wish to deal with. However, in front of Yuria, she spoke the words she had intended to say.

"But before that, Yuria, what do you think of spirits?"

"Spirits?"

"Yes, those non-human entities that people call ghosts and evil spirits."

Takeda Mie said slowly, watching Yuria with a silent gaze.

"When dealing with these anomalies, the first thing you need to do is understand them."

"When dealing with those rogue monks, the first thing you need to do is understand them."

Okita, the head of the Investigation Department, said this, looking at the dozen or so colleagues from the Special Affairs Department standing before him. He tossed a file in his hand.

"These are all old foxes living in this area, along with their respective disciples. What you need to do is go door-to-door and inform them about the Shepherd, telling them to keep a close eye on their apprentices. Oh, and remember to officially inquire about anyone who hasn't joined the Divine Gate."

"Yes, Director Okita."

After receiving their respective files, these individuals quickly left the Special Affairs Department's office to carry out their missions. Watching them go, Okita glanced back at the person sitting in a chair behind him and shook his head.

"Did your people find any leads on the Shepherd?"

"Unfortunately, not at all."

The man on the chair, his face covered in scratches, spread his hands to express his helplessness.

"Those guys are good at hiding, like dogs. Even with the border crossings sealed, it's hard for the government to find any suspicious groups or organizations. We're already short-handed and find it difficult to cooperate with ordinary people's work. Right now, we can only see what the Investigation Department can do."

"Rely on the Investigation Department?"

Okita glanced at him, as if struck by a thought, his tone full of resentment.

"The Investigation Department has even fewer people than your Special Affairs Department. All the combat-capable Psychics have been absorbed into the Special Affairs Department. Due to the agreement, my Investigation Department has to use one person for three, and it's already difficult enough to handle our own tasks. You expect us to help?"

"Heh—"

The head of the Special Affairs Department showed no shame at his resentment. He simply looked at Okita and stood up from his chair.

"I've already reported to the higher-ups. Minister Okita, haven't you received the search order for the Shepherd? Or perhaps—Minister Okita, do you intend to defy this extremely important anomaly that could threaten the safety of a city's residents?"

Facing the minister's blunt pressure, Okita didn't say much, merely extending his right hand.

"Give me Shimizu Tenpu and my original Investigation Department members."

He hadn't come specifically to complain, but to request personnel.

"You know, Tenpu's abilities are more suited for reconnaissance than combat, right?"

"I know, better than you."

The minister of the Special Affairs Department looked at him and picked up the phone on the desk.

"But he doesn't want to be a member of the Investigation Department. We're all well aware of that."