Becoming a Devilish Cultivator's Miko

She looked at the unfinished doll in her school bag and sighed softly.

It was less a doll and more a human-shaped figure made of straw ropes, merely possessing a human form. Such straw rope dolls could serve as a substitute for exorcists, taking one attack from a "spirit" on their behalf. It was considered the most essential skill to learn.

However, the process of making one was quite tedious. Yuria, who had never attempted straw rope weaving before, had spent two days without successfully creating a single doll. Takeda Mie had decided not to teach her anything else until she could successfully make a straw rope doll, reasoning that if she couldn't even learn a life-saving skill like this, other abilities would likely be useless.

But it was close.

The ringing of the bell finally quieted the chatter in the classroom. The class's teacher walked in with textbooks, but everyone's gaze wasn't on the teacher. Instead, their eyes were drawn to a beautiful, simply dressed girl standing outside the door.

"Kaishoku Shugaku, please come in."

The teacher said this, handing the chalk in her hand to the girl approaching her.

"I imagine you all already know that we have a new transfer student joining our class, even if I didn't say anything. So... Kaishoku Shugaku, please introduce yourself to everyone."

She gestured towards the girl named "Kaishoku Shugaku," who was standing beside the podium, leaving it to her. The latter merely nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the curious eyes peering at her from around the classroom. Without much shyness, as if seeing something within them, she then wrote her name on the blackboard behind her.

"My name is—Kaishoku Shugaku."

Strong, bold characters appeared on the blackboard, accompanied by the dull thud of chalk hitting the surface. If one were to judge a person by their name, it seemed this girl named Kaishoku Shugaku possessed an indescribable elegance.

"Please take care of me."

A brief statement, a short introduction. She didn't even bow, merely inclining her head slightly as a gesture of politeness.

Such a posture would not feel out of place if she were wearing luxurious clothing. However, Kaishoku Shugaku was only wearing white, with no visible signs of opulence at first glance.

A faint sound arose, gradually growing into a noisy discussion. Everyone was expressing their impressions of the new transfer student, including Yuria. Looking at Kaishoku Shugaku standing before her, Yuria couldn't help but frown.

Her actions weren't particularly rude, but without good social skills, being ostracized by the class was an obvious outcome. In a society filled with hierarchies, even among students at school, there were subtle class distinctions. Kaishoku Shugaku's behavior as a newcomer... was quite poor.

"Then, please go sit next to Futamido Yuria."

The teacher paid no mind to the chatter, nor did she care about the social strata among the students, as it was an unspoken norm that even a teacher would find difficult to change. She simply looked at the seemingly arrogant student with pity and assigned her a seat next to Yuria, whose situation might be slightly better.

Afterward, even that hint of pity vanished as she focused solely on her lesson.

Yuria, too, paid no attention to Kaishoku Shugaku, even though they might end up in similar positions.

She quietly organized her belongings, just in case someone decided to flip her desk later and scatter everything.

The moment the dismissal bell rang and the teacher left the classroom, Yuria, seeing her school bag packed, quickly followed her out.

However, at the doorway, she glanced back. As expected, some students had already gathered around the new transfer student, starting to inquire about her identity.

School was much like society; before provoking someone, one had to open their eyes and properly assess their status. It was also wise to cautiously approach any "high-status" individual who offered unsolicited kindness.

"Yuria?"

Of course, some people were exceptions.

Looking up at the two people walking together in front of her, Yuria temporarily set aside her thoughts about the new transfer student and turned to Yurikawa Hana, asking casually.

"Hana, are you hungry again?"

"Why would you ask if I'm hungry in a situation like this!"

The orange-haired girl said indignantly, while the black-haired girl beside her shut down all her anger with a single, brief sentence.

"Because you only go out to the convenience store to buy snacks when you're hungry."

Yotsuya Miko sighed and explained the reason to Yuria.

"As you can see, she forgot to eat breakfast again."

"That's exactly something she would do."

"Yeah, Yuria, why did you come out now? I thought it was just after the first class?"

"Because... I needed to use the restroom."

Yuria paused, deciding not to reveal her true thoughts. Yotsuya Miko glanced towards her classroom and then nodded.

"I see. In that case, I'll take Hana to the convenience store first. See you at lunch."

"Okay, see you at lunch."

A Psychic, huh...

Although Yuria wanted to keep it a secret, such thoughts were nonexistent for Yotsuya Miko. She briefly used her Spiritual Sense to scan Yuria's classroom and immediately understood what was happening.

It was nothing more than a case of school bullying. Well, it hadn't escalated to bullying yet; they were probably just exchanging harsh words.

"Hana, did you know we have a new transfer student at our school?"

"What?"

Hana looked at her blankly, then clutched her stomach with a pained expression.

"I'm so hungry..."

Seeing her like this, Yotsuya Miko knew it was useless to ask her anything.

"Never mind. It's nothing. It won't turn into anything serious anyway."

Ever since her Spiritual Sense gained the ability to manipulate objects, Miko's Spiritual Sense had been able to cover the entire school, allowing her to notice almost everything happening within its grounds. However, she couldn't possibly monitor the entire school from every angle without blind spots, as her Spiritual Sense wouldn't be able to sustain it. But focusing her Spiritual Sense on a few key targets was quite simple for her.

The name written on the blackboard was hers?

Using the Eye-Penetrating Incantation, Spiritual Sense quickly saw the large characters on the blackboard in the classroom.

Kaishoku Shugaku.

It was a kind of arrogance, a sense of superiority, that emanated from the words. It was as if they thought themselves to be entirely different beings from ordinary people.

Chapter 93: Setting Another Flag

Almost as the school bell rang, Yuria slowly walked into the classroom.

She lowered her head, glancing only briefly at the scattered students and seeing the unnatural expressions on their faces. Apart from negative emotions, there wasn't much else. The new transfer student's desk was still fine, and her own desk... had not been pushed to the floor.

Ran into a tough opponent?

Yuria thought to herself, calmly walking to her seat and sitting down.

She didn't intend to do anything to the transfer student beside her, even if this student named Kaishoku Shugaku was experiencing school bullying. To put it bluntly, even if she received such treatment, it was due to her own attitude.

"You'd best restrain your attitude. Those consumed by rage won't pay attention to anything."

Yuria opened the book in her hands, marking her first words to the girl named Kaishoku Shugaku.

"Then let me see their methods."

This arrogant girl did not accept the reminder, instead looking coldly at Yuria beside her.

"If you're afraid of getting burned, then please tell the teacher to change seats yourself."

As expected, she was someone who would offend others.

Yuria thought to herself, pretending she hadn't spoken to this person, and continued to copy the lecture content from her book.

If Kaishoku Shugaku truly had such a personality, she would be much more at ease. At least the targeting within this class would be less. As for worrying about this transfer student? She could barely handle herself, let alone expect her to deal with someone who seemed impossible to get along with.

Perhaps I should listen to her and ask the teacher to change seats.

While taking notes, she glanced again at Kaishoku Shugaku, who was propping her chin and seemed to be spacing out. Her impression of the new transfer student worsened.

An inexplicable arrogance, and an aura that clashed with the classroom, really got along well with those school bullies.

This person... is probably beyond saving.

Yuria made a final judgment on this person in her heart.

Time quickly passed to noon. It was unknown what methods Kaishoku Shugaku had, or what more malicious plans those people were preparing. After the first class, no one came to bother Kaishoku Shugaku.

This made Yuria, who was always ready to look after her belongings, breathe a sigh of relief. She took her bento box and headed to the place she had arranged to meet Miko. With Hana and Miko's persuasion, she had gradually gotten used to eating with the two of them at noon. However, at such times, it was usually Hana and Miko who did the talking, while she would chime in occasionally when asked something.

"Yuria, did a transfer student come to your class?"

Yuria slowly chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth before looking at Yotsuya Miko, who was sipping milk, and answered her question.

"Yeah, someone named Kaishoku Shugaku, but she's not very pleasant."

She had nothing to hide from the two of them, so she poured out her bad impression of the newcomer.

"She doesn't pay much attention in class and is very arrogant. I don't know where she transferred from, but I heard it might be Kawamori?"

"Is that the general opinion?"

Yotsuya Miko nodded. Based on her Spiritual Sense, the scene she saw was similar to what Yuria described. She indeed seemed to be an exorcist who considered herself superior to others.

"Yeah, to be honest, I want to stay away from her—the teacher assigned her to sit next to me."

"Is that so? Has she bullied you, Yuria?"

The one who asked this was Yurikawa Hana. Yuria simply shook her head and continued eating her bento.

"I'm already planning to tell the teacher, but not for a few more days. For now, I'll just watch."

"Is that so?"

Miko glanced at her, likely understanding that Yuria was unaware of Kaishoku Shugaku's identity as an exorcist. But with Hana present, she had to put it aside for now.

"Perhaps this is for the best. You'll get to know this classmate Kaishoku better."

She said meaningfully, then paused.

"Oh, right. Remember to check your phone messages."

Phone messages?

Yuria blinked, looking confusedly at Yotsuya Miko, who was being cryptic. Did the exorcist big shot mean that Kaishoku Shugaku's identity was unusual?

Miko didn't say anything more about the rest. She simply glanced at the Poison Flytrap charm on Yuria and began to think of the Shepherd organization.

If the Shepherd organization had indeed targeted Yuria, then the Talismans on the Poison Flytrap charm would be almost useless. Those Talismans were specifically designed to deal with Ghosts, and she hadn't considered dealing with humans or cultivators when she drew them.

But would it be making a mountain out of a molehill to add them now? She thought to herself, then shook her head, feeling she was overthinking.

After all, it was only a possibility of being targeted. Even if she were targeted, she could still investigate these so-called Shepherds with her own abilities. Moreover, she had also placed a tracking Talisman in the Poison Flytrap charm earlier. If something really happened, there would still be time.

With that thought, the idea of drawing Talismans completely vanished.

Although it was a bit suspicious that an exorcist transfer student from out of town had suddenly appeared at this school, this exorcist probably had little to do with the Shepherd organization...

Sipping her milk, Yotsuya Miko's eyes suddenly widened, and she looked sharply at Yuria beside her.

Kawamori?

Instantly, she branded Kaishoku Shugaku with a suspicious mark. According to the intel Takeda Mie had given her, the Shepherd's influence was spreading outward from the Kanamori region. And at such a crucial juncture, a spirit medium from Kanamori itself had arrived at their school.

While she couldn't directly confirm Kaishoku Shugaku was a member of the Shepherd yet, her identity had become sensitive.

She should use the Divine Gate's influence to investigate Kaishoku Shugaku's background.

She pondered, recalling another piece of information from Takeda Mie: the existence of the Divine Gate, an official organization. Since they were currently investigating the Shepherd, a freelance spirit medium from Kanamori would likely be a key target of their vigilance.

Although she could track down Kaishoku Shugaku's residence and personal information, much like she had done with Tono Zen, the risk was too high right now. Upon learning about the Divine Gate, she felt fortunate for her past actions. Thankfully, those people hadn't pursued her regarding the Silver Ball, or explaining her abilities would have been difficult.

She planned to proceed cautiously for now, at least until she had mastered the new incantations she'd learned and the jade stones she'd purchased arrived.

Moreover, as long as Kaishoku Shugaku remained active within the campus, she wouldn't be able to escape Miko's Spiritual Sense. Under such scrutiny, all her thoughts would be known to Yotsuya Miko.

Chapter 94: The Unfathomable Kaishoku Shugaku

Upon receiving news of the Shepherd's arrival in the area, the Investigation Department and the Special Affairs Department, in conjunction with the local government, had launched several rounds of investigations into individuals entering the Kanamori region. These included not only overt inquiries about their itineraries but also covert investigations into their activities within Kanamori. However, even with the recent decrease in the number of people arriving from Kanamori, finding any trace of the Shepherd proved difficult.

"Well, well, a young lady has arrived."

Okita examined the documents presented to him after multiple reviews and screenings.

"Kaishoku Shugaku, the eldest daughter of the Kanamori Kaishoku family. She had a falling out with her grandfather and ran off to attend school here... truly speechless."

One, standing beside him, lacked his dramatic flair and calmly read out information about the Kanamori Kaishoku family.

"The Kanamori Kaishoku are a lineage of spirit mediums in the Kanamori region, though they have gradually declined. Kaishoku Shugaku is one of the few spirit mediums with this qualification. However, her parents died in a battle with spirits, leaving her solely under the care of her elders, which fostered a haughty disposition. Her talent is considerable, but she's overly pampered and a bit self-important. Due to the Shepherd incident, the Kaishoku family instructed this young lady to remain obediently within their estate and not leave. But..."

"But this fool tried to deal with the Shepherd herself and ran off here alone?"

Okita scoffed.

"Who handled her transfer qualifications?"

"Her grandfather," One replied, offering no further opinion on the Kaishoku family's affairs.

"Kaishoku Shunen, upon hearing that Kaishoku Shugaku had run off here, fainted in anger. Afterward, internal conflicts within the Kaishoku family surfaced, making it difficult for even Kaishoku Shunen to suppress them again. Thus, they decided to transfer Kaishoku Shugaku here to temporarily avoid those conflicts, and also requested the Divine Gate to keep a close eye on this arrogant young lady."