Utahime's Gift

"This was a training plan approved by Professor Yaga. Toho Tetsu's cursed energy control and physical combat foundation have already met the standard. Continuing to hit wooden posts at the training ground would be far too inefficient; real combat was the best teacher."

She paused, her gaze lingering on Utahime Iori for a moment.

"Besides, before long, he'll start taking low-level missions. Rather than having him panic when he faces cursed spirits then, it's better for him to get used to them now."

Hearing Mei Mei's words, Utahime Iori immediately recovered from her somewhat complicated mood, curiosity and disbelief appearing in her eyes.

"Missions? That soon?"

Seeing her surprised expression, Toho Tetsu nodded.

"Yes. There hasn't been any official notice yet, but Mei Mei told me it would probably be sometime soon. That's why I wanted to build up more experience before I officially started taking missions."

Upon hearing that he would be taking missions soon, Utahime tossed aside all her complicated feelings from earlier.

After all, although Toho Tetsu had completed his training and could begin taking missions, whenever he left the campus, someone had to accompany and observe him.

So when the time came, that person would be either her or Mei Mei.

But considering that Mei Mei's combat ability was near Grade 1 and she could handle most missions alone, while her own abilities were merely supportive, didn't that mean she would probably be spending more time on missions with him from now on?

Thinking that, she inexplicably felt a little lighter. She no longer dwelled on what had just happened and merely shot someone a subtle glance.

"...Fine. It was bound to happen sooner or later. But don't hold me back when we go on missions."

After saying that, she added another sentence.

"Besides, being able to take missions is good. You've been stuck at school this whole time; you must be bored to death. Getting out and looking around wouldn't be bad."

Seeing how she was as sharp-tongued as ever, yet clearly had a hint of excitement in her eyes, Toho Tetsu smiled.

"That's what I think too. Fighting cursed spirits on the back mountain counts as real combat, but it still feels different from actual missions."

"Of course it's different. Mission sites are far more chaotic than the back mountain."

As Utahime spoke in a light tone, her gaze settled on Fudōmaru at his waist, and a trace of curiosity appeared on her face.

"Come to think of it, is that sword of yours a cursed tool?"

"Yeah. I picked it from the cursed tool vault. Its name is Fudōmaru."

As he spoke, he untied the sword from his waist and handed it to her. Utahime observed it for several seconds before returning it to him.

"It looks pretty unremarkable. Why did you choose a cursed tool like this?"

Although the cursed tool did look quite good, she felt that it did not quite suit this junior of hers. Yet Toho Tetsu merely smiled and said,

"Unremarkable is good. Just like me."

"Hmph. As if."

Hearing those utterly self-unaware words, the girl rolled her eyes helplessly. Still, her mood had improved considerably, and she turned toward the cafeteria.

"You're done training, right? How about we go eat together? I just got back from Osaka, and I'm starving."

Only after watching her walk several steps away did Mei Mei slowly follow, still moving at her unhurried pace. Toho Tetsu followed the two of them as well.

Utahime Iori walked at the front, but suddenly turned back and asked,

"So, what happened to that Grade 2 cursed spirit?"

Hearing her question, Toho Tetsu paused before realizing she was talking about what had just happened.

"That cursed spirit? After a hard fight, I exorcised it. And this time, I didn't land a Black Flash. I managed it just by using the knowledge you taught me and the combat techniques I learned these past few days."

Though his tone was rather calm, his heart was filled with excitement and joy. After all, when he had first transmigrated here, he had faced a Grade 2 cursed spirit.

Back then, all he could do was flee and evade in a sorry state. In the end, he had even relied on luck to exorcise it.

But today, under the guidance of the two women over the past few days, he had learned the fundamentals and methods of battle. Simply by maneuvering and dodging, he had easily dealt with it.

He was no longer the powerless person he had been when he first transmigrated here.

From this moment onward, the path to changing the future had a clear direction.

But Utahime Iori fell silent for a moment.

Before leaving, she had thought that this junior's strength would rise again after several days of real combat. But she had never expected him to reach the point where he could exorcise a Grade 2 cursed spirit alone.

This only meant that, on paper, his combat ability had reached Grade 2. It did not mean he could be considered a true Grade 2 Sorcerer.

Still, a newcomer who had known nothing just days ago had suddenly reached the same level as her. She did not know what to say.

But recalling what Toho Tetsu had said when she told him she was leaving that day, she swallowed back her self-pity. She merely looked at him as though she were looking at a monster.

"You can already exorcise a Grade 2 cursed spirit by yourself? You really are a monster in every sense of the word..."

Toho Tetsu felt the same helplessness as before at that assessment.

"How am I a monster? It's only because I received such careful guidance from you two seniors. Without you, I probably still wouldn't know anything."

Even the normally aloof Mei Mei curled her lips into a faint, nearly imperceptible smile upon hearing that. As for Utahime, who had always lacked confidence, the smile at the corners of her mouth was practically broad enough to hang an oil pot from.

But it was at that moment that she seemed to remember something. She handed the package she had been holding all along to Toho Tetsu.

"If that's the case, then this is perfect as a graduation gift for you. Consider it a celebration for completing your basic training."

When he took the package and opened it, he found a bracelet inside. Though the craftsmanship looked somewhat rough, it faintly emitted fluctuations of cursed energy.

Seeing his surprised expression, Utahime Iori seemed to think that he did not like it and hurriedly explained,

"The place I went for this mission was deep in the mountains, so there weren't any local specialties to bring back. I thought it over and used materials from there to make this bracelet for you.

"I set up some barrier techniques on it. As long as you infuse it with cursed energy every day, it can give you a certain degree of warning when cursed spirits approach."

Halfway through, she turned her head away, and her voice unconsciously lowered.

"If you don't like it, you can give it back to me. I'll make it up to you with another gift later."

Looking at the bracelet, Toho Tetsu could sense the care she had poured into it. He had no intention of disliking it, and simply put it on.

"I really like this gift. Thank you, Senior."

Seeing his sincere smile, Utahime Iori felt her heartbeat abruptly skip. She immediately turned her head away awkwardly, though her words remained haughty and her voice rose a little.

"Y-You like it, then that's good. Let's hurry up and eat already. It's almost dark!"

Seeing that she was obviously embarrassed, Toho Tetsu found it somewhat amusing, but still followed her. Mei Mei, who had been walking beside them the entire time, saw this and the smile at her lips deepened.

The footsteps of the three alternated across the stone path. One streetlamp after another lit up as they passed, stretching their shadows ahead—not too long, not too short—until they overlapped perfectly.