Miracle Summoner

Tokyo, Akihabara.

As the center of Japan's jujutsu community, the headquarters of the Onmyo Agency is located near Akihabara.

About a year and a half ago, this place suffered an attack from a powerful criminal, leaving it temporarily paralyzed and severely damaged in several areas.

Now, the headquarters has been fully restored. Everything that needed repair has been fixed, and to prevent a similar event from happening again, the Binding Princess, Yuge Mari, has led a complete reinforcement of the agency's barriers, making them even more impenetrable—like a fortress.

And today, due to an urgent message, the Onmyo Agency is in considerable turmoil for the first time in nearly a year and a half.

Not long ago, the highest-priority directive was issued from here:

"Notify all active National First-Class Onmyoji to gather for an emergency meeting in the Onmyo Agency's First Office."

As a result, one by one, National First-Class Onmyoji rushed back to the agency for the meeting.

Inside the conference room, Kurahashi Genji sat at the head of the table, his eyes closed, seemingly resting.

To his left and right sat Miyachi Iwao and Amami Daizen—one with his arms crossed, his messy bangs covering his eyes, obscuring his gaze; the other fanning himself with a paper fan, surveying the room with a thoughtful expression.

Aside from them, several other National First-Class Onmyoji were present:

- Omnipotent Sword—Kogure Zenjirou.

- Ogre Eater—Kagami Reiji.

- Binding Princess—Yuge Mari.

People who had, in one way or another, been connected to Rozen were now all gathered here.

However, compared to a year and a half ago, these familiar figures had changed—some more than others.

For example:

- Kurahashi Genji still had his usual cold and expressionless demeanor, but his face bore more wrinkles.

- Miyachi Iwao had burn scars on his body, carrying wounds he had never had before.

- Amami Daizen, though still as arrogant as ever, had an even sharper glint in his eyes, as if he were constantly in a perilous situation, always alert to his surroundings.

Likewise, the three independent exorcists had also changed.

- Yuge Mari remained serious as ever, but her spiritual presence now carried an unmistakable pressure, indicating a significant increase in power.

- Kogure Zenjirou, once full of vitality and optimism, now exuded a sharper aura—like a drawn blade, sending chills down one's spine.

- Kagami Reiji, already known for his violent temperament, had grown even more dangerous, his eyes flashing with savagery and impatience. He resembled a beast ready to strike at any moment. Behind him stood an unfamiliar young man with a tall, slender build, carrying a long-wrapped package and wearing a lifeless expression.

Apart from them, two other individuals were also present.

One was a middle-aged man, around forty, with neatly combed hair streaked with white at the temples. He had a lean frame and wore a stylish double-breasted suit, with a pocket square in his breast pocket. However, his expression was cold, and his complexion looked strangely unhealthy.

The other was a young man who appeared sharp and capable—someone who immediately brought the word "keen" to mind. He had a well-proportioned physique, sharp features, and looked under twenty. He also wore a suit, though his single-breasted jacket was worn casually, and his tie was slightly loosened. His most striking feature was his piercingly cold eyes, which, combined with his slightly arrogant demeanor, gave him an air of superiority—like he considered himself above everyone else.

Altogether, there were eight individuals present—all National First-Class Onmyoji.

In other words, every single one of them bore the prestigious title of Twelve Divine General.

For more than half of the Twelve Divine General to be gathered in one place for an emergency meeting—this was an unprecedented crisis.

Yet here they were, all summoned.

"What a rare gathering this is."

With a snap, Amami Daizen folded his paper fan and spoke in a seemingly amused tone.

"Aside from those twins and Shigeoka, nearly all of the current Twelve Divine General are here. Something truly serious must have happened."

Though Amami Daizen's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, a closer listen would reveal an underlying gravity.

The one who responded to him was Miyachi Iwao.

"Kadei Byakuran and Kadei Kurogiku are currently monitoring the spiritual veins and cannot leave. Shigeoka Shunsuke has resumed duty, but he's swamped with work after replacing Kogure Zenjirou's old position, so he probably won't make it here."

Miyachi Iwao sighed as he said this, drawing everyone's attention to Kogure Zenjirou.

Under their collective gaze, Kogure Zenjirou showed no reaction. His once energetic personality had faded, leaving only a cold, detached demeanor.

Seeing this, Kagami Reiji clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"And whose bright idea was it to transfer the Omnipotent Sword to the Magic Crimes Investigation Department? No wonder they're so overwhelmed—it serves them right!"

Yes, Kogure Zenjirou had been reassigned to the Magic Crimes Investigation Department, becoming a Magic Crimes Investigator.

Previously, Kogure Zenjirou had been the rising star of the Exorcism Bureau, one of its most promising figures, even seen as a future leader. However, about a year ago, he was transferred out of the Exorcism Bureau and into the Magic Crimes Investigation Department.

Since the Onmyo Agency's primary duty was exorcising Spiritual Disasters, and Tokyo was constantly plagued by them, the Exorcism Bureau was always overwhelmed. In fact, five of the Twelve Divine General were stationed there just to keep things running, yet they were still frequently short on manpower.

So, when an independent exorcist was reassigned away from the Exorcism Bureau, it threw the department into chaos. If not for another independent exorcist recently returning to duty, Miyachi Iwao, Kagami Reiji, and Yuge Mari might not have been able to attend this meeting at all.

And the person responsible for this transfer? Amami Daizen.

"It couldn't be helped. Ever since the incident a year and a half ago, my department has been severely understaffed."

Amami Daizen spoke nonchalantly.

After that incident, the Onmyo Agency had officially issued an arrest order for the Tsuchimikado Clan, launching an all-out manhunt for its members.

To track down and apprehend these powerful Onmyoji, the Magic Crimes Investigation Department had launched numerous operations—most of which ended in failure due to lack of manpower.

"I was the only Twelve Divine General in the Magic Crimes Investigation Department, so I had no choice, you see!"

Amami Daizen sighed in mock exasperation.

And so, Kogure Zenjirou was transferred.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, another voice rang out in the meeting room.

"Isn't the Magic Crimes Investigation Department no longer down to just one or two Twelve Divine General, Chief Amami?"

The one speaking—his tone full of arrogance—was none other than the young man who radiated an air of superiority.

His name was Yamashiro Hayato, one of the current Twelve Divine General, and his department?

The Magic Crimes Investigation Department.