Miracle Summoner

"What's going on?"

Looking at the situation inside Onmyo Academy, Kyouko was somewhat surprised.

At this very moment, under the instructors' directives, the students were orderly leaving their classrooms and heading toward the underground jutsu training grounds.

Such a scene wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Kyouko.

"Could it be that another major Spiritual Disaster is occurring?"

Her heart tightened.

Only when an extremely severe Spiritual Disaster was approaching Onmyo Academy would they instruct students to take refuge in the underground jujutsu training grounds.

This was because not only was the underground jujutsu training ground the largest facility within Onmyo Academy, but its barrier was also significantly stronger than the academy's main barrier. It was fully capable of withstanding serious Spiritual Disaster attacks.

However...

"If such a major Spiritual Disaster had occurred, why didn't I notice anything?"

Kyouko was puzzled.

For a typical Spiritual Disaster, Onmyo Academy wouldn't need such drastic measures. Even if a Spiritual Disaster occurred nearby, the academy's barrier was strong enough to hold it back. Even a Phase 3-class Spiritual Disaster wouldn't be able to breach the academy's defenses in a short period. Only when a Phase 4 event took place would Onmyo Academy need to evacuate students like this.

But a Phase 4 event wasn't something that would appear so easily.

"Could it be another spiritual disaster terrorist attack?"

At this thought, Kyouko's heart clenched.

Even so, if something like that were happening, there was no reason for her to be completely unaware.

Ever since she obtained her new abilities, Kyouko had been able to sense many things in advance. Even if she wasn't entirely proficient yet, she shouldn't have been completely oblivious to such a major event.

"What exactly is happening?"

Uneasy, Kyouko reached out and grabbed a male student passing by.

"Excuse me, do you know what's going on?"

Hearing this, the student she stopped was startled, immediately turning his head. Upon seeing her, his eyes widened.

"K-Kurahashi-senpai…!?"

The male student instantly became flustered, his face flushing red.

Clearly, he was overwhelmed that Kyouko—the Kyouko—had taken the initiative to talk to him.

At Onmyo Academy, Kyouko was the undeniable high queen, the goddess in everyone's hearts. Whether in appearance, figure, ability, or family background, she was flawless. Compared to idol celebrities, she was even more stunning—so much so that, if not for her formidable background and position as Onmyo Academy's No.1, the number of suitors lining up for her would stretch from Japan to overseas.

Even so, her shoe locker was still filled with love letters every day. Countless students wanted to confess to her, but all failed without exception.

In the past, Kyouko might have considered responding to some of them. But now, she exuded an aura that pushed everyone away. Not only did she ignore every love letter, but anyone who dared to confess in person received the same, cold response:

"Sorry, I don't have time for romance."

She had shattered countless hearts with just this one line.

Thus, Kyouko was already regarded as an unattainable existence. Even so, she remained the object of admiration for many, and as graduation approached, there were quite a few students secretly crying in their dorms over their imminent separation from their goddess.

Now, Kyouko had actually approached someone herself. It was only natural for this male student to feel overwhelmed and ecstatic.

In response, Kyouko simply frowned, giving him a cold look.

This was something the old Kyouko would never have done, but now, it came naturally.

Of course, Kyouko wasn't actually that cold of a person. Over 90% of this demeanor was an act.

But even so, it was still quite effective.

"T-The instructors told us to evacuate because a very dangerous jujutsu criminal has infiltrated Onmyo Academy. The Onmyo Agency is currently trying to capture him, and it's not just the Magic Crimes Investigation Department—even the Exorcism Bureau is involved! Four members of the Twelve Divine Generals have come to lead the operation!"

The male student, shivering under Kyouko's gaze, stammered out his answer.

"A criminal has infiltrated Onmyo Academy? And four members of the Twelve Divine Generals were dispatched to capture him?"

This unexpected news left Kyouko stunned.

"C-Could it be that Kurahashi-senpai didn't see that terrifying spiritual energy outside Onmyo Academy earlier?"

Seeing her reaction, the male student was both surprised and fearful.

The spiritual energy that had appeared outside Onmyo Academy earlier had been immensely overwhelming. Many students and even instructors had seen it and were shocked, causing a considerable uproar within the academy.

That was why Kurahashi Miyo had decided to invite the individual in.

Unfortunately, Kyouko really hadn't seen it.

It wasn't that her Spirit Sight was too weak—it was simply because she had been training in the training ground at the time, completely immersed in practicing her jujutsu. The barrier around the training grounds had blocked external spiritual signals, and since she was so focused, she failed to notice anything unusual.

Meanwhile, the individual in question had already seen Kyouko's spiritual presence inside the barrier. After all, his Wise Eye ability was incredibly potent—even just his ability to perceive spirits surpassed even Miyoshi Tougo.

And now, the rooftop was also sealed under a barrier, preventing Kyouko from detecting anything.

However...

"A jujutsu criminal so dangerous that it requires both the Magic Crimes Investigation Department and the Exorcism Bureau… and even four members of the Twelve Divine Generals…?"

Why would such a jujutsu criminal come to Onmyo Academy?

Kyouko could think of only one possibility.

Only one jujutsu criminal would warrant such a large-scale operation by the Onmyo Agency.

"Could it be…?"

Her heartbeat accelerated.

Uncontrollably accelerated.

"K-Kurahashi-senpai…!?"

The male student suddenly shouted in alarm.

Because Kyouko—without realizing it—had already started running.

She ran.

She kept running.

Until she reached the rooftop.

Looking at the rooftop entrance, which was radiating an eerie chill, she didn't hesitate and charged inside.

—

"————"

In that moment, time seemed to freeze.

A boy and a girl stood face to face, gazing at each other—one with a wry smile, the other panting heavily.

Above them, a majestic divine dragon coiled through the sky, curiously blinking as it observed Kyouko, who had barged in.

But in Kyouko's eyes, nothing else mattered anymore.

"Is it really… you?"

Staring at the boy before her, Kyouko gasped for breath, her pupils trembling, her voice filled with hesitation and disbelief.

First, the spiritual energy emanating from the boy before her was so overwhelming and dignified that her mind went blank.

Second, she simply couldn't believe that the person she had desperately been searching for…

Was now standing right before her.

However…

"It's me."

Rozen looked at the unfamiliar yet familiar girl before him, sighed softly, and then smiled.

"It's been a while."

"Have you been doing well?"

With composure, Rozen offered his greeting.