19 Chapter 1️⃣7️⃣ - Grade 1 Assessment

The next day...

- Flashback

"I did several missions with you last year for your semi-grade 1 rank. Now you be assigned a mission to exorcise a grade 1 alone. Based on the outcome you be denied or permitted as a grade 1." Nanami said

"So you will come with me?" I asked

"Probably not. This is a mission you do on your own. Like you have been doing. The only difference is that a grade 1 mission is far more dangerous than a semi-grade 1 mission & below." Nanami said fixing his glasses.

"Ok, so what's the mission?" I questioned.

"You gonna have to exorcise a curse that been causing mayhem. It killed over 10 civilians. A sorcerer was dispatched but no response came back. Based on that the higher-ups conclude that the sorcerer died & this is a work of a grade 1 curse." Nanami said looking through the papers.

"I see." I spoke nodding.

"I won't be far but I won't be close enough to help." Nanami said looking through the window. "I see the outcome of the mission & tell the higher ups & they decide if you move up or not."

"The higher-ups... I don't like them they are people who like to manipulate everyone from the shadows. Lying low behind an unprincipled system that they can influence & gain power." I said

"Surprising that's coming from the Kamo clan heir. You're sounding like Gojo." Nanami muttered.

"Tch, I don't want to sound like that man-child." I said grabbing a cup. "But he's not wrong."

"You're right Gojo is a Man - child." Nanami said swallowing some tea.

- Flashback Over

Chuckling a bit I got out of the taxi ride with  Nanami.

"Something funny?" Nanami asked with a straight face.

"No." I replied.

'I still haven't gotten used to him being serious after all this time'

"Here's something extra for the travels." Nanami said tapping the driver's shoulder.

Nodding the driver drove off.

"This shouldn't take long. It's just an exorcism mission. Nothing out of the ordinary." I declared

"Good to know your not nervous. But not all missions involve just exorcising curses. There are missions like object retrieval missions or missions can be simple recon missions for what curses are located at, or search & rescue missions for other Sorcerers." Nanami said

"Hmm." Nodding.

"But you should undoubtedly know this by now." Nanami said "Place a curtain. Barrier techniques like the curtain aren't straightforward attacks you can pour your cursed energy into to exorcise a curse. Most sorcerers lack the mastery to place a curtain despite the minor skill needed to cast a minimal effort one." Nanami said

Raising my index, middle, & thumb finger to complete the hand sign. I begin chanting.

"Emerge from darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure."

As soon as I started chanting a liquid-appearing mass spawned above.

"Very good focusing on the blocking effect. I will be here while you enter the building to exorcise the grade 1. I come if needed." Nanami said.

Nodding I started walking into the building. The ground was dirty & filled with trash.

Strolling past some doors I felt a cursed presence.

'A grade 1 curse coming from the room in front of me'

Kicking the door open I see a curse. It look like a rhino it was two meters tall & has two horns jutting from the front of its face. It had boulder-like muscles its curse energy was a large amount.

Grabbing a blood packet from the snake's mouth. Busting it open I started to circle the blood.

'Slicing Exorcising'

Tossing the blood chakram-like projection it began rotating soaring at the curse. Turning around the curse uses its horns & tried to deflect my attack only for my attack to cut both horns from its head.

"That's hurt. It hurts so bad." The curse yelled rushing at me the curse threw a punch dodging I kick the curse's leg breaking it. The curse yelled as it collapse forward a bit I grasp my Sai from my curse mouth & tried to puncture its head with curse energy.

The curse then thrust his head forward & I saw the horns I cut grow back fast. Quicker than I thought the curse use his horn to block my Sai & rammed me & started sending me soaring into the wall breaking it.

Getting up I crack my neck & arm.

"Not bad curse spirit...but I'm done with the entertainment."

Glancing through the hole I was sent through I see the curse jet at me head first. Clasping a blood packet I arrange both of my hands together & pointed at the curse.

"Piercing blood!" A beam of blood blasted from my fingertips as it sped through the air quickly then the curse could acknowledge drilling through the head of the cursed spirit.

The curse then collapses face first.

'Exercising a grade 1 with ease. I couldn't even see the curse spirit technique'

My eyes widen when I felt another cursed spirit's presence.

'Another one? Since when?'

"You are stronger than the first one. You must be the one who killed over 10 civilians & the sorcerer who was sent to exercise you. Exercising two grade 1s for my assessment would guarantee my grade 1 promotion." I said as my curse energy started to flare up.

'Flowing red scale' 2 red lines envelop my left eye causing it to open.

'The real battle begins now'