-463- The matter between you two

————"Onmyo Academy."

This name was familiar to both Rozen and Natsume.

It was a school where aspiring onmyoji gathered, aiming to become proficient onmyoji. Accredited by the Onmyo Agency, it was an institution dedicated to training professional onmyoji.

Located in Sesshu, Tokyo, it attracted aspiring onmyoji from all over the country's. With expert instructors and high-quality courses, it had a history of nearly half a century. It was the only officially recognized onmyoji school in the country and held a prestigious status comparable to the Onmyo Agency.

Graduates of the Onmyo Academy usually became professional onmyoji, providing a steady stream of new talent to the Onmyo Agency.

The head of the academy had deep connections with Kurahashi Genji, the head of the Onmyo Agency, and the their reputation even surpassed that of Kurahashi Genji within the industry.

Given these factors, those determined to become onmyoji would aspire to attend the Onmyo Academy. After three years of training, they would take the onmyoji qualification exam and become professionals.

Naturally, the entrance exam for the Onmyo Academy was extremely challenging. Without the necessary qualities and talents, even prestigious individuals would not be allowed entry.

Now, as the head of the Tsuchimikado family, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi informed Rozen and Natsume, who had graduated from junior high, of their path.

They were to attend the Onmyo Academy.

"With your abilities, passing the entrance exam shouldn't be too difficult," Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi said.

"So, from now on, you will attend the Onmyo Academy."

It wasn't a command, nor was it up for discussion. It was a straightforward notification without any fluctuations in tone.

After all, if one was diligently studying jujutsu with the goal of becoming a professional onmyoji, there was absolutely no reason to resist this arrangement.

So, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi was merely giving them notice, the tone devoid of any wavering.

Of course, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi was always like this.

On the other hand, Tsuchimikado Takahiro and Tsuchimikado Chizuru had their thoughts on this.

"So, you're finally preparing to enter the Onmyo Academy,"

Takahiro expressed with a tinge of melancholy.

"It's a good place for those aspiring to be professional onmyoji. Students admitted to the academy are granted certain privileges during their time there, like the qualification equivalent to 'Onmyodou third class,' allowing the use of jujutsu outside, of course, without misuse."

This was an important reason for those aiming to become professional onmyoji to choose to attend the Onmyo Academy. They could openly train in jujutsu.

Otherwise, they could only secretly practice jujutsu in underground places with limited conditions.

"However, the Onmyo Academy is in Tokyo," Chizuru expressed her concern. "It does make one uneasy."

Tokyo was a vortex of onmyoji, not only attracting various onmyoji but also experiencing frequent spiritual disasters. Furthermore, there were numerous jujutsu-related criminal incidents.

Two years ago, a respected onmyoji organized a ritual that could actively induce a large number of spiritual disasters, plunging Tokyo into a terrifying event of hundred demons roaming the night. The casualties were immense.

It was evident that going to Tokyo, while an opportunity, was also an opportunity accompanied by risks.

But worrying about such things was futile, right?

"Well, the Onmyo Academy has the ability to protect its students. As the only officially recognized official training institution accredited by the Onmyo Agency, if even the Onmyo Academy can't protect its students, then there's no safe place in Tokyo," Takahiro explained, shrugging his shoulders.

"The Exorcism Division should also work harder. Honestly, they seem less reliable after I left. I really want to scold them properly."

Chizuru grumbled, her face showing annoyance. Even at her age, she still made troubling remarks.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi then spoke again.

"The train tickets have been booked for you, for tomorrow."

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi informed them in a very matter-of-fact manner.

"Get yourselves prepared."

Upon hearing this, Rozen remained silent, but Natsume, unable to contain her curiosity, spoke up.

"What about my brother?" Natsume asked cautiously. "Does he have any arrangements?"

Upon these words, a silence fell over the room in Tsuchimikado estate.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and Tsuchimikado Chizuru all remained quiet.

After a while...

"He can't see spirits and has no interest in becoming an onmyoji," Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi said coldly. "In that case, let him proceed to a regular high school."

Upon hearing Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi's words, neither Tsuchimikado Takahiro nor Tsuchimikado Chizuru voiced any objections. Their expressions were complex and tinged with bitterness.

"Alright..."

Natsume confirmed that her elder brother would stay in a different world from the two of them. Despite feeling a bit disappointed, she nodded.

Throughout all this, Rozen said nothing.

"The Onmyo Academy, huh?"

Thinking about this institution for training professional onmyoji, Rozen felt a mixture of anticipation and resignation.

Anticipation for the chance to learn useful things there.

Resignation at the thought of what kind of disturbance his presence might cause in such a place.

"Such a hassle..."

In the end, this was Rozen's prevailing thought.

However, Rozen didn't reject the idea of going to the Onmyo Academy.

Compared to the declining Tsuchimikado family, Rozen might learn more in the Onmyo Academy.

Moreover...

"There, I might get a chance to test my abilities and see how strong I really am."

Rozen was eager to put this to the test.

Yet, the Tsuchimikado family's announcement wasn't finished.

"Also, the matter between you two should be formally settled," Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi said, emotionless.

"Our matters?" Rozen was taken aback, and even Natsume was startled.

Seeing this, Tsuchimikado Takahiro and Tsuchimikado Chizuru found it somewhat amusing and wore mischievous smiles.

"Have you both forgotten about the family rules between the main and branch families?" Tsuchimikado Takahiro reminded.

"Family rules?" Rozen finally realized.

"Ah...!"

Natsume also realized what this was about, and her face instantly turned red.

In this situation, Tsuchimikado Chizuru chuckled and revealed the answer.

"The branch family members must become the Shikigami of the main family members and serve their masters forever."

This was a rule in the Tsuchimikado family.

"Before heading to the Onmyo Academy, Natsume, you should form a Shikigami contract with Akikan."

Tsuchimikado Chizuru's mischievous laughter resounded clearly throughout the entire Tsuchimikado estate.

The atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous.