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The ability Takumi had his eyes on was Miko's [Spirit Arts] trait. To obtain it, he had to defeat her—there was no other way around it.
Thus, a special opening ceremony between them was inevitable. But he also understood: Miko was just an ordinary high school girl. He couldn't go all out against her—he had to guide her step by step, using experience and control.
Even with that in mind, when he finally began the lesson, Miko's eyes widened in shock as she almost lost consciousness.
Takumi quickly covered her mouth, gritting his teeth as he pressed on. Once you start something, you finish it. You don't stop halfway!
Fortunately, Miko's adaptability exceeded expectations. Under the curse's influence, her learning speed soared. Even though her body trembled violently and sweat poured down her cheeks, she bit her lip and endured to the end.
Her persistence moved Takumi. As a reward, he granted her an elixir that could raise her level cap.
"Drink it all—don't waste a single drop~"
Takumi's whisper made her body tense, instinctively forcing herself to keep it all inside. As her level cap shattered one limit after another, system notifications appeared before his eyes:
[World-Crossing Gate progress +20%]
[Ding! Miko Yotsuya's affection reached threshold. Trait duplicated: Spirit Arts (Purple)]
Seeing the new trait pop up, Takumi felt both relief and satisfaction. If they continued like this, he'd be fine—but Miko might just collapse.
The air around him was thick with a sweet, intoxicating scent. Takumi exhaled, waving his hand to open the window.
"Good thing I covered her mouth. Otherwise, the sound would've echoed all the way to the schoolyard…"
He muttered under his breath, then glanced at Miko resting on the infirmary bed. "Miko, take your time to feel the power flowing within you. I'll teach you more later."
"Mmnn~ ooh~"
Soft moans escaped her lips. Takumi couldn't tell if she heard him or not.
Checking the time—class was about to begin—he quickly pulled on his pants, composed himself, and returned to the classroom as if nothing had happened. No one would ever believe that in a single lunch break, Miko had already taken him fifteen rounds in a row.
A few minutes later, Chisato Hasegawa, wearing her white lab coat, entered the infirmary with confident strides.
"Hmm~ Takumi's scent still lingers~"
She murmured with an amused smile, lowering her gaze to Miko, who was tucked neatly under the blanket. "So he's already started using her… that boy really has energy to spare."
Without any hint of emotion, Chisato calmly took her seat. Whatever Takumi desired—she would make it happen. That was her role, her vow.
Meanwhile, Takumi, oblivious to her thoughts, was examining the newly obtained [Spirit Arts]. Its mechanics were fascinating—completely different from the familiar [Cursed Spirit Manipulation].
In Cursed Spirit Manipulation, the controlled spirit's strength remained static after subjugation. But Spirit Arts went beyond that—it allowed the user not only to command spirits but also to strengthen and even fuse with them, evolving both entities.
"A summoner class with growth potential," Takumi analyzed, "but this one can also merge with the summoned spirit or borrow its power directly."
As he grasped the concept, he extended a sliver of his consciousness into the Interdimensional Realm.
"Spirit Arts — Hundred Ghosts Compendium!"
A surge of magic filled the realm, coalescing into a spectral book radiating eerie ghostly energy. Within seconds, the Slit-Mouthed Woman he had subdued was drawn into its pages.
On a once-blank page, an elegant ink painting appeared—black hair, trench coat, surgical mask—perfectly depicting her likeness. Beside the image, three characters glowed faintly: [Slit-Mouthed Woman].
With a trace of mana, the painting began to move—her eyes flickered open, scanning her surroundings in terror. No matter how she reached outward, she couldn't escape the confines of the Hundred Ghosts Compendium.
With a thought, Takumi materialized the spectral book in his hands. "Spirit Arts — Spirit Possession!"
In an instant, the image vanished from the page. A wave of cursed energy surged into Takumi's body—he could now wield all of the Slit-Mouthed Woman's techniques and abilities.
The classroom temperature dropped by a few degrees. A refreshing chill spread through the air.
At the front row, Yuki Nonaka noticed the brief fluctuation in his aura. Cursed energy—there, and then gone in an instant.
Curious but unaware of what he was doing, she simply shrugged and continued listening to the lecture.
Glancing back at the page of the Hundred Ghosts Compendium, where the woman's image reappeared, Takumi mused to himself:
"So I'm special, huh? Even after undoing possession, I can still use her techniques. But this ability has clear pros and cons. Possession boosts my power with hers—but since she hates me, her cooperation's limited. Guess I'll need to raise my summoned spirits' affection too."
He smirked at the struggling figure within the page. That part? He was good at.
Besides, raising a spirit's favor wasn't hard—strong life energy, spiritual essence, or cursed materials could all do the trick. He might lack the last two—but the first? Oh, he had plenty to offer.
Two goals, one method: increase affection and strengthen the spirit. He could handle both simultaneously.
Closing the Hundred Ghosts Compendium with satisfaction, Takumi was already daydreaming about the evening. Training his spirit with vigor and enthusiasm—how could he ever decline such a duty?
The afternoon passed in a flash. Just as he was about to head home, a small figure blocked his way.
Silver hair, golden eyes. A delicate, doll-like face paired with a petite, almost childlike frame. The sight instantly drew whispers from nearby girls.
"So cute!"
"That's Koneko Toujou, from the middle school division!"
"Ahh~ she's so tiny! I wanna hug her!"
Amid the chatter, Koneko stepped forward, her expression blank but her voice soft. "Takumi-senpai, Rias-sama has summoned you. Please come with me~"
Her ethereal tone and deadpan face made every gesture irresistibly adorable.
At her side, Mio instantly caught on the moment she heard the name Rias. "Onii-chan~…"
"Mio, head home first," Takumi said, patting her hand reassuringly. "This must be about that matter Rias and I discussed last time."
After soothing her, he turned and followed Koneko's lead.
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