Since this was only an introduction among students, none of the teachers were present.
For a moment—
The atmosphere froze.
Maki Zenin and Tokiya Shingen looked completely unconcerned.
Toge Inumaki couldn't say much even if he wanted to.
Panda shrugged—he was just a panda, after all.
As for Yuta Okkotsu—
He genuinely didn't know what to do.
Should he explain?
But if he said the upperclassmen couldn't attend due to other commitments—
Wouldn't that just sound like a lame excuse?
The Kyoto students were silent as well.
Perhaps—
Deep down—
They agreed with Aoi Todo.
Finally, Noritoshi Kamo cleared his throat.
"Todo… perhaps they really do have their reasons."
Todo leaned forward—
Hands pressed on the table—
Radiating pressure.
"Doesn't matter."
"As long as the fight is satisfying."
Maki raised an eyebrow—
About to speak—
But Tokiya Shingen stepped forward first—
Grinning.
"Hey… big guy."
"Since when does strength get decided by grade level?"
"I thought sorcerers were ranked by actual ability."
"I'm a pretty nice guy—so I'll give you a heads-up."
"You're definitely going to lose."
Before Kyoto could react—
Shingen grabbed Yuta—
Pulled him forward.
"Because our boy Yuta here is Special Grade."
Then—
Feigning surprise—
"Oh?"
"Don't tell me… you guys have a Special Grade too?"
The tension shifted instantly.
Todo's expression turned serious.
Special Grade—
That wasn't just a title.
It meant overwhelming power.
After all—
His own mentor—
Yuki Tsukumo—
Was one.
And now—
This kid?
"Eh—?!"
Yuta froze under everyone's gaze.
Then Panda stepped forward—
Backing it up.
"Yeah! Yuta's super strong!"
Maki caught on immediately.
A faint smile formed.
"Try your best."
"Wouldn't want you getting scared before it even starts."
"Salmon."
Yuta was practically petrified.
Maki-senpai, why are you saying that too?!
And Inumaki—why are you agreeing?!
He was registered as Special Grade—
But most of that came from Rika…
"HAHA!"
Todo suddenly laughed.
No tension.
No hesitation.
Just pure excitement.
He locked eyes with Yuta.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"I'm really looking forward to fighting you."
"That'll be a battle worth remembering!"
Then—
Dead serious—
He asked:
"What kind of woman is your type?"
"…Huh?"
Yuta was completely thrown off.
Shingen sighed inwardly.
He knew exactly what this was.
Todo didn't mean anything deep by it.
He just used this question—
To judge whether someone could be his friend.
Apparently influenced by his teacher—
Yuki Tsukumo.
Shingen patted Yuta's shoulder.
"Yuta already has a girlfriend."
"Better not pry."
"Or… you might die."
Yuta understood immediately.
Rika…
"…Tomorrow."
Todo turned away.
"Show me your strength."
With that—
He left.
The introductions wrapped up.
Teachers began arriving.
Shingen spotted:
Shoko Ieiri
Mei Mei
They were chatting with Utahime Iori.
Nearby—
Gojo Satoru was already annoying the Kyoto principal.
The man's face looked darker by the second.
Then—
Masamichi Yaga stepped forward.
He announced the rules.
Team Battle.
Same as usual.
Inside a designated forest area:
Multiple Grade 3 curses
One Grade 2 curse
Victory conditions:
First team to exorcise the Grade 2 wins
If time runs out → team with more exorcisms wins
No other rules.
"Interference is allowed."
"But remember—you are allies against curses."
"Do not kill or permanently harm your opponents."
"The match begins tomorrow at noon."
Before leaving—
Shingen went to greet Mei Mei and the others.
Utahime appreciated his politeness.
Unlike Gojo—
Who showed her zero respect.
Shingen didn't ask Shoko about Reverse Cursed Technique.
He already knew—
Gojo had explained more than enough.
Tonight—
Was for rest.
Tomorrow—
Battle.
The Next Day
Both teams gathered.
After Yaga's speech—
They moved to starting positions.
Shingen's group stood in a forest.
Maki spoke first.
"You remember the plan, right?"
"Inumaki and I will clear low-level curses while tracking Kyoto."
"If they're caught off guard, Inumaki can eliminate someone immediately."
"Yuta, Panda, and White Wolf—"
"You'll hunt the Grade 2 curse."
"Shingen—solo."
"Same target."
"And take out enemies if possible."
"If we find it first—"
"We win."
"…Or we eliminate all of them."
"Got it!"
They split up.
The Grade 2 curse—
Wouldn't stay still.
Shingen's Side
This time—
He didn't bring his bow.
Dense forest.
Limited visibility.
And unlike Gojo—
He couldn't fly.
Nor did he have Six Eyes.
Better to fight close-range.
So—
He carried only a blade.
Maki & Inumaki
They encountered a Grade 3 curse—
A grotesque frog-lizard hybrid.
Inumaki pulled down his collar.
"Stop."
Cursed Speech activated.
The curse froze instantly.
Maki struck—
Clean kill.
Observation Room
Teachers watched through screens.
Footage provided by Mei Mei's crows.
Each exorcism triggered a talisman:
Red = Tokyo
Blue = Kyoto
One burned red.
Gojo clapped.
"Nice! We're ahead!"
Utahime glared.
"Grow up."
Then—
A blue one ignited.
She almost celebrated—
Then stopped herself.
"I must remain composed…"
Then—
Gojo appeared beside her.
"Trying to act calm, huh?"
"Careful—bottling emotions causes aging~"
"Wouldn't want you turning into the principal~"
"GOJO!!!"
Utahime snapped.
He sat back—
Smiling.
Shoko sighed.
"Just ignore him."
Kyoto Strategy (Flashback)
Kamo had briefed them.
"The Special Grade is real."
"But there's something unusual about him."
"Still—follow the plan."
Assignments:
Momo Nishimiya → aerial support
Mai Zenin / Kasumi Miwa / Mechamaru → disrupt Tokyo
Eliminate White Wolf
"And Todo—"
"Don't involve me in your plans."
"I'm going after the Special Grade."
Kamo nodded.
"That's your role."
"And I'll hunt the Grade 2."
"We avoid direct confrontation."
"Use information advantage to win."
Mai hesitated.
"…Isn't that cowardly?"
Kamo replied firmly:
"No."
"Never underestimate a Special Grade."
"They are…"
"Monsters."