Tokyo, Onmyou Academy.
The appearance here seems to have remained unchanged, still looking as advanced as before, yet carrying a sense of ancient charm.
However, if an Onmyoji carefully observed, they would notice that at this moment, the barriers of the Onmyou Academy appeared even more splendid than usual. The flowing jutsuryoku within was more abundant than usual, enhancing the strength of the barriers by several levels, making them exceptionally robust.
With such a robust barrier, only the main headquarters of the Onmyou Agency could possibly rival it in the entire realm of jujutsu.
Currently, this barrier was operating at full strength.
Intense spiritual disaster phenomena were occurring in Tokyo, with several Phase 3 events happening. The Exorcism Division had long conveyed the need for citizens to evacuate.
Moreover, the Exorcism Division had isolated several places where the spiritual disaster was particularly severe using potent barriers, prohibiting the entry of citizens.
In this situation, the students of the Onmyou Academy were also taking refuge, but they didn't need to go elsewhere. They could find refuge within the Onmyou Academy itself.
The reason lay in this barrier.
With this barrier, second only to the Onmyou Agency's headquarters in strength, the Onmyou Academy was undoubtedly one of the safest places in all of Tokyo.
So, all the students and instructors were taking shelter within the Onmyou Academy without leaving.
The Nue seemed to sense the abnormal spiritual energy here and arrived.
"Ooooooooooo————!"
A roar that could awaken fear deep within a person echoed from its mouth, causing the miasma on its body to spread around.
The Nue, as if intending to vent everything it experienced before from Rozen and Kagami Reiji, attacked the Onmyou Academy in fury.
"Boom!"
Its heavy fist landed on the Onmyou Academy's dormitory, creating a stir of miasma and triggering a reaction from the barrier. An invisible shield appeared in front of the Onmyou Academy's dormitory, as if intervening in the Nue's attack, causing cracks to appear all over the Nue's body.
"Oooooooo...!"
The Nue felt infuriated by this but found itself helpless against the Onmyou Academy's dormitory, so it could only roar with all its might.
At this rate, the Nue will probably be frustrated and forced to retreat because it can't overcome the Onmyou Academy's barrier.
Unfortunately, it's not just the Nue here.
"Excellent, excellent."
An old man with a cane stood on the rooftop of a building at a distance from the Onmyou Academy. He watched the enraged Nue in front of the academy. His face was stiff like a corpse, devoid of expression, yet his voice sounded unexpectedly young.
"The so-called 'curses' are like this. Where there's yin, there must be yang, and where there's yang, there must be yin. Since they call themselves the Onmyou Academy, just progressing along the correct path won't lead to sufficient growth. Sometimes, trials are necessary."
The old man spoke joyfully, giving off an eerie feeling in both words and demeanor.
"I really want the Orge King to witness this. The Nue is somewhat of his kind, and there are very important people for him over there. Missing such a good show is a shame."
The old man murmured to himself in this manner.
This old man was the one who witnessed Rozen's debut in the world of jujutsu, together with the being he called the Orge King, almost a year ago.
Therefore, to this old man who knew of the Orge King's existence, the Nue, although of the same kind, was unbelievably young and immature.
"However, since the opponent is a fledgling crow, this level of spirit is just enough for a trial."
The old man's tone was very leisurely.
Clearly, to an entity of this level like the old man, Phases that even professional onmyoji feared were no different from small animals by the roadside.
This included the disaster that had befallen Tokyo this time; in the eyes of the old man, it was just a livelier show.
"Unfortunately, I'm not someone who likes to just watch from the sidelines. If possible, I'd like to participate myself."
The eyes beneath the old man's bright red sunglasses stared directly at the direction of the Onmyou Academy. The words he spoke were dangerously inclined.
And it was certain that if the old man really intervened, it would be disastrous.
This old man possessed such capabilities.
Hence, the only person within the Onmyou Academy who discovered the presence of the old man, an entity of this level, could only grit their teeth and come here to stop him.
"If possible, could you refrain from doing such a thing?"
Accompanied by a somewhat helpless and frivolous voice, a second person with a cane arrived here.
"Oh?"
The old man seemed to have noticed the other person long ago, not surprised at all. However, he pretended to be surprised, laughing while turning his head to look at the newcomer.
The newcomer was Ohtomo Jin.
"So it is you."
The old man laughed as if seeing an acquaintance.
And though Ohtomo Jin's face was filled with helplessness, his gaze was extremely cautious, treating the old man as if he were dealing with something worthy of reverence, offering his respects to the old man.
"It has been a while."
In this moment, Ohtomo Jin's tone was full of respect and solemnity, completely unlike his usual casual demeanor.
Looking at the two, it was evident that they knew each other.
However, the old man was clearly in a superior position.
Moreover, he said this.
"I never expected that the young man who was willing to sacrifice a leg in front of me just to escape would dare to actively come to me after all these years. Quite surprising."
The old man uttered this astonishing revelation.
And to this, Ohtomo Jin did not deny.
"You honor us with your presence. Naturally, I had to come out to welcome you."
Ohtomo Jin maintained his courtesy and said with a wry smile.
"Moreover, I am now a lecturer at the Onmyou Academy. Since I learned that a great presence was lurking nearby, even if it means losing another leg, I had no choice but to come and stop you."
At these words, the old man couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
"Apologies, it seems I haven't made a move yet, but you're already treating me like a criminal."
The old man teased in this manner.
This made Ohtomo Jin's tone even more bitter.
"But it's 'haven't made a move' and not 'don't intend to make a move,' isn't it?"
Ohtomo Jin caught the hidden meaning in the old man's words and said, "Could you please spare those kids who haven't grown up yet? Perhaps there may be future talents there that could satisfy you?"
"Hmm, indeed, I have considered this."
The old man nodded honestly, then said, "However, growth without tempering is incomplete. Since you are their mentor, you should understand, right?"
"Truly humble and fearful," Ohtomo Jin looked directly at the old man and said, "But if it's you who personally takes action, this tempering will be excessively difficult. Please, refrain from such stifling actions, if you would?"
"Hmm, it's true that if I were to personally intervene, it might be a bit excessive," the old man seemed to reflect on it and then chuckled, saying, "In that case, let's limit it to one occasion. I'll come to provide a trial of appropriate difficulty."
As soon as he finished speaking...
"Hum!"
In the direction of the Onmyou Academy, the maintained barrier suddenly trembled.
"Sir!"
Ohtomo Jin noticed this and couldn't help but change his expression, shouting at the old man.
"Gahahaha."
The old man laughed as if his whole body was shaking, happily saying, "Actually, my 'shiki' is right here in the Onmyou Academy, but he call himself my disciple. So, if we were to lift the barrier from within, that should still be achievable, right?"
Saying such words, the old man conveyed his sentiments to Ohtomo Jin, who wore an agonized expression.
"The immature crows are prepared to undergo the trial. You just stay here and accompany the old man."
Hearing this, Ohtomo Jin knew he couldn't leave.
"Truly..."
Ohtomo Jin could only keep a serious face, not knowing what to do.
In this situation, the barrier of the Onmyou Academy disappeared.
Disaster had befallen that place.