-468- Advanced Man-made Shikigami

As Rozen and Natsume approached the Onmyou Academy, the automatic doors standing in front of the building quietly opened, revealing the interior space.

Rozen and Natsume blended into the crowd, walking into the Onmyou Academy, capturing the attention of many students during the process.

"Are those two new students?"

"That girl is so pretty."

"The guy is quite handsome too."

"Could they be a couple?"

"Or maybe they're engaged?"

"Hey, don't speak so loudly."

The students around were engaged in discussions like this, making Rozen and Natsume the focal point among the students.

Only a portion of the students, looking at Rozen and Natsume as they walked in slowly, had a slight change in their expressions.

"Tsuchimikado..."

"...Is it that Tsuchimikado?"

"The direct and branch heirs of the Onmyoudou ancestral and branch families who got first and second place in the entrance exam?"

"So, the girl is from the branch family?"

"That means the guy is..."

"Hey, don't talk so loud."

This group of students engaged in hushed conversations, looking at Rozen and displaying a mix of timidness and reverence in their eyes.

Bathing in these kinds of comments and gazes, Rozen and Natsume remained calm, almost as if they were used to this kind of attention. They walked into the Onmyou Academy.

After passing through the automatic doors, the first thing they encountered was a spacious area.

This space resembled a lobby but had no furnishings. Only at the very front, there were automatic doors leading further inside, inviting the students in.

However, on both sides of these heavy automatic doors were statues of two Komainu (lion-dog) figures.

Despite being a modern building, having these statues at the entrance seemed out of place.

Yet, before these two stone statues, Rozen and Natsume almost simultaneously stopped in their tracks.

Because they had already noticed.

"Shikigami?"

Natsume expressed her surprise.

That's right.

The two stone statues in front of them were indeed Shikigami.

"Hmm? You noticed?"

"You seem quite perceptive. As a mere student, your future is promising."

Suddenly, the two stone statues emitted voices, despite not moving their mouths, the sound came from within their bodies.

This phenomenon startled the surrounding new students, while the older ones teased the newcomers, clearly already aware that these stone statues were Shikigami.

However, if you think about it carefully, wouldn't anyone be surprised the first time they see these Shikigami statues?

Not because the statues suddenly spoke, but due to a more practical concern.

"Shikigami embodied in stone statues, and they can talk?"

Rozen narrowed his eyes.

"It seems you are not only advanced Man-made Shikigami but also mechanical-type Shikigami."

Mechanical-type Shikigami, Shikigami that embody their physical form itself, a very special type among Shikigami.

Regardless of the type of Shikigami, to manifest in the human world, a Form Substitute (Gohou) is needed as a vessel. This is a universal rule in the world of automatons.

However, generally, the Form Substitute for Shikigami is a seal, so the symbols used to generate Shikigami are called Shikifu. There's also a rare and uncommon type where spells are used as Form Substitutes.

As for mechanical-type, they use their own bodies as the Form Substitute.

For example, the two Shikigami in front of them used Komainu-shaped stone statues as the Form Substitute, allowing them to use the Form Substitute as a body. They have higher resistance to physical attacks, making them often utilized as practical combat power, even frequently utilized in military contexts.

These two Shikigami also possessed a high degree of self-awareness and intelligence, so there was no second possibility—they were advanced Man-made Shikigami.

"We are indeed the high-level Man-made mechanical Shikigami belonging to the headmaster of the Onmyou Academy."

The voices of the two stone statues became slightly more self-satisfied and proud, appearing as if they took pride in this fact.

However, given that these two Shikigami were the Shikigami of the headmaster of the Onmyou Academy, it's no wonder they were proud.

"I am Alpha."

Introduced the Shikigami on the right.

"I am Omega."

The Shikigami on the left introduced itself as well.

"Since receiving names from our master, we have always been in charge of guarding the entrance and have never been negligent."

"You are now students of this academy. The days of your interaction with us will be long. Remember to follow the rules, or we will not open the door for you."

The Shikigami named Alpha and Omega spoke in an antiquated manner, sounding somewhat proud but in reality, quite serious.

This made Rozen and Natsume understand that besides the protective barrier, the Onmyou Academy also had high-level Man-made mechanical Shikigami guarding the entrance. The security was strict; entering the academy wasn't an easy task for anyone other than the students.

"Alright, state your names."

"We need to record your vocal patterns and spiritual energy to confirm your identity before allowing you to enter the academy."

Alpha and Omega said in succession.

Rozen and Natsume exchanged a glance.

Shortly after...

"I am Tsuchimikado Akikan."

Rozen was the first to state his name.

"I am Tsuchimikado Natsume."

Natsume earnestly stated her name as well.

As these two names were revealed, the expressions and atmosphere of the surrounding students changed once again.

Even Alpha and Omega seemed to pause for a moment, then expressed their surprise.

"You are Tsuchimikado Akikan?"

"The reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou?"

Alpha and Omega ignored Natsume's presence and directed their astonished words towards Rozen.

Whether Rozen was wrong or not, at this moment, these two high-level Man-made mechanical Shikigami seemed to become bewildered and complex in their tones.

Rozen raised an eyebrow.

"I am indeed Tsuchimikado Akikan, but whether I am the reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou is open to interpretation."

Rozen responded with a somewhat ambiguous tone.

Upon hearing this, Alpha and Omega fell into a moment of silence. Then, in a concurring manner, they spoke again.

"Indeed, regardless of whether you are the reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou, at this moment, you are simply Tsuchimikado Akikan."

"Tsuchimikado Akikan and Tsuchimikado Natsume, your vocal patterns and spiritual energies have been confirmed and registered. Welcome both of you to the Onmyou Academy."

The two high-level artificial mechanical Shikigami restored their normal voices, and the automatic door behind them opened.

It seemed that Rozen and Natsume had been allowed to enter the Onmyou Academy. Their vocal patterns and spiritual energies were recorded, granting them a certain degree of freedom to come and go.

"Th... thank you."

Natsume bowed politely, somewhat shy.

"Let's go."

Rozen, on the other hand, didn't say much more, simply beckoning Natsume to walk with him into the academy.

At that moment...

"Wait!"

"Hold on!"

Alpha and Omega suddenly spoke, halting Rozen and Natsume.

"Hmm?"

"W-what's... what's the matter?"

Both Rozen and Natsume stopped in surprise.

In response, Alpha and Omega made their voices more solemn.

And then...

"Our master has sent a message, summoning both of you."

"You are to proceed immediately to the headmaster's office."

The words of the two high-level artificial mechanical Shikigami resonated, causing Natsume to be stunned, while Rozen's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled.