-469- [ Hoshi Utau ]

Onmyou Academy, Headmaster's office.

It was an office located on the top floor of the academy building.

Rozen and Natsume took the elevator from the bottom floor and proceeded down the corridor towards the Headmaster's office.

Walking along this corridor, not only Natsume but Rozen as well were surveying their surroundings, observing this unfamiliar environment.

Although they hadn't yet reached the classrooms and couldn't determine what the rest of the place looked like, at least on the top floor of this building, the interior decor was very simple.

There were exhibits like cursed items or ritual tools displayed around, such as suits of armor and helmets hanging on the walls, darkened wands, robes embroidered with gold threads, sealed Japanese swords, and so on, giving the area a museum-like ambiance.

The glass cases displaying these items were pristine with no signs of dirt or dust, and the floors had been impeccably cleaned. The potted plants placed around had also been well maintained, maintaining a very clean atmosphere.

However, it was unlikely that the academy staff took care of these matters; it was probably the Shikigami.

Since the guards at the entrance were high-level Man-made mechanical Shikigami, it was highly likely that daily affairs within the academy were handled by the Shikigami.

This not only saved a significant amount in hiring fees but also showcased the uniqueness of the Onmyou Academy, benefiting without any harm. This was something only possible within the Onmyou Academy.

Of course, this was a situation that could only occur within the Onmyou Academy, where using Shikigami to perform tasks without proper qualifications would likely lead to arrest.

"I wonder who provides the jutsuryoku which serves as the energy source for the Shikigami."

It wouldn't be possible for the headmaster alone to provide all of it, right?

If that were the case, the jutsuryoku would quickly be depleted, making it impossible to sustain it for long.

Therefore, it was likely that the teachers within the academy or even the students themselves provided the jutsuryoku. This task could easily be incorporated into their daily duties, providing the Shikigami with energy for free—an excellent way to save resources.

Rozen pondered over these matters while a slightly nervous Natsume accompanied him, and they arrived at the end of the corridor, in front of an office.

The sign on the office door clearly read "Headmaster's Office," confirming to Rozen and Natsume that they had reached their destination.

"Akikan?"

Natsume looked at Rozen, as if seeking confirmation.

Rozen nodded in response.

"Knock on the door."

Rozen gave a very brief instruction.

"Alright."

Natsume nodded in response, mustering her courage, and stepped forward to knock on the door.

"Tsuchimikado Akikan and Tsuchimikado Natsume, responding to the headmaster's request."

Natsume reported solemnly, letting her voice reach inside the room.

This elicited a somewhat amused chuckle from inside the room.

"Please come in."

Such a voice reached Rozen and Natsume's ears.

Ignoring Natsume for the moment, Rozen could detect a sense of age and experience in the one producing that voice.

"Excuse the intrusion."

Natsume may or may not have caught on, but she opened the door, revealing the scene inside to both of them.

The office that greeted them was vastly different from the corridor outside.

It resembled a Taisho-era coffeehouse, exuding an elegant and vintage ambiance.

The walls were a faded cream color.

A crimson rug adorned the floor.

An iron hat and coat stand adorned with colored stained glass dividers stood near the entrance. Behind them was a welcoming area with cat-foot chairs and a now-yellowed coffee table.

On both sides of the walls were densely packed bookshelves, filled to the brim. From the spines, one could tell that they contained not only foreign books but also Japanese and ancient texts, even scrolls.

In this room, in front of a frosted glass window, stood a grand redwood desk.

Seated behind the desk was a petite figure, dignified in posture. The face, covered in numerous wrinkles, carried a smile that hinted at experiences untold, emanating an air of elegance.

"Welcome to the Onmyou Academy, descendants of the main and branch families."

The petite figure uttering these words was an elderly woman, her hair graying at the shoulders, showing her advanced age.

Yet, she carried an extraordinary demeanor. She was dressed in a crimson kimono, and her eyes held a mystical glint as she looked towards them.

"I am the headmaster of the Onmyou Academy, Kurahashi Miyo," the elderly woman introduced herself in a dignified tone.

Yes.

Kurahashi Miyo.

The elderly woman standing before them was indeed a member of the Kurahashi family.

She was the birth mother of Kurahashi Genji, the former head of the Kurahashi family, and the current headmaster of the Onmyou Academy. She had been overseeing the academy for nearly half a century and was a highly respected figure in the field of Jujutsu. Highly esteemed and revered by Onmyouji, she was a person of great influence in the world of Onmyodou.

Naturally, being the former head of the Kurahashi family, she would recognize Rozen and Natsume.

After all, the Kurahashi family was a branch of the Tsuchimikado clan. In a formal sense, Kurahashi Miyo naturally referred to Rozen, the next head of the Tsuchimikado main family, as the head. It was almost impossible for her not to know him.

Rozen and Natsume were familiar with the elderly woman before them.

"Hello, Headmaster. I am Tsuchimikado Natsume," Natsume respectfully greeted Kurahashi Miyo.

"I am Tsuchimikado Akikan," Rozen echoed with a symbolically polite nod toward Kurahashi Miyo.

Kurahashi Miyo simply gazed at the two, squinting her eyes as if dazzled.

"I see."

Kurahashi Miyo muttered to herself in a thoughtful manner.

"Indeed, you are a very splendid constellation. You will surely shine brightly in the future, won't you?"

Kurahashi Miyo spoke these words.

"A constellation?" Natsume felt slightly surprised.

Rozen, as if recalling something, spoke with genuine interest.

"Could this be the legendary 'Hoshi Utau'?"

— 'Hoshi Utau,'

It was an ability to predict the future through stargazing. Although it fell under the category of jujutsu, it was a natural aptitude.

In ancient times, only miko and shugenja possessed this ability.

In modern times, it had become exceedingly rare, possessed only by a few individuals. It was safe to say that it was one of the most precious abilities in the realm of jujutsu.

Rozen had heard about this ability before and recalled it being mentioned by Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi.

"The former head of the Kurahashi family and the current headmaster of the Onmyou Academy, was once a miko and possessed the ability of 'Hoshi Utau.'"

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi mentioned this once, but Rozen had noted it down.

Now, Rozen was finally witnessing this ability in person.

However...

"This shouldn't be too rare for you, should it, young Akikan?"

Kurahashi Miyo looked at Rozen, wearing a wise smile, and said these words.

"The current head of the Tsuchimikado family, your father, is also an Onmyouji with the ability of 'Hoshi Utau.' Don't you know?"

Kurahashi Miyo revealed something that surprised not only Rozen but also Natsume.

//// The Hoshi Utau is another direct translation since the wiki didn't say anything about that and only said they are diviner. So this is just my personal translation////