-481- How about a little spar?

"What...!?"

"This...!?"

Seeing swarms of SwallowWhip flying from a distance, the Onmyoji who had attacked Rozen were greatly surprised.

However, they couldn't respond promptly to the incoming SwallowWhip.

It was impossible.

Compared to the SwallowWhip they had just controlled, the movements of these incoming SwallowWhip were much more nimble, faster, and skillful, indicating they were manipulated by highly skilled Onmyoji.

Looking at the orderly and undisturbed movements of these SwallowWhip, they were either collectively controlled by an elite-trained Onmyoji unit or by a single person to achieve such an effect.

These bound-style Shikigami swiftly crossed the sky with graceful light trails, displaying excessively agile movements, swooping towards the Onmyoji preparing to react.

When the SwallowWhip reached the Onmyoji, their bodies immediately turned into transparent light ribbons, binding each Onmyoji on the spot.

"Guh...!"

"Ugh...!"

The Onmyoji emitted distressed sounds one after another, falling to the ground, unable to rise.

"....!"

Even the handsome man leading them was entangled all over by the SwallowWhip, lying there, struggling desperately.

Coincidence or intention, the mouths of the Onmyoji were also bound by the SwallowWhip, rendering them unable to speak a word and only struggle and moan.

Seeing this scene, Rozen's eyes narrowed, and even Hokuto looked around in surprise.

The reason was simple.

Neither the man nor the dragon had detected anyone approaching.

At least Rozen's Spirit Vision hadn't detected any spiritual energy approaching.

At this moment, Rozen let the magical waves of his Heaven's Eye disperse and, combined with the effects of his Spirit Vision, scanned the surroundings.

Under these circumstances, Rozen finally noticed some signs.

"Clack!"

At the same time, a sound of something hard tapping the ground echoed, and as Rozen realized, it was slowly approaching this way.

The newcomer was someone Rozen had only met today but was definitely not a stranger.

"Calling out a real dragon in the middle of the night in a place like this, you're going to make me, your teacher, get scolded to the point of speechlessness by the director, aren't you, Akikan?"

The newcomer held a cane and had a prosthetic leg, tapping the ground and making a sound as they approached, showing a helpless expression.

Besides Ohtomo Jin, who else could it be?

"Sensei?"

Rozen was suddenly quite surprised.

"Good evening." Ohtomo Jin waved towards Rozen, maintaining his nonchalant attitude. He said, "Just starting school and already going for a night stroll? Sensei isn't approving of you becoming that kind of person."

Ohtomo Jin was passing by, seemingly unfazed by the struggling and moaning Onmyoji underfoot, appearing relaxed.

However, Rozen wasn't easily fooled.

"... Going on night patrol just as the school begins. I must say, I'm quite surprised by your dedication, Sensei."

Rozen pondered for a moment and then remarked pointedly.

"Me? I'm just taking a walk! A walk!"

Ohtomo Jin replied in a playful and casual Kansai accent, but unfortunately, it lacked credibility.

At least, Rozen wasn't buying it.

"Are you trying to say you were coincidentally strolling nearby, and upon hearing the commotion, you came over to take a look?"

Rozen replied skeptically.

"Even if that's the case, your abilities have certainly surprised me. I have to reassess your capabilities."

Isn't that so?

Originally, Rozen thought Ohtomo Jin was just an ordinary instructor.

After all, Ohtomo Jin's demeanor was light-hearted, and his attitude was frivolous. Moreover, he didn't display any outstanding spiritual energy. It was normal for Rozen to think that way.

But based on Ohtomo Jin's recent performance, not only did he control numerous SwallowWhip simultaneously, surpassing the agility and astonishing speed that even the mystical investigators, who passed the "Onmyou second class" exam, couldn't match, this level of ability was something an ordinary instructor couldn't achieve.

If only it were just that.

Unfortunately, before Ohtomo Jin used the SwallowWhip, Rozen's Spirit Vision, which possessed exceptional Spirit Sight, hadn't detected the presence of the opponent at all. It wasn't until he also used Heaven's Eye that he finally noticed some signs.

"This level of Invisibility jutsu isn't something just anyone can use, Ohtomo sensei?"

Rozen smiled meaningfully.

As the name suggests, the effect of the spell called "Invisibility Jutsu" was to become invisible, with no secondary effects.

However, in the world of jutsu, this spell had a special status.

Its effect was not only to hide one's own form but could also conceal one's spiritual energy and magic power. Its primary purpose was not to deceive the naked eye but to deceive the Onmyoji capable of seeing spirits.

Therefore, this spell was not only the most commonly used type by Onmyoji, but also highly practical. After mastering it, one could even hide their form like breathing, making it one of the main spells in Common-Style jutsu.

However, the Invisibility Jutsu was by no means a basic jutsu.

For ordinary people and even professionals, it was not difficult to deceive the eyes of the former, but it was not easy to deceive the eyes of the latter. To hide from the latter's eyes required a high degree of mastery of this spell.

Thanks to this, in the industry, there was even a saying like "the level to which one can use the Invisibility Jutsu distinguishes professionals from laymen."

Naturally, the ability to discover enemies using the Invisibility Jutsu also tested the abilities of an Onmyoji.

Unfortunately, Rozen's Spirit Vision, even for a professional Onmyoji, fell short, rendering ordinary Invisibility Jutsu ineffective under his watch. These attackers were discovered by Rozen long before they reached him.

However, Ohtomo Jin was different. Not only did he perfectly conceal his spiritual energy, but he also concealed the magic power used for the jutsu itself while using it. His grasp of spiritual energy and control of magic power were so high that it was unbelievable. Rozen's Spirit Vision didn't detect him at all, not until he used Heaven's Eye.

Just on this point, it was certain that Ohtomo Jin was no ordinary instructor.

Rozen even dared not be sure whether this extraordinary instructor really came over after seeing the situation here or had been observing him from the beginning, staying by Rozen's side.

In other words, Rozen had no idea whether Ohtomo Jin was an enemy or an ally.

With that in mind...

"Sensei's performance is truly making me eager to test my skills."

Rozen stared directly at Ohtomo Jin as his magical energy continued to emanate.

"How about a little spar with me? Sensei?"

With these words, Rozen infused magic into Hokuto's body, and Hokuto seemed to sense Rozen's seriousness. No longer playful, just like Rozen, Hokuto stared intently at Ohtomo Jin, his spiritual energy surging.

The golden true dragon and its wielder both focused sharply on Ohtomo Jin, making the atmosphere tense.