-484- The reactions caused by the dragon

A dragon appeared in Tokyo.

Since last night, this has been the topic of news reports from every outlet. For the general public, it's perhaps something to gossip about, but for the onmyoji in the field, no one could overlook this phenomenon.

Because a dragon, extremely rare and precious, appearing in Tokyo is enough to astonish every onmyoji.

And then, the onmyoji soon knew what was happening.

After all, the true dragon of the Tsuchimikado clan had been passed down for over a millennium. Each generation's head of the family would possess it and display it publicly, an event that had certainly occurred.

Yesterday, rumors circulated within the field that the current heir of the Tsuchimikado family, likely the reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou, had come to Tokyo and officially enrolled in the Onmyou Academy.

Putting the pieces together, the onmyoji speculated that the dragon seen yesterday was undoubtedly the Tsuchimikado clan's dragon.

In other words...

"Has Yakou's reincarnation encountered an enemy?"

"Summoning a dragon in the middle of the street, isn't that a bit beyond common sense?"

"This only proves that the opponent isn't an ordinary person but a true danger."

"Must be those followers of Yakou, right?"

"That's the most probable."

The onmyoji community quickly guessed what was happening, resulting in quite a stir.

Eventually, the Jujutsu Crime Investigation Division dispatched its officials not only to gather evidence at the scene but also to go to the Onmyou Academy, preparing to confront Rozen.

Unfortunately, the matter ended without any resolution.

When the Jujutsu Crime Investigation Division was preparing to take action, an anonymous individual brought a group of tied up mystical investigators to the Onmyou Agency, claiming they were followers of Yakou and had attacked Yakou's reincarnation.

Following this, the head of the Onmyou Academy, Kurahashi Miyo, personally appeared to explain the entire incident. She also declared that, to prevent Yakou's followers from having further contact with Rozen, officials at the Onmyou Agency would be prohibited from approaching him.

As a result, the matter was left unresolved.

However, this had little to do with Rozen.

At this moment, Rozen was in distress.

"I'm telling you, Natsume, don't be angry anymore."

On their way to the Onmyou Academy, Rozen walked behind Natsume, looking helpless, hurrying along the road, and begging for forgiveness.

"...I don't want to talk to someone who doesn't keep their word."

Natsume walked ahead of Rozen, taking large strides as if sulking, her words unexpectedly cold and clearly indicating her anger.

Faced with Natsume's demeanor, Rozen could only sigh repeatedly.

"I admit, I made a mistake not calling for you when encountering the followers of Yakou. But I judged that I could handle it alone in those circumstances, which is why I acted that way."

Rozen explained earnestly.

However, Natsume was not receptive.

"Even so, you shouldn't have acted alone. I am your Shikigami. When the master is in danger, I should be there. Just staying in the dorm without knowing anything is simply a disgrace and utterly useless."

Natsume stubbornly shook her head.

Rozen was troubled by this.

When Rozen summoned Hokuto, Natsume naturally noticed. She immediately rushed in Rozen's direction, ready to assist him.

Who would have thought that by the time Natsume arrived, the situation had already concluded, leaving only Rozen there, and everyone else seemed to have disappeared.

After learning the sequence of events from Rozen, Natsume was first dumbfounded by the existence of the followers of Yakou, then enraged that Rozen encountered an attack and didn't call for her.

This anger persisted, even to this day.

"I know, I'm just a useless Shikigami. As long as master has Hokuto, that's enough. A person like me, you just have to leave me aside and don't care about me, it's the same as garbage—useless and weak."

Natsume said with a cold expression, her tone indifferent, making Rozen's head ache besides feeling powerless.

Normally, Natsume was shy and serious, but when truly angry, she would show a stubborn and tenacious side, ready to face the adversary head-on. This was evident from how she provocatively confronted Kurahashi Kyouko yesterday.

And when Natsume became like this, it was the most difficult to handle.

What could Rozen do?

He could only...

"I won't forget about you next time." Rozen sighed and said, "Stop being angry, Natsume."

Yes, Rozen could only admit his mistake in a serious manner.

"Umm..."

With Rozen earnestly admitting his mistake, Natsume's heart softened instantly.

Although Natsume could be stubborn and tenacious when angered, it also depended on who the subject was.

When it came to Rozen, even if Natsume wanted to be angry, it wouldn't last long.

After all, no matter what, Rozen was nominally and practically Natsume's master, making it awkward to make him too uncomfortable.

So, even when she gets angry, considering Rozen's identity, the serious-minded Natsume will choose to compromise.

In fact, for a typical Shikigami, not only being angry at the master is prohibited, but even showing a hint of disobedience is not allowed.

The interactions between Rozen and Natsume are proof of their close relationship.

Therefore, Natsume turned around and spoke seriously.

"You said it yourself, you're not allowed to break your word."

Natsume reminded him.

"Alright, alright."

Rozen replied, feeling both amused and exasperated.

This finally appeased Natsume, and a smile reappeared on her delicate face.

However, it was still too early to relax now.

...

Onmyo Academy, first-year classroom.

When Rozen and Natsume entered the classroom, the previously bustling space, much like yesterday, suddenly became extremely quiet as the students hushed upon seeing Rozen and Natsume entering from outside.

However, even in this quietness, snippets of whispers could still be heard among the students.

"Was the dragon yesterday released by him?"

"The dragon passed down through generations in the Tsuchimikado family..."

"That's a Servent-type Shikigami, right...?"

"Actually having a Servent-type Shikigami, the Tsuchimikado family is truly enviable."

"My family doesn't even have a Guardian Shikigami."

"Is this the so-called heritage of the Onmyo main family?"

"Stop talking. Even if you had a Servent-type Shikigami or a Guardian Shikigami, you wouldn't be able to use them."

"Tch..."

Whispers like these reached Rozen's ears, informing him of why he had become a topic of conversation among others today.

Realizing this, Rozen wasn't surprised, and Natsume glanced at Rozen's expression and chose to ignore it as well.

The two of them, regardless of the reactions of the people around them, returned to their seats and sat down.

However...

"Was the dragon from yesterday really summoned by you?"

Such a voice reached Rozen's ears.