Chapter 126 ⟴ Rina Shakando

"The winner is Keika Kiyotaki!"

A voice rang out across the bustling shōgi hall, drawing gasps of surprise from the spectators gathered around Keika and her challenger.

Standing in the corner of the hall, Rina Shakando watched with satisfaction, though her eyes betrayed a mix of shock and disbelief.

"Keika's improvement in shōgi is rather remarkable, isn't it? Since our hospital visit, her skill level has jumped significantly. Though the improvement has its limits, we needn't worry about her leaving the study group now. With steady progress, she could even become a female professional player."

As the current top female professional shōgi player, Rina's assessment carried considerable weight.

She held the female Meijin title and served as chairwoman of the Women's Professional Shōgi Players' Association. Even the prodigy Ginko Sora had only the potential to surpass her.

"Tell me, Ginko, how exactly did Keika improve her shōgi skills? We must be careful to stay on the right path — some methods are strictly forbidden." Her expression grew serious.

As chairwoman of the Women's Professional Shōgi Players' Association, she had witnessed many concerning cases.

Though it seemed incredible, Devils existed in this world, born from people's fears and emerging from hell itself. These Devils possessed various abilities, and among them were the Shōgi Devils, born from players' fears.

Rina had encountered players who made pacts with Shōgi Devils. Their skills would improve dramatically overnight, but their playing style would become demonic and ruthless, mercilessly crushing opponents.

While Keika's shōgi improvement was certainly positive, Rina felt responsible as her teacher.

Ginko tilted her head, sensing Rina's concern.

"I met a classmate from Sōbu High. He's... special, and his shōgi surpasses mine. Senior's skills improved through his teaching." She explained carefully, choosing each word with precision.

Rina felt relief wash over her — at least Devils weren't involved.

"You're saying this classmate's shōgi is even stronger than yours?" Rina couldn't miss the admiration in her disciple's tone.

She recalled how dejected Ginko had seemed lately. Perhaps those matches against this classmate were the cause?

"He's far stronger than me. In his eyes, my shōgi skills are barely at beginner level. No matter how hard I try, victory slips through my fingers before I realize it." Ginko's expression was one of utter defeat — she saw no path to victory.

Rina raised her folding fan to hide her surprise. Never before had she seen such resignation on her student's face.

"Is that so? For someone to earn your complete respect, their talent must be extraordinary. Why not invite them to the shōgi hall? The current Meijin is visiting today at my request. If they catch the Meijin's eye, their future could be quite promising." She marveled that anyone could so thoroughly outmatch Ginko.

"Because he has zero interest in shōgi." Ginko's teeth clenched as she spoke.

Despite possessing talent beyond what most couldn't achieve in a lifetime, Daiki showed neither interest nor passion for the game.

But this made sense — after all, as a Jujutsu Sorcerer who could destroy terrifying monsters with a mere wave of his hand, his status far exceeded that of any shōgi player.

"Teacher, have you heard of Jujutsu Sorcerers?"

"Hmm? Where did you hear that term?" Rina snapped her fan shut, then opened it slowly, "Was it from that incident at Sōbu High?"

Ginko gave a slight nod.

"Jujutsu Sorcerers... they're extraordinary individuals who exist above ordinary people. They're similar to the Public Safety's Devil Hunter Department, though much about them remains unclear."

As chairwoman of the Women's Professional Shōgi Players' Association, she sometimes assisted with emergencies. Yet Jujutsu Sorcerers were known for their arrogance toward ordinary citizens.

Rina had never directly engaged with any of them.

"I thought—" Ginko began, then abruptly fell silent.

Rina watched curiously as her student stared fixedly at the shōgi hall entrance.

Following her gaze, she spotted a handsome young man surrounded by six beautiful young women. Five were quintuplets, each with her own distinctive style. Among them was a petite, bespectacled girl.

Their entrance into the shōgi hall immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Say, Ginko, could you be in love with this boy?" Rina noticed an unusually complex expression on her disciple's face — a mix of envy, jealousy, passion, and frustration.

It was the first time she'd seen her ice-cold student display such rich emotions.

Though, wasn't this boy a bit too popular? While Ginko was certainly cute with her cold demeanor and delicate air, the quintuplets were equally charming.

They covered every personality type — gentle, tsundere, intellectual, energetic, and serious.

Meanwhile, Ginko was... well, decidedly difficult and antisocial.

It was clear — this little girl didn't stand a chance.

"He's the one I mentioned who taught senior shōgi!" Ginko stated calmly, oblivious to her master's thoughts.

Rina took another look at Daiki.

"Oh, so you were talking about a boy?" She fluttered her fan, understanding dawning, "Should I arrange a match between him and the Meijin? Perhaps a defeat would spark his interest in shōgi!"

Her eyes narrowed — she couldn't bear to see such talent go to waste.

"Maybe... we shouldn't?" Ginko hesitated.

For one thing, the current Meijin's skills might not be enough to challenge Daiki.

And if he lost badly... who knew what might happen?

She'd learned from Mei Mei about the tremendous power of Jujutsu Sorcerers, how Special Grade sorcerers mastered the ultimate technique of Domain Expansion.

Whether they won or lost, they were dangerous — and if they lost, they might unleash their Domain. Even if you gathered every shōgi master in history, they couldn't defeat Daiki using just one hand.

While Rina and Ginko talked, Keika bounded up to Daiki, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you so much, Daiki-kun!"

Without his Hundred Teachings ability improving her shōgi skills, Keika might still be worried about leaving the study group.

Becoming an official female professional player would have remained just a distant dream.

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