Chapter 26

After being built in Sapporo, the temporary branch of the supernatural organization 'Divine'. In one of its rooms, Chie, a 'Perception' ability user, was giving a report through a monitor.

"Hmm. From your report, it seems likely that Kōsuke Yūki is a 'Yin-Yang Master'. In that case, the black cat might be a 'Yōkai'."

Menas, the founder and highest authority of the supernatural organization 'Divine', quickly reached this conclusion. Fon and Flare nodded in agreement with Menas' words.

The reason they immediately understood was that they were aware of the existence of 'Yin-Yang Magic'. Not only them, but the organization itself recognized the existence of 'Yin-Yang Magic' and 'Sorcery'. However, only those with a rank A or higher and a select few members were informed of this fact. Therefore, Toy, who was a rank B, did not realize Kōsuke's Yin-Yang Magic until the end.

"A rank B ability user being defeated by a 'technique' inferior to 'abilities' suggests that this boy, Kōsuke, is quite a skilled magician."

"Unlike 'abilities', 'techniques' can cause a variety of phenomena. Fon, do not underestimate them."

"Understood, I apologize."

Menas reprimanded Fon for underestimating 'techniques' due to his knowledge of the superiority of 'abilities'.

"Let's get back to the topic. Chie, after the failed assassination of Kōsuke Yūki and the independent actions of Toy and Melt... sending you as a commander might have been a mistake."

Menas threw a word of disappointment at Chie.

"Sir Menas, please, could you give me one more chance to make amends?"

"Another chance, huh..."

Menas thought about it. The arrest of Dies by an incomprehensible phenomenon, the black cat that instantly killed a rank A and a rank B, and the various techniques of Kōsuke Yūki, who seemed to be a top-notch Yin-Yang Master. Although Chie's mistakes were significant, even without them, too many unforeseen events had occurred. Considering these circumstances, Menas decided to give Chie another chance to make amends.

"Alright. Ignore Kōsuke Yūki's existence. Try not to interfere with him as much as possible. Prioritize the capture of 'Fusion', and once secured, abandon the temporary branch and bring them to the headquarters immediately. Understand?"

"Yes, thank you. I will not disappoint you!"

Fon and Flare nodded in satisfaction at Chie's bow. However, Menas alone could not shake off an indescribable unease.

◇

After returning home, the decision was made to consult the chairman's father after discussing the fact of the attack with everyone. It was painful to rely on him while hiding his true identity, but there was no other solution. According to Kuro, the chairman's father was quite well-informed, so he might know something. Therefore, Kuro was asked to find out later.

That said—

"Wow, amazing!"

—Kōsuke immediately tried out the new ability, 'Dissolution', he had acquired in the recent battle. It was incredibly convenient!

"What are you doing?"

"I just tried making some apple juice. I acquired the ability 'Dissolution' in the battle we just had, so I used it to make the juice."

"Hmm? You acquired an ability?"

Since Kuro tilted his head, Kōsuke briefly explained that he could now use the abilities 'Dissolution' and 'Toy'.

Kuro froze.

"Kuro, are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, I'm fine. More importantly, are you okay? Can you still use 'Yin-Yang Magic'?"

"Yeah, I can use it just fine."

Kōsuke demonstrated by generating tiny sparks from the soles of his feet. His control over the 'Scatter Flame Bullet' was perfect.

"Hmm..."

After seeing this, Kuro thought for a moment before speaking.

"It's best to keep quiet about being able to use both 'Yin-Yang Magic' and 'abilities'. It could lead to conflict."

"Why? What's the reason?"

Kuro knew about 'abilities'. Given his long life, it was probably due to his experience.

"I don't know the details, but apparently, 'techniques' and 'abilities' have fundamentally different principles. Therefore, it's said that they cannot be used simultaneously. I've heard of exceptions, but at least to my knowledge, you are the first."

So, that was the case.

Kōsuke had felt the difference in principles when he acquired the abilities, but he didn't think they couldn't be used together. Perhaps it was due to the ability acquisition skill given by the god? Hmm, he wasn't sure.

"In general, 'techniques' can cause a variety of phenomena even when used alone, while 'abilities' can only cause limited phenomena. That's what I've heard."

By 'variety of phenomena', did he mean a variety of techniques? 'Yin-Yang Magic' could be used for attributes one wasn't naturally suited for with practice. So, with enough effort, one could use fire and water simultaneously. However, 'abilities' were limited to specific effects, like dissolving.

"But 'abilities' can cause much larger phenomena and are more efficient, I've heard."

"I see."

Both 'Yin-Yang Magic' and 'abilities' were activated using spiritual energy, but Kōsuke had never used so much that he ran out, so he didn't understand the concept of efficiency. In any case, neither was inherently superior to the other.

"Thanks for the advice. I'll be careful not to let it be known that I can use both."

"Indeed. I was surprised that you could make 'Substitute Talismans', but to think you can also use 'abilities'. Be very careful."

"Don't worry, I'll keep the 'Substitute Talismans' a secret too."

Kōsuke had heard that the heads of the five families spent a long time creating them, but he had no trouble making them. When he tried, it surprised Kuro, just like this time. As an apology, he might buy some cat food, like a can with a silver spoon drawn on it. It looked delicious.

"By the way, can you check this for me?"

Kōsuke showed Kuro the apple juice he had made.

"Wow, it looks delicious."

"Does it seem strange in any way?"

Kuro had the ability to distinguish things that couldn't be eaten, which was incredibly useful. It was an animal instinct, so unfortunately, Kōsuke couldn't learn it.

"Hmm, it seems fine. It's just juice."

Kōsuke was worried that forcibly liquefying it might be harmful, but it seemed to be okay. This could be used as a substitute for a blender.

"Since I made it, let's all have some. Hey, Shiro, come over here."

"Meow..."

Shiro, who was sulking in the corner of the room, was called over to the kotatsu. It seemed she was regretting not being able to protect Kōsuke as a guard. Although Kōsuke had told her to go home, she was very serious.

"You followed your master's orders. You did nothing wrong."

"Here, have a snack."

Kuro and Rin were also comforting her, but it would take some time for her to recover.

"Hey, I also made some orange juice."

If there was a trigger, it would be good, but for now, all he could do was watch over her.

◇

"A supernatural organization, this is troublesome."

In a room of a certain temple in the city, a middle-aged man with a dashing appearance was reading a request with a serious expression.

"What a bold request. What should I do..."

His name was Ryūkai Mizukami, the head of the Mizukami family, one of the five major Yin-Yang families. The content of the request he was reading was to "deal with the supernatural organization infiltrating Hokkaido." The requester was the Japanese government.

"Father, I'm home!"

"Hmm? Is that Jūn? Welcome back."

The cheerful greeting came from Jūn, Ryūkai's real daughter.

"Sorry, were you working?"

"No, I'm done for today. By the way, you seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?"

Ryūkai put away the request and decided to enjoy a conversation with his daughter. For Ryūkai, who had lost his wife, this time was invaluable.

"So, everyone in the class decided to go shopping together!"

"Hehe, that's great."

The conversation with his daughter, who was looking forward to the 'overnight recreation', helped Ryūkai feel his work fatigue dissipate. Regaining his usual composure, Ryūkai asked a question that surprised Jūn.

"Since it's everyone in the class, Kōsuke is going too, right? How are things with him?"

"Eh? Kōsuke?"

The frequency of his name in the conversation and the slight changes in her tone and expression when talking about Kōsuke did not escape Ryūkai's notice.

"Nothing's going on? You're just friends?"

"Of course, we're just friends."

"Really? You didn't invite him because you're interested in him?"

However, Ryūkai felt a bit confused by his daughter's unexpected reaction.

"Of course I'm interested. He's an amazing Yin-Yang Master, even though he's the same age as me! I really admire him!"

"I see... I see..."

In fact, only these two knew that the masked Yin-Yang Master was Kōsuke Yūki. When Jūn called Kōsuke to the courtyard, Ryūkai did not sense any spiritual energy. Similarly, when Ryūkai greeted the masked Yin-Yang Master, he did not sense any spiritual energy. Additionally, the direction the cat god returned home and the powerful barrier around Kōsuke's house, among other information, led them to realize Kōsuke's true identity immediately after the divine trial.

"Is there anything else you like about him? Like, he's handsome or kind?"

"His use of spirit animals was really cool! Plus, he saved the Mizukami family during the divine trial. I think he's a very kind person."

"I see... I see..."

The once-feared 'Dragon of the North', Ryūkai Mizukami, felt a slight unease that his daughter's first love had not yet arrived.

Next time, the family might grow.