Chapter 26

"Alright, just need to retrieve the dragon and we're done... Hey, wait a minute!"

The dragon that had eaten Galeos began to thrash about in mid-air.

Food poisoning!? No, that's not it.

It's trying to escape.

"Damn... you... get back here quietly!"

I sent out several shikigami to forcibly pin it down.

I opened the door and managed to push the massive body back into the phase, and finally, I could breathe a sigh of relief.

"Seika-sama!"

From a nearby tree, Yuki, a white, slender fox, came running over.

I waited for her to climb onto my head before speaking.

"Sorry, Yuki. Did you get left behind when we switched places?"

"That's fine, but I didn't seem to be of much help, so I stayed hidden."

"I completely forgot. I should have told you beforehand."

"Yuki is also a manager, so that's no problem. Rather, was it alright?"

Yuki said, looking worried.

"To use three precious Hitogata on such a minor opponent..."

"I originally planned to die three or four times to test the operation, so it's all according to plan."

"I see. How did the spell work?"

"It's perfect. I didn't expect it to be this good. Even though it's just a baby tooth, being able to use a whole tooth as the medium makes a difference."

The spell to transfer injuries to a Hitogata requires a part of the target's body.

Usually, hair is used, but this time, I mixed the powder from a fallen baby tooth into the Hitogata.

In my previous life, I used a wisdom tooth for the same purpose, but because I was frugal and divided it into several pieces, it didn't bring me back to life so dramatically.

"Even though I used a few in experiments, I still have more than ten left, so it's fine. I don't plan to die so easily from now on. But... I did waste quite a few other Hitogata."

Using them to stop bleeding or being knocked down... how much did I lose?

I can't make paper at the academy, so I'll have to buy the materials for Hitogata from now on...

Seeing me sigh, Yuki said:

"Die at the right time. Perhaps it would have been enough to leave it to the dragon... no, the ox demon or the six-tailed fox from the start?"

"Well, it was the first time since reincarnation. I wanted to fight myself."

"Ah. Was it fun?"

"Sort of. I got to try a few spells. But, I'm definitely rusty. And... I didn't expect the dragon to rebel."

It was a bit of a shock.

But, it's not surprising.

Compared to my previous life, I am indeed weaker.

I don't have even a tenth of the Hitogata I used to have, and the sealed demons are fewer too.

My trump card, the demon god Sukuna, was defeated, and the higher dragons that can control the weather, like the thunder dragon and ice dragon, were all taken by that girl.

The dragon is now my strongest force. How sad.

The only thing that's good is the flow of curse power, but my body isn't fully formed yet, and there are still many things lacking.

I don't need to be the strongest, but I want to return to my previous strength. Otherwise, I feel uneasy.

I need to work harder.

Yuki said:

"Indeed, today's Seika-sama seemed the most cheerful since Yuki was called. That's good!"

"..."

"Seika-sama?"

Thinking back, I realize:

I was a bit too hyped up.

I think I said some embarrassing things...

"Yuki, don't tell anyone about today."

"..., of course."

Yuki continued:

"Right, Seika-sama also recited a poem. That's wonderful! Yuki would like to hear love poems you recited in the past!"

"Please don't..."

****

When I returned to the auditorium, I could hear murmurs from inside.

There were still many people, but the panic had subsided. I entered through the entrance and soon found Eifa.

"Ah, Seika-kun! Where were you?"

"Just a bit. Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes. As Seika-kun said, all the demons were defeated. There were some injuries though..."

I looked around the hall.

Three lesser demons lay on the ground, illuminated by the lights.

Their corpses were either burned or pierced by massive swords that no human could wield.

The battle had just ended a moment ago.

I was worried about what would happen to these after defeating Galeos, but it's good they didn't self-destruct.

Injuries are inevitable.

No matter how weak they are, a surprise attack can make perfect defense difficult.

Suddenly, I noticed a red-haired girl standing over one of the demon corpses.

She was drenched in blood, her sword still embedded in the corpse, and her shoulders were heaving. The students were watching her from a distance, their gazes filled with awe.

Could it be...

"Amy... she defeated a demon on her own..."

Eifa's voice was slightly trembling.

I see.

No wonder the scene looked familiar.

That was me in my previous life.

A hero... that's nice.

I tried to hide my smile.

"Eifa, I'm going back to the dorm first."

"Eh, Seika-kun?"

I turned around and left.

I walked down the dark corridor, away from the bright hall.

"Seika-sama...?"

Even Yuki's worried voice didn't make me want to respond.

I came to the magic academy to find someone.

I thought there might be someone among the many talents gathered here.

But I didn't expect to find them so soon.

Someone who could become the strongest.

"Yuki, it seems I've been quite lucky in this life."

The world, in reality, is driven by violence.

What Galeos said wasn't entirely off the mark.

But, as the saying goes, when the hare is dead, the hounds are boiled, and the nail that sticks out is hammered down.

Even if I become strong, I will eventually be pulled down and crushed by those around me.

I learned this the hard way in my previous life.

That's why I needed someone to become the strongest in my place.

Just like the officials I was connected to had a high status in the court.

Being under the strongest umbrella would surely bring the most benefits.

Eifa wasn't strong enough.

But a hero should be perfect.

I'll join her group. Become a trusted friend.

She might be crushed in the end.

But I myself—this time, I can just grieve.

This time, I can be happy.

I suppressed the smile on my lips.

Even if the demons attack again, it's fine, Amy.

I'll make you the strongest, even if it means defeating a demon king.

Chapter 1, end.

Next, Chapter 2.