I who was reincarnated as the shadowy villain with the power to antagonize the nation, worked hard since infancy to avoid the flag of ruin, resulting in an extraordinary magical power that made me the strongest.

Chapter 2: Goals and Progress

Sleep or wake, one day passes, and then two, but there was no sign of waking up from this dream.

In fact, the vivid sensations were so intense that they left no doubt this was reality.

…It was around the time I started feeling this way, about a week had passed.

(…I have to admit it. I’ve been reborn as Hinanai Tenji, just like “that person.”)

No matter how much time passed without change in front of me, I had accepted this situation. simultaneously, I had resolved to live as Tenji in this world.

Why was such determination necessary?

It was because of the future I was about to face – the path Tenji took in the original story, which led to him becoming a criminal.

Several years from now, the Hinanai family, including Tenji, would be devastated by a massive invasion of demons known as the “Hyakki Yagyo.”

As a result, Tenji would lose his beloved parents and become a vengeful demon upon discovering the existence of the mastermind behind the invasion. Then, shortly after the original story begins, Tenji would kill one of the masterminds and become a wanted criminal. This was the series of events leading to his descent into darkness.

And this is where the invasion of demons becomes a problem.

In the scenario, Tenji didn’t die, but this is reality. The future we’ll reach might not be the same, and worst-case scenario, we might even die.

After all, I’ve been reborn as one of my favorite characters, I can’t allow that to happen.

That’s why I can’t keep escaping from reality forever.

(There’s only one thing to do.)

I must become stronger by the time the Hyakki Yagyo arrives. At the very least, I should be able to fight demons on my own.

But how can I become stronger? It’s simple: I need to put in relentless effort, but not aimlessly; I need to focus on developing my strengths.

Tenji’s strengths lie in his overwhelming magic power and the ability to channel that power effectively. Magic power serves as the medium for performing onmyoji techniques, and output is how much of that magic power can be channeled at once. In the original story, it was revealed that Tenji possessed innate talent in these two aspects.

(Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.)

The absolute gap in power when facing the main characters, coolly overwhelming them. That special technique that can wipe out ordinary demons with just a swing of a sword. I was captivated by that image, and I fell in love with his way of life.

(I’ll do it. I won’t let my favorite character down.)

Moreover, if I don’t die, I might be able to live together with that other character I love. That thought alone ignites my motivation.

(Well then, let’s get started.)

So, first, I plan to enhance my magic power. I’ve grasped the presence of magic power in this past week. There’s been something warm swirling around my abdomen that I didn’t have in my previous life. It must be my magic power.

And in the original story, it was explained that magic power increases as you use it.

The increase in magic power is somewhat like leveling up in a game, I suppose. It was also mentioned that the rate of increase varies greatly depending on individual talent.

(…Hmm, but how do I actually use magic power?)

I understand its existence, but it’s pointless if I can’t use it. If I don’t use it, I can’t even consume magic power, which means there’s no room for growth.

However, no matter how much I concentrate or put physical effort into it, there’s no sign of magic power coming out. It feels like there’s no outlet for the magic power circulating within my body; that’s the sensation.

(…Wait a minute, now that I think about it.)

Then, I remembered a certain ritual. To release magic power, you need to open the pores called “seikou” within your body. However, it’s nearly impossible to open these pores by one’s own efforts; it requires a specific ritual. In other words, it seems impossible to train using techniques in the current situation.

(So, what should I do?)

If I can’t activate techniques, or rather, if I can’t use the formulas properly, the plan will fall apart. Hmm, it was said to be impossible, but should I try to see if I can somehow open those pores?

But how can I do it… forcibly move magic power to open them up? No, that’s a bad idea. There was a character who forced the activation of formulas and ended up as a wreck; the same could happen to me.

(…Wait a minute. Move magic power?)

Then, a certain technique came to mind, even though it wasn’t a formula.

(…Right, it exists. A way to consume magic power without releasing it.)

It’s the most basic foundation in the world of onmyoji.

(Improving physical abilities through magic power.)

I remember, it was about circulating magic power throughout the entire body. Can I move magic power without releasing it? Imagine it like water leaking from a whirlpool, passing through a pipe and circulating throughout the entire body. In an instant, my body’s interior warmed up, and strength surged throughout my entire body.

(Oh, it seems like it’s working.)

However, I still feel a bit unfamiliar with the flow of magic power. I’m sure with practice, I can eliminate this irregularity, and the scope of my abilities will increase significantly. I also feel like I’m consuming magic power as intended. So, for a while, I’ll refine this technique.

(Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll try various things. I have more than enough time.)

However, as of now, I’m just a baby. The only things I can do are eat, sleep, and gaze blankly at the scenery outside the window. Time is abundant for me.

That’s why I want to do everything I can to prepare for the Hundred Demons Night.

And from the perspective of my spell system, there’s no harm in increasing my magic power.

If it follows the original story, my spell system is lightning. It should be notably difficult to wield compared to the many other systems.

There are two reasons for this difficulty.

First, the precision required in magic power manipulation.

Second, the high magic power consumption compared to other systems.

However, Tenji effortlessly mastered both of these factors. So, there’s no reason I, who has become Tenji, can’t do the same… I hope.

(In any case, if I can’t master these formulas, I’ll die. There’s no choice but to do it.)

With that determination in my heart, I focused on magic power manipulation. I experimented by concentrating magic power in certain parts of my limbs, adjusting the amount circulating, and so on.

And then, after some time had passed…

“Is Tenji here…?”

“Yes, please let me see your face soon.”

“Ah, well… But you’re nervous, even though you’re just meeting your son.”

“Haha, it’s unusual to see you nervous.”

From behind the sliding doors that separated the room from the corridor, I could hear my mother’s voice and an unfamiliar man’s voice.

Lost in my concentration on manipulating magic power, I didn’t notice the approaching presence of people until I heard their voices.

…Did they say “son”?

In that case, was that my father’s voice? It’s been a week since I was reborn in this world, and it’s the first time I’ve heard it. I wonder where he’s been all this time.

As I pondered this, the sliding doors were opened.

What appeared was a large man wearing a jet-black coat.

Even through his clothes, I could tell he had bulging muscles and a face covered in scars. At first glance, he gave off the impression of someone from the underworld.

But still, that face had the same sense of déjà vu as when I saw my mother.

“…He’s cute.”

“We’re his parents, after all.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

Approaching to peer at my face, the two of them leaned their shoulders toward each other and exchanged smiles.

Watching their interactions, I felt like I understood why Tenji had loved his parents and, consequently, why he had become such a sorrowful avenger.

(…He must have been loved, Tenji.)

I want to become strong. In my heart, after seeing the two of them, my resolve to do so grew even stronger.