LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: - As Time Passes
Time passed by in the blink of an eye, and it had been three years since my reincarnation.
Over these three years, I diligently practiced manipulating magic power every day, resulting in a significant increase in my magic power compared to when I was first reborn.
It’s hard to remember exactly, but I think it’s increased by several hundred times, give or take?
I can easily move magic power around now, and my proficiency has greatly improved.
I can even do backflips effortlessly. It’s quite different from those days right after my reincarnation when I spent the whole day lying on the futon, not being able to do much.
Now, I can move around whenever I want, and I can take care of bodily functions.
Ah, independence is truly wonderful.
And right now, I’m in the midst of having my kimono sleeves adjusted by my mother.
Apparently, today is a “Shichi-Go-San.” In other words, a celebration.
The rustling sound of the fabric rubbing against my skin gradually lessens. It seems like they’re almost done with dressing me.
Oh, I’m so excited and nervous.
Because today is not only “Shichi-Go-San” but also a significant day for me!
“It’s done, Tenji! Yep, it suits you, and you look adorable!”
“Thank you!”
“Alright then, shall we go out?”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
Yes, it’s time for an outing!
It’s my first time going outside in this life! Finally, at the age of three!
Why couldn’t I go outside until now?
It has to do with the nature of onmyojis. Onmyojis constantly emit a small amount of magic power from their bodies, even children who haven’t opened their spiritual pores.
And apparently, to demons, that energy emitted by children is like a delicacy, making them prime targets.
But within the confines of our property, we have protective barriers. These barriers not only block the detection of magic power but also prevent low-level demons from entering, even if they were to notice.
Considering that I can only enhance my physical abilities through magic power at this stage, I really don’t want to think about what might happen if I were to go outside alone.
Hmm, let’s not dwell on that. I still don’t want to die.
So, that’s why today marks my first outing.
“Oh, Tenji, it suits you! You look cute, cool, and lovely! Truly my child!”
Upon arriving at the entrance, my father said those words and scooped me up into his arms.
As he held me, spinning me around and up high, he then carried me.
He’s usually busy with work and often away from home, but it seems he took a day off just for today.
This father really loves his son. I love the two of them too, though.
“Well then, shall we go, Asuka, Tenji?”
“Yes, Kyoshiro-san.”
We stepped outside the front door.
Right there, next to the gate of our mansion, a black car was parked. A man in a suit, who noticed us, approached with a nod, he gave off a rather mafia-like vibe.
Hmm. I took a look around the mansion after I could walk, but I guess the Hinana residence is quite wealthy, huh? The grounds and the mansion are quite large.
…Well, that doesn’t really matter right now. I’m eager to see the outside world.
Perhaps noticing my excitement, my father approached the man by the car and spoke to him.
“I’m counting on you today.”
“Yes, leave it to me. I’ll safely take you to the Kujo residence.”
“Very well. Let’s go then.”
“Understood. Please, get in.”
Saying that, the man in the suit opened the car door. In order, my father, me, and then my mother got into the car.
Wait, the Kujo residence?
No way.
In the original story, families with numbers as their names, from one to nine, are known as “Numbered Families,” and they’re said to possess the genes of exceptional onmyoji. They’re considered prestigious families.
But why are we going there…?
As I pondered this, the car started to move, and I could see the cityscape from the window.
Just as I had seen in the game, it had the feeling of modern Tokyo in contemporary Japan.
Seeing the world with my own eyes again was much more exciting than the last time, and I couldn’t help but put my thoughts aside.
“Hehe, are you enjoying being outside?”
“Yes!”
“Well then, it’s your first time. Take your time and savor it.”
“I will!”
And so, while I was impressed with the outside world, we arrived at our destination.
A mansion much larger than our own came into view as soon as we got out of the car.
How spacious is this place…? Our house was big, but it doesn’t even compare to this. You could probably build a baseball field here.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Holding hands with my mother, we entered the mansion.
Inside, there were several servants, all of whom bowed their heads as we passed by. We continued down a long corridor until we stopped in front of a certain room. The sliding door to the room was opened.
Inside, a woman was seated.
She appeared to be in her early twenties. She was a beautiful woman dressed in an elegant kimono.
When the woman saw us, she smiled warmly and slowly stood up. She then approached us and gently patted my head.
It felt a bit embarrassing… but despite my feelings, I found myself frozen as I looked closely at the woman’s face.
Oh, I remembered now.
This woman was the head of the Kujo family and the so-called “Balance Breaker,” hailed as the strongest onmyoji in the original story.
Her name was Rine Kujo.
She possessed the power to control the stars and had a divine ability akin to foresight, making her a master of astrology.
And she was also the one who would later label me as a wanted criminal.
“…Huh, your future seems quite distorted, as if two souls are entwined. It might be worth intervening now.”
Huh?! Intervening? What does that mean?!
Wait, what are they going to do to me?!
A bottomless fear welled up inside me, and I couldn’t stop sweating.
(Am I… not going to be killed…?)
In the midst of the pressure that made me want to run away at any moment, I muttered those words silently in my heart.