Forty-Third Spell: Onryō

"Class Rival?" Haru blinked. "What does that mean?"

"Ever since you got here, we've been neck and neck on earning points for our respective Clans," Seita elaborated. Then he scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. "And as much as I hate to admit this, it's because of you that I'm actually more motivated in class than usual."

"That's true," Nayu added. "Seita was lazier in class compared to this year. It's why he ended up taking remedial classes."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that Ryuji-Kun has encouraged you to be more active in your studies, Fumito-Kun," Ryosei smiled. "Now I hope you three enjoy your time off. You've earned it!"

After Ryosei left, Nayu looked sad. "I guess I'll only be seeing you in regular Herbology, Haru, since I didn't pass any of my other remedial class exams."

"Yeah, it would seem so," Haru realized.

"But I'll get better, Haru!" Nayu declared. "Just you wait!"

Nayu then ran off, leaving Haru and Seita behind.

"You must have inspired her," Seita guessed. "I have never seen Nayu this pumped to improve. Normally, she just mopes about her bad grades."

"I can believe that." Haru then thought about Nayu and Seita's previous interaction and asked, "So what did you two talk about when you put your wishes on the trees at the end of the Tanabata Festival?"

Blushing, Seita said, "N-Nothing."

"Was she confirming her feelings toward you?"

"I said it was nothing! See you in a couple weeks for the Summer Semester, Haru." Then Seita walked away.

The remedial students who passed their Spring Semester Finals were given a week off so they could take the time to get the supplies they needed for the regular classes they were getting a crash-course on during the normal month-long summer vacation for everyone else in August. So Haru was given a new list of school supplies by Midorime.

First-Year Secondary Students Will Require:

- Items

+ 1 Set of Paper Talismans (Blank)

+ 1 Set of Acupuncture Needles

+ 1 Beaded Necklace (Wood or Ceramic)

+ 1 Bamboo Cylinder (Black)

- Books (Provided)

+ Spells and Charms, Level 5 by Miyoko Genji

+ The Five Additional Elements of Magic by Aisuru Waka

+ Advanced Japanese Magical History by Basuke Bītsu

+ Advanced Kampo Herbs and Spices by Pikuru Sora

+ More Yokai and Other Dangerous Creatures by Furu Eru

+ The Nature of Kami by Furu Eru

+ The Rituals of Death by Shigo Kōchoku

+ Acupuncture for Beginners by Kura Nagare

"Is it just me, or are there more books on this list than the previous one?" Haru remarked.

He and Rui were in the Byakko Sitting Room two days after the Spring Semester Finals, looking out the circular windows at the rolling waves.

"Yeah, but they're supplementary to the books you already have," Rui said, glancing at the list. "So I wouldn't get rid of the books you took from the remedial classes."

"Okay." After tucking the list into his robe, Haru asked Rui, "So why did you decide to not go home for summer vacation?"

"My momma is currently on a business trip. So I'm stuck here with my siblings for this summer," Rui sighed. "And it's not the first time she's done that."

"Your mom sounds like a workaholic," Haru noted.

"After my dad died, she practically buried herself in the family business to insure that we were all taken care of from a financial perspective. But sometimes, I just wish she could be less of a businesswoman and more like a mom."

Rui's eyes became watery, forcing her to turn away from Haru. Just then, Higa showed up.

"Ready to go?" Higa said.

"To do what?" asked Haru.

"Get the supplies you need for your regular classes including Necromancy," replied Higa. "So let's get to Tateroji now so it doesn't get dark before we get back."

"Um, sure," said Haru, getting up from his cushion seat reluctantly. "Will you be okay by yourself, Rui?"

"Don't worry about me," Rui said, drying her eyes. "I'll be fine. See you when you get back!"

"Yep," Haru said and left the Byakko Sitting Room with Higa.

The two of them departed from Mahoutokoro on a giant Ōkumo Storm Petrel back to the mainland of Japan. From there, they took the M Line bullet train from Nagasaki to Kyoto where they returned to the hidden Tateroji district to purchase the new items.

"Any luck on your investigation?" Haru abruptly said as they were walking down Tateroji's main street.

"Investigation?" Higa paused before realizing what Haru was talking about. "Oh, regarding the strange abundance of sick and injured animals?"

"Yeah," Haru confirmed.

"Well, there's not much to say about it. They were all cold to the touch when I found them, and there's more showing up every day."

"Do you know what's causing it to happen?"

Higa shook his head. "Maki-Sensei has no idea, but Kagaya-Sensei thinks it might be the work of an Onryō."

"An onryō? What's that?"

"It's the spirit of a person who died violently, causing them to not pass on to the afterlife. So they linger and drain the life-force of living beings to remain on this plane of existence until their death is avenged or appeased in some way."

Thinking back to Daichi's visit during Finals Week, Haru started to fall back on his earlier suspicions about her that he tried to deny.

"You don't look so good," Higa noticed, looking carefully at Haru's pale face. "Should we head home to Mahoutokoro?"

"No, I'm okay," Haru lied. "I guess I'm still shaken up by that encounter with the oni on Mount Ōe."

"Right, I heard about that secondhand. I should've gone with you guys. Then your friend Hikari would have been safe."

"I told you, she's not my friend!" Haru insisted.

"Okay, I get it!" Higa backed off. "But you two seem to end up in a lot of dangerous situations and bail each other out."

"That still doesn't mean we're friends. Now let's get my stuff already!"

From there, Higa remained quiet as he followed Haru to the Kiyokusuri apothecary where he purchased the acupuncture needles and black bamboo cylinder. As for the paper talismans and beaded necklace, they were found at Mahōtachi's Emporium which sold supplies for would-be onmyōji.

"I thought onmyōji were basically wizards," Haru said after they left the emporium.

"Yes, they were, but now the term refers to wizards that are part of the Onmyō Division in the Japanese Ministry of Magic who protect the Manai Emperor and his family in secret," Higa said.

"And that doesn't violate the International Statute of Secrecy?"

"No, because the Manai Emperors claim to be descendants of Amaterasu, one of the Tenkara Three."

Haru was briefly confused until he remembered 'Tenkara Three' was the term used to describe Amaterasu and her brothers Susano and Tsukiyomi who were considered to be the greatest witch and wizards to ever live apart from their parents Izanagi and Izanami.

"That means the Manai Emperors are aware of our world, even when not all of them are capable of using magic," Higa continued. "So when the Japanese Ministry of Magic was established, the Manai Emperors agreed to not speak of the Wizarding World in exchange for the Onmyō Division's protection."

For a moment, Haru felt embarrassed about his ignorance. So he made a mental note to study more about the Wizarding World during the Summer Semester. He also decided he would talk to Popuri-Dono about Daichi's visits and figure out what to do about them.

To be continued…