Chapter 22

The next day…

"You don't have to go," father insisted. "That school was shit to begin with…"

Ryoto agreed, but at the same time, he wants to know if what had happened was addressed by the school. In fact, before he left that day, a text message was sent out to the parents about the incident, and they are asking for one parent to come to the school for an explanation.

"I can't go, I have to help Miwa with her whip training…"

"I promised Rook a hunt this morning, he needs the assistance…" father said. He sighed and decided to call in a favor…

#

Ryoto was rather surprised that, of all people to escort him to school, it would be Nanami sensei. He stood out apparently, in fact, there were parents and teachers whispering about him in disbelief.

"Is… everything okay?" Ryoto whispered to him. "Why do they speak of you?"

Nanami kept a stern look on his face, he peered to Ryoto and said. "The last any of these sorcerers heard of me, was how I died in Shibuya many years ago."

He paused and stared at his sensei who merely nodded. "I assure you, I am not the first person you have met who should be dead." He explained. "But let's leave that matter for the time being."

They made their way to the auditorium. Ryoto was stunned to see Kashimo seated among the principal and vice principal, but needless to say, no one from the school was happy to see him there.

When the students and parents took a seat. Kashimo came up and explained. "Now, I want to let everyone here know about an incident that has happened at this school… and don't deny that it didn't happen. I could feel that all the way in Kyoto!" he said and scolded the school.

"After an investigation last evening, we have found remnants of curse within the old pool area that SHOULD have been demolished YEARS ago… and yet here we are. Apparently some students and their families have been using this designated area for their own… purposes. We managed to follow the residual energy back… however… we found those responsible are dead."

Ryoto froze to this, at the same time, he saw the look Kashimo was giving him… he knew he was there?

At the same time… Lucy and the others… are dead? How did they get killed? "Nanami sensei… Marcy and her siblings…"

He shook his head. "Their first priority was you and getting you home," he whispered back.

Ryoto sighed with relief and nodded, but still, how did Lucy and the others get taken out?

"This should have been addressed years ago, just going over the scene and what had happened, we found that whatever was going on there was going on for years. As such I have been given opportunity to ask any and all students here… who wants to leave?" Kashimo asked bluntly.

Students froze and whispered about this, parents sneered and scuffled at the notion. "Those who wish to leave, are permitted to enroll in Kyoto. We welcome you with open arms, and we offer dorms for those who live long distances, however, do not expect any sort of special treatment due to power or technique!"

Ryoto's hand went up.

The room muttered and was abuzz as it did. Nanami then stood up and announced. "My student here wishes to enroll. I have already spoken to the parents on his behalf as well as determine his desires. He wishes to enroll in Kyoto" Nanami sensei said and lowered his head.

Kashimo was smiling, his eyes locked on Ryoto as he gave a proud nod. "We would be more than happy to have him, and you won't have to hide your true power either…"

This… took Ryoto back.

He KNEW he was holding back?!

The room grew louder. "What, he's holding back?!" one student behind him said aloud.

"That's not possible is it? He's already semi… special…" their voices trailed off. In fact the teachers now realize that his rank was wrong, he wasn't a semi special first grade… he's a special grade sorcerer.

Kashimo laughed aloud. "I've spoken to that young man a few weeks ago, he has a good head on his shoulders and his power has grown since the last time I spoke with him! It's continuing TO grow, so if anything, you coming to my school is going to be perfectly timed!"

"I must admit, he's very observant." Nanami sensei whispered to Ryoto.

"I will speak with you two after this, now, is there anyone else?" he asked.

No one put their hand up, they still sneered at Kashimo as if he is trying to swindle them.

"Very well then, now let me speak as a member of the council of elders in jujutsu society… This will not be overlooked." He said in a serious tone. "The contents of the pool is used to suppress the spirit of a sorcerer and or human in order to make them more susceptible to being possessed. The fact is a POOL was filled with such a substance and yet NO ONE at this school… paid any mind to it?" he asked and suddenly surged!

Everyone went on edge from this, but, Ryoto could tell, this wasn't to make those around him scared, he was sincerely upset!

"I will warn this school here and now, if ANYTHING like this happens again… I will take action. I don't care if you agree with my methods, ideas or principles. If you DARE put children in harms way like that again. I will be certain you suffer the consequences for it!"

No one said a word, no one could. He settled himself down as Kashimo relaxed. "Now then… any one else wish to join my school? No… so be it, you are dismissed."

Parents and teachers couldn't get out of there fast enough. Ryoto and Nanami remained as Kashimo approached. When everyone was gone, he sighed aloud to it. "I did not mean to out you in front of everyone here, at the same time. I know yesterday's victim was you. Your energy is in flux and I could sense you didn't have full control or access to it. At the same time, I feel you have yet to really tap into your potential and abilities…"

"Very perceptive…" Nanami said. "At the same time, if you are aware of it, why let this school be?"

Kashimo sighed. "It's all about picking battles, right now, the main threat is gone and the pool is being destroyed later today by someone I know who is very good at destroying things. You also saw the look of the parents around here, barely any of them paid any attention to my words until I got pissed off. It would be like pulling teeth in getting these people to understand and accept the new way of doing things. At the same time, to convert this many in a short time. Not possible, it would disrupt the current curriculum too much."

He was sensible. Which is odd for a sorcerer.

Nanami however kept a good poker face. "We know some who go to your school, one outright praises it so." He explained.

"Good," Kashimo said, but then turned his focus to Ryoto. "Now, experience for yourself. If you want, take some time for you, we're not going anywhere. As well, you need to recover." Kashimo said to Ryoto.

He merely nodded and accepted the invitation. Ryoto went home that day with Nanami sensei. And it was a good thing he did. His sides have been hurting all day and now he has a wicked pain in his stomach. "It's weird, I feel like someone is trying to cut into me around here…" he said and motion to his mid section.

They just got back to the domain when he mentioned his discomfort. Nanami insisted he go speak with his mother or aunt Yua about the matter.