Ninety-Seventh Spell: Higa's Story

"Following my graduation from Mahoutokoro, I became a Kōsen with the Magical Enforcement Department in the Japanese Ministry of Magic to follow in my father's footsteps," Higa began. "This wasn't just because I looked up to my father, but it was also considered to be my duty as our family is descended from Jiraiya the Gallant."

Haru blinked in surprise. "You mean that play I did is based on a real story?"

"It is, though parts of the story have been exaggerated over the years," Higa admitted. "Anyway, when my father was murdered by Warumo all I could think of was revenge. So I joined the Shimono group of Warumo's followers in order to infiltrate them and kill Warumo from the inside. But I found out this wasn't so simple. Once you join the Shimono, you get a Kurami Sword and it binds your will to Warumo—meaning he can control your actions wherever you are as long as a Kurami Sword is in your possession."

Knowing this, Haru felt guilty about not trusting Higa. "Uenō's ghost told me you were there when Warumo killed him and my stepmother, but you didn't do anything to stop Warumo. Is that what really happened?"

Solemnly, Higa nodded. "It's not that I didn't want to save them. But Warumo made me stand still through my Kurami Sword, so I couldn't move even when I tried to. That's why I was able to get to you so quickly after Warumo kidnapped Daichi."

"Why didn't you tell me that sooner?"

"I feared you wouldn't believe me. And in light of your initial shock from finding out you were a wizard, I didn't want to pile on more revelations to make you more confused."

"So if you were part of the Shimono for a time, then you must have known what Warumo was planning all along."

"I was a low-ranked member of the Shimono, so I wasn't privy to everything he was planning. But Shō-sensei, who was acting as a double-agent between the Shimono and Kōsen, told me about the things she heard from Warumo. That was how I found out what he really was, and why he's lived as long as he has. However, my cover was blown which forced Shō to remove me from the Shimono which in turn blew her cover.

"We both then took jobs at Mahoutokoro to protect ourselves from the wrath of the Shimono and as part of a deal Dōmeki-sama made with the Japanese Prime Minister of Magic to not have us sent to Azkaban Prison for our involvement with the Shimono. Then on the day you were born, I was sent by Dōmeki-sama to find your birthmother Kiku while Shō came along because she owed it to her old school friend. By the time we found Kiku, though, she had killed herself while you were still alive. Initially, Dōmeki-sama ordered me to kill you…but Shō-sensei intervened once she saw the dragonfly mark on your body."

Haru couldn't believe this and looked at Dōmeki. "Why did you want me dead?"

"Because I feared you had the Mark of Orochi, which is how Warumo is able to possess other people," Dōmeki answered.

"Then what is Warumo?" Haru asked. "Is he even human?"

"Yes, and no," replied Dōmeki. "He is a human wizard without a permanent body. So his soul attaches itself to different people and he manipulates them to his own ends. And when he's through with them, or they get killed, he just leaves their body and picks another host."

"Like a parasite," Haru realized.

"Exactly," Dōmeki nodded. "And I had hoped to use the fake Jinsei Stone to trap him so I could prove to the Japanese Ministry of Magic that Warumo isn't an invincible wizard like everyone thinks he is."

"But his disappearance after my mother's death put a halt to that plan. And then I came in and ruined the trap you had presumably set for him in the cavern."

"Yes, though we are now closer to understanding why he's so invested in you."

"How?"

"If Warumo is seeking a 'True Vessel,' that might explain why he possessed your birthfather Taka and kidnapped your mother."

"Well, he did say I was his son…but I'm not sure what that means."

"That is for us to figure out," Dōmeki said. "In the meantime, I implore you to not speak of what has been discussed in this room."

"Does this include my friends?"

"No one," Dōmeki insisted. "There's a chance they might tell others, and this could make life more difficult for you than it already is."

Letting this sink in, Haru said nothing further as Dōmeki left with Midorime at her heels.

"As much as I would like to stay, I've got some chores to take care of," Higa said. "But don't worry! Shō-sensei will look after you while you're recovering here."

"Okay." Haru said. "And I'm sorry I gave you a hard time for not telling me the truth earlier."

"Like I said before, the one who should apologize is me," Higa insisted. "But I accept your apology nevertheless."

"Before you go, Uncle Higa, can you confirm which teachers set up which traps to protect the Jinsei Stone?" Haru asked. "I figured Sabe-sensei set up the Jubokko Tree in the room behind Nuru, and Ishi-sensei designed the Wind Tunnel Trap from his historical knowledge with Fuwa-sensei writing the spells for him since he doesn't have hands. But I couldn't figure out who placed the Kokkuri-san board in the room after the Wind Tunnel Trap."

"That was my idea," Shō-sensei said. "Dōmeki-sama gave me permission to keep one Kokkuri-san board after she banned the rest in case I needed to use it for an emergency."

"And using it to protect the Jinsei Stone counted as an emergency, even though it was fake?"

In response, Shō nodded. Higa then left along Shō-sensei, who instructed Haru to take an Anti-Swelling Granule and rest so that it could help reduce the swelling on Haru's mark. So Haru did just that, and later Shō came back to check Haru's vitals determining that he was well enough to leave the Healers' Wing even though the dragonfly mark was still swollen.

"Just keep an eye on your mark," Shō said. "If the swelling gets worse, let me know."

"Do you know why it's swollen?" asked Haru.

"Probably as a side-effect from blocking Warumo's spirit from entering your body," Shō guessed. "After all, that's why Kiku created it before she died."

"How can you tell?"

"Because what you see as just a mark in the shape of a dragonfly is actually a very complex Magic Circle with tiny spells inscribed on your body with blood that's been turned into ink."

As he looked down at his mark, Haru couldn't see what Shō was talking about. "But if it's a Magic Circle, shouldn't there be a circle around my mark?"

"There is, but it's barely visible," Shō claimed and went to Popuri's desk. On it, she found a magnifying glass and gave it to Haru. "You could probably see it through here."

To be continued…