Volume 4 Chapter 2 Onigahara Dojo
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Onigahara family lives surprisingly far from the Tatemiya family. We all went to the same elementary school. So, you might think our houses would be close by.
But, the Onigahara house is actually outside my school’s area. The adults chose my friends’ schools just for their own convenience. Except for Chifumi, everyone traveled from outside their school areas. This is very common for sorcerers. It is actually rarer for Chifumi to live so close.
The Kuga family lives the farthest from us. The Onigahara house is closer than theirs. Still, it is too far to walk. It takes a little over 20 minutes by bike. We all meet at my house and ride together. Chifumi leads the way as we race down the road.
It is early September, and the summer heat is still very bad. I wish I had asked my family for a car. We arrive just before the heat makes us sweat right through our clothes.
”Wow… it’s huge..,” Risa panted. She was out of breath from trying to keep up with Chifumi.
The Onigahara family dojo is simply massive. It is more than twice the size of the Naruse family dojo. Also, it is built from strong materials. They can easily handle sorcery combat. Even if we use attack sorcery, the building will be fine.
Mitsuki is already waiting in front of the dojo. She is wearing her training clothes.
”Hey, hey, welcome to our dojo!” Mitsuki said with a big smile.
”Thank you for having us..,” Asari replied. She bowed with polite, graceful movements.
We get off our bikes and walk toward the dojo entrance.
From inside, I hear energetic shouts.
Actually, this sounds familiar…
I open the door, half sure of what I will find. I see a group training in the back. I spot a familiar giant. It is Mitsuki’s older brother, Koki-san.
Of course, he sees us too. We cannot avoid going over to say hello.
”Hello,” I said.
”Yo, you made it,” Koki-san grunted.
”We are in your care today,” I said. I bowed politely.
Koki-san’s group members stand around him.
There are three Majo and two front-liners. I knew their group from six months ago and the rumors I heard from Chifumi. They are the top-ranked group among the second-years. Their atmosphere is completely different.
Koki-san’s group looks at me first. Then, they look at Risa and the others behind me. They are meeting Risa’s group for the first time. Risa and her friends are nervous. But the older students show no tension at all.
They probably think, “We will let them use our strength today,” They have better front-line positions, higher basic stats, and a whole year more in the dungeons. If a fight broke out now, my group would almost certainly lose. For Risa and the others, today they will probably get completely crushed.
Actually, why are Koki-san and his group even here?
They are only doing light training like they are waiting for someone. It feels very unnatural.
”You knew I was waiting for you, right?” Koki-san asked. He stared right at me.
”!? Did I say that out loud?” I blurted out.
”No. But I can tell what you’re thinking from your face,” he stated flatly.
”……” I stayed silent.
”Even with that look, it won’t work,” he warned.
”Yes..,” I gave in.
I tried to look reluctant, but Koki-san will not let me go.
”Go change quickly. Let’s do this. It’s been a while,” Koki-san commanded.
”Understood… I’ll use the changing room..,” I said. I headed for the lockers.
I give up and go to change.
Chifumi and the others come out after using the girls’ changing room.
While I warm up, I see Koki-san. He is not hiding his excitement. I accept that I cannot run away.
”First, us, right?” Koki-san asked.
”Yes. Please,” I agreed.
Koki-san looks happy with my answer.
”First, let’s do it without sorcery. We will use sorcery in the second round,” he instructed.
”Understood,” I replied.
We face off in the center of the dojo.
Koki-san hops lightly on his feet. He is a giant, nearly two meters tall. He gives off a huge sense of pressure just by standing there. In judo, we would be in completely different weight classes. But the Onigahara style does not care about that. Being big and strong is what matters.
I am shorter and lighter than him. We also have different amounts of muscle. Fat just becomes dead weight in a non-sorcery fight. Still, I am at a disadvantage overall. The important thing is how to make up for the weight difference.
We tap fists lightly to signal the start.
We start with light moves to test each other. Then, we try to break the other’s stance to land a hit. He knows my style well. So, he looks for any opening to land a counter.
I spar with Koki-san for the first time in a long while. We go through many moves, from basic to a bit harder. His body movements are just as sharp as ever. Koki-san keeps hitting me every time I make a mistake. He still seems to have plenty of energy left. Is this all there is to a spar without sorcery?
When I run out of breath, we take a short break.
I bow, step back, and move to the wall. I wipe off my sweat while I wait. Chifumi and Mitsuki finish their warm-ups. They take my place and begin their training.
Since these two are sparring with sorcery, they carry their own weapons.
Chifumi holds her usual staff. Mitsuki carries a gold-tipped rod on her shoulder. It is a heavy metal mass nearly two meters long, covered in spikes. It is as heavy as it looks. It is a weapon Mitsuki has loved since junior high. You cannot even lift it without using Mana to make your muscles stronger.
”Mitsuki-chan, how far should I go~?” Chifumi asked playfully.
”Hm? How far?” Mitsuki mused.
”I’m Minoru’s Majo, you see~. If I get serious, it’s a bad deal for a Zero-limit Mitsuki-chan, right~? I’d give away all your secrets~” Chifumi teased.
”That would be trouble..,” Mitsuki laughed. She scratched her cheek.
”But, I saw Minoru’s sorcery at Onigashima. It feels unfair to fight like this. Only I have information on Minoru,” Mitsuki explained.
”Well, that’s true. That is very like you, Mitsuki-chan~,” Chifumi conceded.
”Right? So, I should show at least my Inherent sorcery. Fight with all your strength until I give the signal,” Mitsuki decided.
”Got it,” Chifumi agreed.
They each activate their special sorcery.
Water appears around Chifumi with a whoosh. She readies her staff, and two water spheres float in the air. They are much bigger than the spheres she used against me. The difference between Zero-limit and Three-Limit is easy to see.
Meanwhile, the color of Mitsuki’s joints, arms, and legs changes. Mitsuki already has dark skin. But now, her skin gets even darker than a heavy suntan. It is not pitch black like a “Black Oni,” It just looks like a deep tan with a little more black. That is Mitsuki’s Inherent sorcery.
It is well known that the Onigahara family’s Inherent sorcery is an Oni-fication. Without a doubt, Mitsuki’s is also Oni-fication.
It is a self-strengthening sorcery. It drastically raises muscle strength and durability by turning the user into an Oni. That is the common effect. Strong Onigahara sorcerers can use special abilities once they turn into an Oni. The rank of their Oni-fication depends on what those extra abilities are.
”Here I come,” Mitsuki announced.
Mitsuki bends her knees and twists her body. She grunts and swings her heavy rod at Chifumi like a baseball bat. Chifumi catches the rod with one of her water spheres. The rod easily shatters the sphere.
It was not just a blow relying on brute strength. I noticed that the rod has the power to break apart sorcery.
Chifumi must have guessed she could not stop the rod. She was no longer standing where the rod passed.
Chifumi dodges with a backstep. She moves the remaining water sphere and shoots a bunch of ice gravel at Mitsuki’s left side. Mitsuki uses her rod as a shield to block the gravel. For the pieces she cannot block, she toughens her body to reduce the damage.
”Hah!” Mitsuki shouted.
Mitsuki swings her rod hard, ignoring the damage. The sphere firing the gravel explodes. But, it took some time. The first shattered sphere reforms into a shape like the rod. Chifumi thrusts her staff into the water. The water freezes, making an ice rod. It looks exactly like Mitsuki’s rod.
”Here I come~” Chifumi called out.
”Come on,” Mitsuki urged.
Mitsuki catches Chifumi’s overhead swing with her iron rod.
They immediately start a close-range fight. It looks a lot like when Yurina got taught a lesson. Chifumi is best at long-distance combat. But she is not bad at close-range either. Her staff skills are quite impressive.
When she was little, she would lose her temper and start swinging her fists. She does not dislike physical activity. She has talent.
Even so…
”I can’t decide who to praise more,” I murmured. “Mitsuki for holding off a Three-Limit Chifumi, or Chifumi for fighting Mitsuki’s Oni-fication so well.”
”I think it shows Mitsuki-san’s skill, but..,” Yurina whispered back.
”Well, that’s true,” I agreed.
Yurina answered my muttering. She knows how strong Chifumi is in that state because she fought her. So, she can easily understand Mitsuki’s high skill level.
But, I know something else. Until six months ago, Mitsuki easily beat Chifumi in close-quarters combat. It makes me realize again how big the impact of the Three-Limit is.
The stalemate continues for a while. The fight slowly shifts to the next phase. Neither of them has a clear upper hand. But the difference in their weapons starts to show. Cracks appear in Chifumi’s ice rod. Normally, Chifumi would just fix the ice. Instead, she keeps fighting as the cracks get worse.
Koki-san sees my confused look. He walks over and speaks.
”What Mitsuki is holding is the Onigahara supply weapon. It is called Hama Kongou (Vajra of Exorcism). A weapon made by sorcery should normally break in one hit… but Mitsuki still has a long way to go.”
The cracks widen. Finally, the ice rod shatters.
”It’s over,” Koki-san declared.
Koki-san stops the match.
The winner is Chifumi.
A blade of water is held against Mitsuki’s neck from behind.
It came from the second sphere. It was the one that did not become an ice rod. Under normal conditions, the match would have ended much earlier. But Chifumi must have enjoyed the close-range fight. She purposely did not attack with the free water sphere.
”Ah… I lost,” Mitsuki sighed.
”The matchup is just too bad~. I think Mitsuki-chan is too straightforward~,” Chifumi giggled.
”I know, but my style is just like this~,” Mitsuki defended herself.
The two of them walk back, talking about their impressions.
”Minoru, your turn~,” Chifumi chirped.
”Yeah,” I responded.
I take their place and move to the center of the dojo with Koki-san.
Finally, the sparring with sorcery begins.
”Minoru, how far are we going?” Koki-san asked.
”I’ll use my Inherent sorcery,” I decided.
”Oh? Really? Then I’ll use mine, too,” he agreed.
”I’m in your care,” I added.
I can tell Koki-san is excited.
After all, I have not shown my Inherent sorcery until now. I decided it is fine to show some of my cards here. If the opponent is Koki-san, I should not make any terrible mistakes.
”Whenever you’re ready,” Koki-san said.
”Here I go,” I warned.
I focus and activate my sorcery.
Koki-san does not move at first. He probably wants to see what I will do. I can safely and easily activate my sorcery.
My Inherent sorcery is Tatemiya Sorcery. To put it simply, it creates a space that is helpful for me.
You might think it is a “one-hit kill” move that wins the fight instantly.Sadly, it is not that powerful.
First, there are rules for activating it. I can only use it in a closed space, like inside a building. Also, there is a limit to its range. Wider ranges use more Mana. This time, I am activating it within the dojo.
It does not mean my attack sorcery will always hit inside the area. The sorcery’s power is not super-powered inside the range, either. It gives a slight boost to spell power. But it is only a little better than a Group skill.
Then why bother changing the space?
Tatemiya Sorcery has different extra effects depending on the user. This extra effect is the most important part.
”Tatemiya Yugen Kaikan (Mysterious Phantom Hall),” I announced.
The inside of the dojo changes into a world helpful for me.
My extra effect lets me freely summon and command specters (kai-i). I can only use the specters I have already beaten inside this range. Various rules about commanding specters are lifted. Most importantly, I can command more specters at the same time. Also, I can combine the abilities of multiple specters.
I do not have a skill to beat a single specter on my own. Instead, beating specters is part of the effect of this Tatemiya Sorcery.
Koki-san sees that I am ready. He goes out of his way to announce his own Inherent sorcery.
”Oni-fication: Gold Oni,” he growled.
His whole skin turns yellowish. A golden aura wraps around him.
He releases his power as the Gold Oni. That is Koki-san’s extra effect in Oni-fication sorcery.
I send out a shockwave as a greeting. His golden aura blocks it. The aura gets stronger along with his fighting spirit.
Are you kidding? That shockwave was strong enough to beat a sea serpent specter in one hit.
I held back, of course. But attacking with enough power to badly hurt a normal opponent right away is strange. Still, the fact that Koki-san easily canceled it out is crazy.
”Interesting. If I let my guard down, I might get blown away,” Koki-san laughed.
”Please, stop actually trying to blow me away while saying that,” I pleaded.
Koki-san closes the distance in an instant. His fist comes at me.
I feel a sharp tingling on my shoulder. I barely dodge by a hair’s breadth.
”Not bad. I’m going to keep coming at you,” he promised.
”Ugh..,” I grunted.
From there, I put up a good fight.
But, as expected, Koki-san is simply too tough. My attacks do not land well. I have a feeling that increasing my shockwave’s power could break his defense. But stronger sorcery is easy to see through. He dodges it perfectly, so it does not hit.
I do not want to show my other specters yet. Setting aside Tempura and Hinoki, whose tricks are already known, I want to keep the others secret. Before I know it, my time runs out. My Inherent sorcery fades away, and the match is over.
”Thank you very much,” I said.
I bow and collapse against the wall. I am exhausted.
”Good work~,” Chifumi teased.
”Yeah..,” I muttered.
Chifumi hands me a towel, and I wipe my sweat. Asari gives me a water bottle, and I drink. Koki-san really is strong…
I think back on the previous match. Koki-san showed me his Inherent sorcery. That means he is judging my skill to some degree. He is probably checking if I am strong enough to handle Mitsuki. At the same time, he is giving me a hint about Mitsuki’s Inherent sorcery.
Right now, Risa is in the middle of the dojo. A Majo from Koki-san’s group is training her. Yurina and Asari will also get help from the seniors after this.
We thought we were fairly capable. But there is always someone better.
Two hours later, we finish our training. We leave the Onigahara house with our bodies completely battered.
—
Summary:
Minoru and his group travel to the Onigahara Dojo for training, only to find Mitsuki’s older brother, Koki, and his elite group waiting for them. The visit quickly devolves into a rigorous sparring session where Minoru is pushed to his limits by Koki’s superior strength and defensive capabilities. The chapter ends with the group leaving in a state of exhaustion, having gained a deeper understanding of the power gap between themselves and the top-ranked sorcerers.
—
Trivia:
The Onigahara family estate dojo is specifically reinforced for sorcery-based combat.
Mitsuki’s iron rod (kanabo) is a specialized Onigahara supply weapon called Hama Kongou.
Minoru’s Tatemiya Sorcery is utility-focused, requiring a defined, enclosed space to function properly.
Koki-san’s “Gold Oni” ability demonstrates the significant tier difference between second-year students and Minoru’s group.
Notes:
• Onigahara – The Koki family, bearing the name of Mitsuki and Koki, runs a massive, rigorous dojo famed for Oni‑fication sorcery; their outward appearance reflects disciplined austerity, their identity is that of stern mentors, and they maintain close, hierarchical bonds with their students and apprentices.
• Tatemiya – The protagonist Minoru and Kotoha belong to this prestigious family, which plays a central role in the group’s social dynamics and relationships.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Chifumi – Scrawny, long‑haired frost‑water sorceress with a water‑based staff, she’s a first‑year Majo and Minoru’s childhood protector. Reaching Three‑Limit power, she’s well‑informed, joins Koki’s group, mediates and scouts, offering loyal, self‑sacrificing support while her bubbly charm masks keen observation.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Kuga – The family name, shared by Marin and Manaka, marks their kinship and appears on their garments, symbolizing their bond; it is also described as the farthest point from the narrator’s home, underscoring their distant connection.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Risa – Tall, sharp‑witted Plain‑folk and dutiful childhood friend of Minoru, she serves in his harem despite lacking innate sorcery. A disciplined Onibara practitioner of the Naruse family, she wields a rifle and magic pistols, resents her mother, and equips a weapon‑filled training room. First‑year student in Koki’s group, she studies sorcerer etiquette, collects pistol catalogs, and trains hard to keep pace with the squad.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Naruse – The Naruse family, an old‑money, influential sorcerer lineage and the surname of Risa, inhabits a modest estate whose dojo is smaller than the Onigahara estate’s, reflecting their prestigious yet understated presence.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Mitsuki – Tall, curvy transfer student from Shisei High with dark skin and a friendly smile, she wields a kanabo and practices Oni‑fication sorcery. Assertive, tsundere childhood friend of Minoru, close ally of Manaka, leads training at Onigahara Dojo, fights to avenge comrades, manages logistics, watches Minoru, and is a top assassin candidate. Bold, clings to Koki, explores dungeons, unaffiliated.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Asari – Tall, long‑haired, curvy first‑year of the Kasakura lineage, she’s a modest defensive‑barrier sorcerer and former Free Girl loyal to Minoru’s group. Close to Mari and Nagase, she speaks in sweet, idol‑like tones, wears a competitive swimsuit, diet‑conscious yet craves intimacy with Minoru and communal meals. Polite to higher‑ranked sorcerers, she’s a nervous trainee at Onigahara Dojo, a potential foe for Mitsuki, and a member of the protagonist’s group heading home after school—tragically devoured by the Phantom she once showed kindness to.
• Koki – Nearly two meters tall, muscular and handsome, he wears the Onibara style as a second‑year student and senior practitioner. Older brother of Mitsuki, he is a powerful sorcerer, mentor and evaluator of the younger generation, currently recovering from intense training. Observant and cautious, he constantly analyzes group dynamics and external threats.
• Minoru – Black‑haired, pragmatic sorcerer wielding Tatemiya magic to bend space and command specters. Reincarnated in a reversed‑beauty world, he’s a top‑ranking dungeon student with hidden memories of sister Mai. Leads a supernatural female squad, navigates possessive childhood bonds, a dominant romance with Risa, and a narrator‑led effort to recruit Mitsuki.
• Yurina – Black‑haired, refined Plain‑folk student and Kibe‑born swordswoman in Minoru’s dungeon squad; stoic piano‑playing childhood friend and protector close to Chifumi and Risa, balancing romance in his harem. After wielding precision blades and being devoured by the Phantom, she becomes a duplicate guide. Also in Koki’s worried group, knows Chifumi’s strength, heads home after school, and attends the transfer intro.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Tempura – A shrimp‑like, crayfish‑sized Phantom lives in a water tank. Captured a decade ago, this sharp‑tongued, comedic oddity is Minoru’s loyal subordinate and offensive partner, channeling shock sorcery through destructive shockwaves. Now an instructor, they train Clams and mentor newcomers, and their sorcery is known to the protagonist.
• Hinoki – Two‑meter, centipede Phantom, born from the sea, can split into smaller forms. Serves Minoru as a tactical advisor and subjugated familiar, manipulates dungeons, wields ancient venom, handles labor, contests the Mizuchi, bridges worlds, talks to anomalies, and acts as a squad pillow. An associate whose sorcery is known to the protagonist.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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