Volume 9 Chapter 6 Otherworld Lecture
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Five days had passed since I’d been locked out of the dungeon.
Right now, I was in the middle of an exchange battle with Manaka’s group at the Onigahara Dojo.
It started with basic training, moved into applied training made for each person’s strengths, and ended with practice fighting. I lined up against the wall and watched Risa and the others compete.
”…”
Manaka, standing beside me, spoke up.
”You’re unusually distracted today.”
”Am I?”
Risa, Yurina, Megumi, Miku. They looked normal to me.
”Anything bothering you about Risa and the others? Looks the same as always from here.”
Had I misjudged the four of them? The check we’d talked about over the phone might need a change.
”It’s not them, Minoru. It’s you.”
Her unexpected words made me turn my head.
”You seemed the same way on the phone the other day.”
Manaka kept her face forward, only moving her eyes to me. Her voice was low. I turned back toward Risa and the others, matching her quiet tone.
”Heard something?”
”Heard what?”
”Chifumi or Mitsuki say anything?”
”Nothing. Did something happen?”
She turned her head just slightly, checking my reaction. She really didn’t know. She’d noticed it just from my manner? What kind of watching skills were those?
”I’ll explain later.”
”Alright.”
Manaka fell silent, turning her attention back to the match.
The two-on-two ended with Megumi and Miku’s team taking the win today.
After training, the usual Manaka-chan masterbation show started in the boys’ locker room. Manaka seemed to want to talk about my strange state before starting, but this wasn’t something to tell only her. I said I’d explain later when everyone was there and gave priority to the masterbation control. Manaka accepted my words and obediently undressed.
Today I positioned myself behind Manaka to watch. Lately I’d been wondering if it was okay for me to jerk off using Manaka as material too. It wasn’t like I was under masterbation control.
While thinking about how to push things to the next stage, I watched Manaka come. I made the Manaka-chan instruction methods better in my head.
I left the locker room with a calmed-down Manaka. Before we split off to shower, I checked if she had time later. I had Shizuku-san delay her pickup and decided to share the current situation with Manaka’s group.
Everyone changed into normal clothes and gathered in the dojo again.
I told them about our current situation.
First, the fact that I couldn’t enter Kinpira Palace. Manaka’s group looked shocked but listened quietly.
Two days ago, I’d left Hinoki at home and tried to re-enter Kinpira Palace. Sadly, still locked out. I was about to get taken to that Witch-san again, so I made excuses about it being a re-check with different gear and pulled out.
On the way back, I tried entering other dungeons just in case.
First, the Commercial District. Unlike Kinpira Palace, I could enter. At that point I thought, okay, Kinpira Palace is the only one rejecting me, other dungeons are fine. But a bad feeling wouldn’t go away. Following my gut, I moved to another dungeon.
Onigahara-san’s aunt drove me to Sword-Hammer Cave. When I tried to enter, my worries were confirmed. Locked out. Conclusion: rejected by Kinpira Palace and Sword-Hammer Cave, accepted by Commercial District.
Finally, I tried the Naruse estate’s Sealed Dungeon. I could enter.
”Have confidence. The manager here is on your side, so even the Ancient Land Deity can’t touch this place.”
That was Hinoki’s judgment. Comforting, and I had their seal of approval, but problems were piling up. Suspicion: maybe I couldn’t enter most of the 13th District’s dungeons?
”Minoru being rejected by dungeons… Sawa, have you ever heard of a sorcerer who couldn’t enter a dungeon?”
”I’ve heard of it. But not at several dungeons at the same time.”
”Same here.”
”If he can’t enter most dungeons, that’s a serious problem.”
Sawa’s worry was shared by everyone in the room.
It wasn’t written in the rules, but the groups taking part in exchange battles were normally the dungeon exploration teams. The Tower Dungeon group had no need for smaller groups. If it became public that I couldn’t enter dungeons anymore, our official reason for continuing exchange battles would disappear, possibly messing up Manaka’s group plans.
Lucky for us, it was summer break. We had time until the second term started. I needed to find a way out of this.
”First, I’ll check if I can enter other dungeons. Choices: Shirahane and the Eighty-eight Spirit Paths. If I can’t enter those, we’re in serious trouble. That’d mean I’m hated by this land.”
”It ain’t the land hatin’ you. It’s the Ancient Land Deity. And it ain’t even you they hate—it’s me. Don’t get that wrong.”
Hinoki came out from the shadows of my clothes to correct me. Since the others couldn’t hear Hinoki, I translated while asking for details.
”What even is the Ancient Land Deity anyway? I’ve searched the texts but can’t find reliable records. The word ‘god’ only brings up doubtful stories. Did old people worship powerful non-human beings as gods? Nowadays even the worst strange things are just called Great Anomalies… is ‘Ancient Land Deity’ a lost term?”
”Dunno the history, but they were called Ancient Land Deity back then too. Might mean somethin’ different now.”
Hinoki swayed side to side like a metronome, upper body perfectly straight.
”Is the Ancient Land Deity some kind of higher being? You don’t seem scared of them, and you said you almost beat them back in the day. So are gods not actually that strong?”
”You guys are overthinkin’ it ’cause of the word ‘god.’ Real gods aside, Ancient Land Deity’s just a title. A honorific for things that’ve lived a long time. Like a sign of respect for the old.”
So old powerful anomalies were simply called Ancient Land Deity?
”That’s right. Put simply, back then, average sorcerers and anomalies called any anomaly way stronger than themselves a ‘god.’ That’s all there is to it. But where does ‘land’ come from? Well, that has meaning too—it’s about the power of the land.”
”Land power…”
”That stuff you use to spawn anomaly-likes in your Otherworld.”
”Managing that power sounds amazing.”
”Nothin’ to get weak in the knees over.”
Hinoki’s take differed from what I’d thought.
”Land power, in terms you’d understand, is the flow of energy movin’ through this planet. No matter how strong an individual’s ability is, you can’t make all that power your own.”
”Huh? Doesn’t that go against ‘managing’ it?”
”All you can manage is a tiny side stream. And it ain’t that impressive. Say there’s a big river. The water flowin’ through it is the planet’s power. Dig a ditch on the bank and you get a puddle. If you know the tools and methods, anyone decent can make a puddle. That’s what an Otherworld is. A manageable size.”
”So you can’t create or stop the river itself. An Ancient Land Deity is someone who taps into a part of that greater power and uses it. Like a waterworks boss.”
Hinoki swayed as they continued.
”That waterworks boss comparison’s a good one. Ancient Land Deity decides how much water goes to each puddle. As a result, they got huge power over the fish livin’ in those puddles. They can boss around each puddle’s manager.”
”So the reason I got rejected from dungeons is because they pulled strings behind the scenes.”
That made a not-clear sort of sense.
”Question!”
”Asari-san, go ahead.”
”Is it true that each dungeon has a manager? I’ve heard some dungeons don’t have one.”
”Good question, missy.”
Hinoki straightened up and pointed one leg at Asari while answering.
”Usin’ the earlier example—Otherworlds are puddles on the riverbank. Some puddles form naturally, some are dug by someone. Whether there’s a manager depends on that. Though… even natural puddles grow their own rulers over time. Strong ones just sit in the empty manager’s seat.”
After I told this, Mitsuki reacted.
”Question!”
”Yes, Mitsuki-san.”
”If dungeon access depends on the manager, then in theory we could enter dungeons whose managers fight the Ancient Land Deity?”
”You’ve got it, demon big sis. Some managers are strong enough to reject the Ancient Land Deity’s demands. ‘I can draw water from the river myself, I ain’t takin’ orders from you!’ types. I used to be one of ’em. As for Otherworlds without managers… if they’re within the Ancient Land Deity’s reach, they probably put their own pieces to watch ’em directly. Like those Unique Variants at Kinpira Palace.”
”Huh~”
”Plus, even if there’s a manager, not all the anomalies in an Otherworld are obedient followers. Lots of ’em aim to take over. Anomalies always put themselves first.”
”So anomalies are survival of the fittest. That’s why we have an opening to use. I see, I see.”
I had a question too. I could enter the Sealed Dungeon because I was the manager. But wouldn’t the Ancient Land Deity try to cut off the power or mess it up?
”Nah. That Otherworld was originally made by me. The Ancient Land Deity don’t know where the intake pipe is, and they can’t work the valve. Meanin’ they can’t do jack.”
”Really? But you were sealed away in your own space, weren’t you?”
”Actually, yeah… Back then I was chased by the Ancient Land Deity and ran into my own space. Then they put a cleaning spell on the whole Otherworld and sealed me in there. Like I said, the intake route was made by me, so I got lazy, thought it couldn’t be stolen. My biggest mistake was that a very skilled sorcerer on the enemy side built a useful seal using the power leakin’ from the Otherworld. So I got sealed for over a thousand years.”
A thousand-year seal. When I thought about it, the time was huge. Had I let something terrible out? I thought again while looking at Hinoki, now on my shoulder in a state of playful anger.
”So anyway, don’t worry. That Otherworld’s untouchable.”
”Given all that, what about Shirahane and the Eighty-eight Spirit Paths?”
”Both existed since my time. Shirahane’s under the Ancient Land Deity’s power, so it’s probably a no-go. The Eighty-eight Spirit Paths should’ve had a different intake… but I ain’t hopeful.”
”Based on what?”
”Gut feelin’.”
Easy explanation.
”So you don’t know the current managers.”
”I don’t know how things are now…”
Everyone fell silent.
I looked around to see if that covered everything. Yurina shyly raised her hand.
”Um, so what exactly is the Ancient Land Deity’s true nature?”
”True nature?”
”Hinoki-san and Asunaro-san are centipede anomalies, right? So does that mean the Ancient Land Deity is a land-based anomaly?”
”What do you think, Hinoki?”
”I dunno either.”
”But you fought them.”
”I fought their helper squads. And those were a pain. Each one ain’t much, but they swarm like ants, one after another. Got overwhelmed by too many numbers.”
”Like a queen ant anomaly.”
”I’d like to know their true nature too.”
Based on the info from Hinoki, we talked about ways to fight back with Manaka’s group.
We decided to check if any hints for a solution had reached their families. If that failed, we’d use stronger measures. Specifically, talk to the school to make the dungeons I could still enter count for the check. Not exactly good, but these were special cases. Using family power was needed.
If it was just my group, there was also the choice of moving schools together. Like Shoji’s group—transfer to another area’s National High School and live there. We could swap with Shoji’s group to District 5, and with the Naruse connection, it wouldn’t look strange. The Ancient Land Deity’s power probably wouldn’t reach District 5. But that meant leaving Manaka’s group behind. Manaka transferring to a District 5 private high school would be hard. So that was off the table for now.
”This is where we are. I’ll be counting on your help. Sorry, but I’m trusting you.”
”I understand the situation. We’ll see what we can do too.”
Sawa and the others nodded. That was comforting.
I took a breath and raised the most pressing issue.
”The first thing to check is whether I can enter the Eighty-eight Spirit Paths.”
”What about Shirahane?”
I answered Manaka’s question briefly.
”The Head House members are coming.”
—
Summary:
Five days after being blocked from the dungeon, Minoru trains with Manaka’s group at the Onigahara Dojo, where Manaka notices his distraction. After training, Minoru explains his dungeon ban situation and Hinoki explains the Ancient Land Deity’s role in controlling power distribution. The chapter ends with Minoru stating that the Head House members are coming, setting up the next conflict.
—
Trivia:
Minoru was blocked from Kinpira Palace and Sword-Hammer Cave but can still enter Commercial District and the Sealed Dungeon.
Hinoki uses they/them pronouns and was sealed for over a thousand years.
The Ancient Land Deity is just a title for old, powerful beings who control land-based power distribution.
Ancient Land Deity controls access to Otherworlds through their low-level dungeon managers.
Hinoki’s Sealed Dungeon is safe from Ancient Land Deity’s power because Hinoki made its water intake system.
Minoru’s group needs dungeon access to keep their Exchange Battle participation valid.
Hinoki lost to the Ancient Land Deity’s helper army through too many numbers, not individual fighting.
The Head House members are coming, which is a big danger mentioned at the chapter’s end.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Onigahara – Onigahara-san is a stern, disciplined mentor from an influential sorcerer family and Mitsuki’s aunt. Dedicated to her lineage’s legacy, she manages logistics and drives the family microbus for dungeon training. She maintains hierarchical bonds with dojo students and remains involved in the group’s situation after a pickup, potentially having received word from Manaka’s father.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• 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.
• 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.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Megumi – A 162cm former District 13 student at Shisei High, she is a flexible-body Sorcery user wielding a naginata. Belonging to Manaka’s, Minoru’s, and Tatemiya’s groups, this plump woman has thick thighs, a generous belly, and a C-cup. Submissive, eager to please, and speaking with a pleading manner, she maintains a highly proactive and desperate physical intimacy with Minoru.
• Yurina – A stoic, analytical 165cm Plain-folk vanguard with a black ponytail and G-cup. A humanities student and eldest daughter of seven, she uses a katana and Severing Sorcery in Minoru’s party. She protects Chifumi, fights alongside Mitsuki, and addresses Minoru-sama with polite deference. Efficient and loyal, she trusts his judgment despite feeling unsettled by his escalating violence.
• Miku – Former District 13 student in Minoru’s and Manaka’s groups at Shisei High. Standing at 147cm with an A-cup, she has a chubby, long-legged build and a supermodel face, dressing to hide her figure. As one of Tatemiya’s “strong-females” and a courier with Megumi, she uses Heaven-kick Sorcery and leg armor. She is energetic, highly reactive, and prone to angry, Chihuahua-like displays.
• Yuri – A cheerful, energetic, and curvy Higashi High first-year student dating Shibuya. While calculating, she is fiercely loyal, even winning a third-place Best Couple Award with him. She was an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina in middle school. Known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism, she is defined by her intense relationships, vibrant spirit, and distinct presence.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• Chifumi – Eldest daughter of the Takino residence, this 160cm, J-cup kimono-clad sorcerer is Minoru’s childhood friend, Lead Majo, and trusted partner. Sporting a long brown side-tail, her bright, casual personality bridges his group with Manaka’s companions. Wielding a staff with flowing ice/water magic, she manages household admin and rearguard combat while secretly protecting him from the truth.
• Mitsuki – Eldest daughter of the Onigahara estate, this 188 cm science-track classmate has short brown hair, a lean athletic build, an I-cup, and a mischievous grin. A determined vanguard and healer in Minoru’s group, she uses a golden mace and Oni-Transformation Sorcery. She bickers friendlily with Minoru, coordinates with Manaka’s companions, and uses recovery magic for service play and training.
• 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.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Shizuku – Job: Kuga family servant/attendant; Relationship: Branch family member; chauffeur; Note: Childhood acquaintance of narrator.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• 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.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• Onigahara-san – Onigahara-san is a stern, disciplined mentor from the influential Onigahara sorcerer family and an aunt to a party member. Dedicated to preserving her lineage’s legacy, she manages logistics and drives the family microbus for the group’s dungeon training. After arriving to pick someone up, she remains involved upon learning of the situation, maintaining hierarchical bonds with dojo students.
• Naruse – Naruse is the paternal surname of sisters Anri, Risa, and Momono, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential hotel/dungeon manager mother, this wealthy old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild provides institutional support to local establishments. They reside in an understated, modest private estate featuring an integrated dungeon and a small dojo.
• Sawa – Voluptuous, broad-framed yet recently slimmed-down, this confident, bespectacled Nieda student and game otaku is an IT-savvy Shisei member and core strategist in Manaka and Mitsuki’s circles. An upper-middle tier green-manipulation sorcerer who uses a hoe, sickle, and scissors, she controls security. She is a competitive Onibara disciple who bluntly complains to her childhood friend Minoru.
• Asari – A tall (175cm), braided black-haired Kasakura honor student with an E-cup, this analytical, quiet, and pragmatic science-track strategist serves as Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, she uses a hand-armor gauntlet and Silicic Armor to manifest crystal barriers, switching between Vanguard and Mid-guard. Polite yet lecturing, she is currently recovering from mana exhaustion.
• Asunaro – An anomalous White Centipede monster who received a fragment of Hinoki-sama’s power. Known as Lady Asunaro, she resides in Risa’s body, serving as a second interpreter. Saved by Minoru (whom she affectionately calls “Prince Charming”), she speaks with a flat tone but has genuine emotions. Her name is heard during the goodnight sequence, and she belongs to a group with a large presence.
• Shoji – A serious, silver werewolf beastman and top 5th District sorcerer, he is also a male classmate in Minoru’s second-year class who greets others with informal energy. Wielding magic pistols, shock spells, and a spear, he led Ryota, Komoda, and Strong-Females through a dungeon. He manages complex ties with Kotoha and aims to rescue his relative Risa from a Shadow entity by tracking scents to feed her Hinoki.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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