Volume 9 Chapter 7 Raijin
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
6 AM. I was waiting for someone at the central station of the 13th District.
I sat alone on a bench outside the ticket gate. The sound of a train arriving reached me. Passengers poured out in a chatting crowd, flowing from the platform toward the gates. Most were tourists with big suitcases.
The train was the Sunrise 13—the sleeping car that ran once daily from the Imperial Capital. My contact was supposed to be on it.
I looked over the human tide, searching—and static electricity ran through me. Rei’s reaction. No doubt. He was close.
I narrowed my eyes. Found him.
Shorts and a T-shirt—a man far too casually dressed for getting off an overnight sleeping car. Sunglasses hid his eyes. But I knew. It was him.
I raised my hand. He noticed and raised his back. He handed his ticket to the station worker and came through. We high-fived.
”Yo. Minoru, long time.”
”Yuurai. Been a while. A year and a half?”
”Since winter of our third year of middle school. You’ve bulked up.”
”Back at you.”
He hit me on the back, hard. Takegami Yuurai, next Head of the House of the Martial God family. We’d known each other since before elementary school. My younger siblings called him “Yuurai-san.”
He was a second-year at a National High School in the Imperial Capital. More schools there than in the 13th District—population difference. Yuurai attended one on the east side.
Our bodies were similar. A sorcerer’s minimum fat mass. Not because Yuurai liked Plain-folk bodies—he just had no use for fat. Dark skin, long blond hair, shades. First look: a cocky playboy. Anyone who heard “sorcerer” and saw him might think he was some weak Strong male who’d given up on magic and thrown himself into pleasure.
Don’t be fooled. This playboy was the next Head of the Martial God House. His skills were proven. After middle school, I’d been dragged into one-on-one sorcery deathmatches more times than I could count. I knew exactly how crazy his abilities were.
”But come on—a Head House member shows up, and all I get is Minoru?”
”For the Head himself? Sure. For you? I’m plenty. What time do you think it is?”
”Whoa, so a 6 AM pickup is too much? Sounds like betrayal. Should I send a punishment squad to the Tatemiya estate?”
”Oh yeah? Try it, you Head House brat.”
”What’s that, branch family trash?”
We were trading insults and laughing when a woman’s voice cut in.
”Yuu-kun~ that’s not nice~ And Minoru-kun, don’t push him~”
”Kanae, it’s just messing around.”
”Reeeally~?”
”Really, really! Right, Minoru?”
I caught Yuurai’s look and backed him up.
”Yeah. Not planning to actually fight. It’s just… talking.”
”If you say so~”
The woman telling us off like an older sister was Kunai Kanae. She’d been with Yuurai since forever—sort of like his helper. I knew her too. Her telling off move was oddly perfect.
”I didn’t know Kanae-san was coming. Yuurai, you could’ve mentioned it.”
Yuurai reacted. “No, I was supposed to come alone. When I got on the train, it was just me. But when I tried to get off, Kanae was there.”
”Eh? …What do you mean?”
”Eheh~ I secretly followed~”
Tehepero face from Kanae. Even Yuurai didn’t know… is that okay for the Head House? My silent question got a wry smile from Yuurai. He wasn’t happy, but with Kanae he couldn’t be too firm. From what I could see, the Head House didn’t seem to mind either.
”Well, things aside, welcome, Kanae-san. And Yuurai too, I guess.”
”Hey, shouldn’t that be the other way around?”
”Right this way.”
”Listen to me!”
They complained but followed. I led them to the car and explained to my mother, waiting in the driver’s seat, that there was one more person.
My mother hadn’t known about Kanae either. She was surprised enough that her voice went up a notch. She knew Kanae by sight. The car pulled out toward the Tatemiya estate.
I sat in the passenger seat and confirmed the reason for Yuurai’s visit with him in the back.
”So Yuurai, you’re here as a Head House member making a courtesy visit to the Tatemiya estate?”
”Hey, Minoru.”
My mother told me off from the driver’s seat for being too casual. As a parent, she was worried about proper manners toward the Head House heir. Yuurai spun his sunglasses with his fingers and laughed.
”It’s fine. Between me and Minoru.” He paused. “And yeah, that’s the reason. Or rather, I used that as an excuse to come visit the 13th District.”
Yuurai was just as direct.
”Originally I wanted to enter the Eighty-eight Spirit Paths with you.”
”Sorry about that.”
”Nothing you can do about it. It’s fine.”
I’d already told him I couldn’t enter most dungeons in the 13th District. I couldn’t enter the Eighty-eight Spirit Paths either.
”Getting hated by an Ancient Land Deity, lol. What’d you do?”
”No idea lol. Probably something stupid.”
What else could I do but laugh?
”Minoru-kun, I don’t think this is a laughing matter. What are you going to do?”
Kanae asked seriously. Mess around too much and she’d get mad. I answered honestly.
”There’s a dungeon the Ancient Land Deity can’t touch that I can still enter, so I’m planning to use that until graduation.”
If I could get the middle and deep layers of the Commercial District named as check dungeons, I could manage for at least two years. There had to be other dungeons I could enter too. I hadn’t tried Tamamo Castle yet—if I could get into that castle, it would work as a three-year dungeon training target.
”Our family can put in a good word for you too. If it’s really hopeless, just transfer to the Imperial Capital. We’ll aim for the top together.”
”I’ll think about it.”
Yuurai’s offer was appreciated, but I didn’t want to transfer until the exchange battle was settled. Worst case, transferring at the start of third year with all of Manaka’s group was the last choice.
We arrived home during the talk.
My father was surprised to see Kanae standing beside Yuurai during the welcome, but accepted it quickly like my mother. Yuurai and Kanae were planned to stay two nights in the guest building on the grounds before returning to the Imperial Capital.
They changed at the annex, then we formally welcomed them at the main house with the whole family. As a branch family, we couldn’t be careless with the next Head House heir.
We finished the stiff formalities quickly, had an early lunch together, and split up.
Yuurai and Kanae changed back into casual clothes and came straight to my annex.
”So this is Minoru’s ‘home.’ Mind if I come in?”
”Coming in~”
The first thing that caught the eye inside was the large water tank. Yuurai’s face lit up when he saw the catfish inside—Kaname.
”Oh, Kaname-chan, looking lively. I can give a good report to Grandpa.”
Yuurai bent down, bringing his eyes level with the tank. Kaname turned away with a huff, swimming slowly toward me instead.
”Looks like she’s bonded with you.”
”Well, I’m her master.”
I dropped in food and Kaname swallowed it in one breath. The guy who feeds her wins over some random visit from Yuurai.
”You’ve got a lot of strange stuff now.”
Yuurai glanced over the tank, then looked toward the porch. A centipede, mannequin, and clam wife were waiting there.
”Tamed them last year. Reliable ones.”
”Huh…”
Yuurai’s gaze stopped on Hinoki.
”Interesting. That centipede’s why the Ancient Land Deity targeted you, right?”
”I think so.”
”That centipede clearly belongs to the Rebel God group. Impressive you tamed it.”
”It wasn’t this scary-looking at first. Actually, it’s purposely putting on this threatening look now. Normally it’s a harmless, cheerful centipede. …Hinoki, you can drop the act.”
”Really? Then I’ll relax.”
Hinoki, standing about two meters tall with a black aura, shrunk down to about fifteen centimeters.
”…I see. Definitely doesn’t look like a Rebel God now.”
”Right?”
Hinoki crawled up my leg to the top of my head.
”The mannequin and clam wife are its servants?”
”Completely unrelated origins. They took in pieces of its power and ended up like this.”
Yuurai studied them while listening. Kanae looked like she wanted to touch the clam. I said no—she’d pet it to death if I let her.
”Alright, let’s have a match. If we trade blows, I’ll understand most things.”
Yuurai said something dangerous.
”Wait. We’re doing this somewhere proper. I don’t want the house destroyed.”
”Where?”
”Outside. Right there.”
We left the annex and crossed the grounds. Facing each other in an overgrown field with nothing planted. About five meters apart.
Kanae had followed, naturally. I’d prefer she not watch a Majin battle, but she seemed intent on watching.
”Yuurai, sure about this?”
”She’s Kanae. Cut me some slack.”
Couldn’t argue with the Head House heir. So the match began.
I couldn’t use Tatemiya sorcery outdoors—or rather, that was my excuse. I’d fight using only the anomalies’ base abilities.
”Minoru. I’m coming in.”
Yuurai put out only his index and middle fingers and made a chopping motion from above his head.
In less time than it takes to blink, the bolt of lightning arcing toward me twisted sharply before my eyes, pulled into the shadows where Kaname waited, and disappeared.
”Yeah, that’s more like it. Gotta make this trip all the way to the 13th District worth it. So entertain me, will ya?”
Yuurai still had his sunglasses on, all easy confidence. I didn’t move—couldn’t, really. He was a member of the Bujin Head House, using Thunderclap Sorcery. The ability to control lightning at will—long range, speeds near light. Without a counter, I’d be toast in a flash.
My answer? Kaname’s Lightning Rod. Using the very strange power Yuurai had sent my way to block his sorcery. This was a real case of helping my enemy out1—talk about a bad idea.
Yuurai’s form flickered… and Rei’s warning hit from my left side. I dodged and sent out a shockwave.
It met Yuurai’s fist as he closed the distance in an instant. I tried to use the push-back to create space, but the pretty boy was right on me. Close fighting, underway.
”…”
”…”
Silence. I swept aside Yuurai’s strikes, blocked them, landed my own punches—he blocked those too. He caught my knife-hand, I twisted my wrist free, dodged the chop coming down at the same time. The exchanges moved in a blur.
”Ngh…!”
I’d been barely holding my own, using Rei’s finding abilities to the fullest. But when my reaction speed hit its limit, the advantage moved to Yuurai.
His fist—aimed for my middle—I barely guarded with a shockwave from my gut. The force unsteady him, and I drove a front kick into his chest. Yuurai floated back, killing the push like it was nothing.
I fired a shockwave at his landing point—but he disappeared midair. A jolt of static at my neck.
I dodged his coming knife-hand. Or I thought I did—until his hand shot out and caught me. Locked. I tried to shake him off, but he had me in a solid hold. No chance. In that split second, he poured Thunderclap Sorcery through his grip, electricity shooting into me. My counter—force the current through Kaname, sending out the shock.
A tug-of-war: Yuurai turning up the power, me passing damage into Kaname.
Ten seconds. Twenty. Slowly, I was being pushed back, and Kaname was nearing its limit. If the Lightning Rod gave out, I’d be in real trouble.
”I give! You win! Stop!”
At my shout, Yuurai stopped the Thunderclap Sorcery.
”There we go. That’s one win for me.”
The playboy grinned, letting me go.
I caught my breath, checking on Kaname. It had sent out the extra electricity—along with Tempura, I could feel their will: We can still go. Let’s do this.
”Let’s go again.”
Yuurai returned to his starting position. Round two already? Full of energy, this guy. Today was gonna be a long one. I planned the flow of the next fight, plotting my answer, and moved back to position—
Hinoki slid up beside me, quiet-like.
’That playboy’s pretty good, ain’t he? Nice teamwork between his Inborn and his specialty.’
(And he’s got the gut to back it up—which makes him a pain. …Hey, Hinoki. Can I count on you for the next round? Full power, right now.)
’I can, but… ya sure ya wanna bring me out?’
(Yeah. I want to give him a surprise.)
’Alrigh’. Leave it to me.’
I stopped, and Hinoki came out from my shadow.
The creature that appeared was about ten meters in length. Yuurai’s eyes narrowed.
”Round two. Let’s go.”
”Bring it.”
A moment of silence—then Hinoki and I moved.
Result: Five rounds. One win for me, four for Yuurai.
We’d both been holding back enough to keep things interesting, which let me grab that one victory.
Thunderclap Sorcery didn’t just control lightning—it gave explosive body improvement too. The fact that I could even keep up with that kind of fast fighting was something to be proud of. But this fight also taught me: I couldn’t beat Yuurai straight-up. Not without a trick up my sleeve.
Once Yuurai had let off enough steam, we headed into town.
Place: that coffee shop on the shopping street. I’d thought about a family restaurant, but that didn’t feel right somehow, so I picked the coziest place I knew. Sure, the Imperial Capital probably had nicer spots, but this was the 13th District. Cut me some slack.
After our meal, the others started coming in. I’d told them to meet up beforehand.
Chifumi and Mitsuki had never actually met Yuurai before. So, we started with the formalities—Kanade included—and the usual first-meeting small talk played out.
The talk moved to our group members.
I’d mentioned before that my whole team was on the thinner side, but seeing them in person made Yuurai curious.
”Minoru, you really do go for Normals, huh…”
”Told you.”
”Didn’t think you were serious.”
Mitsuki cut in.
”But aren’t you into the same thing as Minoru?”
Her look landed on Kanade.
Kanade’s build was… soft. Chubby was the word. Not exactly the sorcerer’s ideal. And Yuurai was lean—so it wasn’t surprising Mitsuki jumped to conclusions.
”Oi, Mitsuki! Bad! …Sorry, Yuurai. I’ll make sure this one’s properly taught—no need to call in the punishment squad.”
”Man, my temper ain’t that short. But to answer your question… Kanade doesn’t need to be thinner. And I like who she is inside. No problems here.”
”Hey, Yuurai. You sure about that?”
”Minoru’s the one in charge of these kids, right? Then it’s all good. Consider it thanks for the good coffee.”
I turned to Mitsuki.
”Mitsuki. Say thank you to Risa.”
”Oh, right. Thanks, Risa.”
”! …Wait, I’m paying!?”
”Nah, my treat. That was thanks to the Naruse Estate that built this place.”
Yuurai watched our exchange and laughed, raising his coffee to his lips. The grown-up answer—he’d definitely grown this past year.
”Still, ‘doesn’t need to be thinner’…?”
Mitsuki didn’t quite believe it, but she didn’t push further. Probably because Kanade, sitting right next to her, reached over and started patting Yuurai’s head.
”Oh my, Yuurai. You really know how to make your big sister happy~”
Yuurai didn’t get mad—just accepted it, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And with that, everyone kind of understood. No more questions about those two. The talk moved naturally. That was Chifumi’s group for you—good at reading the room. Their ability to avoid problems was top-level.
We talked over tea for two hours before splitting up.
Chifumi stayed behind, and the two of us took Yuurai and Kanade around the shopping street and a few tourist spots. Not that there was much of note past the Commercial District. We stretched the walk a bit to see Tamamo Castle, and by the time our feet started hurting, we headed home as dusk settled. Just another day of summer break.
—
Summary:
Yuurai arrives at the 13th District station on the Sunrise 13 sleeping train, meeting Minoru after a year and a half. Their playful talk about head house versus branch family rank is broken by Kanae, who secretly followed Yuurai. The three drive to the Tatemiya estate, where formal greetings shift to casual talk about Minoru’s dungeon access problems and Yuurai’s offer to transfer to the Imperial Capital.
Sparring ends with Yuurai winning four out of five matches, showing his Thunderclap Sorcery and body improvement skills. The group moves to a coffee shop where social interactions unfold, showing character relationships and creating interest about appearances. Mitsuki’s direct question about weight preferences brings up unresolved tension about Kanade’s body shape and Yuurai’s goals.
—
Trivia:
Rei is Minoru’s spirit and reacts to magical energy, finding Yuurai before Minoru sees him.
The “Sunrise 13” is a sleeping train running once daily from the Imperial Capital to the 13th District.
Yuurai and Minoru have been friends since before elementary school.
Yuurai is the next Head of the House of the Martial God family.
Yuurai goes to a National High School on the east side of the Imperial Capital.
Sorcerers typically keep a certain amount of body fat for magical purposes.
Yuurai’s lean body shows he doesn’t use normal sorcerer methods.
”Plain-folk” refers to non-magical normal people in this world.
”Strong male” appears to be a rude term in this beauty-reversed world.
Kanae is a Majo who could be Lead Majo but has a socially difficult position.
Minoru is currently unable to use most dungeons due to being disliked by the Ancient Land Deity.
The Commercial District’s middle and lower layers are still usable by Minoru.
Tamamo Castle is another possible dungeon location Minoru hasn’t tried yet.
Yuurai’s visit is officially a Head House member courtesy call to the Tatemiya estate.
Yuurai first planned to come alone but Kanae secretly followed him on the train.
The Tatemiya estate has separate guest buildings for visitors.
Minoru’s family formally welcomes Yuurai and Kanae with a group greeting before casual lunch.
Minoru keeps a large water tank at his home containing a catfish named Kaname.
Kaname likes Minoru more than Yuurai, turning away from the Head House heir.
Hinoki is a centipede tamed by Minoru that first looked threatening but can shrink to a harmless 15-centimeter form.
Hinoki belongs to the Rebel God group, which is why it got the Ancient Land Deity’s attention.
Hinoki has servants: a mannequin and a clam wife (human-shaped).
The mannequin and clam wife got their forms by taking in pieces of Hinoki’s power.
Kanae is interested in the clam wife but Minoru says no to her request to touch it.
Yuurai suggests a sparring match, saying fights show everything about a person.
Minoru insists on fighting outside to avoid damaging the house.
Minoru cannot use Tatemiya family sorcery outdoors.
Yuurai’s first attack involves putting out two fingers and making a chopping motion.
The main character’s group members are all thin, which is shown as unusual for their community.
Yuurai’s Thunderclap Sorcery gives both long-range lightning control and explosive body improvement.
Kaname’s Lightning Rod ability needs to send out extra electricity after taking in attacks.
Hinoki comes out from shadows at about ten meters in length and uses Kansai-ben dialect markers.
The 13th District is thought a less important area compared to the Imperial Capital proper.
Chifumi’s group shows great ability to read social situations and avoid awkward topics.
The Naruse Estate is given credit for building the coffee shop where the group meets.
Yuurai and Kanade share a close history shown by Kanade’s loving head-patting.
Tamamo Castle is a tourist place visited during the summer break day outing.
Risa is mentioned but not fully introduced in this text.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• 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.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Rei – An electric ray monster referred to as “Old Man Rei.” He speaks with gentle wisdom and scolds others with patience. He was also captured in the wild by Minoru.
• 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.
• 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.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s 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.
• Yuurai – A member of the Martial God family (Bushin-ke), same age as the protagonist. A majin (demon god) who wrote to the protagonist about visiting during summer break. Wants to explore the Yasoya Spirit Paths dungeon together. Described as generous and charismatic, particularly liked by Riku.
• Yuu – Minoru’s childhood friend and Yui’s twin, this Futami twin is a Mid-guard in Manaka’s group. Dressed in a striped swimsuit or Jirai-kei/gothic-lolita fashion, she underwent a character shift from soft and timid to bubbly with sharp commentary. A needle-using Shape-Proxy Sorcery user who teases Minoru, she motivated the Founding Strong-Females’ plan before being eaten by the Phantom.
• Tatemiya – Tatemiya is the family name of Minoru, a pragmatic protagonist in a world with reversed beauty standards. He leads a strong-female harem with analytical detachment, treating interactions as transactions. Strained by Manaka abandoning Minoru, the family has tense ties with the Kugas. Associated with a symbolic residential gate, the name connects to Manaka’s father’s social circle.
• Kanae – The homeroom teacher for Minoru’s class.
• 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.
• 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.
• Kaname – A proud catfish monster with golden curled hair who considers herself the leader of all monsters serving Minoru. She was given to the Tatemiya estate from the Takemani head house as a growth blessing when Minoru was small and has lived there for over a decade. She speaks in refined ojousama speech and initially clashed with Tempura but eventually developed romantic feelings for him. Mentioned as being with Tempura.
• 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.
• Tempura – A pistol shrimp monster captured in the wild by Minoru. Despite being a former stray, he has won their master’s favor. He serves as the instructor for younger monsters and maintains a gruff but caring demeanor. He is in a romantic relationship with Kaname. A senior monster who scolds Kram for skipping sorcery training. She is mentioned as being holed up with Kaname-chan.
• 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.
• Kanade – Female companion of Yurai. Chubby build. Affectionate and warm personality. Treats Yurai like a younger brother. Has a close history with Yurai. Uses older-sister speech patterns.
• 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.
• 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.
• Majo – A member of Minoru’s group whose presence is noted to be vital for success.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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