Volume 6 Chapter 20 The Main House Of Isumi
The story goes back to a time just before Yuusuke and Yotsuji went to work.
——The atmosphere became tense.
The place she used to go to every day was a bit farther now, and the tension she always felt became less noticeable.
Tsukiko Isumi walked on the wooden floor without making any noise, a habit she had followed for as long as she could remember, without anyone teaching her.
She lived in the main house of Isumi, where she had been living since she was young.
The kimono she wore, after not wearing it for a while, felt a bit tight on her skin.
Because of Kagami's plan or strategy, Tsukiko ended up living with Yuusuke and the others, and she had to follow the plan.
In other words, she needed to report to the head of the Isumi family.
She wasn't very enthusiastic about it, but Tsukiko had returned to this house.
Originally, Tsukiko was not from the Isumi main house. She was born from parents of a branch family, but for some reason, God had bestowed upon Tsukiko exceptional magic talent.
As a result, Tsukiko has been living in this main house since she can remember and has been given education as a talented magician.
Although she has met her parents, she stopped seeing them as her parents at some point.
She also has never had a proper conversation with her own blood-related little sister or brother.
Tsukiko hesitated to tell Yuusuke about Isumi family because it's that kind of family.
Back to the current situation, the distance from her room to the desired room after changing clothes was terribly far. It is originally a large Japanese house called a mansion, wide sideways. Moreover, her footsteps were heavy, and it took a considerable amount of time to arrive there.
"It's Tsukiko. I have come."
When she arrived in front of the room, Tsukiko took a deep breath and said so.
Then, there was a brief moment of silence.
During that short time, she felt as if her lungs were slowly being crushed.
Even though it's a room she has entered countless times in the house where she grew up, she just can't escape this tension.
"Oh, come in."
The answer came back, and Tsukiko opened the sliding door.
"Excuse me."
Inside the room, two people were sitting.
A dry sound of pieces being moved on a shogi board echoed.
The two sitting across from each other, are contrasting individuals.
The first thing that catches Tsukiko's eye is a small figure wearing layers of vibrant kimono, as dazzling as the juunihitoe. It is not the smallness of a child, but the result of enduring the weight of a long life.
Her face is deeply wrinkled to the point where her eyes cannot be seen, and her lifeless white hair is tied up in a bun.
The eldest of the Isumi family, Isumi Kanra, who is about to turn 279 years old. She always sits as if she were sleeping, nodding softly in response to the voices of the children. She is a small old lady.
Tsukiko, like others, refers to her affectionately as "Grandma Kanra." However, now that she has grown, she is unsure how to address this terrifying yet mysterious presence.
And sitting across from her is a middle-aged man.
Before Tsukiko can say anything, the weak sound of a pawn moving was heard.
It seems Grandma Kanra made a brilliant move, as the man growled like a bear.
After staring at the game board for a while, his face almost in tears, he bowed his head.
"I have lost."
"..."
Upon hearing the man's resignation, Grandma Kanra nodded so softly that it was barely noticeable.
"Oh, I lost, I lost. I can never match up to Grandma Kanra."
The man said while sitting cross-legged and then turned towards Tsukiko.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Tsukiko. When I started playing shogi out of boredom, this is what happened."
The man with a deeply carved face like a rock eroded by rough waves has a mischievous smile. His name is Isumi Tengai.
He is the current head of the Isumi main family and a former top-ranking anti-demon official, one of the most powerful magicians.
"Oh no, I apologize for the delayed report."
"It's alright, I'm sure that granddaughter of Kagami has done something reckless again. That stubborn young girl never changes."
Tengai said while resting his chin on his hand. At the age of eighty-two, he has a body and face filled with vigor.
It has been quite a while since he retired from the front lines, but his power shows no sign of decline. Though incomparable to Kanra, this head of the family is also exceptional.
Naturally, there is a distant blood connection between Tengai and Tsukiko. They have hardly had any days where they truly felt that connection throughout their long lives, but now Tsukiko can sense it.
To Tsukiko, Tengai is both a master of magic and an unreachable wall. She had confidence in her skills after battling demons and monsters, but when she confronts Tengai like this, she understands. She cannot help but understand.
"Well, have a seat. It's finally a long-awaited gathering. I have a few things I want to ask as well."
"Yes."
There was an immense distance between herself and him. The difference that could not have been perceived like a mirage before is now clearly felt by Tsukiko.
That's why she's nervous.
As Tsukiko sat down, Tengai spoke.
"So, I've heard most of the story, but what was it again? Some case involving the people from another world, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Tsukiko chose her words carefully.
Although Tengai may say it's just most of the story, he retired from active duty as the former top-ranked Anti-Demon Official. And he is the head of the esteemed Isumi family, known for their sorcery. There are also many Anti-Demon Officials who worship him in the Anti-Demon Special Forces.
Any information that goes through headquarters would be completely leaked.
The information that Tsukiko and the others are currently keeping secret is about the true identity of the Silver Knight, who is Yamamoto Yuusuke, and also about the magic societies brought by Tsuchimikado, called "Try Order."
She doesn't know how much of Tsuchimikado's story is true, but if there is a possibility that there are people from the Anti-Demon special forces in the New World (Try Order), she can't say anything bad.
Because Isumi Tengai is right in front of her, there is also that possibility.
Tsukiko keeps such suspicions and anxieties to herself and maintains her usual expression.
As a girl from a branch family who suddenly started living in the main family and received personal guidance from the head of the family, it was not a difficult story for her to live without relying on anyone and amidst jealousy and hostility.
Now, Tengai narrowed his eyes as he watched Tsukiko's appearance.
"Tsukiko, I always tell you. You're not in training now, so there's no need to be so polite. You know, Kagami's cousin always being bragging about it."
"I apolo──Yes, I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. There is no one else here today, so there is no need to be cautious around anyone."
As Tengai said, the Isumi family was quieter than usual today.
Naturally, there are people from the main family living in this house. In broad terms, they are Tsukiko's siblings.
The details of that relationship need not be mentioned.
"I always tell them, you know. Magic is a world of talent. They are still stuck there."
"Both my older sister and older brother are overflowing with talent. We all aspire to reach greater heights as magicians."
"Oh..."
When Tsukiko answered, Tengai widened his eyes.
"I'm surprised to hear Tsukiko say something like that."
"..."
Tsukiko pursed her lips at Tengai's laughter. It was true that she had honed her magic skills so far because it was the best way to protect herself. No matter how difficult the breathing was in a certain place, as long as she had the strength as a foundation, she could survive.
But now it's different. Jillzack Luiid, the Oni, Finn, Vice and Yuusuke.
With their appearance, Tsukiko's values were shattered into pieces.
The fact that Yuusuke is Silver brought understanding to almost all the doubts she had.
A trained body and behavior, gruesome scars, and a blank period.
The environment he was in was even harsher and more cruel than her own.
If she wants to help him, if she wants to save him, she can't stay the same.
She needs power.
Not for her own sake, but for the sake of saving him, she needs a power that breaks the common sense she had until now.
"You've become more cheerful."
"Oh, it's nothing..."
"I see. I wanted to hear about various things related to demons, but I have something else I want to ask."
"What do you want to ask?"
Reflexively responding, Tengai twisted his smile in an unpleasant way.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's about the man you're currently living with, Yamamoto Yuusuke-kun. Originally, you were lovers, weren't you?"
"——What?"
Tsukiko didn't understand the meaning of what was said and opened her mouth wide in surprise.
After understanding the meaning of what was said, her pale skin quickly turned red.
"Hahaha, Kagami talked about this and that. Who would have thought it would turn out like this, under the same roof. Fate works in mysterious ways."
"I-it's a story from the past!"
Tsukiko strongly denied it in a formal manner. Tengai laughed even more upon seeing that.
"It's fine, it's fine. This age is not in a time anymore where boys and girls can't sit together. If you were from the main family, it would be different, but fortunately Tsukiko is not. Do as you please."
"I said we're no longer in that kind of relationship."
"Then, why do you try to become stronger?"
Tsukiko struggled to answer Tengai's question.
After all, it's for no one else but him.
"Well, whatever the reason, if you have those feelings, it's just right."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Aside for that, I have something that was made together by the swordsmith who once made the golden thunder spear. I wouldn't have given it to Tsukiko if she didn't feel like it, but now should be fine."
As Tengai said that, he took the pouch that was placed next to him and handed it to Tsukiko.
"It's a little early, but it's a Christmas present from Grandpa."
"Ah, thank you very much."
The handed pouch had a certain weight. Prompted by Tengai's eyes, Tsukiko took out its contents.
"A wire puzzle?"
It was a wire puzzle made up of multiple rings and bars. Anyone must have played with it once, as it was an educational toy that could be disassembled if moved correctly.
"It's not just an ordinary wire puzzle. It's a special one that can be removed by moving the rings while accurately flowing magic power in the right order. Try to solve it within five seconds."
"Why within five seconds?"
While saying that, Tsukiko lightly moved it and tried to flow magic power. It seemed that multiple pathways were prepared, and they also branched off in the middle.
The circuit also changes depending on how it is moved. Moreover, the circuit is narrow, and if a lot of magic power is flowed, it quickly becomes saturated and overflows to the entire thing.
Even if she learns how to solve it, it is a very difficult task to solve it within five seconds.
"The seal of Kinraishou, your second seal is probably the limit for now. To solve it until the last fourth, regardless of what intense emotions arise, delicate magic power manipulation must continue."
"I see, this tool is training equipment for that."
"That's right, but it's not something that can be solved with just that. It's just a reference. If you can solve it within five seconds, there is a possibility."
Possibility.
If she gives this tool to Yusuke, he will probably solve it within five seconds. Sharla, Kanami, and even Lisha, there is a possibility.
The people in that house are people who have lived in that kind of world.
While Tsukiko cherishes the wire puzzle in the pouch, she lowered her head towards the horizon.
"Thank you very much."
"I'm glad I could give it to you. Come and show me when you are able to solve it."
The old Tsukiko might have thought about how long it would take for her to be able to solve this in her mind.
But now, there is no time to spare for such thoughts.
One week.
Solve this within one week and switch to training with Kinraishou (golden thunder spear).
But Tsukiko still didn't know. In the first place, even though it was beyond her capabilities, Tengai still gave the kinraishou in her possession. After all, her manipulation of magic power, which was said to be on par with Yuusuke's abilities, was a manifestation of her own talent.
When a true genius confronts their own talent and starts walking on their own feet, how fast will their progress be?
Tengai silently watched Tsukiko leave the room.
"Well, what will happen, Grandma Kanra?"
"... "
Kanra, who just remained there, nodded quietly in response to Tengai's question.
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