episode_0042

Despite several misunderstandings(?), Ayoung was safely recognized as my shikigami.

After roughly finishing introductions, we went into a serious meeting.

“Having a shikigami is great, but the problem will be spirit energy.”

Yoo Yeonhwa immediately pointed out the core issue.

“In its current state, the shikigami can’t properly use its power, right?”

“Sadly, it’s going to be difficult to consistently use it in battle right now.”

If I squeezed it, it could fight to some extent.

The problem is its stamina is far too weak.

At least if I want it to last through a fight with an Oni, I need some other method.

“Even with your spirit energy, it can’t use its full power. Just what kind of amazing 怪談 [kaidan – ghost story] did you contract with?”

“As far as I know, something on the level of a great yokai.”

“…Even so. You always pick the most unimaginable things to do.”

The truth is, it’s just that my spirit energy is terrible.

She seems to think it’s because Ayoung is too high of a class of yokai.

“Usually, shikigami like that will attack the summoner, right? How did you tame it when you’re only at the trainee level?”

“Well, I’ve used some measures of my own. You can be sure there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t know what kind of person you are.”

Yoo Yeonhwa shook her head as if she was dumbfounded.

“But separately from that, this shikigami’s power is outstanding. There’s no reason not to use it.”

Cheok Jiyeon nodded.

“We still have a month. If it’s possible to strengthen our forces within that time, I think we should research that as much as possible.”

A month.

It’s hard for a person to suddenly grow stronger, but…

It’s enough time to obtain a new weapon.

To be able to use the shikigami Ayoung in that short time?

That’s almost the same as having one more teammate.

“The problem is finding a way to quickly raise spirit energy.”

“…Is that even possible?”

Spirit energy is the source of power for an exorcist.

All the training we do ultimately aims to maximize spirit energy.

Going further, it’s about methods to make the most of limited spirit energy.

“If it were that easy to raise spirit energy, no one would struggle.”

“Well… that’s true.”

Yoo Yeonhwa smacked her lips as if she had nothing else to say.

“There’s no way to suddenly raise spirit energy. It’s not like we’re using black magic.”

“If you overdo training, it’ll burden the body, which is counterproductive.”

It seems even geniuses who are famous don’t have a special method.

‘Well, if it were those two, they wouldn’t have needed to suddenly raise their spirit energy.’

Both are elites raised in prestigious families.

They must have trained from a young age or received support from their families.

Since they gradually increased their power, they didn’t need to raise their spirit energy all at once.

“Um… Actually, I read in a book before…”

Then Yoo Eunhye carefully raised her hand and said.

“It said that if you feed an exorcist’s blood to a shikigami, it’s possible to absorb spirit energy.”

“Feed it blood?”

“Yes. It said it’s a method only possible for exorcists whose spirit energy is connected.”

When I asked, Eunhye nodded and continued her explanation.

“It doesn’t raise the spirit energy itself, but only increases the absorption rate, and it’s a method that can only be used on shikigami. But in the current situation, wouldn’t it be possible?”

“…That’s a change of perspective. Our goal is to increase the spirit energy given to the shikigami. We don’t necessarily have to raise the spirit energy.”

In short, instead of increasing the capacity, it means changing the supply device to increase efficiency.

A trick limited to spirit energy given only to the shikigami.

It’s a forced method that a normal exorcist would never use in the first place.

‘Because originally, exorcists don’t even contract with shikigami that are higher class than them.’

It’s common sense not to contract with a 怪談 [kaidan – ghost story] that is too high of a class.

As Yoo Yeonhwa said earlier, the exorcist could be eaten instead.

‘I just created insurance using the fox orb and instant death.’

As Eunhye said, if it’s a unique situation like mine, it can be used sufficiently.

At least it’s much more realistic than raising my spirit energy in a month.

“A method using blood, huh. It’s a method that’s been used often since ancient times.”

Blood also has important meaning in exorcism.

Among them, the summoner’s own blood has good compatibility with the shikigami.

“It’s not to make the shikigami stronger, but just to let it be used a little longer. But I think that alone will be helpful.”

“Hmm, if we can simply increase efficiency by feeding it blood, it seems like the best method for now.”

Yoo Yeonhwa nodded in agreement.

“Ew…”

Only Ayoung had a face that looked like she was about to throw up.

I understand her feelings about suddenly having to eat someone else’s blood.

But it’s also true that this method seems like the only solution right now.

“Eunhye, you’re amazing. How did you know that?”

“Hehe… I think I’m somewhat okay with necromancy. I happened to learn about it while reading various books.”

Eunhye smiled with an awkward face.

It was a smile that purely showed she was happy that she was helpful.

“But simple blood isn’t very effective, so you have to eat spirit medicine to change the energy.”

“Spirit medicine, huh. Do you remember the ingredients?”

“Yes. I was interested, so I paid close attention. Since it’s a book in the Cheonjihae Library, we can borrow it and check again.”

Eunhye hesitated and added.

“But as far as I remember… the ingredients were quite rare? There were many ingredients that I saw for the first time.”

“…That’s a bit of a headache.”

Even when making spirit medicine, it’s common sense that it contains ingredients that are difficult to obtain.

Among them, if it’s a rare item, there may be a problem with the ingredient supply itself.

“Is it difficult even if you use the connections of the barrier specialists? A company of that size should have some stores they know.”

“That won’t work. Of course, there are connections, but this internship exam prohibits receiving outside help.”

Yoo Yeonhwa replied as if she was genuinely disappointed.

“It’s probably against the rules to buy spirit medicine directly using my own money.”

“It’s not a formal rule… but there is a line.”

If they allowed all of that, the children of famous families would become excessively advantaged.

Since the purpose is to evaluate the abilities and skills of exorcists in the first place, there’s no way they’ll allow it.

For example, making talismans directly is allowed.

But if you use talismans bought from a spiritual exorcist, it’s likely to be considered a violation of the rules.

“Well, if it’s an item that’s commonly sold in general stores, it can be considered ‘preparation.’ But if it’s a rare ingredient that needs to be ordered, the story is different.”

“…Then we have to get those ingredients ourselves.”

What Cheonjihae values ​​is ultimately the fairness of the preparation process.

If we get the ingredients ourselves and make the spirit medicine directly, there’s no problem.

‘Suddenly, I have to go get spirit medicine ingredients.’

I was just trying to prepare as much as possible for the internship exam.

It feels like playing a game where quests are linked.

“Then let’s borrow the book first and find out information about those ingredients.”

“That’s a good idea.”

We nodded at the same time.

There are still problems and a lot of work to do, but…

Exam preparation was progressing steadily in its own way.

****

“Hmm, they’re doing something interesting.”

Han Sujin, a lecturer at Cheonjihae, held a document in her hand and smiled pleasantly.

It was an external activity plan that had been submitted to her in advance.

According to regulations, Cheonjihae employees are also allowed to engage in external activities outside of work.

Instead, they must submit a report on what they are doing and how they are proceeding.

“They want to search and gather outside to obtain spirit medicine ingredients.”

And the team of Nam Dohyung, a trainee and also the top student, submitted an external activity report.

‘I don’t know what their plan is, but it seems they needed spirit medicine. But if they order it, it’ll be a violation of the regulations…’

Receiving outside help is prohibited in this internship exam.

It’s natural since it’s a place for evaluating trainees.

But if they’re going to procure the ingredients and make them themselves, the story is different.

That’s not receiving outside ‘help,’ so there’s a loophole.

‘Maybe they submitted a report in advance to get permission in case something happens.’

Even if they’re trainees, they usually don’t do this much.

At best, they coordinate with each other and come up with strategies.

They’re going to procure the ingredients for spirit medicine and make it themselves to fill what they lack.

There were few trainees who showed this much sincerity.

‘I didn’t think they’d prepare this much.’

It’s not like Nam Dohyung’s party lacks power.

It’s a party where the top and second-place students are gathered, so there’s no way that’s the case.

The other members are the same.

Yoo Yeonhwa, who is a barrier specialist, is the best in defense among all the trainees.

Yoo Eunhye was also a trainee with outstanding skills, even though she didn’t stand out compared to the other three.

In fact, they were virtually the strongest team in this group.

“So much so that there were even talks about fairness internally.”

In the end, it was decided to appropriately strengthen the Oni they would face.

They said that forming a team was also an individual’s ability.

It was also a problem to force a breakup now, bringing up fairness.

Anyway, it’s a team called the best force in many ways.

Seeing them not being complacent and preparing the hardest makes the instructor smile.

‘Does that mean they’re going to do their best that much? They must want to pass this exam and quickly become interns.’

Personally, I’m also interested in this trainee, Nam Dohyung.

He’s a man I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of performance he’ll show.

‘…Maybe I’m not the only one who thinks this.’

The top student who receives particularly special attention in this class, which is said to have gathered geniuses.

If he becomes a full-time employee, it will surely cause a big ripple in Cheonjihae in many ways.

“Anyway, there’s no reason to prevent this.”

Han Sujin stamped her seal on the plan and passed it.

I wonder what they’re trying to prepare by going this far.

I’m already starting to look forward to the performance of Nam Dohyung and the others.