章 18: Chapter 18: The Exorcist Families
A good day starts with a beating.
Li Xiang woke up from his memories, taking a deep breath as his tense body gradually relaxed, returning to the real world. He was getting used to it... or not!
He wasn't a masochist, so how could he possibly get used to this?
Sitting up, Li Xiang felt no fatigue despite spending the entire night in the Land of Shadows. If this had happened in the past, he would have been thrilled. After all, as a night owl who often stayed up all night, waking up the next day was always painful.
[Demonic Realm Spearmanship 35/100]
Victory was within reach! Li Xiang silently cheered himself on.
"Wait, wait, wait... wait, wait..."
"What's that sound?"
Li Xiang turned toward the source and realized it was his phone ringing. It had been a week since it last rang, and he had almost forgotten he even had it.
"Hello?"
Li Xiang fished his phone out from under the sheets and pressed the answer button.
"Li Xiang, are you on Sla Street?"
"Yes, I'm in the Modern Magecraft Theory dormitory. I just woke up. What's up? Is there a mission?"
"Yeah, there's a task," came Hishiri Adashino's voice, cold and tinged with suppressed anger. "Fujino Asagami from the Individual Fundamentals department has stolen a valuable magical material. He was last seen two hours ago on Charing Cross Road and has since disappeared. The Law Department has issued an order for a citywide search, and everyone is participating. Because the target is extremely dangerous, and your strength is a bit lacking, I've arranged a teammate for you. Head to the E5 Bakery on Sla Street to meet up with them."
"Okay, is there a code word? How do I confirm they're my teammate?"
"All is one, and one is all."
"Huh?"
"That's the code."
"Oh, got it."
Li Xiang quickly dressed and left the dormitory.
The E5 Bakery was an unassuming brick house located in a corner of the eastern district of Sla Street. The bakery was known for its rustic, oversized bread, which tasted pretty good. Li Xiang occasionally came here.
Because it was early morning, the bakery was doing good business, with most of the seats filled. While Li Xiang was observing the people inside through the glass, someone suddenly patted him on the back.
"Hey, kid."
Li Xiang jumped, turning around to see a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes. His eyebrows were bushy and dark, and his eyes were large, giving him a simple and honest appearance.
"So young and already doing this kind of work, huh?"
"...?"
Li Xiang looked at the youth in front of him, who had a face full of emotion, and couldn't help but raise a questioning eyebrow. "And you are?"
The youth flicked his blond bangs. "I'm your teammate."
"All is one?"
"One is all."
The youth clapped Li Xiang on the shoulder, smiling broadly. "You watch Hishiri AdashinoFullmetal AlchemistHishiri Adashino too?"
Hishiri AdashinoFullmetal Alchemist?Hishiri Adashino Wasn't that anime released in 2003?
Li Xiang had seen some of it but hadn't finished watching it, and because it had been so long, he didn't remember much.
"My name's Louis Gordon. What about you?"
"Li Xiang."
"Come on, I'll treat you to breakfast." Louis wrapped an arm around Li Xiang's shoulder and led him into the bakery.
"Aren't we supposed to be on a mission?" Li Xiang asked, puzzled. "Aren't you afraid of that woman?"
"Of course, I'm scared!" Louis said matter-of-factly. "But she can't stop us from eating breakfast, right?"
Li Xiang was defeated by his logic.
"Do you know anything about this Fujino Asagami guy?" Louis asked as he munched on a piece of bread.
"From the name, he sounds like one of Hishiri Adashino's compatriots."
"Yeah, he's Japanese. He stole something from the research building today and disappeared. According to the Law Department's analysis, Fujino Asagami is likely trying to flee back to Japan. The Law Department has set up checkpoints at key transport hubs like airports, ports, and train stations, but he's been clever and hasn't shown up yet. To catch him quickly, we in the enforcement division have been mobilized to conduct a citywide search."
Louis put down his bread, wiped his hands with a napkin, and handed a photo to Li Xiang. "This is his picture. Remember, if you see him, run."
Li Xiang looked at the photo of a boy with delicate features who seemed to be around his age.
"Why should I run?"
"Don't think he's on the same level as you. He's a genius from the Individual Fundamentals department and has already reached the 'Opening' rank."
"'Opening'? That's not so bad, right?"
Li Xiang thought of Flatt and Svin, who were real monsters, especially Svin. If he remembered correctly, Svin would reach the 'Rank Up' level this year. While Li Xiang was still at the first rank, others were already at the fifth rank, just one step away from the 'Crown' rank.
"If that were all, he wouldn't be considered a genius," Louis said, carefully glancing around before lowering his voice. "Do you know about the Four Great Exorcist Families?"
Li Xiang shook his head. He did know about them—Ryougi Shiki was from one of the Four Great Exorcist Families—but he couldn't say that out loud without raising questions.
"The Four Great Exorcist Families of Japan are Asamiya, Fujou, Ryougi, and Nanaya. They're quite famous in the Clock Tower, but in recent years, only the Ryougi family has remained prominent. From what I've heard, the Nanaya family was wiped out, the Fujou family has only one or two survivors, and the Asamiya family, which mixed with monsters as guardians, has had its bloodline deteriorate, becoming a hybrid of humans and monsters."
"So you're saying Fujino Asagami is from one of the Four Great Exorcist Families and possesses the power of monsters?"
"Exactly. The 'Opening' rank isn't the issue—the problem is his bloodline. If his monster blood goes out of control, it could cause a significant disaster."
The 'Opening' rank isn't the problem; you've clearly never seen Gudako in action.
Li Xiang frowned. "If he's so dangerous, why was he allowed into the Clock Tower?"
"Arrogance, I suppose," Louis sighed. "Most mages are proud, with traits inherited from medieval nobility. When it comes to things like monsters, their first instinct isn't to destroy them but to study them. Maybe they just don't see monsters as dangerous."
Li Xiang nodded, thinking of how someone like Kayneth fit that description. It seemed that most mages in the Clock Tower, except for a few from Fuyuki City's prestigious families, shared this attitude.
"I remember Hishiri Adashino said Fujino Asagami stole a valuable magical material, but you didn't mention what it was."
Louis suddenly fell silent, then after a moment, he smiled bitterly. "You're putting me in a tough spot, comrade."
"...?"
"I didn't say anything because that magical material involves another confidential organization. According to Clock Tower rules, regular mages aren't allowed to know about it—especially someone like you, who's an external member of the Law Department."
"...It's really frustrating when you only tell half the story," Li Xiang grumbled, his curiosity gnawing at him like a cat scratching.
Louis thought for a moment and then said, "Well, it's not a big deal to tell you, considering Hishiri Adashino personally invited you. Honestly, you're the first person in years to receive such an invitation. Before I came, she specifically told me to ensure your safety."
Wait, that sounds... odd. That woman actually cares about me?
Li Xiang scratched his head, unable to understand Hishiri Adashino's behavior.
"It's a dragon's tooth."
Dragon's tooth? What's so secret about that? Li Xiang had farmed those for Artoria-based Servants until he was sick of it.
But then it hit him—this was reality.
Li Xiang's eyes widened in shock. "You mean a giant dragon's tooth? There are real dragons in this world?"
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ah shi these name is confusing af
Kaya Ruri changed to Hishiri Adashino, i just figure it out
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