Today, Yamato Kuka had finished her daily sword practice and was about to change and head home, since she had no classes scheduled.
After working up a sweat, she stepped into the women's changing room for a quick shower. But she never expected that the moment she started removing her clothes, a glowing magic circle would appear in front of her.
And then… there was Yuto, suddenly standing right there.
Even the usually aloof Yamato Kuka turned crimson, a mix of embarrassment and fury flooding her. But when she saw Yuto staring at her with a nosebleed, rage instantly replaced all other emotions.
"Bastard! Haven't you looked enough already?!"
Yuto raised his hands in defense. "I swear, this was an accident! Please, will you believe me?"
He looked sincerely at Yamato Kuka, who was desperately trying to cover herself. But his words earned him nothing but a devastating slap.
This time, Yamato Kuka infused her strike with spiritual power. The force sent Yuto flying backward with such impact that he crashed straight through the bathroom door.
He should be grateful she hadn't brought her sword, Onikiri. Otherwise… given her personality, he probably wouldn't have just been hit—he'd be seriously injured.
Snatching a towel from nearby, Yamato Kuka quickly wrapped herself and charged after him, her perfect form completely shielded.
"Miss Yamato! You have to believe me! It's the teacher's fault! It was an accident—I really didn't see anything! I swear!"
Yuto tried to explain as he dodged her relentless attacks. He didn't dare retaliate, knowing full well how powerful she was.
Suddenly, Yamato Kuka paused, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes. "Oh? So it was an accident, huh? Then tell me… how's my figure? Not worse than Hinano's, right?"
"It's… really great. Even with your usual shrine maiden outfit, you—"
Yuto's words faltered mid-sentence. Yamato Kuka's charming smile immediately twisted into a deadly glare.
"You still claim you didn't see anything, you perverted peeping tom?! Die!"
Good heavens. Yamato Kuka, nearly twenty-five, had never had a proper relationship in her life—not even a single touch. And today… she had been seen naked by this bastard! She couldn't forgive that.
"Boom—!"
With a single chop, she cleaved the marble sink in two. Yuto swallowed hard. Her strength was off the charts—if that chop had landed on him, not even his half-demon body would have survived.
Dodging another high kick, Yuto blocked it with his arm.
"This really isn't my fault! I can explain! It's the instructor's spell—it caused this accident!"
But when Yamato Kuka noticed Yuto's nose was bleeding again, any remaining rationality evaporated. She launched another round of attacks.
Because Yamato Kuka was only wearing a towel and kicking so high, Yuto could just barely catch her ankle. Even as a half-demon, he couldn't help but be slightly captivated—she was a rare beauty.
Meanwhile, back in his classroom, the other students were completely bewildered. A magic circle had appeared, meaning Yuto had successfully cast his Escape Spell… but where had he gone?
"Oh, I forgot to mention, while the Escape Spell is practical, controlling one's spiritual power is crucial. The distance you move depends on how much you use. Mismanage it, and you might end up worse off than before. Just like Tenjōin-kun—he poured too much power in and ended up… not exactly where he intended."
If Yuto had been there, he would've smacked the smiling teacher across the face. That was important information! And only now, after the lesson? Ridiculous.
Still, Yuto had misunderstood the teacher's point. The spell was practical, yes, but it required a lot of spiritual power. He had assumed that as a first-year, he wouldn't need to move so far to cast it. Hence, he hadn't warned anyone.
On the walk home, Hinano looked at Yuto with curiosity. His disheveled state made him look more like a refugee fleeing disaster than a student.
"Did you have a practical lesson today? Why do you look like you've been beaten up?"
"Yeah… a very brutal one," Yuto replied.
Hinano nodded, envious, then added that their class had been a basic first-year spiritual power lesson. She herself had been praised for her talent, which wasn't inferior to children from ordinary exorcist families.
She had been proud of her progress all day. But seeing even the incredibly strong Yuto reduced to such a state made her feel her own efforts weren't enough. Determined, she resolved to go home and consolidate everything she had learned.