Compared to the other instructors, who were still staring in shock, Yamato Kuka showed no surprise at all that Ren Kuroda had pulled this off.
She even knew he hadn't brought his sword—otherwise, these four Red Oni wouldn't have lasted a single minute against him.
Yamato Kuka had sparred with Ren several times recently, and in swordsmanship, this was the first time she had ever felt truly outclassed by someone her own age.
She didn't know exactly how Ren had trained before, but during their duels, he had consistently overwhelmed her. His footwork, timing, technique, and battlefield control all bore the unmistakable mark of a true master.
Her own swordsmanship was inherited from Minamoto no Yorimitsu and, wielded with Onikiri, should rank among the very best in the world. Yet Ren's swordsmanship—combined with his uncanny intuition and unique rhythm—felt even stronger.
The battle was nearing its end. Three Red Oni remained, while Ren, alone, was utterly dominating.
In fact, it wasn't Ren who was overwhelmed—the Oni were.
After seeing their companion sent flying by Ren's punch, the remaining Oni knew they were facing something extraordinary. But they hadn't anticipated the sheer gap in strength. Even when all three attacked together, they were easily subdued.
The Oni considered fleeing, but their natural advantage lay in raw strength, not speed. Ren didn't even need the Escape Spell to catch them; he simply closed the distance and relentlessly pummeled them.
The once-ferocious Red Oni, notorious for terrorizing villages, now scrambled and whimpered under Ren's fists and kicks, leaving the terrified students watching on in a state of awe and confusion.
They had been so intimidated by the Oni, yet here was Ren—a fellow first-year—crushing them mercilessly. The contrast was staggering.
Even some of the students muttered in disbelief as they watched Ren pin a Red Oni to the ground:
"What… what kind of training did he have? He's like an animal!"
The remaining Oni, perhaps broken from the beatings, could no longer muster anger. They bowed deeply to Ren, their fierce spirits subdued. Ren hesitated, uncertain if he should push further.
When he finally paused and began to leave the arena, the massive Red Oni followed closely behind him.
Everyone, including the instructors, was dumbfounded. Were these demons… actually submitting?
Previously, these Red Oni had been captured by the Onmyo Academy and were famously hot-tempered, impossible to control. And yet now, they appeared to be willingly following Ren Kuroda.
"You… plan to follow me? Become my subordinates?" Ren asked, equally bewildered, as he turned to the four Oni lined up obediently behind him.
The Red Oni nodded enthusiastically, almost like schoolchildren. Ren's expression, however, betrayed a mix of excitement and concern.
Under ordinary circumstances, he would have immediately accepted these four as underlings—they would have brought him closer to his goal of subduing at least three of the ten demon types. With the world growing increasingly dangerous, and only Nurikabe and the Spider Princess protecting his family, their strength alone seemed insufficient.
But these Oni were the Academy's property, captured for training purposes. Taking them away might not sit well with Headmistress Kurahashi.
Yamato Kuka, noticing his hesitation, spoke up:
"You're right to hesitate, but if you request it, Headmistress Kurahashi will likely approve. These Red Oni were captured to serve as sparring partners. They weren't meant to die, and using them as shikigami for real missions isn't a bad solution."
Another instructor chimed in:
"Master Yamato is correct. Shikigami are vital sources of power, especially now. But before anything else, Ren, you should ask why these Red Oni chose to submit to you on their own."
The instructors were genuinely puzzled. These hot-tempered Oni had never submitted willingly, even to exorcists of great strength. And yet, here they were, obediently standing behind Ren.
Some of these Oni had even attempted to break free of the Academy's chains before. Now, completely subdued, they seemed… transformed.
Ren leaned slightly, listening as the Oni whispered their reason into his ear:
"They said you, the others, are all despicable. The Oni worship strength, and they only follow the truly strong. By demonstrating real power to subdue them—as you did—they have been convinced to serve you."
Ren relayed their words to the instructors, who exchanged wry smiles.
They understood. True Oni respect only strength; Ren hadn't cajoled, bribed, or intimidated them—he had proven himself in a direct battle. That was the only language these Oni understood.
But the instructors, skilled Onmyoji, were not berserkers. They relied on techniques, control, and spiritual power, not raw, unbridled strength. And yet Ren had just demonstrated exactly what it meant to command respect from demons: through sheer, undeniable might.