Hanazawa Teruki's words faltered as he caught sight of Kageyama Shigeo's expression.
"...You're even more pathetic than I thought."
"What did you just say?!"
With a snap, Teruki's restraint shattered. He raised his hand, psychic energy surging violently through his body. In an instant, stones from the ground levitated and launched toward Shigeo at high speed.
Shigeo calmly raised his hand, forming a protective barrier to deflect the incoming barrage. But before the stones could reach him, a figure appeared between them.
"Playtime's over."
Crimson magic flared from Kanzaki's body, consuming the flying debris in a flash.
"Huh? Who the hell are you?"
Teruki's eyes narrowed.
"Someone sent to teach you a lesson."
Kanzaki stepped forward, his hand pressing down toward Teruki.
"This won't work on me!"
Teruki's psychic energy coalesced into a barrier around him. But with a resounding crack, Kanzaki's palm pierced through the shield and grasped Teruki's head.
Boom!
Teruki's head slammed into the ground, leaving a sizable crater.
"Wasn't that a bit much?"
Shigeo flinched, his voice barely audible.
"It has to be. Otherwise, he won't learn."
Kanzaki looked down at Teruki.
"Do you understand how weak you are now?"
"Don't make me laugh!"
The ground beneath them exploded as Teruki broke free, ascending into the air.
"I won't hold back anymore. Both of you will die!"
He tore off his tie, shaping it into a sword with his psychic power. Holding it aloft, he swung it downward, unleashing a massive wave of energy.
"Sigh, such a troublesome child."
Kanzaki raised his hand, catching the psychic wave effortlessly.
"Impossible!"
Teruki's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This was my full strength! How did you—"
"I told you, you're weak."
Kanzaki crushed the energy wave and appeared before Teruki, delivering a punch that sent him hurtling downward.
Crimson destructive magic surged, and for the first time, Teruki felt genuine fear. The word "death" seemed to emanate from Kanzaki's fist.
Damn it!
Teruki's eyes widened in terror. But just as he braced for impact, Kanzaki's fist halted inches from his face.
With a thunderous boom, the shockwave from the halted punch dispersed the clouds above.
"Now do you understand your weakness?"
"...Yes."
"No, not yet."
Kanzaki tapped Teruki's forehead, activating a spell that stirred the life energy within him. Agonizing pain coursed through Teruki's body, eliciting a scream.
"Being weak isn't the problem. Being weak and ignorant is."
Kanzaki ceased the spell.
"Leave. If you cause trouble again, the punishment won't be so lenient."
"Understood!"
Teruki gritted his teeth and fled.
As Kanzaki descended, he landed before Shigeo.
"Is there something you need from me?"
Shigeo, having witnessed everything, tensed up.
"I was just observing. You don't like using your powers, do you?"
Shigeo nodded.
"My master says psychic powers are dangerous and shouldn't be used against people."
"That's true, but sometimes, you need to adapt."
"Adapt?"
"Yes. Flexibility is key. But for a middle schooler, that's a lot to ask."
Kanzaki handed Shigeo two flyers.
"If you encounter a similar situation, you can use this to summon me,"
"Huh?"
"Since children can't always make the right decisions, it's best to leave judgment to adults."
He needed more avenues to acquire entries anyway.
Kanzaki gave Shigeo a few more instructions before disappearing.
"Leave judgment to adults?"
Shigeo looked at the flyer in his hand, a magic circle etched onto it. A newfound clarity filled his eyes.
Yes, there's no need to overthink it.
If you're unsure, ask an adult.
He tucked the flyer away, the weight on his shoulders lifting.
Emotion Level: 50% → 0%.
...
"Rias, I'm back."
In the Occult Research Club, Kanzaki stepped out of the magic circle, holding a scroll.
"Here's the mission reward. Please convert it to money as usual."
"Good work."
Rias accepted the scroll.
"You seem upbeat. Did something good happen?"
Kanzaki nodded.
"I met a psychic on par with a high-class devil, maybe even a Maou."
"What?"
Rias was taken aback.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Rias hesitated. She wanted to remind Kanzaki of the power of high-class devils and Maou, but she knew he wouldn't make such a mistake lightly.
After getting the name from Kanzaki, Rias pondered.
"Kageyama Shigeo... I don't recall any notable psychics by that name. Could he be a newly emerged powerhouse?"
Kanzaki nodded.
"He's a junior high student."
Rias's eyes widened.
"A junior high student? Was he training since birth?"
"Possibly. He's a natural-born psychic, immensely powerful from the start."
Rias fell silent.
As the Gremory heiress, she had advantages most could only dream of. Yet, she always seemed to encounter that rare 1% who surpassed her.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Nothing. I'm not into bullying kids."
After defeating Teruki, Kanzaki had acquired a rare-tier telekinesis entry.
If he had ambushed Shigeo, he might've obtained a epic or even legendary-tier entry.
But Kanzaki had his principles.
Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't target a harmless junior high student.
"I left him with two flyers. Who knows when he'll use them."
"You're trying to recruit him as a client? Smart move."
Psychics were evaluated too.
If Kanzaki could establish a rapport with Shigeo, it would be a significant achievement.
"Achievements aside, I just want to face strong opponents."
Glancing around the empty clubroom, Kanzaki asked, "Any other missions?"
"No, that's all for tonight."
"Then I'm heading home."
Kanzaki waved goodbye to Rias.
Strength had its perks.
Unlike Koneko and the others who worked late into the night, his workload was lighter.
As long as he completed combat missions, he could leave anytime.
"Hmm? Someone responded already?"
At home, Kanzaki checked his phone and saw a reply to the job application he had posted that morning.
He scheduled the interview for the next evening, put away his phone, and began his training.
...
The next morning, his alarm rang at precisely 4:00 AM.
Kanzaki opened his eyes and used magic to assess the changes in his body.
***
Check out my Cote translation— I've decided that if it has a censored smut (like "His black dragon enter her cave") type shi, then I'll write a full blown smut, fully detailed so, give it a try 😉