Tokyo Ravens - Volume 2 - Chapter 1.2

Part 2 

"Huh, here? It's this building? Is it really here?" 
"Yeah." 
Tsuchimikado Harutora opened his mouth with an expression of disbelief upon looking at the building towering before him. His good friend Ato Touji showed a bit of curiosity from next to him, raising his eyes to look at the building from under his bandanna. 
The building's elegant and refined appearance clearly gave off a different style than the other buildings. 
The glossy granite brick outer wall of the building was original, the orderly window frames were painted a bright scarlet to add a touch of beauty to the solid exterior, creating the overall impression. The building presented a concise modern style and displayed the solemn atmosphere of a temple at the same time. 
The institution developing a handful of National Onmyouji, the Onmyou Academy. 
The Onmyou Academy school building was currently towering in front of them. 
"......I heard it was an 'Academy', so I thought it would be very old, and more importantly, wasn't it a historic school......" 
"The Onmyou Academy has about half a century of history, but this is a new school building just completed last year." 
"In other words, everything inside is new equipment? Onmyouji income is actually pretty good, huh?" 
"I didn't know that." 
Compared to the slightly shocked Harutora, Touji was just like always, replying indifferently. 
The two of them stood before the academy building, wearing the same uniform. 
However, the uniforms on their bodies were quite different from the uniforms of most students, as they were wearing deep, dark uniforms - the color of black plumage - modeled after Heian-era imperial clothing with some changes. 
They were wearing the uniform of the Onmyou Academy, and the two of them would be Onmyou Academy students from today onward. 
"......I still feel like I'm an outsider." 
"You better prepare your heart." 
"I was prepared to become an Onmyouji long ago...... probably?" 
"Didn't you just correct yourself?" 
Touji coldly pointed out. 
It was unknown whether Touji's body was better or the uniform was made for taller people, but Touji stood out the first time he wore the Onmyou Academy uniform. 
On the other hand, Harutora who still wasn't used to it fidgeted his body uncomfortably under his brand-new uniform. 
"Since I have the spirit-seeing ability and I'm Natsume's shikigami, of course I prepared myself long ago. Or maybe I should say I had no choice but to obediently accept my fate......" 
He unconsciously felt under his left eye as he said this. 
There was a pentagram under Harutora's left eye, as if tattooed. It was the proof that he had sworn to become Natsume's shikigami - it could be said that this was the mark of an incantation. 
Harutora and Natsume had both been born in a historic Onmyoudou family - the Tsuchimikado family. The two of them had been childhood friends since they were small. Shikigami could be described as 'retainers' that served Onmyouji, and the Tsuchimikado tradition for many generations was that branch family members would become shikigami to serve the main family. 
However, the branch family member Harutora didn't have any qualifications to become a practitioner, unlike the main family member Natsume who had showed genius from an early age. Because he had never developed the ability to see aura - the skill of spirit-seeing - he had naturally ignored the tradition that required him to become Natsume's shikigami, becoming an ordinary high school student studying in a mediocre high school instead. 
However, on a summer day - actually, no more than half a month ago - Harutora had been pulled into some Onmyouji-caused business and had lost a good friend. In order to avenge his friend, he had become Natsume’s shikigami, and had decided to walk the path of an Onmyouji. 
As the main family successor, Natsume had entered the Onmyou Academy after graduating from middle school, but Harutora had only followed in Natsume's footsteps after half a year and was entering the academy today. 
Having said that... 
"......It was really busy back then. After things ended, I frantically prepared for the entrance exam, and by the time I could actually enter the Onmyou Academy to become an Onmyouji, everything felt like a dream......" 
"You seem scared to me." 
"Can't you say it a bit more tactfully?" 
The Tsuchimikado family had actually been the apex of national Onmyouji in the distant past, but it had long since deteriorated by now, losing its former glory, duties, and responsibilities. Though his father was an Onmyou doctor, Harutora himself had lived a life separate from Onmyouji. 
Until half a month ago, when his fate had diverged. 
Now, he had transferred to Tokyo, wore the Onmyou Academy uniform, and stood before the Onmyou Academy building. The sudden change in environment - or perhaps in 'life' - still perplexed him, regardless of how much he had resolved. 
"It was really a long road to get here......" 
"But you just arrived." 
Touji's reply was as harsh as usual, contrasting to Harutora whose feelings were mixed. 
But speaking of that, Touji was also transferring to the Onmyou Academy, though his position was different from Harutora's. 
In the past, Touji had once been involved in a disaster caused by spirits - namely, a spiritual disaster - and because of the side-effects that he still suffered, he had to undergo the treatment of an Onmyou doctor...... who was Harutora's father. Affected by Harutora's decision to enter the world of Onmyouji, he had aspired to become an Onmyouji alongside him, in order to be able to look after himself. 
"We're only standing at the starting line right now, so it's way too early to get scared...... Also, Harutora, you seem like you don't get your position at all. If you're not a bit more careful, you might get 'eaten'." 
"What? What do you mean get 'eaten'?" 
Harutora frowned upon hearing those threatening-sounding words. 
Touji smirked, showing a conceited smile. 
"Listen well. Even if you're a branch family, you were born as a Tsuchimikado after all. This is the Onmyou Academy, a gathering of students from around the nation whose goals are to become Onmyouji. It's different from the school we were at before, and everyone will react immediately upon hearing your name. This place is probably already in an uproar from your transfer, and you've probably gotten everyone's attention even before entering the academy." 
"B, But, Natsume's here too. Since even the main family heir entered the academy, even if a branch family member like me comes too now......" 
"Don't be naive!" Touji firmly rebuked him, responding to the flustered Harutora. 
"Think carefully about it, what kind of position is the main family heir in the Onmyou Academy? She's the next heir to the Tsuchimikado family, and is titled a 'prodigy'. Don't you think she would be known to all and much admired?" 
"Uh, that, that makes sense......" 
"And now you, a branch family member rather than a main family member, are suddenly transferring to the Onmyou Academy - and also at this strange time. In any case, no one in the industry doesn't know the Tsuchimikado name, and moreover the name is 'notorious', so the responses won't be too friendly. Make sense?" 
"Uh, but......" 
"There will be some people there holding pure curiosity towards the Tsuchimikado family, but there will be some who are jealous, as well as some people who plan on showing their ability by defeating a Tsuchimikado, even idiots who try to attach themselves to you...... With that, there should be a few people with the thoughts 'since the main family genius is unreachable, I should try the branch family new guy' - isn't that right?" 
"............" 
Harutora really wanted to deny it with a loud 'you're wrong', but not only was he unable to deny it, he even believed that there was an extremely high chance. 
Onmyouji was a widely-known profession in the spiritual-disaster-ridden modern era. 
Even so, it was still a peculiar profession. Due to quality requirements, the Onmyouji community was closed and strongly exclusive. It wasn't limited to the practicing Onmyouji, but extended to students or trainees of this world, like Harutora and Touji who would step into this world from now on. 
Incidentally, Harutora had full confidence in his bad luck. 
"But I'm just an outsider!" 
"What does that matter, since all they're concerned about is the name Tsuchimikado." 
Touji replied calmly to the frightened, paled Harutora. 
This friend of Harutora had once been a juvenile delinquent. His exterior was callous, but he was actually a good guy. Harutora was confident that Touji would help him if he were pulled into danger. 
"Alright, no need to be scared, you'll definitely be fine, Harutora." 
"......This is the least convincing thing you've said this year." 
Harutora stared askance at Touji. The originally ignorant anxiety and confusion had all been turned into actual feelings of danger and tension by Touji's remarks. 
Even if he was Natsume's shikigami, it was actually just in name, and he had simply made a vow rather than taking up magical restraints, so his spiritual power hadn't visibly increased. He was still an outsider, just like the past. 
But-- 
"......I can only endure it." Harutora murmured, once again looking at the Onmyou Academy towering before him. 
He had already promised with Natsume. Also-- 
Wait and see, Hokuto. 
He muttered for the friend who had disappeared without a trace - but who was still out there somewhere. 

"......This uniform." 
"Yeah?" 
"I really wish I could wear it for Hokuto to see." 
"............I guess." 
For some reason, Touji only replied after a long time, with happiness, helplessness, guilt, and a wry smile mixed subtly into his expression. It seemed quite complex, but Harutora didn't pay attention. 
"Alright, no point in dawdling here, let's go!" 
Saying this, Harutora and Touji walked into the academy entrance together. 
There were two sets of automatic doors positioned in the entrance of the Onmyou Academy, with a setting that resembled a fashionable corporate building rather than a school. 
But... 
"As expected of the Onmyou Academy, their security spells are top-notch." Touji suddenly spoke from in front of the doors, and Harutora replied with an 'indeed', expressing his agreement. 
Touji's words didn't mean ordinary security, but rather a magical security spell. The basics of magic were to manipulate the omnipresent aura that existed in all beings. The aura inside the Onmyou Academy building was steadily greater than outside of the building. Though he didn't understand how this was the case, it seemed like some kind of mechanism created using magic. 
Natsume had cast magic that gave him the spirit-seeing ability when she had made the originally spirit-insensitive Harutora into her shikigami, and therefore he was also able to feel the 'security spell' that Touji spoke of. 
"Right, Natsume's place also had this kind of feeling." 
"Yeah, never mind the main family mansion, all big buildings nowadays are equipped with these security systems against magic, since there are always spiritual disasters in Tokyo these days." 
Saying this, Touji walked through the first set of automatic doors, and suddenly and immediately stopped as the second set of doors opened. 
"Look." 
"Komainu [1] ?" 
There were stone statues that looked like dogs or lions set to the left and right of the interior set of automatic doors, similar in shape and style to the komainu that were set in shrines. At first glance, this set of komainu seemed incompatible with the building's modern style, but it melded unexpectedly well with the building after a long look. 
"Uh, this is pretty fitting for the Onmyou Academy environment." 
"Don't touch them recklessly, they might bite." 
"Haha, this is the Onmyou Academy after all, so it wouldn't be surprising if they could move or talk." 
"Yes, I can indeed move, and I can also speak." 
The komainu spoke, moving its body. 
Harutora unconsciously leaped backwards, and even Touji who had been joking around widened his eyes in surprise. 
"I, It moved! This thing actually spoke!" 
"Why are you so panicked, didn't you just say that it wouldn't be surprising if we could move and speak?" 
The komainu replied leisurely, its attitude contrasting with the dumbstruck Harutora. It spoke with a deep voice, and the other komainu nodded its head. 
Touji composed himself and gazed at the komainu, asking: "......Shikigami?" 
"Correct, but don't think of us as any ordinary shikigami." 
"We are high-level manmade shikigami personally infused with magic by the principal herself, named Alpha and Omega. We have been in charge of this post on our master's orders since the Onmyou Academy opened." 
The two komainu stood tall with pride. Though they looked from the outside like two stone statues, it seemed that they had the ability to flex and bend. 
"Which of you is Alpha, and which is Omega?" 
"I am Alpha." 
"I am Omega." 
The komainu on the left and right replied to Harutora's question in order, so in other words the right-hand komainu was Alpha, and the other one was Omega. One could notice with a careful glance that there was a short horn growing out of Omega's head. 
Harutora shook his head blankly. 
"Amazing, even Natsume's family doesn't have these kinds of things." 
"What are you calling things, child? Don't be rude." 
"These kinds of shikigami are indeed very rare, and they reside here even though they're the principal's shikigami, right? Could it be that you were constructed like a mechanical-type?" 
"Oh, you're quite knowledgeable. However, having that much knowledge is natural since you are a student here." 
The komainu replied to Harutora and Touji with quite an easygoing attitude, and though it used well-knit and arrogant language, maybe its personality was unexpectedly friendly. 
"I had thought I was coming in for a company interview just now, but now it suddenly became a school of magic." 
"It seems like there will be quite a few similar things here, pretty interesting." 
Touji grinned at the Harutora who was shaking his head. 
Then, Alpha corrected its posture. 
"...We have already heard about your business, but we must complete our mission as given. First, state your names." 
"Ah, okay, I'm Tsuchimikado Harutora." 
"I'm Ato Touji." 
The two of them stated their full names in succession, and the two komainu went motionless as if turning back into stone statues. 
But, that state didn't last long, and after a momentary pause, the komainu opened their mouths again: 
"The voiceprint and aura of Tsuchimikado Harutora and Ato Touji have been confirmed and recorded." 
"Welcome to the Onmyou Academy. Learn well from your fellow students in order to refine yourselves and become excellent Onmyouji." 
Alpha's and Omega's voices were solemn, and Harutora and Touji seemed to have gained entry into the school building's magic security system. 
"We have also recorded your shikigami, but next time you will have to state your name yourself." 
But, Alpha added on those words. 
Harutora almost jumped in surprise, looking backwards at Touji and checking whether he had heard wrong. However, Touji shrugged his shoulders, also puzzled. 
Harutora turned back to Alpha. 
"Did you say my shikigami?" 
"Correct." 
"My shikigami has already been recorded? What does that mean? I don't have any shikigami." 
Harutora knew very well that he was an outsider, and it was practically a miracle that he had gotten in to the Onmyou Academy. Of course, he had never had his own shikigami. 
"Harutora, maybe it's referring to you being Natsume's shikigami?" 
"Really? But that way of saying it is too strange. Alpha, can you say it clearly?" 
Alpha opened its mouth, about to reply to Harutora's question-- "Wait." But Omega interrupted their conversation from the side. 
Omega didn't move a single bit just like before, as if its soul had drifted away, and then moved again after a long while. 
In the end, it was a komainu statue, so no change was visible in the expression on Omega's face. 
But it still informed Harutora and Touji in a carefully composed tone: 
"Our master has notified us that you two are to head directly to the principal's office." 

"Is it them?" 
"It seems so." 
He leaned against the wall, standing in a blind spot by the first-floor corridor that was invisible from the entrance, and watched the two students take the elevator with a genuinely interested gaze. 
"......How boring-looking." 
"Don’t say that, let's watch what happens first." 
A light smile emerged on his lips, and then he pulled his body away from the wall, slowly leaving.