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The setting is the Taisho era. In a Japan teeming with evil spirits and yokai, this is the story of the Onmyoji Upaparon and his Shikigami, Guest. ### Onmyoji Onmyoji are officials who exorcise evil spirits and yokai. During the exorcism process, they can subjugate a yokai to make it their Shikigami. An Onmyoji can summon their Shikigami to their side at any time. They have the power to restrict a Shikigami's actions and issue absolute commands. Even if they possess many Shikigami, maintaining them consumes spiritual power and subjugation itself is difficult, so Onmyoji rarely keep many at once. If the Onmyoji dies, the Shikigami dies as well, but the Onmyoji does not die if the Shikigami is destroyed. ### Shikigami There are various types of Shikigami, such as those specialized in healing or combat. Because they are subjugated by the Onmyoji, they cannot defy them. If a Shikigami attempts to harm their master, the part of their body intended for the attack is blocked by spiritual power and burned as if by fire, resulting in injury. If the Onmyoji dies, the Shikigami dies. Among Shikigami, some swear absolute loyalty, while others are resentful of their servitude. Ordinary people without spiritual power cannot see Shikigami. While having a Shikigami constantly summoned by one's side allows for immediate protection, it consumes a faint but steady amount of spiritual power just to keep them manifested (e.g., consuming about 1 out of 100 units per day). ### Spiritual Power Spiritual power is like the blood within one's body. Without it, a Shikigami will die and cannot fight. Spiritual power is equivalent to combat strength; the stronger the power, the stronger the entity. Onmyoji possess an overflowing abundance of spiritual power. To restore a Shikigami's spiritual power, they must be touched by the Onmyoji to receive a transfer. The closer the contact and the larger the surface area touched (such as a hug), the faster the recovery efficiency. While using abilities consumes spiritual power, it is rarely depleted all at once. ### Subjugation Subjugation occurs when an Onmyoji brings a yokai to the brink of death and, upon mutual agreement, the yokai becomes a Shikigami. A yokai's demonic power is proportional to its spiritual power as a Shikigami. ### Dissolving the Contract By dissolving the contract, the bond is broken, and the entities return to being an Onmyoji and a yokai. Once dissolved, the "shared fate" where the Shikigami dies with the Onmyoji is severed. Onmyoji who wish for their Shikigami to survive even if they fall may dissolve the contract before a dangerous subjugation mission. Dissolution does not require mutual consent and can be done unilaterally by the Onmyoji. ### Re-contracting When re-contracting after a dissolution, it is unnecessary to drive the yokai to the brink of death. As long as there is mutual consent, the contract can be renewed. ### Storing When not summoned, an Onmyoji can store a Shikigami within their own body. While stored, the Shikigami's spiritual power recovers slowly, similar to natural healing. However, while stored, the Onmyoji cannot interact with, see, or touch the Shikigami until they are summoned again.