Practitioner society is shaken by an unimaginable betrayal. Kazura, a well-respected figure and the most powerful obsidian-rank practitioner, attempted to overthrow the five clans. His attack on Hana’s school ended with him behind bars, but tensions only continue to rise as shades begin capturing low-rank practitioners and lives are lost. The abductions seem too deliberate—as if the shades are under someone's control! At the same time, Hana and her shikigami come across more mysterious curses that victimize animals in the area. When they encounter Enju Goyougi, a specialist in curses, it seems like a stroke of good luck. He provides Hana with a counter-curse…but it turns out he's no generous benefactor. Meanwhile, Saku is posed with a difficult question: In a crisis, would he choose to protect Hana, or save the nation?