Zongman: The post-2D era

However, the low roar of the mysterious train still echoed in the air, as if it had crossed the boundaries of time and space and brought the call of ancient times to the present.

Accelerator frowned and stared at Feng Feng sharply: "Why are you so obsessed with Utopia? What is hidden there?"

Feng Feng's lips curled up into a complicated smile, his eyes as deep as the night sky:

“Utopia is the other side where dreams and reality intertwine, a place of freedom beyond all constraints and rules. I long to find it, not only to seek answers, but also to…liberate myself.”

Feng Feng stopped and turned his back to the metal door. The light shone through the narrow door onto his shoulders, giving him a layer of silver.

"Hey, third-rate villain, is Utopia your home or where you're going back to?"

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes concealing an imperceptible tenderness and sadness, and answered softly:

“Utopia may have been my home, a place where my soul can rest. But now, it is more like an unfinished pursuit, leading me through endless darkness and loneliness.”

His words echoed softly in the air. Accelerator looked at his lonely back, and an inexplicable feeling of sadness welled up in his heart.

That back figure, illuminated by the moonlight, really looked like a child who was lost in a vast crowd but still moving forward stubbornly.

Chapter 881: Daiba Star Festival

Wednesday, November 30

In the real world's Academy City, notices of the one-day countdown to the Daihastar Festival are everywhere.

Students and office workers on the street began to discuss the candidates for the Daihaxing Festival.

At the Heart Realm Morning Light Second Research Center, Accelerator and Morning Light Wei stared at Feng Feng on the screen and looked at each other in bewilderment.

On the screen, Feng Feng stared at Misaka Mikoto expressionlessly and complained: "Why should I defeat you at the Daihastar Festival?"

"You captured Accelerator and you want my help. This can't be a good thing! The condition for me to help you is that you defeat me."

Feng Feng looked around and saw busy staff members making intensive preparations at their respective posts, their eyes flickering with anticipation for the Daibaxing Festival.

Students gathered in groups of three or five, excitedly discussing the exciting match that was about to take place, and some even took out their mobile phones to record the moment.

Tourists and parents who had flocked to the Academy City in advance also gathered around curiously. Some of them didn't even know Misaka Mikoto, but they were also excited by this sudden confrontation.

Feng Feng took a deep breath and looked at Misaka Mikoto, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "Misaka-san, can't you change the conditions? For example... let me help you find a lost hairpin?"

Feng Feng was dragged through the crowd by Misaka Mikoto without any explanation. The two's movements were swift and abrupt, instantly causing a small commotion in the crowd.

The eyes of onlookers followed closely like spotlights, and whispers rose and fell.

Feng Feng walked steadily but glanced around alertly, always ready to deal with possible emergencies, especially wary of a sudden attack from a familiar figure - Shirai Kuroko's flying kick was what he feared the most at the moment.

Misaka Mikoto smiled brightly, as if she didn't care about the situation at all. She whispered in Feng Feng's ear:

"Don't worry about Heizi. She's busy as a top right now. She doesn't have time to join in the fun."

As she spoke, her eyes flickered with a hint of teasing and confidence.

Misaka Mikoto pulled Feng Feng through the streets decorated with the flags of the Daihaxing Festival. The two were surrounded by enthusiastic students and came to a huge mascot.

The mascot was wearing ribbons and had a big smile on his face. Students lined up to take photos with him.

Misaka Mikoto winked at the mascot playfully, pulled Feng Feng to the front, and with a click, the smiles of the two were frozen in the camera.

Afterwards, they came to the Security Committee Branch. Shirai Kuroko was busy there, and when she saw them coming, her face changed drastically and she ran away.

After a burst of complaints and jokes, Misaka Mikoto proudly pulled Feng Feng to a vending machine.

She kicked sideways, and her safety pants were faintly visible under her school uniform skirt, and the canned drink rolled out.

She raised her eyebrows and looked at Feng Feng: "Learn from this, this is my unique skill."

As she spoke, she instructed Feng Feng to get into position, and after a crisp sound, Feng Feng successfully kicked out the drink.

Misaka Mikoto pulled Feng Feng and the two of them sat together on a white stone bench by the roadside. The sunlight shone through the sparse clouds, casting patches of light on them.

Misaka Mikoto took out the photo of herself with the mascot from her pocket and handed it to Feng Feng. The smiles of the two people in the photo looked particularly bright in the sunlight.

She tilted her head and asked playfully, "How was it? Did you have fun today? You looked a little serious the whole time. Are you still worried about the Daiba Star Festival?"

A breeze blew by, lifting a few strands of hair in front of her forehead and making them flutter gently.

Feng Feng took the photo, looked at it carefully, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, and he said softly: "Not bad, at least... I feel comfortable with you around."

Misaka Mikoto's eyes suddenly became sharp, and she leaned forward slightly, as if to see through Feng Feng's heart:

"Feng Feng, have you been doing something you shouldn't be doing recently? I always feel like you're a little absent-minded."

Feng Feng was stunned for a moment, then his eyes flickered, as if he was weighing how much to say.

The students around them were still bustling with activity, but their little world seemed to have been muted, with a silence all around.

Seeing this, Misaka Mikoto gently patted Feng Feng's shoulder with a warm smile on her lips:

"Forget it, no matter what you are busy with, today is the last day before the Daiba Star Festival, just relax and enjoy the excitement! Don't let your worries ruin our good mood."

Misaka Mikoto's cell phone rang suddenly in the noise. She picked up the call and a gentle smile instantly bloomed on her face. It was the warmth that belonged only to her mother.

Feng Feng listened quietly at the side, and caught a glimpse of the warm daily life between Misaka Mikoto and her mother from their words. The corners of his mouth rose involuntarily, and a warm feeling inexplicably surged in his heart.

After the call ended, Misaka Mikoto sighed softly, then put her arm around Feng Feng's shoulders, with a helpless expression on her face:

"Feng Feng, my mother said she wants to come to the Daiba Star Festival as well. She said she wants to see with her own eyes how I, the 'legendary electric princess', shine in the competition."

After saying this, she blinked mischievously and shrugged her shoulders pretending to be helpless, but her eyes were shining with anticipation and excitement, as if what was coming was not only a visit from her mother, but also a feast of dreams and glory.

Feng Feng looked at Misaka Mikoto, a playful smile appeared on his lips, and he asked softly: "Does your mother want to meet the boyfriend you brought with you?"

When Misaka Mikoto heard this, her face turned numb for a moment, as if she was slightly touched by an electric current. She subconsciously let go of her hand that was around Feng Feng's shoulder. Her eyes wandered for a moment, and then quickly returned to normal.

She coughed lightly, trying to cover up her gaffe, and then talked excitedly about the Daiha Star Festival competition: "Speaking of which, I am determined to win this competition, just wait and see."

"Mom, just watch me show off my skills in the arena and let everyone know that the title of 'Electric Princess' is not undeserved!"

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with confidence, as if she was already in the middle of the fierce competition.

Misaka Mikoto stared at Feng Feng's sincere eyes, with a playful smile on her lips, but her eyes revealed a seriousness that could not be ignored:

"Feng Feng, this Throne Gate Project you mentioned sounds quite interesting. But if you want me to join, you have to show some sincerity."

She crossed her arms, her eyes gleaming with a challenging light, "If you can beat me in the Daiba Star Festival, I will not only help you, but also give you an extra surprise. How about it, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

The sunlight shone on her confident face, and her golden hair danced in the wind, as if even the air was filled with tension and anticipation because of her challenge.

"But if you lose, you have to promise me to give up this plan. I love my mother, the excitement of the Daihastar Festival, and our daily life!"

"But don't worry, it doesn't matter if you lose. Mom and I will comfort you at the party after the game!"

Chapter 882 The Cross of the Saints

Thursday, December 1

In the real world's Academy City, the announcement of the Daihastar Festival and the passionate voices of young people spread throughout the city.

Students from various schools and tourists were discussing the contestants and events of the Daihaxing Festival.

At the Heart Realm Morning Light Second Research Center, Accelerator and Morning Light Yui were still watching Feng Feng on the screen.

On the screen, Feng Feng finished the 1,000-meter relay with Kamijou Touma, leaning on his knees and panting.

Feng Feng took the bottle of mineral water handed to him by Teacher Xiao Meng, his fingers trembling slightly, as if the water in the bottle also carried the joy of victory and the comfort after exhaustion.

He unscrewed the bottle cap suddenly, and clear water droplets jumped out, splashing on the dry ground and were instantly swallowed up by the heat wave.

He raised his head and swallowed with big gulps. Water dripped down his chin and dripped into his clothes, but he didn't care. His eyes passed through the gaps in the crowd and fell on the glittering Tokiwadai Middle School ranking on the big screen. An indescribable warmth surged in his heart.

Under the familiar name of Tokiwadai, which ranks first, he seemed to really see Misaka Mikoto's proud yet gentle smile. In the interweaving of light and shadow, it was so real and yet so distant.

Feng Feng had just caught his breath when Kamijou Touma beside him unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and gulped down most of it. He wiped the water stains from the corners of his mouth and looked at Tokiwadai's ranking. He looked at Feng Feng with a bit of amusement:

"Hey, let me tell you, are you betting with that Misaka Mikoto again? She always comes up with something new during the Daihastari Festival."

As he spoke, he swiped his finger and the screen slid to the bottom. The second to last position was clearly visible. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Look at my classmates who are not doing well. Our school is going to be at the bottom again. It's really a headache."

Feng Feng glanced to the side and saw Kamijou Touma's face flickering in the afterglow of the sun. The news coming from the other end of the phone was obviously of great importance.

He held the phone tightly, frowning, and his voice gradually changed from excited at first to heavy:

"What?! The Saint's Cross reappears, and this time it involves a direct conflict between magic and technology? The danger of the city being destroyed... This is a joke."

He raised his head and looked into the distance. The gorgeous sunset glow in the sky seemed to be covered with a layer of haze. The figures of the two people lengthened in the gradually dimming light, and the air was filled with a sense of urgency that a storm was about to come.

Kamijou saw Feng Feng's serious face, and suddenly smiled foolishly and patted his shoulder:

"Haha, Feng Feng, don't take it too seriously. I have a friend who is a heavy gamer. He said something like 'Saints' Cross, the battle between magic and technology, the destruction of cities...'"

"These are all the new virtual reality game activities launched by Daiba Star Festival. It's called... yes, it's called "Doomsday Confrontation"."

“The scenes in the game are so realistic that many players are addicted to it.”

Kamijou said as he shook his phone, hurriedly said goodbye to Feng Feng, and ran out of the stadium.

A scene from "A Certain Magical Index" quickly flashed through Feng Feng's mind. The Saint's Cross was like a sharp blade in the dark night, quietly lying in the parking lot outside the Daiba Star Festival. Although Kamijou Touma tried his best to stop it under the night sky, he seemed powerless to save the situation.

But at this moment, gorgeous fireworks came unexpectedly, and the colorful light instantly illuminated the sky, the stars disappeared, and the crowd cheered.

Feng Feng seemed to be able to hear the roar of cannons, the roar of fireworks and the cheers of the crowds intertwined under the night sky where virtuality and reality were intertwined.

The light not only shone on everyone's face, but also acted like a barrier, quietly dispelling the dark clouds of the cross, leaving behind a sense of peace and hope. The picture froze in Feng Feng's mind, his eyes flickered, as if thinking about something.

Just as Feng Feng was immersed in contemplation about the future, wondering whether he should take action and seize the Saint's Cross for research.

Teacher Xiao Meng suddenly broke into his thoughts, standing in front of him with a confused and somewhat aggrieved look on her face, holding the registration form in her hand, her eyes slightly red.

"Feng Feng, Kamijou, that kid, he...he actually deserted the battlefield and left all the projects to you!"

Teacher Xiao Meng's voice was tearful as she ran her fingers across the registration form. Marathon, three-legged race, tug-of-war... each event was thrilling.

Feng Feng widened his eyes and looked at the densely packed names on the registration form. He seemed to see himself running around in various competitions, and a future filled with sweat and fatigue unfolded before his eyes.

"Go kill Touma. You're dead!!"

Teacher Xiao Meng was still chattering on, telling about Kamijou Touma's "crimes", but Feng Feng only felt a buzzing in his ears, and there was only one voice echoing in his mind - this time, he was really "tricked"!

Feng Feng had just escaped from the three-legged race, panting, and before he could even stand firmly, he was dragged towards the marathon stadium by the hurried footsteps and shouts of his classmates.

As soon as he stepped onto the edge of the track, through the sea of ​​people and noise, Misaka Mikoto's slightly angry voice penetrated the noise and hit his eardrums directly.