Zongman: Collecting starts with Shiori

"You, do you really think that I will continue to communicate with you obediently at this time?"

Facing the fully-armed and imposing Kurumi, Shikimori Feng seemed unusually calm. His eyes did not evade, nor did he show any fluctuation due to the opponent's hostility.

He just shrugged slightly.

"Your reaction is indeed what I expected." Shi Shoufeng's voice was gentle and clear, without any anger or disappointment. "Indeed, I didn't expect you to easily reveal the truth from the beginning. But I don't want to fight with you. If you don't want to talk, you can leave."

Shi Shoufeng gently raised his finger, and his slender fingertips pointed accurately at a pile of randomly scattered clothes not far away. The clothes seemed to still retain the body temperature and breath left by their owner not long ago.

"There, your school uniform," he said in a gentle tone but with a hint of unquestionable power, "Maybe you don't care, but this is a school. If you appear in this form, you will only attract countless eyes. Even if you have mastered the superb ability to control shadows and even human hearts, the human heart is deep and unpredictable. How can it be easily controlled?"

There was a hint of confusion in Kurumi's eyes, and the figure of Shikimori Kaede was reflected in her abyss-like pupils. She seemed to be trying to interpret the man's attitude that changed in an instant.

Her eyes were full of curiosity and vigilance, as if the person in front of her had suddenly turned into an ancient book that was difficult to understand, with unsolved mysteries hidden between the lines.

“Does it feel weird?”

Shikimori Feng caught Kurumi's inquiring gaze, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he could penetrate the calmness on the surface and look directly into the waves in the other person's heart.

There was an inexplicable certainty in his tone, as if he had faced this kind of doubtful look countless times.

"I can clearly feel that you and the Kurumi I met before, although you look the same, your core is very different. Your thoughts are completely different. Until this moment, I still can't feel any hostility towards me from you - admittedly, there may be some displeasure or annoyance lingering in it, but this is the best proof."

Shiki Shoufeng sighed lightly, his eyes becoming deep and complicated.

"For someone like you, even I cannot simply classify you as an enemy or a friend. If I continue to take extreme measures, it will not only be unfair to you, but also a betrayal of my own heart. I think this is the root of my change of attitude, right?"

After saying this, Shikimori Feng didn't even bother waiting for Kurumi's reply and just turned around.

"It's so troublesome... I'm so tired."

After muttering something to himself, Shiki Shoufeng left.

Chapter 124 I Will Hold You Responsible

After the matter was over, Shi Shoufeng was the first to walk back to the classroom.

Along with his return came a lot of malicious looks.

"Feng, are you okay?"

Tohka asked, somewhat worriedly.

After all, she heard a lot of gossip when she was sitting in the classroom.

"I am fine."

Shiki Shoufeng shook his head.

"By the way, Tohka, can you sense any special reaction from Tokisaki Kurumi?"

"Um...no?"

Tohka tilted her head.

"In fact, it is difficult for elves to sense each other's aura, unless they release their spiritual power without reservation."

"So... I understand."

"maple...."

Just as Shikimori Kaede's words fell softly, the echo seemed to have not yet dissipated in the slightly crowded classroom, and Tohka's concerned words were interrupted by a subtle air flow.

There was an unusual atmosphere in this air flow, heralding someone's arrival.

Almost at the same time as Tohka's voice disappeared, a figure that attracted everyone's attention walked into the classroom quietly. She was Tokisaki Kurumi, who everyone was talking about in private.

"Tokisaki-san..."

Several boys sitting in the front row seemed to be attracted by some kind of magic. They jumped up from their seats almost reflexively, their faces full of worry and concern, and their eyes flashing with unconcealable nervousness and eagerness.

Their movements were in perfect unison, as if they had been rehearsed beforehand, but their enthusiasm did not receive the expected response.

Facing their eager gazes, there was no fluctuation in Kuang San's eyes. Her sight seemed to penetrate those caring expressions and locked directly on Shiki Morikaze at the other end of the classroom.

She walked lightly towards Shiki Shoufeng.

"What's up?"

Shiki Shoufeng felt the gradually approaching aura. Although he had anticipated it in his heart, he still couldn't help but ask in advance, trying to greet this sudden confrontation with a peaceful attitude.

His voice rang out in the classroom. Although it was not loud, it was extremely clear, with a hint of imperceptible calmness and vigilance.

However, Kuang San did not answer immediately. She only walked closer step by step until they were almost only an arm's length apart, and the tension in the air reached its peak.

At this moment, Kuang San suddenly reached out, and her slender fingers gently but firmly grabbed the dark fabric on Shikimori Kaede's school uniform tie.

"Shiki Shoufeng, you did such an excessive thing to me, I will definitely hold you responsible!"

Every word of this sentence is powerful, and every syllable strikes everyone's heart, leaving behind circle after circle of ripples.

Shiki Shoufeng's expression froze instantly, as if time had stopped at this moment. He stood there in a daze, not knowing whether he was in shock, confusion, or some other emotion.

The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly became extremely quiet, so quiet that one could hear everyone's breathing, and even the rustling of leaves in the breeze that occasionally came from outside.

All eyes, whether filled with surprise, curiosity, or sympathy, were focused on the two of them, forming a strange tacit understanding.

"Ahhhh!!!"

Just when the tense and awkward atmosphere reached its peak, the boys who had been eager to perform before seemed to have suffered a heavy blow. They fell to their knees on the ground with their heads in their hands in despair, and let out screams that were almost like wails.

Their eyes were full of disbelief and pain, as if they had just witnessed the shattering of a beautiful dream. The words “Cabbage, my cabbage!!” were both a heartbreaking cry and a lament for the instant disillusionment of their beautiful vision.

Seeing Shikimori Kaede's shocked expression, Kurumi felt that her prank or the prelude to a small revenge had been accomplished.

She left a thought-provoking smile and then turned around and went back to what she was doing, leaving Shiki Shoufeng alone in the wind.

Feeling strange gazes coming from all directions, Shiki Shoufeng finally came back to his senses -

Holy crap!! I got tricked!!!

"maple?"

Suddenly, a sinister sound of gnashing teeth was heard from behind Shi Shoufeng.

Shikimori Feng turned his head stiffly and looked at Tohka, who had a fake smile on her face but was full of anger.

"Feng~ Can you explain...what exactly is going on?"

"No, that, I, you stop!!! WTF!!!!"

------

After school, Origami, who had been expressionless all day, was the first to leave the classroom.

She rushed back to the AST base without stopping.

"team leader."

After returning to the base, Origami immediately found Ryoko to report.

But when she entered the office, she found a girl with blue hair tied in a ponytail standing in front of Liaozi's desk.

"Um, Origami, what's up?"

Ryoko shifted his gaze from the girl to Origami, and the girl also turned and looked at Origami.

This also allowed Origami to truly see what the girl looked like.

Her brown eyes match her oval face shape, and the most eye-catching thing is the teardrop mole under her left eye, which makes her face look even cuter.

But what really concerned Origami was that although the girl in front of him was dressed very casually, Origami could vaguely sense a hint of danger from her.

This kind of aura is definitely not possessed by ordinary girls.

"Yes, Captain, I have something to report to you..."

Having said that, Origami looked at the girl.

Liaozi naturally understood what origami meant, and she nodded directly at the girl who was looking at her.

With Ryoko's authorization, the girl walked directly towards Origami and stretched out her hand.

"Hello, I'm Somiya Mana, an AST replacement assigned to the Amamiya Garrison, with the rank of second lieutenant. Nice to meet you."

second lieutenant...

Origami's eyes dimmed when he heard this level.

"Hello... Lieutenant Takamiya."

When Origami and Takamiya Mana held hands together, a small excited smile appeared on Takamiya Mana's face.

"You are very strong, want to fight with me?"

“…”

"Really...!"

Liaozi pressed his temples with a headache.

"She is our new member, and she has successfully 'killed' an elf. Let's ignore her for now..."

She waved her hand and sent Mana Takamiya away, then spoke to Origami.

"Origami, report back."

"Yes!"

Origami took out his mobile phone without hesitation and directly played the photos he had taken.

"Captain, there is a transfer student in our class today. She calls herself "Elf."

Ryoko and Mana's attention was immediately drawn to the figure in the photo.

Unlike Ryoko's surprised expression, the moment Mana saw Kurumi, a strong fighting spirit blossomed in his eyes.

"Found it, found it... Nightmare!!"

Chapter 125 She is really strong

Mana stared at Kurumi's photo, her eyes filled with uncontrollable excitement and urgency.

She suddenly grabbed Origami's slender wrist, her eyes flashing with anticipation, and asked in a rapid and excited tone.

"Hey, tell me quickly, where is she now? Is she... in your school, right?"

Origami felt the warmth and strength coming from Mana's palm. She did not respond immediately, but just stared quietly at the girl in front of her who seemed to be hiding many secrets, and slowly opened her mouth.

"She... is she referring to the legendary nightmare? The captain mentioned it just now. You said you once 'killed' an elf..."

"Well... in a sense, that's true."

Mana was a little surprised by Origami's sudden question, but then answered it calmly, with a barely perceptible flash of complex emotions in her eyes.

"It seems that you have never had the experience of a head-on confrontation with nightmares? Don't worry, it won't be long before you will understand everything. After all, my arrival is inseparable from nightmares." There was a hint of mystery in Mana's words, as if she was hinting at something intentionally or unintentionally.

However, just as Mana was about to ask about Nightmare's whereabouts again, a crisp "pop" suddenly sounded in the air.

Before Origami could answer, a paper fan gently but forcefully hit Mana's forehead, leaving a faint blush. She turned around in surprise and met Ryoko's slightly reproachful gaze.

"team leader……"

Liaozi frowned slightly, his tone was unquestionable and stern.

"Why are you in such a hurry? From this moment on, you are my team member. I will never allow my subordinates to act alone without any preparation. What's more, you want to challenge the elves directly without even trying to cooperate with the new team members?!"

Although Liaozi spoke in a righteous tone, he was secretly uneasy in his heart.

She knew very well that this new member was very powerful. If he really solved the nightmare, how would she explain to Shiki Morikaze?

Thinking of the subtle interaction between Shikimori Kaede and Nightmare a few days ago, Liaozi felt that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult.

Faced with Liaozi's scolding, Mana felt helpless. He covered his forehead with his hands unconsciously, but muttered to himself in his heart.

In fact, from the very beginning, she had no intention of relying on anyone.

With her strength, she is able to handle most situations alone. The reason she came here this time is because she learned of Nightmare's whereabouts and came here just to take advantage of the situation.

"I have enough power to..."

Before she finished her words, Mana keenly caught Origami's gaze, and as if a flash of inspiration had occurred to her, the corners of her mouth rose, and she turned to look at Origami, with a cunning light flashing in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, maybe it's not polite to say this, but in my opinion, no one here can surpass me. I know your ability, you are one of the best in this base, but... it's not enough..."