To confirm his suspicions, Kuzeha Yuu went up to the rooftop of the school building.
"So it really is…"
Digging around in his Imaginary Space, Kuzeha Yuu found a girl wearing a black and crimson gothic dress.
Without his deliberate control, everything within the Imaginary Space—time, space, and all information—remained in a chaotic, undefined state.
To avoid placing too much mental strain on her, Kuzeha Yuu thought for a moment and decided to let her out.
On the rooftop, shadows dissipated, and a slightly bewitching girl emerged into the real world.
She wore a Gothic Lolita-style black lace dress, with a matching maid-style headband. Her silky black hair was tied into twin tails, draping over her shoulders.
Long bangs covered half her face, but even the visible half was breathtakingly beautiful.
The moment he saw her, Kuzeha Yuu knew his earlier worries had been unnecessary.
As if sensing the change in space, Tokisaki Kurumi slowly opened her eyes.
Her crimson gaze fell on Kuzeha Yuu, and she paused slightly.
"That strange space… you were controlling it."
Looking at the boy in front of her, Kurumi instantly pieced things together.
At the same time, the wariness in her eyes shifted into intense curiosity.
As someone who manipulates time with expertise, she could feel that the space she'd just been in wasn't merely chaotic—it carried an underlying, profound order she couldn't quite grasp.
'To think someone could control something like that… no wonder Phantom would take interest in this boy…'
'Well, it's just a clone anyway. I might as well investigate further.'
Kurumi's eyes flickered as she thought to herself.
She stared at Kuzeha Yuu and spoke with mild confusion.
"Why let me out? You do know I'm the one who triggered the spatial quake."
"You want to go back in?"
Kuzeha Yuu looked at her in surprise.
"Ara ara."
"You might not know me, Kuzeha-kun… allow me to introduce myself. I'm Tokisaki Kurumi."
"The most evil Spirit of them all!"
The Spirit girl's lips curved into a flirtatious smile as she stepped closer to Kuzeha Yuu.
"A dangerous Spirit like me… you should probably lock me away."
Kuzeha Yuu was left speechless.
He had just gone to the trouble of pulling her out, and now she wanted to be locked back in?
Wouldn't that make it all pointless?
"You want to research Imaginary Space?"
He saw straight through her intentions.
"Imaginary Space…"
Kurumi's eyes sparkled slightly.
"Ara, Kuzeha-kun is being so upfront?"
"Don't bother. You won't figure it out."
"And besides, this is just one of your clones, right?"
His calm words made Kurumi's pupils shrink slightly. A storm of thoughts flashed through her mind.
He's met my other clones?
So… what exactly is our relationship?
She looked into Kuzeha Yuu's composed gaze, unable to tell if his attitude toward her was friendly or hostile.
"Seems like Kuzeha-kun knows quite a bit about me… Shouldn't you hate me then?"
"I've killed a lot of humans, you know."
She reached out with a pale, slender finger, tapping between his brows.
Sliding down the bridge of his nose, her finger finally rested on his lips.
"Or… do you like me?"
"Even though I'm just a clone, I have a real body. I can do all sorts of things, you know~"
Kurumi's eyes grew more alluring. Like a temptress beneath neon lights, she began flaunting her charm while playfully teasing Kuzeha Yuu.
Kuzeha Yuu found her little tests and provocations amusing.
Feeling the soft touch on his lips, he acted on impulse—
He slightly parted his lips and gently took Kurumi's finger into his mouth.
"Ara…"
Kurumi blinked, surprised by his unexpected action.
But just as she started to think Kuzeha Yuu was on the "friendly" side, a sudden jolt of tingling numbness surged through her finger.
It spread throughout her entire body in an instant.
Kurumi trembled uncontrollably, an unfamiliar sensation welling up from deep within.
She opened her mouth, letting out a soft, sweet moan, her knees nearly buckling.
She tried to pull her finger back—but had no strength left.
A few seconds later, Kuzeha Yuu released her.
"Gotta say, this Giant Tongue Lash skill is pretty abstract… but the effect is insanely strong."
Looking at Kurumi slumped against the wall, limbs soft and trembling, Kuzeha Yuu was very pleased.
"Your clone's not much in a fight, huh? Next time, have your real body show up."
As his words fell, Kurumi's form turned to shadow and disappeared.
"Damn. Still no new entry…"
Looking at the now-empty rooftop, Kuzeha Yuu sighed.
Leaving the roof, Kuzeha Yuu headed to the restroom before class started.
Just as he opened the door, a small figure rushed out.
She slammed into his chest, nearly knocking him over.
[Ability Entry Triggered!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained a Golden Entry: Spirit Binding and General Summoning!]
[Spirit Binding and General Summoning]:
Spirit Binding – Gain control over spirits and use them as your own; absorb spirits for minor permanent enhancements.
General Summoning – Control any lifeform you've previously absorbed a spirit from!
"Sorry! I'm so sorry! I went into the wrong restroom!"
The girl's face flushed red as she bowed frantically, apologizing again and again.
She quickly glanced up at Kuzeha Yuu's face, then turned and bolted in embarrassment.
Kuzeha Yuu watched her retreating figure, then looked back toward the bathroom—
Inside, a malicious black mist hovered—an evil spirit.
His eyes narrowed slightly with thought.