High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 969: Chapter 31: The Bell under the Archway

The noon of winter days is the busiest time of the day.

Especially in Beta Town.

Even in the Dent Area of North Beta Town, which is considered to be less bustling, the theorem still holds true. Of course, the bustling scene outside the window may be attributed to its proximity to the docks, municipal buildings, Trisword, and other departments.

Due to it being close to lunchtime, the cafe wasn’t very crowded; the few guests there were scattered in various corners of the cafe, not bothering each other. Moreover, the effect of the magic barrier made Zheng Qing feel the surroundings were exceptionally welcoming.

Except for the lady journalist sitting opposite him.

Ms. Pulitzer chose a seat in the corner of the cafe, a four-seater isolated by screens in the front and back, with a large floor-to-ceiling window on the left through which one could view the bustling crowd outside; to the right was a spacious aisle, beyond which was a wall that had been painted a snowy white. The upper part of the wall was clean and adorned with a few picture frames; below was a layer of brown-red wood paneling; and beneath the feet was a thick red carpet that felt soft and spongy, making one feel somewhat sluggish.

Just like Zheng Qing was feeling now.

He felt anxious and powerless in front of Ms. Pulitzer.

”A simple Quiet Barrier will allow us to converse without interruptions...” Ms. Pulitzer’s voice rang in Zheng Qing’s ears, sounding vast and distant, as if separated by a large, soundproof chamber.

Zheng Qing steadied himself and then perked up, replying, ”That’s amazing!”

He was complimenting the journalist lady on her technique in releasing that small magic, silent yet effective, quite splendid indeed.

”It’s just a simple trick, really; you could master it too in a couple of years.” Ms. Pulitzer smiled, then shifted the topic, ”But you all have done something impressive, making quite the headline...

Zheng Qing swallowed, feeling his lips dry, then he couldn’t help but lick them quietly.

Before he had a proper answer to her remark, Ms. Pulitzer had already moved on to another subject.

”If I remember correctly, you are a freshman from the 08 class? Just started half a year ago?” She pulled a pen from her black handbag, held the cap in her palm, then set the pen down on an open notebook on the table.

This immediately caught Zheng Qing’s attention.

Not just because of the pen—a fact was, this was the first time he had seen anyone use a pen at school, as most people commonly used feather pens and brushes—but more fascinating was that the pen, without anyone holding it, stood firmly on the notebook and began to twist lightly as the two conversed.

And it was writing in perfect small script.

”Yes, yes, enrolled in Jiuyou Academy’s Ninth-Grade Astronomy Class 08-1 last September...” Zheng Qing fixated on the dripping ink from the pen’s tip as he absentmindedly responded.

After all, this information was common knowledge, and he was not overly cautious about that.

”One moment, sorry, just one moment,” Ms. Pulitzer suddenly interrupted the young man, picked up her handbag again, and fumbled inside it, pulling out a clear glass case.

The case was cubic, containing a wooden structure resembling a gateway, but instead of a plaque, a silver bell the size of a fingernail hung in the center.

Ms. Pulitzer tapped the glass case with her pen cap.

The glass on all four sides melted like ice, yet it was astonishing that no material—be it water or liquid silicon dioxide—dripped from the case onto the table.

It was as if the glass shell that had protected the gate was made of air.

Ms. Pulitzer took out the wooden archway, placed it between them, and then cleared her throat. She said, ”I am a journalist from the Beta Town Post... I am currently a junior at First University... I am eighteen years old... I am very eager to know the truth...”

When she spoke the first sentence, the archway remained still.

As she spoke the second sentence, the silver bell hanging under the archway immediately started to tremble, ringing out a crisp sound.

Then, when she said the third sentence, that silver bell began to vibrate wildly—there was a moment when Zheng Qing thought it might shatter.

Following the fourth sentence, the ringing abruptly stopped as though an invisible hand was pressed against its head, silencing it.

Zheng Qing raised his eyebrows.

He felt that he had grasped some of the tricks involved.

”Very good,” Ms. Pulitzer said pleasedly as she glanced at the small wooden archway, then looked up at the young cost student, ”A little gadget to ensure that we are both completely honest with each other.”

Zheng Qing was somewhat displeased—even when assisting Trisword with investigations, they had never used similar lie-detecting equipment, and they had always been polite. Did this journalist think too highly of herself?

Despite his displeasure, he did not storm off immediately.

On one hand, agreeing to the interview was a favor asked by Andrew, and having interacted several times, Zheng Qing did not think it right to let him down; on the other hand, he was concerned about how the journalist lady would portray him in her subsequent reports if he simply walked away.

’The new ’World’ Warlock does not consider anyone,’ ’Student quality at First University is declining,’ ’Evasions and dodges, what is he hiding from a journalist’s persistent questions?’—Such headlines were not uncommon—so, all things considered, Zheng Qing thought it better to clarify some things face-to-face.

Even so, Zheng Qing needed to make his thoughts known to the other party.

”This device,” he pointed at the small bell, his expression uneasy, ”Is it necessary?”

”It’s part of the standard procedure for formal interviews,” Ms. Pulitzer smoothly explained, ”Including Vice Principal Shi Hui and Director Robert of Trisword, etc., everyone is subject to this arrangement during interviews.”

Having heard this, Zheng Qing naturally could not persist in his objections.

Moreover, since the bell did not react earlier, it also corroborated the journalist’s explanation—he suddenly realized that, in a sense, the role of this small archway was mutual.

”You won’t exaggerate or fabricate in your report, will you?” Zheng Qing couldn’t help but ask, then immediately apologized, ”Sorry...”

”No problem,” Ms. Pulitzer interrupted his apology, smiling, ”All my reports are based on facts.”

The bell did not ring.

”You might want to get used to it,” Ms. Pulitzer reminded the warlock, ”Sometimes it’s overly sensitive... so, you might want to adjust to its... range.”

That was an interesting choice of words, Zheng Qing couldn’t help but smile, then looking at the small bell, he tentatively said, ”This year... I am seventeen years old?”

The bell shook a little, it did not ring, but it moved.

Zheng Qing felt somewhat reassured.