High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1040: Chapter 102 Laboratory Assistant

”Speaking of which, I’m quite curious... what is your relationship with Su Councilor? Why would she write a recommendation letter for you?” the Professor’s voice came from above, sounding very clear.

The scholarship student, looking up with wide eyes as Professor Montreya conducted the examination, was at a loss for words when he heard the question.

Zheng Qing felt that if his eyes weren’t already wide open, he would definitely roll them dramatically.

It seemed that the inclination toward gossip was inescapable for humans, no matter where they were—even for Professor Montreya, who usually appeared very stern.

”Hmm, I have a Little Fox, and Su Councilor likes it... so I did her a small favor,” Zheng Qing answered vaguely.

This reason, albeit not entirely convincing, still seemed plausible.

After all, Su Shijun hailed from the Qingqiu Su Family and had a fondness for foxes, which was not blameworthy; and writing a simple letter of recommendation was not an especially difficult task—especially since the recommended individual was from Jiuyou Academy, a scholarship student, and a recipient of the Merlin Medal. From this perspective, the recommendation letter seemed even more a case of mutual aid between distinguished individuals.

”Stand up.”

After completing the examination, Professor Montreya patted Zheng Qing’s shoulder, signaling him to sit up.

As Zheng Qing straightened up, the Professor had already moved behind the experiment table, casually tossing the just-removed silk gloves into the trash can beside the desk.

”Do you know the name of this laboratory?” The Professor lifted his eyelids and asked.

Zheng Qing immediately recalled the small print above the bronze door and hurriedly replied, ”Yes, it’s called Montreya Laboratory.”

The Professor’s face darkened, and he snorted, ”That name is only used when applying for funding... under normal circumstances, most people refer to this place as the ’High-level Magic Rune and Bloodline Research Laboratory.’

While speaking, the Professor had already picked up the just-completed inspection report, looking through it.

As he flipped through the pages, he spoke, ”Based on your current foundation, you initially wouldn’t be suited for this laboratory...”

Zheng Qing intended to clarify that he was only there for a bloodline test, not to become a laboratory assistant. But before he could think of how to broach the subject, Professor Montreya seemed to have already anticipated his thoughts.

”...I know, you came for bloodline testing. But in my laboratory, there’s no chance of getting a free inspection report unless you’re an experiment subject on the testing table.”

As he spoke, he raised the document in his hand and pointed towards the bustling group of black-robed wizards behind Zheng Qing, ”Why do you think they come to my laboratory?”

Zheng Qing turned around, looking back as prompted.

The figures behind each row of experiment tables were all busy, none chattering or peeking in this direction.

”That recommendation letter only gave you the key to enter this laboratory. If you want more, then you should make the corresponding effort.”

Zheng Qing took a deep breath and nodded vigorously, ”No problem.”

”Good,” Professor Montreya tugged at the corner of his mouth, seemingly trying to commend the scholarship student’s attitude, but the effort seemed somewhat unsuccessful, making his expression even more severe, ”Every Saturday from one to six in the afternoon, work in the laboratory. You’re allowed to take time off, but absenteeism is not permitted. If all goes well, your inspection report should be ready in about three months.”

Zheng Qing silently calculated in his mind; it was February now, and in three months it would be May, just before the final exams, which was permissible. Besides, working in the laboratory would not only broaden his horizons and experience, allowing him to learn many things; it also sounded quite impressive.

After all, being able to enter an official laboratory just half a year after enrolling and being able to tout to friends that one was now an assistant at such-and-such a laboratory—this claim sounded much better than having to patrol at night as a punishment every Saturday of the previous semester.

So, when Professor Montreya presented a short-term contract and Zheng Qing had read it carefully, he immediately signed it.

Upon signing, the contract twisted and distorted in a flash of white light, turning instantly into a small badge that was two fingers wide and an inch long.

The badge was white at the base, with the line ”Montreya Laboratory” written on it in small regular script, the title ”Laboratory Assistant” on the bottom left, followed by Zheng Qing’s name.

There was no scope of authority, no start date for the job, nor any mention of a specialty.

Zheng Qing gauged that his role in this laboratory was probably that of a general assistant.

But the professor’s subsequent work assignment made him doubt his own conjecture.

”Although your magic script level is not high, at the last meeting, I heard Professor Emma mention that you have a notable talent in this field.”

”Moreover, your foundation in Talisman Studies is very solid... This is excellent. My laboratory just happens to be in need of such talent.”

”Magic script and talismans, although they belong to two different disciplines, are essentially deeply bound to each other.”

”Magic script is the study of the world’s consciousness, while talismans are the study of the world’s origin... You can think of them as twin blossoms that sprouted from the Tree of Truth.”

”Since you have a solid foundation in talismans and a good talent for magic script, it just so happens that I have a suitable job for you to complete.”

As he spoke, the professor already led Zheng Qing to an empty experimental station.

This station was close to the professor’s main experimental station; no other stations were nearby, except for a tall French window not too far away. Through the glass, one could see the dark and ominous Silent Forest in the distance and nothing else.

The experimental station wasn’t laden with the complex instruments that others had; instead, it was messily cluttered with some thick tomes and several wrinkled sheets of draft paper.

Zheng Qing cautiously glanced at the drafts, which seemed to have talisman structures on them and traces of magic script.

”You don’t need to be so careful; this experimental station belongs to you.”

Professor Montreya curved his fingers and gently tapped on the table, which immediately looked brand new as the drafts neatly piled up and the hefty books shakily stood up, trying their best to line up orderly.

Zheng Qing licked his lips and looked around.

”First, get familiar with the laboratory’s relevant requirements and regulations,” Professor Montreya said casually, pulling out a booklet and shoving it into Zheng Qing’s hands, instructing,

”You have one hour to familiarize yourself with this booklet. In an hour, I will assign you a task. By five o’clock this afternoon, I want your perspective and ideas.”

Zheng Qing stared blankly at the document in his hand, his mouth opening as if about to say something.

But seeing the grey-haired professor’s retreating figure, he eventually closed his mouth and swallowed his saliva back down.