High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1047: Chapter 109: Clouds of Suspicion over the Rat

Saturday evening, and it was already getting dark.

Although the weather still held a chill, the campus was not lacking young witches and wizards, walking in pairs or groups, enjoying a quiet stroll.

This imbued the campus air with an enchanting charm at all times.

A grey-furred squirrel, with a bushy tail, hopped and skipped between the branches of a tong tree, holding an acorn. It was one from the previous winter, hidden deep in the forest before the cold had arrived. Although spring had sprung, the spring yield was still sparse, and much of the autumn stash was gone, leaving the squirrel to scavenge tirelessly for last year’s hidden treasures to scrape by.

When it reached the branches of an old willow, the squirrel halted, poking its head down to look below.

Under the willow, several mice in green vests stood on their hind legs, vigorously gesturing with their forepaws as if explaining something to the young wizards opposite them.

It was quite a spectacle and worth watching.

Clutching the acorn and with its plush tail dangling from the branch, the squirrel watched the lively scene with glee.

”... It has white clothes and black hair, and it’s so tall! When it turns its head, its face is clean and white, without even eyes!” Ding Dong Ear stretched out its forepaws, trying to imitate the size of the strange creature they had encountered, boasting in its tone, ”I’m only telling you because we are familiar, so...”

”So, this piece of gossip should be worth some Broken Diamonds, don’t you think?” Dangdang Ear interrupted its companion’s show-off, revealing their true intention.

”Hold it right there, stop right here!” Zheng Qing held up his hand to stop the two mice, stood up straight, and looked towards the two witches beside him.

One was slender and pretty, the other short and holding a teddy bear with an imposing air about her.

It was none other than the sisters Jiang Yu and Li Meng.

At that moment, Jiang Yu’s brows were slightly furrowed, with a somewhat solemn expression, while Li Meng seemed utterly bored, her little hands idly fiddling with the round ears of Bear Li Neng in her arms. The plush bear grimaced but remained obedient and still.

As to why they were under this willow, together with Zheng Qing, meeting the two mice, this story dates back a few hours.

...

Since today was Saturday, and Zheng Qing was working in Professor Montreya’s office that afternoon, he had received a Paper Crane from D&K. The Crane was sent by the acting manager, Fox Five, mentioning how two members of the Mouse Clan staff had encountered a monster while catching bugs in the academy the previous night.

Initially, Zheng Qing didn’t take it seriously.

He was aware of the bragging habits of the two ”Ears Brothers” from his shop – their penchant for calling moths evil spirit insects and Kappas world-destroying demons. Hence, when he received the Paper Crane, Zheng Qing thought Fox Five was making a fuss over nothing.

After leaving the Montreya Laboratory in the afternoon, on a whim, Zheng Qing went to D&K to check the accounts. Fox Five mentioned the incident again. Born into the Qingqiu Su Family, Fox Five had a much broader knowledge than Zheng Qing, and it suspected that the mice had encountered a Faceless Monster.

Upon hearing ”Faceless Monster,” Zheng Qing’s mind shook violently, and inexplicable images surfaced.

The deep night, towering rockeries, black butterflies, a white kitten, the gurgling water sounds, and a white figure without a face.

The encounter in Professor Yao’s office, as well as the materials involving ”witness talent” he later looked into, made Zheng Qing subconsciously certain that the white figure was related to the murderer who killed Jiang Yu’s pet kitten last semester. After much hesitation, he finally reached out to Jiang Yu.

Thus, there was this meeting under the old willow tree.

...

In the tree, the grey squirrel was still clutching an acorn, watching the drama unfold.

Beneath the tree, Jiang Yu’s brows were still furrowed in thought, while Li Meng, who had come with her, had already grown somewhat impatient.

”Why do you say that the faceless monster is the kitten’s murderer? There’s absolutely no information!” The little witch, hugging a plush bear, shifted her gaze from the green-vested mice to Zheng Qing, her tone filled with doubt, ”You’re not just looking for an excuse to chat with my cousin, are you... You have a girlfriend, so you can’t be a heartbreaker!”

Upon hearing this, not only did Zheng Qing’s face flush, but Jiang Yu’s ears also reddened a bit.

”Xiao Meng!” She glared fiercely at the little witch, pointing a hand towards the woods, ”If you don’t want to shut up, then go to the library and do your homework! Your line drawing isn’t finished yet!”

Upon hearing this, Li Meng’s face turned bitter, and she immediately cast her eyes down obediently, then made a zipping motion across her lips, adding in a nasal tone, ”I’m shutting up now!”

Her plush bear, being a loyal companion, almost simultaneously made a gesture to shut its mouth too. This brought a smile to the little witch’s face, finally stopping her from twisting the bear’s round ears.

Zheng Qing, with a hollow look in his eyes, watched the comical interaction between owner and pet, and finally cleared his throat before looking down at the Mouse Clan brothers.

”Ahem, I have reasons for saying so.” He didn’t look at Jiang Yu, but his explanation was clearly aimed at her, ”Previously, Professor Yao conducted a check on me and determined that I possess a bit of ’witness’ talent... It is a very special divination talent that occasionally allows one to see scenes that occurred without any witnesses.”

Jiang Yu interrupted him, surprised, ”You mean, you saw the scene where Xiao Bai was attacked?”

Zheng Qing nodded, then shook his head, ”I saw it once... but because that talent is not pronounced, I can’t capture clear images in my mind, so I couldn’t find any leads... until now. When they mentioned seeing the ’No Face’ in the school, I had a hunch about this speculation.”

Saying this, he pointed to the two green-vested mice sitting at his feet.

Dangdang Ears and Ding Dong Ear were squatting on a small green stone next to the tree, looking up and listening to the conversation between the male and female wizards. Upon being mentioned by Zheng Qing, they straightened their chests, looking quite proud of themselves.

The little witch, who had kept her mouth shut, let out a soft snicker at once.

This impolite behavior earned a glare from the two mice.

”Meng Meng!” Jiang Yu reached out and ruffled her hair, sounding somewhat exasperated, ”Mind your manners!”

”I didn’t mean to laugh at idiots!” Li Meng rolled her eyes, instantly finding a new excuse, ”I’m just questioning why the school’s Guardian Array didn’t detect the intruding No Face, yet these two little mice did...”

With that, it seemed the little witch had found the logic in her inquiry, growing more confident as she spoke, ”Doesn’t that warrant suspicion? If I recall correctly, these two mice work at Zheng Qing’s store, right... Why would they be in the deep forest of the academy late at night? And, if No Face could kill the kitten, why would it let them live!”