High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1204: Chapter 266: The Mutated Phases of the Moon

Two witches and a Black Cat stood in a row at the entrance of the Secret Realm’s miniature world, silently gazing at the unusual phenomenon in the sky.

The moon, which hung in the sky alongside the sun, was significantly larger and brighter than the ”Sun,” and today even more so. The somewhat ethereal moonlight had become more solidified; the moon’s disc, once the size of a jade plate, seemed to have inflated like a balloon to the size of a wheel.

Just by staring at it for a while, the Black Cat and the witches all felt a sense of spiritual emptiness and a blankness of thought. For a moment, the Black Cat didn’t want to do anything at all, with only the enormous moon present in its mind.

”I feel like I can see the jade rabbit on the moon,” the Black Cat said, neck craned, staring at the shadows on the moon, its voice sounding somewhat hollow, ”do you see that dark patch? Doesn’t it look like a rabbit pounding medicine?”

”A rabbit? No, I think it looks more like a toad,” Elena, the Gypsy witch, obviously disagreed with the Black Cat, immediately countering. She was in a slightly better state than the Black Cat, her voice still carrying a hint of emotion.

The one in the best condition was naturally Korma, the vice-chairperson of the First University’s Student Council. She had already completed the advanced ritual to become a Registered Wizard, and if it weren’t for the need to accumulate more resources, she could have graduated from the First University a long time ago.

”Snap!”

A crisp popping sound exploded in the realm of consciousness, accompanied by a scent that penetrated the heart and spleen, instantly reviving the Black Cat and the Gypsy witch.

Coming back to their senses, the Black Cat saw that Korma had, at some point, lit incense made from soil in front of each of them.

The pure white incense sticks burned at a visible rate, wafting streams of milky smoke, with occasional golden sparks crackling as they burned, sounding just the same as the pop that had woken them from their previous state, but quieter.

”Autumn Pistil Fragrance, an excellent choice for restoring concentration and spirit, gentler than Talismans like the Tranquility Talisman and the Clear Heart Symbol and with fewer side effects compared to similar potions. It’s most suitable for use when one’s mind is bewildered,” Korma explained casually while also tinkering with a complex instrument resembling a combination of a compass and a pocket watch.

The Black Cat’s body suddenly swelled, transforming into a small leopard. The short fur on its neck bristled, ears stood tall, and tail was tightly pressed against its hind legs, completely on guard.

”What’s happening? Why has the moon become so big? Is the Secret Realm world about to collapse?” The Black Cat described its ignorance and current tension well with three questions, which completely extinguished the last bit of hope in Korma’s mind for it.

No one paid attention to the Black Cat’s questions; the two witches were busy.

”The world constants have not changed, Magic Tide fluctuates within a reliable range, spatial stability is good, no presence of creatures from the Virtual Dimension detected, environmental suitability is good, oxygen content in the air is high but within permissible limits...” Korma, holding a small black-leather notebook, noted down the data shown by the instrument, comparing it with data from earlier records.

”The cards alternate upright and reversed, the Chariot ascends, the Star card sparkles, indicating a very high likelihood of success in today’s ritual. The Crystal Ball reveals a black dog and a shattered tree stump... these are ominous omens.” Elena held a Crystal Ball, surrounded by dozens of Tarot cards floating in the air like satellites orbiting the witch. She needed to make predictions and provide guidance for the team’s next moves.

The Black Cat looked left, then right, suddenly feeling quite useless.

Wanting to look up at the moon again, it feared losing its senses to the moon once more; considering volunteering to explore the situation in all Eight Directions, it felt somewhat risky. So, it reached forward with a paw, and then drew it back, stepping left, stepping right. Dainty paw prints, like the blossoms of plum flowers, soon appeared in the mud.

”Since there’s a high chance of success, why are there ominous signs?” The Black Cat tried to assert its presence.

”It depends on our choices,” Elena answered cryptically, which fit the typical style of a Diviner’s speech. The Black Cat muttered to itself quietly.

”Do you need me to scout around?” The Black Cat turned its head to glance at Korma once more and suggested.

The witch, who was verifying world data, paused with her feather pen in hand, cocked her head to look at Elena, ”Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

”It should be within the next three to five minutes,” the Gypsy witch replied.

”Then let’s wait a bit longer,” Korma said to the Black Cat. She didn’t explain what they were waiting for.

Listening to the two witches speak in riddles, the Black Cat felt an inexplicable irritation welling up and swung its paw, sending an oval pebble flying. The pebble traced a graceful arc through the air, silently landing behind a distant bush without startling a single sparrow.

The world was as desolate as ever, the Black Cat mused silently, but couldn’t help pondering the meaning behind the witches’ conversation and what significance there was in waiting a few more minutes.

Soon, its confusion was resolved.

When the Black Cat mentally counted to one hundred and ninety-one, just a bit over three minutes, the magic barrier at the entrance of the secret realm world behind it began to ripple slightly.

Shortly after, a figure passed through the barrier’s filmy light, appearing before the Black Cat amid ripples of magic power.

In just half a second, the Black Cat recognized the identity of the unexpected guest from the familiar silhouette and the distinctive scent—despite her wearing a red mask.

This made the cat gape involuntarily.

Equally astonished was Jiang Yu, who had just entered the small world.

”Why is he here too?” Jiang Yu, looking at the familiar Black Cat a few steps away, asked subconsciously, her tone somewhat shocked.

”Oh, him,” the Gypsy witch in a white mask took her gaze away from the crystal ball and chuckled lightly, ”Just bad luck... Being at the wrong place at the wrong time, he overheard conversations he shouldn’t have, and now he can only compound his errors and partake in this misguided endeavor.”

”Do you know him?” Korma quickly noticed the newcomer witch’s reaction, raised an eyebrow, and revealed a trace of curiosity on her face.

The Black Cat immediately shut its mouth.

Jiang Yu had also recovered from the initial shock of seeing the Black Cat and regained her composure. Responding to Korma’s question, she simply explained, ”I’ve seen this cat at the school. It’s said to be a talking cat that can change size... quite fascinating, so it left a strong impression.”

The explanation was not particularly clever, but it was reasonable enough.

Korma swiftly accepted this explanation.

It was Elena, however, who looked at the newly arrived witch and then at the Black Cat sitting on the ground, unsure where to place its paws and tail, her face showing a mix of depth and inquiry, ”So, you’ve known this Black Cat for quite a while?”