High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1261: Chapter 8: Journey to the North District

”He’s having real difficulty using even a simple Binding Spell now,” Xin Fat Man’s lips moved slightly, his voice growing even lower, ”I heard from the hospital nurses that last night, after Nicholas regained consciousness, he tried to use the Law Book... The results were disastrous.”

He didn’t go into detail about how bad the magical effects were, but judging from the partially charred color of the nightstand beside Nicholas’s hospital bed, the situation was not optimistic.

The atmosphere among the young wizards became much more somber.

Even someone as unreliable as student Li Meng knew to lower her voice now.

”Can he still continue school?” Li Meng’s question was direct and sharp.

”Why not?” Xiao Xiao immediately retorted, ”Has the school made any rules that restrict Tricksters from studying? He hasn’t even been admitted to First University yet, and now he is a student there.”

Doctor Xiao, well-versed in the Wizard’s Codex and the various rules and regulations of First University, said that Nicholas could continue his studies, so it was certainly possible.

”Plus, he is our student at Jiuyou Academy,” Xin Fat Man emphasized in agreement, ”The ethos of Jiuyou Academy is equality and justice. There is no better test of this principle than Nicholas’s current situation.”

Li Meng pouted and muttered, ”I mean, he already repeated a year twice... and now he’s become a Trickster...”

What she implied was that she was skeptical whether Nicholas, in his current condition, could pass the promotion exams. If he couldn’t, the school was unlikely to allow a student of such poor aptitude to repeat a fourth time. And there would be no suitable academy for him to choose from either.

”The school hospital hasn’t made such a statement... And besides, don’t use the term ’Trickster’ in front of others!”

Xin Fat Man’s words were half warning, half reminder, ”All we know now is that Nicholas, because of excessive blood loss and the use of blood-removing magic, has become somewhat weak... Any wizard who is weak will encounter difficulties when casting spells... He can still use magic.”

This admission was rather self-consoling, albeit not very compelling.

”I’ve just done the calculations for Nicholas by his bed,” said Xiao Xiao, taking over the conversation, ”If he lies in bed for a month, the chances of him moving up to second grade are very slim... But if it is only for a day or two, considering his current theoretical foundation and the credits accumulated last semester, even accounting for the practice points he might lose this semester, advancing to second grade should pose no difficulty.”

”Numbers always offer more convincing consolation than empty words,” Fat Man said with admiration, giving the doctor a thumbs up, ”No wonder after your chat with him, his complexion looked much better...”

”The premise is that the school will not impose additional punishment on him because of this accident,” Zheng Qing reminded in a low voice.

This time, even Doctor Xiao fell silent.

”What are you guys doing?” Jiang Yu’s voice suddenly sounded from behind Xin Fat Man, startling him so much that his flabby cheeks trembled. Li Meng beside him was also clearly shocked, taking in a small gasp of air.

While Xiao Xiao appeared more composed, the whitening of his fingers clutching his notebook betrayed that his mood was anything but calm.

It was like a group of primary school students caught by the life teacher snacking during nap time.

Zheng Qing, with his wildly pounding heart under control, put on a slightly stiff smile as he looked at the witch approaching.

”Just discussing the class meeting tonight,” he answered dryly, ”and homework.”

”Yes, homework!” Xin Fat Man echoed weakly.

”Oh?” Jiang Yu looked at them skeptically, her face full of disbelief.

”Yes, the homework!” Li Meng screeched as if she’d stepped on a cat’s tail, ”I haven’t finished my curse studies homework yet! It’s over, the first class tomorrow is Old Yao’s!”

The young cost student gave the Little Witch a silent look but then felt a twinge of guilt—relieved to find that Li Meng’s shriek had well shattered the former tension, easing the nervous atmosphere around them.

Perhaps fortune is always built upon the sorrow of the unfortunate.

”Who told you to not do your homework all day and wander around!” Jiang Yu scolded the Little Witch, grabbing her by the collar, ”Now, immediately, right away, go do your homework! I’ll check it before the evening self-study... Have you finished your homework?”

The last question was directed at Zheng Qing.

Zheng Qing blinked, looking at his companions. Xiao Xiao and Xin Fat Man both showed helpless expressions, their eyes unable to hide their excitement, as if curious about the deeper meaning behind the witch’s question.

”Me... Me?” The young cost student stammered before suddenly becoming confident under Li Meng’s mocking gaze, ”Of course, I’ve finished my homework long ago! Do you want to check?”

”Why would I check your homework... Are you twelve years old?” Jiang Yu gave him a puzzled look.

”I’m thirteen years old in nominal age!” Li Meng clamored, trying to correct her cousin’s mistaken notion.

”Then you...” Zheng Qing realized how silly his question was, feeling his face growing hot.

”Oh, if you’ve finished your homework, accompany me to Gini Cottage this afternoon,” Jiang Yu let go of Li Meng’s collar and pointed towards the door, as Li Meng ran out huffing and puffing.

Then the witch turned her head back, as if she had all the time in the world, and continued, ”...Sister Korma knows a lot of people in the North District, maybe she can help us with Nicholas’s case. We’re going as representatives of Astronomy Class 08-1. I’ve already discussed this matter with Tang Dun before, he is responsible for communicating with the student council and professors; I’m responsible for liaising with the Club Union and the North District.”

With that, she cast an appraising look at the other two young wizards beside her.

”I’ve got to do a follow-up interview with the Horseman Tribe... And I need to recheck and proofread several articles I wrote yesterday,” Xin Fat Man spoke rapidly, preempting the witch before she could speak, then with an agility beyond imaginable, dashed to the door of the hospital room and waved to Nicholas lying in bed,

”Rest well, won’t disturb you anymore!”

With that, without waiting for a response from Nicholas, he vanished beyond the doorway.

Zheng Qing was left dumbstruck.

Turning around, he just caught Xiao Xiao bowing politely to the witch, ”I have to go too, there are many books I haven’t read yet... Take care, and I will send you a credit plan later by Paper Crane, keep an eye out for it.”

The last sentence was addressed to Nicholas.

Nicholas, half-leaning on the bed, waved back with a smile, his face showing a touch of gratitude.

Once Xiao Xiao had departed, only two were left in that corner.