High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1294: Chapter 41 Quanke Comes’ Invitation

”It wasn’t difficult for Professor Garcia to keep an eye out for black sheep around Lin Zhong Lake, and the Old Fishman was more than willing to help a cost student with a little favor,” said Brother Qing with great relief.

He had initially wanted to ask Professor Garcia about the last statement he had made after class, but a group of witches laughing merrily as they passed by caused the warlock to immediately quiet down, properly salute the professor, and prepare to take his leave.

”I’m glad you sought out this old man’s help,” the professor said. ”I happen to have an activity that’s suitable for young people, and I wonder if you’d be interested in participating.”

Before parting, Professor Garcia invited the young cost student to attend ’Spring Guest’ next Wednesday at the Silent River Estuary, pointing out, ”I think different species need to communicate more to deepen their understanding of each other and avoid many misunderstandings, especially the younger generation. What do you think?”

According to the professor, ’Spring Guest’ was a small-scale market organized by aquatic sorcery tribes, including participants from Lin Zhong Lake’s Fishman Tribe as well as overseas Merfolk, Sirens, Gigi, and other half-mermaids. The market mostly dealt in unique magic materials from the sea, and many professors, researchers, and senior students from various schools would receive similar invitations.

Zheng Qing readily agreed.

Professor Garcia’s intention was clearly for him to engage more with the young members of the Fishman Tribe to help ease any tensions between Lin Zhong Lake and the academy.

Within his capabilities, Zheng Qing was not opposed to dealing with the Fishpeople—he did not have the strange kind of pride that orthodox wizards often did, making them feel demeaned by interacting with Fishpeople or Centaurs—he also didn’t think that his participation in an aquatic trade event involving Fishpeople would affect the academy’s policies in any way.

In this regard, the young wizard was quite self-aware.

For Professor Garcia, whether it was keeping an eye out for black sheep by the lake or inviting a young wizard to the ’Spring Guest,’ both were effortless and cost nothing.

It was like placing an idle piece in a chess game, or scattering a seed between the furrows while planting.

Destiny is grand, and no one knows whether a seed will grow into a weed or a towering tree. The Old Fishman had lived long, had the time, and the patience to wait for the seed to slowly grow.

That evening, back in the dormitory, Zheng Qing bragged to his roommates about the invitation from Professor Garcia.

”Spring Guest?” Xiao Xiao flipped through the deep blue invitation and nodded. ”I’ve heard of it, a very interesting gathering. But the circle is very small and exclusive... It’s said that only members of the Professor Joint Meeting, and a few students from the Student Union and Society Federation get polite invitations.”

A polite invitation meant that the organizers had sent out invites as a courtesy, but the invitees might not necessarily attend in person. For example, for ’Spring Guest,’ being held under the jurisdiction of First University at the Silent River Estuary, invitations would be sent to the vice-chancellor, heads of the School Works Committee, members of the Professor Joint Meeting, and others.

Naturally, the vice-chancellor of First University would not stoop to attend such a damp, small gathering and would likely just send a wreath as a gesture of goodwill.

”An entirely aquatic market?” Xin Fat Man, who had been perusing a law book on his bed, showed interest, propped up his upper body, and stretched out his hand for the invitation. ”Can you bring family members, like invited people’s brothers, cousins, etc.? Can you take photos? Is independent interviewing allowed?”

Without a doubt, he had noticed the news value within this ’market.’

Because Fat Man’s movement when rising was slightly exaggerated, Fatty Cat Tuan Tuan, who had been napping on his belly, let out an annoyed cry and stretched out his paw to cling to Fat Man’s robe.

Fat Man’s fleshy cheeks quivered a few times, and he made no comment.

Zheng Qing glanced at Xin Fat Man with hollow eyes.

”Whose brother are you, and whose cousin do you want to be?” the cost student asked with a slightly unfriendly tone.

”An attendant works as well,” the fat man said, his body flexible as he ’lowered’ his status with a forced smile.

Zheng Qing tossed the invitation to him and replied irritably, ”There are no attendants, only attendants... The invitation clearly states that the invitee is allowed to bring a female or male companion, one pet, and up to four attendants. Attendants can only stay on the periphery of the Market, and cannot enter the ’restricted’ area.”

The invitation did not specify which areas were ’restricted’.

The expression on Xin Fat Man’s face was clearly one of disappointment, and he reluctantly nodded, ”A male companion works as well... although it’s not very well-viewed.”

Zheng Qing’s facial expression contorted.

”Not a male companion, no attendants! What kind of peach are you thinking of!” he exclaimed as if he had been fed a mouthful of Mist grass, his face turning pale, ”Attendants! Your role is, and can only be, that of an attendant!! Don’t even think about being a pet!”

Zheng Qing was still hoping to bring Poseidon to attend this ’Quanke comes’ and deepen the relationship with Little Fox a bit.

”What about the professor? You definitely want to go too, right?” Xin Fat Man turned his head to Xiao Xiao, ”Can you tolerate being Brother Qing’s attendant?”

”It does sound like an intriguing gathering, I might go,” Xiao Xiao replied nonchalantly, a playful smile curling his lips as he blew a breath of air, fluttering his fringe: ”But I might not travel with you guys... Sima should be able to get an invitation.”

This time, it was Xin Fat Man’s turn to turn pale.

Zheng Qing covered his stomach and burst into laughter.

The next day, during Friday’s practice class, Zheng Qing remembered the amusing incident from the night before and couldn’t help teasing Xin Fat Man, ”...If you could find a high-level registered wizard girlfriend, you could definitely go as a male companion to ’Quanke comes’... I heard that some researchers at the Magical Creatures Research Institute are very interested in the bloodline of the Blue Giant.”

A shade of blue washed over the fat man’s face, and he punched his fist in refusal of Zheng Qing’s suggestion. Moreover, during the following two-person practice combat, the Fat Man exerted all his strength, commanding the vines to whip the young scholarship student into loud cries.

Due to the lack of a suitable Law Book, Zheng Qing’s performance today was mediocre, and he endured several lashings, the pain penetrating to the bones.

This caused him to toss and turn in bed for a long time that night before he finally managed to fall asleep with difficulty.

The dream was as empty as usual.

Until a loud and clear voice echoed in the dream:

”Come here!”

Zheng Qing felt a sudden emptiness beneath him—like the feeling long ago when he left the enrollment plane—the intense, familiar ’falling sensation’ rushing in from all directions.

”Ah!”

The warlock’s consciousness abruptly cleared amidst the struggle.

Before him was a vast expanse of white mist, and a familiar figure in a long robe appeared in his sight, though lacking a certain leading black cat. This strong sense of déjà vu made the young wizard somewhat at a loss.

He got up from the ground—having just opened his eyes, he had been sitting on the ground in a rather comical and inelegant manner—patted the non-existent dust off his back, and tentatively asked:

”Sir?”