High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1572: Chapter 316 A Long Night (9)

Su Shijun’s suggestion was quite tempting.

But it couldn’t completely set people’s minds at ease.

”Then... regarding the procedure...” Korma licked her lips, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

Shearing wool off a sheep wasn’t difficult.

But if that sheep could do magic and had marked every single strand of its wool, then shearing it became a rather risky endeavor.

As a former Vice President of the Student Council, the Sage of the Northern District understood better than anyone the tedious and exacting nature of First University’s approval systems. This was precisely why, even during the most stressful times in Gini Cottage, she had never turned her attention towards her alma mater.

She didn’t want the recently emerged Northern District Wizards to be burdened with heavy shackles and responsibilities the moment they entered this world.

”This is a special time, and special circumstances naturally require special treatment... The procedure will definitely check out.”

Su Shijun confidently adjusted her massive red-framed glasses. ”The patrol squad needs a full set of patrol equipment, a large number of talismans and potions, access to the library for researching unfamiliar magical animals, and a laboratory to detain illegally crossing creatures... All these reasons are perfectly legitimate.”

Nearby, a plump witch who had been silently listening to their conversation finally couldn’t resist coughing heavily several times.

”This is Danghag!” The receptionist tried to make her tone more stern, but her smiling expression betrayed that effort. ”...You absolutely cannot discuss unethical or even illegal topics in my office!”

”In the name of the Nine-Tail,” Su Shijun raised her hand theatrically and stated solemnly, ”Everything I do is for First University!”

That was an impeccable and utterly correct piece of nonsense, in every sense of the word.

The three witches simultaneously burst into laughter.

...

...

Only when Korma’s figure disappeared into the depths of the corridor did Su Shijun slowly retract her gaze.

A fresh roll of parchment was stuffed into her hand by the plump witch.

It was another application form.

Together with the roll of parchment came a green feather pen and a padded parchment mat that had been sprayed with perfume. Su Shijun snapped her fingers, and the parchment unfurled mid-air with a rustle, settling on the mat as the ink-soaked feather pen began spinning elegant circles, leaving rows of beautiful calligraphy on the application form.

The air still carried a faint hint of citrus mixed with ambergris, blending with the perfume on the parchment mat to create an even more complex and intense fragrance.

”Youth is wonderful, always full of energy and courage,” the plump witch took a deep breath and remarked wistfully, ”Although I dislike how domineering that school tends to be, it’s undeniable that they excel at nurturing young witches... You, and that Big Wizard we just saw, are proof of that.”

”Korma is even younger than me.”

”Younger than you?” The plump witch widened her eyes in surprise, then seemed to recall something. With a thoughtful expression, she added, ”I remember hearing a rumor recently around Danghag... It was said that a current student at First University used a dangerous magic circle to channel the power of an Outer God and ascended to the Big Wizard tier... Was it her?”

”Yes.” Su Shijun nodded quietly, continuing to fixate on the green feather pen dancing across the parchment.

”An Outer God!! Merlin Above!!” The plump witch clumsily made a few gestures at her chest, clearly uncertain which Divine Spirit she was praying to. ”Why do people still believe in the power of Outer Gods in this era? Aren’t there already enough flesh lumps and lunatics locked away in Black Prison since Danghag’s criminal trials from centuries ago?”

”You already said it—centuries ago.” The Upper House Member from the Moon Council finally shifted her gaze from the parchment and cast the plump witch a glance. ”Thanks to the development of modern magic theory... today’s youth have more courage and luck than their predecessors from hundreds of years ago.”

”Such a freedom-inspired statement. It’s truly enviable.” The plump witch propped her chin on her hand, gazing melancholically at the Moon Council’s elegant Upper House Member. ”You’ve lived the life I’ve imagined... Beauty, knowledge, family heritage, children... even business trips! Back when I was an apprentice in the mage tower, I dreamed of roaming around with a law book, adventuring, hunting, and then marrying a battle companion whose soul resonated with mine... Instead, now I’ve spent ten years as the receptionist at Danghag’s entrance, consecutively winning the ’Excellence in Service’ award, with no one to celebrate it with.”

Su Shijun coughed violently twice.

The feather pen dancing mid-air shuddered, leaving a small but conspicuous blot of ink on the parchment’s calligraphy. It was minor, but strikingly noticeable.

”Congratulations on your award,” the Moon Council’s Upper House Member offered a dry response. ”Also, the children were an accident.”

”Yes, I understand, yes... All children are accidents.” The plump witch’s tone grew more melancholic. ”But I’ve lived so long, and not even this kind of accident has happened to me... All I can do is fantasize about a Platonic romance to comfort my wounded soul.”

Su Shijun felt that she herself was now more deeply wounded.

She was not a tree.

Yet, in some ways, it seemed she was obligated to fulfill the role of a tree hollow.

”There are many little joys to be found in a mundane life,” Su Shijun, having read enough inspirational literature, easily found words suitable for the plump witch. ”Like fragments of gemstones scattered among gravel—you simply need to pick them out carefully.”

”I prefer one-pound, hefty, whole gemstones,” the plump witch pouted, dismissing Su Daxu’s reassurance with indifference. ”Something substantial in my hand—that’s the kind of happiness that feels real.”

The Councilwoman pursed her lips, shooting the feather pen a glare.

The pen quivered briefly, its tip gliding faster as it promptly finished the form. Su Shijun waved to the sprites managing her outerwear.

”I enjoyed our chat,” the Upper House Member from the Moon Council said, taking her cloak, allowing the sprites to kiss her fingertips before putting the cloak back on. She looked at the plump witch with a smile of apology. ”But I’m afraid we’re out of time... The committee members waiting for our report must be quite impatient.”

”They’re only pretending to be impatient,” the receptionist nonchalantly betrayed her colleagues. ”Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to emphasize their importance and professionalism.”

...

...

”Interrogations are critical and professional work—no room for even the smallest mistakes.”

In another office far from the reception area, an elderly wizard with graying hair stroked his beard and spoke to his newly hired male assistant behind him. ”Which means every single word spoken during the interrogation must be recorded completely and accurately.”

”Understood, sir.” The male assistant quickly jotted the comment on the front page of his notebook. After catching the satisfied glance of the elderly wizard, he tentatively whispered, ”...So, are we really going to see Councilman Su today? Su Shijun from the Moon Council?”