High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1978: Chapter 199: Inside and Outside the Tavern

”Would you like a drink?”

”Maybe a Green Bee, Amber Light... or the North District’s special Sea Monster Langmu?”

Korma stood up, walked behind the bar, pulled out a few bottles of various sizes along with a clean glass, and pushed them in front of Zhu Si. Then she raised a bottle filled with blue liquid in her hand:

”Personally, I recommend the Sea Monster Langmu. It doesn’t taste great, but it’s strong, perfect for those who want to get drunk late at night. Of course, if you’re looking for something classier, we have an ’87 Amber Light available, but its price matches its class and is a bit higher.”

With that, she held up another bottle.

But as her fingers touched the third bottle, she suddenly paused, tilted her head, and suspiciously looked at Zhu Si: ”Wait a minute... if I’m not mistaken, you are in a rather special condition right now... Can you drink alcohol?”

”I cannot.”

Zhu Si finally spoke, saying his first words since entering: ”Juice is fine. I like juice... If there’s orange juice, that would be best.”

”I like juice too.”

Korma’s eyes softened a bit, looking at the witch in front of her, as if she again saw the clumsy fat mouse that crawled out of the mirror to apologize to her.

She snapped her fingers, and a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice along with a large glass clattered over the smooth bar.

The orange juice seemed to have been heated, steaming faintly under the bright light of the magic candles, emitting a tempting fragrance.

Zhu Si’s nostrils flared slightly, and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. After taking a small sip from the glass, he finally confirmed, ”Is this juice mixed with Bold Hemp juice and brewed with Calamus Dew?”

The Bold Hemp can enhance a wizard’s ability to communicate with nature and is a powerful magic-boosting herb; Calamus Dew is an autumn exclusive with effects to clear the mind and improve vision.

This glass of juice is no cheaper than that bottle of Amber Light, the guest thought with slight heartache.

”Truly the daughter of Him.”

The North District Grand-Wizard praised, raising his own wine glass in a slight gesture: ”...And just like Him, you also enjoy being an uninvited guest.”

Zhu Si narrowed her eyes slightly, sizing up the youngest Grand-Wizard in legend.

Before entering, she had no idea there was some connection between Korma and her father. This gave her a subtle illusion that tonight’s inspiration was artificially created.

Perhaps noticing the guest’s inquisitive gaze, the owner of Sakura Pub shook her head: ”Don’t ask me... I don’t know where He is now either. The Alliance and the school are more concerned about this matter than you.”

The trouble with chatting with a Grand-Wizard is that they always seem to easily understand what you haven’t said yet.

Zhu Si withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, rubbing the warm glass of juice in her hand, and after a moment, casually asked: ”...How did you get to know each other?”

”How did we meet...”

Korma took a soft breath, her gaze sweeping over the guest’s shoulder and landing on the dark night sky outside the pub, as if she was seeing the lost little girl who cried for a day in the Silent Forest, and the clumsy Big Mouse who comforted her.

She retracted her gaze, smiling gently at Zhu Si: ”...That’s quite a long story.”

Zhu Si shrugged: ”It’s fine. After becoming an adult, if there’s anything in abundance, it’s free time... and there’s plenty of juice tonight too.”

The candlelight quivered slightly, casting a long flickering shadow.

...

...

”Shh... there’s someone else watching here.”

Not far from the entrance of 33 Gu Diao Street, at a hidden corner, two Wizards who had followed Zhu Si to the North District suddenly noticed a familiar figure - he had previously passed by them twice, carrying a bag of frogs.

”This is his third time.”

The black-robed leader scrutinized the passerby carrying frogs, hurriedly approaching 33 Gu Diao Street, and muttered to his companion: ”The people from Gini Cottage are still too inexperienced... such clumsy surveillance and they didn’t even notice... I think maybe we’re overdoing it.”

He was referring to the extensive use of high-level magic for concealment.

Wasting precious magic power and effort on tedious waiting during a cold, empty night - nothing felt more wasteful.

In contrast, his companion was more cautious.

”You never know.”

The other Wizard pondered as he observed the ’familiar stranger’ approaching and suddenly focused: ”Wait, there’s someone else behind him?”

The leader also noticed, instantly retracting his earlier relaxation, holding his breath, and shrinking deeper into the shadow of the corner. The hurried footsteps were clear in the night, chaotic and formless.

Accompanying the steps, the passerby carrying a bag of frogs spoke in an urgent, slightly shrill voice: ”...No mistake, it’s definitely big news... I saw the portrait of that witch on the memo booklet you gave me - it says she has some connection with the Mouse People... Just think, the Northern District Wizards colluding with Mouse People! Ms. Pulitzer would love this scoop!”

”Shut up!”

Following the passerby was a tall, skinny Warlock, cloaked in black with his face hidden under a broad hood, who snapped sharply: ”No such lady! No such news! You’re just a Trickster wanting to become a Northern District Wizard! How many times do I have to remind you to remember your identity?”

This severity evidently scared the passerby.

He stumbled, and the bag of frogs he was carrying knocked heavily against a nearby signboard. The frogs, originally half-asleep, awoke from the impact, and began lamenting their ill fate.

In an instant, the originally empty, desolate street became quite lively.

”S-sorry!”

The passerby stammered apologies while slipping half a Drowsy Medicine pill into the bag, then muttered under his breath: ”I’m just so excited... I’m not a Trickster.”

The street fell silent again.

The tall, skinny Warlock stood not far from 33 Gu Diao Street, glanced around, and chose a corner next to a general store to lead the passerby with the bag of frogs.

”Hide better, don’t get spotted by the people in the pub.” The tall, skinny Wizard hid in the shadow and whispered a warning: ”...If the one who comes out next isn’t that person, your bonus for this month is halved!”

Saying this, he pulled out an old-fashioned camera from his robes, carefully fiddling with the magic spell formula on it, and polishing the crystal-clear lens under the street’s dim light.

The passerby looked distraught, clutching his bag of frogs, nervously watching the entrance of Sakura Pub.

Neither of them noticed that just a few steps behind them, in even denser shadow, two other Wizards were holding their breath, praying that the stealth magic around them wouldn’t fail.