High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2458: Chapter 679: Dinner Without Candlelight

The Art of Body Transformation class had just ended, and Old Yao disappeared from behind the lectern in the blink of an eye, leaving the spacious classroom to the warlocks and witches below.

Only after finishing his notes and looking up did Zheng Qing realize the professor was gone, causing him to exchange bewildered looks with the witch.

”Right at five o’clock.”

Jiang Yu opened her pocket watch and glanced at the time, casually said, ”It’s one hour until the next class, time for dinner...”

Zheng Qing, always quick-witted, replied, ”I know there’s a new place on the Pedestrian Street...”

Before he could finish, the witch pulled a delicate lunch box from her handbag, placed it on the table, and only then seemed to hear the warlock’s words, looked at him in surprise, ”What did you say?”

Zheng Qing choked on his words because of that little lunch box, holding them back for a while, finally responded sheepishly, ”No, nothing... Are you eating here?”

He looked around.

For most First University students, today’s classes effectively ended after this afternoon lesson. A few might linger in the classroom to finish up assignments, but most, even those needing to study more, generally return to the teaching building after dinner. Hardly anyone chooses to eat in the classroom.

”No choice, time’s tight.”

The witch casually tied her hair into a simple bun, securing it with a brush, and succinctly explained, ”I don’t have much time to waste on the road... Want to share?”

Though phrased as a question, her eyes seemed certain, as if sure the boy wouldn’t refuse.

Zheng Qing, his gaze slightly dazed, reluctantly pulled away from the witch’s fair neck.

Then he noticed the delicate lunch box, once opened, unfolded layer upon layer; in a blink, the small lunch box blossomed into a flower made of food containers, offering a dozen dishes with enticing aroma and appearance.

From the appetizing crystal hawthorn, baked snails, Russian soup, to roasted lamb ribs, pan-fried fish, tomato beef stew, tamagoyaki, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and then mashed potatoes, steamed buns, honey pudding, and puffs; not forgetting the spicy mustard duck web, spicy chicken shreds, adorable panda-shaped rice balls, and the suspicious green viscous beverage.

In an instant, the young teaching assistant felt his stomach rumbling intensely.

”Is this your dinner?” He swallowed, looking at the sumptuous table spread, and then the witch’s slender figure, his tone tinged with incredulity.

He always thought girls like Jiang Yu had just an apple for dinner.

”Of course not.”

The witch’s unexpected answer stunned him; she took a steaming towel handed by the sprites, wiped her hands, and succinctly added, ”This is dinner for both of us... We have a class later, gotta replenish enough energy.”

All the questions bubbling in Zheng Qing’s mind halted abruptly, with none coming to mind.

Several sprites in gray uniforms carrying hot towels, chopsticks, napkins, and other items, neatly lined up, floated before the warlock, providing considerate service akin to a Yota restaurant.

”I never knew school committee sprites could provide these services.” Zheng Qing remarked, glancing over the sprites while wiping his hands, trying to keep the conversation going.

”You need to instruct them.”

The witch explained, taking a red hawthorn and munching without concern for her image, ”Many magic beings lack initiative, while wizards often overlook this, treating them with stereotypes, hence missing their competence.”

Zheng Qing nodded repeatedly, his mouth now stuffed with various delicious foods, displaying a happy expression.

”You look like a hamster preparing for winter now.”

The witch couldn’t help but laugh, pouring a cup of the viscous green drink, ”Try some of this, my own researched energizing drink, besides astragalus, polygala, cimicifuga, borneol, there’s also ground sleep pod roots and silent bird sternum powder mixed with apple dew... Amazing, isn’t it? Sleep pods are used for sleep, yet their roots can awaken strange clarity!”

Zheng Qing carefully took a sip, surprisingly finding its presentation aside, the taste quite pleasant.

Perhaps it was the apple dew, but after a sip, he felt his magic power becoming lively, with thoughts turning clearer.

”What does silent bird sternum powder do?” He jokingly asked, curious while swallowing loudly.

”It helps enhance memory capability; it’s the main ingredient for ’memory elixir’.” Speaking as she lifted a tamagoyaki, the witch paused, slightly shook her head in regret, ”I wanted to use ’Baffi’s Brain Awakening Potion’ initially, it’s better for brain strength, but it’s prescription-only and needs a therapist’s oversight for usage, so...”

She shrugged, sent the tamagoyaki into her mouth, quickly dismissing the regret, her face contented, eyes closed with satisfaction.

Zheng Qing fiddled with the pan-fried fish, hesitantly, finally softly advised, ”It’s just the first week of semester, thinking of using ’Baffi’s Brain Awakening Potion’ already... We have a long term ahead...”

Jiang Yu placed a piece of beef on his plate beside the fish, steadfast, ”We cannot wait until time is lacking to find more... must swiftly adapt this rhythm, proactively manage it to hold on longer. What’s your night class?”

This proactive approach was truly like Jiang Yu.

Zheng Qing put down his lengthy-tinkered fish, picking the beef first.

”Cloud Sutra Study.”

He recited confidently, having memorized his schedule, ”It’s studying ancient talisman class, but the textbook shows clearly the transformation from ancient to basic talismans... Even the exercises seem easy, so I think this class should be manageable... What about you?”

The witch was meticulously picking among the panda-shaped rice balls in that row, ”Me? Hmm, it’s about ’Under the Moon Laws and Systems,’ a general course without specialized parts... should be no problem... I shaped these rice balls myself!”

Gazing at the plate with a ’panda’ looking notably different, Zheng Qing easily ignored his conscience.

”Really good!”

He lavishly praised, stuffing the rice ball, exclaiming the great taste eagerly, ”So clear, so delicious... Better looking and tasting than other rice balls!”

The witch laughed till she bent over.

The other panda rice balls, meanwhile, drooped with ears and narrowed eyes, gazing disdainfully at the young warlock.

Suddenly, Zheng Qing put down his chopsticks.

”Oh!” He nodded subtly, realization dawning, ”I knew it... doesn’t the table seem missing something?”

”What?”

The warlock clicked his fingers.

A cluster of pale green, baby fist-sized light spheres suddenly emerged from the void, floating leisurely around the table.

”Is that ’Little Star’?” The witch instantly recognized the nature of the light blobs.

”No, these are candles... Dining without candlelight is like the night void of stars, losing much taste.” The boy solemnly corrected, inciting another hearty laugh from the witch.

The stick figure at the door finally lost patience, shaking off chalk dust, screamed, ”Cut it out, you two! Eating’s eating, why so much nonsense... will you let anyone rest?!