High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2460: Chapter 681: Water Stains in the Sunlight

Friday the next day.

Early in the morning, the first thing Zheng Qing did after getting up was to lean over his desk and observe the state of the three sprites he had applied ’Hemp Essential Oil’ to last night.

The clear essential oil, after a night’s consumption, turned into a transparent thin film, wrapping the sprites as if it were an amniotic sac. If it weren’t for the slight rhythmic movement of that thin film, Zheng Qing would have long been unable to resist tearing it open.

Do not casually interfere with any magical process, this is a basic quality of every wizard.

”Not bringing the invisibility talisman today?”

As they were about to leave, Xiao Xiao noticed Zheng Qing wasn’t invisible, and couldn’t help adjusting his glasses, hesitating for a few seconds: ”I just remembered...”

Tsk!

What a clumsy and lousy excuse.

”You checked the chart, crystal ball, and Old Almanac this morning.” Zheng Qing shot him a look, tightened the belt on his robe, with a face full of displeasure: ”Even if I get beaten, you won’t be implicated... you should have more confidence in your divination abilities!”

The doctor chuckled awkwardly but ultimately didn’t turn back to do what he ’just forgot’, silently following Zheng Qing’s footsteps.

And although Zheng Qing appeared full of confidence, he had some guilty feelings deep inside.

On the way, his hand never left his pocket.

Fortunately, after a week of intense digestion and his public appearance in class yesterday afternoon, the other young wizards at the academy showed great tolerance and patience for Zheng Qing’s presence, and the worst-case scenario he had imagined didn’t happen.

”I heard something in the editorial department once.”

Before class, Xin Fat Man was holding a pile of parchment, swiftly flipping through them, earnestly lecturing Zheng Qing: ”In this world, there are two kinds of wizards, one kind controls public opinion, and the other is controlled by public opinion. Clearly, you are the first kind of wizard, yet you are living like the second kind... I just ask you, why bother?”

Zheng Qing frowned, holding up the fried egg sandwich in mid-air, his cheeks stopped moving.

He always felt that what Fatty said sounded familiar.

”I remember this isn’t about the relationship between public opinion and wizards.”

It was Xiao Xiao who, with broader knowledge, first questioned: ”If I remember correctly, this is a conclusion drawn by old-school wizards discussing the mutual control of ’soul and body’... Wizards whose souls control their bodies manifest as self-aware and self-disciplined, while those whose bodies control their souls appear ignorant and out of control.”

Zheng Qing suddenly realized.

He remembered reading this in a book when he temporarily stayed at Greenhill Mansion a while back, because it had left a very deep impression on him due to the recent encounter with several Fallen Wizards during winter break.

He shook his head, took another bite of the fried egg sandwich, and turned the ”Beta Town Post” in his hand to the last page, his eyes scanning over the article titles.

Just as expected.

Like the contents of dozens of other newspaper pages he had flipped through that morning.

The reports discussed a famous witch’s secret lover, the meaning of Edge Academy’s emblem, criticism of the new bill passed by Danghag, analysis of the impact of Northern District Wizards on the Alliance’s labor market, advertisements for a newly launched alchemical cook by the Martin-Tor Company, a high-end spring battle between Green Xifang and Ground Brush, and even a report on the first class of the youngest teaching assistant at First University yesterday afternoon, etc.

Only missing was news of death.

The veteran senior from Starry Sky Academy who accidentally died in a nameless corner of a nameless new world, silently seeped into the soil like the melting snow in the corners of campus at the beginning of spring.

After the sun rose, even the last trace of his existence—a shadow of a water stain—quickly evaporated, completely forgotten by everyone except for his family.

”If you’re not satisfied, I can still help you find a copy of the ’Daily Horn Newspaper’ or ’Ganges Daily’, or ’Ladies in Flowers’... as long as you don’t mind the trouble.” The Fat Wizard crumpled the campus newspaper submission he had just ’reviewed’ into a ball, stuffed it into his pocket, with a surprisingly accommodating attitude.

”No need.” Zheng Qing muttered, sighing lightly, and threw the remaining paper bag and cup from his breakfast into the nearby trash can.

He turned to look out the window, the golden sunlight bathing the entire academy, making the sky and earth seem so clean, with nothing different from yesterday or tomorrow.

Then he retracted his gaze and looked at his two companions: ”I have to rush to attend... that kind of class after the lesson, so consulting Professor Tesla is up to you.”

Though lacking the genius inspiration of Doctor Du Zemu, Professor Tesla is ultimately a very authoritative Alchemy Grandmaster who can give those three sprites sufficiently secure advice.

”You’ve emphasized that eight times already, Mr. Teaching Assistant!” The Fat Wizard glanced at him with some exasperation.

”Really?”

Zheng Qing rubbed his forehead, sighed with some fatigue: ”Got it, sorry, I was being verbose... I think it’s probably because of frequent time conversion, so I’m a bit mentally exhausted...”

Upon hearing the words ’time conversion’, the Fat Wizard’s attention immediately shifted from the pieces of parchment.

He hadn’t given up the idea of making some news.

”In fact, I’ve always felt a little pity,” Xin Fat Man deliberated over his words, doing his best not to appear too eager: ”Think about it, a you with the ability to travel through time, why do you still attend classes every day, and even more time in classes... attending classes alone in this timeline is already terrifying enough!”

He pointed forcefully at the table in front of him with his thick, short finger.

”Hmhm.” Zheng Qing hummed perfunctorily a couple of times, cautiously avoiding continuing the topic.

Old Yao’s warning from yesterday afternoon still echoed clearly in his mind, and he didn’t want to receive an assignment for writing a three-foot-long inspection report just at the start of the school term.

”I also share a similar curiosity.” Xiao Xiao rarely removed his glasses, looking at Zheng Qing thoughtfully: ”...What kind of reason compels the naturally lazy you to diligently maintain such a torturous lifestyle?”

The Fat Wizard immediately became excited feeling the topic was open.

”If it were me,” he poked his chest with his reverse hand: ”the reason would definitely be Su Councilor... but for this scoundrel, mere witches can’t maintain such motivation for him...”

Zheng Qing’s eyes twitched.

He really wanted to punch that bun-like, chubby face in front of him.

However, despite Fatty’s completely erroneous logic, he surprisingly guessed a roughly correct answer—he indeed chose such a tortured existence because of a heavier responsibility.

He couldn’t let these two smart-asses continue the discussion.