High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2702: Chapter 923: Three Words, Two Pats, One Squeeze

Zheng Qing had initially accepted Xiao Xiao’s explanation.

He thought the school would downplay the case of dormitory 403 being invaded, so he didn’t expect much from the wizard coming later that day to reinforce the dormitory’s guardian magic. He spent the afternoon pondering whether to find time to visit Greenhill Mansion to thick-skinnedly ask for some external aid.

However, after dinner, he returned to the dormitory, immediately dispelling that thought.

Because if the school intended to be perfunctory, they wouldn’t have sent Zhang Yu to dormitory 403—although some people in the school still referred to Zhang Yu as the ’acting leader,’ the fact was, Zhang Yu’s appointment as leader had been approved by the relevant departments of the school, and he was in a three-month probation period, meaning he was now the de facto leader of the First University Assistant Corps.

Zheng Qing didn’t think the Assistant Corps had enough manpower now to let the leader handle a dispensable case.

More importantly, with Zhang Yu’s identity, he stood in the corner of the dormitory, akin to a transparent person.

Besides him, there were two other school-dispatched wizards. One was Ernest, an old school worker in a gray robe with whom Zheng Qing had interacted a few times. Like Old Verne from Lin Zhong Lake and Uncle Sistanda from Hundred Herb Gardens, he had substantial seniority; the leading tall and thin warlock was a complete stranger to him.

Xiao Xiao and Xin Fat Man were hiding behind Zhang Yu, crossing their arms and silently gesturing—Zheng Qing couldn’t understand what the two wanted to convey, but to be cautious, he decided it was best not to speak recklessly.

”Zheng Qing?”

The leading tall and thin warlock saw the young tuition-exempt student entering, forced a smile at the corner of his mouth, seemingly trying to squeeze out a bit of cheerfulness, but quickly realizing he wasn’t good at it, promptly retracted his smile, restored a stern expression, and extended his hand to Zheng Qing, introducing himself: ”...I’m Qian Doudou from the First University Professors’ Joint Conference Office, now responsible for investigating the illegal intrusion in dormitory 403, pleased to meet you.”

Zheng Qing shook his hand, bewildered.

Although he thought the name Qian Doudou seemed a bit incongruous for this tall and thin warlock, he couldn’t muster a smile. Just like how Mr. Qian Doudou’s mouth said ’pleased’, but his face showed no hint of joy.

”I thought the morning...” he mumbled, glancing over Master Ernest and his two roommates before finally focusing on the Assistant Corps leader.

Among these ’stranger’ wizards, the frequently encountered Zhang Yu made him feel more reassured.

Perhaps noticing the boy’s uneasy gaze, Zhang Yu lightly coughed and said, ”The investigation reports from Glass and Mr. Eg were not comprehensive enough, so we’re just asking a few more questions... It’s nothing, don’t be nervous.”

Yeah, right.

Zheng Qing secretly thought—Glass was one of the two investigators who came in the morning, an ordinary assistant of the Assistant Corps, while Zhang Yu was the leader of the Assistant Corps—the current situation was like a patient seeing a doctor, who then runs off saying ’it’s fine’, but returns with three chief-level doctors for a consultation.

No one would consider their issue minor under such circumstances.

”Just a simple follow-up investigation?” Zheng Qing couldn’t help but question.

Whether it was an illusion or not, he vaguely felt that after hearing his question, the three school-dispatched wizards inconspicuously exchanged glances.

”Yes, just a simple verification of the morning’s investigation,” Qian Doudou concisely affirmed Zheng Qing’s query, his tone flat, showing no emotional fluctuations: ”To penetrate the school’s numerous defenses and enter a student dormitory is a very difficult thing, even a great demon couldn’t achieve this... so, who do you think the intruder was?”

Zheng Qing pretended not to see Xiao Xiao making an ’×’ gesture vigorously behind him—Xiao Xiao came from the Observer Family, known for strict neutrality, so ignoring troublesome matters was quite normal. But Zheng Qing wasn’t like him; he clearly remembered the conversation with Old Yao before school started, understanding that these troubles would eventually find him.

He had barely accepted his companions’ persuasion before.

But now that there was an opportunity to turn the tables, he didn’t hesitate at all.

So, he straightforwardly stated his consistent opinion: ”It was a crow!”

Qian Doudou scribbled two characters in his notebook, nodding solemnly: ”Hmm, makes sense.”

Then he put away his pen, closed his notebook, and pointed behind him.

”...We have reinforced the dormitory’s guardian magic and added many new protective spells. There’s no need to worry about safety; just remember to lock the door at night.”

Seeing his gesture to leave, Zheng Qing quickly asked, ”Wait... do you know about the crow? Aren’t you going to ask why I think it’s a crow that broke in?”

”You insist on your opinion, correct?” Qian Doudou retorted.

”...Yes.”

”That’s fine. I’ll record it truthfully and report it to the school,” Qian Doudou comfortingly patted Zheng Qing’s shoulder, giving it a firm press, and added, ”It’s just a simple verification, don’t worry.”

Zheng Qing was bewildered.

Was that it?

Nothing more?

”Rest assured, the School Works Committee will not let incidents that threaten student safety happen casually,” Master Ernest followed closely, patting the other side of Zheng Qing’s shoulder and pressing it, his attitude friendly.

With that, he didn’t wait for any reaction from the boy and strode outside.

Zheng Qing raised his hand to touch the shoulder that had just been patted, looking at the old wizard’s retreating figure with a hesitant expression, suddenly remembering someone else was present, quickly turning back.

Zhang Yu stood quietly in front of him.

As usual, most of his face was hidden beneath the high collar, his gentle gaze scrutinizing both of Zheng Qing’s shoulders before grabbing his arm, giving it a shake.

”Aren’t you worried I might talk nonsense?” Zheng Qing asked before Zhang Yu could speak.

”You’re an assistant of the Assistant Corps. I understand you; you’re not the kind to talk nonsense.” The leader of the Assistant Corps warmly responded, gripping the boy’s arm, entirely lacking his usual strict demeanor.

Then, after a pause, he added, ”...Also, since there was an incident here, the small hand task for this week can be temporarily canceled... Don’t stress over it, just focus on your studies.”

Zheng Qing instinctively refused: ”It’s okay, it won’t affect anything. I can complete the task.”

He vaguely felt that this small hand task was very important to him, and declining could lead to regrets later.

Zhang Yu blinked.

Though he couldn’t see his mouth’s expression, Zheng Qing believed he definitely smiled briefly.

”As expected from the rising star of our Assistant Corps.”

The leader of the Assistant Corps praised, releasing the grip on Zheng Qing’s arm: ”In that case, make sure not to be late for tonight’s new small hand task pickup... Good luck!”

Before he finished speaking, he vanished into a shadow from dormitory 403, leaving the three young wizards looking at each other in confusion.