High School of Demon Hunting

"The academy can arrange the assistant work for you."

Professor Montreya interrupted the student’s probing, decisively saying, "It was originally a preparatory class, and as the day for the formal establishment of Edge Academy draws closer, they also need to make other preparations... You don’t need to worry about the pressure of the courses."

After pausing, he added, "As for the graduation exam, I think you needn’t worry even more. I’ve heard from friends in ’Magic’ that Councilor Su’s paper has already passed the cross-review commissioned by the ’Magic’ editorial board, and it should be published by the latest next month... At your age, acquiring such a prestigious publication, the school won’t hold back your graduation."

Zheng Qing was momentarily stunned before he regained his composure.

He had never known Su Shijun would submit his graduation thesis—or rather, she wrote the paper herself—and even submitted it to ’Magic,’ a monstrous top journal with an impact factor of 58.6.

A stark comparison.

The ’Alchemy’ journal that Xiao Xiao had his heart set on, which once published the paper by Professor Montreya and Doctor Duzem on divine matter, only has an impact factor of 31.9; Hilda’s paper on mutated fireflies published in ’Magical Creatures’ has an impact factor of merely 4.1.

"But..."

The young assistant’s mind raced, striving to find other suitable reasons for refusal. It was challenging; he certainly couldn’t say to the deputy dean of Edge Academy that the Dean of Jiuyou Academy suggested he not seek trouble on his own—if he really said so, causing discord between Edge and Jiuyou, that would indeed be self-inflicted trouble.

Professor Montreya didn’t give him another chance to refuse.

"This isn’t an order; it’s a plea."

His hand rested once more on Zheng Qing’s shoulder, expression serious, delivering a fast and forceful straight pitch: "You know, Edge Academy lacks foundation, has no Legendary Wizard overseeing it, both deputy deans have just advanced to Big Wizard, and it lacks the support of powerful alumni. Meanwhile, those who covet this academy are restlessly stirring beneath the surface. So, the only support we can rely on comes from above..."

He pointed upwards with his finger, and Zheng Qing followed the direction, only seeing wooden beams crisscrossing and overlapping, supporting the outside’s ornate eaves and dougong. Professor Montreya’s voice, near a whisper, came to his ears: "Rather than saying we need you, it’s more that we need your teacher. Only sufficiently strong protection can help Edge Academy through its toughest time."

"You... you know who my teacher is?" Zheng Qing was shocked.

Old Yao knowing about the teacher’s existence could be justified, but although Professor Montreya had deep qualifications, he was relatively reclusive and hadn’t been heard to have an intimate relationship with any Legend—if there were truly such a good relationship, it wouldn’t be possible for him to linger for so long at the registered wizard stage.

Upon hearing the young man’s retort, the usually stern professor gave a slight smile: "--After all, He has invested a lot of effort into this school, and I’ve been at this school for a long time. Even if there’s no official announcement, over one or two years, us old folks can easily guess somewhat closely, moreover..."

He paused briefly, his expression unexpectedly somewhat complex: "...moreover, when I chose this path initially, the Sir had given me advice."

...

...

After receiving Zheng Qing’s paper crane.

The Black Gem Cat sighed and leisurely headed to Greenhill Mansion.

At the mansion’s entrance, the little girl Su Ya was sitting barefoot by the stream outside the fence, her white feet splashing up water flowers, causing small fish to scurry in all directions.

Seeing the Black Gem Cat stop on the other side, Su Ya was speechless.

"Didn’t you ask Zheng Zha to come? What good are you?" She disdainfully extended her fair little fist, gesturing at the Black Gem Cat, who was only the size of her fist.

This thoroughly infuriated the Black Gem Cat.

"Let me in!" It made an effort to project the majesty of its true form.

"Got it..."

The little fox girl sneered lightly, suddenly jumping up, leaping over the stream, and grabbing the Black Gem Cat by the scruff of its neck, then hurriedly dashed into the mansion, shouting as she ran: "Miss! Miss! I’ve caught a sneaky fellow! It just climbed up the courtyard, trying to rescue that gray dog!"

The Black Gem Cat curled up, bewildered.

When did it climb the courtyard?

Inside the study.

Su Shijun, resting her chin in one hand and tapping the table with the other, watched the fox girl scurry in, speechless. But what rendered her even more speechless was that stone.

"Put me down!"

The Black Gem Cat struggled desperately in Su Ya’s hand. Upon seeing the owner of Greenhill Mansion, it didn’t even argue about the fox girl’s nonsense, instead recalling the reaction of its true form and arrogantly shouted: "—And put down the Furry Bean too!"

The owner of Greenhill Mansion blinked.

"Hang it up too."

She gestured, instructing, then added a reminder: "Don’t let Dong Dong or Zheng Su 123 see it... Um, and don’t let those little sprites find out either. Go and supervise them doing homework."

The last sentence was directed at the Head Maid, Su Man, who was standing at the door.

Finally, she pointed at the proud Su Ya, adding: "—And take this fool to recite the texts. The Qingqiu Fox clan’s reputation for intelligence must not be ruined by her!"

"Yes, Miss."

The Head Maid properly bowed, and pinching the fox girl’s neck, she whisked her out of the study.

Before the door closed.

From the corridor, Su Ya’s puzzled defense could still faintly be heard: "...Did Miss misspeak? I did a meritorious service for Miss, I caught a thief for Miss, put me down! I want to see Miss! I want to see Miss!"

...

...

The Black Gem Cat hadn’t replied, making Zheng Qing quite worried.

But it wasn’t until after evening classes that he found an opportunity to sneak out of the academy.

As with last time, tonight he once again took the ’cat form’ to Greenhill Mansion.

This was also the second time this week he turned into a cat.

He was ready for an argument with the Big Fox!

Tonight, the mansion was unusually quiet; Su Ya, who usually dug in the small garden, was nowhere in sight. With the Flower Sprites and Grass Spirits unrestrained, they ran wild in the garden, showing no fear at the approach of others and daringly peering by the roadside.

Passing by the courtyard, Zheng Qing caught sight of two ’rice dumplings’ hanging in front of the corridor in an instant.

The larger one was the Furry Bean.

The smaller one was the Black Gem Cat.

The good news was that the Furry Bean’s two bells of fur were still there, and they both seemed quite comfortable being hung; when Zheng Qing passed beneath them, there wasn’t a hint of reaction, only the sound of snoring.

"Let them down."

The Black Cat paused and commanded in a deep voice.

The Head Maid hesitated for a few seconds, eventually shaking her head in difficulty:

"—Miss is in the study, Young Master."