High School of Demon Hunting

Early Friday morning, after finishing his early class, Zheng Qing rushed to the school hospital for an ear checkup without even having breakfast.

The black gemstone cat that had gone out for a stroll the night before brought back images of the white jade cat and a large blue fox confronting each other under the cat fruit tree, which frightened Zheng Qing but also brought him immense relief.

Relief that he wasn’t present.

This made him feel increasingly warm toward the black gemstone cat, so much so that while waiting in line at the school hospital, he took the time to patiently polish the stone with Yunhua Oil.

Yunhua Oil is a type of tea oil commonly used by wizards for gemstone maintenance.

The therapists at the school hospital worked extremely quickly.

In just a short while, they handed Zheng Qing the checkup report right under his nose.

"... No signs of black magic erosion, no signs of curse marks, no traces of evil arts or other shaman magic... no functional deficits... no pathological inflammation or other features... Based on the patient’s daily routine, it’s speculated that excessive study pressure is causing phantom hearing; suggestion to conduct supplementary examination for mental aspects... Comprehensive conclusion: left ear normal, right ear normal, condition good (the checkup only reflects the situation at that time; please combine with clinical and other examinations, a follow-up is recommended if necessary)..."

In Room 503 of the eastern teaching building.

Xiao Xiao held Zheng Qing’s report, still exuding the scent of fresh ink, and read it word by word, musing, "Phantom hearing, huh? That does seem possible... Have you scheduled an examination for mental and soul aspects?"

"Not yet."

Zheng Qing’s mouth was stuffed with buns, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk, voice muffled and unclear, "I reviewed the potential risk factors I might have encountered. It’s most likely the aftermath of time conversion... Like a period before when I transformed frequently, and then suffered transformation aftereffects. So I’m thinking of consulting Old Yao at noon to hear his opinion."

He understands the condition of his own soul better than those therapists. Therefore, compared to the report’s guess about soul issues, he leans more towards other possibilities.

Clack clack!

The fat wizard sitting in the front row nudged his table backward.

A very faint voice traveled through the gaps between the tables and chairs: "——Jiang Da Headmaster is walking over here! No mistake, target is right here, attention! Level one alert!"

Before the words even settled, the witch was already standing at Zheng Qing’s desk.

A waft of fragrant breeze followed in gently.

Doctor Xiao perceptively did not give either party a chance to waste words and obediently handed over the checkup report. Jiang Yu frowned, scanning over the previous data quickly, her eyes landing on the final conclusion.

"Phantom hearing?" she murmured.

"Not confirmed yet." Zheng Qing blushed—he had just gulped down everything in his mouth at once, almost choking—adding in a voice brimming with oiliness: "...I plan to first consult Old Yao for his opinion."

"The opinion of a legendary wizard certainly carries more weight." The witch nodded slightly.

Zheng Qing timely suggested: "...How about you? Do you want to come along and ask?"

"Me? Why?" the witch raised her eyebrows in surprise.

The boy didn’t hide his concern: "I suspect this phantom hearing might be related to time conversion; not sure if it’s a related aftereffect... Some aftereffects might not show prominent symptoms in the short term."

Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment.

Ultimately, under the boy’s earnest gaze, she nodded slightly: "...Well, alright, let’s go together."

Zheng Qing’s face broke into a big smile.

Initially, he planned to visit Old Yao on Sunday evening during self-study—it’s the only time he could confirm bumping into this legendary wizard.

But during lunch, Zhang Ji Xin mentioned that Old Yao was meeting his brother, Sacred Will, Lei Zhe, in the office.

Zheng Qing certainly couldn’t miss such an opportunity and promptly sent Jiang Yu a paper crane.

Soon, the two young wizards were standing outside Jiuyou Academy Dean’s Office. The heavy door was empty, with God Tu and Yu Lei, the Door Gods, nowhere to be seen, only the white-gold ’big cat’ lazily dozing in the corner.

"Are the Door Gods resting?" he quietly asked Jiang Yu.

"Not sure," the witch appeared equally puzzled but had other guesses, "Today is Friday, there should theoretically be duty. If the professor is in the office, the Door Gods wouldn’t be absent... Maybe another guest is discussing more important matters, so they are avoiding."

Other guest?

Zheng Qing glanced at the door with the cat that might truly be asleep or pretending to sleep, hesitating a little, uncertain whether to knock.

He was here to resolve his troubles, not stir up more.

Before he could make up his mind.

The tightly closed door suddenly opened, Old Yao’s cheerful voice calling from the crack: "——Since you’re here, come in, why stand outside? Let others see and think I’m punishing students!"

Zheng Qing glanced at the witch beside him, took a deep breath, and pushed the door to enter.

As he looked around.

The next second, he wanted to withdraw again.

If the timeline could be accurately modified, Zheng Qing wouldn’t mind taking risks to reverse the hourglass, returning to the morning, to the moment he sent Jiang Yu a request, and cover his mouth with mud.

If not successful, go back to lunch and hang an invisibility talisman, sidling up to himself at lunch, making sure he stayed determined to meet Old Yao on Sunday.

Instead of being like this now.

Stuck between decisions.

"Come in, why hover at the doorway?" The invitation from the office was clear, but it wasn’t the office owner speaking; it was Old Yao’s guest.

Zheng Qing was still hesitant, but upon hearing this voice, Jiang Yu had already pushed him aside, squeezing in first.

"Professor Yao, good afternoon."

The witch courteously greeted the office owner first before turning to the large fox lounging on the sofa: "——Su Councilor, good afternoon."

Zheng Qing looked at Old Yao’s faintly smiling face appearing in the mist behind the office desk, finding it especially irritating!

"I, I thought Lei Zhe was supposed to be here." He forced a laugh, trying to lighten the atmosphere in the room.

"Uncle Zhang Zhi? He just left, chatting about his successor with me." Old Yao’s slightly husky voice came from behind the desk, sounding rather cheerful: "——Like you, he’s about to leave school soon, not graduating, but for off-campus practice. Xianqin Hunting Group promised him a hunting team leader position, so he’s going to intern for a while... Sit down, sit, don’t just stand there."

He pointed to the wide sofa.

Zheng Qing’s gaze followed Old Yao’s finger, and instantly recoiled.

The big fox occupied most of the sofa’s space, and when Old Yao pointed, she ’friendly’ enough curled up her four fluffy tails, seemingly inviting the boy to sit.