High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1236: Chapter 298: Crossing the Hills

Footsteps, somewhat heavy, echoed down the corridor.

The little witch, who had been fast asleep in her blankets, jolted awake and opened her eyes abruptly. The room was dim because the curtains had been tightly closed, creating perfect sleeping conditions for those who desired a lie-in.

Before the sleep had even fully left her eyes, Li Meng’s body took it upon itself to clamber out of bed with nimble ease, her fingers twitched slightly, and the conveniences of magic were unmistakably displayed—the curtains drew back automatically, the window opened quietly, a hot towel and mouthwash collided in front of her, and a pink lace-trimmed robe chased her figure halfway across the room before finally enveloping her.

Oh, and the plush bear that had been hanging on the corner of the bed was also freed.

”You know what you should say!” the little witch warned, gripping the ears of the plush bear and lowering her voice threateningly.

The plush bear’s glass eyes, which had begun to glow due to the footsteps in the corridor, dulled once again under the little witch’s harsh warning.

It was just a helpless plush bear.

”Creak!”

The dorm door opened.

Her cousin’s familiar fragrance, accompanied by a draft, rushed into the dormitory.

The dorm was bathed in sunshine, the air fresh, and Li Meng sat upright behind her desk, earnestly studying a copy of ”Big History: World Modern History Volume.” Several feather pens circled around her, occasionally touching down to mark notes in her notebook.

Noticing her cousin who had just entered, Li Meng turned her head, her eyes bright, and asked with a surprised expression, ”Where were you this morning? I’ve been reading all morning, almost fell asleep...”

As she spoke, she stretched her arms leisurely and yawned widely.

That yawn was genuine.

Jiang Yu said nothing, simply walked up quietly to the little witch, raised her arm. Li Meng, thinking her cousin had noticed her little act and was about to hit her, shrank into a ball in fear.

But Jiang Yu just opened her arms and embraced the little witch.

Just holding her quietly, burying her head into the rabbit hood of Li Meng’s pink robe, she took a long time before looking up.

The little witch was stunned for a moment, her heart secretly relaxed.

”It’s okay, I’m here,” she patted the witch’s shoulder like a little adult, soothing her with an old-fashioned tone, ”Life inevitably has its ups and downs... there’s nothing that can’t be overcome.”

Jiang Yu took small breaths, burying her head in the rabbit ears for a long while.

Until Li Meng, worried, whispered gently, ”Don’t wipe your nose on my hat...”

Finally, Jiang Yu raised her head, her eyes red, she grabbed Li Meng’s ear, regaining her usual authoritative demeanor as a cousin, ”Next time you dare to sleep all morning, I’ll hand you over to nanny!”

”I didn’t sleep all morning!” Li Meng protested loudly.

”Your blankets are still warm!”

”...That was Li Neng farting just now!”

The plush bear looked at the little witch in shock, its paws involuntarily touching its own bottom—it never knew it had the ability to fart!

...

...

In the North District of Beta Town, on Gu Diao Street.

Sakura Pub, second floor.

In the morning, the two left the house together, but on returning, only Sister Korma’s figure remained. The newly minted Big Wizard walked through the courtyard full of blooming cherry blossoms, ascended the narrow, steep staircase, and pushed open the creaking door, without pausing for a moment.

She was exhausted, both inside and out, but now was not the time for sadness.

She did not search for a secluded sanctuary to stabilize her spirit, as instructed by the Yellow Flowered Cat.

She had more important things to do.

In the large hall on the second floor of Sakura Pub, more than a dozen members of the ”Bikini cabin” club were scattered about—these were young Tricksters with inferior aptitude, who had no hope of entering First University and could only learn a bit of magic knowledge in private clubs like ”Bikini cabin.”

The entrance of the Witch drew frequent glances and attention from the young Tricksters. It was not only because she was the owner of the Bikini Cabin, but more importantly, today her appearance differed vastly from usual. Silver-white hair had replaced her usual brown-black, the mysterious symbol on her forehead, and her slightly blurred figure all made the Tricksters take note.

However, due to the Witch’s usual authority, the young Tricksters only dared to sit in their seats, waiting for the lesson to begin. No one dared to risk aggravating the owner of the Bikini cabin by making any frivolous gestures.

Usually on weekends, when Sister Korma had a day off, these young Tricksters were happiest. It meant the club owner had time to patiently teach them some complex magic skills. For these young people whose futures were destined to be bleak, learning just one more herb combination or handling method was a significant gain.

At one side of the hall, behind the bar counter, a blue-gray flower pot was placed on the counter, and a Witch in a gray robe was carefully watering it from a glass.

From the pot, several Speaker Flowers feebly stretched their necks, emitting a raspy song:

”... Constantly looking back in unease,

Ignorantly seeking,

Ashamed to ask for help,

Restlessly overcoming,

Every hill...”

Sister Korma listened somewhat absentmindedly to the song, the watering witch had called her several times, but she hadn’t heard.

”President.”

”Manager!”

”Sister Korma?!”

”What?” The Witch finally snapped out of it, looked at the glass-holding gray-robed Witch, as if waking from a dream: ”Has everyone arrived?”

”I already told you,” the gray-robed Witch said a bit huffily, placing her glass down heavily: ”The Avery siblings are helping their family sort newly harvested herbs, their father got injured during the recent resurgence from Silent Forest, their family hasn’t had any income for a while... Enock went into Silent Forest with his uncle and hasn’t returned... Casey’s mother found her a Wandering Wizard husband, they are preparing for the wedding, Macy and Laurie have both gone to help...”

The gray-robed Witch flipped through the roster in her hands, droning on about the members who were absent and their reasons.

Sister Korma listened attentively.

Yet unwittingly, she was once again drawn to the song emanating from the Speaker Flowers.

”...

Crossing the hill,

Though already white-headed,

Relentlessly babbling,

The grief that time never gives,

Still haven’t met immortality,

Yet I’ve first lost myself

...”

Have I seen immortality? Have I lost myself? The Witch lowered her eyelids, questioning herself, her already somewhat hazy figure becoming even more unstable, instantly submerging the entire hall into silence.

Even the Speaker Flowers tucked in their necks and shut up.

Sister Korma came back to her senses.

The gray-robed Witch gripped her glass, her face pale as she watched her.

”... Sorry.” The owner of the Bikini Cabin spoke softly: ”I did a little experiment earlier, still not quite used to my current state... What did you just say?”