High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1367: Chapter 114: Brows and Eyes Like a Painting

Wizards’ studies are rarely purely theoretical, which is why even in the Book Mountain Library, there is a laboratory equipped by First University for students to use. Of course, compared to the comprehensive laboratories in the teaching buildings or dedicated experimental fields like Hundred Herb Gardens, the laboratories in the Book Mountain Library are relatively rudimentary, but they are sufficient for students studying in the library to simply verify the inspirations that have just sparked in their minds.

Moreover, since the usage fee for the laboratories affiliated with the Book Mountain Library is included in the library’s service listings, many freshmen choose to utilize the lab equipment here as much as possible to save on credits.

Hence, most of the time, the laboratories downstairs are crowded.

When Zheng Qing stood in front of the experimental table, his mind was momentarily foggy—because he couldn’t recall applying to the librarian for the use of a laboratory today—but soon, the fragrant aroma emanating from the Gypsy witch made him overlook that bit of confusion.

At this moment, the two were standing in front of an experimental table by the window.

On the table, there were already yellow talisman papers, red cinnabar, clear and transparent sand-tuning spirit liquid, and brushes of various sizes and models.

”I always feel like these gloves are filled with resentment.”

The Gypsy witch muttered softly as she slipped on a pair of translucent long-sleeved gloves. Zheng Qing carefully pulled the cuffs up past her elbows, smoothed out every wrinkle with patience, and then casually tied the ribbon knot of the apron behind her.

Not far away, faint laughter seemed to come from behind other experimental tables.

The warlock felt his cheeks grow warm.

He squinted, trying to steal a glance at the surrounding experimental tables, but his vision seemed blurry. It was as if tears were blurring his eyes, or as if he was looking at an old cathode ray tube television, where he could see people’s figures vaguely, but not cleary.

”Are you even listening to me?!” An annoyed voice rang in his ear.

The warlock snapped back to reality and promptly assured:

”Of course, of course... you can sense the resentment on the gloves, perhaps because of your high divination talent and sensitive spiritual perception... but in theory, all the protective gear in the library has been repeatedly checked by professors, and apart from those protective runes, no negative forces should remain.”

Depending on the experiments conducted, wizards would use different forms of protection. For instance, when conducting alchemy experiments, wizards would wear dragon skin bodysuits, deer-skin gloves, and sometimes even wear an ugly protective mask; when working on potion experiments, wizards would typically wear ice silkworm silk robes and put on plain goggles. Whereas, for experiments on talismans and formations, wizards would wear silkworm leather gloves and a full-body fish skin apron.

Silkworm leather is light and thin, allowing for a clear feel of the subtle differences between the brush tip and the talisman paper, while fish skin can block most of the ’dyes’ from landing on the young wizards’ beautiful robes.

Over the long history, wizards have found that excessive contact with experimental materials and too many experimental activities can seriously affect their health, accelerate aging, and bring about subhealth conditions. Just like those great wizards of ancient legends, many of whom had aged faces and bent bodies.

With the development of modern magical theory and the continuous improvement of knowledge structures, wizards have come to place greater emphasis on their own protection. Various exquisite protective runes and spells have been developed, greatly ensuring the safety of wizards’ experiments.

Having tied the ribbon knot, Zheng Qing raised his head and just caught sight of Elena smiling, turning her head casually as she wound up her burgundy waves with a clip, revealing her fair neck.

Zheng Qing couldn’t help but reach out and touch a few strands of blue silk dangling near her ears, which drew a reproachful glance from her.

”As stunning as a flower, with brows like a painting.”

Zheng Qing boldly paid a compliment, only to be mocked by Elena once more:

”Don’t you know ’brows like a painting’ is meant as an insult?”

”An insult?” The young wizard found it puzzling, as the phrase sounded flattering to him.

”The Faceless Monster, you know of it, in Huaxia we also call them Painted Skin,” the Witch lifted her hand, brushing back the few strands of hair by her ears and glanced at the Warlock, ”Eyes and brows like a painting is a term used to describe them...”

”The Faceless Monster...”

The word struck like thunder in the Warlock’s ears, setting off an explosion. The outlines of classmates, previously indistinct, turned their heads in unison, all revealing fuzzy panda faces.

”Meow...”

A chorus of cat meows suddenly erupted, jolting the Warlock awake from his dream.

He flipped over and stood up from his chair, pushing the desk and causing a loud ’creak’ that drew the annoyed glares of other students in the library who were immersed in their reading.

Zheng Qing wiped off the fine sweat on his forehead and gave an apologetic smile to those around him.

It was at this moment that he noticed Xiao Xiao had taken a seat opposite him at his table some unknown time ago.

”When did you get here?” The state-funded young scholar sat back down in his chair and asked in a hoarse voice, ”Why didn’t you wake me just now?”

”Seeing you sleeping so soundly, drooling and grinning foolishly... I didn’t have the heart to wake you,” Xiao Xiao shrugged her shoulders, her mouth tilting downward, ”Didn’t expect it would turn into a nightmare... Did you dream of Jiang Yu and Sister Korma having a fight?”

Zheng Qing rolled his eyes at the Doctor, letting the tease go unanswered.

”Have a piece of smoking candy to perk you up,” the Doctor nonchalantly tossed a hard candy to Zheng Qing, ”Mint flavor, mild smoke type, won’t have you crying your eyes out.”

Zheng Qing took the candy, peeled off the green wrapper, and looked at it cautiously. A plump panda head was embossed on the candy, and within the semi-transparent sweet, faint runes could be seen flickering.

”I remember you telling me that this kind of candy is quite stimulating and not good for our spirits,” Zheng Qing reminded — the last time he encountered such a candy was on his first visit to Wandering Bar when Zhang Ji Xin pranked him with a chili-flavored smoking candy, a taste he couldn’t forget to this day.

Hearing Zheng Qing’s reminder, Xiao Xiao heaved a heavy sigh.

”Alcohol harms the liver, greasy food hurts the lungs, and all-nighters damage the spirit... didn’t stop you from drinking less Green Bee, or from going to bed early.” Doctor Xiao’s reasoning was always thorough: ”It’s true that smoking candy should be consumed in moderation, but when needed, you still have to eat it.”

With that, the feather pen in his hand twirled around his fingers, pointing to the surroundings.

”...During final exams, which student doesn’t prepare a few things to stay sharp? Relative to others, smoking candy is quite mild.” Saying that, he seemed to have a realization as he sized up Zheng Qing, ”Or would you rather use Dragon claw powder or Fox charmer’s dried dung? Those can make your mind sharper for a short time, but are addictive and not nice stuff.”

Zheng Qing resisted the urge to stuff the candy into Xiao Xiao’s mouth.

”I don’t want to use anything,” he mumbled unclearly, the minty coolness merging with the sweet and sour of the candy, blossoming on the taste buds of his tongue, instantly dispersing the fatigue from just having woken up.

Zheng Qing took a light breath.

Finally, he remembered another matter.

He looked up at Xiao Xiao, ”Didn’t you say you were going to the study room? Why did you come to the library again?”

”Because I don’t want to be kicked to death by a horse alive,” replied the Doctor.