High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1541: Chapter 285: Blessing

Zheng Qing discovered a problem.

Whether it was Mr. Wu, Professor Yao, Old Garcia who taught Fishman Language, Old Verne from the School Works Committee, or Elder Atar of the temple in Wusa City, all these elderly wizards had an inexplicable habit of speaking in riddles and veering off-topic, leaving others to guess endlessly.

The younger generation of wizards liked to call this phenomenon ”the final echoes of old-school wizards,” as this cryptic style of communication was once prevalent in the Magical World during the era when Mysticism dominated.

It seemed as though speaking plainly would somehow tarnish certain magic concepts founded on Mysticism principles.

However, with the continuous advancement of modern magical theories, traditional Mysticism viewpoints are gradually fading. Younger wizards prefer fast-paced communication, while only a few older wizards, encumbered by deeply ingrained habits, still cling to shadows of their youth.

At this moment, standing before the ivory lectern, the young wizards’ patience was slowly eroding under Elder Atar’s riddles.

”So, what do you mean by pointing up there?”

This time, it was Zhang Ji Xin, who chose the bluntest and simplest way to break Elder Atar’s cryptic riddle: ”Is there a door to reality on the roof of the temple?”

This was certainly a fresh perspective, one that Zheng Qing had never considered before.

With the towering White Tower rising above the temple dome, perhaps there really was a door inside that could lead the young wizards back to school.

The elder lowered his finger with a hint of displeasure.

”If you were Atlas’ children, you would’ve already understood my meaning.” He murmured indistinctly, lifting his gaze upward, ”I merely want you to open your minds... You need to learn to broaden your horizons. Stand higher, and with a wider view, you will see more paths ahead.”

”Like on top of the White Tower?” Zheng Qing suggested with a touch of realization.

”No,” the elder shook his head, ”That is the domain of Divine Spirits. It’s not enough that you offer a few tokens of tribute to ascend there... Besides, it’s not high enough. You need to go to the mountain.”

”Go to the mountain...” Zheng Qing mulled over the phrase, instinctively glancing at the big man and the elder.

They were the ones who came down from the mountain.

”Earlier, didn’t you say you fell from the sky?” Zheng Qing squinted as he addressed his companions, emphasizing three particular words, while his gaze involuntarily flicked toward Elder Atar: ”From the sky?”

”Yes,” the big man gestured exuberantly: ”Like two meteors—wham!—crashing into a small courtyard, leaving deep damage in the ground... and then the elder left two gold beans as compensation.”

The temple elder clapped gently.

”A very wise decision,” he seemed pleased by this response, ”That makes things simpler than I expected... The Black Wizard residing in the old house of Engla, though sinister, is very respectful of rules. Having a prior ’transaction record’ increases the odds of negotiating with it again.”

Nikita’s eyes flickered subtly but quickly returned to calm.

The young wizards remained focused on their discussion with Elder Atar, none of them noticing the faint, imperceptible shift in the female demon’s aura.

”But even if there’s a gate in the sky, we can’t enter it,” Zhang Ji Xin voiced the collective doubt, ”We don’t have wings... Are we supposed to jump back to the sky?”

Even with a Featherweight Talisman or a Cloud Soaring Talisman, one could only float tens of meters. These young novices, not yet registered wizards, were far from attempting to challenge the skies.

”Jumping up... might not be impossible.” Elder Atar nodded earnestly, seeming entirely unaffected by the remark made by the red-faced male wizard.

The young wizards exchanged disbelieving looks.

”Are you serious?” Zheng Qing raised his brow, ”You’re suggesting we ’jump back’ to the sky?”

”There is a Dao in the sky that leads to reality; this is unquestionably true. Like the pebble in your shoe, or the missing key on your desk—truth remains unshaken.”

A black cat sauntered into the hall, deftly leaping onto Elder Atar’s lap, and began purring softly. The elder stroked the cat’s ears, his voice growing even gentler:

”The only challenge lies in how to find that key which hides from your sight. Standing on the mountain peak and leaping toward the heavens—this sounds like a courageous choice.”

”Of course, you could also try finding a ladder or throwing up a rope, to see if climbing it can eventually lead you out of this world... The solution lies in your minds; you simply need to uncover it.”

”Even if the end of the mountain path holds no road, and the other side of the rainbow reveals no promised beauty, you must never abandon hope. Hope transcends obsession; it is the eternal lighthouse of this world.”

As he said the final words, Elder Atar’s gaze consistently rested on Zhu Si. The black cat softly ”meowed” on his lap, then opened its mouth to release several hairballs.

The elder’s bony finger tapped the hairballs, which unraveled into smooth strands of black cat fur. As if guided by invisible hands, the strands interwove in silence, forming a thin black cord on the tabletop.

Elder Atar picked up the cord, his eyes slowly shifting as he glanced at Zheng Qing, then back at Zhu Si.

”Come closer,” he beckoned the little witch with a gesture.

The little witch hesitated slightly.

Standing behind her, Zheng Qing gave her a quiet shove, pushing her forward toward Elder Atar. Perhaps sensing the unfamiliar proximity, the black cat leaped off the elder’s lap, flicked its tail, and vanished into the shadows beneath the table legs.

Zhu Si nervously steadied herself.

The temple elder took her hand and tied the cat-fur cord around her wrist.

”Hope transcends obsession; it is the eternal lighthouse of this world.” He repeated the phrase, smiling as he looked at the radiant yet fragile light before him and said softly: ”Destiny is fair and unfair. For it treats both misery and joy in this world equally—it is neither compassionate nor intentionally cruel.”

”Many spend their entire lives pondering this truth, but very few, at your age, come to deeply grasp it.”

”This is destiny’s gift. You must learn to accept it... and eventually give it back to destiny.”

”Now, everyone, close your eyes.”

Once the cord was tied securely, Elder Atar shifted his gaze from Zhu Si and glanced at the others.

Everyone obediently shut their eyes.

Including both female demons.