High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1877: Chapter 98: Korma’s Ambition

As they spoke, Xiao Xiao extended his finger, sketching in the air, and quickly outlined a strange ring embedded with a ruby. Zheng Qing almost immediately remembered the one Nicholas wore on his left index finger.

”It’s said to be Sister Korma’s experiment.” Xiao Xiao added.

”I’ve seen it on Nicholas’s hand before!”

A hint of realization appeared on the young scholarship student’s face: ”Before the trial, the gemstone on the ring was fine, but afterward, it had a few cracks... I originally thought he accidentally damaged it during the battle.”

”So I speculate that the magic power from the Philosopher’s Stone was exhausted, damaging the gemstone.”

Xiao Xiao nodded slightly, agreeing: ”From this perspective, Sister Korma’s experiment hasn’t fully succeeded... It makes sense; if the Philosopher’s Stone could be easily mass-produced, it wouldn’t be revered as such a precious treasure by wizards. Of course, it’s a fact that the Dushi Philosopher’s Stone has significantly reduced the production cost of the Philosopher’s Stone... Doctor Du Zemu is indeed a genius alchemist who once entered the Great Arcana.”

After the Battle of the Black Prison, with the influence of multiple factors such as causal lockdown and the promotion of the Ancient Ones, the numerous secret spells cast on Doctor Du Zemu by the First University were rendered ineffective. The news that he had helped the Dark Council concoct ’Giant Zero Three’ was quickly and fully caught by the diviners.

Thus, this once-renowned genius alchemist once again became the focus of public attention—the youngest special researcher appointed by the First University, once owning a named laboratory, a holder of the Great Arcana ’Star’ title, and his meteoric rise and disappearance.

However, as the school season approached, this news that had caused a stir for several months had gradually subsided. But at this moment, upon hearing that Doctor Du Zemu had made a deal with Sister Korma, Zheng Qing was still somewhat puzzled.

”How did she contact Doctor Du Zemu?”

Zheng Qing was still a bit confused: ”As far as I know, before the Battle of the Black Prison, Doctor Du Zemu was always reclusive, only appearing under very special circumstances; after the battle, wasn’t the Doctor protectively confined with Danghag by the school?”

”Through the Rat Immortal.” Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses, very certain: ”The Rat Immortal is quite familiar with Korma and is also a senior figure in the Dark Council, who happens to know Doctor Du Zemu.”

”Where did you hear all this!”

Xin Fat Man was greatly shocked, feeling frustrated that even as a gold-medal journalist, he was not as well-informed as a bespectacled geek: ”Can good divination skills really let you know everything?”

Xiao Xiao glanced at him.

”Maybe.” The Doctor shook his head slightly, said softly: ”But these pieces of information did not come from my divination skills. The information involving Doctor Du Zemu and the Rat Immortal is far beyond what a little wizard like me can divine—in fact, Sima told me these things.”

Sima Yangyun is a history teacher at the First University, well-versed in various secrets of the wizarding world. She is also Doctor Xiao’s girlfriend.

Obviously, this answer was worse than the Fat Wizard’s original guess and on the basis of the previous topic, dealt him a few more harsh blows.

Xin’s face visibly turned ashen.

He resignedly grabbed a big bucket of snacks, blocking the ’window’ of communication between himself and his companions, simultaneously using food rich in grease and sweetness to heal his wounded heart.

Zheng Qing picked up a small piece of cake from his bucket and stuffed it into his mouth.

”...I always thought Nicholas used rabbits or ravens caught in the wild for casting spells in the trial scenes.”

The young scholarship student, while chewing the cake, paused with Xiao Xiao in front of the tall artificial rock in front of the library, letting their gaze pass over the jagged peaks and rest on the shimmering surface of Lin Zhong Lake, before swallowing the cake down and continuing:

”I recall reading somewhere that ordinary creatures from the Otherworld aren’t protected under the Wizard’s Codex... Oh, right, it was also reported by the ’Beta Town Post,’ discussing how to alleviate the employment pressure brought by Northern District Wizards, mentioning that the New World pioneering hunting team could increase their recruitment of Northern District Wizards.”

”That really is a solution.”

A little healed by food, Xin Fat Man could not help but speak again, expressing a rare degree of agreement with the Post’s report:

”It’s quite a surprise, the ’Beta Town Post’ actually coming up with such a relatively reliable suggestion... In fact, our editorial team also discussed the feasibility of this suggestion, believing both Mouse People and Northern District Wizards could become excellent partners for the pioneering hunting teams, especially Mouse People, who have exceptional hunting advantages.”

”Speaking of Mouse People, should we consider raising the wages of the two ’Ears Brothers’ at the shop?” Zheng Qing suddenly remembered something he had thought about not long ago and hurriedly brought it up with his two companions: ”...The Doctor, didn’t you also mention that they’ve brought in more than half of the customer flow this summer to the shop.”

”Although I haven’t calculated in detail, many customers—whether out of curiosity or some other reason—do visit D&K because of them.” Xiao Xiao nodded, shifting the topic: ”However, this matter can definitely be discussed at the next Absolution meeting; what you should be worried about now is whether you can find a seat in the library and what to eat for lunch today.”

”Ah! I almost forgot!”

Xin Fat Man stuffed the desserts in his arms back into his watch, stomping his feet in regret: ”I heard today’s lunch special at the cafeteria is steamed Tiger Jiao, if I’m late, I might not even get to drink the soup.”

With that, without waiting for his two companions to react, he took off running.

Tiger Jiao, though its name includes ’tiger’ and ’jiao,’ lacks the ferocity of either creature, getting its name from its tiger-like head and jiao snake tail. Obviously, in the wizarding world, this ’tiger-headed snake-tailed’ creature is more famous for its delicious taste and medicinal value that ’eating it doesn’t cause swelling, and can even cure hemorrhoids’—especially the latter point is a great temptation for Jiuyou students who spend long hours in classrooms and libraries reviewing.

Zheng Qing and Xiao Xiao exchanged bewildered glances.

”You find a seat, I’ll grab you a serving of Tiger Jiao meat.” Zheng Qing decisively shoved the ”Standard Spells” book he was holding into the Doctor’s hands, then quickly fished out two Armor Horse Charms, attaching them to his legs, and dashed after the disappearing form of Xin Fat Man.

Xiao Xiao hadn’t expected his offhand remark to cause such a big reaction; stunned for a moment, he shook his head, muttering to himself:

”Indeed... for a diviner, words are wielded like blades, one must be prudent, very prudent.”

Still reflecting, he didn’t hesitate, lifted the hem of his robe, and ran rapidly toward the library.