High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2280: Chapter 501: January 1

January 1st, New Year’s Day.

Friday.

Clear, with a light breeze and no clouds.

Good for: Excavation, planting, door installation;

Avoid: Marriage, prayer, well digging.

The Old Almanac is called ’Old’ because its taboos are often outdated. Like well digging, in an agricultural society hundreds of years ago, a well could be crucial to several villages; digging it wrong could disrupt local energies at best, affecting the Feng Shui of nearby areas, and at worst, disturb the Yin Yang balance, inviting spirits.

Nowadays, with the Mage Alliance’s management becoming more detailed, disturbances by spirits are rare, and the interactions between commoners and wizards are decreasing, making many of the Old Almanac’s taboos irrelevant.

After finishing the morning class, Zheng Qing walked toward the teaching building with his mind full of random thoughts. It wasn’t until he reached Lin Zhong Lake and smelled the meat buns carried by a warlock passing by that he realized something was off.

”Where’s Xin Fat Man?” He tilted his head toward Xiao Xiao, looking puzzled.

Usually, after morning class, the Fat Wizard would buy breakfast and wait by the Flying Garden to go to class together. Today, he was a bit distracted and didn’t realize that breakfast was missing.

Doctor Xiao glanced at him, raising the croissant in his hand.

”I divined last night that there would be no breakfast today.”

The short warlock’s tone was flat and annoyingly nonchalant: ”But you know, divinations concerning you often go awry... so I have no idea where your breakfast is.”

The young cost student came to the classroom with a glimmer of hope, only to see Zhang Ji Xin’s lonely figure in the back corner.

”Where’s Fat Man?”

Zheng Qing snapped his fingers twice in front of the red-faced male wizard.

Snap, snap!

”Huh? Fat?”

Zhang Ji Xin looked perplexed, turning to Zheng Qing with empty eyes: ”Fat sea, also known as large hole fruit, sweet, cold nature, sticky when chewed, treats closed fire acne, and cures all heat-related ailments that cause vomiting and nosebleeds, detoxifying and reducing heat, treats red eyes, wind-fire toothaches, worm accumulation indigestion, anal fistulas, dry cough without phlegm, internal heat, triple-burner fire symptoms...”

He clearly hadn’t heard anything the young cost student said.

Zheng Qing rolled his eyes internally.

Before every major exam, Zhang Ji Xin was always like this, with no hope of him returning to normal anytime soon.

It’s Friday, with an Alchemy class in the morning.

Like other classes this week, Professor Tesla’s teaching assistant gave everyone great freedom, not even taking attendance. So, half an hour into class, Xin Fat Man rushed in without even being scolded by the teaching assistant, who merely waved him in.

”Where have you been?”

Zheng Qing, already past hunger, was only interested in Xin’s whereabouts. In his memory, this seemed to be Xin’s first time being late for class.

”Waited a bit longer at the editorial department.” The Fat Wizard looked frustrated but soon showed a hint of pride, pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment from his pocket: ”I bet we’re among the first students to know... one of the first.”

”Know what?” Zheng Qing hated it when people spoke in riddles.

The Fat Wizard wore a hurt expression.

”Am I the only one who cares about this? What date is today?” He tried to jog his companions’ memory: ”Think of this time last year...”

Zheng Qing, impatient with his rambling, snatched the parchment.

At the top, there were only the two simple characters for ”Magic Wand,” followed by lines of messy handwriting that looked like hen scratches, leaving Zheng Qing doubtful that anyone other than the transcriber could read it.

”The latest issue of ’Magic Wand’ with the Small and Great Arcana rankings!”

The Fat Wizard had lost some of his initial enthusiasm but still forced energy into his voice, muttering: ”Technically, this list is only released at noon and might only be known by afternoon or later, but you know, having spent so long in the campus newspaper’s editorial department, I do have some connections...”

”What does ’Magic Wand’ have to do with your campus newspaper?” Zheng Qing now realized what the Fat Wizard was up to and tossed the crumpled parchment back: ”...Also, what the heck is written on this!”

Every year, January 1st is when ’Magic Wand’ updates its Arcana rankings, a list influential across the Alliance. The students who make it to the Small Arcana are top-notch talents of their academies, while those who enter the Great Arcana are usually significant figures—except Zheng Qing.

Last year, ’Magic Wand’ defied the odds and placed a freshman with no notable hunting achievements, low mana, weak connections, and virtually unknown within the Alliance on the Great Arcana list, causing a public uproar and subjecting both ’Magic Wand’ and Zheng Qing to tremendous pressure.

Of course, as the young cost student survived Sepulano’s shooting, ventured through the Dreamland, participated in the Battle of the Black Prison, and excelled in numerous hunts, skepticism about him dwindled, especially recently, when Zheng Qing’s other identity, as Su Shijun’s spouse, was exposed, leaving no one questioning his qualification as ’World’.

Thus, Zheng Qing wasn’t very invested in this ranking.

After all, he had too many other concerns.

”The campus newspaper is a strategic partner of ’Magic Wand,’ and each year, it’s authorized to reprint this list.” Xin Fat Man took the parchment back, smoothing its wrinkles, and sighed a little wistfully.

Xiao Xiao shifted his gaze from the Alchemy notes, adjusted his glasses, and leaned forward: ”So... is there anything new on this year’s list? You seemed excited a moment ago.”

Zheng Qing glanced at Doctor Xiao.

Hearing the inquiry, Xin Fat Man perked up.

”Not much new.”

He tried to appear casual, his chubby fingers moving over the ’hen scratches’, whispering quickly: ”Mr. Zha is still ’World’ on the Great Arcana, Su Councilor is still ’Moon’... There’s little change in the Great Arcana, but due to Vice Principal Shi’s resignation, the High Priestess position is currently vacant...”

”Can a position be left vacant?” Zheng Qing finally showed some interest.

”It’s rare, but not unprecedented in history.” The Fat Wizard’s expression turned a bit more serious, noting that discussing high-level wizards added psychological pressure: ”Everyone knows, although Professor Emma became the Vice Principal, she’s not yet a Legend... Professor Yao, although advanced to Legend, certainly cannot serve as the ’High Priestess.’

Listening to this analysis, an image of Old Yao in drag inexplicably flashed in Zheng Qing’s mind, causing him to stifle a laugh.