High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2871: Chapter 1092: Sophomore Second Semester—15th Class Meeting

Xiao Xiao entered the classroom with Old Yao.

He looked utterly exhausted as if he hadn’t slept for days, and even with those black-rimmed glasses, his large eye bags and dark circles were clearly visible.

”I told you...”

Xin Fat Man leaned back in his seat, lowered his voice, and meaningfully muttered three words—thankfully, he had some sense not to continue rambling in front of the Legendary Wizard.

Zheng Qing was also quite surprised to see Xiao Xiao in that state.

Could it be like Fat Man said, that the professor lost track of time in Sima’s office? No way! The Sima family is quite renowned within the Alliance; they wouldn’t tolerate heir apparents bringing disgrace. Besides, the professor didn’t seem like someone lacking self-control, right?

These random thoughts flashed across Zheng Qing’s mind, and he looked at the hurriedly seated Xiao Xiao with a peculiar expression.

Just as he was about to ask something, Xiao Xiao sat down and fell asleep within seconds, completely ignoring the Legendary Wizard standing at the podium.

Zheng Qing, shocked, couldn’t stop nudging him.

Old Yao, however, seemed oblivious to it all, continuing with the usual weekend reminders—that without permission, they couldn’t go to the Silent Forest, they should avoid going alone to North Beita Town, respect the customs when dealing with Fishmen or Horse-Men, and most importantly for Jiuyou students, the upcoming final exams.

”—In two weeks, which is the week after the Dragon Boat Festival, it’ll be time for final exams. This is your last stretch in the second year, and after these days, you’ll officially be veterans at the First University. The current third-year students will be entering their fourth year next semester, preparing graduation theses and external practices. They might spend half the year off-campus. For the incoming freshmen in September and the current first-year juniors, you will be their role models; your conduct will be their benchmark...”

On the podium, the dean of Jiuyou Academy spoke incessantly, while Zheng Qing listened, a bit absent-minded.

The feeling from meeting Andrew earlier came rushing back, and he instinctively pulled out his silver pocket watch, clicked open the lid, and watched the second hand tick beneath the transparent glass cover, longing to stop it forever.

Of course, that thought flashed by only momentarily.

The memory of nearly being drained dry while attempting to pause time during the Battle of the Black Prison was still vivid—not an exaggeration to say, it was Zheng Qing’s most painful experience to date. Even such a brief instant still sent shivers up his spine, making him subconsciously abandon the idea of manipulating time.

Compared to that, headaches and self-explosion seemed much more manageable.

”...Lastly, a few more things.”

In his daze, the voice from the podium grew a shade louder, rousing Zheng Qing to attention as he looked up and happened to meet the professor’s gaze.

However, Old Yao’s eyes only swept across the room without pausing in this corner: ”...The first matter is about the Edge Academy. Starting last week, our weekly volunteer service on Thursdays has been cancelled, something I should’ve informed you of last week. Since there was no class meeting last week, I’m mentioning it briefly now. The school considered two main factors: First, as the founding of Edge Academy nears, they have other arrangements for their students, so they’ve cancelled the preparatory classes, which I hope you understand. The other factor, related to the cancelled class meeting last week, is that the Silent Forest has been rather restless lately.”

After these words, the classroom fell silent abruptly—or rather, it had been quiet, but hearing Old Yao touch upon this somewhat sensitive issue made everyone collectively hold their breath.

Even the snoring Xiao Xiao seemed to twitch an ear.

On the podium.

Old Yao appeared unaware of this peculiar atmosphere, speaking nonchalantly while chewing on his pipe: ”...There’s no need to be overly worried. Just a few Goblins, Ogres, and a Green Dragon have died. Such things happen daily in the Silent Forest. But with the ’Post’ spicing up the reports, it makes it seem as if a Demon was born in the forest, hahaha...”

He laughed heartily, and the young wizards below echoed with slight laughter.

Yet the laughter felt somewhat forced.

Because the school’s stance on rumors such as ’the Green Dragon was killed’ was indeed somewhat ambiguous—neither clearly denying related risks nor acknowledging them.

The professor’s eyebrows arched slightly: ”Don’t you know the ’Beta Town Post’? They previously reported that Jiuyou Academy has some unwritten rule about ’randomly accepting public media interviews will cost you credits,’ or that ’Jiuyou Academy has nurtured a batch of life-disregarding wizards,’ ’your eyes see nothing but credits’... Is that who you are?”

”Yes!”

Pandemonium ensued below the podium.

”No kidding.”

Old Yao removed the pipe from his mouth, tapped it on the desk to tone down the humor a bit: ”In short, the forest has indeed been a bit restless lately, which is why I keep stressing not to venture into the Silent Forest or Silent River recklessly. As long as you stay on campus, you’ll be safe. I can assure you that.”

A promise from a Legendary Wizard is evidently quite convincing.

The atmosphere in the classroom lightened considerably.

The professor didn’t dwell on this topic longer and swiftly shifted: ”—As for another matter, concerning the ’Yuzui Hunting Team’ led by Zheng Qing, which achieved the First University’s Special Contribution Award earlier this week... This is an honor for the entire Astronomy Class 08-1, so let’s give some applause.”

Warm applause filled the classroom immediately.

After a moment, Old Yao raised his hand, pressing it down for some quiet.

Then his gaze swept across the young hunters from the Yuzui Hunting Team one by one, adopting a relaxed tone: ”Last time, you reached the finals in the school hunting competition and got a commendable ninth place, so I gave each of you a talisman as a gift. This time, your honor is clearly higher; have you thought about what gifts you’d like?”

The classroom was instantly abuzz, with all eyes on Zheng Qing and his team, envy almost palpable. Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao, who had been sleeping through the class meeting, suddenly sprang from his desk, adjusted his tilted glasses, his eyes now bright and clear.

Sitting upright and composed.

Were it not for the drool barely lingering at the corner of his mouth, no one would guess he’d been napping the whole time. Only Zheng Qing was too preoccupied to tease the professor’s pretense.

He, too, instinctively straightened up, eyes gleaming, pondering deeply about what good things he could coax out of Old Yao.