High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2971: Chapter 15: Rat Immortal

The world of low-level wizards and high-level wizards is completely different.

But Korma is experienced.

For her, from Beta Town North District in Magic Wa Land to the First University, the feeling is similar to stepping from the world of low-level wizards into the world of high-level wizards.

Incomprehensible cryptic jargon, prohibitively expensive magic materials, arrogant noble clans, suspicious glances and whispered gossip around her, all the concepts belonging to ’another’ wizard world surged toward her like the rising sea, in an irresistible manner.

Drenching her completely, shivering in the cold wind.

Fortunately, her luck has always been good, so she ultimately wasn’t swept into the depths by the tide.

But having studied divination, she knows that luck can’t possibly always be on her side. At this moment, sitting in the dim light of the Sakura Pub, listening to the droning voice of the Rat Immortal, the witch increasingly felt this——Monte’s attack on her might be a warning of destiny.

So, she must be more cautious.

Just like now.

Intuition told her that the fat mouse in front of her was leading the topic into some dangerous area——perhaps it didn’t have any bad intentions, simply hinting at some opportunities for the witch, but Korma, having been to San You Bookstore, knew she probably wouldn’t have the chance, and associating with the words ’the principal’s whereabouts’ was indeed too dangerous.

Even a legendary wizard like the Rat Immortal could easily perish if not careful.

She couldn’t simply live for herself.

As the big wizard of the North District and the Dean of the Peripheral College, she always has to consider more than others... and then some. Just like Heraclitus said, one cannot step into the same river twice, nor will the goddess of destiny cast the same bewitching glance at the same person twice.

Next time, she might not be so lucky.

Therefore, when she heard something like ’if anyone knows’, the witch rudely, somewhat recklessly, but very firmly interrupted the Rat Immortal’s words: ”——You, have you stabilized your realm?”

The fat mouse sitting behind those glass vessels looked up in surprise, glancing at her.

”——Uh, no, I haven’t.” It twirled the whiskers at the corner of its mouth, shaking its head thoughtfully, not insisting on the caprice of the moment: ”What you see now is just my righteous body.”

Righteous body, not an incarnation, meant the Rat Immortal could maneuver even fewer ’notions’ than anticipated.

No wonder it was so careless.

Korma gently exhaled and naturally continued this abrupt topic: ”...I remember during the Lantern Festival, didn’t the school hold a grand prayer ceremony, supposedly to help you strengthen your anchor point and move out of your advancement silence period?”

”Without enough foundation, no amount of external help can be of much assistance.”

The Rat Immortal, as if having completely forgotten the contents of the discussion moments before, showed a hint of regret on its chubby little face, muttering: ”Honestly, last year’s unexpected advancement was already beyond my expectations... Originally, I thought I would fall to ashes. Even a big wizard with solid background and strong foundation like Professor Emma didn’t succeed, what complaints do I have? People must have self-awareness, and so must mice.”

”When do you think you will be able to stabilize your realm?” Korma naturally wouldn’t let go of this rare opportunity——she had always thought of getting the Rat Immortal to join the Edge Academy.

Even if she wouldn’t have the chance to be the dean.

But being a vice-dean wasn’t bad either, especially being the officially recognized vice-dean of the First University, a position many big wizards within and outside the Alliance could never reach in a lifetime.

”It’ll take at least a year or so.”

The Rat Immortal shook its head ambiguously, feeling a twinge of annoyance at the thought of the young witch’s Edge Academy dean position being knocked away by some big crow: ”——If nothing unexpected happens to you, perhaps in a year or so, you might get to see the scenery of the Legendary Rank... Or, after you become the edge dean, if you let a little slip through your fingers, I could save a lot of effort...”

Still a mouse’s nature after all.

Korma couldn’t help but laugh at these words.

”Just as you are not complaining about your current state, being a big wizard is already satisfying enough for me.” However, she still cared a little: ”——Besides, you know, my talent is not very good...”

The Rat Immortal waved its hand, interrupting the witch’s words.

”For wizards, talent is both important and not important.”

This time, it didn’t equivocate, but explained very seriously: ”...It’s important because it’s the threshold for stepping into the field of magic; fail to cross it, and all is lost. Why were those wizards in the North District previously called ’tricksters’? Because they were kept outside of this threshold. It’s not important because once you’ve crossed that threshold, the positive feedback talent can give you diminishes continuously... and becomes increasingly negligible as you move up in rank. On the other hand, other qualities, such as temperament, chances, and virtues, will start to become prominent.

To use an old saying, ’children only talk about bone structure, adults look to fate’. We often hear people discussing a child’s good magical talent, but who discusses the magical talent of a big wizard?

That’s the issue——in this world, very few wizards grow to a rank where they can ignore talent——fortunately, your fortunes were good, and as you just crossed the threshold, the Power of Destiny pulled you to a realm many can never reach in their lifetime.”

At this point, the Rat Immortal couldn’t help but pinch its whiskers again, nostalgically muttering: ”——Speaking of which, over the past two years, I’ve met some similar young people.”

Its mind flashed the image of a young wizard it had previously interacted with, sighing with emotion: ”Indeed, as everyone says, this is an era of magnificent waves.”

Korma had to interrupt the mouse again from testing the red line.

”How did you find me?” she asked, very curious about why she woke up still in the Sakura Pub.

”I didn’t find you; I was assigned to take care of you.”

The Rat Immortal did not take credit, explaining simply: ”After the incident with Monte, the school couldn’t immediately find a reliable candidate to take care of you... so I was summoned temporarily.”

A simple sentence clearly outlined the difficult situation of the North District and the Edge.

Korma lowered her eyelids, recalling what her father once told her——never wait for crises to arrive, but assume they already have; otherwise, what she ’could do or not do’ today might become what she ’must do’ tomorrow.