High School of Demon Hunting

Since Giant Zero Three shone brightly in the Battle of the Black Prison, the figure of Doctor Du Zemu, who refined the ’Dushi Philosopher’s Stone’, has returned to the vision of the Alliance and the First University. The ’Duzem Alchemy Laboratory’ has been reopened, and this small courtyard has also become a heavily guarded research hub.

Just like now.

The Door Gods on the talisman board are dutifully on guard.

The dark blue metal gate flickers with a deep luster under the night sky. Occasionally, a slender spark of electricity flashes across the densely intricate magic runes on the gate, issuing a small and crisp crackling sound, subtly warning visitors to curb their arrogance and ignorance before this door.

Zheng Qing’s gaze slid over the white nameplate embedded in the wall on the left side of the gate. Above the nameplate, the words ’Abnormal Life Research Institute’ remain the most prominent, but a few more lines of explanation items have been added beneath the nameplate.

Besides ’Duzem Alchemy Laboratory focused on condensed magic power research and high-energy alchemy’, ’partner of the Legendary Wizard Mouse Immortal’, and ’sponsored by the Zhongshan Jiang Family’, two new titles were added: ’Mage Alliance Key Protected Laboratory’ and ’Edge Academy Related Department of the First University’.

The name ’Mage Alliance Key Protected Laboratory’ is quite standard, without novelty. It can only indicate that Doctor Du Zemu has found new, more authoritative protectors and endorsers besides the First University and Mouse Immortal.

On the other hand, the peculiar combination of ’Edge Academy Related Department of the First University’ drew the young public student to unconsciously glance at it several more times. Whether ’Edge Academy’ or ’Related Department’, both are enough to pique his great interest.

Aoow!

As if sensing the warlock’s distraction, the white-striped great tiger squatting in the corner of the talisman board swung its neck and roared with its mouth wide open, exuding an imposing air.

But was it an illusion?

Zheng Qing always felt that the white-striped tiger’s roaring with its mouth wide open seemed more like it was yawning, which made him chuckle, drawing glances from the witch beside him and the Door Gods on the talisman board.

The lush vines on the high surrounding walls seem to awaken at this instant, with broad leaves swaying slightly in the windless alley, creating a rustling sound, and vigilant, earnest glances flickering beneath the leaves.

"What are you laughing at?!"

The golden-eyed white tiger squatting beside Yu Lei seemed to understand the meaning behind the warlock’s amusement, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, stood up, and slapped its thick tail against the gate continuously with a crisp sound.

Zheng Qing instinctively held back his laughter.

"I thought of something funny," he replied drily.

"What was so funny?" The white tiger leaned forward, staring at the warlock—due to the flat surface, this action made its head appear particularly large and its body particularly small, turning its majesty into an instant display of cuteness, adorableness, and funniness.

This time, Jiang Yu couldn’t help but snicker.

"My dog is pregnant," Zheng Qing spoke at the same time, making up a response.

"What are you laughing at?!" The white tiger turned to look at the witch, erupted in anger, and its soft fur stood on end, instantly enlarging it like an inflated ball, the sharply defined majestic beast turning into a chubby, snow-white reminder of the famous painting ’Tiger Happily Roaring in the Mountains’.

"I also thought of something funny," the witch replied earnestly.

"Your dog is pregnant too?" The white tiger pondered for a few seconds and asked back.

This time, not only the two young witches but also a slightly suppressed laughter came from behind the dark blue metal gate.

Elder Constantine, holding a greenish Deadly Wind Lamp, shakily opened the gate, coughing and beckoning the young ones inside: "Come in, the young master is waiting for you in the study... Sorry, since the Alliance and the school’s people came to adjust the prohibitions on the gate, I haven’t had the chance to adjust the specifications of the Door-guarding Charm Board, so sometimes its appearance will be altered under magical interference... Of course, it doesn’t know this."

He said these words quietly after leading the young wizards into the courtyard.

At this time, the Door God and the Golden-eyed White Tiger on the dark blue metal gate had already resumed their previous dignified and serious demeanor, dutifully carrying out their guardian duties, completely unaware of the comments behind their back.

Zheng Qing paid no mind to what Elder Constantine said afterward.

His attention was wholly captured by the previous statement.

"Is Doctor Du Zemu home today?" he couldn’t help but confirm once again.

"Yes, yes."

The old servant chuckled softly, leading them stumbling through the little garden and corridor to the study door, knocked twice, and greeted softly: "Young master, Miss Jiang Yu and Mr. Zheng Qing are here."

"Please come in."

The wooden study door silently opened, revealing a figure busy at the desk. Doctor Du Zemu didn’t even lift his head, simply ordered: "Please wait a moment... serve tea."

"Yes, young master." The old servant closed the door and retreated properly.

Zheng Qing and Jiang Yu exchanged glances.

Neither expected tonight’s visit to go so smoothly. Zheng Qing couldn’t help but silently blame himself for not having the foresight to bring along those little sprites.

He glanced around.

Unlike outside the Abnormal Life Research Institute, this study remained the same as when Zheng Qing first visited. The white corpse-eating beetles in the glass cabinet by the wall were still huddled together like a grey stone; the tall full-length mirror was covered by a crumpled blanket, appearing silent and quiet; the clock on the wall pointed to 6:17, meaning the two young wizards had half an hour to clarify their purpose.

But looking at the busy doctor behind the desk, it seemed unlikely that his work would be finished anytime soon.

Zheng Qing couldn’t help but take out his pocket watch to check the time.

It was exactly the same as the time displayed on the wall clock.

"Just a moment," Doctor Du Zemu, keenly aware of the thread of anxiety permeating the air, succinctly stated: "Just thought of a detail, I’m just adding a bit..."

A few steps away, Zheng Qing easily saw the doctor holding a feather pen, sketching and marking on a very complex humanoid diagram, which at a glance seemed much like the Giant Zero Three he had seen in the Black Prison, yet subtly different.

Before he could figure out the specific difference.

The door to the study behind him opened once more.

Elder Constantine walked in steadily with a tray, two exquisite teacups placed on it, the steaming tea emitting a refreshing and pleasant scent.

This place indeed felt different.