After three rounds of drinking in the corner, listening to the raucous chatter in the room, a boy feels alone and unknown. He lifts his glass, toasts to himself: one for the past, one for the moonlight, and one secretly held, making loneliness no longer eternal.
Unlike him, the other few hunters in the Atonent Hunting Team have no such worries.
Blue Bird, who doesn’t drink alcohol, orders a glass of clear water and sits in a corner more secretive than Zheng Qing, gently stroking the longsword in her arms as if flirting with a young girl. Xiao Xiao orders a cheap Sea Monster Langmu, a North District specialty drink, strong and wildly popular among the guests. Dylan and Xin Fat Man huddle together, whispering about the latest issue of "Beta Town Post".
The incident at the Eagle Dragon Hunting Ground has already made it to the quick news section.
However, the Post ambiguously described the incident as the work of the Fallen Wizard—a sowhat misleading description, as most wizards associate Fallen Wizards with demons, so those who read the report intuitively bla demons for the accident.
"In a sense, Black Wizards also count as Fallen Wizards, so the Post’s statent isn’t entirely wrong." Dylan flicks through the article on the newspaper, his expression slightly profound: "I guess the school definitely alerted the Post."
"Is there really a need to guess?"
The Fat Wizard snorts, using a small spoon to spread sauce on the atballs on his plate: "I can even guess what they’re thinking...probably that the Black Wizard might be from the school...it’s better if people think it’s a demon’s doing than the school having a Black Wizard."
He forks a atball, stuffs it into his mouth, chews, and changes the topic: "Speaking of which, we were quite lucky on our trip to Britannia; at least this ti, none of us turned into a frog."
That joking comnt sure asked for a punch.
Last year, during a trial with the Atonent Hunting Team against the Two-headed Ogre, Xiao Xiao accidentally fell into a Shaman Wizardry curse, briefly turning into a fat frog that couldn’t speak.
Fortunately, the diviner classmate was already drunk and didn’t hear the Fat Wizard exposing past secrets.
Dylan glanced at the indifferent Xiao Xiao, shook his glass of red wine, and slowly shifted the topic: "I’d rather trade such luck for a clue...last ti the Ogre Tribe belonged to the Dark Giant Beast Leviathan, this ti the Da Ya Moss Sprites are wild...the only common points between them are that copper piece...and the ’Ravens’. I think it’s hard for us to piece together any truth from these scattered clues."
"Truth?"
The Fat Wizard took a large gulp of frog juice, conveying a hint of sarcasm: "The truth is there are people in the school doing illegal experints, but those who could manage it won’t, and those who can’t manage it have no clue...what truth can elude so many powerful individuals in the school? Just the bustling clamor and the pursuit of profit!"
"If you can’t speak, speak less!"
Mister Wolfman forked another atball to block the Fat Wizard’s mouth, simultaneously looking at him disdainfully as green sli dripped from his lips: "This is a bar; can’t you drink sothing normal?"
"So drink water, so drink blood, and so drink orange juice; why is mine abnormal!" The Fat Wizard said indignantly, forcefully tapping his empty glass, shouting to the bartender, "Another cup of frog juice! Warm, without any at scraps!"
Dylan rolled his eyes, seemingly suddenly reminded of sothing, and glanced around, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Did you notice there seem to be many guests today drinking ordinary beverages like orange juice and apple juice in the bar?" He shook his wine glass, suddenly losing a bit of confidence: "Did you see the sign when we ca in? Are we sure this is Sakura Pub?"
"Are you dizzy from drinking too?" Xin Fat Man blinked, looking curious.
"Of course it’s Sakura Pub, sir."
This reply ca from the bartender behind the counter.
The bartenders of Sakura Pub are Northern District Witches, with bright silver hair, the most popular color among Northern District Witches. Upon hearing Mister Wolfman’s uncertain question, they replied teasingly: "As for why everyone is drinking beverages, it’s because the Great Sage will co down for a drink later."
anwhile, she had already poured the Fat Wizard a full glass of frog juice.
"Enjoy."
The witch nodded slightly and turned to serve other custors.
The Great Sage she ntioned is the North District Grand-Wizard Korma, and Dylan suddenly understood why so many chose to skip the Sea Monster Langmu and opt for juice—no one wants to be rude in front of a Grand Wizard—visitors from First University wouldn’t want to, and the Northern District Wizards who can enter this bar especially so.
Only the slightly naive Atonent Hunting Team barged in recklessly, treating it like any ordinary pub.
"Did you hear that, Mr. Zha!"
Dylan turned, grabbing Zheng Qing’s arm and shaking it: "Sister Korma will co soon, stop drinking, don’t you want to inquire about things related to Ravens...ah, already drunk?"
The young cost student being shaken, with a flushed face and blurry eyes, swayed in place after Dylan let go, then collapsed onto the bar, peacefully falling asleep in seconds.
Drinking on an empty stomach really does make one dizzy easily.
...
...
When Zheng Qing fell onto the table, he didn’t feel pain but instead felt a hint of bewildernt.
Coming to his senses, he discovered himself standing at the entrance to Gu Diao Street. It was already dark, a silver-white moon overhead illuminating the surroundings. The street that bustled during the day was now silent, with only the wooden sculpture of the Gu Diao hanging above, its round eyes vigilantly scanning the area.
Whoosh.
A massive shadow swept overhead.
Zheng Qing looked up, just in ti to see a hunting owl casually pass above the archway, clutching in its claws a plump mouse, nearly as big as a rabbit.
The Warlock hamred his head lightly, taking a deep breath.
He clearly rembered drinking with his companions at Sakura Pub, so how did it suddenly beco night and leave him standing alone at the street entrance? Where were the others?
January’s weather was still cold, making his breath appear like a white ribbon blooming under the moonlight. After mixing with fresh air, it rolled back, carrying a chill that made the young wizard shiver instinctively.
Tap, tap, tap.
Sharp footsteps sounded, deceptively slow yet rapid, seemingly far in the previous second, suddenly arriving behind Zheng Qing in the next. Before he could turn around, the sharp burning sensation assaulted him from all directions, as if being thrown into acid.
This familiar feeling instantly awakened a mory within the Warlock from long ago.
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