Chapter 2002: Chapter 223: Dinner

Zheng Qing arrived at Greenhill Mansion at eight o’clock in the evening.

He hesitated for a long time on the road, never quite sure whether to invite Su Shijun to be the mentor of the Absolution team.

First, because in his impression, the owner of Greenhill Mansion only worked at the school’s research institute and did not hold any formal teaching position, which seemed not to meet the Hunting Committee’s policy requirements. Secondly, even if it were truly appropriate, it would be difficult for him to explain to his companions why he could invite Su Shijun to become their Hunting Team Leader.

In other words, why him?

On one side was the Big Wizard capable of attending the Magic Alliance Conference, possessing titles such as a member of the Moon Council, the most beautiful in the wizard world, and the heir of Qingqiu; on the other side was a university student with an unknown name, although he also held titles like the Merlin Medal, Great Arcana ‘World’, and cost student. It was clear to anyone the difference was vast.

Indeed, the Absolution Hunting Team is an outstanding team, having won the freshman competition and participated in the Black Prison battle, but that’s about it.

Among hundreds of large and small hunting teams within the Mage Alliance, nearly thirty registered hunting teams at First University, innumerable teams wanted to invite Su Shijun to participate in public activities or serve as the face of the event. Why would an obscure small team take the lead?

Zheng Qing had reason to believe that if the news of Su Shijun participating in the campus hunting competition were made public, the directors of all four colleges might openly give way, supporting their respective college teams to find ways to invite Su Shijun as their mentor.

It wouldn’t require her to complete the mentoring work exceptionally well; just having the mentor stand on the stands cheering would instantly turn a significant portion of the audience on the opposing team’s stands.

The thought was quite thrilling.

Zheng Qing shook his head vehemently, dispelling the dreadful thought that had just flashed through. The young wizard could well imagine what kind of sensation the news of Su Shijun becoming the Absolution mentor would cause upon spreading through First University.

By then, not only would the wizards from the Absolution Hunting Team, but even all students from Astronomy Class 08-1, would need to wear hoods and stick to the corners to walk, to avoid Su Shijun’s fanatics from doing something irrational.

This anxiety over gains and losses was eventually dispelled when Zheng Qing received a paper crane from Xiao Xiao.

The paper crane brought two pieces of new bad news.

One came from Xiao Xiao, who failed to invite another professor of magic history through Sima. That professor had recently resigned and could not participate in such competitions.

The other came from the campus newspaper’s editorial department. Xin Fat Man informed his team leader in the letter that Andrew Taylor’s Ouroboros Hunting Team had invited the Fishman Language professor as their mentor.

“The wolf cub invited the fishman, truly birds of a feather and evil flocks together,” the Fat Wizard wrote indignantly at the end of the letter: “… I have reason to believe that whether Iseni joins the Northern District Wizard organizations’ team, or the Fishman Language professor becomes the Ouroboros Hunting Team’s mentor, it’s all the restless expressions of that group from Lin Zhong Lake… Rest assured, I will keep watching them.”

Zheng Qing did not hope for Xin Fat Man to focus too much attention on the Bell Lake Fishman.

Clearly, they now had more important matters to worry about.

As the saying goes, professional matters are handled by professionals—he only needed to find a qualified mentor for Absolution.

Thus, he stood in front of Beta Town West District No. 54.

On the wooden door, the Qingqiu badge formed by nine rotating tails shone brightly under the moonlight, like a blue flower, mingling beautifully with the vibrant colors of the garden behind, mesmerizing anyone who gazed upon it.

This made Zheng Qing unsure if the fragrance he smelled was from the small garden or the fox maid in front of him.

“Miss is in the dining room.”

A maid with a delicate appearance slightly bowed to the warlock, revealing her furry ears amidst her hair. Zheng Qing vaguely remembered she was called Su Zhi, though it might be Su Hua—seeing many beautiful faces often leads to face blindness.

“Thank you.” The warlock quickly bowed in return, smiling shyly.

“Please follow me.”

The fox maid walked briskly ahead, like a blue butterfly, weaving through the small garden, twisting and turning, quickly leading the warlock to a room he found somewhat unfamiliar.

At the center of the room was a long wooden table covered with a white tablecloth, surrounded by ten high-backed chairs, one at each end, and four on either side.

On the tablecloth were sets of exquisite enamel porcelain tableware, matching the color of the table and chairs, primarily painted in red. Above the table hung ornate magic lamps, shedding gentle bright light across the room.

Directly opposite Zheng Qing upon entering, as well as to his left, were grand floor-to-ceiling windows adorned with huge red velvet curtains. The difference lay in the right side of the opposite window where there hung a massive tapestry, showing faint images of a giant Kabbala Tree along with many names; whereas to the left of the window, there were two slender tall display cabinets, with golden nine-tail-shaped candelabras in front, displaying elegant silver utensils within.

“Since you’re here, join for dinner then.”

The owner of Greenhill Mansion sat at the farthest main seat from the entrance, lazily leaning against the high-backed chair, casually greeting the young man: ” … What would you like to eat?”

“Anything will do.” Zheng Qing was overwhelmed by the room’s imposing aura, his gaze unconsciously darting around, uncertain about which seat he should take.

The chair opposite the witch seemed nice, but would it be too far away for her to hear him clearly?

As if guessing the warlock’s hesitation, the hostess pointed to the closest chair on her left side: “Just sit here, and by the way, you can help keep an eye on Poseidon… she always likes to cause trouble while I’m eating.”

The fox maid led the warlock to that position, pulling back the chair, making a gesture of invitation.

Zheng Qing sat down nervously, feeling as if he were seated atop a bomb.

He wondered whether his bomb had a higher yield or the one beneath his bottom, his thoughts wandering, eyes concealing his intent, nose focusing inward, while the heart instructed his nasal senses and peripheral vision to drift towards the figure seated at the main chair.

“If you want to look, just look!”

Su Shijun rolled her eyes dramatically, “I’m wearing glasses now, you don’t have to worry about eating your meal into your nose… Do you know how obvious you are when you’re trying to sneak a glance with your side-eye?”

She exaggeratedly demonstrated Zheng Qing’s little moves, causing the fox maids standing beside to bow their heads and chuckle quietly.

Zheng Qing immediately flushed with embarrassment, rendered speechless.

After a while, he finally managed to grasp a clear thought line, chuckling dryly twice: “You’re having dinner quite late… the school usually finishes dinner service by seven.”

“You’re the one to talk!”

Su Shijun raised her eyebrows: “I have to attend to lab matters at school, and when I return to the mansion, I have to watch over Poseidon doing her homework… she’s at a mischievous age now, you should spend more effort on her!”