Chapter 19: A New Lesson

Chapter 19: A New Lesson

That afternoon, dorm room 903 moved together to attend the class on Artifact Identification and Creation. This was a necessary skill for every demon hunter, with the end-of-term assessment requiring a research paper on artifact study and sourcing an artifact from the antique market at the East Gate. The paper accounted for 40% of the grade, and the practical part 60%.

Jiang Hong listened to the class with utmost seriousness, knowing that if he couldn't practice self-spells, he would need artifacts for assistance. Broadly, artifacts included any medium that could encapsulate energy, even electromagnetic fields and batteries.

In a narrower sense, artifacts were defined as objects inscribed with chakra circuits capable of exerting influence on the environment.

So the amulet Lu Xiu gave me is also an artifact—Jiang Hong took out the amulet and observed it carefully, guessing it contained a special communication spell undisturbed by external factors, activated by holding it and calling his name.

Basics of Spell Theory, Exploration of the Otherworld, Demon Hunting Practice, Artifact Identification and Creation—these were the four major courses. Coming up were courses in Demon Hunting History, College English, Basic Computing, and Philosophy, making up Jiang Hong's curriculum for the first semester of his freshman year.

"Isn't it odd for a bunch of demon hunters to study philosophy?" Jiang Hong wondered. "What were the course designers thinking? One minute it's 'matter is the foundation of the world', and the next 'there are three ways spiritual power can transform the world'... Isn't that contradictory?"

That's how Jiang Hong spent his week, with the dormitory littered with discarded yellow talisman papers due to He Jian studying talismanic arts, intensely practicing with a brush and cinnabar, leaving half-dry talismans hanging everywhere, even on his roommates' beds.

"Your family is so rich," Xiao Pi asked during a visit, "do you really need to work this hard? You're not planning to join the Demon Commission, are you?"

He Jian replied, "Ah, currently the Demon King is absent, and there's intense infighting among the demons. To secure a good position in the Demon Association, a postgraduate degree is needed."

"Who exactly is the Demon King?" Jiang Hong was completely unaware of these inner workings of the otherworld.

He Jian: "How do you not know anything?"

"It's our missing principal," Xiao Pi explained, "His name is Xiang Cheng."

Jiang Hong: "Oh! Him! I've heard his name mentioned several times. He must be very powerful."

Xiao Pi said, "He's incredibly powerful! It's only because he gave me a bit of dragon power that I could transform into a human. For someone as weak as me..."

Xiao Pi started to wallow in self-pity again, so Jiang Hong quickly comforted him. One 'chicken' consoling another, yet he couldn't help but start feeling sorry for himself too.

During the first week of Basic Spell Theory classes, Jiang Hong still followed along. Xie Liao began to check everyone's spell-casting abilities, listening to any difficulties the students had, but he skipped Jiang Hong and didn't check his spells.

In a week, everyone had mastered the basic use of fire and could already produce fireballs.

Jiang Hong watched his classmates with envy, sighing to himself and focused on taking meticulous notes.

In the second week, Xie Liao started teaching a second method of using fire.

"Actually, you don't need to worry too much," Xie Liao said to Jiang Hong after class, winking mysteriously. "Most demon hunters, when faced with danger, if they can react with one or two spells, that's already quite impressive. In the end, they often resort to their most commonly used, familiar methods of subduing demons. The so-called 'specialty' often refers to just that. I have a feeling that despite all this hard teaching, these spells won't be of much use in the end."

Jiang Hong had seen Xu Xuyang and the demon hunters from the Chongqing Commission subdue demons. Their methods were not very varied, casting spells like setting off fireworks, and even Lu Xiu's most commonly used technique involved a set of strange incantations.

"It's crucial to know when and what kind of skill to use to take down your opponent!"

During the practical class, Xia Xinghui walked past the line of students arranged in a fan shape, facing a summoned miniature Xuanwu.

"You must predict your enemy's next move based on the danger you encounter! Don’t be monotonous!"

Jiang Hong, still not assigned any homework, seemed to have become a special case student. Watching everyone use the supernatural methods learned in class, he couldn’t help feeling a bit dejected.

"Come to the fourth floor of the administration building after lunch," Xia Xinghui whispered to Jiang Hong as he passed by.

Jiang Hong responded with an "Oh" and continued sitting cross-legged, cheering on his classmates who were practicing their spells.

Sighing internally, Jiang Hong felt a bit disheartened.

At noon, he suddenly wanted to see Lu Xiu, but since the day he summoned him, Lu Xiu had always been busy. When he took the initiative to ask Lu Xiu out, the answer was the same: "I'm busy today too, have lunch with someone else."

Jiang Hong felt that ever since he got angry that time, things had been a bit awkward between them. Was he still concerned about that incident?

He decided to spend some time alone to reflect. Since joining the school, he had always been with his roommates or classmates, but sometimes he needed solitude to sort out his thoughts.

After getting his meal, Jiang Hong sat in a corner and was halfway through eating when he received a message from Lu Xiu.

Lu Xiu: [Why are you eating alone?]

Jiang Hong immediately looked around. Where was Lu Xiu?

Lu Xiu: [Stop looking around. I’m not in the cafeteria. A friend told me.]

Moments later, Lu Xiu added: [Not a close friend, more like a classmate.]

Jiang Hong wondered if graduate students also had classmates?

Lu Xiu then asked: [Why aren’t you hanging out with your roommates? Don’t you get along?]

Jiang Hong initially planned to say that he wanted to be alone for a while, but after a thought, he decided to tell the truth.

[I don’t want to see anyone but you.] Jiang Hong replied to him.

Lu Xiu’s side showed: Typing…

Jiang Hong: [Because of the practical class, everyone was casting spells, and I was just sitting aside watching. At that moment, I suddenly really wanted to summon you... but I'm feeling better now.]

Lu Xiu kept typing, paused for a while, and Jiang Hong waited for his message while finishing his lunch.

Jiang Hong told him about going to the administration building, and then there was no more response from Lu Xiu.

Jiang Hong slung his sports bag over his shoulder, deciding to get a skateboard and zip around the campus when he had free time.

He arrived at the administration building and pressed the elevator button.

"Fourth floor," announced the system voice, "‘Riding a Dragon to Buy Groceries’ S-Class Group Headquarters."

Jiang Hong: "???"

Peeking around, Jiang Hong surveyed the corridor with unmarked doors. From one of the rooms with its door ajar, Cao Bin's voice called out, "Jiang Hong, come in."

"Hello, Principal," said Jiang Hong.

Inside, Jiang Hong found a setup resembling a mini entertainment room or a bar, with six high stools, a pool table, a pinball machine, and dartboards on the wall.

In the corner stood a grand piano, with an old-fashioned vinyl record player beside it.

"Huh? What is this place?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.

Cao Bin, busy making hand-dripped coffee behind the bar, replied, "A friend's entertainment room in the administration building. Want to try the coffee I made today?"

"Thanks," Jiang Hong said. "Will drinking today's coffee remind me of my past life?"

"No, no," Cao Bin said, "it's just an ordinary cup of coffee. Can you put on a record for me? Your choice of music."

Jiang Hong happily went to the shelf in the corner and picked a classical record, recalling the song by Fei Yuqing he heard from afar on his first day at school. Was it played here?

He had a premonition that Cao Bin, through a meeting, had already reached a conclusion about his spiritual meridian qualifications, and today's invitation was to inform him of that conclusion.

Bach's music began to play.

Cao Bin asked, "Do you like classical music?"

"Yeah," Jiang Hong replied, "I was forced to play Bach a lot as a kid. I quite enjoy listening to it, as long as I’m not the one playing."

"Good," Cao Bin said as he prepared the filter paper, weighed the coffee beans, and ground them into powder.

Jiang Hong: "Good?"

Cao Bin: "Music and memory are directly linked. Demon hunters familiar with an instrument have an innate advantage in breaking through memory constraints."

Jiang Hong: "Oh? But I don't have spiritual meridian qualifications, so... can I still do it?"

Cao Bin glanced up from the coffee powder, looked at Jiang Hong, and said, "Without spiritual meridian qualifications, have you thought about dropping out?"

Jiang Hong replied, "Of course not, because... well... how should I put it?"

Cao Bin placed the kettle on the induction cooker to boil water, wiped his hands with a towel, and said, "Because you've already dropped out once before, dropping out again would be a bit awkward."

Jiang Hong laughed, realizing that this vice-principal seemed to have the power to see directly into people's hearts.

"A bit, I guess," Jiang Hong said. "After all, re-enrolling was my own decision. It's not good to be inconsistent, and perhaps more importantly... maybe it's because of Lu Xiu?"

"Why is that?" Cao Bin asked indifferently. "Love?"

"No—!" Jiang Hong exploded, saying, "Principal! Please don't misunderstand!"

Cao Bin gestured for Jiang Hong to go on.

Jiang Hong hurriedly clarified, "I don't like guys, I... Everyone has a hero complex, right? I just really admire him. Look at what you're suggesting! Principal! Can't our relationship be pure? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being gay, but I absolutely don't have any improper thoughts towards my idol!"

Cao Bin spoke gently, "Take a sip of water first, moisten your throat before you continue..."

Jiang Hong took the bottled water, "Anyway, Principal, please don't speculate wildly."

Jiang Hong had never thought in that direction, it was too taboo, too perverse! How could he think like that! It would be a desecration to his idol! What was the principal, who always seemed so upright, really thinking?!

Cao Bin answered seriously, "I believe you."

Jiang Hong pondered and then asked, "So, are you telling me today that there's really no hope for my spiritual meridian qualifications?"

"Yes," Cao Bin said, "We've had three meetings about this. Although we don’t know where the problem lies, the Light Jade test is never wrong."

"Oh—" Jiang Hong felt a bit disappointed. The heavy stone in his heart had finally fallen. He had been clinging to the last bit of hope, like perhaps he indeed possessed some powerful ability that even he hadn’t discovered and that had eluded the demon hunters...

But the reality was just that.

Cao Bin finished boiling the water and began making coffee, saying, "Xie Liao wants to take you to Beijing for another test, but I insist there’s no need. We must respect and accept reality. If it’s not there, it’s not there."

"Right." Jiang Hong thought the same as Cao Bin. Although a bit regretful, the reality was just that, meaningless.

"But I've come to terms with it," Jiang Hong inhaled the aroma of the coffee and said, "I will still study hard. Even if I can’t cast spells, I want to be a formidable demon hunter."

Cao Bin poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Jiang Hong, and added, "I also believe you can do it. That's why the school unanimously agrees that this is an appropriate time to launch a special course, to arrange a special subject for students like you..."

"…Thank you, Principal," Jiang Hong said, "The coffee is better than last time. I should get going... Huh? What?"

Cao Bin revealed, "I will personally teach this course."

Jiang Hong: "!!!"

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Cao Bin then said, "Come in."

Xiao Pi peeked his head in at the door, looking a bit nervous when he saw Cao Bin, and said, "Hello, Principal."

Jiang Hong was still coming to terms with the situation when Cao Bin added, "Make yourself comfortable. This class will be easygoing. We won't have difficult assignments, and you don't need to worry too much about failing..."

"Xiao Pi?!" Jiang Hong exclaimed in shock.

"Ah," Xiao Pi said timidly, "Jiang Hong, are you also attending this class?"

Jiang Hong, feeling somewhat honored, said, "Principal, you're personally teaching us?"

Cao Bin nodded, saying, "Yes, for this academic year, you two will be personally instructed by me. Starting this week, you don't need to attend the Basic Spell Theory classes anymore, though you can if you want. Demon Hunting Practice will continue as usual."

Jiang Hong: "That's great! Is it for one semester or the whole academic year?"

Cao Bin replied, "Four years."

Jiang Hong: "!!!"

"But I haven’t brought anything..." Jiang Hong suddenly felt a glimmer of hope, saying, "Do I need to go back and prepare any textbooks?"

Cao Bin: "No need. We’ll just sit and talk like we are now. Pi Yunhao, why are you still standing? Please, have a seat."

Xiao Pi came over and sat next to Jiang Hong, then after a moment of thought, said, "Principal, can you teach me how to be a qualified spirit beast?"

"That depends on you," Cao Bin said with a smile.

"But Xiao Pi can't be lacking spiritual meridian qualifications, right?" Jiang Hong said. "He's from the demon race! And a Pixiu at that!"

Xiao Pi said, "Although I can cast some spells, they're inconsistent. Maybe it's because I lack confidence? My dad sent me to see the Principal..."

Cao Bin replied, "This has nothing to do with your father. If you want to learn, I'll teach you, just like anyone else."

Xiao Pi, a bit touched, said, "Thank you, Principal!"

Cao Bin glanced at his watch and said, "We also have a teaching assistant, but he's late today. Let's wait a bit longer, shall we?"

Jiang Hong affectionately put an arm around Xiao Pi's shoulder, thinking to himself how great this was. Although it felt a bit unkind to think so, having a companion in the 'dud class' definitely made him feel less lonely.

"But I think Jiang Hong doesn't need to be in the dud class," Xiao Pi, always forthright, spoke his mind. "He can summon Lu Xiu."

Jiang Hong said, "I can’t always rely on my senior! I also want to be of help to him. Even though he spoils me, an endlessly demanding relationship is unbalanced. I fear that one day he'll grow tired of my uselessness and constant cries for help... Oh, right, Xiao Pi, don't let him know I said this..."

"I've already heard it," came the voice of Lu Xiu.

Jiang Hong: "..."

Lu Xiu, with his usual poker-faced expression, carrying a sports bag, had entered the entertainment room unnoticed.

"Here is our class's teaching assistant," Cao Bin announced. "Now that everyone's here, let's start the class."

Cao Bin took the sports bag from Lu Xiu, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Before we begin, let's correct a term. This is not a dud class... Hmm, Lu Xiu, you name it."

"Let's stick with Class S," Lu Xiu suggested, taking a seat at the bar and slightly rotating on the stool.

"S represents the image of a dragon," Cao Bin said politely, "Even now, it's very fitting. Good, from now on, you will be students of Class S."