High School of Demon Hunting
Chapter 1178 - 240 This is Not a Deal

Chapter 1178: Chapter 240 This is Not a Deal

The teaching building was diagonally across from a small garden, spanning just over three hundred steps.

Outside the garden was a row of tall bushes, about one and a half meters high, trimmed to resemble battlements and parapets. The school workers maintained them neatly on regular days. Occasionally, Grass Spirits snuck into the bushes to build nests, but they would be caught by the workers within a day and thrown out of the garden.

The garden was mainly composed of three parts: the pavilion in the center, the pond surrounding the pavilion, and the pebbled path that wound around the pond.

The pavilion, with its flying eaves and complex joists, was beautifully decorated. However, due to its exposed location, it was too conspicuous, and not many people stayed inside on regular days.

The water in the pond was fresh; it was said that the School Works Committee had brought a spring from the Silent Forest to the bottom of the pond. Although it was not large, it filled the entire pond with more than enough water, with the excess flowing into Lin Zhong Lake through a narrow secret channel on the outer side of the garden.

Despite the channel’s narrowness, it couldn’t prevent the strange creatures of Bell Lake from entering; thus, students wandering the garden would sometimes see little fish with red tails and the Kappas or mutated Water Ghosts chasing after them in the pond.

The Pebbles on the path were fine and small, making it very comfortable to walk on. Alongside the path, a variety of flowers were planted—magnolias, roses, Chinese roses, lilies, peonies, and more, providing a burst of color in every season.

Since it was the weekend, there were hardly any students lingering in front of the teaching building. Most of them hurried to the library to make up for homework after their meetings, allowing the two Witches to enjoy a peaceful stroll around the pond.

After walking around the pond, Elena finally spoke up, "Do you know about the current predicament of the Gypsy Witch Coven?"

Jiang Yu hesitated for a few seconds before nodding, "I do."

For unexplained reasons, the number of high-level wizards born within the Gypsy Witch Coven was dwindling, and even the number of Registered wizards was continuously decreasing. The rate of decline was almost catching up with that of the Babylonian Mage Group. As an ancient organization of wizards, their dilemma was not difficult for other equally ancient groups or Wizard Families to become aware of.

Jiang Yu could have pretended not to know about the Gypsy witches’ trouble to protect the meager pride of her classmate. But that would be pointless. Since Elena had raised the issue, she obviously did not mind Jiang Yu knowing.

The Gypsy witch let out a heavy sigh of relief, her tone becoming much lighter, "That’s good... It would feel somewhat embarrassing to repeat it again."

Though she said this, her expression and demeanor did not show the slightest bit of embarrassment; she remained as exquisite and beautiful as ever.

After inwardly praising her, Jiang Yu cautiously asked, "Does your reason for finding me have to do with this matter?"

Elena didn’t beat around the bush and directly explained her reason for coming, "I have now found a solution to the dilemma, but it requires a bit of Spirit Witch’s Blood... Rest assured, it will absolutely not affect the Spirit Witch. What we need is only the active Spiritual Machine within her blood."

Jiang Yu’s figure came to a sudden halt, and her face grew dark.

For wizards, blood held magical powers similar to one’s true name; even best friends risked falling out if they asked to use either. And Jiang Yu was merely an acquaintance from class, even less than a close friend.

Elena, with her intelligence, should have known the taboo of such an exchange, yet she dared to propose it before Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu mulled over these thoughts, refraining from turning around and leaving immediately.

A Tree Elf slithered out from the bushes, and upon seeing the two witches, it keenly sensed the low pressure in the air and was startled. It stamped its claw forcefully into the ground and darted back into the bushes, trampling the delicate frost-covered perennial grass beneath its feet into disarray—even though the deerhorn begonia it fancied was only a meter away from its point of emergence.

"I should have waited for a more appropriate opportunity and discussed this matter with you in a more euphemistic way. But this Saturday, our magic circle will be completed. I need the blood of a Spirit Witch before we conduct the Magic Ritual."

"We had also planned to buy some Spirit Witch’s Blood from a Wandering Wizard, but we’ve already bought too many things from that Elder Wizard. To avoid arousing his suspicion, we had to abandon that channel."

Moreover, my Tarot Cards tell me that you will ultimately agree to this exchange, Elena added silently in her heart.

Jiang Yu stood sideways, gazing fixedly at the calm pond, and Elena could only see her profile. The rockery in the pond cast a heavy shadow over the hearts of both witches. Water lilies and irises by the rockery drooped their heads listlessly. Occasionally, lively little fish brushed past their stems, causing ripples.

The Gypsy Witch seemed not to notice Jiang Yu’s expression, and after a few seconds of pause, she quickly added, "You can monitor the entire process of us using the blood. In fact, from beginning to end, we will never touch the vial of blood—it will be entirely up to you... The principles and construction of the Array, you can inspect them all. If you find even the slightest hint of danger, you can terminate the agreement at any time."

These terms were already very lenient, and through them, Jiang Yu could fully perceive the Gypsy Witch’s sincerity. This made her expression soften somewhat.

But it only improved slightly; she still had no intention of using her cousin’s blood for a pointless risk.

Elena played her next card, "You will gain the friendship of The Gypsy Witch Coven... If you want jade coins, you can name a sum; if you want the secrets of Tarot Divination or formulas of the Gypsy witches’ Magic Potions, I can find a way to get them for you."

For an ancient Wizard Family that had fallen on hard times, the once-glorious Gypsy Witch Coven indeed had little appeal; but for a young wizard within an old family, the friendship of an equally ancient wizard organization was very enticing. Additionally, the Gypsy witches had profound expertise in Divination and Magic Potions, which was attractive to any wizard.

Gradually, the anger on Jiang Yu’s face dissipated, revealing a contemplative expression.

Seeing her hesitation, Elena bit her lip and threw out her final straw, "Zheng Qing is yours as well."

After speaking, she seemed to finally set down a thousand-pound weight, sighing heavily in relief.

"This isn’t part of the deal." Worried that her concession would have the opposite effect, she quickly added, "This isn’t a trade."

A faint blush suddenly rose on Jiang Yu’s face, showing a mix of shame, annoyance, and a hint of embarrassment. But due to the approach of nightfall, the blush was not very noticeable.

She finally lifted her head, looking at the Gypsy Witch, and gazed earnestly into her eyes:

"Is it worth it?"