Chapter 2603: Chapter 824: Zheng Qing’s New Identity

Wednesday afternoon was an elective class, just like last semester, Zheng Qing and Jiang Yu chose the same course, Magic Universe Study, which was also the course Xiao Xiao and Xin chose last semester.

When initially selecting this course, Zheng Qing considered that he could ’refer to’ the Doctor’s homework and notes from last semester, which could save a lot of effort. After all, this semester his schedule is really too full.

But when Jiang Yu also boldly proposed the idea of ’referencing’, Zheng Qing was a bit speechless.

Including Li Meng.

The two seemed to have seen a ghost as they looked at Jiang Yu, who calmly suggested ’homework copying’. Zheng Qing immediately forgot his ’lizardman’ identity, and Li Meng didn’t even manage to hold onto the apple in her hand, allowing it to roll away.

Before Zheng Qing could speak, the little witch started yelling.

"Who are you?"

She shouted, without hesitation, pulling out her law book, aiming it at her cousin with full momentum: "How could my sister Yu possibly say the words ’homework copying’? Tell me, have you used a Compound Soup Remedy? I knew the news of the First University being taken over by lizardmen wasn’t just a rumor!"

Zheng Qing’s face turned dark.

Though he wasn’t as childish as the little witch, he too showed his attitude with a moment’s hesitation.

Jiang Yu deftly disarmed Li Meng, pushing her back into her seat. Her face was slightly red, yet she still managed to remain calm, raising the fork in her hand towards Zheng Qing, saying: "You two, be mature, don’t be so exaggerated, don’t scare others... I’ve thought it through, to maintain the intensity of thirty classes per week this semester, I must make some choices about coursework. Slightly relax on subjects where I can earn excellent grades with my eyes closed, and put more effort into courses like Metallic Sophistication and High Tier Star Signs."

The implication is that she can confidently earn high grades in Magic Universe Study with her eyes closed.

Only then did Zheng Qing feel the world become a bit more real.

"...But you," the witch said, spearing a few lettuce leaves with her fork, chewing them as she scrutinized Zheng Qing, not caring about her image as she continued: "Miss Barnes mentioned her plan to me... Are you mentally prepared? You should know, rumors not only mean exaggeration but also represent no limits."

"Why did she tell you?"

Zheng Qing began to regret not signing a Silence Contract with the blonde witch. He suddenly felt a bit uneasy, uncertain about how many people she had told about this plan.

"Do you think I’m not supposed to know?" Jiang Yu stopped chewing, casting a subtle look at Zheng Qing.

Li Meng somehow found another apple from somewhere, munching away as she watched the scene with interest, almost ready to record it all with a camera.

"No, no, of course not." Zheng Qing hastily denied, panic-stricken: "I mean, don’t let such a small matter affect you when you’re studying so hard..."

"I hold some responsibility for this matter."

Jiang Yu didn’t press the warlock further on this little statement, instead, she switched the topic slightly, interrupting: "When I had you dance so many times in Shanglin Garden before, it was originally to help us disperse some pressure, but I didn’t expect others to take advantage of it..."

Saying this, she puffed up her cheeks, seemingly irritated with herself.

Then, realizing she was in a public place, she tactically speared a cherry tomato with her fork and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling: "... What I mean is, Miss Barnes has abundant experience and resources in the field of public opinion and is indeed an expert in handling such matters. As for why she told me... Any large wizard family has their own public opinion resources, and collaboration is common when maintaining similar interests or goals."

"Then I..."

Zheng Qing hesitated for a moment — considering that Jiang Yu would definitely use family resources if she offered help, it would be too tactless if he simply enjoyed it without reciprocation. For Linda Barnes’ assistance, he offered the opportunity for a Korma interview in return, but for Jiang Yu, at this moment he couldn’t think of how to repay her.

"I suggest you be mentally prepared."

Jiang Yu’s fork hesitated on the nearly empty plate, her eyes subconsciously avoiding Zheng Qing, tapping it twice: "... You just need to remember that they’re all rumors."

While in the cafeteria, Zheng Qing did not grasp the full comprehension of ’they’re all rumors’ deeply.

It’s just lizardmen.

How big a deal is that.

But only after a night had passed, the next morning going to do morning exercises, he realized he was naive.

Almost every passerby who encountered him would cautiously glance at him—not the typical scrutiny, but a steady gaze stealing a peek from the corner of their eye, which caused the one being watched to clearly feel they were being observed.

If when his scandal with Su Shijun broke, people were staring at him with curiosity, astonishment, and anger, now, Zheng Qing sensed a completely different emotion from the eyes of others.

Fear.

He noticed this feeling among his classmates as well.

"...Here are some of the widely spread rumors I summarized."

Before the Magic Potion Class, Xin Fat Man routinely set up a shielding barrier, pushing his notebook in front of Zheng Qing, rapidly explaining: "Some of the more malicious ones attack your origins; the milder ones claim you come from a Trickster family, while heavier ones allege that you have Kunyang blood..." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The Kunyang people are an underground race in Oklahoma, with black hair and bronze skin, said to have ancestors from the depths of the starry sky, possessing unique and advanced magical skills. Although the Mage Alliance recognizes them as a neutral race, due to their tendency to seek emotional and intellectual stimulation, engaging in cruel magical experiments, and even creating and consuming humanoid races, many orthodox wizards view them as heretics.

To say someone has Kunyang blood implies that Zheng Qing might be an experimental product of the Kunyang people, casting doubt on his nature. This would be a great insult to any wizard.

But Zheng Qing did not grow up in the Wizard World, hence he doesn’t strongly feel this insult.

"Linda crafted these rumors for others to hear," seemingly worried that Zheng Qing might overthink, Fat Wizard specifically clarified: "You should know, rumors too insulting to one’s intelligence are likely to trigger ordinary people’s reverse psychology, possibly changing their stance to support you... Well, some of the less malicious rumors you already know, aside from being a lizardman, include you’re a cultist, an Outer God’s servant, and you enjoy eating children’s hearts... but these rumors have a small market. Do you know which is the most widespread rumor?"

"What?" Zheng Qing asked, expressionlessly playing along.

"That you’re actually a witch." Xin Fat Man looked at him solemnly.