For the past half year or so, First University had been very lively.
Great Sea Demon scouts, Under the Moon Council members, Dark Council claws, the missing headmaster, the mysterious Black Prison incident, the School Hunt Competition's string of upsets, the debate between Lei Zhe and Augustus, the Silent Tideback arriving early on Puji Island, and the Sand Hour Worm and rat infestations that had caused such an uproar at the school because of it.
These disturbances had continued from September of '08 through February of '09, and there was no prospect of them being completely settled anytime soon.
The school's administration—including the Professor Joint Conference and the School Labor Committee—had a terrible headache over it. But because the Xuanhuang Wood was bearing fruit, much of the school's strength was tied down, leaving it unable to deal with these troubles at full capacity.
So, when the school notified the underground ratfolk to deal with the "breeding of the five poisons," it also took the opportunity to warn Rat Immortal, hoping to make it behave itself. At the very least, it should not casually lure certain dark claws from beyond the island into the school.
But because the messenger belonged to Vice Principal Shi Hui's office, the message's effect was slightly distorted—Madam Shi Hui, as a headmaster prejudiced against "nonhuman wizards," had profoundly influenced those around her. In this First University representative, it manifested as his nose always pointing toward the sky whenever he spoke with Rat Immortal, while his tone treated it like a robot or a non-magical commoner. It was somewhat rude.
"Consensus?"
After hearing the school representative's choice of words, even more wrinkles gathered on Rat Immortal's plump, wrinkled face, along with a faintly mocking smile. "If you mean the school making me stay in these ruins no