April 25, Sunday.
Before dawn.
The two squads protecting Zheng Qing carried out their shift handover according to procedure. The outgoing squad was Qian Doudou's, attached to the Professor Joint Conference Office; the incoming squad was Ernest's, attached to the School Labor Committee.
As an old school worker, Master Ernest possessed both the caution typical of old-school wizards and the School Labor Committee's usual rigid manner. When he heard that the protected target had broken his usual routine and chosen to spend the night in a teaching assistant's office, he immediately frowned.
"Which office did you say it was again?" The old wizard removed the pointed wizard hat from his head, carefully smoothing its neat brim with his fingertips as he studied the Office Building.
"Thomas from the Teaching Assistant Group. He's also a member of the protection squad."
Qian Doudou handed the old man his detailed protection report and added, "According to the plan, his shift begins at eight in the morning..."
"Students staying out overnight violates school rules. Did you know that?" Old Man Ernest interrupted the tall, thin wizard before him, visibly displeased.
Sure enough, young people were unreliable when handling matters. He shook his head.
Hearing the old school worker invoke the "Campus Management Regulations," Qian Doudou fell silent. Ever since graduating, he had not heard that phrase in a very long time. Given his position and the level of missions he handled, he rarely concerned himself with trivial matters like students staying out overnight.
"Who's on duty near the Office Building tonight?" The old wizard turned to the other gray-robed wizard beside him.
"Master Vernal."
"Mm. He's had dealings with the target and knows him well enough... Notify Vernal. There's a student staying out overnight in the Office Building. Have him go check."
"Yes."
A