May 1st, Saturday.
The tenth week of the second semester of their sophomore year.
The ninth week had been midterm week. Because they were graduating early, Zheng Qing and Jiang Yu did not follow the school's regular teaching schedule. For a time, he had thought he would not have to worry about any exams before graduation.
But only a week later, that "thought" had been declared nothing more than wishful luck.
After the second Edict Studies class on Saturday morning, Zheng Qing did not hurry to the cafeteria as usual. Instead, he wolfed down a pre-prepared salted meat sandwich with milk, found an empty classroom, and turned his hourglass once more.
After speaking with Professor Selsius at noon yesterday, Zheng Qing had immediately submitted an application to the School Labor Committee for "additional use of the Time-Turner."
Originally, he had assumed a report involving adjustments to the Timeline would not receive a response until the next day.
But that very afternoon, just as practical class had ended, Hilda stopped the "student teaching assistant" before he could sneak away, holding a receipt from the School Labor Committee.
"Your application for additional use of the Time-Turner has been approved."
The practical class instructor rubbed the copper stud in her ear and carefully examined the parchment she had just received, looking thoroughly vexed. "Damn it, the range of our security surveillance has increased by nearly forty percent!"
Since the Thomas betrayal incident, Zheng Qing had known that Hilda was also a member of the guard detail. Thus, neither of them avoided the subject when they chatted.
"Sorry for the trouble," the boy thanked her awkwardly.
"—In any case," Hilda said, shaking the parchment in her hand and casting a sidelong glance at her young colleague, her tone growing slightly more emphatic, "you must